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2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:15 4mo ago
Wells Fargo: Back In The Game, Markets As The Lever And Targeting Higher Returns stocknewsapi
WFC
HomeStock IdeasLong IdeasFinancials 

SummaryWith the asset cap removed, Wells Fargo & Company has regained balance sheet flexibility, allowing it to compete normally in deposits, lending, and capital markets.WFC management is pursuing growth with discipline, targeting higher-quality revenues, improving ROTCE, and maintaining tight control over capital and costs.The expansion into options clearing signals strategic maturity, strengthening WFC's fee income, institutional relationships, and the bank’s role in market infrastructure.Core businesses, consumer cards, auto-lending, and corporate and investment banking are positioned to scale gradually without sacrificing credit quality.At current valuation levels, the risk-reward remains attractive, with clear upside in base and bull scenarios, while the downside case does not break the long-term thesis. GCShutter/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

Thesis With the balance sheet cap now lifted, Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) is moving back to a normalized growth phase.

This opens two doors that have been practically half-closed for years. It means increasing

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in WFC over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:16 4mo ago
United Fire Group, Inc (UFCS) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue? stocknewsapi
UFCS
Shares of United Fire Group (UFCS - Free Report) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 2.2% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $37.91 in the previous session. United Fire has gained 30.9% since the start of the year compared to the 17.6% move for the Zacks Finance sector and the 9.9% return for the Zacks Insurance - Property and Casualty industry.

What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on November 4, 2025, United Fire reported EPS of $1.5 versus consensus estimate of $0.69.

For the current fiscal year, United Fire is expected to post earnings of $3.93 per share on $1.38 in revenues. This represents a 53.52% change in EPS on a 10.04% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $3.55 per share on $1.52 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -9.67% and 10.17%, respectively.

Valuation MetricsUnited Fire may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company is due for a pullback from this level.

On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.

United Fire has a Value Score of A. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are D and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 9.5X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 11.5X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 12.2X versus its peer group's average of 12.9X. This is good enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective, making United Fire an interesting choice for value investors.

Zacks RankWe also need to consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this is even more important than the company's VGM Score. Fortunately, United Fire currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.

Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if United Fire fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though United Fire shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.

How Does UFCS Stack Up to the Competition?Shares of UFCS have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is HCI Group, Inc. (HCI - Free Report) . HCI has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of F.

Earnings were strong last quarter. HCI Group, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 100.82%, and for the current fiscal year, HCI is expected to post earnings of $16.00 per share on revenue of $892.05 million.

Shares of HCI Group, Inc. have gained 11.1% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 9.56X and a P/CF of 23.3X.

The Insurance - Property and Casualty industry is in the top 15% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for UFCS and HCI, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:16 4mo ago
Moog Inc. (MOG.A) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run? stocknewsapi
MOG-A MOG-B
A strong stock as of late has been Moog (MOG.A - Free Report) . Shares have been marching higher, with the stock up 12.7% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $250.78 in the previous session. Moog has gained 26.5% since the start of the year compared to the 34.9% gain for the Zacks Aerospace sector and the 33.1% return for the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry.

What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on November 21, 2025, Moog reported EPS of $2.56 versus consensus estimate of $2.24.

For the current fiscal year, Moog is expected to post earnings of $9.83 per share on $4.21 in revenues. This represents a 13.12% change in EPS on a 8.82% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $11.4 per share on $4.36 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 15.97% and 3.58%, respectively.

Valuation MetricsMoog may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company has run ahead of itself.

On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). The individual style scores for Value, Growth, Momentum and the combined VGM Score run from A through F. Investors should consider the style scores a valuable tool that can help you to pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.

Moog has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 25.3X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 37.9X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 20.6X versus its peer group's average of 30.1X. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.

Zacks RankWe also need to consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this is even more important than the company's VGM Score. Fortunately, Moog currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to a solid earnings estimate revision trend.

Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Moog passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Moog shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.
2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:16 4mo ago
Casey's General Stores, Inc. (CASY) Soars to 52-Week High, Time to Cash Out? stocknewsapi
CASY
Have you been paying attention to shares of Casey's General Stores (CASY - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 6.1% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $574.68 in the previous session. Casey's has gained 44.8% since the start of the year compared to the 6.5% gain for the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector and the 19.7% return for the Zacks Retail - Convenience Stores industry.

What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has a great record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on December 9, 2025, Casey's reported EPS of $5.53 versus consensus estimate of $4.92 while it missed the consensus revenue estimate by 1.03%.

For the current fiscal year, Casey's is expected to post earnings of $16.69 per share on $17.34 in revenues. This represents a 14% change in EPS on a 8.79% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $18.32 per share on $18.24 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 9.74% and 5.16%, respectively.

Valuation MetricsCasey's may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company has run ahead of itself.

On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.

Casey's has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and D, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 34.4X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 25.9X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 22.4X versus its peer group's average of 16.7X. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.

Zacks RankWe also need to consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this is even more important than the company's VGM Score. Fortunately, Casey's currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to favorable earnings estimate revisions from covering analysts.

Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Casey's meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though Casey's shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.
2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:16 4mo ago
Progyny, Inc. (PGNY) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run? stocknewsapi
PGNY
A strong stock as of late has been Progyny (PGNY - Free Report) . Shares have been marching higher, with the stock up 2.4% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $27.76 in the previous session. Progyny has gained 56.3% since the start of the year compared to the 7.6% move for the Zacks Medical sector and the 6.9% return for the Zacks Medical Services industry.

What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on November 6, 2025, Progyny reported EPS of $0.45 versus consensus estimate of $0.39 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 4.19%.

For the current fiscal year, Progyny is expected to post earnings of $1.8 per share on $1.27 in revenues. This represents a 9.76% change in EPS on a 9.16% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $1.93 per share on $1.39 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 7.22% and 9.24%, respectively.

Valuation MetricsWhile Progyny has moved to its 52-week high over the past few weeks, investors need to be asking, what is next for the company? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company is due for a pullback from this level.

On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as these give investors a variety of ways to comb through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). The individual style scores for Value, Growth, Momentum and the combined VGM Score run from A through F. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.

Progyny has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and D, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 15X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 15.6X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 78.1X versus its peer group's average of 11X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 0.9. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.

Zacks RankWe also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this is even more important than the company's VGM Score. Fortunately, Progyny currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.

Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Progyny passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Progyny shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.

How Does PGNY Stack Up to the Competition?Shares of PGNY have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is CareDx, Inc. (CDNA - Free Report) . CDNA has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) and a Value Score of C, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of C.

Earnings were strong last quarter. CareDx, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 115.38%, and for the current fiscal year, CDNA is expected to post earnings of $0.77 per share on revenue of $374.08 million.

Shares of CareDx, Inc. have gained 11.5% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 29.01X and a P/CF of 14.72X.

The Medical Services industry may rank in the bottom 66% of all the industries we have in our universe, but there still looks like there are some nice tailwinds for PGNY and CDNA, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:16 4mo ago
Fox Corporation (FOXA) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue? stocknewsapi
FOXA
A strong stock as of late has been Fox (FOXA - Free Report) . Shares have been marching higher, with the stock up 14.5% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $74.63 in the previous session. Fox has gained 51.5% since the start of the year compared to the 2.8% gain for the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector and the 16.6% return for the Zacks Broadcast Radio and Television industry.

What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on October 30, 2025, Fox reported EPS of $1.51 versus consensus estimate of $1.06.

For the current fiscal year, Fox is expected to post earnings of $4.42 per share on $16.09 in revenues. This represents a -7.53% change in EPS on a -1.29% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $5.1 per share on $16.82 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 15.33% and 4.54%, respectively.

Valuation MetricsWhile Fox has moved to its 52-week high over the past few weeks, investors need to be asking, what is next for the company? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company is due for a pullback from this level.

On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as these give investors a variety of ways to comb through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.

Fox has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are C and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 16.7X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 15.6X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 12.7X versus its peer group's average of 5.3X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.65. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.

Zacks RankWe also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Fox currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) thanks to a solid earnings estimate revision trend.

Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Fox passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Fox shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.

How Does FOXA Stack Up to the Competition?Shares of FOXA have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Roku, Inc. (ROKU - Free Report) . ROKU has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) and a Value Score of D, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of B.

Earnings were strong last quarter. Roku, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 128.57%, and for the current fiscal year, ROKU is expected to post earnings of $1.21 per share on revenue of $4.69 billion.

Shares of Roku, Inc. have gained 17.3% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 331.47X and a P/CF of 76.28X.

The Broadcast Radio and Television industry may rank in the bottom 63% of all the industries we have in our universe, but there still looks like there are some nice tailwinds for FOXA and ROKU, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:16 4mo ago
Woodward, Inc. (WWD) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue? stocknewsapi
WWD
A strong stock as of late has been Woodward (WWD - Free Report) . Shares have been marching higher, with the stock up 20.7% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $316.56 in the previous session. Woodward has gained 89.4% since the start of the year compared to the 34.9% move for the Zacks Aerospace sector and the 33.1% return for the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry.

What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on November 24, 2025, Woodward reported EPS of $2.09 versus consensus estimate of $1.83.

For the current fiscal year, Woodward is expected to post earnings of $7.82 per share on $3.96 in revenues. This represents a 13.5% change in EPS on a 11.08% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $9.13 per share on $4.25 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 16.72% and 7.3%, respectively.

Valuation MetricsWoodward may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company is due for a pullback from this level.

On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.

Woodward has a Value Score of D. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 40.3X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 37.9X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 35.2X versus its peer group's average of 30.1X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 2.65. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.

Zacks RankWe also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this is even more important than the company's VGM Score. Fortunately, Woodward currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to a solid earnings estimate revision trend.

Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Woodward fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Woodward shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.

How Does WWD Stack Up to the Competition?Shares of WWD have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Astronics Corporation (ATRO - Free Report) . ATRO has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) and a Value Score of D, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of A.

Earnings were strong last quarter. Astronics Corporation beat our consensus estimate by 16.67%, and for the current fiscal year, ATRO is expected to post earnings of $2.46 per share on revenue of $856.89 million.

Shares of Astronics Corporation have gained 10.4% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 30.55X and a P/CF of 29.86X.

The Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry is in the top 36% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for WWD and ATRO, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:16 4mo ago
Apple Hospitality Boosts Portfolio With Nashville Property Buyout stocknewsapi
APLE
Key Takeaways APLE acquired and opened the 260-room Motto by Hilton Nashville Downtown for $98.2 million.APLE is expanding in a market driven by leisure travel, live entertainment and a growing corporate base.APLE gains exposure to a submarket where RevPAR topped 110% of industry levels and exceeded its own by 79%.
Apple Hospitality (APLE - Free Report) recently announced the acquisition and subsequent opening of the Motto by Hilton Nashville Downtown, a 260-room hotel at an attractive price of $98.2 million. The above move will aid APLE’s expansion in the vibrant Nashville market, supported by year-round leisure demand, convention traffic, live entertainment and a growing corporate base.

Located at 311 3rd Avenue S, Nashville, TN, the Motto by Hilton Nashville Downtown is surrounded by major tourist destinations and leisure getaways such as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium and the Music City Center, as well as world-renowned music and entertainment venues, popular attractions along Broadway and Riverfront Park.

Moreover, the region has a healthy movement of large and small corporates, bolstering its business demand. The Motto by Hilton Nashville Downtown is set to woo tourists with its unique offerings, like its signature Confirmed Connecting Room capabilities with the option to link up to six rooms at once.

Per the data provided by Smith Travel Research (STR) for the trailing 12 months ended Oct. 31, 2025, revenue per available room (RevPAR) for the Nashville CBD/Downtown submarket was more than 110% of industry RevPAR as reported by STR and a 79% increment over the company’s RevPAR for the same period.

