Market Signal Briefing

Key Takeaways United Natural Foods is improving margins through automation, cost discipline and strong free cash flow.Ingredion is expanding margins with specialty ingredients, pricing actions and clean-label demand.Beyond Meat is advancing a turnaround with cost cuts, portfolio focus and nutrition-led innovation.
As 2025 wraps up, the food industry is showing steady resilience despite a cautious consumer backdrop. While food inflation has cooled from last year’s peak, prices remain high enough to keep shoppers value-focused. Many consumers continue to trade down to affordable brands and limit discretionary dining, which pressured volumes for some packaged food and restaurant companies. Still, pricing actions helped stabilize revenues and prevent sharper slowdowns.

That said, several bright spots emerged throughout the year. Companies with established brands, wide distribution networks and strong cost control were better able to manage ongoing input and labor pressures. Product innovation, particularly in protein, convenience foods and better-for-you options, continued to attract consumer interest. At the same time, supply-chain conditions improved, allowing companies to operate more efficiently. Foodservice demand also showed signs of stabilizing, setting a more constructive tone heading into 2026.

Growth expectations for the food industry remain modest. While volumes may not rebound sharply, margins are likely to improve as cost pressures ease and pricing comparisons become more favorable. Companies are shifting their focus toward efficiency, automation and smarter portfolio management while leaning on strong brands to maintain pricing discipline.

This setup makes food stocks attractive as the new year approaches. Everyday demand provides a defensive foundation, while improving operating leverage creates room for upside. Companies that are prioritizing operational discipline, brand strength and margin recovery appear best positioned to navigate a value-conscious consumer environment.

3 Tempting PicksUnited Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI - Free Report) , which has rallied 47.4% in the past six months, is gaining momentum as its multi-year transformation continues to deliver results. The Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company remains well-positioned in the natural, organic and specialty food categories, where management continues to see favorable long-term demand trends. Ongoing network optimization, automation and lean operating practices are helping streamline the cost structure while improving service levels, inventory productivity and supply-chain efficiency. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Disciplined portfolio management and investments in advanced demand planning and analytics are supporting margin improvement and operational visibility. Importantly, strong free cash flow generation has enabled meaningful debt reduction, improving financial flexibility and lowering leverage. With a more efficient operating model, improving margins and a clear focus on execution, United Natural Foods appears well-positioned heading into fiscal 2026.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UNFI’s current fiscal-year earnings per share (EPS) suggests growth of 187.3%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the bottom line has also seen upward revisions in the past 30 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Ingredion Incorporated (INGR - Free Report) continues to execute well, supported by steady demand for its specialty ingredients and solutions-based offerings across a diversified global customer base. Strength in higher-value platforms, including Texture & Healthful Solutions, along with disciplined pricing actions and a favorable product mix, remains central to margin expansion.

The Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company is focused on advancing ingredients aligned with clean-label, texture and health-driven food trends while driving productivity through ongoing cost optimization initiatives. These efforts are reinforcing Ingredion’s ability to perform consistently in a mixed macro environment. A strong balance sheet and disciplined capital allocation provide financial flexibility to support growth investments. With improving margins and consistent execution, Ingredion appears well-positioned to deliver stable performance and long-term shareholder value.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for INGR’s current and next fiscal-year EPS suggests respective growth of 5.1% and 1.6%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has also seen upward revisions in the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Beyond Meat, Inc. (BYND - Free Report) is advancing a broad turnaround as management works to reset the business and improve long-term profitability. While demand in the plant-based meat category remains pressured, the Zacks Rank #2 company is taking concrete steps to resize its cost structure, simplify its portfolio and improve manufacturing efficiency through its transformation initiatives. Production and logistics cost improvements are beginning to gain traction, supporting management’s confidence in future margin recovery.

Beyond Meat is sharpening its focus on cleaner ingredients and nutrition-led innovation, supported by platforms such as Beyond Steak and Beyond Ground. Balance sheet actions have improved liquidity, providing additional flexibility to execute the turnaround. With disciplined cost actions, a more focused operating model and a continued emphasis on product quality, Beyond Meat appears positioned for gradual operational improvement as execution progresses.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BYND’s current and next fiscal-year EPS suggests respective growth of 51.5% and 69.6%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the bottom line has also seen upward revisions in the past 30 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 30, 2025) - Antimony Resources Corp. (CSE: ATMY) (OTCQB: ATMYF) (FSE: K8J0) (the "Company" or "ATMY") announces that it has closed the first tranche of its previously announced private placement financing (the "Offering"). The Company issued a total of 21,020,298 Units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of CAN$0.45 per Unit for gross proceeds to the Company of CAN$9,459,134.10. Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of CAN$0.75 for a period of 24 months from the issuance thereof. In addition to being subject to statutory and CSE 4-month hold periods, all Units issued will be restricted from trading until June 29, 2026. The net proceeds received from the Offering will be used by the Company for exploration and development activities and general working capital.

Dominari Securities LLC. and Revere Securities LLC. acted as joint placement agents for the financing. The Company paid a total commission of CAN$756,730.73 in cash and issued a total of 1,681,623 broker warrants. The broker warrants are exercisable at CAN$0.75 for a period of 24 months from closing and are restricted from trading until June 29, 2026.

Jim Atkinson, CEO and President of ATMY committed, "We are pleased to have new investors from the United States join our share registry and thank our existing shareholders for their continued support. Global demand for Antimony is at all time highs with China export restrictions. These China restrictions have intensified market volatility driving prices to all time highs. Antimony is essential for the military. Our goal is to develop our Bald Hill Antimony deposit and become a major supplier of Antimony for North America."

About Dominari Securities LLC.

Based in New York, Dominari Securities LLC. is a dynamic, forward-thinking financial services company that seeks to create wealth for all stakeholders by capitalizing on emerging trends in the financial services sector and identifying early-stage future opportunities that are expected to generate a high rate of return for investors. Dominari Securities LLC, a Member of FINRA, MSRB and SIPC. www.dominarisecurities.com

About Revere Securities LLC.

Established in 1983, Revere Securities has built a reputation for trusted guidance, disciplined execution, and enduring client relationships. From their offices in New York, Boca Raton, and Boston, they serve corporations, institutional investors, and high-net-worth individuals with a focus on long-term value creation. Their professionals have advised on and executed billions of dollars in transactions, leveraging deep market insight and extensive industry relationships to help clients achieve their strategic and financial objectives. www.reveresecurities.com

About Antimony Resources Corp. (CSE: ATMY) (OTCQB: ATMYF) (FSE: K8J0)

Antimony Resources Corp. is a exploration and development company focused exclusively on Antimony. The Company's management team possesses extensive experience in financing, exploration, development and mining. The Company is focused on becoming a significant North American producer of antimony.

The Company is developing the Bald Hill Antimony Project located in New Brunswick, Canada.

Bald Hill Antimony Project Highlights

Bald Hill is a well-known, high-grade antimony deposit in southern New BrunswickExcellent infrastructure including roads, power and a deep sea port 45 Klms away. Past and current work including drilling has outlined an antimony deposit over 700 m. long as part of a much longer zone of breccia.Widths of mineralization average 3 to 4 meters and average grades range between 3% to 4% antimony.2025 NI-43-101 Technical Report: Potential quantity and grade of the drilled area, which is the target of our exploration, is in the 2.700,000 tonne range grading 3.0% to 4.0% Sb (~81,000 to 108,000 tonnes contained antimony)1 - It should be noted that ATMY has not completed enough work to determine a resource for the Bald Hill Antimony Project. The stated potential is conceptual in nature, and it is not known if the project will be economic. Potential to expand based on additional known targetsNATIONAL INSTRUMENT 43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT: BALD HILL ANTIMONY PROJECT SOUTHERN NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA NTS 21G/09 Prepared for Antimony Resources October 28, 2025. Prepared By John Langton, M.Sc., P. GEO., - JPL GeoServices, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.The technical contents of this news release were reviewed and approved by Jim Atkinson, MSc., P. Geo., who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

www.antimonyresources.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors
Jim Atkinson, CEO and President
For further information please contact:
Anthony Simone, President, Simone Capital Inc.
416-881-5154, [email protected]

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release may include certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although Antimony Resources Corp. believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, Antimony Resources Corp. disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279217

Source: Antimony Resources Corp.

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LOS ANGELES, Dec. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Perrigo Company plc, (“Perrigo” or the "Company") (NYSE: PRGO) investors of a class action on behalf of investors that bought securities between February 27, 2023 and November 4, 2025, inclusive (the “Class Period”). Perrigo investors have until January 16, 2026 to file a lead plaintiff motion.

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy, by phone 844-767-8529 or email: [email protected], to discuss their legal rights, or join the case via https://portnoylaw.com/perrigo-company-plc. The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors’ options for pursuing claims to recover their losses.

On November 5, 2025, Perrigo issued a press release “announc[ing] that it is initiating a strategic review of its infant formula business” which “will assess a range of alternatives.” Perrigo said that the review “will focus on a combination of accelerating cash flows and reassessing the Company’s previously announced investment in this business of $240 million, while optimizing portfolio impact and focus.” On this news, Perrigo’s stock price fell $5.09 per share, or 25.21%, to close at $15.10 per share on November 5, 2025.

The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firm’s founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq.
Admitted CA, NY and TX Bar
[email protected]
310-692-8883
www.portnoylaw.com 

Attorney Advertising

Tony Kim
Dec 30, 2025 13:52

DOT price prediction targets $2.19 resistance break within 2 weeks, with Polkadot forecast suggesting potential 20% upside if bullish momentum sustains above $1.83 pivot.

