Market Signal Briefing

Fri, 5/12/2025 - 9:29

Ripple CTO David Schwartz finally opened his XRPL Hub to the public, posting uptime stats, peer data and traffic charts, turning a quiet internal moment into the most-talked-about setup in the XRP community today.

Cover image via U.Today

Ripple CTO David Schwartz broke his silence about his long-running XRPL Hub by posting its operational data, network details and performance graphs, turning a low-profile internal node into a public reference point for anyone running an XRPL setup. 

Schwartz disclosed that his hub has been running version 2.6.2 for more than a month without a single issue, offered its hostname and port for operators who want to connect, and shared charts showing peer counts, latency profiles, traffic load, and disconnection metrics. 

The hub is under capacity, which explains why peer reservations have not been needed, yet Schwartz said he can enable them if demand surges.

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My hub has been running 2.6.2 for more than a week now and there have been no issues. If you run an XRPL node, feel free to connect:
Hostname: hub . distributedagreement . com
Domain: distributedagreement . com
Port: 51235
PubKey:… pic.twitter.com/bcE3Dt4GPQ

— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) December 4, 2025 The post came out when there was a lot of talk about XRPL programmability again. In the replies, Schwartz disagreed with the idea of adding features only to allow validators to make money from validation. In his opinion, that rationale is weak and does not align with the chain's design. It is more compelling to let XRP holders stake for revenue, but that alone is not enough to warrant major changes. 

What does it all mean for XRP?The bottom line is that he thinks XRP Ledger's financial primitives should be used in more situations, not just for quick payouts to a small group.

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Schwartz also acknowledged the risk side. Making radical smart-contract additions requires a lot of engineering, creates unpredictable outcomes and changes parts of XRPL that he thinks are essential. Even successful experiments like AMM cannot guarantee usage levels, so new functionality needs proof that it can drive real demand before the ecosystem commits.

With the hub disclosure, it looks like Ripple's CTO is ready to prioritize transparency in operations while keeping protocol changes on a strict, evidence-driven track.

Related articles

21Shares has launched the first-ever leveraged SUI ETF, giving investors 2x daily exposure to the SUI token through the Nasdaq under the ticker TXXS.

However, while most crypto ETFs cause some bullish momentum to the underlying cryptocurrencies, the SUI price, currently at around $1.64, is down 1.9% over the last 24 hours, reflecting a slight pullback despite the market optimism.

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The 21Shares 2x SUI ETF, TXXS, is the first leveraged product linked to the Sui blockchain and the first SUI ETF to hit US markets, and it follows a similar strategy to 21Shares’ leveraged Dogecoin ETF.

Approved by the SEC via a Form 8-A filing, TXXS is designed for short-term trading, offering twice the daily movement of SUI.

Unlike a spot ETF, which would hold SUI directly, this leveraged product uses derivatives to achieve amplified exposure, targeting experienced traders familiar with the risks of daily rebalancing.

According to Russell Barlow, CEO of 21Shares, the launch underscores the company’s commitment to providing investors with accessible, regulated crypto investment vehicles.

The listing also coincides with broader institutional interest in SUI, as the network’s fast transactions, developer-friendly design, and increasing stablecoin transfer volumes make it an appealing option for both retail and professional traders.

The introduction of a regulated leveraged SUI ETF provides traders with an opportunity to amplify returns without holding the token directly, marking a notable step in integrating SUI into the broader US investment landscape.

SUI price dips despite ETF launch
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Despite the debut of TXXS, the SUI price has faced downward pressure, and analysts attribute the decline to a combination of profit-taking and technical rejection.

The token’s inability to stay above the $1.66 pivot point, a critical support and resistance level, has weighed on sentiment, with MACD momentum showing signs of fading and only 47% of holders in profitable positions at current prices.

In addition, short-term traders have capitalised on the ETF-induced volatility, amplifying swings and contributing to the 24-hour dip of nearly 2%.

Altcoin weakness and Bitcoin dominance also contribute to the current SUI price trend.

With Bitcoin dominance climbing to 58.64%, capital has rotated from altcoins to BTC, leaving SUI and other alternative tokens under pressure.

The Fear & Greed Index, currently at 25, indicating extreme caution, further dampens the speculative buying.

Source: CoinMarketCapSUI price forecast
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Looking ahead, technical analysis offers guidance on potential price movements for SUI.

To start with, a key level to watch is $1.31, which could serve as a foundation for a rebound toward $1.60, according to Ali Martinez.

Other analysts also note that breaking above the $1.64 resistance could open the way for further gains toward $1.97, with the next technical hurdle at $2.18.

Conversely, failure to hold $1.28 may see SUI revisit lower support levels near $0.9171.

Ali Martinez has highlighted that SUI is showing buy signals across both technical and fundamental measures, suggesting that the dip may be temporary.

$SUI is flashing buy signals across the board, fundamentally and technically.

Overall, while the launch of 21Shares’ TXXS ETF introduces a new avenue for exposure to SUI, the token’s price behaviour highlights the interplay between leverage-driven volatility, technical resistance levels, and macro-alternative cryptocurrency market dynamics, and traders should exercise caution.

New infrastructure connects two major networks, hinting at deeper interoperability.

Market Sentiment:

Bullish

Bearish

Neutral

Published:
December 5, 2025 │ 9:30 AM GMT

Created by Gabor Kovacs from DailyCoin

Coinbase and Chainlink have deployed a cross‑chain bridge linking Coinbase’s Ethereum layer‑2 network Base with Solana. The bridge went live on mainnet this Thursday, allowing direct transfer of assets between the two networks.

Base, which has surpassed $4.45 billion in total value (TVL) locked this year, has been expanding aggressively as Coinbase pushes deeper into on-chain products. 

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Meanwhile, Solana remains one of the fastest high‑throughput chains, reportedly handling around 70 million daily transactions and registering approximately $9 billion in DEX volume over the past week. Until now, the two networks operated largely in isolation. 

How the Bridge WorksThe bridge uses a dual-verification model combining Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) with Coinbase-operated validation. 

Coinbase and Chainlink CCIP node operators each independently verify all messages, ensuring token transfers between Base and Solana are safe and reliable.

With the bridge live, Solana-native assets such as SOL and SPL tokens can now move directly into Base applications like Zora, Aerodrome, Virtuals, Flaunch, and Relay. 

The rollout allows trading SOL, CHILLHOUSE, TRENCHER, and a wide array of Solana assets directly on Base.

SOL Price Slipped Market reaction has been muted. SOL slipped around 3.5% to $138.7 following the announcement, reflecting cautious sentiment across the broader crypto market rather than a direct response to the launch.

Source: TradingViewWhy This MattersThe Base and Solana bridge represents a strategic move toward a more interconnected, multi-chain ecosystem, enabling seamless cross-chain transfers.

Discover DailyCoin’s hottest crypto news today:
Stellar’s 34% Breakout Beckons If This XLM Chart Holds
Stablecoin Inflows Rebound Amid Renewed Market Confidence

People Also Ask:What is the Base–Solana bridge?

It is a cross-chain connection that allows assets to move directly between Base, Coinbase’s Ethereum layer-2 network, and the Solana blockchain.

Why is this bridge important?

It enables seamless asset transfers, increases liquidity access, and supports a more interconnected, multi-chain crypto ecosystem.

How does the cross-chain bridge work?

The bridge uses a dual-verification system: Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) and Coinbase independently verify all transfers to enhance security.

