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Although Nvidia‘s (NASDAQ:NVDA) shares jumped 38% over the course of 2025, reflecting strong early-year momentum driven by artificial intelligence (AI) demand, the second half of the year was something of a disappointment: The stock largely traded sideways as questions about slowing growth, supply constraints, competitive pressures, and valuation grew. It was the equivalent to investors waking up Christmas morning and finding Nvidia had given them a lump of coal in their stocking.

However, as we prepare to turn the page into 2026, Nvidia may be about to deliver a belated gift to shareholders, one that promises a substantial stock price increase through expanded production and sales. It could be a real present for patient investors, one that brightens the prospects for the year ahead and beyond.

A New, Urgent Production Push
According to an exclusive Reuters report, Nvidia has approached its manufacturing partner, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM), to dramatically increase the output of the H200 AI chips in response to surging demand from Chinese technology companies. Sources say that these firms have placed orders exceeding 2 million H200 units for delivery in 2026, but with Nvidia’s current inventory standing at approximately 700,000 chips, it created a significant shortfall that prompted the outreach to Taiwan Semiconductor.

The H200 is based on Nvidia’s Hopper architecture and produced using Taiwan Semiconductor’s 4-nanometer process. As the second most powerful chip in its portfolio, one that is vastly superior for training complex models than the dumbed down versions Nvidia made to comply with U.S. export restrictions, it also indicates Chinese companies view it as a better option than other regional or locally produced chips. 

Nvidia has requested that Taiwan Semiconductor begin fabricating additional chips, with production slated to commence in the second quarter of 2026. While the precise volume of the new order remains undisclosed, this step aims to address the gap between Nvidia’s existing inventory and the incoming orders, giving the chipmaker time to ramp up to meet the demand.

With the initial shipments fulfilled from its current stock, the first deliveries could potentially arrive before the Lunar New Year in mid-February 2026. This timeline builds on earlier reports the Trump administration authorized the shipment of H200 sales to China again.

Pricing for the China-specific H200 variants has been set at around $27,000 per chip, according to the sources, positioning them as a viable option for Chinese buyers seeking high-performance AI hardware amid limited alternatives.

Balancing Global Supply Amid Strategic Shifts
This production ramp-up occurs as Nvidia shifts its attention toward its newer Blackwell series and the forthcoming Rubin chips, which are expected to drive future growth. The emphasis on H200 expansion, however, highlights China’s continued role as a major market, even as trade barriers have previously reduced Nvidia’s presence there.

A Nvidia spokesperson stated that the company manages its supply chain on an ongoing basis. They added, “Licensed sales of the H200 to authorised customers in China will have no impact on our ability to supply customers in the United States.” Yet the shipments could strain global AI chip availability, as Nvidia must allocate resources across regions while meeting heightened Chinese demand. Taiwan Semiconductor declined to comment on the matter, and China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology did not respond to Reuters inquiries.

Key Takeaway
Investors shouldn’t get too hopeful just yet. The Reuters report relies on anonymous sources and lacks official confirmation from Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor, or Chinese regulators, and Beijing has not approved any H200 imports. 

However, if the report proves true, this could help Nvidia regain traction in China, countering the billions of dollars in lost sales it recorded this year, and the $5.5 billion writedown on its chip inventory it took. Renewed chip sales to China could also be the first step in regaining its lost market share, while delivering a late Christmas gift to investors.

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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Home Other-News Pi Network Price Speculation Gains Attention Ahead of January 2026

Steven Anderson

January 1, 2026

As 2026 approaches, investors are increasingly interested in predictions for the price of Pi Network’s cryptocurrency in January. This interest underlines the ongoing search for potential investment opportunities in the volatile cryptocurrency market.

The Pi Network, launched in 2019 by a team of Stanford graduates, is a digital currency project that aims to make cryptocurrency mining accessible to ordinary users. It has gained a following due to its unique approach, allowing people to mine coins using a mobile application without consuming significant battery life. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, which require complex hardware for mining, Pi Network offers a more user-friendly experience.

While official market trading of Pi Coin has not yet commenced, its potential debut is stirring anticipation among cryptocurrency enthusiasts. The exact price of Pi Coin upon entering the market remains speculative, as the project is still in its development phase. Analysts and investors are weighing factors such as the network’s user base and its technological innovations to project potential market valuations.

Reactions from the crypto community have been mixed. Some industry experts express optimism about the Pi Network’s potential to democratize cryptocurrency access. Others remain skeptical, citing the lack of transparency in its development process and the absence of a clear business model as limitations. These differing views highlight the speculative nature of cryptocurrencies, where market sentiment can significantly impact perceived value.

The broader context of the cryptocurrency market also plays a crucial role in shaping expectations. The sector is known for its volatility, with prices often influenced by regulatory developments, technological breakthroughs, and macroeconomic conditions. Such factors will likely contribute to the price dynamics of Pi Coin once it becomes tradable.

Despite the excitement, some caution that the Pi Network must overcome several hurdles before achieving mainstream adoption. These include ensuring security, scalability, and regulatory compliance. The project’s ability to address these challenges will be crucial in determining its long-term viability in the competitive landscape of digital currencies.

As the new year unfolds, the cryptocurrency community will be closely monitoring any announcements from the Pi Network regarding its launch plans. The potential entry of Pi Coin into the market could bring about new opportunities and challenges, with investors keenly awaiting further developments. The situation remains fluid, and the precise impact on the market will only become clearer as events unfold.

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Steven Anderson

Steven is an explorer by heart – both in the physical and the digital realm. A traveler, Steven continues to visit new places throughout the year in the physical world, while in the digital realm has been instrumental in a number of Kickstarter projects. Technology attracts Steven and through his business acumen has gained financial profits as well as fame in his business niche.
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Uniswap price fell for the fourth straight day as on-chain metrics such as TVL and chain fees continued to decline. It has formed a double top pattern which if confirmed could mean more pain ahead for the token.

Summary

Uniswap price has fallen 12.5% form its weekly high.
The network’s TVL has dropped sharply since October last year.
A double-top pattern casts a bearish shadow on the UNI price over the upcoming days.

According to data from crypto.news, Uniswap (UNI) was trading at $5.64 last check Thursday, Jan. 1, down 12.5% from its Sunday high and 53% below its highest point in August.

It’s been a rough stretch for Uniswap. Like most of the crypto market, Uniswap price has been struggling to find its footing as crypto investors have taken a risk-averse stance. Bitcoin’s lackluster performance over the past months has ended up dragging most altcoins down with it.