Apple Hospitality in a NutshellApple Hospitality is one of the leading providers of upscale, room-focused hotels in the United States. It has a portfolio of 217 hotels, comprising 29,600 guest rooms in 84 markets, and spanning 37 states and the District of Columbia. APLE’s portfolio is concentrated with major industry-leading brands, the likes of Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt.

The above acquisition adds another landmark property to its portfolio with favorable demand drivers enhancing APLE’s operating performance over the long term.

Over the past month, shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) hospitality REIT have risen 3% against the industry’s fall of 2.7%.

Analysts, too, seem bullish on this stock, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 AFFO per share having been revised northward marginally to $1.50 over the past two months.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks from the broader REIT sector are Cousins Properties (CUZ - Free Report) and Host Hotels & Resorts (HST - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Cousins Properties’ 2025 FFO per share is pegged at $2.84, which indicates year-over-year growth of 5.6%.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HST’s full-year FFO per share stands at $2.05, which calls for an increase of 4.1% from the year-ago period.

Note: Anything related to earnings presented in this write-up represents FFO, a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs.
2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:16 4mo ago
Ensign Hikes Dividend for the 23rd Straight Year: Is it Sustainable? stocknewsapi
ENSG
Key Takeaways ENSG raised its quarterly dividend to 6.5 cents, marking 23 consecutive years of dividend increases.Ensign paid $10.8M in dividends in the first nine months of 2025 and repurchased $20M in stock.ENSG ended Q3 with $443.7M in cash and a low 6.1% long-term debt-to-capital ratio.
The Ensign Group, Inc. (ENSG - Free Report) recently raised its quarterly dividend to 6.5 cents per share, up from 6.25 cents, extending its record of dividend growth. Over the past five years, the insurer has raised its payout six times, achieving an annualized dividend growth rate of 4.3%. The latest 4% increase brings Ensign’s dividend yield to 0.15%, based on the Dec. 22 closing price of $179.03, above the industry average of 0.11%. The increased amount will be paid out by Jan. 31, 2026, to its shareholders on record as of Dec. 31, 2025. 

With this move, Ensign achieved 23 consecutive years of dividend hikes, underscoring its commitment to returning value to shareholders. In the first nine months of 2025, it paid dividends worth $10.8 million. It repurchased $20 million in stock during the first half of 2025 but didn't make any repurchases in the third quarter.

These shareholder-focused actions are supported by Ensign’s earnings base and solid balance sheet. The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects 2025 earnings to jump 18.2% year over year to $6.50 per share. Earnings for 2026 are expected to increase by 9% to $7.09 per share.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The nursing care service provider ended the third quarter with $443.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and had a long-term debt, less current maturities, of only $138.6 million. Its long-term debt-to-capital ratio of 6.1% is significantly lower than the industry average of 83.9%. While free cash flow dipped over the trailing 12-month period to a negative zone, rising occupancy rates, higher patient days and higher skilled service revenues should keep momentum strong.

Peers’ Shareholder-Friendly EffortsCompanies like Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS - Free Report) and Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC - Free Report) are also actively returning capital to shareholders.

Since 2019, Universal Health has repurchased nearly 30% of shares outstanding. The authorization was increased by $1.5 billion in October 2025, leaving $1.8 billion remaining. UHS has been paying a consistent dividend of 20 cents per share since 2019. Meanwhile, Tenet Healthcare doesn’t pay a dividend; it focuses on share buybacks and other capital allocation actions. It bought back almost $1.2 billion worth of shares in the first three quarters of 2025. THC had around $1.7 billion left in its fund, as of Sept. 30, 2025, for future buybacks.

Ensign’s Price Performance and ValuationShares of ENSG have gained 33.8% in the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 31.9%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Ensign trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 27.89, down from the industry average of 50.23. Yet ENSG has a Value Score of C at present.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:16 4mo ago
Ryanair-ESN Partnership Tops One Million Erasmus Students stocknewsapi
RYAAY
Key Takeaways
Ryanair has carried over one million Erasmus students through its long-standing partnership.
The ESN deal offers discounted fares and free checked baggage, easing peak-season travel costs for students
RYAAY shares rose 28.9% in three months, outpacing the airline industry's 19.3% gain.
Ryanair’s (RYAAY - Free Report) achievement of carrying more than one million Erasmus students underscores the airline’s active role in enabling affordable student mobility across Europe. Through its long-standing partnership with the Erasmus Student Network, Ryanair directly supports cross-border education while strengthening its appeal among young, price-sensitive travelers.

The ESN partnership delivers clear cost-saving benefits that address students’ key travel challenges, especially during peak periods like Christmas. By offering discounted fares and free checked baggage, Ryanair enables thousands of Erasmus students to travel home for the festive season without straining their budgets, reinforcing its position as a practical and student-friendly airline.

This nine-year collaboration continues to create tangible value for both partners. ESN enhances the overall mobility experience for international students, while Ryanair drives consistent passenger volumes, encourages repeat travel and builds long-term customer loyalty across its extensive European network.

RYAAY’s Price PerformanceDriven by such promising partnerships, the company’s share has surged 28.9% over the past three-month period as compared with the Transportation - Airline industry’s 19.3% rise.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Ryanair’s Zacks RankRYAAY currently carries a Zacks Rank #3(Hold).

Stocks to ConsiderInvestors interested in the Zacks Transportation sector should consider Expeditors International of Washington (EXPD - Free Report) and Global Ship Lease (GSL - Free Report) .

EXPD currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

EXPD has an expected earnings growth rate of 3.50% for the current year.  The company has an encouraging earnings surprise history. Its earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 13.9%.

Global Ship Lease currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

GSL has an expected earnings growth rate of 2.60% for the current year. The company has an encouraging earnings surprise history. Its earnings topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 16.8%.
2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:18 4mo ago
INVESTIGATION REMINDER: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Investigates Claims on Behalf of Investors of Tvardi Therapeutics stocknewsapi
TVRD
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Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Significant Losses In Tvardi To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you suffered significant losses in Tvardi stock or options and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). 

[You may also click here for additional information]

, /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Tvardi Therapeutics, Inc. ("Tvardi" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: TVRD).

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

James (Josh) Wilson, Faruqi & Faruqi Senior Partner (PRNewsfoto/Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP)

On Monday, October 13, 2025, Tvardi Therapeutics, Inc. saw its shares plummet over 80% after disappointing preliminary data from the Phase 2 REVERT clinical trial of TTI-101 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The study was designed to assess safety, pharmacokinetics, and exploratory outcomes related to lung function. After reviewing the preliminary safety data and exploratory efficacy results, including changes in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), the Company concluded that the study did not meet its goals. Preliminary data demonstrated patients' baseline characteristics were similar across treatment arms, with the exception of percent predicted FVC, which was lower in the placebo-treated patients compared to the TTI-101-treated arms.

To learn more about the Tvardi investigation, go to www.faruqilaw.com/TVRD or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook.

Attorney Advertising.  The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com).  Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.  We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case.  All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP

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2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:20 4mo ago
SHAREHOLDER ACTION NOTICE: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Investigates Claims on Behalf of Investors of Stride stocknewsapi
LRN
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Stride To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you purchased or acquired securities in Stride between October 22, 2024 and October 28, 2025 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]

, /PRNewswire/ --  Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Stride, Inc. ("Stride" or the "Company") (NYSE: LRN) and reminds investors of the January 12, 2026 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.

James (Josh) Wilson, Faruqi & Faruqi Senior Partner (PRNewsfoto/Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP)

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose information regarding the Company's products and services to public and private schools, school districts, and charter boards. Throughout the Class Period, Stride represented to investors that "[t]hese products and services, spanning curriculum, systems, instruction, and support services are designed to help learners of all ages reach their full potential through inspired teaching and personalized learning." Unbeknownst to investors, Stride was inflating enrollment numbers, cutting staff costs beyond required statutory limits, ignoring compliance requirements, and losing existing and potential enrollments.

On September 14, 2025, Simply Wall St. published a report stating that the Gallup-McKinley County Schools Board of Education had filed a complaint against Stride, alleging fraud, deceptive trade practices, systemic violations of law, and intentional and tortious misconduct, including inflating enrollment numbers by retaining "ghost students" on rolls to secure state funding per student and ignoring compliance requirements, including background checks and licensure laws for its employees.

On this news, Stride's stock price fell $18.60, or 11.7%, to close at $139.76 per share on September 15, 2025, thereby injuring investors.

Then, on October 28, 2025, Stride released its first quarter fiscal 2026 financial results, revealing the Company had purposely "limit[ed] enrollment growth while we improve our execution." The Company also revealed it had experienced "system implantation issues" resulting in "higher withdrawal rates and lower conversion rate." The Company stated that "these factors resulted in approximately 10,000 to 15,000 fewer enrollments" and "these challenges will likely restrict [its] in-year enrollment growth."

On this news, Stride's stock price fell as much as 51% during intraday trading on October 29, 2025, thereby injuring investors further.

The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. 

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Stride's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.

To learn more about the Stride class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/LRN or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook.

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP
2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:20 4mo ago
OWL SHAREHOLDER ACTION REMINDER: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Investigates Claims on Behalf of Investors of Blue Owl Capital stocknewsapi
OWL
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Blue Owl To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you purchased or acquired securities in Blue Owl between February 6, 2025 and November 16, 2025 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]

, /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Blue Owl Capital Inc. ("Blue Owl" or the "Company") (NYSE: OWL) and reminds investors of the February 2, 2026 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.

James (Josh) Wilson, Faruqi & Faruqi Senior Partner (PRNewsfoto/Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP)

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) that Blue Owl was experiencing a meaningful pressure on its asset base from BDC redemptions; (2) that, as a result, the Company was facing undisclosed liquidity issues; (3) that, as a result, the Company would be likely to limit or halt redemptions of certain BDCs; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

On November 16, 2025, the Financial Times published an article describing how "Blue Owl has blocked redemptions in one of its earliest private credit funds as it merges with a larger vehicle overseen by the asset manager in a deal that could leave investors with large losses."

According to the report, Blue Owl Capital Corporation II investors are restricted from pulling money from the fund until a recently announced merger with Blue Owl Capital Corporation closes in early 2026.

The article further explains how, once the merger occurs, investors in Blue Owl Capital Corporation II will permanently lose the ability to redeem cash at the fund's Net Asset Value (NAV). Instead, investors will trade their shares in for the publicly traded Blue Owl Capital Corporation shares, which are currently trading approximately 20% under the fund's NAV.

On this news, Blue Owl's stock price fell $0.85, or 5.8%, to close at $13.77 per share on November 17, 2025, thereby injuring investors.

The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. 

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Blue Owl's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.

To learn more about the Blue Owl Capital class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/OWL or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook.

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP
2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:21 4mo ago
TSLA & RIVN Hit Fresh Highs: Which Stock Should You Pick for 2026? stocknewsapi
RIVN TSLA
Key Takeaways Tesla hit a record high yesterday, driven by robotaxi plans, AI integration and robotics.TSLA's Energy Generation and Storage unit is growing fast, with Megapack and Powerwall driving high margins.Rivian is betting on the lower-priced R2 for 2026, deeper in-house software and a Volkswagen partnership.
Tesla (TSLA - Free Report) has been one of the market’s most debated stocks over the past decade, delivering massive gains as the global shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) accelerated.

In 2025, the stock has been volatile, marked by sharp price swings. After a shaky start to the year, Tesla shares have rebounded, rising about 21% overall as investor enthusiasm returned—driven by excitement around Tesla’s robotaxi plans, AI integration, and long-term robotics ambitions. The stock hit an all-time high yesterday.