Is using the bridge safe?

The dual-verification model reduces risk, but all cross-chain transfers carry inherent smart contract and operational risks. Users should start with small transfers.

How does the bridge maintain security?

Each transfer is verified independently by Chainlink’s CCIP nodes and Coinbase, creating a dual-verification system that reduces risks common to single-operator bridges.

DailyCoin's Vibe Check: Which way are you leaning towards after reading this article?

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This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein shall be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading forex, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs pose a considerable risk of loss.

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

Quick Facts:

➡️ Twenty One Capital waits for its NYSE debut on December 9, with a $BTC treasury of 43.5K tokens, which ranks it third on the list of the largest Bitcoin treasuries, after Strategy and MARA.
➡️ Twenty One Capital’s NYSE debut underscores institutional Bitcoin demand, increasing the strategic relevance of scalable $BTC infrastructure like Bitcoin Hyper.
➡️ Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) will use a modular Bitcoin Layer-1 + SVM Layer-2 design to bring sub‑second, low‑fee smart contracts to the Bitcoin ecosystem.
➡️ PEPENODE’s ($PEPENODE) mine‑to‑earn structure turns meme coin speculation into a gamified virtual mining experience with tiered node rewards.

Twenty One Capital’s NYSE debut, with more than 43.5K $BTC on its balance sheet, is a watershed moment for institutional Bitcoin exposure.

The official launch is set for December 8, with the company set to list on December 9.

Once it hits the public sphere, Twenty One Capital will be the largest Bitcoin holder listed on the NYSE. Twenty One capital is the third-largest public $BTC treasury company globally, after MARA and Strategy, which are both listed on the Nasdaq.

The takeaway is clear: if regulated equity vehicles are racing to accumulate $BTC, the infrastructure that can actually make Bitcoin capital productive is where the asymmetric upside sits. Layer-2 scaling, yield infrastructure, and stable settlement rails suddenly matter a lot more.

Here are three assets that sit neatly in that flow of capital: Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) as a hyper‑performance Bitcoin Layer-2; PEPENODE ($PEPENODE) as a speculative mine‑to‑earn meme coin riding the risk curve; and USDC ($USDC) as the settlement backbone tying it all together.

1. Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) – First Bitcoin Layer-2 With SVM
If listed treasuries are hoarding $BTC, the obvious next question is how to make that Bitcoin programmable. Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) positions itself as one of the fastest Bitcoin Layer-2s with Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) integration, aiming to deliver execution that outperforms Solana while anchoring security to the Bitcoin Layer-1.

Instead of trying to jam smart contracts into Bitcoin’s base layer, Bitcoin Hyper will use a modular design: the Bitcoin Layer-1 will handle settlement and finality, while a real‑time SVM‑powered Layer-2 executes transactions at extremely low latency and low cost.

That opens the door to sub‑second confirmation times and fee levels closer to Solana‑style micro‑payments rather than congested Layer-1 Bitcoin fees.

On the programmability side, SVM compatibility means developers can deploy Rust‑based smart contracts, supporting SPL‑style tokens modified for this Layer-2. That makes it far easier for existing Solana‑native teams to port DeFi primitives, NFT collections, or gaming dApps into the Bitcoin ecosystem without rewriting their entire stack.

The Canonical Bridge is in charge of creating the wrapped Bitcoins, once the Bitcoin Relay Program confirms incoming transactions in record time.

The live presale has already passed the $29M milestone, an indication that $HYPER is clearly drawing institutional‑style speculation ahead of launch.

Right now, $HYPER costs $0.013375 per token, with staking at 40% APY. The project targets a release window between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026, so if you want to join the presale, read our guide to buying $HYPER before the clock runs out.

Based on the investor interest during the presale and the project’s utility proposition, we expect the token to experience a considerable post-launch surge once the initial dump settles.

Our price prediction for $HYPER puts the token at a potential $0.20 in 2026 for an ROI of 1,395%. 2030 could push it to $1.50 once the project starts seeing mainstream support with return rates of $11,115%.

If these predictions check, $HYPER could become one of the best crypto to buy in 2026 and beyond.

🚀 Head to the presale page and buy your $HYPER today.

2. PEPENODE ($PEPENODE) – Mine‑to‑Earn Meme Coin Experiment
While Bitcoin Hyper targets infrastructure, PEPENODE ($PEPENODE) leans into speculation and gamification as the self‑proclaimed world’s first mine‑to‑earn memecoin.

Instead of traditional staking or liquidity mining, users participate in a virtual mining system where node ownership and activity determine reward tiers.

This ‘tiered node rewards’ model turns what would usually be passive holding into an interactive experience. Users scale up their node exposure to climb the rewards ladder, while a gamified dashboard visualizes mining progress, earnings, and competition with other participants.

It’s a meme coin, but with a pseudo‑operational layer of simulated infrastructure underneath.

From a capital‑flow perspective, PEPENODE offers a higher‑beta play that can benefit when Bitcoin strength and institutional headlines pull liquidity further out the risk curve.

The presale has already raised over $2.2M, leaving room for upside if the mine‑to‑earn mechanic gains traction with retail.

Currently at $0.0011778, the PEPENODE presale offers a dynamic staking APY of 570%. Our guide to buying $PEPENODE explains how to join the presale.

If the marriage between the coin’s meme value and its on-chain utility works, we could see it pump post launch. A fair price prediction for $PEPENODE hints at a potential target of $0.0072 in 2026. Make that $0.0244 by 2030, once the mainstream market starts taking notice.

In terms of profit, think ROIs of 511% and 1,971% respectively.

If you believe speculative capital will chase novel tokenomics as Bitcoin grinds higher on institutional demand, PEPENODE is a structured way to express that view.

🚀 Buy your $PEPENODE on the official presale page today.

3. USDC ($USDC) – Institutional‑Grade Stablecoin Rail
If Twenty One Capital’s listing represents regulated $BTC exposure, USDC ($USDC) is the complementary rail for dollar liquidity. $USDC is a fully collateralized, US dollar‑pegged stablecoin designed to enable fast, transparent, and low‑cost digital dollar transactions across borders and platforms.

Each $USDC is backed by cash and short‑dated US.

Treasuries held in segregated accounts, making it a favorite among institutions and DeFi protocols that need predictable redemption and regulatory clarity. Crucially, $USDC is now available natively on more than 16 blockchains and supports Circle’s Cross‑Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP), enabling seamless movement of liquidity between ecosystems without centralized exchange hops.

That multi‑chain footprint and composability have helped push $USDC’s market cap above $78B as of December 2025, cementing its position as the world’s second‑largest stablecoin by circulation.

It functions as base collateral in DeFi, settlement currency on major exchanges, and a bridge between banks, fintechs, and crypto‑native rails.

In a world where publicly listed firms are turning to Bitcoin and regulators scrutinize stablecoins, $USDC offers a relatively conservative way to sit in on‑chain dollars while moving quickly between trades.

If you’re rotating between $BTC, altcoin bets like $HYPER and $PEPENODE, and cash, $USDC is the liquidity layer that makes the strategy actually executable.

🚀 Buy $USDC at today’s price of ~$0.9999 on Binance today.

Recap: As Twenty One Capital’s NYSE debut channels more TradFi money into Bitcoin, Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER), PEPENODE ($PEPENODE), and USDC ($USDC) map out a coherent stack: programmable $BTC yield, speculative upside, and stable settlement.