At the same time, Uniswap has faced increased competition from other DEXs such as PancakeSwap and Raydium, which have squeezed trading volumes and thinned out protocol fees, ultimately weighing on investor sentiment.

Data from DeFiLlama shows that the total value locked across all DeFi protocols based on the network has dropped from $6.9 billion recorded in early October 2025 to around $4 billion when writing. Meanwhile, weekly fees generated have significantly declined over the period.

Declining Uniswap fees | Source: DeFiLlama
Together, these negative trends could continue to pressure prices unless fundamentals improve.

However, even with the recent downturn, a significant breakthrough for the Uniswap ecosystem emerged this weekend that could alter UNI’s long-term trajectory.

Uniswap has officially gone deflationary. Following the activation of the UNIfication proposal this weekend, the protocol implemented its fee switch and burned $596 million worth of UNI. The proposal also introduced a permanent token-burning mechanism to the ecosystem.

Token burns effectively remove the total amount of tokens from the circulating supply, which tends to increase the token’s value if investor demand remains constant or grows.

Uniswap price analysis
On the 4-hour chart, Uniswap price has been forming a double top pattern over the past two weeks. It is a bearish reversal pattern formed when an asset’s price reaches a peak twice with a moderate decline in between. 

Uniswap price has formed a double top pattern on the 4-hour chart — Jan. 1 | Source: crypto.news
For UNI, the tops have formed around the $6.5 level while the neckline lies at $5.59, just a little below its price as of press time.

Technical indicators largely point to a bearish outlook for the token. Notably, UNI price remains below the 50-day Simple Moving Average at $5.93, which means the bears are currently in control of the trend. The Aroon down also stands at 85.71% while the Aroon Up is at 7.14%, confirming the prevailing downward momentum.

Hence, a drop below the neckline at $5.59, which serves as the most important support level to watch now, could push prices down to as low as $4.70. It is calculated by subtracting the height of the double tops formed from the neckline level. The target lies nearly 16% below the current price.

However, it should be noted that if Uniswap manages to recover above the 50-day SMA, the bearish setup would be invalidated.

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

Journalist

Posted: January 1, 2026

The Solana [SOL] blockchain emerged as the biggest revenue-generating chain of 2025, followed by Hyperliquid [HYPE]. Solana saw $1.3 billion in revenue, while Hyperliquid and third-placed TRON [TRX] revenues measured $816 million and $608 million, respectively.

The on-chain usage also remained consistently high. The positive outlook for Solana lasted for most of the year, but the 10/10 crash snuffed out bullish market sentiment. That sell-off sent SOL below the $200-mark, and it has been a bear-dominated market since.

Its strong blockchain performance was accompanied by a leverage-driven tug-of-war between SOL bulls and bears at the $120-support zone. At the time of writing, the $130-zone was a firm obstacle for the bulls, while the $120-area emerged as a support level.

Solana bulls challenge the local resistance once more

Source: SOL/USDT on TradingView

The 1-day price structure was bearish. To flip it bullishly, SOL would need to close a daily trading session above $127.87, the local swing high. The evidence at hand did not show that such a move was brewing.

The CMF on the daily chart has been well below -0.05 over the past two months to indicate sustained, heavy capital flows out of the market. This selling pressure was accompanied by a strong downtrend, which has only lost strength over the last ten days.

The DMI showed a lack of trend at the time of writing, and a move past $130 could change this. The lack of demand meant traders would need patience.

Should traders expect a bullish reversal?
The downtrend has slowed down over the past month though. The capital outflows were severe, but a market structure shift could inspire bullish confidence.

This outcome did not seem likely at press time, but traders need to be open to the possibility.

Traders’ call to action – Wait for a breakout, or a breakdown

Source: SOL/USDT on TradingView

The downtrend has slowed down, but an uptrend hasn’t been established yet. Instead, a short-term range between $117 and $128 was established, and lower timeframe traders can use this to their advantage.

Swing traders can wait for a move beyond the range to catch the next impulse move.

Final Thoughts

Solana’s network activity and revenue generated in 2025 are evidence of a popular, successful chain.
A bullish reversal for the altcoin would need Bitcoin to rally and market-wide sentiment to turn away from the depths of despair.

Disclaimer: The information presented does not constitute financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice and is solely the writer’s opinion

Akashnath S is a Senior Journalist and Technical Analysis expert at AMBCrypto. He specializes in dissecting price action, identifying key market trends through advanced chart patterns, and forecasting both short-term and long-term asset trajectories.
His distinct analytical method is grounded in his academic training as a Chemical Engineer. This background provides him with a systematic, process-oriented approach to market data, enabling him to analyze the complex dynamics of financial markets with precision and objectivity.
Having actively covered the cryptocurrency space since the landmark 2017 market cycle, Akashnath possesses years of experience navigating both bull and bear markets. This seasoned perspective is critical to his insightful reporting on market volatility and evolution.
As an active market participant, Akashnath enhances his analysis with crucial, hands-on experience. This practical application of his technical skills ensures his insights are not merely theoretical, but are also relevant and actionable for an audience looking to understand and navigate trading opportunities. He is dedicated to educating readers on the nuances of technical analysis, empowering them with the knowledge to make more informed financial decisions.

A top executive at Dragonfly Capital believes the crypto markets will be full of surprises in 2026.

Haseeb Qureshi, managing partner at Dragonfly Capital, a crypto venture fund, believes Bitcoin (BTC) will print new all-time highs next year.

He predicts Bitcoin will soar more than 69% its current value in 2026, while Bitcoin dominance (BTC.D) will turn bearish.

Bitcoin dominance tracks how much of the crypto market cap belongs to Bitcoin. A bearish BTC.D chart indicates that altcoins are gaining value faster than Bitcoin.

“I think 2026 is going to surprise, both to the upside and to the downside… BTC is greater than $150,000 by year-end, but BTC dominance decreases in 2026.”

Qureshi also predicts that Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) will exceed expectations in 2026.

“Despite the excitement around the recent crop of fintech chains, their metrics will underwhelm. Daily active addresses, stablecoin flows and RWAs (real-world assets) – Tempo, Arc, and Robinhood Chain will underdeliver, while Ethereum and Solana will overdeliver. Best developers will continue to build on neutral infra chains.”

Bitcoin is trading for $88,576 at time of writing, up 1.7% in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, ETH is trading for $2,979 at time of writing, up 1.7% on the day, and SOL is trading for $125, up 2.2% in the last 24 hours.

Cover image via U.Today

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

Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, has recorded its very first red candle after the halving year in history. 