Rivian (RIVN - Free Report) , meanwhile, has delivered a stronger performance in 2025. Shares have risen roughly 63% year to date and hit a new 52-week high yesterday. The company appears to be borrowing from Tesla’s playbook. Earlier this month, Rivian hosted its Autonomy and AI Day, which helped boost investor interest. During the event, Rivian unveiled a new in-house chip, outlined its robotaxi ambitions, and introduced its Autonomy+ driver-assistance package priced at $2,500.

With both Tesla and Rivian trading near one-year highs and pitching bold visions centered on AI, autonomy, and next-generation technology, investors face a key question— which stock offers the better risk-reward setup heading into 2026? Let’s take a closer look.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Case for TeslaTesla’s position in the EV market isn’t as untouchable as it once seemed. After reporting its first-ever annual delivery decline in 2024, sales fell around 13% each in the first and second quarters of 2025. While the third quarter offered Tesla a temporary breather as buyers rushed to take advantage of the expiring $7,500 federal EV tax credit, fourth-quarter deliveries are expected to decline amid the withdrawal of incentives and intense competition from Chinese EV makers. Management has already warned that automotive margins would remain under pressure from price cuts and higher costs.

While the company’s core EV business is facing a slowdown, Tesla's revenues from the Energy Generation and Storage business are on a robust growth trajectory on the back of the strong reception of its Megapack and Powerwall products. This segment stands out as Tesla's most lucrative, boasting the highest margins. Over the past three years, energy storage deployments have surged at a CAGR of 180%. Deployments are expected to continue their upward trajectory.

Meanwhile, CEO Elon Musk is pinning high hopes on Full Self-Driving (FSD) and robotaxis, calling them Tesla’s most valuable future segment. Its robotaxi service, launched in June, is currently operational in Austin and San Francisco, with Phoenix next after the company recently secured the required permits. Tesla has also outlined plans to expand into Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston and Miami. 

Notably, Tesla has started testing driverless robotaxis without safety monitors, a major milestone that investors see as proof of progress toward autonomous mobility. Musk has also announced that Tesla’s in-car systems will integrate Grok, an AI chatbot, boosting confidence in Tesla’s ability to monetize AI. Regarding robotics, Tesla’s humanoid robot project, Optimus, is seen as a long-term growth driver, adding to the narrative that Tesla is more than just an EV company.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TSLA’s 2026 revenues and earnings implies an uptick of 12% and 43%, respectively, from projected 2025 levels.

Case for RivianLike Tesla, Rivian is also bearing the brunt of slowing sales amid unfriendly EV policies under U.S. President Trump. Rivian has forecast 2025 deliveries at 41,500-43,500 units, down from 51,579 units in 2024. The guidance is also narrower than the range of 40,000-46,000 units guided earlier.

Rivian is now betting on its upcoming R2 and R3 models, targeting more budget-conscious consumers. The R2, a midsize SUV, is slated for launch in the first half of 2026 with a starting price around $45,000—significantly lower than the premium R1 lineup. Rivian views the R2 as a key growth driver, citing major cost efficiencies in both materials and manufacturing. Rivian’s deal with Volkswagen is another booster. Volkswagen will invest up to $5.8 billion in Rivian and their joint venture (JV) by 2027. The partnership focuses on developing Rivian’s next-generation electrical architecture and software, starting with the R2 model.

Having said that, EV competition is rising and software is becoming a bigger differentiator. So, Rivian is pushing more technology in-house to boost performance and reduce long-term costs.Rivian unveiled its in-house RAP1 chip and new autonomy computer at its Autonomy & AI Day.The company also introduced an AI-powered “Rivian Assistant,” a voice interface launching early next year for both first- and second-generation vehicles. Near-term software updates will bring “Universal Hands-Free,” which promises hands-free driving on more than 3.5 million miles of roads across North America.

Rivian’s decision to integrate LiDAR into its future models is also a key step toward advanced automated driving. With LiDAR, custom chips and a new autonomy computer, the company is targeting Level 4 self-driving capabilities over time.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RIVN’s 2026 top and bottom line implies an improvement of 25% and 11%, respectively, from projected 2025 levels.

Final ThoughtsHeading into 2026, both Tesla and Rivian are positioning themselves as more than just EV makers, leaning heavily into autonomy, AI and software-led growth. However, the near-term backdrop remains challenging for both as EV demand is slowing, incentives are fading and competition—especially from China—is intensifying.

Rivian’s long-term vision is compelling, particularly with the upcoming R2 launch, deeper software integration, and backing from Volkswagen. That said, Rivian is still far from profitability and continues to burn cash as it ramps up R&D, autonomy development and manufacturing preparations. With breakeven still not clearly in sight, the stock carries elevated execution and financial risk.

Tesla, while not without its own challenges, offers a more established platform. Its core EV business is under pressure, but growth in energy storage, progress in robotaxis and expanding AI and robotics ambitions provide multiple potential catalysts. Tesla remains a high-risk, high-reward story, but it also has scale, cash-generation capability, and clearer pathways to monetization.

With both stocks currently at fresh highs, near-term entry points are less attractive. Still, if investors must choose one for the long term, Tesla stands out as the stronger option—especially for those willing to stomach volatility in exchange for exposure to autonomy and AI-driven upside. And if even part of Musk’s vision comes together, TSLA could remain a winning stock for years to come.

Both TSLA and RIVN currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:21 4mo ago
Here's Why Investors Should Bet on Expeditors International Stock Now stocknewsapi
EXPD
Key Takeaways
EXPD shares are up 26.3% in three months, outperforming the transportation-services industry's 5.7% rise
Cost-cutting lifted efficiency, with Q3 2025 operating expenses down 3.4% y/y to $2.6 billion.
EXPD boosted dividends and buybacks rolling, returning $212 million to shareholders in Q3 2025.
Expeditors International of Washington (EXPD - Free Report) is thriving on robust cost-cutting initiatives, which are boosting the company’s prospects. Shareholder-friendly initiatives are also encouraging. With these tailwinds, EXPD shares have performed impressively on the bourse. If you have not taken advantage of its share price appreciation yet, now is the time to do so.

Let’s delve deeper.

Factors Favoring EXPD StockNorthward Estimate Revisions: The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter 2025 earnings has moved 13.2% north in the past 60 days. For the current year and 2026, the consensus mark for earnings has been revised to 6.86% and 7.57% upward, respectively, in the same time frame. The favorable estimate revisions indicate brokers’ confidence in the stock.

Robust Price Performance: A glimpse at the company’s price trend reveals that the stock has had an impressive run so far this year. Shares of EXPD have gained 26.3% over the three months, outperforming the 5.7% rise of the transportation-services industry it belongs to.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Solid Zacks Rank: EXPD currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).  

Positive Earnings Surprise History: EXPD has an encouraging earnings surprise history. The company’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 13.94%.

Growth Factors: Expeditors’ proactive cost-cutting initiatives are boosting the company’s operating efficiency. In the third quarter of 2025, the total operating expenses amounted to $2.6 billion, decreased by 3.4% year over year.

This decrease was mainly due to 31% fall on a year-over-year basis in expenses associated with ocean freight and ocean services, which accounted for 21% of the total operating cost.

Expeditors continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to shareholder returns. In June 2025, the company increased its semi-annual dividend by 5.5%, raising the payout from $0.73 to $0.77 per share, reflecting its solid cash position and focus on delivering value to investors. In November 2025, EXPD declared a semi-annual cash dividend of $0.77 per share, payable on Dec. 15, 2025, to shareholders of record as of Dec. 1, 2025.

The company has also maintained a consistent track record of rewarding shareholders through both dividend growth and share repurchases. Expeditors raised dividends by 15.5% in 2022 and 3% in 2023, while executing more than $1.5 billion in share buybacks in 2022 alone. This disciplined approach continued in the third quarter of 2025, when EXPD returned $212 million to shareholders through stock repurchases, underscoring a balanced capital allocation strategy and confidence in its long-term financial strength.

Other Stocks to ConsiderInvestors interested in the Zacks Transportation sector can also consider LATAM Airlines Group (LTM - Free Report) and Global Ship Lease (GSL - Free Report) .

LTM currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

LTM has an expected earnings growth rate of 52.6% for the current year. The company has an encouraging earnings surprise history. Its earnings topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and met once in the remaining, delivering an average beat of 29.8%.

Global Ship Lease currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.

GSL has an expected earnings growth rate of 2.60% for the current year. The company has an encouraging earnings surprise history. Its earnings topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average beat of 16.8%.
2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:21 4mo ago
Can MercadoLibre's GMV Momentum Drive Further Upside in the Stock? stocknewsapi
MELI
Key Takeaways MELI is using lower free-shipping thresholds to boost transaction frequency and unlock latent GMV demand.Zacks Consensus Estimates pegs MELI's fourth-quarter GMV at $19.04B, implying 31% year-over-year growth.MELI's expanding logistics infrastructure provides capacity to handle higher transaction volumes.
MercadoLibre (MELI - Free Report) is positioning Gross Merchandise Volume as the primary lever for extending its growth trajectory across Latin America. The company's decision to lower Brazil's free shipping threshold from R$79 to R$19 represents a structural shift toward capturing everyday, lower-ticket purchases that represent a large pool of latent GMV in a region where e-commerce penetration remains in the mid-teens. This approach targets transaction frequency expansion rather than relying on episodic demand spikes or rising average order values.

Early indicators suggest this approach could support continued GMV expansion. The lower shipping threshold drove sold items growth to 42% year over year in Brazil during the third quarter of 2025, while new listings in the R$19-R$79 price band tripled year over year. The combination of increased purchase frequency and expanded assortment depth in price-sensitive categories indicates that both sides of the marketplace are responding to the structural incentive change. If buyer engagement and seller listings continue scaling together, GMV growth may become increasingly self-reinforcing.

Visibility into the near-term trajectory remains constructive. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MercadoLibre’s fourth-quarter 2025 GMV is pegged at $19.04 billion, indicating 31% year over year growth and a sequential acceleration of 15% from the third-quarter level of $16.5 billion. Such an outlook implies rising transaction density into the peak seasonal period, supporting the view that GMV momentum could extend beyond a single quarter. The company's expanding logistics infrastructure and improving unit economics in fulfilment operations provide capacity headroom to absorb higher transaction volumes without proportional cost increases.

However, execution risks remain as MercadoLibre navigates the tension between GMV growth and profitability. Direct Contribution margins compressed in Brazil as free shipping subsidies outpaced immediate revenue gains, while intensifying competition may require sustained promotional investments. Whether the company can maintain elevated transaction intensity without incremental cost pressure will ultimately determine if GMV momentum can drive further stock upside.

MELI Faces Intensifying CompetitionCompetition in Latin American e-commerce remains intense, with Amazon (AMZN - Free Report) and Sea Limited (SE - Free Report) pursuing volume-led strategies in overlapping markets. Amazon continues to emphasize logistics investments and Prime-led fulfilment to encourage repeat purchasing, though its regional presence remains more selective than MercadoLibre’s. Sea Limited, through Shopee, has leaned more heavily on shipping subsidies to stimulate GMV in price-sensitive segments. As Amazon and Sea Limited compete for transaction share, the durability of MercadoLibre’s GMV momentum will hinge on its ability to sustain transaction growth efficiently amid differing competitive playbooks.

MELI’s Share Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesMELI shares have declined 21% in the past six months, underperforming the Zacks Internet-Commerce industry and the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector’s increase of 5.6% and 4.7%, respectively.

MELI’s Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, MELI stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month Price/Sales ratio of 2.77X compared with the industry’s 2.1X. MELI has a Value Score of C.

MELI Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MELI’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings is pegged at $11.66 per share, down by 1.6% over the past 30 days, indicating a 7.53% year-over-year decline.