DOT Price Prediction Summary
• DOT short-term target (1 week): $1.95-$2.05 (+7% to +13%)
• Polkadot medium-term forecast (1 month): $1.65-$2.19 range with bias toward $2.00
• Key level to break for bullish continuation: $2.19 (immediate resistance)
• Critical support if bearish: $1.65 (immediate support aligns with lower Bollinger Band)

Recent Polkadot Price Predictions from Analysts
While no significant analyst predictions have emerged in the past three days, the current technical setup suggests market participants are waiting for a clear directional breakout. The absence of fresh predictions often indicates consolidation phases where technical analysis becomes the primary driver for short-term price movements.

The lack of recent analyst coverage could also signal that DOT is flying under the radar, potentially setting up for a surprise move once momentum builds. Historical patterns show that Polkadot often experiences sharp moves after periods of analyst silence.

DOT Technical Analysis: Setting Up for Potential Breakout
The Polkadot technical analysis reveals a mixed but gradually improving picture. DOT currently trades at $1.82, sitting just below the pivot point of $1.83, which represents a critical near-term level. The RSI at 41.39 indicates neutral conditions with room for upward movement without entering overbought territory.

Most significantly, the MACD histogram shows a positive reading of 0.0286, indicating bullish momentum is building despite the negative MACD line. This divergence often precedes trend reversals and suggests underlying buying pressure.

The Bollinger Bands position at 0.42 places DOT in the lower-middle portion of the bands, providing room for expansion toward the upper band at $2.06. The current consolidation between $1.79 and $1.87 appears to be forming a base for the next move.

Volume analysis shows $9.5 million in 24-hour trading on Binance, which is modest but sufficient for sustained moves if momentum increases. The key will be watching for volume expansion above 50% of current levels to confirm any breakout.

Polkadot Price Targets: Bull and Bear Scenarios
Bullish Case for DOT
The primary DOT price target in a bullish scenario points to $2.19, representing the immediate resistance level. A break above this level with volume confirmation could trigger a move toward $2.40-$2.50, halfway to the 52-week high.

For this bullish case to materialize, DOT needs to:
- Break above $1.87 (24-hour high) with conviction
- Hold the $1.83 pivot as new support
- See RSI climb above 50 to confirm momentum shift
- Generate 50%+ volume increase on the breakout

A successful break of $2.19 could target the psychological $2.50 level within 3-4 weeks, representing a 37% gain from current levels.

Bearish Risk for Polkadot
The bearish scenario sees DOT failing to hold the $1.83 pivot, leading to a test of immediate support at $1.65. This level coincides with the lower Bollinger Band and represents a 9% downside from current prices.

If $1.65 fails to hold, the next significant support sits at the 52-week low of $1.69, though this creates a narrow risk zone. A breakdown below these levels could target $1.50-$1.55, representing a 15-17% decline.

Warning signs for the bearish case include:
- Failure to reclaim $1.87 within the next 3-5 days
- RSI dropping below 35
- MACD histogram turning negative
- Volume spike on any breakdown below $1.80

Should You Buy DOT Now? Entry Strategy
Based on current technical conditions, a measured approach to buying DOT appears prudent. The optimal entry strategy involves:

Primary Entry Zone: $1.80-$1.83 (current pivot area)
Aggressive Entry: On break above $1.87 with volume
Conservative Entry: On successful retest of $1.83 after initial breakout

Risk Management:
- Stop-loss: $1.75 (below recent support confluence)
- Take-profit levels: $1.95 (first target), $2.05 (second target), $2.19 (breakout target)

Position sizing should remain moderate given the 65% distance from 52-week highs and the overall weak bullish trend classification. Risk no more than 2-3% of portfolio on this setup.

The current Polkadot forecast suggests patience will be rewarded, as the technical setup appears to favor buyers who can withstand short-term volatility.

DOT Price Prediction Conclusion
The DOT price prediction for the next two weeks targets a move toward $2.19, contingent on breaking above current resistance around $1.87. Confidence level for this prediction stands at medium (60%), supported by improving MACD momentum and neutral RSI conditions.

Key indicators to monitor for prediction validation include:
- Volume expansion above $15 million daily
- RSI sustained above 45
- MACD histogram maintaining positive readings
- Successful hold of $1.83 pivot support

The timeline for this Polkadot forecast extends through mid-January 2026, with the critical decision point likely occurring within the next 5-7 trading days. Failure to break $1.87 by January 6th would suggest extended consolidation and require reassessment of the bullish thesis.

For those asking whether to buy or sell DOT, the current setup favors patient accumulation near support levels while maintaining strict risk management protocols.

Image source: Shutterstock

dot price analysis
dot price prediction

XRP trades near $1.86, down about 2% in the past 24 hours and almost 15% in a month. The XRP price is still trapped inside a bearish channel that carries a 41% breakdown risk if key levels fail.

What makes this setup unusual is that multiple buyer groups are finally stepping in. Long-term holders are buying again, short-term holders are adding, yet one group isn’t convinced. That clash explains why the chart still leans bearish.

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Long-Term Holders Return While the Bearish Channel RemainsThe XRP price has been trading inside a descending channel since early October. Every bounce has failed near the upper trendline. The pattern projects a potential 41% drop from the breakdown point. And while XRP now trades closer to the upper trendline, some on-chain support seems to be showing up.

Bearish Channel: TradingViewWant more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

Long-term holders have finally changed their behavior, as seen via the Hodler net position change metric.

After almost three straight weeks of net selling, December flipped the trend. Between December 3 and December 26, the XRP hodler metric saw a negative net position change every single day. That shifted on December 27, when long-term holders added 9.03 million XRP. The next jump came on December 29, when acquisitions reached 15.90 million XRP. Buying has surged almost 76% in 48 hours.

HODLers Buying: GlassnodeThat level of buying has helped XRP remain near the upper trendline of the falling channel, but it has not broken the channel to the upside.

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Short-Term Buyers Join In — But Whales Start Selling AgainShort-term holders (1–3 months) have expanded from 9.58% of supply on November 29 to 12.32% on December 29, as seen via the HODL Waves metric. HODL Waves metric typically segregates cohorts by age.

This group typically drives rapid upside moves, but it is also the first to exit amid volatility. Their buying is a double-edged sword: it helps limit breakdowns, but it also creates exit pressure if rallies stay weak.

Short-Term Buyers Adding Supply: GlassnodeWhales are moving the other way, probably after seeing a sizable pickup by the short-term holders amid a weakening price pattern.

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The 100 million –1 billion XRP cohort dropped holdings from 8.23 billion to 8.13 billion on December 28, a reduction of 100 million XRP, almost $186 million sold.

The 1million –10 million XRP cohort fell from 3.58 billion to 3.55 billion, a reduction of 30 million XRP, equivalent to approximately $55 million in sell-side pressure.

Whales Dumping XRP: SantimentWhale exits against two layers of holder inflows create friction. It blocks every attempt at a clean breakout and explains why the price keeps returning to the mid-range instead of challenging resistance. If short-term holders sell into any bounce, whales trimming positions can accelerate the downside.

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XRP Price Levels That Decide The Next LegThe market sits at a crossroads. The XRP price remains within the channel. It needs to hold above $1.79 to avoid an early breakdown. Sustaining above that level while long-term holders continue to buy could send the price toward $1.98. A daily close above $1.98 would neutralize the bearish structure and open a path back to $2.28, where bullish momentum returns.

But the danger is clear.

XRP Price Analysis: TradingViewIf $1.79 fails, the next XRP price supports are $1.64 and $1.48. Losing $1.48 breaks the channel and exposes the 41% risk toward $1.27 and even lower.

Right now, broad holder buying has not flipped the structure. It has only slowed the breakdown. For the narrative to change, whales need to return. Until then, every bounce inside the channel carries exit pressure.

APT broke through key resistance levels on institutional buying activity. Dec 30, 2025, 1:11 p.m.

APT$1.6893 posted rose in the past 24 hours, advancing 1.3% to $1.73.

The token maintained tight correlation with broader crypto markets throughout the period, according to CoinDesk Research's technical analysis model.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

The model showed that volume patterns revealed underlying institutional accumulation.

Price action accelerated during the end of the period as APT pierced previous resistance near $1.72 on sustained buying pressure, according to the model.

Multiple volume spikes exceeded 40,000 tokens confirming institutional participation in the breakout move, the model said.

The broader market gauge, the CoinDesk 20 index, was 0.5% higher at publication time.

Technical Analysis:Primary support established at $1.67 Immediate resistance cluster targets $1.735-$1.74 zoneBreakout above $1.72 validates upward momentum structure24-hour average reached 2.76 million tokens Volume expansion of 11.8% above 7-day moving average confirms accumulation patternPrice action validates institutional accumulation thesis through volume-price correlationUpside targets focus on $1.735-$1.74 resistance clusterDownside protection anchored at $1.67 support levelDisclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.

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State of the Blockchain 2025

Dec 19, 2025

L1 tokens broadly underperformed in 2025 despite a backdrop of regulatory and institutional wins. Explore the key trends defining ten major blockchains below.

What to know:

2025 was defined by a stark divergence: structural progress collided with stagnant price action. Institutional milestones were reached and TVL increased across most major ecosystems, yet the majority of large-cap Layer-1 tokens finished the year with negative or flat returns.

This report analyzes the structural decoupling between network usage and token performance. We examine 10 major blockchain ecosystems, exploring protocol versus application revenues, key ecosystem narratives, mechanics driving institutional adoption, and the trends to watch as we head into 2026.

View Full Report

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Grayscale sees regulation, not quantum fears, shaping crypto markets in 2026

22 minutes ago

U.S. market structure legislation is poised to be the dominant force for digital assets, while near-term concerns about quantum computing are overdone.