 This means that Bitcoin's four-year cycle is pretty much over since there was no post-halving supply shock. 

HOT Stories

The "four-year cycle" theory relied on the post-halving year being the most explosive period of growth.

Bitcoin used to experience enormous rallies during post-halving rallies (2013, 2017, and 2021). The supply shock of the halving forced price appreciation within 12–18 months. 

Diminishing returns The chart shows a clear trend of "diminishing returns". Each subsequent green candle is smaller than the last. 

Due to the introduction of ETFs and institutional capital, Bitcoin has become a "macro asset" with lower volatility. It is no longer being viewed as a high-growth speculative bet.

The "broken" cycle in 2025 was essentially foretold in early 2024.

This cycle was historically unique because the flagship cryptocurrency broke its all-time high in March 2024. This happened roughly one month before the halving actually occurred. 

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During previous market cycles, ATHs would arrive 12–18 months after the halving events. 

The launch of spot ETFs is believed to be the main reason why the cycle started so early. This sucked all the liquidity out of the future. By the time 2025 arrived, the "institutional wall of money" that everyone expected had already been deployed in 2024. 

More broken statsBitcoin used to operate on a strict "1 bear year, 3 bull years" cadence. The data shows that 2025 just killed this streak. This is the first time since the 2014 bear market that Bitcoin failed to complete a trilogy of green candles.

On top of that, this is the first time that Bitcoin concluded a year with a price change of less than 10%. This once again shows that Bitcoin has lost its volatility.

Santiment flags Solana whales, NYC’s new mayor, Buffett’s exit, and MicroStrategy’s BTC bet as key narratives shaping crypto and macro sentiment into 2026.

Summary

Santiment’s dashboard shows Solana-linked whale accumulation as the top crypto narrative, with strong liquidity and broadly bullish sentiment.​
Macro stories like NYC’s new mayor, Warren Buffett stepping down, and crowded yen shorts highlight traditional finance still steering market psychology.​
MicroStrategy’s surging Bitcoin holdings and a mixed risk mood signal fading extreme bearishness but no full-blown euphoria as 2026 begins.

Market analytics firm Santiment released data identifying the dominant narratives in financial markets as 2026 begins, with cryptocurrency activity and macroeconomic developments drawing significant social media attention.

According to Santiment’s Top Trending Stories Dashboard, Solana-related buying activity ranked as the most discussed topic based on 7-day social volume. The firm’s AI analysis identified repeated whale activity, with large holders accumulating more than ten Solana (SOL) tokens across multiple Solana-related assets. The analysis described liquidity as strong across these assets despite varying market capitalizations. Santiment’s sentiment gauge for this trend indicated bullish positioning among market participants.

New York City’s transition into 2026 ranked second in social volume, driven by the inauguration of Zohran Mamdani as mayor. Santiment noted heightened public discussion around the leadership change and political direction, with sentiment readings showing positive engagement.

The third-ranked trend reflected market sentiment entering 2026. Santiment’s data showed mixed social media discussion, with participants referencing both personal losses and cryptocurrency gains. The firm’s sentiment indicators suggested a shift away from extreme bearish positioning, though the analysis stopped short of indicating euphoric conditions.

Warren Buffett’s departure as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway after 60 years captured attention as a major macroeconomic event. Santiment reported balanced sentiment around the announcement, with discussions focusing on Berkshire’s performance record and Buffett’s tenure. The firm noted the story’s inclusion demonstrated continued influence of traditional finance events on broader market psychology.

Hedge fund positioning in yen short positions also appeared among tracked trends, according to the data.

MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin accumulation strategy rounded out the top five trends. Santiment’s analysis tracked the company’s Bitcoin holdings growth from 70,470 in 2020 to a projected 672,497 by 2025. The summary noted MicroStrategy’s stock declined in 2025 despite the accumulation, generating discussion around leverage and long-term strategy. Sentiment readings for this trend showed mixed positioning.

Santiment emphasized the data reflects social media attention and sentiment rather than predictive indicators. The firm’s dashboard provided a snapshot of market conversation topics as 2026 began, spanning cryptocurrency-specific developments and broader financial market transitions.

Thu, 1/01/2026 - 9:10

XRP spot ETFs are already trading in the U.S., and one ETF expert says that is the door opener: the same Wall Street approach could turn 2026 into the real mainstream year for crypto.

Cover image via U.Today

2025 ended very differently for XRP than it began. It started with Ripple still tied to an active SEC lawsuit, but it ended with spot XRP ETFs already trading. This kind of change makes an asset feel less like a crypto side quest and more like something that can sit in normal portfolios.

This is the point that ETF analyst Nate Geraci made in his New Year rundown. XRP is the clearest example of how quickly the U.S. product shelf is expanding.

2025 started w/ active SEC lawsuit against Ripple…

Ended w/ spot xrp ETFs *trading*.

Now also have spot sol, hbar, & ltc ETFs.

Plus crypto index ETFs holding ada, sui, dot, link, & others.

Huge progress.

IMO, crypto truly goes mainstream in 2026.

Happy New Year, everyone!

HOT Stories

— Nate Geraci (@NateGeraci) January 1, 2026 Spot ETFs are appearing on names like SOL, HBAR and LTC, and index-style crypto ETFs are building baskets that include ADA, SUI, DOT, LINK and others. The market is shifting from "Can we even touch this?" to "Which fund do we want?"

Next crypto ETFs to watch after XRPIn the last days of 2025, Bitwise poured fuel on this trend by filing 11 new crypto ETF applications with the SEC. The key detail is that these are described as "strategic ETFs," not plain spot clones.

New documents on the SEC site outline a setup that aims to allocate approximately 60% of assets directly to cryptocurrencies and 40% to exchange-traded products that track the same assets. There is also the ability to use derivatives, such as futures or swap agreements, linked to the token or related ETP.

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This is why 2026 is seen as the year that crypto will go mainstream. The biggest shift is not a single price target; it is the standardization of access. XRP is now on the list of assets that already have an exchange-traded fund on the biggest venues.

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Novo Nordisk's shift from a market darling to a serious underperformer has set the stage for a transitional 2026 as the Danish drugmaker fights to regain investor confidence in its weight loss business.

Novo's stock just experienced the worst year on record since it began trading on the Copenhagen stock exchange over three decades ago. Multiple reasons lie behind the dramatic drop: a series of guidance cuts, strides by chief rival Eli Lilly, a leadership upheaval, and cheap copycat drugs flooding the crucial U.S. market.