Disclaimer: This isn’t financial advice. DYOR before investing.

Authored by Bogdan Patru, Bitcoinist: https://bitcoinist.com/best-crypto-to-buy-as-twenty-one-capital-hits-nyse

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

Key NotesTom Lee says the crypto bottom is in and expects a rapid bullish reversal.Ethereum could surge toward $62,000 if the ETH/BTC ratio reaches 0.25.Traders watch $4,800, $6,800, and $8,800 as critical resistance levels.
Tom Lee, the chairman of ETH

ETH
$3 132

24h volatility:
2.1%

Market cap:
$377.93 B

Vol. 24h:
$24.88 B

holding company BitMine Immersion Technologies, believes that the crypto market has already survived its harshest correction phase.

Speaking at Blockchain Week in Dubai, he argued that the pullback that began in October is over. Lee talked about previous cycles where similar drops resolved within six to eight weeks and added that the market is entering its reversal window.

No 4-Year Cycles
According to Lee, fears tied to quantum threats, liquidation cascades, and concerns around Tether and MicroStrategy contributed to the recent market anxiety.

Yet he now sees evidence that market makers have stabilized. In his view, crypto’s bullish cycle will resume, and the traditional idea of Bitcoin’s four-year halving cycles no longer applies.

When discussing Ethereum, Lee remained exceptionally optimistic and said that major financial institutions like JPMorgan, BlackRock, and others are building real-world asset tokenization rails on Ethereum.

From his perspective, Ethereum is evolving into the core financial settlement layer of the global economy. He said that if Ethereum returns to its historical average ratio versus Bitcoin, ETH could trade near $12,000. A return to the 2021 peak ratio places ETH close to $22,000.

But Lee’s most ambitious forecast assumes ETH grows into the backbone of worldwide settlement which could lift the ETH/BTC ratio toward 0.25 and push Ethereum to roughly $62,000.

According to a recent release, the firm now holds more than $12 billion worth of Ether. Earlier today, Lookonchain revealed that BitMine had accumulated 41,946 ETH, worth about $130.78 million, at a price near $3,100.

It seems that Tom Lee(@fundstrat)'s #Bitmine just bought another 41,946 $ETH($130.78M) 5 hours ago.https://t.co/adab0TBF5Phttps://t.co/bYWnrPoBLU pic.twitter.com/z8QPzY0q95

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) December 5, 2025

Traders Turn to Key Resistance Levels
Analyst Ali Martinez took a more practical approach while sharing Lee’s words. While he acknowledged the possibility of a $62,000 ETH, the analyst argued that the market must first clear critical resistance levels.

$62,000 $ETH!??

It could be… But first, Ethereum needs to break $4,800. And even then, the next key targets are $6,800 and $8,800. https://t.co/JQEazwCIzi pic.twitter.com/tl2wzaCKQ0

— Ali (@ali_charts) December 5, 2025

According to Martinez, Ethereum needs to break above $4,800 to unlock momentum. Beyond that, the next major targets lie at $6,800 and $8,800. Clearing these levels will make ETH the next crypto to explode in the next cycle.

Meanwhile, according to CryptoQuant analysts, Ethereum’s Taker Buy/Sell Ratio on Binance climbed to 0.998 immediately following the Fusaka network upgrade. This was the highest reading since early August.

ETH taker buy sell ratio | Source: CryptoQuant

A breakout above 1.0 would confirm the end of November’s correction and open the path toward the $3,500 and $4,000 zones.

CryptoQuant also noted that Ethereum’s cumulative volume delta (CVD) on Binance has shown sharp spikes of buying interest, and the indicator is now in positive territory.

Binance ETH CVD momentum and price correlation 30D | Source: CryptoQuant

The 30-day correlation between price and CVD remains at a relatively high 0.6. According to analysts, this pattern confirms that traders are accumulating dips in anticipation of increased liquidity as future upgrades approach.

Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.

Cryptocurrency News, News

A crypto journalist with over 5 years of experience in the industry, Parth has worked with major media outlets in the crypto and finance world, gathering experience and expertise in the space after surviving bear and bull markets over the years. Parth is also an author of 4 self-published books.

Parth Dubey on LinkedIn

Solana’s price relating to upgrade stack, rising developer activity, and improving technicals could support a move toward the $150 resistance if network traction and trading volumes continue.

Summary

Solana price includes planned upgrades like Alpenglow, MCP, and BAM to fix core issues, reduce voting overhead, and harden consensus after external research flagged vulnerabilities.​
Developer tools and apps across prediction markets, gaming, and AI keep activity elevated, even as speculative memecoin phases fade and users shift to practical use cases.​
SOL trades above short-term moving averages with rising momentum, but analysts view the prior $150 peak as a key resistance that requires sustained volume and network progress.

Solana’s (SOL) price has drawn market attention following a series of network upgrades and technical developments that analysts say could support price movement toward $150 by year-end, according to industry observers.

The blockchain network has announced multiple planned upgrades including Alpenglow, MCP, BAM, Harmonic, XDP, and p-token, each designed to address technical issues within the network’s core infrastructure, according to project documentation. Development teams have released tools including Dflow, Meridian, Humidifi, Nous, MetaDAO, Ore, FlashTrade, Orb, and Dupe, indicating continued developer activity across multiple categories.

Solana price targets bullish levels
The network’s user composition has shifted following the conclusion of a memecoin distribution phase, with remaining participants focusing on practical applications rather than speculative tokens, according to network data. Solana has gained visibility across retail and institutional sectors in recent quarters, with access expanding through a neobank partnership and a multi-year gaming project positioning the network within the gaming sector.

Network metrics currently register below previous peak levels, though baseline activity remains higher than in prior market cycles, according to blockchain analytics. Solana holds leading or second-place positions in prediction markets, x402 applications, and artificial intelligence-linked projects. The network’s Breakpoint conference is scheduled to proceed as its largest event to date.

The Alpenglow upgrade has emerged as a focal point in technical discussions. The update reduces on-chain voting activity, modifies consensus mechanisms, and resolves a vulnerability where minimal stake could halt chain operations, according to technical specifications. A research paper from ETH Zurich prompted revisions to system architecture, reflecting what developers describe as a research-driven approach to network development.

Cardano researchers noted similarities to their methodology of publishing formal research papers prior to implementing major protocol changes, according to public statements. The approach represents a shift toward structured technical development for Solana, which observers suggest may strengthen confidence in future updates.

December has historically produced varied returns for cryptocurrency markets, with the month typically generating elevated trading volumes, according to market data. Current technical indicators show Solana’s price trading above short-term moving averages with rising momentum indicators and volume levels sufficient to support significant price movement, according to technical analysis.

Market analysts state that sustained network upgrades and trading activity will serve as key indicators for whether Solana can approach projected year-end price targets. The cryptocurrency traded at approximately $250 during previous market peaks, establishing the level as a significant resistance point.

Cross-border stablecoin flows have reached new 2025 highs, surpassing those of Bitcoin and Ethereum for the first time. This has prompted a sharp warning from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The Fund says the explosive rise of digital dollars could accelerate currency substitution, disrupt capital flows, and pressure emerging-market financial systems.

IMF Sounds Alarm as Stablecoin Flows Hit Record Highs and Outrun Bitcoin, EtherThe IMF’s latest departmental paper on stablecoins shows that the market has grown rapidly, with total issuance exceeding $300 billion and representing about 7% of all crypto assets.