MercadoLibre currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:21 4mo ago
5 Stocks With Recent Price Strength to End a Fabulous 2025 stocknewsapi
ATRO GLDD NRIM STRT WLDN
Key Takeaways STRT shares jumped 17.1% in four weeks, standing out among stocks riding the market's late-2025 rally.
ATRO has surged 15.4% in four weeks as improving earnings expectations support its momentum into next year.NRIM has risen 11.7% in four weeks, as solid earnings estimates adding support to its recent price strength.
U.S. stock markets are set to close 2025 on a high note after an astonishing rally in the previous two years. With just seven trading days left to conclude this year, the three major stock indexes — the Dow, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite — are up 13.6%, 16.5% and 20.9%, respectively. These indexes are currently within 3% of their record-highs.

Consequently, several stocks have shown price strength. We have primarily targeted stocks that have recently been on a bull run. These stocks have a high chance of carrying the momentum forward.

Five such stocks are — Strattec Security Corp. (STRT - Free Report) , Astronics Corp. (ATRO - Free Report) , Willdan Group Inc. (WLDN - Free Report) , Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp. (GLDD - Free Report) and Northrim BanCorp Inc. (NRIM - Free Report) .

If a stock is continuously witnessing an uptrend, there must be a solid reason or it would have probably crashed. So, looking at stocks capable of beating the benchmark that they have set for themselves seems rational.

However, recent price strength alone cannot create magic. Therefore, other relevant parameters are needed to create a successful investment strategy.

Here’s how you should create the screen to shortlist the current as well as the potential winners.

Screening Parameters:Percentage Change in Price (4 Weeks) greater than zero: This criterion shows that the stock has moved higher in the last four weeks.

Percentage Change Price (12 Weeks) greater than 10: This indicates that the stock has seen momentum over the last three months. This lowers the risk of choosing stocks that may have drawn attention due to the overwhelming performance of the overall market in a very short period.

Zacks Rank 1: No matter whether market conditions are good or bad, stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) have a proven history of outperformance. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Average Broker Rating 1: This indicates that brokers are also highly hopeful about the stock’s future performance.

Current Price greater than 5: The stocks must all be trading at a minimum of $5.

Current Price/ 52-Week High-Low Range more than 85%: This criterion filters stocks that are trading near their respective 52-week highs. It indicates that these are strong enough in terms of price.

Just these few criteria narrowed down the search from over 7,700 stocks to 13.

Let’s discuss five out of those 13 stocks here:

Strattec Security designs, develops, manufactures and markets mechanical locks, electro-mechanical locks and related products for automotive manufacturers with operations in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

STRT also produces precision zinc die castings for the transportation, security and small engine industries. STRT’s principal products are locks and keys for cars and trucks. STRT markets its products to automotive and light truck original equipment manufacturers, as well as other transportation-related manufacturers, and through wholesale distributors, other marketers, and users of component parts and non-automotive customers.

The stock price of Strattec Security has climbed 17.1% over the past four weeks. It has an expected earnings growth rate of -2.6% for the current year (ending June 2026). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 23.3% over the last 60 days.

Astronics is a manufacturer of specialized lighting and electronics for the cockpit, cabin and exteriors of military, commercial transport and private business jet aircraft. As a major lighting and electronics supplier to the aircraft industry, ATRO’s strategy is to expand from a components and subsystems supplier to an aircraft lighting systems integrator, increasing the value and content it provides to various aircraft platforms. Luminescent Systems Inc. is ATRO’s primary operating subsidiary that produces its aerospace and defense products.

The stock price of Astronics has surged 15.4% over the past four weeks. It has an expected earnings growth rate of 35% for next year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for next-year earnings has improved 1.2% over the last 30 days.

Willdan Group is a provider of professional technical and consulting services to utilities, private industry and public agencies at all levels of government. WLDN enables its clients to realize cost and energy savings by providing a wide range of specialized services. 

WLDN assists its clients with a broad range of complementary services relating to: Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Engineering and Planning, Economic and Financial Consulting, and National Preparedness and Interoperability.

The stock price of Willdan Group has appreciated 14.5% in the past four weeks. It has an expected earnings growth rate of 9.6% for next year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 13.3% over the last 60 days.

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock is the largest provider of dredging services in the US conducting business to maintain and deepen shipping channels, reclaim land from the ocean, and renourish storm-damaged coastline. 

GLDD also conducts around 25% of its operations internationally with a strong focus in the Middle East. Projects can generally be recognized to fall within a number of categories, namely, maintenance projects to keep shipping channels and harbors at their required depths, capital works to excavate, deepen or widen navigable waterways, beach restoration for storm damaged coastline and reclamation works to restore wetlands or create new land in the ocean. 

The stock price of GLDD has advanced 13.9% over the past four weeks. The company has expected earnings growth of -0.2% for next year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year’s earnings has improved 10.1% over the last 60 days.

Northrim BanCorp operates as a commercial bank providing commercial banking products and services to businesses and professional individuals. NRIM operates through three segments: Community Banking, Home Mortgage Lending, and Specialty Finance. 

NRIM offers noninterest-bearing checking accounts and interest-bearing time deposits, checking and savings accounts, individual retirement and money market deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, and business sweep accounts. 

NRIM also provides short and medium-term commercial loans, commercial credit lines, construction and real estate loans, and consumer loans, as well as short and medium-term working capital.

The stock price of Northrim BanCorp has rallied 11.7% over the past four weeks. The company has expected earnings growth of 4% for next year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year’s earnings has improved 9.2% over the last 60 days.

You can get the rest of the stocks on this list by signing up now for your 2-week free trial to the Research Wizard and start using this screen in your own trading. Further, you can also create your own strategies and test them first before taking the investment plunge.

The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.

Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today.

Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.

Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks’ portfolios and strategies are available at: https://www.zacks.com/performance. 
2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:21 4mo ago
Online Retail Still Rising in 2026: 3 Stocks to Ride the Boom stocknewsapi
AMZN EXPE FVRR
Key Takeaways Global e-commerce is projected to grow from about $31.2T in 2025 to nearly $37T in 2026.AI tools, faster delivery and social commerce reduce friction and help boost online conversion rates.E-commerce momentum into 2026 highlights Amazon, Expedia and Fiverr across retail, bookings and services.
The digital transformation of retail continues to reshape consumer behaviour as online commerce remains a dominant force heading into 2026. Per Mordor Intelligence, the global e-commerce market is projected to expand to around $37 trillion in 2026, reflecting continued growth across both consumer and business digital transactions. This sustained expansion reflects multiple tailwinds, including rising smartphone penetration in emerging markets, the proliferation of buy-now-pay-later payment options that increase purchasing accessibility, growing consumer trust in digital payment security and the continued shift of advertising budgets toward e-commerce platforms. Three companies positioned to capitalise on these trends are Amazon (AMZN - Free Report) , Expedia (EXPE - Free Report) and Fiverr International (FVRR - Free Report) , each offering distinct exposure to different facets of the expanding digital economy.

The sector's momentum has been reinforced by improving macroeconomic conditions, particularly the Federal Reserve's three interest rate cuts in 2025 that lowered the benchmark federal funds rate by 175 basis points since September 2024 to a range of 3.50%-3.75%. These rate reductions have eased borrowing costs for both consumers and businesses, potentially unlocking discretionary spending power that favors online purchasing channels.

Artificial intelligence is expected to play a more visible role in shaping online retail outcomes in 2026, building on investments made across the sector in 2025. Retailers increasingly deployed AI-driven recommendation engines, search optimization tools and personalized marketing algorithms to improve conversion rates and customer engagement. AI has also been applied to demand forecasting, inventory management and dynamic pricing, helping platforms reduce stockouts while improving fulfilment efficiency. In parallel, generative AI tools have been integrated into customer service and content creation workflows, lowering operating costs and enhancing responsiveness. These capabilities are expected to strengthen operating leverage while reinforcing convenience for digital shoppers globally.

Beyond AI, several structural trends are expected to support continued online retail expansion in 2026. Faster fulfilment remains a key driver, with wider adoption of same-day and next-day delivery reducing friction in purchase decisions. Social commerce is gaining momentum as platforms enable in-app shopping, live commerce and creator-led discovery, shortening the path from engagement to transaction. Cross-border e-commerce is expected to benefit from improved international logistics, localized fulfilment networks and multi-currency payment processing, expanding addressable markets for leading platforms. In addition, the growing use of digital wallets, loyalty ecosystems and subscription-based models is likely to enhance customer retention, purchase frequency and revenue visibility, reinforcing long-term growth prospects for digital-first retailers.

Stock Performance Reflects Diverging StrategiesOver the past three months, shares of digital commerce leaders have shown divergent performance. Shares of Expedia Group led with an increase of 32.8%, significantly outperforming the broader market as investors rewarded B2B momentum and margin expansion. Amazon advanced 3.7%, supported by its diversified revenue streams across retail, cloud and advertising. Shares of Fiverr International declined 20.4% as the market digested concerns around AI competition in the freelance services sector. These varying performances create different entry points for investors seeking exposure to online retail trends heading into 2026.

The chart below shows the price performance of our three picks in the past three-month period.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Expedia is positioned to benefit as increased travel booking migrates to digital channels in 2026. The platform's AI-powered search and mobile commerce capabilities enhance conversion rates as consumers book trips via smartphone. Lower interest rates expand discretionary budgets for leisure spending, while buy-now-pay-later options increase accessibility. Expedia's B2B segment captures corporate travel shifting to digital procurement, providing differentiation. Geographic diversification and social commerce integration through set-jetting trends strengthen market positioning. Expedia currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and the Zacks Consensus Estimate for EXPE's 2026 EPS has remained unchanged over the past 30 days at $18.23. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Fiverr is expected to benefit from the digitization of services procurement in 2026. The platform's network effects strengthen as more freelancers attract buyers, creating switching costs. Fiverr's predefined gig structure simplifies transactions compared to bidding platforms, reducing friction. The marketplace spans over 500 service categories, providing breadth that competitors struggle to match. Mobile commerce enables seamless transactions while AI integration improves delivery quality. Lower interest rates support small business outsourcing budgets. Fiverr's commission-based model scales efficiently as volumes increase. Fiverr currently sports a Zacks Rank #1, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate for FVRR's 2026 EPS has inched upward by a penny over the past 30 days to $3.05.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Amazon is expected to capture significant online retail growth in 2026, benefiting from rising smartphone penetration and AI-powered personalisation that enhances conversion rates. AMZN's logistics network and Prime ecosystem create switching costs, reinforcing customer loyalty. Amazon's fulfillment infrastructure enables faster delivery, while lower interest rates expand discretionary budgets. Advertising within product search generates high-margin revenue as brands compete for visibility. Its marketplace model allows third-party sellers to reach Prime members efficiently. Amazon currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), and the Zacks Consensus Estimate for AMZN's 2026 EPS has inched upward by 2 cents over the past 30 days to $7.85.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
2025-12-23 15:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 10:21 4mo ago
Spot gold slides to session low after U.S. Consumer Confidence falls to 89.1 in December stocknewsapi
AAAU BAR DBP DGL GLD GLDM IAU OUNZ SGOL UGL
Kitco News

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2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 08:52 4mo ago
BTC loses correlation with M2 money supply after historically tracking liquidity expansion cryptonews
BTC
The narrative of BTC being tied to M2 money supply expansion broke down in 2025. A pattern emerged where the growth of BTC lagged behind and decoupled from the growth of the global money supply. 

BTC price expansion did not follow the gains of the global M2 money supply. Over the past 12 months, BTC ended up with a small net gain, underperforming traditional assets. 

The M2 money supply expanded in 2025, but BTC decoupled from the growth, as liquidity shifted to stocks and precious metals. | Source: BGeometrics
The M2 narrative was part of the setup for crypto, which was expected to have a year-end rally. However, BTC stalled at $126,000 in October, breaking down to a lower range since then. 