With just about a week to go until 2026, Novo announced that its new weight loss pill under the brand name Wegovy had been approved in the U.S., making it the first oral GLP-1 treatment approved for weight loss. It sent shares up nearly 10% as investors banked on Novo being able to, at least partly, hold Eli Lilly and others at bay.

That "early Christmas present," as one analyst called it, highlights many of the key themes Novo will have to face this year.

From injectables to pillsNovo's position as the first company to launch an oral option could help it make up some of the ground it's lost over the past year in the GLP-1 space. Analysts mostly agreed that the Wegovy pill's approval was a big deal, even though many had already expected a positive decision before the end of the year.

Eli Lilly is expected to get its own weight loss pill orforglipron approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by no later than the second quarter of this year, and investors will closely watch how that competition plays out.

watch now

"This approval adds a layer to the whole obesity space in the future," Sydbank analyst Søren Løntoft Hansen told CNBC. "It could be, potentially, a space where Novo Nordisk is maybe able to recapture market shares and maybe increase growth."

Wegovy-in-a-pill, as Novo calls the oral version of the blockbuster injectable, has shown that patients lose on average 16.6% of their body weight over 64 weeks. Meanwhile, orforglipron, averages 12.4% over 72 weeks.

"Usually, you have to basically go for either convenience or efficacy when you're discussing pills versus injections – not in this case," Novo CEO Mike Doustdar told CNBC's Charlotte Reed in November. "Wegovy in a pill basically will have the same efficacy as its injectable counterpart. That's really exciting."

The broad consensus is that pills will also be favored by consumers. They have added advantages such as not having to be stored cold like the injectable version, allowing for simpler distribution and ease of entering new markets.

A shifting narrative?Eli Lilly's positioning of its rival drug Zepbound as the best treatment for achieving weight loss on the market for once-weekly injections has helped it succeed in capturing significant market share to surpass Novo's Wegovy.

Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk's positioning has been different as they've often emphazised that treating obesity goes beyond losing weight. "They want to tell a story about how obesity should be seen as a disease and how Wegovy affects obesity-related diseases," Sydbank's Hansen said.

"As we will build and buy assets, you will often see that these assets do multiple things," Doustdar said in early November. "They address other co-morbidities. We have seen that with semaglutide; it helps liver, kidney, heart – that's fantastic – we should actually go and further develop those," he said in the context of the future focus of its pipeline.

However, it seems that's not important to Americans or the market, according to Hansen. "The fraction that prescribes Wegovy or obesity drugs in relation to obesity-related diseases is very small," he noted, adding that even if many patients don't necessarily want to lose more than 20% of their body weight, they at least want the opportunity to achieve that highest rate of weight loss.

"It seems like that drives the market, and if Novo Nordisk is able to tap into that story with the Wegovy pill, I think they are in a good place," Hansen said.

Read more

Novo in late November said it filed for FDA approval of a higher dose of Wegovy injection of 7.2 mg, which could also play into a changing narrative. Trials have shown that the higher dose of Wegovy resulted in a 20.7% weight reduction on average — about the same as Lilly's Zepbound jab.

The U.S. consumerThe increased focus on the direct-to-consumer market will be another key area to watch.

The market for weight loss pharmaceuticals is uniquely consumer-driven, contrasting many other blockbuster drugs that are typically covered by health plans in the U.S. or national health systems in Europe.

"The marketable development for Wegovy and Ozempic is a must-win battle for [CEO] Mike Doustdar and the new board."

Søren Løntoft Hansen

Sydbank analyst

President Donald Trump's second term in office has brought several headaches for pharmaceutical companies, Novo included. Throughout the year, Trump has teased triple-digit tariffs unless pharma companies make significant investments in the U.S., and has also waged a war on high drug prices for Americans.

The frustration that U.S. drug prices can be more than four times those in Europe isn't new. Last year, Novo's then-CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen testified at the U.S. Senate panel chaired by Sen. Bernie Sanders, who called for the company to "stop ripping us off" with high drug prices.

But Trump has taken it further, advocating a so-called "Most Favored Nation" pricing for medicines, whereby the U.S. price is set to the lowest level compared to other wealthy countries.

In November, the Trump administration reached a deal with Novo and Lilly to lower prices of their bestselling GLP-1 medicines on both Medicare and Medicaid, as well as agreements to offer them directly to consumers at a discount on the website TrumpRx.gov, which is set to be launched in January this year.

The new direct-to-patient market is emerging as a critical driver of future sales growth, but compounders — which make cheaper copycat versions of the drug and were able to flourish during the earlier shortage of semaglutide — remain a real competitor.

"The TrumpRx deal will help Novo become more competitive with compounders on price, although a faster orforglipron launch could reduce its ability to gain momentum in the [direct-to-patient] channel ahead of Lilly," noted Morningstar's Karen Andersen.

"We've already seen the direct-to-patient market beginning to develop nicely in 2025, particularly for LillyDirect… oral GLP-1 drugs will be even better suited to this channel," she added. "That will further push the market toward cash pay."

Headwinds Investors are also waiting to see if Novo's new leadership will deliver on its attempt to improve U.S. operations.

In May, Novo ousted its CEO of eight years, citing "recent market challenges" and "the development of the company's share price." Six months later, all independent members of the board stepped down due to a disagreement with Novo's controlling shareholder over the pace of change and discontent over how it had addressed challenges in the U.S. market.

"The marketable development for Wegovy and Ozempic is a must-win battle for [CEO] Mike Doustdar and the new board," Hansen said, adding that the development in the U.S. market is a "show me case" for investors. "Right now, we really don't see any significant positive progress here," he told CNBC on Dec 23.

The Danish drugmaker must therefore balance progress on its pill version and higher-dose jabs of Wegovy with these multiple headwinds in 2026.

Lower pricing for both the Medicare and consumer cash-pay channel as a result of MFN, as well as patent expiries in jurisdictions including Brazil, Canada and China will "probably lead to a decreasing top line," said Hansen.

Furthermore, 2026 will likely bring more clarity on Novo's next-generation drug CagriSema, which combines semaglutide, a GLP-1 agonist, with cagrilintide, an amylin analogue.

watch now

Longer term, competition is likely to intensify beyond Lilly and compounders, as several drugmakers — including Pfizer, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Roche — advance late-stage candidates through their pipelines.

The future could also bring more diversification in treatments, as many new drugs are in development that could yield new ways to manage weight loss long-term, provide better safety profiles, and combine drugs that target several different appetite-modifying hormones.