What to know:

Grayscale expects a bipartisan U.S. crypto market structure bill to pass in 2026.Clearer rules could accelerate institutional adoption and onchain activity.Quantum computing risks are real, but unlikely to affect prices next year, the asset manager said.Read full story

14h21 ▪
4
min read ▪ by
Evans S.

Summarize this article with:

Metaplanet just signed an end-of-year move that looks less like a “trade” and more like a statement. The Tokyo-listed company added 4,279 bitcoin for an acquisition cost of about $451 million, bringing its treasury to 35,102 BTC, around $3 billion at the current price.

In brief

Metaplanet bought 4,279 BTC at the end of December for about $451M, bringing its treasury to 35,102 BTC, close to $3B in value.
The company combines long-term accumulation and options strategies to generate recurring income without touching its main stock.
But the market is becoming more demanding with “BTC treasury stocks,” and valuation discounts remind us that the model remains under pressure.

A late purchase that is anything but a whim
4,279 bitcoin in one block, at the end of December, is the kind of figure that makes noise without needing marketing. It’s not “we diversify,” it’s “we own it.” Metaplanet chooses a bitcoin treasury logic where the reserve becomes a strategic axis, not an accessory.

This positioning aligns with the same dynamic as Strategy, which temporarily sidelines BTC, after a 2025 dominated by methodical accumulation. However, the company had closed December with a last purchase of 1,229 BTC, funded by a mix of equity and debt, faithful to its usual scheme. The idea remains the same: strengthen the reserve when conditions allow, then take a tactical pause when the market imposes its pace, without ever abandoning the long-term goal, BTC as the central asset.

Except there is a key nuance. Metaplanet wants to avoid the image of an immobile safe. The implicit message is almost accounting: “we hold, but we also monetize.” And that’s precisely where the story gets more interesting.

The “Income Generation” business: turning bitcoin into flow, not a relic
Metaplanet explains that its revenues come from option-based strategies designed to generate recurring premiums. The idea is to use a separate pool of bitcoin to sell options, collect premiums, recycle operations, while leaving the long-term reserve intact.

On paper, this answers a classic criticism of bitcoin treasuries: “okay for the asset, but where is the cash flow?” Here, bitcoin is not only volatile, it also becomes productive. Metaplanet even states that revenues from this branch exceeded forecasts, with 8.58 billion yen in 2025 (about $54 million).

But you have to look at the mechanics without rose-colored glasses. Selling options means collecting a premium in exchange for a structured risk. In short: you monetize time, but accept an asymmetry when the market abruptly moves in one direction. It’s solid when well calibrated, and dangerous when it becomes an overly confident routine. It’s not a defect, it’s the price of “in bitcoin” income that doesn’t fall from the sky.

Market awakening: when the “bitcoin treasury” gets paid… or punished

The timing is important, because in parallel, the market has become harsher with bitcoin-backed stocks. In October, Metaplanet saw its mNAV ratio fall below 1, meaning the company was trading on the stock exchange at a price lower than the value of its held bitcoins. In other words: investors refused to pay a premium for the packaging.

And Metaplanet isn’t alone. Several “bitcoin treasury names” have suffered discounts, index pressures, and sometimes more serious warnings about their listing status. The market sorts things out: when bitcoin rises, everyone looks like a genius. When it blows, financing structures and dilution suddenly become very visible.

That’s where Metaplanet’s hybrid model tries for an exit at the top. If the BTC reserve remains the backbone, income via options serves as operational justification, almost like a “proof of activity” for the stock. The company also says it is still assessing the impact of these results on its consolidated forecasts and will update its guidance after analysis.

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Evans S.

Fascinated by Bitcoin since 2017, Evariste has continuously researched the subject. While his initial interest was in trading, he now actively seeks to understand all advances centered on cryptocurrencies. As an editor, he strives to consistently deliver high-quality work that reflects the state of the sector as a whole.

DISCLAIMER

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

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.

In a letter addressed to the SHIB army, Shiba Inu developer Kaal Dhairya noted that the year 2025, especially the last few months, has been the hardest period in Shiba Inu's history.

The Shibarium hack happened, Dhairya added, because the leadership that was supposed to be available to help pull through a difficult time was not there.

The Shiba Inu developer addressed speculation regarding an allegation made against the SHIB team of not filing official complaints with the authorities regarding the Shibarium hack, saying he was personally interviewed by federal agents.

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Dhairya said he has shared all information as well as details gathered during and after the incident, adding that "the official process is happening. It has been happening."

In an update to the Shibarium bridge incident, Dhairya said that the technical recovery was largely complete. Hexens also reviewed every major change, with the checkpoint system functioning again.

Dhairya also revealed plans for SOU, "Shib Owes You," where every affected user has an SOU NFT that is an on-chain, verifiable record of exactly what the ecosystem owes them.

What’s happening

Shiba Inu is launching a plan called Shib Owes You (SOU) to repay users affected by an earlier hack.

Instead of promises or spreadsheets, losses will be turned into NFTs on Ethereum. Each NFT represents how much you are owed.

What these NFTs do

• They prove… pic.twitter.com/etSlki0TGK

— Shibarium | SHIB.IO (@Shibizens) December 29, 2025 SOUs can be merged, split or transferred, and users can sell their claim on supported marketplaces.

What's ahead?Dhairya said the Shiba Inu vision is not dead, but it has just been through something hard. Going forward, the Shiba Inu team will focus on being the technology arm for the ecosystem.

The Shiba Inu developer revealed a decision to pause and sunset projects, systems and processes that are not generating revenue or not hitting break-even. "If it's not contributing to making users whole or keeping the core infrastructure running, it's not a priority right now," Dhairya said, highlighting a priority now on projects that can actually generate revenue to flow back into SOU.

Dhairya added that the year ahead will not be about hype; it will be about repair, focus and building something that can actually last.

"There will be hard decisions ahead," the Shiba Inu developer warned, adding that old systems that no longer serve the ecosystem's future will be retired.

"We will revisit tokenomics to align incentives properly. We will potentially merge or CTO some systems so that value flows to where it should: back to the network and to the users who were affected," Dhairya said. 

As Bitcoin and Ethereum see heavy outflows, XRP leads institutional rotation with $70.2 million in weekly inflows.

Brian Njuguna2 min read

30 December 2025, 01:27 PM

Source: ShutterstockXRP Leads Institutional Rotation as Bitcoin and Ethereum See Heavy OutflowsFresh data from CoinShares highlights a notable shift in institutional crypto positioning, with XRP emerging as the clear standout amid a broader market rotation. 

According to the latest weekly digital asset fund flows report, XRP exchange-traded products (ETPs) recorded $70.2 million in inflows, significantly outperforming the rest of the market. Solana followed at a distance with $7.5 million in inflows, while industry heavyweights Bitcoin and Ethereum faced substantial capital withdrawals.

Source: CoinSharesThe stark divergence in flows highlights a clear shift in institutional sentiment. Bitcoin ETPs saw $443 million in weekly outflows, one of the sharpest pullbacks in recent months, while Ethereum products lost $59.3 million, signaling reduced exposure to former market leaders as investors reallocate toward higher risk-adjusted opportunities.

XRP is leading institutional rotation despite a volatile crypto market. Boosted by clearer regulations and renewed confidence in its long-term utility, XRP ETP inflows signal that institutions increasingly see it as a regulated, differentiated investment, moving beyond a high-beta proxy for Bitcoin or Ethereum.

On the other hand, Solana’s $7.5M inflows, while smaller than XRP’s, highlight targeted institutional rotation rather than a crypto-wide pullback. Its expanding ecosystem and high-performance blockchain continue to attract cautious but strategic investor interest.

Well, Bitcoin and Ethereum outflows signal a strategic reassessment rather than panic. Institutions are rotating capital toward tokens with clear catalysts and growth narratives after locking in gains from earlier rallies.

Therefore, CoinShares data shows XRP emerging as the clear winner in institutional rotation with price currently sitting at $1.87 per CoinCodex data. 

Source: CoinCodexWhile Bitcoin and Ethereum face heavy outflows, XRP’s strong inflows reflect selective capital allocation, growing regulatory confidence, and targeted institutional conviction, trends likely to influence market behavior in the coming weeks.

ConclusionCoinShares’ latest data signals a shift in institutional crypto strategy. XRP’s strong inflows highlight its rising appeal as a regulated, strategic investment, while Bitcoin and Ethereum outflows reflect a rotation toward assets with clearer catalysts. 

Therefore, XRP’s dominance underscores a move from broad exposure to selective, conviction-driven positioning, positioning it as a central focus for market momentum.

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Brian Njuguna

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

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Latest Cryptocurrencies News TodayXRP (Ripple) News

Mike Novogratz warns the16,703 active addresses holding XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) can’t justify its $115 billion market cap, but social media chatter is nevertheless debating major institutional accumulation.

What Happened: Galaxy Digital (TSX:GLXY) founder and CEO Mike Novogratz challenged XRP and Cardano (CRYPTO: ADA) to demonstrate genuine utility beyond loyal communities as the cryptocurrency market matures from hype-driven narratives to fundamentals-focused assets.

“Can Ripple hold it together? Can Cardano hold it together?” Novogratz said during a conversation with Galaxy’s Head of Research Alex Thorn on Friday.

He highlighted that while XRP and Cardano boast resilient fan bases, their on-chain activity remains relatively weak.

“Charles Hoskinson, bless his soul, he’s kept the Cardano community with a blockchain that people don’t really use a lot,” Novogratz said. 

“Can you keep it together when there are more and more options?” he added.

The Bull Case: ‘Shadow Price’ And Triple-Digit DreamsDAG Family Office CEO Jake Claver claimed on X that “major institutions are stacking up XRP behind the scenes while keeping the public in the dark. The current price is merely a shadow of what’s coming.”