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Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) control more than 90% of this space. According to current blockchain data, USDT has a circulating supply of $185.5 billion, while USDC has a circulating supply of $77.6 billion.

What sets 2025 apart is the rapid rise and shifting nature of these flows. While Bitcoin and Ethereum once dominated cross-border crypto transactions, stablecoins have now moved ahead.

The IMF noted that stablecoin flows are expanding faster than native crypto assets, with the gap widening this year. Trading volumes for USDT and USDC reached $23 trillion in 2024, marking a 90% annual increase.

Stablecoin flows (USDT + USDC) have surged past Bitcoin and Ethereum by 2025, according to IMF data (IMF)The IMF’s latest assessment highlights a structural shift, that stablecoins are no longer a niche settlement tool but a dominant driver of global crypto activity.

Over the past two years, the combined circulation of the two largest stablecoins has more than tripled to approximately $260 billion. They facilitated an estimated $23 trillion in trading volume in 2024.

“The cross-border nature of stablecoins could simplify remittances and payments but also complicate monetary policy and financial stability in emerging markets. A new IMF report explores the challenges and opportunities,” the fund noted.

This highlights both their utility and the challenges they pose to regulators. While the US and Europe remain major trading hubs, Asia now leads in stablecoin usage, with Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East showing the fastest growth in relation to their respective GDPs.

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The IMF points to a clear pattern, that consumers and businesses in high-inflation or capital-controlled economies increasingly prefer digital dollars over local currencies.

Researchers at EndGame Macro argue the trend is not crypto hype, but a structural shift in global money flows. Against this backdrop, they label stablecoins “the digital edge of the dollar system.”

The IMF’s Stablecoin Warning Is Really a Roadmap for the Future of Money

Once you read past the surface optimism, the IMF paper is making a straightforward point that stablecoins aren’t growing because people suddenly fell in love with crypto, they’re growing because the global… https://t.co/2qv75pY3GE

— EndGame Macro (@onechancefreedm) December 4, 2025
A Dollarized Future, But With New RisksMost major stablecoins are backed by short-term US Treasuries, giving issuers significant exposure to the US financial system. At the same time, they offer yields far higher than traditional bank accounts in emerging markets.

This creates a paradox: stablecoins strengthen the US dollar’s influence globally while weakening monetary autonomy for countries struggling with inflation or capital flight.

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IMF economist Eswar Prasad says stablecoins enhance financial inclusion but may also “reinforce dollar dominance” and concentrate economic power among large institutions and tech companies.

My article in IMF’s Finance & Development magazine “The Stablecoin Paradox” https://t.co/DJjm3Y0EWk Stablecoins are highlighting inefficiencies in existing financial systems, how technology can solve them. Paradoxically, might lead to more concentration of financial power.

— Eswar Prasad (@EswarSPrasad) December 4, 2025
The report warns that rapid, unregulated adoption could amplify capital-flow volatility, especially during market stress events when users rush to or from dollar-backed assets.

A central concern of the IMF is regulatory fragmentation. Stablecoins often operate across borders more quickly than national policies can adapt. According to the fund, this creates opportunities for arbitrage and unmonitored liquidity accumulation.

Major economies, including the US, EU, and Japan, are developing clearer frameworks. However, many emerging markets still lack guidelines on reserve quality, redemption rights, or issuer oversight.

This mismatch leaves weaker economies vulnerable to sudden shifts in demand for digital dollars, potentially destabilizing banking systems that are already under strain.

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It aligns with a recent Standard Chartered report, which cited stablecoins’ potential to drain $1 trillion from emerging market banks as savers shift deposits into digital dollar assets.

“As stablecoins grow, we think there will be several unexpected outcomes, the first of which is the potential for deposits to leave EM banks,” the bank said in an email shared with BeInCrypto.

South Africa recently confirmed the risk, noting that stablecoins pose a threat to the financial stability of emerging-market banks.

Stablecoins Are Now a Global Macro ForceThe IMF’s warning marks a broader acknowledgement: stablecoins are no longer peripheral; they are central to global liquidity, on-chain trading, and digital payments.

Their rising dominance also explains why stablecoin market caps often lead crypto market cycles, including those of Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as their liquidity conditions.

The IMF is expected to publish a detailed policy roadmap in early 2026, focusing on reserve transparency, cross-border supervision, and minimum capital standards.

With stablecoin flows accelerating and adoption deepening across emerging markets, regulators face a narrowing window to establish global rules before digital dollars become the default means of international value transfer.

Dogecoin is hovering near $0.15, but a cluster of technical and on-chain indicators shared on X suggests the market structure is far healthier than during the last bear phase, prompting fresh upside calls from analysts.

Dogecoin Could Target $1.30
Trader Cryptollica posted a long-term monthly DOGE chart with the Mayer Multiple and a clear message: “DOGE Target > $1.30.” The Mayer Multiple, using 200- and 50-period moving averages with a 2.4 threshold, sits at 0.66005. Visually, that is far below the spikes above 5 that accompanied the 2017 and 2021 blow-off tops, indicating that Dogecoin is not yet in the overheated conditions historically associated with major market peaks.

Dogecoin Mayer Multiple | Source: X @Cryptollica
Cryptollica also highlighted an Alphractal chart titled “Dogecoin: Number of Days Spent at a Loss.” The series overlays DOGE’s price with a multicolour histogram of how long coins have been held in unrealised loss.

Earlier cycle lows around 2014–2015 and the post-2021 unwind show extended peaks above roughly 1,200–1,500 days at a loss. In the latest segment, that metric has compressed back toward the lower end of the scale, resembling the early reset phases that preceded previous advances, and signalling that the proportion of long-suffering holders has markedly declined.

Dogecoin Number of Days Spent at a Loss | Source: X @Cryptollica
DOGE On-Chain Data Looks Strong
On the shorter-term on-chain side, Ali Martinez (@ali_charts) pointed to a sharp rebound in network activity. “Dogecoin just saw 71,589 active addresses. The biggest spike since September,” he wrote, sharing Glassnode data.

The chart “DOGE: Number of Active Addresses” plots daily active addresses as yellow bars against the DOGE price in black. From early November, activity ranged around 45,000–47,500 addresses while price drifted lower from about $0.17 to $0.14. On December 3, active addresses jumped to 71,589 as price recovered to $0.15181709, signalling a broadening of participation rather than a purely price-driven move.

Dogecoin number of active addresses | Source: X @ali_charts
Ali also drew attention to whale behaviour. Posting a Santiment chart of balances held by addresses with between 1,000,000 and 100,000,000 DOGE, he noted: “480 million Dogecoin bought by whales in 48 hours!”

The grey area representing holdings in this band trends down from around 35.6 billion DOGE in mid-October to below 28 billion by late November while price falls from above $0.18 to about $0.135, indicating sustained distribution. In the final days of the chart, holdings rose again to roughly 28.45 billion as price rebounded from $0.14 to $0.15, confirming a renewed net accumulation phase among large holders.

Dogecoin whale activity | Source: X @ali_charts
A third chart from Ali, “DOGE: Cost Basis Distribution Heatmap,” defines the next major technical hurdle. “$0.20 is the key resistance for Dogecoin. That’s where 11.72 billion $DOGE were accumulated,” he wrote.