"There have been so many moves this year that show Novo as a conflicted company – for example, reaching a deal with Hims and then terminating the deal… negotiating to acquire Metsera, exiting negotiations, and then jumping back in after a signed Pfizer deal," said Andersen.

"This [Wegovy pill approval] win is symbolically very important for Novo, after a series of disappointments with data and financial performance," she added. "It needed a win, and now it just needs to execute."

The regional banks surging to all-time highs are large, but have lesser-known names.

When investors think of regional bank stocks, large, famous names like Truist or Fifth Third, may first come to mind. However, these aren't the names in the space hitting new highs.

Assessing the long-term stock price performance of regional bank stocks, here are the three largest regional banks currently near a new high: Citizens Financial Group (CFG 0.92%), East West Bancorp (EWBC 1.47%), and Wintrust Financial Corporation (WTFC 0.89%).

Let's examine them and see if bullish momentum can last. For example, recent developments like the pending federal reclassification of marijuana may have more of a direct impact on marijuana stocks, but if this change leads to reforms in marijuana banking law, it will prove to be a boon for the regional banking sector as well.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Strong fundamentals point to continued outperformance for Citizens Financial Group
Citizens Financial Group offers a range of customer and commercial banking services. Based in Rhode Island, Citizens operates branches throughout the Eastern and Midwestern United States. Shares currently trade at a forward price-to-earnings ratio (forward P/E) of about 12.

Today's Change

(

-0.92

%) $

-0.54

Current Price

$

58.41

This is in line with other regional banks, most of which trade at forward P/Es in the low teens range. Thanks to factors such as an increasing net interest margin, Wall Street anticipates further earnings growth in the coming year.

Sell-side analyst estimates call for earnings growth of over 31% next year, from $3.83 to $5.03 per share. Assuming current trends continue, Citizens could experience a price surge in line with this earnings growth, or even valuation expansion.

2. East West Bancorp has been growing its dividend
Based in Pasadena, California, East West Bancorp started off as a bank focused on Southern California's Chinese-American community. Over time, it has become a major regional bank, with branches across the West Coast of the United States, as well as in China, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

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Analysts expect East West's earnings to rise 6.7% next year. East West trades for 13.6 times forward earnings estimates. This is on the higher end of the valuation range for regional banks, and it's admittedly questionable whether modest earnings growth could continue to support this valuation.

Then again, East West has also become a dividend growth story in recent years. Shares have a forward dividend yield of about 2%, and dividends have increased by an average annual rate of 17% over the past five years. Further strong dividend growth may enable the stock to sustain its high multiple, and continue to rise in price.

3. Wintrust's dividend growth could spark a further rally
Rosemont, Illinois-based Wintrust is another regional bank that has been nearing historical highs lately. Wintrust operates throughout the Greater Chicago area, as well as in Southwest Florida. Unlike Citizens, with its high projected earnings growth, and East West, with its valuation expansion potential, Wintrust faces the prospect of far more modest future growth.

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Wintrust trades at a reasonable 12 times forward earnings estimates. However, estimates call for earnings growth of only 4.3% next year. Even so, there's another factor at play that may help drive Wintrust to new all-time highs: its aggressive dividend growth policy.

Wintrust has a forward yield of only 1.4%, but the quarterly dividend has grown by an average of 12.3% annually over the past five years. A low payout ratio of only 17.4% suggests Wintrust has further room to grow its cash payouts. This could push the stock price up.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in VKTX over 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.

The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing in this article should be taken as a solicitation to purchase or sell securities. Before buying or selling any stock, you should do your own research and reach your own conclusion or consult a financial advisor. Investing includes risks, including loss of principal.

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.

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.

48,135 vehicles were delivered in December 2025, increasing by 54.6% year-over-year 124,807 vehicles were delivered in the three months ended December 2025, increasing by 71.7% year-over-year 326,028 vehicles were delivered in 2025 in total, increasing by 46.9% year-over-year Cumulative deliveries reached 997,592 as of December 31, 2025   SHANGHAI, Jan. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NIO Inc. (NYSE: NIO; HKEX: 9866; SGX: NIO) (“NIO” or the “Company”), a pioneer and a leading company in the global smart electric vehicle market, today announced its December, fourth quarter and full year 2025 delivery results. The Company delivered 48,135 vehicles in December 2025, a new monthly high, representing an increase of 54.6% year-over-year.

Tether accumulated 8,888.8888888 Bitcoin in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to CEO Paolo Ardoino. 

On-chain data suggests the stablecoin issuer purchased about 9,850 BTC in total during the quarter, worth roughly $876 million at prevailing prices.

Tether Strengthens Its Treasury StrategyThe buying included a withdrawal of 961 BTC—around $97.18 million—from Bitfinex on November 7, 2025. It also included a transfer of 8,888.8 BTC, valued near $778 million, to Tether’s Bitcoin reserve address on the first day of 2026.

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As a result, Tether’s reserve address now holds 96,185 BTC, worth about $8.42 billion. That balance ranks as the fifth-largest known Bitcoin wallet globally. This shows that the company’s treasury scale has significantly increased around Bitcoin.

The company has increasingly framed Bitcoin as a long-term reserve asset rather than a short-term trade, using excess profits to build exposure.

Tether’s Bitcoin Accumulation Througout Q4, 2025. Source: Arkham IntelligenceMeanwhile, the purchases come amid heightened activity around USDT over the past month. 

Tether minted large new tranches of USDT, including a $1 billion issuance on the TRON network, signaling expectations of continued liquidity demand across exchanges and payment corridors.

At the same time, data has shown USDT’s growing role outside trading. Analysts point to rising usage in remittances and small-value transfers, reinforcing its position as a digital dollar rail rather than just a market-making tool.

In parallel, Tether has expanded beyond core issuance. 

Recent investments in payment infrastructure, including firms working with the Bitcoin Lightning Network, suggest a push to integrate USDT and Bitcoin more deeply into real-world settlement systems.

Taken together, the Q4 Bitcoin accumulation and recent USDT developments point to a company leaning into scale. 

Tether is strengthening its balance sheet with Bitcoin while extending the utility and reach of its stablecoin in global crypto markets.

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Bruce Buterin

January 1, 2026

Tether significantly increased its Bitcoin holdings, acquiring approximately 8,888.9 BTC, according to CEO Paolo Ardoino. On-chain analysis suggests the total Bitcoin purchased by Tether during this period is around 9,850 BTC, valued at approximately $876 million based on current market prices. This move is part of Tether’s ongoing strategy to bolster its treasury reserves.