The BTC rally in 2025 also lagged behind the pace of expansion of M2. Historically, BTC rallies three to six months after monetary expansion, but this time, other factors broke down the trend in Q4. 

M2 money supply reaches a new record
In the past 12 months, the global money supply expanded from $104T to over $115T, extending the pace from the past few years. The supply growth exceeded the 2024 expansion. 

The growth pace also resembled the post-pandemic conditions of 2020. The US money supply also grew in the past 12 months, rising to $22.5T in October, up from $21.4T in December 2024. 

This time around, the expansion of AI and data center stocks, along with the growth of precious metals, meant the additional funds were not chasing crypto assets. 

BTC was also more mainstream, and had a longer price history, and trading in 2025 was done with more caution and skepticism. BTC failed to break the expected price levels for the past year, and the crypto market did not break to a new all-time peak. 

Can BTC recover its trend? 
The M2 money supply narrative has mostly worked for BTC in previous market cycles. This time, the excess money inflows did not chase BTC blindly. Buyers and accumulation were more strategic. 

The Chinese money supply expanded even more, by around 8% in the past year, from 311T to 336T yuan. However, the country did not contribute to the growth of BTC directly, and even Asian traders remained cautious. 

One of the expectations is that BTC may catch up with the M2 supply. A catchup rally sets an even more bullish target for BTC, with the potential to break above $220K per coin. 

At the same time, BTC continues to unwind, with signs of institutional selling and divestment at each local high. BTC has failed to recover above $90,000 for weeks, as each rally is met with selling. The market is expected to take months, while still needing to overcome negative sentiment.

If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter.
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 08:56 4mo ago
BitMine Expands ETH Holdings With $88M Purchase cryptonews
ETH
TL;DR

BitMine expanded its ETH treasury after watchers flagged about $88 million in flows; a filing said it bought 98,852 ETH last week.
Observers tied the suspected one day purchase to BitGo and Kraken, totaling 29,462 ETH, though the company did not confirm wallets.
Holdings stand at 4,066,062 ETH at a $2,991 average cost, and the firm targets up to 5% of supply despite recent declines.

BitMine Immersion Technologies has expanded its Ethereum treasury, with blockchain watchers flagging roughly $88 million in fresh ETH accumulation tied to custodial flows. The buying was flagged this week. The transfers have not been formally confirmed by the company, but they surfaced alongside a same day filing that reported new purchases. In that disclosure, BitMine said it bought 98,852 ETH over the past week, lifting total holdings to 4,066,062 ETH. The company reported an average acquisition cost of $2,991 per ether, putting the value of its ETH stockpile at about $12 billion at current prices. For traders, a corporate balance sheet acting like a buyer of last resort is the core signal, even as ETH and BMNR shares have recently been under pressure.

It seems that Tom Lee(@fundstrat)'s #Bitmine just bought another 29,462 $ETH($88.1M) from BitGo and Kraken.https://t.co/hXCQQvO6ZFhttps://t.co/m3WT8Jwh6x pic.twitter.com/REuuHwyR6q

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) December 23, 2025

Custody flows and an accumulation campaign
Onchain data cited by market observers suggested BitMine acquired about 29,462 ETH in a single day, valued around $88 million, through transactions associated with BitGo and Kraken, extending a buying campaign that has defined its strategy throughout the year. The report notes the firm did not confirm the specific transfers, yet they arrived close to an official disclosure, reinforcing the view that the company is still executing an accumulation program. By tracking custody linked movements, analysts try to map treasury behavior in near real time. In this case, the onchain trail functions as a preview of corporate demand, potentially influencing positioning before traditional filings circulate. That dynamic can amplify volatility when large lots move quickly and the market tries to infer intent from wallet activity alone.

The disclosed purchases push BitMine further into a concentrated strategy. With over 4 million ETH, it is described as the largest corporate Ethereum treasury. Its stated objective is to accumulate up to 5% of Ethereum’s circulating supply, and the holding of 4,066,062 ETH underscores how serious that ambition has already become. The report also says short term price declines in ETH and BitMine’s stock have not altered the approach, suggesting management is prioritizing horizon positioning over near term optics. Still, the scale invites scrutiny: a single buyer pursuing a supply share target can change how investors read liquidity, custody risk, and disclosure cadence. Next, traders will watch for filings that reconcile onchain flows with confirmed purchases and clarify the campaign’s pace.
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 08:57 4mo ago
Ethena's USDe loses $8.3B since October crash amid ‘loss of confidence' cryptonews
ENA USDE
26 minutes ago

Ethena’s synthetic stablecoin USDe has seen its market cap cut almost in half since the Oct. 10 crash, as investors retreat from leveraged and synthetic collateral models.

Ethena’s synthetic dollar USDe has shed about $8.3 billion in net outflows since the major liquidation event on Oct. 10, as confidence in leveraged and synthetic collateral structures continues to weaken.

According to a report from 10x Research, the October sell-off marked a turning point for the crypto market, flipping the bull phase into a period of deleveraging. The crash erased an estimated $1.3 trillion in crypto market value, nearly 30% of total capitalization at the time.

Ethena USDe (USDe), which relies on synthetic collateral and hedging mechanisms rather than traditional fiat reserves, faced a “sharp loss of confidence” under these conditions, the analysts wrote.

According to data from CoinMarketCap, USDe’s market cap stood at nearly $14.7 billion on Oct. 9. In just over two months, that value dropped to around $6.4 billion.

USDe’s market cap declines. Source: CoinMarketCap.USDe’s brief price depeg glitchFollowing the Oct. 10 crash, USDe temporarily lost its peg and dropped to about $0.65 on Binance. Ethena Labs founder Guy Young said the brief depeg on the exchange was caused by an internal oracle issue at the exchange, not by problems with the stablecoin’s collateral, protocol or redemption mechanics.

He said USDe minting and redemptions functioned normally during the market crash, with about $2 billion redeemed in 24 hours across major decentralized finance (DeFi) venues and only minor price deviations elsewhere. At the time of writing, USDe is trading at $0.9987, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

The crypto market crash on Oct. 10 was the largest liquidation event in the crypto market’s history. More than $19 billion in crypto positions were liquidated, according to CoinGlass data, leading to a $65 billion decline in open interest.

Crypto market activity stallsSince the crash, broader market activity has also thinned. Crypto trading volumes are down roughly 50%, while US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have seen about $5 billion in net outflows since late October.

10x Research said that the current weakness is less about retail capitulation and more about a deliberate pullback by regulated capital. As leverage and liquidity retreat, Bitcoin (BTC) has decoupled from both equities and gold, trading more like an isolated risk asset than a macro hedge.

Magazine: 2026 is the year of pragmatic privacy in crypto — Canton, Zcash and more
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 08:58 4mo ago
BNB slips toward $850 as market pullback weighs on token cryptonews
BNB
BNB slips toward $850 as market pullback weighs on tokenThe decline comes as bitcoin sank back to $87,000 in Tuesday trade. Dec 23, 2025, 1:58 p.m.

The price of BNB is hovering around the $850 mark after losing more than 1.5% of its value over the past 24 hours.

The token is down from a recent high near the $870 level, and comes alongside bitcoin's decline from above $90,000 to the $87,000 area on Tuesday morning.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Price action reflected that caution. After a brief push above $860 on strong volume earlier, selling pressure returned and capped gains. The wider market is nevertheless also affected, with the wider CoinDesk 20 (CD20) index, losing 2.5% of its value over the last 24 hours.

Volume spikes pointed to defensive positioning rather than fresh risk-taking, according to CoinDesk Research's technical analysis data model.

Not all signals were negative as adoption kept growing. Major prediction market Kalshi added deposits and withdrawals for BNB and stablecoins on the BNB Chain.

For now, traders see consolidation between $850 and $870. A clear break above that range could reopen calls for a move toward $900 later in the year, while a drop below $820 would suggest deeper losses.

Disclaimer: 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

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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.

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Polkadot's DOT slips 4.5% as token underperforms wider crypto markets

21 minutes ago

DOT is facing pressure as it tries to retake the $1.76 support/resistance level.

What to know:

Polkadot's DOT pulled back alongside a broader drop in crypto markets.DOT trading volumes dropped 9% below monthly averages, signaling weak conviction.Read full story
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:00 4mo ago
Zcash Price Loses a Key Historical Support As 10% Downside Risk Builds cryptonews
ZEC
Zcash price has slipped sharply, falling more than 6% over the past 24 hours. Even after the drop, it is still up about 9% week-on-week. But this downside move does not look random. The market is reacting to a technical shift that has mattered repeatedly in recent months.

ZEC is now testing a moment where trend, positioning, and selling pressure are starting to line up. If this setup is confirmed by the daily close, the downside risk grows fast.

Sponsored

A Long-Held Technical Line Is Now Under ThreatZcash is breaking down from a level that has quietly acted as a backbone for price stability over the past few months. That level is the 50-day exponential moving average, or 50-day EMA. The EMA is a trend indicator that smooths price action and often acts as dynamic support during strong or healthy trends.

In ZEC’s case, this line has mattered a lot. On November 30, when Zcash closed below the 50-day EMA, the price dropped nearly 30% within just a few days. A similar event played out again on December 14. Once the price closed below the same level, ZEC fell roughly 8% over the following sessions.

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

Now, Zcash is once again trading below this line. If today’s candle closes under it, history suggests the move is not done. This is why the current breakdown matters more than an average red day. It signals a potential shift from consolidation into active downside continuation.

Sponsored

Derivatives and Spot Flows Are Turning Bearish TogetherThe reaction is already visible in trader behavior.

Perpetual futures positioning shows most tracked cohorts leaning net short over the past 24 hours. Top traders, whales, and public figures (possibly KOLs) have all increased short exposure, suggesting growing conviction that price weakness is not finished.

Smart money stands out slightly, having reduced short exposure by a small margin. But that shift is not strong enough to offset the broader positioning bias. Overall, derivatives data points to traders preparing for further downside rather than a quick recovery.

Zcash Perps: NansenSponsored

Spot market data reinforces this view. On Solana-based ZEC markets, exchange balances jumped more than 47% in just one day. That kind of rise usually reflects coins moving toward exchanges, which often precedes selling pressure, even though the number isn’t high.

When both derivatives’ positioning and spot inflows lean the same way, it strengthens the signal.

Spot Selling Continues: NansenTogether, these flows suggest that the loss of trend support is not being treated as a false break. The market is positioning as if follow-through risk is real.

Sponsored

Zcash Price Levels And The 10% Risk?If the Zcash price breakdown confirms, the first level that matters is near $410. This zone has acted as short-term support during recent pullbacks. A failure to hold it would likely accelerate the move lower.

Below that, the next major downside target sits near $371. A move from current levels to that zone would represent roughly a 10% drop, aligning closely with prior EMA-triggered declines. If selling pressure intensifies, even deeper levels near $295 come into view, based on prior consolidation zones.

Zcash Price Analysis: TradingViewThe invalidation is clear. Zcash would need to reclaim the 50-day EMA decisively and then push above the $470 area to signal that the breakdown has failed. Only above that region does the structure start to stabilize again, with $549 becoming the next upside test.

Until that happens, the balance of risk stays tilted lower. Zcash has lost a historically important trend guide, traders are positioned defensively, and spot flows suggest supply is moving toward the market. If the daily close confirms this setup, the path of least resistance remains down.
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:00 4mo ago
Breaking: U.S. GDP Rises To 4.3% In Q3, BTC Price Climbs cryptonews
BTC
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The U.S. economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter of this year, its fastest pace in the last two years. This has provided a bullish outlook for the BTC price, which climbed on the back of the U.S. GDP data release.