The Glassnode heatmap highlights a dense band between $0.20284609 and $0.20442947, with an annotated supply of 11,723,527,138.97 DOGE whose on-chain cost basis lies in that range. This cluster marks a heavy realised-price node where a large volume of coins moves from loss to breakeven as spot revisits $0.20, creating a clearly defined resistance zone.

Dogecoin Cost Basis Distribution heatmap | Source: X @ali_charts
In combination, subdued valuation on the Mayer Multiple, a reset in “days at a loss,” the largest active-address spike since September, recent whale accumulation of 480 million DOGE and a well-defined $0.20 cost-basis wall form a favourable on-chain basis. Whether those higher levels are reached will depend on the market’s ability to absorb the 11.72 billion DOGE supply stacked around $0.20 and sustain the recent improvement in on-chain activity and large-holder demand.

At press time, DOGE traded at $0.14451.

DOGE hovers above key support, 1-week chart | Source: DOGEUSDT on TradingView.com
Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

President Trump’s potential appointment of Kevin Hassett as Fed Chair is raising alarms and excitement, as financial markets eye a power duo with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Experts suggest this unprecedented pairing could reshape U.S. monetary policy, fueling risk assets like stocks and Bitcoin while pressuring savers and bondholders.

Sponsored

How Could the Duo of Hassett and Bessent Impact the Crypto Market?If the potential Fed chair is confirmed, the Bessent-Hassett tandem would represent a total inversion of the post-2008 monetary regime.

Sight Bringer, a popular account on X (Twitter), notes that this combination would transform the Federal Reserve from an independent guardian of price stability into a liquidity tool aligned with Treasury policy.

“This is a regime rewrite,” the research firm wrote, emphasizing coordinated management of debt, liquidity, and growth.

Historically, central bank independence was paramount. Now, a Treasury-Fed alignment reminiscent of the 1940s and 1950s could prioritize growth over austerity, soft-cap yields, and support for risk assets. This could be a recipe for a clear boon for Bitcoin.

Bessent and Hassett advocate a growth-first ideology. Reportedly, President Trump could have Bessent serve both as Treasury Secretary and top economic adviser.

BREAKING: President Trump is reportedly considering making Treasury Secretary Bessent his top economic adviser if Kevin Hassett becomes the next Fed Chair.

This would be in addition to Bessent’s current job as Treasury Secretary.

A new era of financial policy is coming. pic.twitter.com/d8ehhItjnY

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) December 3, 2025
Sponsored

The general sentiment is that this would enable policy coordination on a scale unseen in decades.

“You cannot shrink a debt load this large without blowing up the system. You can only outgrow it or inflate it away,” SightBringer stated.

Recent projections support this optimism. Treasury Secretary Bessent predicts GDP growth of 4% or more in the first quarter of 2026, citing strong consumer activity and favorable macroeconomic trends.

🚨 BREAKING: In a massive development, Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent is predicting 4%+ GDP GROWTH at the start of 2026

BOOM 🔥

KEVIN HASSETT: "As we go into next year, all of the people who have No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Social Security, who can deduct interest on their car loan… pic.twitter.com/MQ46fOtUBS

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 4, 2025
Hassett has similarly expressed extreme bullishness toward equities and Bitcoin, with industry insiders calling him a “turbo dove” for risk assets.

Sponsored

Hassett is stupidly, cartoonishly bullish BTC & SPX.

He is a bought-and-paid-for operative of the crypto industry, and a turbo dove to boot.

He starts May 2026. If you are not 10/10 long by then, you will have missed the window. pic.twitter.com/HaCZML7xzw

— Jonah (@jvb_xyz) December 4, 2025
Short-Term Liquidity Concerns in the Face of Strategic Dollar ManagementDespite long-term optimism, some analysts warn of near-term challenges. Michael Nadeau highlights that tightening liquidity in the banking sector could offset the benefits of expected rate cuts.

Slower fiscal spending, tariffs, and lower interest payments to private creditors may temporarily suppress liquidity, delaying the anticipated risk-asset rally.

In other words, while the ideological shift is bullish for Bitcoin and stocks, investors could face a short-term choppy market before the structural impact takes hold.

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Trump’s team is reportedly intent on weakening the dollar to boost US exports, reduce imports, and encourage the reshoring of industrial production. Lower interest rates would support these objectives while simultaneously creating a macro environment favorable to risk assets.

Analysts note that this aligns with long-term objectives for global capital flow and fiscal dominance, further supporting Bitcoin’s narrative as a hedge against potential policy-driven inflation.

Based on this, a crypto and bond market split has already emerged, amid concerns that Hassett could pursue rapid rate cuts despite stubborn inflation.

If Bessent and Hassett are confirmed, the US could enter an era where coordinated fiscal and monetary policy amplifies liquidity and prioritizes growth over austerity.

Bitcoin investors may view this as a historic opportunity, while savers and fixed-income holders face growing risks.

Short-term caution is advised, but the macro backdrop suggests that the era of “higher for longer” interest rates could be over, potentially unlocking a multi-asset rally in 2026.

20 minutes ago

AlphaTON exits baby-shelf limits and plans a meme-sized $420.69 million fundraising program despite being a nano-cap with a steep stock decline.

Small-cap publicly traded firm AlphaTON Capital has signaled ambitions to access a substantially larger fundraising capacity as it delves deeper into the artificial intelligence and Telegram ecosystem. 

The company has exited the SEC’s “baby-shelf” limitations and filed a $420.69 million shelf registration, a precise figure often referenced in crypto’s meme culture. The rules limit the amount of capital that very small public companies can raise through a shelf registration. This aims to prevent tiny issuers from flooding the market with stock and heavily diluting investors.

According to Google Finance data, AlphaTON capital stock, ATON, suffered significant losses in the last month. The stock dropped from $4.75 on Nov. 5 to $1.71 at the time of writing. This marked a 64% drop in a single month. 

At the time of writing, the company has a market capitalization of $13 million and an average volume of $1.55 million. However, the company holds over 12.8 million Toncoin (TON) tokens, worth about $20.5 million, according to CoinGecko. 

AlphaTON Capital’s stock performance in the last month. Source: Google FinanceSmall company with big fundraising ambitionsAlphaTON’s filing stands out because the company remains a tiny public issuer with a relatively limited float. Still, it’s positioning itself to raise more than $420 million, a figure more commonly seen with mid-cap tech companies rather than nano- to micro-cap blockchain treasuries. 

While exiting baby-shelf limits allows it to legally pursue much larger offerings, this does not guarantee execution. Raising such an amount would likely require sustained demand or institutional interest. 

If the company manages to raise its capital from the program, it said it will direct funds toward scaling GPU infrastructure for Telegram’s Cocoom AI network and pursuing acquisitions of revenue-generating Telegram ecosystem applications. It also said that it would purchase additional TON tokens for its treasury. 

For shareholders, the obvious upside is that a successful raise could accelerate the company’s push into TON-aligned AI infrastructure. Even the announcement itself was followed by a brief increase in the company’s shares. 

According to Google Finance, ATON stock rose from a low of $1.49 on Thursday to its $1.71 price a day after the announcement. This marked a 14.7% increase following the company’s announcement of its ambitions. 

DATs lose momentum in NovemberThe timing of AlphaTON’s push for a large capital program coincides with the digital asset treasury (DAT) sector’s recent loss of momentum. 