Key transactions included a withdrawal of 961 BTC, approximately $97.18 million, from the Bitfinex exchange on November 7, 2025. Additionally, a transfer of 8,888.8 BTC, valued at nearly $778 million, was directed to Tether’s Bitcoin reserve address at the start of 2026. This address now holds around 96,185 BTC, equivalent to roughly $8.42 billion in value, making it the fifth-largest known Bitcoin wallet globally.

Tether’s strategy reflects its positioning of Bitcoin as a long-term reserve asset, opting to use excess profits to enhance its Bitcoin exposure rather than engage in short-term trading. This approach aligns with the company’s broader financial strategy and treasury management.

The period also saw a surge in activity surrounding Tether’s stablecoin, USDT. The company minted substantial amounts of USDT, including a $1 billion issuance on the TRON network, indicating an anticipation of sustained liquidity demand across various exchanges and payment systems. Concurrently, data indicates an increasing role for USDT outside traditional trading, with growing usage in remittances and small-value transfers. This development underscores USDT’s expanding function as a digital dollar alternative.

Moreover, Tether is investing in infrastructure to facilitate its integration into real-world payment systems. This includes enhancements related to the Bitcoin Lightning Network, suggesting a strategic effort to integrate both USDT and Bitcoin into everyday financial transactions more deeply.

These developments collectively illustrate Tether’s focus on scaling its operations. By fortifying its balance sheet with Bitcoin and expanding the usability and distribution of its stablecoin, Tether is cementing its presence in the global cryptocurrency market. The implications of these moves will continue to unfold as Tether further defines its role within the financial ecosystem.

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Bruce Buterin

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

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In 2024-2025, Solana (SOL) evolved from yet another non-EVM chain to a strong contender of Ethereum (ETH) and its L2s. In 2026, the protocol is up for dramatic enhancements in terms of decentralization and performance.

Alpenglow: Biggest revamp in Solana's historyExpected to happen in H1, 2026, Alpenglow represents the most significant reconsideration of Solana's core protocol in its history. The Solana community voted overwhelmingly (98%) in favor of this upgrade in September 2025, as U.Today previously reported.

CARD: https://u.today/solana-to-work-80x-faster-with-this-upgrade-what-is-alpenglow 

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Alpenglow will reduce transaction finality from roughly 12.8 seconds to just 100-150 milliseconds, or about 100 times faster. To put it in perspective, this would be faster than a Google search, which averages around 200 milliseconds, and significantly faster than Visa or Mastercard.

At peak-

Solana: 3,200 TPS, $0.006 fees
Base: 1/10 throughput, 500× the cost
Ethereum: 1/100 throughput, 10,000× the cost

There’s really only one viable chain for internet capital markets

(yes that’s a log chart) pic.twitter.com/NZM7dwxytf

— Mary Gooneratne (@marygooneratne) October 11, 2025 The upgrade introduces two new components called Votor and Rotor, which replace Solana's existing proof-of-history and Tower BFT systems. Alpenglow moves validator voting off-chain, reducing costs and clearing space for user transactions. 

Sub-second finality would enable real-time applications like decentralized exchanges, gaming and payment systems to feel as responsive as traditional web services. Simply put, it will make the Solana (SOL) blockchain suitable for almost every financial operation and transaction that can be imagined.

The upgrade also reduces the barriers to entry for smaller validators by eliminating vote transaction fees. This could help Solana compete more effectively with centralized financial infrastructure and other blockchains in speed and performance.

As of now, it requires $20 million equivalent to run a profitable Solana (SOL) validator.

P-token standard and SIMD-0266: 10x more resource-effective SolanaAnother meaningful update set to revamp DeFi activity on Solana is the SIMD-0266 Efficient Token Program. 

SIMD-0266 is the official proposal to replace Solana's current SPL token program with P-token architecture. The upgrade could reduce resource usage by up to 98% compared to the current standard.

CARD: https://u.today/rebirth-of-solana-defi-this-anza-upgrade-makes-solana-98-more-effective 

P-token can free up nearly 12% of block space for other transactions, directly increasing Solana's effective throughput. About 10% of block compute units are currently used by Token program instructions, so this optimization has network-wide impact.

It features no heap allocation, zero-copy data access and full backward compatibility, allowing clients to replace it without modifying their code. The proposal is currently undergoing security audits and will require validator governance approval before activation. Approximately, P-tokens can go live in Solana in H2, 2026.

Solana (SOL) price in 2026: Possible effects of upgradesBoth upgrades are expected to be powerful triggers for on-chain activity on Solana (SOL). First, they are expected to make it more attractive than Ethereum (ETH) thanks to more bandwidth and reduced transactional fees.

Then, they will keep the increased demand for SOL as Solana's core native cryptocurrency and the main asset of its ecosystem. Indirectly, both upgrades contribute to positive sentiment across Solana (SOL) and its dApps ecosystem.

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

On-chain data shows Dogecoin, Solana, and other altcoins are currently seeing half the weekly Trading Volume compared to the end of 2024.

Dogecoin, Solana, & Others Have Seen A Decline In Volume Recently
In a new post on X, on-chain analytics firm Santiment has talked about the latest trend in the Trading Volume for the various assets in the cryptocurrency sector. This indicator measures, as its name suggests, the total amount of a given token that became involved in trading activities on exchanges over the past week.

When the value of the metric rises, it means trading activity related to the asset is going up. Such a trend can be a sign that interest in the cryptocurrency is increasing.

On the other hand, the indicator going down can imply investors are shifting their attention away from the coin as they are participating in a lower amount of trading.

Now, here is the chart shared by Santiment that shows the trend in the Trading Volume for nine major assets: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Cardano, Solana, BNB, XRP, Tron, and Chainlink.

How the current volume in the market compares against the same time from last year | Source: Santiment on X
As displayed in the above graph, the Trading Volume has witnessed a plunge across the sector over the last couple of weeks. Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and other assets have all shown price consolidation in this period, so the cooldown in trading activity could partly be due to traders getting bored.

Generally, investors like to trade more when price action is “exciting.” Volatile moves like rallies or crashes especially attract attention to the market. In phases of sideways price action, though, interest tends to die down.

There is also another reason behind the recent decline in the Trading Volume besides the price action: the holidays. From the chart, it’s visible that the holiday period at the end of 2024 also saw the indicator have a similarly low value for Bitcoin.

There has been one big difference in market behavior between now and then, however. As the analytics firm has explained:

Ethereum and other altcoins like Solana, Cardano, and Dogecoin were still seeing significant movement. This year, they have less than half the weekly trading volume.

What could be the consequence of this low activity? While hard to say for certain, price action usually tends to be muted when there is a lack of trading interest, as moves fail to build momentum in either direction.