U.S. GDP Comes In Stronger Than Expectations, BTC Price Rises
Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) data show that the U.S. economy increased at an annual rate of 4.3% in the third quarter of this year. This marks the strongest growth since the fourth quarter of 2023. It also comes in higher than the estimates of 3.3% and the 3.8% recorded in the second quarter. Meanwhile, the real GDP increased by 3.8%.

The U.S. GDP release immediately sparked a surge in the BTC price, with the flagship crypto rising to almost $88,000. CoinGape had earlier reported that the macro data was likely to spark some volatility, even as the crypto market remains on edge.

Source: Yahoo Finance; BTC Daily Chart
This comes as crypto market investors continue to look to macro data for clues as to where the U.S. economy may be headed in 2026. This data follows the release of the U.S. CPI and jobs data last week, which also provided a bullish outlook for the market.

The U.S. CPI data came in at 2.7%, well below expectations, indicating that inflation in the U.S. remains steady. Meanwhile, the jobs data showed the unemployment rate rising, which supports a case for more rate cuts next year and is bullish for the BTC price and broader crypto market.

With the U.S. GDP data out of the way, crypto market investors will now turn their attention to the U.S. jobless claims, which drop tomorrow. This will provide further insights into the current state of the labor market and could strengthen the case for more cuts.
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:00 4mo ago
JPMorgan Eyes Crypto Services As Institutional Demand Grows – A Boost For BTC Price? cryptonews
BTC
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is considering offering cryptocurrency trading services to its institutional clients, based on reports from Bloomberg and Reuters. The move is reported to be in early stages and has not been confirmed by the bank.

Institutional Demand And Product Options
Reports have disclosed that the bank is looking at a range of possible offerings, including spot trades and derivatives, as it tests whether client demand justifies a rollout. Decisions will depend on risk assessments and the regulatory environment, sources say.

Banks Respond To A Shifting Market
Wall Street is already moving closer to crypto. Morgan Stanley, for example, plans to make crypto trading available on its E*Trade platform by mid-2026, a step that shows firms are racing to meet investor interest. The global crypto market is estimated to be about $3.1 trillion, with Bitcoin close to $1.8 trillion of that total, according to market data cited by reporters.

JPMorgan Chase reportedly plans launching crypto trading services for institutional clients. https://t.co/Ggj0bOxcUc

— TheStreet (@TheStreet) December 22, 2025

Plans To Start Without Custody
Several industry reports say JPMorgan may initially focus on executing trades rather than holding clients’ tokens — that is, the firm would facilitate transactions but not provide custody services at first. That approach would let the bank offer access while limiting direct exposure.

Banking History And Changing Views
JPMorgan’s public position on crypto has shifted over time. Its CEO was once highly critical of Bitcoin, yet the firm has been testing blockchain and tokenization projects in recent years. The broader policy climate has also turned more favorable: US President Donald Trump has taken a stance seen by some observers as supportive of crypto, and that has affected industry calculations.

Bitcoin is currently trading at $87,502. Chart: TradingView
What This Would Mean For Clients
If JPMorgan moves ahead, clients could gain access to bank-grade execution for Bitcoin and other tokens, potentially with institutional custodians or third-party safekeeping used where needed. Market makers and asset managers would likely react quickly; liquidity could increase, and trading costs might shift. Those outcomes would depend on the exact products launched and on regulatory guardrails.

Collateral And Tokenization Moves Earlier This Year
The bank has already taken other crypto steps. In October, Bloomberg reported that JPMorgan planned to allow institutional clients to use Bitcoin and Ether as collateral for loans by the end of the year, a sign that the firm is testing ways to bring crypto into traditional banking functions.

Bitcoin Price Reaction
Traders reacted positively to the news of JPMorgan exploring crypto trading, sending Bitcoin briefly higher into the $88,000–$90,000 range. While the price didn’t break past $90,000 decisively, the announcement added support near existing resistance levels and boosted market sentiment.

Analysts note that any lasting price impact will depend on whether JPMorgan actually launches trading services and how US regulators respond, but for now, the story has reinforced optimism among institutional and retail investors alike.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:00 4mo ago
Polygon price eyes payments upside as Shift4 adds 24/7 stablecoin settlement cryptonews
MATIC POL
Payment processor Shift4 now lets hundreds of thousands of merchants settle via stablecoins on Polygon, a shift that could support Polygon price and reduce banking frictions.

Summary

Shift4 added stablecoin settlement for its merchant base, enabling payouts over Polygon, Ethereum, Solana, Stellar, TON, Plasma and Base instead of traditional bank rails.​
The service runs 24/7, helping merchants avoid weekend and holiday delays, improve liquidity across time zones and reduce reliance on correspondent banking networks.​
Polygon’s low‑fee, high‑throughput design underpins the integration as stablecoin volumes reach trillions annually and more fintechs move core payments onto blockchain rails.

Payment processor Shift4 now offers stablecoin settlement on the Polygon blockchain, giving hundreds of thousands of merchants 24/7 access to digital currency payouts, leading to new possibilities for Polygon price.

The integration allows merchants to receive settlements in stablecoins pegged to major fiat currencies, bypassing traditional banking hours and systems. Merchants can select from multiple blockchain networks for settlement, including Polygon (POL), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Stellar (XLM), TON (TON), Plasma, and Base, according to the announcement.

Shift4 moves Polygon price as integrations loom
The platform enables fund transfers 24 hours per day, eliminating delays associated with weekend and holiday banking closures. This functionality addresses liquidity management challenges for businesses operating across multiple time zones.

Shift4, which processes billions of transactions annually across various industries, now offers stablecoin payouts as an alternative to conventional bank transfers. The expansion represents a shift from experimental blockchain applications to commercial deployment in the payments sector.

The stablecoin settlement option reduces dependence on correspondent banking systems and aims to improve cash flow predictability for merchants conducting international business, according to the companies.

Polygon’s network infrastructure supports high transaction volumes at lower costs compared to Ethereum’s mainnet, according to technical specifications. The network’s design prioritizes transaction speed and scalability for commercial applications.

Stablecoins currently facilitate trillions of dollars in annual transactions, with increasing adoption among financial technology firms and institutional users. The Shift4 integration extends stablecoin functionality to merchant payouts and treasury management operations.

Merchants using the service do not require specialized blockchain knowledge to access the settlement options, according to the companies.

Polygon has attracted enterprise and fintech partnerships focused on payments, asset tokenization, and blockchain-based financial services. The network positions itself as infrastructure connecting traditional Web2 businesses with Web3 blockchain technology.

In addition to my report on Polygon payments, I would like to note the growth in payment transactions.

Specifically, in December, there was a new ATH for microtransactions, and the number of payment transactions has not fallen below 1M per month for 3 months. https://t.co/hbXOgOqtZn pic.twitter.com/kaPx3P1CRm

— Alex (@obchakevich_) December 22, 2025

The collaboration reflects broader industry movement toward blockchain-based payment rails that operate independently of traditional banking infrastructure and time constraints.

Polygon’s POL token is trading around $0.105–0.12 USDT/USD right now, roughly flat to slightly down versus its starting level for 2025, so YTD performance is weak and still in a bearish regime.

Forecast shops frame 2025 as a sideways to mildly bullish year, with base‑case targets only a few dozen percent above current prices, not a parabolic recovery.

Structurally, the MATIC→POL migration is 99% complete, so most of the “upgrade” narrative is already priced in; further upside likely tracks broader crypto beta plus any real execution upside in Polygon 2.0.

From a YTD lens, POL is still in a re-rating candidate bucket: cheap versus its own history, but you only size it if you believe Polygon can claw back share in DeFi, stablecoins, and RWAs over the next 12–24 months.
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:00 4mo ago
ETHZilla (ETHZ) Stock: Peter Thiel-Backed Firm Dumps $74M in Ethereum – Here's Why cryptonews
ETH
TLDR

Table of Contents

TLDRFrom Crypto Accumulation to Real-World AssetsDebt Pressure Mounts Across Crypto TreasuriesGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks

ETHZilla liquidated 24,291 ETH for $74.5 million to repay senior secured convertible notes, reducing holdings to 69,800 tokens.
The Peter Thiel-backed company is abandoning its digital asset treasury model to pursue tokenized real-world asset opportunities.
Shares have crashed over 65% year-to-date as the company removes its mNAV transparency dashboard from its website.
This marks the second major ETH sale since October when the company offloaded $40 million worth of tokens.
ETHZilla rebranded from failed biotech 180 Life Sciences in July after a $425 million PIPE deal with 60+ investors.

ETHZilla just offloaded a massive chunk of Ethereum. The company sold 24,291 ETH worth $74.5 million to pay off debt.

Ethzilla Corp., ETHZ

The sale went through at an average price of $3,068.69 per token. ETHZilla disclosed the transaction in an SEC filing on Friday.

The money is going straight toward redeeming outstanding senior secured convertible notes. It’s the second big sell-off in two months for the struggling company.

The firm now holds approximately 69,800 ETH on its balance sheet. At current prices, that’s worth about $207 million.

ETHZilla started as 180 Life Sciences Corp, a biotech company that tanked 99.9% after going public in 2020. The company switched to an Ethereum treasury strategy in July following a $425 million PIPE agreement.

From Crypto Accumulation to Real-World Assets
The digital asset treasury dream didn’t last long. ETHZilla is now walking away from crypto accumulation entirely.

“In the future, the company believes its value will be driven by revenue and cash flow growth from our RWA tokenization business,” the company stated Monday. The new strategy targets auto loans, manufactured home loans, aerospace equipment and real estate.

The company killed its mNAV dashboard this week. The tool showed investors how market cap compared to crypto holdings in real-time.

“We are discontinuing the mNAV dashboard on our website effective today,” ETHZilla announced. They’ll still share periodic updates, just not the transparent tracking.

Peter Thiel’s investment in August sent shares flying over 90%. His backing gave the crypto pivot instant credibility with investors.

That bounce didn’t stick. Shares closed down 8.7% Monday after the ETH sale news dropped.

Debt Pressure Mounts Across Crypto Treasuries
Year-to-date performance tells the real story. The stock has collapsed more than 65%, trading around $6.64 per share.

This isn’t ETHZilla’s first rodeo with selling. In October, the company liquidated $40 million in ETH as part of a $250 million stock repurchase plan.

The company managed to squeeze in two acquisitions in December. ETHZilla grabbed a 20% stake in AI automotive-finance startup Karus and 15% of digital housing lender Zippy.

Other crypto treasury companies are feeling the heat too. Ethereum has dropped nearly 30% over the past three months, forcing firms to reassess their strategies.

FG Nexus sold 10,922 ETH in late October to fund share buybacks. Sequans Communications offloaded 970 Bitcoin in November, cutting its convertible debt by half.

Even Strategy, the gold standard for Bitcoin treasuries, raised $747.8 million through a stock sale last week. The company acted fast as Bitcoin pulled back from its $126,000 record high.

Public companies collectively hold about 6 million ETH, representing roughly 5% of total circulating supply. More than 190 listed firms also hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets.

Ethereum currently trades around $3,000. The price action is squeezing companies that bet everything on token accumulation.

ETHZilla’s SEC filing confirmed the sale details and updated holdings as of December 20, 2025.
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:00 4mo ago
Ethena [ENA] under pressure – Will sellers force one last drop to $0.1315? cryptonews
ENA
Ethena remains under sustained pressure after a major holder deposited 16.86 million ENA into Coinbase Prime, realizing an estimated $15 million loss, roughly 81% below an $18.53 million cost basis. 

This transfer introduced meaningful sell-side liquidity, while ENA price traded near $0.14–$0.15, levels last seen several months ago. 

However, price action did not unravel sharply following the deposit. Instead, candles remained relatively controlled, signaling absorption rather than disorderly selling.

That response suggests market participants anticipated the move. 