Corporate crypto balance-sheet allocations saw their weakest month of 2025 in November, with inflows dropping to $1.32 billion. Bitcoin (BTC) treasuries dominated inflows during the month, but many Ether (ETH)-linked DATs slipped into outflows. 

Magazine: Ethereum’s Fusaka fork explained for dummies: What the hell is PeerDAS?

The Bitcoin (BTC) price is coming towards the apex of a wedge formed by the downtrend line and the major ascending trendline. If it breaks up, the bull market is still alive, while if it breaks down, a potential bear market beckons.

Traders say Dogecoin’s price cycle metrics have reset, with subdued valuation, rising active addresses and fresh whale accumulation, but roughly 11.7 billion DOGE near $0.20 cap upside.

Summary

The Mayer Multiple sits far below prior blow-off peaks, signaling DOGE is not yet in overheated territory seen at the 2017 and 2021 tops.​
Days spent at a loss have compressed from extreme readings, resembling reset phases that preceded past advances in Dogecoin cycles.​
Glassnode and Santiment data show the biggest active-address spike since September, 480 million DOGE bought by whales, and heavy realized-cost resistance around $0.20.

Dogecoin price traded near recent levels as technical and on-chain indicators point to improved market structure compared to previous bear cycles, according to analysis shared by cryptocurrency traders.

Trader Cryptollica posted a long-term monthly Dogecoin (DOGE) chart featuring the Mayer Multiple indicator, which uses 200- and 50-period moving averages with a 2.4 threshold. The current reading stands at 0.66005, significantly below the spikes above 5 that accompanied the 2017 and 2021 market peaks, according to the chart. The data indicates Dogecoin has not reached the overheated conditions historically associated with major market tops.

Cryptollica also shared an Alphractal chart titled “Dogecoin: Number of Days Spent at a Loss,” which overlays Dogecoin’s price with a histogram showing how long coins have been held in unrealized loss. Previous cycle lows around 2014-2015 and the post-2021 period showed extended peaks above approximately 1,200-1,500 days at a loss. The latest data shows that metric has compressed toward the lower end of the scale, resembling early reset phases that preceded previous advances, according to the analysis.

Dogecoin price could be heading towards $0.20: analyst
Analyst Ali Martinez highlighted a sharp rebound in network activity, citing Glassnode data. “Dogecoin just saw 71,589 active addresses. The biggest spike since September,” Martinez wrote. The chart showed daily active addresses ranged around 45,000-47,500 from early November while price declined in recent weeks. On December 3, active addresses jumped, signaling broader participation, according to the data.

Martinez also noted whale accumulation patterns. Posting a Santiment chart of balances held by addresses with between 1 million and 100 million coins, he reported 480 million Dogecoin purchased by whales in 48 hours. Holdings in this category trended down from approximately 35.6 billion in mid-October to below 28 billion by late November, indicating sustained distribution. In recent days, holdings rose to roughly 28.45 billion as price rebounded, confirming renewed accumulation among large holders, according to the chart.

A third chart from Martinez, titled “Dogecoin: Cost Basis Distribution Heatmap,” identified key resistance around the 20-cent level, where approximately 11.72 billion Dogecoin were accumulated, according to Glassnode data. The heatmap highlights a dense band above that resistance level, marking a heavy realized-price node where a large volume of coins transition from loss to breakeven as spot price revisits that level.

The combination of subdued valuation on the Mayer Multiple, a reset in days-at-loss metrics, the largest active-address spike since September, recent whale accumulation of 480 million coins, and a defined cost-basis resistance zone form the basis for the analysis, according to the traders. Whether higher price levels are reached will depend on the market’s ability to absorb the approximately 11.72 billion-coin supply at resistance and sustain recent improvements in on-chain activity and large-holder demand, analysts stated.

About Ian Lyall
Ian Lyall, a seasoned journalist and editor, brings over three decades of experience to his role as Managing Editor at Proactive. Overseeing Proactive's editorial and broadcast operations across six offices on three continents, Ian is responsible for quality control, editorial policy, and content production. He directs the creation of 50,000 pieces of real-time news, feature articles, and filmed interviews annually.
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December 05, 2025 3:01 AM EST | Source: Adelayde Exploration Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Adelayde Exploration Inc. (CSE: ADDY) (OTCID: SPMTF) (WKN: A41AGV) (the "Company" or "Adelayde")  is pleased to announce that, further to its News Release dated November 12, 2025, it has closed a non-brokered private placement financing of 9,675,000 non-flow-through units (each, a "NFT Unit") at a price of $0.10 per NFT Unit for gross proceeds of $967,500 (the "NFT Offering") and 8,073,078 flow-through units (each, a "FT Unit") at a price of $0.13 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of $1,049,500 (the "FT Offering" and together with the NFT Offering, the "Offering").

James Nelson, President of Adelayde stated, "We would like to thank our shareholders for their support in closing these financings, enabling the Company to proceed with multiple work programs. Adelayde will be very active in 2026."

Each NFT Unit consists of one non-flow-through common share (each, a "NFT Share") and one transferable common share purchase warrant (each, a "NFT Warrant"), with each NFT Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one NFT Share (each, a "NFT Warrant Share") at a price of $0.20 per NFT Warrant Share for a period of five years from the closing of the NFT Offering. Each FT Unit consists of one flow-through common share (each, a "FT Share") and one transferrable NFT Share purchase warrant (each, a "FT Warrant"), with each FT Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one NFT Share (each, a "FT Warrant Share") at a price of $0.25 per FT Warrant Share for a period of two years from the closing of the FT Offering.

In connection with the closing of the Offering (the "Closing"), the Company paid aggregate cash finder's fees of $71,160, issued 618,000 non-transferable NFT Share purchase warrants (each, a "NFT Finder's Warrant"), with each NFT Finder's Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one NFT Share (each, a "NFT Finder's Warrant Share") at a price of $0.20 per NFT Finder's Warrant Share for a period of two years from the date of Closing, issued 72,000 non-transferable NFT Share purchase warrants (each, a "FT Finder's Warrant"), with each FT Finder's Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one NFT Share (each, a "FT Finder's Warrant Share") at a price of $0.25 per FT Finder's Warrant Share for a period of two years from the date of Closing, and issued 540,000 common shares (each, a "Finder's Share").

All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after the date of Closing. Proceeds from the FT Offering will be used on the Company's existing properties in Canada. Net proceeds from the NFT Offering will be used towards the Company's general working capital.

Qualified Person for mining disclosure:

The technical contents of this release were reviewed and approved by Frank Bain, PGeo, a director of the company and qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

None of the securities sold in connection with the private placement will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Adelayde Exploration Inc.

"James Nelson"

James Nelson
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

For more information regarding this news release, please contact:

Adelayde Exploration Inc.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties such as the proposed use of proceeds from the private placements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Adelayde. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and Adelayde disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release publication, distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276996

Warner Music Group earns a buy rating, driven by improved execution, market share gains, and multi-year pricing visibility from DSP renewals. Q4 2025 results beat expectations, with revenue up 13% y/y to $1.87B and adj. OIBDA margin at 21.7%. WMG's strategic capital reallocation and operational alignment are delivering structural market share gains and stronger global artist performance.

AI stocks play a larger role in Berkshire Hathaway's $312 billion investment portfolio than you might realize.