Thus, it’s possible that the current phase of consolidation could stretch for the market, unless some surprise news drops that becomes a trigger for volatility.

DOGE Price
Dogecoin saw a surge to $0.128 earlier in the week, but the memecoin’s price has declined since then as it’s back at $0.122.

Looks like the price of the coin has overall moved sideways over the last few days | Source: DOGEUSDT on TradingView
Featured image from Dall-E, Santiment.net, chart from TradingView.com

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Tether’s wallet now holds over 96,000 BTC, valued at roughly $8.4 billion.

Key Takeaways

Tether expanded its Bitcoin holdings by acquiring 8,888 Bitcoin in Q4 2025.
The purchase is part of Tether's strategy to diversify its reserves with valuable digital assets.

Tether, the company behind the USDT stablecoin, added 8,888 Bitcoin to its holdings in the fourth quarter of 2025, CEO Paolo Ardoino said. The acquisition reaffirms Tether’s confidence in Bitcoin as a long-term store of value.

Tether acquired 8,888.8888888 BTC in Q4 2025.https://t.co/vMh1uzv1wO

— Paolo Ardoino 🤖 (@paoloardoino) December 31, 2025

The latest purchase boosts Tether’s total Bitcoin holdings to over 96,000, worth around $8.4 billion at current market prices, per Arkham Intelligence. That figure makes it the fifth-largest Bitcoin address, according to on-chain analyst Ember.

Ember estimated that Tether bought 9,850 BTC worth $876 million in Q4 2025, after on-chain data showed withdrawals of 961 BTC from Bitfinex in November and 8,888 BTC sent to its reserve address today.

Tether said in May 2023 that it would start using up to 15% of its realized operating profits to buy Bitcoin on an ongoing basis. The company said the move would strengthen and diversify USDT reserves.

The move comes after increased institutional interest in Bitcoin throughout 2025, with major companies and financial entities integrating the crypto asset into their investment and treasury management strategies.

However, that momentum cooled when the broader crypto market retreated, with Bitcoin slipping below $90,000.

Disclaimer

Momentum from crypto exchange-traded funds, stablecoins, tokenization, along with clearer regulations, is set to compound in 2026, accelerating crypto adoption, according to Coinbase’s head of investment research, David Duong.

In a year-end wrap-up posted to X on Wednesday, Duong said 2025 saw spot exchange-traded funds create regulated access to crypto, digital asset treasuries emerge as new corporate balance-sheet vehicles, and tokenization and stablecoins moving deeper into core financial workflows.

“We expect these forces to compound in 2026 as ETF approval timelines compress, stablecoins take a larger role in delivery-vs-payment (DvP) structures, and tokenized collateral is recognized more broadly across traditional transactions,” he said.

Source: David DuongGlobal crypto adoption has been steady over the last few years, ranging from 10.3% in Q1 2023 to 9.9% in Q1 2025, according to analytics platform Demand Sage.

Regulation key to next phase of institutional adoptionClearer global frameworks were a key development in 2025, driving crypto’s transformation from a niche market to an emerging pillar of global market infrastructure, and changing how institutions approach strategy, risk, and compliance, Duong said.

The US has pivoted toward stablecoin oversight and market-structure clarity with the GENIUS Act, while Europe consolidated its Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, better known as MiCA.

“The practical consequence is real operational readiness: better policy guardrails that enable product innovation, market maturation, and the embedding of crypto rails into payments and settlements. This is the foundation on which the next phase of institutional adoption is being built,” Duong said.

He added that “policy clarity, institutional architecture, and broader participation are converging to make crypto part of the financial core,” and if the industry delivers quality products, regulatory stewardship, and user‑centric design, “we can help ensure that the next wave of innovation reaches everyone, everywhere, all the time.”

Crypto demand no longer tied to single narrativeUnlike the early days of crypto, the investor base has also become far more diverse and is no longer dominated by early adopters, with a broader cross‑section of allocators and end‑users reshaping overall demand, resulting in an important market shift, said Duong.

“Demand no longer hinges on a single narrative; it reflects the interplay of macroeconomics, technology, and geopolitics, and it is increasingly anchored to a long‑term, strategic thesis informed by crypto’s increasing integration into mainstream finance,” he said.

“Eventually, we think that shift will support more persistent capital and less purely speculative churn.”Magazine: Big questions: Would Bitcoin survive a 10-year power outage?

Even as ETH struggles below $3,000, developers surge as record contract deployments indicate organic growth driven by rollups, stablecoins, RWAs, and wallets.

Ethereum has recorded a major rebound in developer activity, despite a stunted performance on the price side of things. The network deployed a record 8.7 million smart contracts in a single quarter, according to a Token Terminal chart shared by Ethereum analyst Joseph Young.

The figure is an all-time high and breaks the previous quarterly record of around 6 million contracts set in the second quarter of 2021.

Developer Revival
In his latest post on X, Young said that steady growth in contract deployments across multiple quarters is difficult to artificially inflate, which essentially means that the current trend reflects genuine, organic demand rather than short-term speculation. He attributed the surge mainly to the rapid expansion of rollups and Layer 2 networks, alongside rising activity in real-world asset (RWA) issuance, stablecoins, and wallet infrastructure, including intent-based systems.

The data is particularly important given Ethereum’s recent history. Contract deployments had been trending sharply lower through 2024 and much of 2025. In 2024, quarterly deployments struggled to exceed 1.5 million, while the final quarter of that year saw just over 528,000 new contracts, the latter being the weakest level since 2017.

Even in 2025, deployments fell from nearly 6 million in the first quarter to 3.1 million by the third quarter. Against this backdrop, the current spike is a clear reversal, which brings total lifetime contracts deployed on Ethereum to roughly 91.7 million.

Renewed Momentum
As a broader sign of renewed network momentum, Ethereum has also seen a rise in on-chain usage alongside falling costs. Data compiled by Etherscan revealed that the mainnet recently processed approximately 2.2 million transactions in a single day, which is yet another new record, while average transaction fees have dropped to around $0.17.

This contrasts sharply with May 2022, when fees regularly exceeded $200 per transaction. Protocol upgrades in 2025, including Pectra and Fusaka, have improved validator efficiency and increased the gas limit, and have helped Ethereum handle higher activity at lower cost.

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XRP and SOL Investment Products Defy Crypto Slump as Billions Pour In While Bitcoin Bleeds

Ethereum Network Activity Hits All-Time High as Price Lags Far Behind

Additionally, CryptoQuant found that total transfer counts climbed to around 1.06 million on December 29, a level not seen since October 2023. The metric became increasingly volatile in the final quarter of 2025 and broke away from the relatively stable activity seen earlier in the year.