Still, the scale of realized losses reflects exhaustion, not confidence. Many holders remain deeply underwater, which increases the likelihood of distribution on any relief rally. 

As a result, Ethena [ENA] continues to trade in a fragile equilibrium where exits meet opportunistic accumulation, keeping volatility suppressed but risk elevated.

Ethena consolidates
ENA continues to respect a clearly defined descending channel that has guided price lower since the breakdown from the $0.30 region. 

Recent price action shows consolidation near the channel’s upper boundary, yet the structure still favors sellers. 

RSI remains below 40, reinforcing weak momentum rather than reversal strength. 

Importantly, the channel allows room for a deeper pullback toward the $0.1315 support zone, which aligns with prior reaction lows and channel symmetry. This level represents a key structural checkpoint. 

A decisive reclaim above resistance near $0.165 would disrupt the bearish sequence of lower highs. 

However, ENA has not achieved that yet. Therefore, the market remains reactive. Buyers defend levels, but sellers still control trend direction until structure decisively shifts.

Source: TradingView

ENA: What absorbing the downside?
Despite ongoing price weakness, 90-day Spot Taker CVD remains net positive, highlighting sustained buyer aggression during declines. 

This divergence matters. ENA has fallen more than 60% from mid-cycle highs, yet taker buyers continue absorbing sell pressure. 

That behavior suggests accumulation rather than panic-driven exits among spot participants. However, price has failed to respond constructively. 

Therefore, demand appears defensive rather than controlling. Buyers step in to slow declines, but they do not force structural change. 

Historically, such divergences weaken bearish momentum without guaranteeing reversal timing. As long as CVD remains positive, downside acceleration loses strength. 

Still, without a reclaim of resistance, accumulation alone cannot flip the trend. The signal supports stabilization, not confirmation.

Funding Rates turn positive
The OI-Weighted Funding Rate recently shifted from approximately -0.01% to around +0.005%, marking a notable change in leverage bias. 

This transition followed a sharp long-side flush, where Open Interest contracted toward the $55–$60 million range. Funding turned positive, suggesting that traders now pay to hold longs, yet conviction remains cautious. 

Rates stay shallow, indicating positioning rather than directional bets. This behavior reduces the risk of cascading liquidations on further downside. 

However, funding does not yet support breakout expectations. Instead, it signals balance. Traders anticipate stabilization but avoid excess leverage. 

Therefore, leverage no longer drives volatility. Any sustained trend change will require price expansion alongside rising participation, not funding shifts alone.

Short-side liquidity builds above current price
The Binance ENA liquidation map shows a clear concentration of short liquidation leverage above the current price near $0.20, with the densest clusters forming between $0.205 and $0.22.

These levels contain cumulative short liquidation exposure exceeding $5 million, dominated by 25x and 50x leverage positions.

In contrast, long liquidation leverage below price is comparatively thin, with limited clusters visible below $0.18 and minimal exposure extending toward $0.13.

This distribution indicates that recent positioning has favored short continuation bets rather than long leverage buildup.

As a result, upward price movement into the $0.205–$0.22 range would intersect significantly more forced liquidations than a comparable downside move.

The map therefore reflects an asymmetric liquidity profile rather than directional confirmation.

Conclusively, ENA remains structurally biased toward a downside continuation, with price likely to test the $0.1315 support zone before any meaningful rebound develops. 

Buyers have absorbed selling pressure, but have not reclaimed control of the trend. Unless aggressive demand steps in ahead of that level, downside risk persists. 

A sustainable recovery only becomes credible if ENA holds $0.1315 and then reclaims channel resistance with expanding participation.

Final Thoughts

ENA’s structure favors a downside test of $0.1315 before any recovery attempt.
A rebound requires decisive buyer intervention and a reclaim of channel resistance.
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:01 4mo ago
The Year in Ethereum 2025: Institutions Embrace ETH as the 'Ivory Tower' Crumbles cryptonews
ETH
In brief
Institutions flocked to Ethereum in 2025, with major banks and tech firms choosing its layer-2 ecosystem for tokenization and on-chain services.
Regulatory clarity unlocked Wall Street demand, making Ethereum the default network for traditional finance.
The Ethereum Foundation also shed its “ivory tower” image, ramping up enterprise outreach and launching major AI collaborations.
In an industry well-accustomed to flash and self-promotion, Ethereum has long seemed an outlier. The network’s builders have historically focused on technical accomplishments and an ideal of decentralization so pure, critics say, that they can sometimes lose sight of the bigger economic and political picture.

But this year, amidst seismic regulatory developments for the crypto industry, Ethereum has stealthily made huge inroads in arenas it long was perceived to have neglected. From Wall Street board rooms to social media timelines, 2025 was the year Ethereum finally conquered centralized institutions. 

For nearly half a decade, Wall Street veteran Vivek Raman has attempted to onboard top traditional finance players onto Ethereum.

“They all told me to politely leave their offices for four years,” Raman told Decrypt. 

The executive figured a paradigm shift might come this year, given crypto’s newfound political influence. But even he was blown away by what 2025 reaped for Ethereum at an institutional level.

“This year was validation beyond what we would have expected,” Raman said.

“The winds are at our back”In January, Raman co-founded Etherealize, an organization dedicated to making Ethereum “the backbone of global finance”. 

Over the course of this year, he said, centralized institutions have followed three significant trends when it comes to crypto. 

For one, they all are now “urgently” attempting to expand their businesses onto blockchain networks. Two: They have near-universally embraced Ethereum’s distinctive multi-layer network model as the way to do so. And three—perhaps most crucially—this embrace of Ethereum has come about organically, he claimed.

“People have just chosen Ethereum, not because there's a [business development] team, but because it's the right place to do business,” Raman said.

The success stories are almost too many to count. Base, the Coinbase-incubated layer-2 network built on Ethereum, has become one of the year's buzziest success stories in Wall Street circles. When financial services mainstay Fidelity began tokenizing assets this spring, it went with Ethereum to get the job done. So did the global banking cooperative SWIFT.

And after Robinhood went all-in on offering tokenized stocks this summer, the trading giant opted to create its own layer-2 network on Ethereum. 

Beyond that, there’s the rest of globe: Upbit in South Korea, Ant Group in China, IHC in Abu Dhabi, Amundi in Europe, and Bailie Gifford in the UK. When those financial institutions—some of the most important in the world—dove headfirst into tokenization projects this year, they all chose Ethereum (generally via layer-2 networks) as the place to do business.

Efficiency, automation, reduced counterparty risk, increased access to capital, transparency in some cases, privacy in others—there are many incentives drawing big institutions to crypto. But old school, risk-averse firms tend to move in a pack, and those in finance appear to have collectively chosen Ethereum as the default place to build on-chain this year, following similar moves made in 2024 by market leaders like BlackRock.

After years of standing on the sidelines, these firms now feel emboldened to commit to Ethereum chiefly because the crypto industry has been legitimized by the U.S. government, Danny Ryan, an Etherealize co-founder and former Ethereum core developer, told Decrypt.

In July, President Donald Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law, establishing a legal framework for issuing and trading stablecoins in the United States.

The law had little to do with integrating complex crypto maneuvers into the traditional financial system (a separate, pending crypto market structure bill covers such issues). But the GENIUS Act blessed the general concept of crypto as permissible, or perhaps more accurately, not impermissible, Ryan said.

And ever since, the crypto-cautious dam on Wall Street has burst, with or without market structure legislation.

“It didn't say, ‘Hey, all the capital markets you know and love are legal to put on a blockchain,’" Ryan said of the GENIUS Act. “It just said, ‘Hey, you can do things legally on blockchains. It's legitimate.’”

“After GENIUS, it's almost like the winds are at our back,” Raman said.

Death of the ivory towerIt’s not just external actors who have come to see Ethereum differently in 2025. Internally, leaders of the Ethereum Foundation have also made huge shifts this year, in an effort to revamp the network’s global image.

“There were a lot of unhappy people internally and externally,” James Smith, the Ethereum Foundation’s head of ecosystem, told Decrypt of the nonprofit’s previous woes.

For years, even Ethereum’s advocates complained that the network’s foundation had become mired in an isolated, holier-than-thou “ivory tower” approach—one that turned off key centralized institutions and small-scale crypto founders alike.

Smith’s job this year has been to completely reinvent how the Ethereum Foundation engages with the rest of the world.

“We’ve become much more intentional about how we engage with institutions in 2025,” he said. “We now have teams whose job is to help serious builders and enterprises plug into Ethereum.”

Take, for instance, a new initiative at the Foundation to host one-day conferences focused on appealing to big business. One upcoming event will explain staking to corporate firms in Zurich. Another, in New York, will showcase the benefits of Ethereum’s privacy features to enterprise players.

While such outreach might sound like a no-brainer, Smith says these efforts represent a “180 [degree] sea change” in the Ethereum Foundation’s approach.

“This is a really big moment for Ethereum,” he said, “which is why this is really needed.”

One growing sector that has become increasingly central to Ethereum this year—and thus to the Ethereum Foundation—has been artificial intelligence.

As the AI agent economy takes off, Ethereum's developers are betting that bots will eventually become the network’s core user base. This fall, the Foundation launched a full-time team dedicated to AI—which is rolling out collaborations with tech giants including Google.

Such alliances might seem counterintuitive for a network that has long pitched itself as a democratic alternative to the hyper-centralized power structures of Silicon Valley and Wall Street.

But Davide Crapis, the head of Ethereum’s AI team, doesn’t see the network’s growing popularity among tech and financial elites as a problem. On the contrary, he sees it as an inevitable outcome of the network’s rise to dominance.

“The focus needs to be on building the best decentralized technology we can offer,” Crapis said. “When they see the value, they will come.”

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2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:01 4mo ago
Polkadot's DOT slips 4.5% as token underperforms wider crypto markets cryptonews
DOT
DOT is facing pressure as it tries to retake the $1.76 support/resistance level. Dec 23, 2025, 2:01 p.m.

DOT$1.7473 fell 4.5% to $1.75 over the last 24 hours, underperforming wider crypto markets.

The broader market gauge, the CoinDesk 20 index, was 2.5% lower at publication time.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

The decline in DOT occurred on notably thin volume, tracking 9% below 30-day averages and highlighting the absence of institutional participation that typically drives sustained moves, according to CoinDesk Research's technical analysis model.

The model showed that DOT exhibited relative weakness against the broader cryptocurrency complex, as capital rotated toward higher-momentum assets.

The divergence reflects waning investor appetite for the token despite recent ecosystem developments, with market participants demanding clearer catalysts before re-engaging with size, according to the model.

With fundamental drivers absent, technical levels dominated price action as DOT tested key support around current levels, the model said.

Technical Analysis:

Primary support zone reinforced at $1.76Range-bound structure intact as market awaits directional catalystParticipation dropped 9% below 30-day moving average during advanceInstitutional flows remain notably absent from recent trading sessionsSideways consolidation pattern continues within established boundariesDownside risk limited given modest price appreciation and support defenseUpside potential constrained by volume concerns and relative weaknessDisclaimer: 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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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.

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BNB slips toward $850 as market pullback weighs on token

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The price of BNB has dropped over 1.5% over the past 24 hours to around $850.The decline comes amid a wider market drawdown, with bitcoin pulling back to the $87,000 level.Traders expect consolidation between $850 and $870, with a potential break above that range leading to a move towards $900.Read full story
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
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HBAR ETF Demand Weakens, Market Eyes Critical $0.10 Level cryptonews
HBAR
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Binance Reclaims the Throne: CME Loses Top Spot in Bitcoin Futures Open Interest

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Aster DEX Launches Fifth Buyback Phase to Bolster Token Value

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Cardano’s NIGHT Token Climbs 10% as Privacy Trend Gains Momentum

TL;DR Midnight, Cardano’s privacy protocol, rose by around 10.4% in 24 hours, outperforming the broader crypto market and breaking key technical levels. NIGHT is trading
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:04 4mo ago
Bitcoin options expire as bulls eye upside with $23B looming Dec. 26 cryptonews
BTC
Record $23B Bitcoin options expire Dec. 26, with max pain near current ranges and liquidity thin, setting the stage for sharp BTC volatility.