For the better part of the last six decades, Berkshire Hathaway's (BRK.A 0.43%)(BRK.B 0.07%) soon-to-be-retiring billionaire CEO, Warren Buffett, has been dazzling Wall Street with his investing prowess. On a cumulative basis, the Oracle of Omaha has overseen a gain of 6,162,558% in Berkshire's Class A shares (BRK.A), as of the closing bell on Dec. 1.

Much of this outperformance is the result of Buffett staying true to his investment philosophies, which include buying for the long term, seeking out businesses with sustainable moats, and always focusing on value.

Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett. Image source: The Motley Fool.

Historically, companies in the financial and consumer staples sectors have been the go-to for Berkshire's billionaire boss. But with artificial intelligence (AI) driving much of the S&P 500's and Nasdaq Composite's gains in recent years, you might be surprised to learn that Buffett has, at least inadvertently, made a massive wager on the future of AI.

More than $75 billion out of Berkshire Hathaway's $312 billion investment portfolio can be traced back to just three "magnificent" artificial intelligence stocks (all market values as of Dec. 1).

1. Apple: $67.44 billion
When it comes to sustainable moats, the "Magnificent Seven" check all the right boxes. The seven members of the Magnificent Seven are some of the largest and most influential businesses on Wall Street. Apple (AAPL 1.21%), which is Berkshire Hathaway's largest holding by market value, is among these seven components.

To be clear, Warren Buffett's fascination with Apple as an investment had nothing to do with its AI aspirations. Instead, it ties into the exceptional loyalty of Apple's customer base, its strong management team, a steady stream of product innovation, and the company's market-leading share repurchase program.

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Companies that pay a regular dividend to their shareholders and/or repurchase their own stock are typically profitable on a recurring basis and have demonstrated their ability to successfully navigate challenging economic climates. Since Apple initiated a buyback program in 2013, it's spent a shade over $816 billion to retire nearly 44% of its outstanding shares. Buybacks are decisively boosting Apple's earnings per share and increasing the ownership stakes of long-term investors.

But Berkshire Hathaway's No. 1 holding has lofty AI ambitions, too. It's been actively integrating Apple Intelligence into its physical products, such as the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple Intelligence enhances some of the company's existing tools, such as its voice assistant Siri, and introduces new applications, including AI-driven text summarization and the ability to create emojis. The expectation is that these AI tools will reignite growth in the company's physical products.

Nevertheless, Berkshire's boss has sold 74% of his company's top holding over the last two years. While it remains the No. 1 holding, Apple's sales growth weakness for its physical products, coupled with a historically high price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, makes its stock far less appealing than when Buffett initially opened this position in the first quarter of 2016.

Image source: Getty Images.

2. Alphabet: $5.62 billion
A second member of the Magnificent Seven that's found its way into the $312 billion investment portfolio Warren Buffett oversees at Berkshire Hathaway is Alphabet (GOOGL 0.75%)(GOOG 0.70%). The 17,846,142 Class A shares (GOOGL) Buffett oversaw the purchase of during the September-ended quarter are worth approximately $5.62 billion.

Similar to Apple, Buffett's investment in Alphabet likely has little to do with AI and everything to do with its sustainable moat. Alphabet is the parent company of Google, which holds a virtual monopoly on global internet search. According to data from GlobalStats, Google has controlled 89% to 93% of worldwide internet search share over the trailing decade. This affords Google exceptional ad-pricing power.

Furthermore, Berkshire's billionaire chief is enamored with cyclical businesses. He's well aware that economic expansions last significantly longer than recessions, and tends to pack his company's investment portfolio with businesses that can take advantage of long-winded periods of growth. With 72% of Alphabet's net sales coming from ads (the company also owns streaming service YouTube), it's ideally positioned to take advantage of lengthy periods of expansion.

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However, Alphabet's most exciting growth opportunity stems from its cloud infrastructure service segment, Google Cloud. This operating segment is incorporating generative AI solutions and large language model (LLM) capabilities for its clients, which appears to be accelerating a year-over-year sales growth rate that already tops 30%!

During the third quarter (i.e., when Buffett was a buyer), Alphabet stock was valued at a forward P/E ratio ranging from 16 to 22. In hindsight, this was a phenomenal bargain for a company with robust growth prospects.

3. Amazon: $2.34 billion
The third AI stock (and member of the Magnificent Seven), collectively with Apple and Alphabet, which accounts for over $75 billion of the invested assets Warren Buffett oversees, is e-commerce titan Amazon (AMZN 1.47%). Amazon stock has been a continuous holding for Berkshire Hathaway since the first quarter of 2019.

Keeping with the theme, the Oracle of Omaha didn't green-light the purchase of Amazon stock because of its AI ties. Rather, the lure of buying and holding Amazon shares lies in its leadership of two separate industries.

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Most investors are familiar with Amazon's online marketplace. According to an estimate from UpCounting, it was projected to account for a little more than 40% of all U.S. e-commerce market share in 2025. Although online retail sales are highly competitive and typically generate low margins, Amazon's online marketplace lures billions of visitors to its website each month.

The other industry Amazon finds itself as the lead dog in is cloud infrastructure services. Whereas Alphabet's Google Cloud is the clear No. 3 in total spend, Amazon Web Services (AWS) accounts for close to an estimated third of all cloud infrastructure service spending. Amazon is aggressively deploying generative AI and LLM solutions for its subscribers in an effort to further boost the growth potential of this considerably higher-margin segment. On an annual run rate basis, AWS is pacing $132 billion in sales.

While Amazon stock isn't cheap in the same fundamental sense as Alphabet, it is historically inexpensive when examined relative to future cash flow expectations. Throughout the 2010s, investors commonly paid a median of 30 times year-end cash flow per share to own Amazon stock. Investors can buy shares today for about 12 times forecasted cash flow per share in 2026.

After tepid performances throughout most of 2025, these stocks are showing some upward momentum.

There are many strategies for investing in stocks and (hopefully) outperforming the broader market.

One well-known approach is to find a stock that has been beaten down or stagnated, but is suddenly rebounding due to a new development or an unexpectedly good quarter. That may indicate that management is getting the business back on track, and that the stock could be poised for an extended rally.

I've identified three stocks in the S&P 500 index that look like variations on that narrative, and they happen to be the three best performers in the index over the past month. They are Albemarle (ALB 5.81%), Solventum (SOLV +0.01%), and Merck (MRK 1.35%). Investors looking for fresh ideas for the new year should take a look at all three.

Source: Getty Images.

Of course, as with all performance metrics, the parameters you set for time frame and other factors matter. Here, I chose to limit my search to the S&P 500 because those 500 large caps represent about 80% of the total market capitalization of U.S. companies, and they tend to be well-established companies with real revenues and profits, rather than flash-in-the-pan microcaps.

And I went with a one-month performance time frame because it's short enough to show recent upward momentum due to new developments or financial results, but not so short that the price movement could be based on factors that have a high chance of reversing overnight and wiping out all gains.

A lithium producer sees growing demand
First up is Albemarle. The stock is up 39% over the past month (as of Dec. 4), which makes it the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 over that period. The North Carolina-based company is a specialty chemicals and materials manufacturer. It's also a major extractor and refiner of lithium, which is used in a bunch of applications. It's in particularly high demand for the rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles and large-scale power storage systems.

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Albemarle's stock slid to a multiyear low in early June in response to slower-than-expected EV sales over the past few years, and has been climbing since then. But it really took off in mid-November after several Wall Street analysts increased their price targets on the stock in response to the company's strong third-quarter earnings report, which it delivered on Nov. 5. The company beat Wall Street estimates for both revenue and earnings.