The rise in transfers has come even as ETH’s price remained below its yearly highs.

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USDT issuer Tether has expanded its Bitcoin treasury once again with major purchases in Q4 2025. The firm reported it added 8,888 BTC towards the close of the previous year.

Bitcoin Treasury Expands as Tether Adds Nearly $900M in BTC
According to data from EmberCN, the USDT issuer increased its overall Bitcoin reserve within the fourth quarter of 2025 significantly. They acquired about 9,850 BTC, valued at approximately $876 million, through two large transactions.

Source: EmberCN
The company made a transfer of 961 BTC on November 7, and then on January 1, 2026, it made a significantly larger transfer of 8,888.8 BTC. This single transfer was worth around $778 million at the point of withdrawal.

These are in line with the policy that Tether follows, which was announced in May 2023 to buy Bitcoin to the tune of 15% every quarter based on their profits. Usually, this company pools these purchases into their reserve wallets at the end of every quarter or shortly after that.

Following the latest additions, the firm’s primary Bitcoin treasury reserve address now holds 96,185 BTC valued at $8.4 billion. This makes it among the top five largest known Bitcoin wallets in the world. 

With the withdrawal price, the company’s average acquisition cost is approximately $51,100 for each Bitcoin.  This means it has an unrealized gain of over $3.5 billion based on the current market price.

Tether acquired 8,888.8888888 BTC in Q4 2025.https://t.co/vMh1uzv1wO

— Paolo Ardoino 🤖 (@paoloardoino) December 31, 2025

Its growing treasury of Bitcoin coins is part of a wider capital allocation strategy, which goes beyond digital currencies. Tether announced a plan last year to reinvest profits generated from cryptocurrencies into the gold supply chain business, which includes mining, refining, and trading, among others.

The company has already held billions of dollars’ worth of Physical gold reserves in Switzerland. Financial disclosures showed that the Bitcoin and gold reserves contributed substantially to the earnings of Tether during the first half of the previous year.

Corporate Bitcoin Treasuries Stay Active Despite Price Dip
Despite the market dip, treasuries have continued to maintain the accumulation trend. In the current week, Strategy made yet another Bitcoin purchase. They bought 1,229 BTC at an average cost of $88,568 per unit, amounting to $108.8 million.

In addition, Metaplanet ended several-months-long pause in Bitcoin purchasing with a 4,279 BTC purchase in the fourth quarter of 2025. The firm’s overall Bitcoin treasury grew in value, with a current stash of 35,102 BTC, now over $3 billion.

In the course of writing, Bitcoin remains to be stuck in the levels of $88,000 to $90,000.

Bitcon has ended 2025 lower than it began, marking the first time it’s fallen in a post-halving year.

Bitcoin (BTC) halvings occur every four years, when mining rewards are cut in half and fewer new coins enter the market. Historically, this has resulted in a cycle of accumulation: a post-halving bull run that peaks, followed by a sharp correction and a multi-year bear market.

After the 2012 halving, Bitcoin spiked to end the following year at a new high; a similar pattern played out in 2016 and again in 2020. 

However, the pattern has broken this time. 

Despite the latest halving being in April 2024, Bitcoin is now trading down more than 30% from its all-time high of $126,080, set on Oct 6 and ending the year lower than it began, according to data from CoinGecko.

Source: Charlie BilelloThe four-year cycle has frequently been used to predict and analyze how the crypto markets will broadly act.

Analysts tipped death of four year cycle for monthsVivek Sen, the founder of Bitcoin public relations firm Bitgrow Lab, said in an X post on Wednesday, in the last hour of 2025, that Bitcoin is ending the year down, which shows the four-cycle is now “Officially dead.”

Source: Vivek SenMeanwhile, investor Armando Pantoja shared a similar view, attributing it to the influx of new institutions and traders.

“The Market Has New Players, crypto isn’t 2016 or 2020 anymore. ETFs, institutions, and corporate balance sheets don’t trade like hype-driven retail. Bitcoin Trades macro now BTC reacts to liquidity, rates, regulation, and geopolitics, not a perfect halving calendar,” he said.

Pantoja added that the halving still matters in the grand scheme, but the “supply is increasingly locked, miners have financing options, and price dynamics aren’t as automatic as before.”

Other crypto execs split on four-year cycleCrypto executives, including ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood, BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes, Bitwise chief investment officer, Matt Hougan, and CEO Hunter Horsley, have said throughout the year that the four-year cycle is a thing of the past.

However, some industry figures argue it's alive, just playing out differently than in previous years. 

Markus Thielen, head of research at 10x Research, said during a December edition of The Wolf Of All Streets Podcast that the cycle remains intact, but it is no longer dictated by programmed supply cuts.

Magazine: Big questions: Would Bitcoin survive a 10-year power outage?

Thu, 1/01/2026 - 6:56

Ripple has unlocked 1 billion tokens on the first day of the year, according to data provided by Whale Alert.

Cover image via www.freepik.com

Ripple, the San Francisco-headquartered enterprise blockchain company associated with the XRP token, has executed its scheduled monthly release for the start of the new year. A total of a billion tokens have been released in three separate tranches, according to the latest data provided by Whale Alert. 

Early clarity Ripple used to hold roughly 60% of the total XRP supply in its own wallets. Since there were no rules, no one knew how many tokens the San Francisco-based company would sell in a given month. 

Then, the company voluntarily locked 55 billion XRP into a series of cryptographically secured escrows on the ledger. These contracts were programmed to expire on the first day of every month (one by one). As noted by Ripple CTO David Schwartz, the escrow actually restricts the company's power to sell. 

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This January 2026 unlock appears to have executed smoothly and "on time". 

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In mid-2025, Ripple started moving funds internally and "re-locking" tokens before the main unlock appeared on trackers. This reversal confused some community members, and it even fueled some conspiracy theories. 

However, as reported by U.Today, the company went back to the familiar pattern later in the year. 

Ripple's re-locks What happens after the unlock is probably the most misunderstood part of this process. Historically, Ripple rarely uses the full 1 billion. They typically sell a portion to provide liquidity to ODL customers or fund operations. The company typically re-locks the remainder.

For instance, if they unlock 1 billion but only need 200 million, they will put the remaining 800 million into a new escrow contract that will open in the distant future. 

In the coming hours or days, Whale Alert will report several "re-lock" transactions. 

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