He argues that XRP will transform into “the foundation of international finance” and offers “nothing in crypto space offers this level of certainty and potential for massive returns.”

In December itself, Claver said he was "99.99999% confident" XRP would make a major move before year-end and reiterated his belief that the token could eventually reach triple-digit prices, citing ETF expansion, shifting global liquidity, regulatory clarity, and macroeconomic disruptions.

The Numbers Don’t LieOn-chain metrics underscore Novogratz’s concerns as the number of active XRP addresses was 16,703, according to data source CryptoQuant.

Cardano’s active addresses tallied over 19,000. 

Both numbers are significantly lower than Solana (CRYPTO: SOL), which typically sees millions in active addresses driven by DeFi, memes, and apps.

Yet the market cap rankings tell a different story. 

Solana, despite its far higher network usage, sits seventh globally with a market value near $72 billion. 

XRP, by contrast, ranks fifth with a market capitalization around $115 billion, while Cardano's ADA, with similarly muted activity, trades near $13–14 billion and holds roughly the 12th spot.

The Shift To Business FundamentalsNovogratz argued the broader market is evolving: Tokens that aren’t “money” like Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) will be valued like traditional businesses based on revenue, usage, and measurable value.

He contrasted community-driven tokens with emerging examples like Hyperliquid (CRYPTO: HYPE), a decentralized perpetuals exchange that generates real revenue and burns most profits to buy back its token, creating equity-like economics.

Read Next:

‘Asia’s MSTR’ Metaplanet Buys $451M In Bitcoin, But Its Chart Spells Danger
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XRP, the cryptocurrency used by the Ripple payment network, continues to trade within a long-standing range, with repeated rejections at resistance reinforcing rotational price action and keeping focus on key support near $1.58.

Summary

The XRP price continues to trade within a long-term $1.58–$3.50 range.
Rejection at range high reinforces rotational market structure.
$1.58 remains critical support unless a decisive breakdown occurs.

XRP (XRP) has remained locked in a broad trading range for nearly two years, with price action consistently respecting well-defined boundaries. Despite periods of heightened volatility, the market has failed to produce a decisive breakout or breakdown, resulting in persistent rotational behavior.

As the price now drifts back toward the lower end of the range, attention is once again shifting to the critical $1.58 support zone, a level that has historically acted as a reliable floor for XRP.

XRP price key technical points

XRP remains range-bound between $1.58 support and $3.50 resistance
Repeated rejections at the range high reinforce the rotational market structure
$1.58 remains a key liquidity zone that could define the next rotation

XRPUSDT (1W) Chart, Source: TradingView
The current XRP trading range was firmly established following an impulsive move and a successful retest in 2024. Since that point, price has oscillated between a range high near $3.50 and a range low around $1.58, repeatedly respecting both levels on a high-frequency basis.

This behavior is typical of mature ranges, in which neither buyers nor sellers can gain sustained control.

From a technical perspective, historical ranges of this magnitude typically remain valid until the price decisively breaks and holds beyond one of their boundaries on a closing basis. Until such confirmation occurs, price action is more likely to rotate within the range rather than trend directionally.

Recent price behavior has reinforced this structure. XRP’s most recent attempt to rally toward the upper boundary of the range was met with aggressive selling, triggering a sharp downside move. This rejection confirmed that supply remains active at higher prices, thereby preventing acceptance above the resistance level. Importantly, this move did not result in a structural breakdown, but instead pushed the price back toward the middle and lower portion of the range.

The $1.58 level plays a crucial role in this structure. It represents the lower boundary of the range and a region where liquidity has consistently accumulated over time. From a market-auction perspective, price often moves into these zones during corrective phases to clear resting orders and rebalance positions. A move toward $1.58 would allow XRP to absorb remaining downside liquidity created by recent selling pressure.

A test of $1.58 does not imply bearish continuation
In the long term, such moves represent normal rotational behavior rather than trend failure. Historically, XRP has often bounced from this level after liquidity is cleared, leading to renewed rotations back toward higher resistance.

Market structure also supports this interpretation. XRP continues to exhibit rotational characteristics rather than trending behavior, with price failing to establish higher highs or lower lows outside the range. 

This lack of directional conviction comes as broader altcoin markets, including XRP, BNB, SOL, and ADA, face pressure amid December trading volumes falling to 2025 lows, reinforcing the likelihood of continued consolidation.

XRP price action
As XRP continues to trade within its established range, rotational behavior is likely to persist. A move toward the $1.58 support would complete another range rotation and could set the stage for a rebound, provided the level holds on a closing basis.

A confirmed breakout would require a high-volume close above $3.50, while a sustained breakdown below $1.58 would signal a structural shift. Until either scenario occurs, XRP is expected to remain range-bound between $1.58 and $3.50.

Standard Chartered analyst Geoffrey Kendrick forecasts that XRP will reach $8 by 2026. The bullish outlook is driven by regulatory clarity around XRP and progress toward XRP-linked ETFs.

XRP is down by more than 9% year-to-date.

Source: CoinGecko

Journalist

Posted: December 30, 2025

Ethereum [ETH] has traded within a thin margin and remained stuck in a parallel consolidation for the past week. Over this period, Ethereum has hovered between $2.9k and $3k, indicating a market at a decision point. 

At the time of writing, ETH was trading at $2,949, down 2.87% on the daily chart. With the price showing little movement in either direction, investors have been compelled to reassess their positions.

Ethereum whale deposits $332M in ETH
Interestingly, after ETH retraced from its October peaks, whale activity skyrocketed through December. The Whale Hunter Indicator on TradingView showed sustained whale signals during price dips of 3 to 8%. 

Source: TradingView

Thus, every time ETH attempted a rebound, whales sold on the rallies, hindering any sustained upside breakout. Thus, during this period of weakness, whales have sold into strength and absorbed retail bids, pushing prices lower. 

Amid shifting market dynamics, a Bitcoin OG whale holding $749 million in long positions has been actively adjusting his ETH exposure.

According to Lookonchain, the whale recently deposited 112,894 ETH (valued at $332 million) into Binance. Just a few days earlier, the whale had moved another 100,000 ETH worth $291 million to the exchange.

Source: Lookonchain

The OG longs have a floating loss of $50 million. Although the whale recently deposited a substantial amount of ETH into Binance, it has yet to be sold. 

Such deposits often indicate liquidity preparation, with tokens potentially remaining idle for an extended period. Alternatively, the move could signal an attempt to hedge existing spot exposure.

ETH scarcity is on the rise!
Despite increased Bitcoin OG exchange deposits, Ethereum’s scarcity has recovered significantly. In fact, the Stock-to-flow Ratio (SFR) surged to 47 at press time, reaching a 2-week high.

Such a spike in SFR suggested a reduced supply available for immediate selling, reflecting increased accumulation across market participants.

Source: Santiment

Typically, greater scarcity has accelerated upward price pressure, especially if demand keeps up, leading to higher prices.

At the same time, Ethereum’s Spot Netflow has shown a positive reading only five times in the past 30 days. More recently, the metric has stayed negative for seven straight days, falling to ‑$10.6 million.

The continued decline here indicated that market participants on exchanges have been aggressively accumulating, a clear bullish signal.

Source: CoinGlass

Historically, such markets have significantly boosted price movement to the upside. Therefore, if this demand continues to hold, ETH could finally flip $3k into support and target $3324, where whale momentum holds.

However, if sellers, especially Bitcoin OG, decide to sell, ETH could break out of the consolidation range and drop to $2784.

Final Thoughts

Whale deposits 112,894 ETH, worth approximately $332 million, into Binance, increasing the total deposits to $629 million.
ETH remains stuck within a thin margin, but rising scarcity signals a potential breakout.

According to market analyst Vlad Anderson, XRP is showing clear short-term weakness after breaking below the key $1.90 level, shifting momentum decisively toward the bears.

Source: Vlad Anderson
The move followed a failed attempt to hold the $1.9350 zone, a critical pivot that previously supported bullish continuation. With price now trading beneath this threshold, traders are increasingly focused on downside risk and the potential for further near-term declines.

Well, the break below $1.90 is a critical technical shift for XRP. This level previously served as both psychological and structural support, anchoring price amid broader market volatility.

Once lost, it quickly flipped into resistance, raising the bar for any near-term recovery and accelerating selling pressure as short-term sentiment turned cautious.

On the downside, Anderson points to key levels that will shape XRP’s next move. Initial support sits at $1.8420, where buyers may attempt a short-term defense. A failure to hold this zone would likely put $1.80 into focus, a major psychological level that has historically drawn demand but, if broken, could signal deeper downside risk.

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Despite the near-term weakness, the bullish outlook isn’t invalidated yet. The key level to watch is $1.90, now a decisive resistance that bulls must reclaim to shift momentum back in their favor.

A high-volume breakout above $1.90, followed by sustained follow-through, would signal renewed buyer confidence and open the door for a retest of the $1.9350 zone, with scope for further upside. Until then, with price hovering around $1.85, XRP remains in a cautious, wait-and-see phase.

Nearly Half of XRP Supply Underwater: On-Chain Data Signals Rising Risk & a Potential Turning Point
According to renowned market expert Steph Is Crypto, nearly 50% of XRP’s circulating supply is now underwater, marking a significant shift in market structure and investor sentiment.

Source: Glassnode
On-chain data show a sharp decline in holder profitability, underscoring rising downside risk while setting the stage for heightened volatility and potential opportunity in XRP’s near-term outlook.

Only 52% of XRP’s circulating supply is currently in profit, reflecting a steady deterioration in holder profitability over recent weeks. This metric, measuring coins last moved below the current price, signals that a growing share of investors bought at higher levels and are now sitting on unrealized losses.