And while EV sales remain sluggish around the globe (the Chinese market is the exception), in other segments -- such as battery storage, retail electricity, and solar energy systems -- demand is increasing for the types of lithium products that Albemarle makes.

If demand for lithium products continues to grow, expect Albemarle's stock to do likewise in 2026.

A recently created company that may be finding its footing
Next up is Solventum. The stock is up almost 25% over the past month, making it the second-best performing stock in the S&P 500. The Minnesota-based firm is fairly new, having been spun off from 3M in April 2024. It makes a range of medical products, including medical and surgical devices, dental solutions, health information systems, and purification and filtration systems.

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Solventum's share price had been moving along more or less sideways since its debut, but it began to surge dramatically in late October. In early November, the company reported third-quarter sales and profits that beat Wall Street's forecasts. Management also boosted its full-year earnings guidance.

Later in November, the company announced a $1 billion share repurchase program. Such stock buybacks often give share prices a lift. All that good news has convinced some analysts that the young company has found its footing and is poised to grow.

Strong results and a blockbuster drug
Finally, there's Merck. The pharmaceutical giant's stock was moving horizontally this year through the end of October. But a solid quarterly report on Oct. 3, in which the company exceeded forecasts on both earnings and revenue, gave it a boost. Quarterly sales of Keytruda, its blockbuster cancer drug, rose 10% from the same period a year ago and topped $8 billion for the first time. The company is also having real success in slashing costs. As a result, management increased its earnings outlook for 2025.

The stock is up nearly 22% over the past month.

All three of these stocks, which struggled for most of 2025, seem poised for strong outperformance in 2026.

Ford has recalled 108,762 vehicles in the U.S. over issues with an improperly secured liftgate hinge cover that could detach from the vehicles, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday.

Jindal Steel International sees government subsidies in Europe as "an important factor" in its strategy for a potential takeover of Thyssenkrupp's steel division (TKSE), the head of its European business told WirtschaftsWoche on Friday.

Visa is relocating its European headquarters from Paddington to London's Canary Wharf financial district - leasing a 15-year, 300-thousand square foot space at One Canada Square from 2028.

HomeETFs and Funds AnalysisETF Analysis

SummaryThe Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF offers a defensive, income-focused small-cap strategy with a strong tilt toward financials, utilities, and industrials.SMDV trades at an 11% P/E discount to the Russell 2000, boasts a 2.6% yield, and demonstrates superior profitability metrics but lags in sales growth.Performance has consistently trailed the Russell 2000 and peers, with limited upside capture in rallies.SMDV is best suited for capital preservation and income in a risk-averse portfolio, but is not optimal for investors seeking outperformance. eli_asenova/iStock via Getty Images

The Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF (SMDV) comes as an option for income-oriented investors in the small-cap category. It has a defensive tilt, which is interesting, especially within small caps, where volatility is typically more elevated than in

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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In the third quarter, hedge fund manager Philippe Laffont trimmed his position in Nvidia and added to his stake in BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust.

Billionaire Philippe Laffont runs Coatue Management, a hedge fund that beat the S&P 500 (^GSPC +0.11%) by an astonishing 94 percentage points over the past three years. That makes Laffont a great source of inspiration. Investors can review Form 13F filings to track his trades.

In the third quarter, Laffont sold 1.6 million shares of Nvidia (NVDA +2.12%), reducing his stake by 14%. He also bought 76,000 shares of the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT 0.44%), a BlackRock fund that tracks the price of Bitcoin (BTC 1.98%).

Those trades are interesting because Nvidia dominates the market for artificial intelligence infrastructure, and one Wall Street expert expects Bitcoin's price to increase 20,300% by 2045. Here's what investors should know.

Image source: Getty Images.

When OpenAI launched ChatGPT in late 2022, it quickly made clear the disruptive potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI). Demand for AI infrastructure has since been insatiable, and few companies have benefited more than Nvidia. Its graphics processing units (GPUs) are the industry standard in accelerating AI workloads in data centers, and the company leads the market in generative AI networking gear.

Going forward, Nvidia is likely to maintain its dominant market position as the AI revolution evolves from generative use cases (e.g., creating media content like text and images) to physical use cases (e.g., autonomous robots and self-driving cars). Nvidia provides not only the data center hardware, but also the embedded chips and adjacent software tools needed for physical AI.

CEO Jensen Huang earlier this year explained the company's full-stack strategy. "We build all three computers: the training computer, the simulation computer, and the robotics computer or self-driving car computer." He also said Nvidia provides the software stack, models, and algorithms that run on those hardware products. No other company has a more comprehensive portfolio.

Wall Street expects Nvidia's earnings to increase at 37% annually over the next three years. That makes the current valuation of 44 times earnings look quite reasonable. I'm not sure why Philippe Laffont sold Nvidia in the third quarter. Maybe he simply wanted to take some profits. Whatever the reason, it would be wrong to assume he lost confidence. Nvidia is still his eighth largest holding and accounts for 4.5% of his portfolio.

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2. iShares Bitcoin Trust
Strategy Chairman Michael Saylor is one of the most vocal Bitcoin bulls on Wall Street. He has so much confidence in the cryptocurrency that his company owns 650,000 BTC, which makes it a Bitcoin investment vehicle for all intents and purposes. Earlier this year, Saylor told CNBC Bitcoin could return 30% annually over the next 20 years to reach $19 million by 2045. That implies a total return of about 20,300% from its current price of $93,000.

The investment thesis for Bitcoin is simple: Its fixed supply of 21 million coins means its price will increase as demand increases, and the advent of spot Bitcoin ETFs is driving demand among retail investors, institutional investors, and companies. Also, the Trump administration's crypto-friendly policies -- including the creation of a strategic Bitcoin reserve -- have instilled investors with confidence.

State Street strategists write, "Institutions are embracing Bitcoin for its diversification, long-term growth, and improving regulatory clarity." Between Q3 2024 and Q3 2025, the number of large asset managers (i.e., $100 million-plus in assets) with positions in the iShares Bitcoin Trust rose 150%, and the amount of BTC held by public and private companies doubled. I think those trends will not only persist but intensify in the coming years.

As a caveat, Bitcoin has historically been a very volatile asset. In fact, we are currently in the middle of a substantial drawdown. Bitcoin reached a record high in October, then dropped more than 30% in November. It currently trades 27% below its high. I think that dip creates a buying opportunity for patient investors, but only those comfortable with extreme volatility.

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SummaryBlackstone Mortgage Trust stabilized its portfolio in Q3, fully covering its dividend with distributable earnings.BXMT reduced impaired loans from $2.3B to $700M year-over-year, improving coverage and lowering risk, though office exposure remains material at 29%.Distributable earnings grew for the second consecutive quarter, with a 102% dividend coverage ratio, reflecting a healthier payout profile post last year’s dividend cut.I see a change in revenue composition for BXMT with the REIT pushing into non-office mortgage loans and owned real estate.BXMT trades at a 7% discount to book value; further improvement hinges on avoiding new loan losses and continued reduction in office exposure. SmileStudioAP/iStock via Getty Images

Blackstone Mortgage Trust (BXMT) continued to shrink its impaired loan portfolio in the third quarter and managed to support its dividend with earnings available for distribution. Blackstone Mortgage Trust successfully stabilized its portfolio and income

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of STWD, LADR either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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