As profitability compresses, market resilience typically weakens, especially during periods of sustained price pressure.

Historically, when a large portion of holders is underwater, markets become more reactive and emotionally driven. The risk of panic selling increases as investors who have endured drawdowns grow more sensitive to further declines, particularly around key support zones. 

This can accelerate downside volatility, as fear-based exits compound selling pressure. For XRP, these dynamics suggest near-term price action may remain fragile unless broader market sentiment and demand conditions improve.

Meanwhile, XRP was recently hit by a 1 billion token whale sell-off, but a Ripple advocate stated that 2026 would shock the world.

After Nebraska’s charter approval, Telcoin Digital Asset Bank begins operations. It launched its eUSD stablecoin on Ethereum and Polygon.
With the minting of $10 million in eUSD, Telcoin’s flagship Digital Cash is now live and ready to reach retail markets.

Bringing Blockchain Banking to Life
Telcoin CEO Paul Neuner called the launch “phase one” of the bank’s operations, emphasizing that the issuance of eUSD marks a crucial milestone toward offering blockchain-native personal and business accounts. The company plans to begin onboarding customers in early 2026, with personal accounts accessible through the upcoming V5 of the Telcoin Wallet.

Patrick Gerhart, President of Banking Operations, added that this live issuance of eUSD represents the foundation for a regulated, secure rollout of digital cash to the public.

A first for U.S. banking: a dollar-backed stablecoin issued directly on a public blockchain.

Under the Nebraska Financial Innovation Act and in line with federal GENIUS Act guidelines, Telcoin Digital Asset Bank has launched the eUSD stablecoin on Polygon.

A meaningful step… https://t.co/Lvx2PfCP0M

— Polygon | POL (@0xPolygon) December 29, 2025

This move positions Telcoin as the first Digital Asset Depository Institution in the United States. This will allow it to operate under the Nebraska Financial Innovation Act and federal GENIUS Act guidelines. By combining stablecoin issuance, deposit acceptance, and payment processing under a single charter,

Telcoin can offer a banking-first approach that remains fully compliant while leveraging blockchain technology. The launch reflects a growing trend among fintechs and digital banks integrating blockchain to improve payment efficiency and global accessibility.

Happy holidays!

eUSD from Telcoin Digital Asset Bank is now live on Ethereum and Polygon.https://t.co/R72gAGm4xX

— Telcoin (@telcoin) December 26, 2025

Telcoin operates in 171 countries, merging blockchain, telecommunications, and banking to offer self-custodial payments and financial services. The eUSD stablecoin is designed for real-world use, allowing users to transact globally with secure, blockchain-based money.

More About Stablecoins
Ethereum remains the dominant platform for stablecoins, hosting over 53 percent of the total supply. This concentration highlights Ethereum’s role as the go-to blockchain for digital assets that maintain a stable value, such as USDC, USDT, and DAI.

📊 MARKET: Over 53% of all Stablecoins are on $ETH. pic.twitter.com/KvkV9Yuuo2

— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) December 28, 2025

Developers favor Ethereum due to its robust smart contract ecosystem, high liquidity, and broad adoption among wallets, exchanges, and DeFi platforms.

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

Unleash Protocol noted a series of unauthorized withdrawals, based on a smart contract exploit. The protocol estimated initial losses at $3.9M. 

Unleash Protocol, a market app built on Story Protocol, noted a series of unauthorized withdrawals from one of its smart contracts. 

The protocol identified the exploit as connected to the Unleash multisig governance. The hacker managed to force an unauthorized contract update, allowing the withdrawal of funds without the approval of the protocol team. 

Unleash Protocol Incident Notice

Earlier today, we detected unauthorized activity involving Unleash Protocol smart contracts, which led to the withdrawal and transfer of user funds.

Our initial investigation indicates that an externally owned address gained administrative…

— Unleash Protocol (꧁IP OS꧂) (@UnleashProtocol) December 30, 2025

The exploit only affected the Unleash smart contracts, with no effects on Story Protocol. Unleash Protocol is a relatively new app, with just $4.4M in total value locked. The protocol was drained of most of its liquidity soon after launching. 

Unleash Protocol stopped all operations and is now further investigating the cause and the potential to intercept some of the funds. 

Initial investigations show the attacker managed to bridge over 1,300 ETH, sending them to Tornado Cash. The exploiter’s known address was funded with ETH initially, then called for several transfers of 100 ETH directly to Tornado Cash. 

Unleash hack could slow down Story Protocol
Story Protocol may slow down its development, as Unleash was among its top apps. Story Protocol aimed to build the infrastructure for intellectual property. Story Protocol created another L1 chain, setting out to build its own ecosystem. 

At the end of 2025, Story Protocol held $8M in liquidity and $2.69M in stablecoins. In the past week, the protocol saw an outflow of over 24% of its stablecoins, independent of the Unleash Protocol hack. 

The Story Protocol ecosystem contains relatively smaller apps. However, the Unleash hack shows that even small protocols are watched for potential exploits and errors in smart contracts. 

Following the exploit announcement, the native Story protocol token IP fell from $1.62 to $1.50. IP unraveled in the past quarter, from a yearly peak above $13. 

SlowMist counted 200 exploits in 2025
According to SlowMist, 2025 saw 200 incidents of hacks against protocols, down from over 400 incidents for 2024. Despite this, the hackers managed to attack bigger liquidity hubs, for a total loss of over $2.9B, up from $2B in 2024. 

The recent attacks were more sophisticated, even when affecting relatively small protocols. Hackers targeted smart contracts, attacking DeFi platforms and liquidity pools. One of the main methods was to seek ways to make unauthorized withdrawals or mint tokens through a flawed smart contract.

DeFi was the most frequently attacked type of project, with 126 incidents for the past year. The attacks ranged from small-scale token theft to draining leading apps like Cetus. DeFi exploits drained around $649M, while the incidents on centralized exchanges were the main source of value for exploiters, with over $1.8B for the past year.

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Tuesday, leading into New Year’s Eve, lands with a market mood that feels like end-of-year accounting. The headlines come from three different corners, and they all pull in the same direction. 

XRP gets the technical warning because the weekly moving averages are lining up for a death-cross moment. Bitcoin and Ethereum get the money headline because ETF flows keep bleeding on a 30-day sum. Solana supplies the loudest damage after a token called HNUT gets tagged with a 99% collapse.

TL;DRXRP is carrying a death-cross warning that keeps a -26% downside scenario in play.Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs show a combined $1,078,000,000 net outflow on the monthly sum.Solana’s HNUT meme coin was flagged for a -99% collapse.XRP on the verge of -26% death cross crashXRP enters Tuesday with a weekly setup that reads like a warning label. The death cross alarm stems from the fact that the 23-week and 50-week moving averages are closing in on a crossover. The levels associated with this setup are clear on TradingView chart. The 23-week SMA is $2.5344, and the 50-week SMA is $2.4768. These two numbers form the overhead band that the market is fixated on.

HOT Stories

The price sits well below that band. The weekly close is $1.8686. This gap is the reason this setup feels heavy. It transforms the moving-average zone into a gate. Every attempt to lift becomes a task with a deadline because weekly signals are slow to appear and impactful once they show up.

Then, there is the number that makes the headline easy to understand at a glance. The 200-weekly moving average at $1.3812 stands out as the lower reference and maps to the -26% figure in the headline. This combination gives the XRP story a clean structure. 

Source: TradingViewOne part of the story explains why the "death cross" terminology is used, with the 23 and 50 weekly averages tightening toward a crossover. The other piece explains why the downside percentage sticks and the next big line sits at $1.3812.

This is also the kind of setup that lends itself well to a New Year's Eve context. Late December often produces sessions where patience wears thin and reactions become quick.

Thus, the XRP story today is based on three numbers and one mechanism. $2.5344 and $2.4768 are the closing averages on the crossover. $1.8686 is where the week leaves the price. $1.3812 is the level that reveals the risk as a number.

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Bitcoin and Ethereum lose $1,078,000,000 as ETF flows dry upIf XRP is the chart story, Bitcoin and Ethereum are the money story. The monthly sum of ETF netflows for both assets is negative, and the combined figure is $1,078,000,000 out the door, according to Maartunn from CryptoQuant.

That single number does a lot of work. It tells you demand has not been urgent and dips have not been greeted with the kind of systematic buying that turns crashes into corrections. And it tells you the market is heading into the holiday hand-off without strong institutional demand.

The uncomfortable part is what outflows do to psychology. When flows are positive, rallies feel justified even when price action is messy. When flows are negative, rallies feel like they need to prove they are real. That pushes the market into a more defensive rhythm, where participants prioritize preservation and short-term certainty over big dreams.

Bitcoin is not helping the sentiment on price either. On the weekly chart, BTC is parked around $87,989, basically flat on the week at +0.04%, after swinging between $86,806 and $90,406. The bigger tell is where that sits versus the weekly moving-average band, with the 23-week SMA at $105,129 and the 50-week SMA at $101,588 still overhead, keeping price action boxed in.

99% rug pull on Solana: What happened?Solana is in the news today, and it is all thanks to yet another meme coin craze. PeckShield flagged HNUT after a 99% drop, and it fits the 2025 pattern pretty well. It starts with a fast rise and a lot of hype, and then the chart switches to a warning sign.

If you step back and look at the big picture, it is pretty clear why this keeps happening. Pump.fun, one of the main Solana launchpads, had already pushed over 6,000,000 meme coin launches, turning token creation into something closer to posting content than building a product. 

And the turnover is brutal. One analysis puts Pump.fun output at 10,417 tokens launched every 24 hours, with 9,912 ending up defunct, plus an average lifespan of 12 days and a headline failure rate, where 98% do not make it past three months. 

That is the backdrop for an HNUT-style wipe. By 2025, the term "new token" had changed its meaning. It was not used to refer to a new market anymore. Instead, it was used to describe a new test of liquidity. When the supply faucet hits five figures a day and most names burn out in days, a -99% print does not shock anyone. It is just the bill that arrives at the end of the cycle. 

Crypto market outlookInto New Year’s Eve, the crypto market trades on two drivers, whether fresh demand shows up after month-end outflows and whether the majors can reclaim their weekly moving-average bands. 

If that does not happen, price action will remain reactive, with downside levels getting tested faster than upside narratives accepted.

XRP: Watch the weekly 23/50 crossover zone at $2.5344 and $2.4768, respectively, and keep $1.3812 as the downside line if $1.8686 fails to hold.Bitcoin (BTC): Watch for a move back above the weekly band at $101,588-$105,129 or a continued stall near $87,989 within $86,806-$90,406.
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Journalist

Posted: December 30, 2025

In the world of major crypto holdings, Strategy Inc. dominates Bitcoin [BTC]. Bitmine Immersion Technologies is now taking a similar role with Ethereum [ETH].

Bitmine recently announced a massive $13.2 billion balance sheet. Notably, over the holidays, the company added 44K+ ETH to its holdings.

Before this purchase, Bitmine controlled about 3.37% of the total Ethereum supply. The new addition has now increased its share to 3.41%.

The company’s long‑term goal is to control 5% of all ETH, or roughly 6.03 million tokens. To reach that target, Bitmine still needs to acquire about 1.92 million more ETH.

What stands out is the speed of accumulation. Bitmine crossed the 4 million ETH mark in just 5.5 months. At this pace, the company could realistically achieve its 5% goal by late 2026.

The company currently holds 4.11 million ETH, alongside $1 billion in cash reserves. In addition, it has invested in high‑risk, high‑reward ventures such as Eightco Holdings (ORBS).

Through this strategy, Bitmine is positioning itself as one of the most influential power players in the Ethereum ecosystem.

Remarking on the same, Tom Lee, Chairman of Bitmine, said,

“Year-end tax-loss related selling is pushing down crypto and crypto equity prices and this effect tends to be the greatest from 12/26 to 12/30, so we are navigating markets with this in mind.”

The January meeting and roadmap ahead
As Bitmine approaches its 15th January 2026 Annual Stockholder Meeting, the company is shifting from simply collecting Ethereum to becoming a major player in how the network runs.

In a new message to investors, Chairman Tom Lee urged stockholders to vote “yes” on four key proposals. These include increasing the number of authorized shares and approving a performance‑based pay plan.

Together, these measures support Bitmine’s ambitious “Alchemy of 5%” strategy. The plan is not just about holding Ethereum; it’s about leveraging it to generate real power and income.

At the same time, Bitmine is preparing to launch MAVAN, the Made in America Validator Network, a large‑scale staking system scheduled for 2026.

Currently, the company has 408,627 ETH (worth $1.2 billion) staked with three providers. Yet this represents only a fraction of its potential. With a total of 4.11 million ETH, Tom Lee projects that MAVAN could eventually earn more than $374 million annually in staking rewards. That equates to roughly $1 million every single day.

If successful, this move would position Bitmine as one of the most powerful Ethereum treasuries in the world, second only to Strategy Inc. (MSTR) in global crypto treasury rankings.

Ultimately, the fate of the “Alchemy of 5%” strategy, whether a major success or a risky overreach, will hinge on the votes cast in Las Vegas next month.

Final Thoughts

Owning over 4 million ETH gives Bitmine leverage that no other corporate buyer has.
The MAVAN rollout is the true inflection point, determining whether Bitmine can convert a massive asset position into sustainable, long-duration yield.

Ishika Kumari is a Crypto Analyst and Content Strategist at AMBCrypto, specializing in the analysis of cryptocurrency regulations, market trends, and the socio-political impact of blockchain technology.
Her expertise is grounded in her academic background as a graduate of Political Science from the renowned University of Delhi. This discipline has equipped her with a sophisticated framework for analyzing complex governance models, international regulatory landscapes, and the economic principles that underpin decentralized systems.
At AMBCrypto, Ishika applies this unique analytical lens to her work. She excels at breaking down intricate subjects—from the technicalities of new protocols to the nuances of global crypto legislation—into clear, accessible, and insightful content. Her primary mission is to bridge the gap between the complexity of the digital asset industry and the everyday reader, ensuring that AMBCrypto's audience is not just informed, but truly understands the forces shaping the future of finance.

XRP could still reach $28 this cycle under a “non-base-case” scenario driven by an altcoin-heavy rotation, according to CryptoInsightUK analyst Will Taylor, who argued that XRP’s multi-year technical compression leaves room for an outsized move if market structure and sentiment align.

In his Dec. 27 “Weekly Insight” newsletter, Taylor framed the call inside a broader thesis: that capital chasing breakouts in traditional markets could eventually rotate into crypto, amplifying returns given crypto’s smaller aggregate market cap. Within that setup, XRP is his “core position,” and the token he sees as a primary beneficiary if altcoins capture a larger share of the cycle’s upside.

Can XRP Still Reach $28 This Cycle?
Taylor’s XRP outlook is tied to his expectation that total crypto market cap can reach roughly $10 trillion this cycle, a level he characterized as consistent with prior cycle behavior. The more important variable, in his view, is where Bitcoin dominance lands if that scenario plays out.

He wrote that dominance could fall into the “35.3 percent and 31.5 percent range,” which would imply Bitcoin at roughly a $3 trillion to $4 trillion market cap in that environment and “leave the door open for around six trillion dollars to flow into altcoins.” That’s the backdrop for his XRP targets: not a claim about XRP alone, but a wager on the size of the altcoin pie if the market turns risk-on.

Taylor also pointed to a prior discussion with trader Credible Crypto as an example of how high-cycle targets can emerge when liquidity, positioning, and sentiment converge. “My pinned post on X is a conversation with Credible Crypto where he talks about how, for example, XRP could go to $26 if the stars align for a cycle like this,” Taylor wrote. “And right now, it genuinely feels like those stars are starting to align.”

Taylor disclosed that XRP is the overwhelming majority of his portfolio, a disclosure he flagged as a potential bias. “As you guys know, I am around 90 percent XRP in my portfolio, so I definitely have some bias here,” he wrote, before laying out a profit-taking framework centered on a mid-cycle target zone.

“I would not be too surprised to see XRP reach a minimum of eight to thirteen dollars,” Taylor wrote. “I have discussed many times that I would be taking a lot of profit in that range, with an outside maximum target of up to around twenty eight dollars.”

He tied the higher-end target to a technical read of XRP’s long consolidation and the possibility that an altcoin-led cycle could be larger than many investors expect. Taylor described the $28 level as derived from the “initial breakout from the 2017 to 2018 cycle,” while emphasizing he had deliberately “diminished expectations” versus modeling a more aggressive, multi-leg extension.

Even so, his risk management plan is explicit about reducing exposure in the $8 to $13 band. “As I have said before, I plan to heavily de leverage between eight and thirteen dollars if we are offered that opportunity,” he wrote. “I will not be selling all of my bags, though, because I do think there is an outside chance that we push higher, potentially toward the twenty eight dollar area.”

The Argument For XRP
Taylor’s core claim is that XRP’s structure is different from many large-cap alts because it has, in his view, spent longer in “compression” and is now emerging from it. He argued XRP “has experienced longer compression than most altcoins, has broken out of an eight year trend, and has held previous seven year resistance as support.”

He also suggested that a favorable US policy narrative could act as an accelerant in a euphoric phase, pointing to “the rhetoric around US companies,” the “US Clarity Act,” and Ripple “remaining based in the US” as factors that could make a higher-end outcome less implausible in a risk-on environment.

Still, Taylor repeatedly stressed that the $28 figure is not his central expectation. “That being said, and I want to be very clear on this, this is not my primary target,” he wrote. “My primary target is and has been between eight and twelve dollars, potentially stretching to fifteen or sixteen dollars this cycle. The move toward twenty eight dollars is an outside scenario, not a base case.”

At press time, XRP traded at $1.86.

XRP hovers below the red zone, 1-week chart | Source: XRPUSDT on TradingView.com
Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

TLDR

BitcoinOG deposits 77.385K ETH ($227.38M) and 35.508K ETH ($104.38M) into Binance.
BitcoinOG holds a $749M long position with a $49.2M unrealized loss across Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Solana.
Ethereum price stands at $2,973.38, showing a 0.49% increase in the last 24 hours.
Bitcoin price is $87,751.41, with a 0.28% increase in the past 24 hours.
Solana trades at $124.06, reflecting a 0.83% rise in the last 24 hours.

BitcoinOG has initiated fresh Ethereum transfers to Binance again. According to on-chain data, the latest transaction involved a deposit of 77.385K ETH, valued at $227.38 million. Another transaction involved a deposit of 35.508K ETH, worth $104.38 million. Another deposit added 1 ETH valued at $2.94K.

BitcoinOG Holds $749M Long Position with $49.2M Loss
A closer examination of the Lookonchain observation reveals a large trader’s trading position, which holds a $749 million long position. This position includes $598 million in Ethereum, $87.25 million in Bitcoin, and $63.23 million in Solana. The trader holds 203,340.65 ETH, with 5x leverage. The unrealized PnL for the Ethereum position stands at a loss of approximately $41.5 million, reflecting a -34.69% return on investment (ROI). The Ethereum entry price was $3,147.39, and the current price is $2,943.20.

BREAKING!

The #BitcoinOG(1011short) with a massive $749M long position in $BTC, $ETH, and $SOL, just deposited 112,894 $ETH($332M) into #Binance again.https://t.co/rM9dXV3Ln4https://t.co/Fsi6okD47f pic.twitter.com/qVlZ4c6Htx

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) December 30, 2025 

The position’s liquidation price for Ethereum is recorded at $2,143.35. The trader also holds a long position in Bitcoin, with an unrealized PnL loss of around $4.25 million, and in Solana, with an unrealized loss of $33.8 million. The total unrealized PnL across all positions stands at -$49.2 million. The total position size for the trader is $748.95 million.

BitcoinOG’s $292M ETH Deposit: A Pre-Christmas Transfer
This new transaction follows another transaction that was made before Christmas Day. Earlier, A total of 3.426K ETH, worth $10.03 million, was deposited in one transaction. Another deposit involved 96.574K ETH, valued at $282.76 million.

BREAKING!

The #BitcoinOG(1011short) with a massive $717M long position in $BTC, $ETH, and $SOL, just deposited 100,000 $ETH($292M) into #Binance.

Big move — what’s the play?https://t.co/LyveMqUKoj pic.twitter.com/jVHuQE6Q84

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) December 24, 2025 

A smaller deposit of 0.1 ETH, valued at $292.68, was also made. These transactions reflect large-scale capital movement by the “1011 BitcoinOG” account, which holds substantial positions in Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Solana. The total Ethereum deposited amounts to approximately 100,000 ETH, valued at around $292 million.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana Current Market Action
The ongoing waves of transactions come at a time when Solana, Ethereum, and Bitcoin show a limited price trend. At the time of writing this article, CoinMarketCap data indicates that Bitcoin is currently priced at $87,751.41, representing a 0.28% increase over the last 24 hours. The 24-hour trading volume stands at $33.68 billion, with a market cap of $1.75 trillion. Ethereum is currently priced at $2,973.38, representing a 0.49% increase over the past 24 hours.

Ethereum’s 24-hour trading volume is approximately $19.41 billion, with a market cap of $358.66 billion. On the other hand, Solana is trading at $124.06, reflecting a 0.83% increase in the last 24 hours. Its 24-hour trading volume totals $3.10 billion, and its market cap is approximately $69.84 billion. While Bitcoin and Ethereum show moderate positive movements, Solana has also experienced an upward shift

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.

One of XRP's sharpest short-term derivatives signals in months was just printed. In just four hours, open interest increased by 564 points, or 80%, which instantly puts the asset back on traders' radar because it is risky rather than necessarily bullish. Calm balanced markets do not experience spikes like this. 

XRP structurally weakThey occur when positioning becomes crowded and aggressive. XRP's structural weakness is still evident on the price chart. With the overall trend still pointing lower, it is still trading below all major moving averages and inside a declining channel. Though there has not yet been a clear breakout or trend reversal, momentum has somewhat stabilized. 

XRP/USDT Chart by TradingViewRising open interest without a confirmed price breakout typically indicates leverage entering a fragile structure, so that context is crucial. The risk is explained by the market's composition. Over shorter time periods, short-term flows exhibit a quick switch between inflows and outflows. Windows lasting five and fifteen minutes turn positive, but windows lasting four to twelve hours stay net negative.

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Stakes getting higherThis indicates fragmented positioning: while slower money is still cautious or leaving, faster money is intervening. This is not long-term conviction but rather classic late-stage compression behavior. A spike in OI of +564% indicates that traders are rapidly investing in futures and perpetuals. That may encourage a move, but it may also lead to violent liquidations in both directions.

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When OI grows this rapidly, there is very little room for neutrality. Another important thing to remember is how time-sensitive these flows are. Such open interest spikes usually end as quickly as they start. Because funding rate positioning and liquidity conditions can change in a matter of hours, they are only important when they happen. 

What, then, ought to be expected? Two results predominate. Either positions close and the price returns to compression, or XRP experiences a short-term volatility expansion — a dramatic move fueled by liquidations rather than organic buying. Unless there is strong spot demand, the latter is historically more common given the current downtrend.

Bitcoin (BTC) entered its final week of the year down 30% from its $126,000 all-time high reached on Oct. 6. Has BTC finally peaked, or is there a relief in the cards going into 2026?

Key takeaways:

A typical "Christmas bear trap" could precede a potential relief rally into 2026.

Cooling ETF outflows, less long-term holder sell pressure, and macro factors suggest an extended bull cycle is possible.

BTC’s symmetrical triangle projects a 22% rise to $107,000.

Bitcoin’s many bullish signalsBitcoin’s 2.6% drop from a high of $90,000 reached on Monday could be a classic “Christmas bear trap,” according to analyst James Bull.

A bear trap is a false technical signal where price briefly breaks below a key support level, triggering sell-offs and stop-losses, only to quickly reverse upward, trapping bears (short sellers) in losses.

Bitcoin is setting a “Christmas bear trap, which will be reversed in January like in the last 4 years,” James Bull said in a Monday post on X.

Bitcoin new year price performance; 2022-2025. Source: James BullLooking at the most recent case, the BTC/USD pair dropped 8.5% between Dec. 26 and Dec. 31, 2024, before reversing with a 12.5% between Jan. 1 and Jan. 6, 2025. 

Fellow analyst The ₿itcoin Therapist said that with the 4-year cycle broken, Bitcoin could rise to a new all-time high in the first quarter of 2026, setting up the “greatest bear trap in history.” 

James Bull added that the invalidation of the 4-year cycle could signal the end of the old retail-driven boom-bust cycle amid a changing Bitcoin market structure characterised by growing institutional adoption via ETFs and corporate treasuries. This, coupled with macro factors such as rate cuts and liquidity, can propel BTC price to new highs in 2026.

Meanwhile, Citi Group analysts set a 12-month base case prediction for Bitcoin at $143,000, driven mainly by “revived ETF demand,” with the bull case target set at $189,000.

Regarding spot Bitcoin ETF flows, James Bull said the outflows have reduced significantly from -1,600 BTC on Nov. 21 and are now “going toward zero.” The chart below shows that a similar scenario in April preceded a 33% price rally to $112,000 on May 22. Bull added:

“This isn't a guarantee for Bitcoin to go back to ATHs, but it's a strong signal.” Spot Bitcoin ETF net flows. Source: GlassnodeAs Cointelegraph reported, Bitcoin selling pressure from long-time holders is showing signs of cooling off, reinforcing the potential for a January 2025 relief rally.

BTC price symmetrical triangle targets $107,000Data from TradingView shows the BTC/USD pair consolidating within a symmetrical triangle on the daily candle chart, as shown below.

The price needs to close above the upper trendline of the triangle at $90,000 to continue the upward trajectory, with a measured target of $107,400. 

Such a move would bring the total gains to 22% from the current level.

BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView“Bitcoin forming a symmetrical triangle pattern,” said analyst Dami-Defi in a recent analysis in X, adding:

“If Bitcoin pushes above that upper trendline and holds above, we're likely looking at a bullish breakout to those higher resistance levels around $94K and then up near $106K.”As Cointelegraph reported, a bullish daily close above $90,000 would spark a new rally toward six figures.

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

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

Bitcoin price was muted on Tuesday even as outflows from its spot exchange-traded funds showed signs of slowing for the first time since Dec. 18.

Summary

Bitcoin price remained anchored near $87,000 on Tuesday.
Spot Bitcoin ETF outflows have dropped significantly over the past day.
A symmetrical triangle pattern was seen forming on the daily chart.

According to data from SoSoValue, the 12 spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $19.29 million net outflows on Monday, Dec. 29, marking an end to six consecutive days of triple-digit outflows that saw around $1.1 billion exit the funds.

Invesco’s BTCO led the outflows on the day with $10.41 million in redemptions, while BlackRock’s IBIT and ARK 21Shares’ ARKB followed with $7.92 million and $6.66 million withdrawals, respectively. Fidelity’s FBTC offset part of the outflows as it drew in $5.7 million, while the remaining ETFs saw “zero” outflows on the day.

As the pace of outflows decelerates, it indicates that institutional fatigue may be bottoming out, clearing the path for renewed capital entry should market conditions continue to stabilize.

Previously, Bitcoin price rallied to an all-time high of $126,080 in October, largely fueled by massive inflows in its spot ETFs over prior months. Since then, nearly $4.6 billion has flowed out of these investment vehicles.

As institutional stakeholders and large-scale capital allocators tend to drive the momentum of these regulated vehicles, their net flow patterns tend to influence price direction, liquidity, and the market’s risk appetite.

Meanwhile, some analysts have observed that long-term Bitcoin holders have stopped selling their assets for the first time since July, as of today, Dec. 29.

Commenting on the situation, well-followed analyst Ted Pillows pointed out that this reduction in selling pressure could help reverse the trend.

“Things are looking good for a relief rally here,” he said.

Other market commentators were also projecting similar opinions. 

“Bitcoin will bottom out soon. Relief rally is coming soon…Be ready,” said Crypto Caesar.

Bitcoin price analysis
On the daily chart, Bitcoin price has been forming a symmetrical triangle pattern since mid-November this year. Such a pattern is characterized by two converging trendlines forming a horizontal symmetrical triangle shape, which marks a phase of consolidation before a potential breakout.

Bitcoin price has formed a symmetrical triangle pattern on the daily chart — Dec. 30 | Source: crypto.news
A breakdown from the lower trendline tends to lead to further downside, while a breakout from the upper side has historically been followed by strong rallies.

At press time, BTC price was trading closer to the lower trendline, suggesting the asset is approaching a potential make-or-break zone.

Momentum indicators, while having shifted slightly to the positive, remain near neutral thresholds. This points to a possible consolidation phase. 

As such, renewed institutional inflows could serve as the catalyst necessary for a structural recovery.

For now, traders will be closely watching the $86,000 psychological support level, as a drop below that could trigger a fall to its November low at $82,175.

On the contrary, $91,500, which closely aligns with the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level drawn from its October high to November low, will be the key resistance area to monitor.

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

Key NotesA large crypto whale deposited 112,894 ETH into Binance.Ethereum is seeing its weakest Q4 for the first time in six years.ETH-based products continue their outflows amid weak demand.
Ethereum

ETH
$2 975

24h volatility:
1.7%

Market cap:
$359.00 B

Vol. 24h:
$18.20 B

is having its worst Q4 performance in years, with continuous outflows from the US-based exchange-traded funds, and the latest whale inflows just put even more pressure on the leading altcoin.

According to data from Lookonchain, the whale, known as 1011short, deposited 112,894 ETH, worth roughly $332 million, into Binance, the largest crypto exchange by trading volume.

BREAKING!

The #BitcoinOG(1011short) with a massive $749M long position in $BTC, $ETH, and $SOL, just deposited 112,894 $ETH($332M) into #Binance again.https://t.co/rM9dXV3Ln4https://t.co/Fsi6okD47f pic.twitter.com/qVlZ4c6Htx

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) December 30, 2025

Massive Binance inflows usually indicate an impending selling pressure, given the exchange’s high liquidity, which is necessary for large selloffs.

Data from Lookonchain shows that 1011short holds three active short positions in Bitcoin

BTC
$87 893

24h volatility:
0.7%

Market cap:
$1.75 T

Vol. 24h:
$35.63 B

, Ethereum, and Solana

SOL
$124.0

24h volatility:
0.4%

Market cap:
$69.81 B

Vol. 24h:
$3.15 B

, with a combined value of $749 million. At current prices, the whale is facing an unrealized loss of $49 million.

On the other hand, investment firm Trend Research has been accumulating huge amounts of Ethereum over the past month.

The company borrowed an additional $1 billion in stablecoins from the lending protocol Aave

AAVE
$150.3

24h volatility:
0.6%

Market cap:
$2.28 B

Vol. 24h:
$160.26 M

on December 29.

Trend Research already holds 601,074 ETH, worth $1.8 billion.

Weak but Recoverable
Ethereum is down by 28.8% over the past three months, its weakest Q4 performance since 2019, according to Coinglass data. The asset’s biggest price falls happened in October and November, but it continued its bearish consolidation in December.

The decline for the leading altcoin came as the broader crypto market lost more than $1 trillion of its value in the same timeframe.

Institutional interest in Ethereum also declined. Last month, spot ETH ETFs in the US recorded their all-time high net outflow of $1.42 billion, according to data from SoSoValue.

So far in December, the investment products have already registered a net outflow of $612.6 million, their second-largest selloff.

The negativity from the US market has been acting as a major bearish catalyst, not only for Ethereum, but for the broader crypto market as well.

Despite the recent losses, some analysts still expect the $8,500 price target for Ethereum.

Cryptocurrency News, News

Wahid has been analyzing and reporting on the latest trends in the decentralized ecosystem since 2019. He has over 4,000 articles to his name and his work has been featured on some of the leading outlets including Yahoo Finance, Investing.com, Cointelegraph, and Benzinga. Other than reporting, Wahid likes to connect the dots between DeFi and macro on his newsletter, On-chain Monk.

Wahid Pessarlay on X

TL;DR

Bitcoin briefly cleared $90,000 then reversed toward $87,000, leaving BTC under $88,000 with $1.750T cap and 57%+ dominance.
Since Dec. 15, BTC has failed at least five $90,000 breakouts after an early-December rejection at $94,000, reinforcing a range.
ETH slipped below $3,000 as Canton rose 7% to $0.135 and Zcash gained 3.4% near $540, with market cap around $3.060T.

Bitcoin’s year-end tape is starting to feel mechanical. After another push through $90,000, the market snapped back toward $87,000, reinforcing a familiar loop that has punished breakout attempts. The $90,000 area is behaving like a hard ceiling, forcing traders to respect range conditions rather than chase momentum. BTC has since reclaimed $87,000 but remains below $88,000, with market capitalization near $1.750 trillion and dominance above 57%. Risk appetite is selective, and the rest of the market is taking its cue from that failed surge into the final sessions.

Canton Leads While Bitcoin Stalls
The pattern traces back to early December, when BTC was turned away at $94,000 and every follow-up bid met immediate resistance. Repeated rejections have kept the market pinned below key levels, and the last two weeks have been clear. Since Dec. 15, bitcoin has tried to reclaim $90,000 at least five times, and each attempt stalled. After a quiet weekend near $87,000, BTC pushed above $90,000 again, only for sellers to reject it and drive price below $87,000. For now, the tape is a range trade, not a trend.

Altcoins largely mirrored the hesitation. Ethereum briefly traded above $3,000 but slipped back below that line, while BNB was capped at $854 and XRP failed to clear $1.90. SOL, BCH, LINK, and DOGE stayed modestly lower on the day, reinforcing a defensive tone. The downside is concentrated in a few majors, with ADA down more than 4%, MNT off over 5%, and XLM and XMR lower by roughly 3% to 3.5%. Even with pockets of strength, the total crypto market capitalization held sluggishly around $3.060 trillion according to CoinGecko’s tracker today.

Against that backdrop, two names kept printing green. Canton (CC) extended its run with another sharp daily jump, rising about 7% to $0.135 and again topping the mid-cap leaderboard. Zcash (ZEC) also advanced, adding 3.4% and trading close to $540, even as several better-known assets stayed underwater. The repeat winners matter because they reveal where marginal risk is flowing, not where headlines are loudest. If bitcoin remains boxed under $90,000, expect traders to keep rotating into isolated momentum plays like these. That dynamic can persist until a breakout resets psychology.

Metaplanet announced on Tuesday that it has increased its Bitcoin holdings by purchasing 4,279 BTC for $451.06 million at an average price of almost $105,412 per coin in Q4 2025. The report revealed that the corporation held 35,102 BTC as of December 30, 2025, which it had purchased for approximately $3.78 billion. The 35,102 BTC represents a 568.2% year-to-date return on investment in Bitcoin.

Factually, BTC yield is a key performance indicator (KPI) that measures the change in the ratio of total Bitcoin holdings to fully diluted shares outstanding over a specific time period.

The company evaluates the effectiveness of its Bitcoin acquisition strategy using BTC yield, which is designed to benefit stockholders.

Metaplanet expands Bitcoin holdings through financing

Metaplanet has acquired 4279 BTC during Q4 2025 for $451.06 million at ~$105,412 per bitcoin and has achieved BTC Yield of 568.2% YTD 2025. As of 12/30/2025, we hold 35,102 $BTC acquired for ~$3.78 billion at ~$107,606 per bitcoin. $MTPLF $MPJPY pic.twitter.com/AFRldH4hVI

— Simon Gerovich (@gerovich) December 30, 2025

According to Metaplanet, Bitcoin yield was 309.8% between October 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024. The company attained a 95.6% Bitcoin yield between January 1, 2025, and March 31, 2025.

Metaplanet reported that  Bitcoin yield was 129.4% between April 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025. Between July 1 and September 30, the company’s Bitcoin yield was 33.0%. According to the report, the company’s Bitcoin yield is 11.9% between October 1 and December 30.

Following the recent acquisition, the corporation currently has an unrealized loss of over $520.34 million. Within one day of the announcement, the mNAV dropped from 1.17 to 1.03.

According to the report, the company entered into several Bitcoin-backed loan arrangements worth USD 280 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. The report revealed that its BTC was used as collateral for these loans, which were made under a $500 million credit facility. 

The report indicated that all loans were outstanding and had been fully drawn as of December 29, 2025.

The company said that it completed the full redemption of its 19th Series of Ordinary Bonds in compliance with its provisions on December 29, 2025, by repaying the remaining JPY 3.75 billion.

In the report, the company announced that it issued 23,610,000 Class B Preferred Shares to raise JPY 21,249,000,000 through the Third-Party Allotment, which was settled on November 20, 2025. Payment completion was certified on December 29, 2025. 

The issuance amounts to 23,610,000 potential common shares because each Class B Preferred Share is convertible into one common share. Additionally, the company expects its Bitcoin income business to generate operational revenue of JPY 4.242 billion in Q4 2025.

Metaplanet shares fall as Bitcoin price decreases
The recent acquisition followed a nearly 8% decrease in its stock price to 405 JPY as the price of Bitcoin continues to be under selling pressure.

The price of Metaplanet stock closed 7.95% higher at 405 JPY, as the price of Bitcoin failed to stay above $90,000 and dropped below $87,000 on the previous day. The stock traded between 403 and 421 JPY, reaching its 24-hour high and low. Additionally, compared to the typical 24-hour trading volume of nearly 34 million, the actual volume was lower.

Notably, data from crypto aggregator CoinMarketCap revealed that the price of Bitcoin is currently at  $87,301. BTC traded between $90,299 and, $86,717 over the past 24 hours. On-chain data showed BTC had a 12.69% rise in trading volume over the previous day.

On Monday, the US-listed MTPLF shares ended the day 4.25% lower at $2.7. MTPLF stock has a 16% YTD 2025 return. On Friday, however, MPJPY fell 4.20% to $2.74, continuing its fall to almost 6% since its launch a few weeks ago. 

According to Google Finance, the stock price increased by nearly 6.58% this month as mNAV returned above 1x under institutional support. 

As Cryptopolitan reported earlier, Metaplanet shareholders approved all five management agendas, opening the door for additional Bitcoin purchases to meet the goal of 100,000 BTC by the end of 2026. 

Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich stated that, at a meeting in Tokyo, shareholders approved the issuance of up to 555 million preferred shares. He mentioned that the corporation verified the results of the vote.

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