Summary

A record $23B in Bitcoin options expire Dec. 26, the largest BTC options expiry on record.​
Calls are stacked at high strikes while puts cluster at lower levels, with max pain near current prices.​
Thin holiday liquidity and position unwinds could amplify BTC volatility as institutional flows reset.

A record $23 billion in Bitcoin options contracts are scheduled to expire on Friday, December 26, representing the largest BTC options expiry in history, according to market data.

Open interest data from CoinGlass shows a heavy concentration of call options at high strike levels, indicating traders are positioning for price increases. Put options are clustered at lower strike prices, suggesting key support levels are being monitored closely.

Bitcoin options heading into Dec. 26 expiry
The Max Pain Level, defined as the price at which option holders would experience the greatest losses, sits near the high end of current trading ranges, according to the data.

The expiry total exceeds previous years’ figures, making it one of the most significant Bitcoin-related events on record.

The put-to-call ratio indicates traders are seeking upside exposure rather than downside protection, according to market analysts.

Bitcoin was trading below recent highs at the time of publication. The cryptocurrency typically experiences increased volatility ahead of major options expiries, with sharp price movements likely once contracts expire and open interest resets.

Price fluctuations near the expiry could trigger volatile swings as traders close positions and unwind hedges, according to market observers.

The expiry falls during a holiday week when market liquidity is typically reduced, allowing large orders to move prices more significantly than during normal trading periods.

The figures underscore the growing institutional presence in cryptocurrency markets, with derivatives flows increasingly influencing price movements, according to market analysts.
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:05 4mo ago
Shiba Inu's First-Ever Weekly Death Cross in 2025 Spotted, What's 2026 Bringing? cryptonews
SHIB
Tue, 23/12/2025 - 14:05

Shiba Inu price marked a new phase with the completion of the first-ever weekly death cross, with eyes now on 2026.

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.

Shiba Inu completed its first ever weekly death cross this year, a move that marked a new phase for its price, which rose millions of percent in over a year after its inception.

A death cross, which occurs when a short term moving average, in this case, the weekly MA 50, falls below the MA 200 was spotted on Shiba Inu's weekly chart in early November.

This signal coincided with broader crypto market weakness following October's crash, which saw a record $20 billion wiped out in a single day.

HOT Stories

SHIB/USD Weekly Chart, Courtesy: TradingViewShiba Inu fell to a low of $0.00000815 in the aftermath of October 10 flash crash; it not only lost the crucial $0.00001 support, but it also exposed weakness beneath. This drop reinforced a pattern of lower highs that has defined Shiba Inu trading action, tilting short term momentum to the downside.

Shiba Inu is currently on track for its fourth day of drop after a recovery attempt from Friday's low of $0.000007 stalled below $0.00000765 as technical structure still remains fragile.

At the time of writing, Shiba Inu was down 1.68% in the last 24 hours to $0.000007147 as the broader crypto market fell early Tuesday and down 10.47% weekly.

What will 2026 bring?According to a recent CryptoQuant analysis, buying pressure seems to be weakening in the market. A reversal is expected but this might not come so soon as the markets require time to recover.

If this is the scenario, Shiba Inu may remain in its current range, consolidating for a few more months before a major move.

On the other hand, if the market receives sharp buying catalysts, Shiba Inu might recover. A return above the weekly moving averages 50 and 200 at $0.00001277 and $0.00001386 might reinforce this recovery to target $0.00003344 once again.

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2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:05 4mo ago
Strategy (MSTR) Stock: Raises $748M in Cash While Pausing Bitcoin Purchases cryptonews
BTC
TLDR

Table of Contents

TLDRCash Position Strengthens Balance SheetTD Cowen Maintains Bullish OutlookGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks

Strategy sold 4.5 million common shares last week for $748 million in net proceeds
Company’s cash reserves now total $2.19 billion, enough to cover 32 months of obligations
Bitcoin purchases paused as company rebalances assets during crypto downturn
Strategy holds 671,268 Bitcoin worth over $59 billion at current prices
TD Cowen maintains buy rating with $500 price target despite stock trading around $165

Strategy sold 4.5 million shares of its Class A common stock between December 15 and 21. The sale generated $747.8 million in net proceeds through the company’s at-the-market offering program.

The cash infusion pushed Strategy’s U.S. dollar reserves to $2.19 billion. Executive chairman Michael Saylor announced the updated figures in a post this week.

The company did not purchase any Bitcoin during the period. Its last Bitcoin acquisition occurred on December 15, when it bought 10,645 BTC for $980.3 million at an average price of $92,098 per coin.

Strategy Inc, MSTR

Strategy now holds 671,268 Bitcoin worth over $59 billion. The company acquired its Bitcoin stash at an aggregate purchase price of $50.33 billion, with an average cost of $74,972 per coin.

The company established its U.S. dollar reserve in early December with an initial $1.44 billion. The reserve supports dividend payments on preferred stock and interest payments on outstanding debt.

Strategy stated it intends to maintain reserves sufficient to cover at least 12 months of obligations. The company aims to eventually expand coverage to 24 months or more.

Cash Position Strengthens Balance Sheet
TD Securities analysts led by Lance Vitanza said the expanded cash reserve strengthens Strategy’s ability to operate through challenging market conditions. The reserve now covers roughly 32 months of interest and dividend obligations.

“The move underscores the company’s balance sheet strength and should alleviate concerns about its ongoing viability, even in a prolonged ‘crypto winter’ scenario,” the analysts wrote in a Monday report.

Over the past four weeks, Strategy sold more than 22 million shares. The sales roughly matched average daily trading volume without disrupting market liquidity, according to TD Securities.

Strategy shares traded around $165 at the time of writing. The stock is down over 43% year-to-date.

TD Cowen Maintains Bullish Outlook
TD Securities reiterated its buy rating on Strategy with a $500 price target. The target represents potential upside of nearly 200% from current levels.

The analysts forecast Strategy could own approximately 835,000 Bitcoin by the end of fiscal year 2027. They project intrinsic Bitcoin value of roughly $380 per share in one year and $515 in two years.

TD Cowen analysts noted that concerns about Strategy’s balance sheet viability appear overblown. The company’s recent actions to shore up liquidity demonstrate financial strength during market stress.

Bitcoin was trading near $89,433, down 4.4% over the past 12 months. Strategy common stock has fallen nearly 50% over the past year.
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:06 4mo ago
Matador Wins CAD $80M Shelf Approval to Expand Bitcoin Treasury cryptonews
BTC
Matador Technologies has secured final regulatory approval for a CAD $80 million short form base shelf prospectus, giving the company flexibility to raise capital as it advances its Bitcoin treasury strategy. The approval allows Matador to issue common shares, warrants, subscription receipts, debt securities, or units over a 25-month period, subject to market conditions.

According to the company, the shelf prospectus is designed to support strategic Bitcoin accumulation and general corporate purposes. Management said the structure allows Matador to access capital efficiently while maintaining discipline around timing and pricing. The company framed the move as part of a long-term approach to the Bitcoin ecosystem rather than a single, fixed issuance.

Matador currently holds about 175 BTC, based on its most recent disclosures. The company said it intends to scale its holdings gradually, using multiple financing tools rather than relying on a single funding source. Executives emphasized that the shelf approval does not obligate Matador to raise capital immediately.

Bitcoin Treasury Targets and Industry ContextIn a recent post on X, Matador said it is among the top 100 public companies building a Bitcoin treasury, citing data from Bitcoin Treasuries. The tracker shows that the top 100 public companies collectively hold more than 1.05 million BTC, highlighting the growing role of corporate balance sheets in the Bitcoin market.

The same post stated that Matador is advancing toward 1,000 BTC, describing its approach as disciplined and long term. However, in its official filings and press statements tied to the shelf prospectus, the company has framed that target as a longer-dated goal, rather than a near-term commitment.

Earlier disclosures also show that Matador has used alternative financing to support its treasury strategy. The company previously announced a secured convertible note facility intended solely for Bitcoin purchases, and later issued clarifications following regulatory review. Those updates narrowed the stated use of proceeds and removed earlier, more aggressive supply-based targets.

The shelf prospectus gives Matador optionality rather than a mandate. By registering multiple types of securities, the company can choose instruments that best match market liquidity and investor demand at the time of issuance. This approach mirrors strategies used by other Bitcoin-holding public companies seeking balance-sheet exposure without committing to fixed issuance schedules.

Matador’s shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under MATA, with additional listings on OTCQB as MATAF and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The company said it will continue to disclose Bitcoin purchases and financing activity as required under securities rules, keeping investors informed as it executes its treasury plan.
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:07 4mo ago
Bitcoin Trapped Until 2026 as Holiday Trading Drains Market Liquidity: QCP cryptonews
BTC
Crypto Journalist

Anas Hassan

Crypto Journalist

Anas Hassan

Part of the Team Since

Jun 2025

About Author

Anas is a crypto native journalist and SEO writer with over five years of writing experience covering blockchain, crypto, DeFi, and emerging tech.

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Last updated: 

December 23, 2025

Bitcoin remains range-bound heading into Christmas as thinning liquidity and year-end de-risking push traders to the sidelines, with perpetual open interest dropping $3 billion for BTC and $2 billion for ETH overnight, leaving markets vulnerable to sharp moves in either direction despite reduced leverage, according to QCP Capital.

While gold surged to fresh all-time highs, gaining 67% year to date, Bitcoin has failed to break free from consolidation between $85,000 support and $93,000 resistance, closing out what analysts call its “weakest year-end performance in seven years.”

The compression comes ahead of Friday’s record-breaking Boxing Day options expiry, when roughly 300,000 Bitcoin option contracts worth $23.7 billion, alongside 446,000 IBIT option contracts, will expire.

This, according to QCP, represents over 50% of Deribit’s total open interest.

Source: X/@coinbureauOpen interest in $85,000 puts has drifted lower from 15,000 to roughly 12,000 contracts as spot stabilizes, while $100,000 calls have held relatively stable around 17,000 contracts, indicating residual optimism for a Santa rally despite limited conviction.

Year-End Flows Amplify Volatility RiskBitcoin risk reversals show easing bearish sentiment compared to the past 30 days, gradually normalizing toward pre-October levels as downside positioning softens, QCP observed.

Tax-loss harvesting ahead of the December 31 deadline could amplify short-term volatility, particularly since crypto investors can realize losses and immediately re-establish positions without wash-sale rule restrictions that apply to equities.

“Holiday-driven moves have historically tended to mean-revert,” QCP stated, noting that Christmas week price action typically fades as liquidity returns in January, “much like low-liquidity weekend spikes that often retrace once markets reopen.“

Beyond options flows, on-chain data reveals weakening buying pressure across multiple metrics.

CryptoQuant analysis shows a declining buy-volume divergence in Binance futures markets, resembling the 2021 cycle structure, where price continued to rise while volume consistently declined, which is a trend that has yet to recover.

Source: CryptoQuantActive addresses are also declining sharply, indicating that on-chain OTC activity and overall market participation are fading.

Source: CryptoQuantBitcoin ETFs have recorded $461.8 million in outflows over three days, led by BlackRock’s $173.6 million and Fidelity’s $170.3 million as year-end risk-off pressure builds.

Institutional Holders Stay Steady Despite DrawdownDespite a more than 30% drawdown from October highs, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF holdings have declined by less than 5%, indicating institutional allocators are largely holding through the current downturn.

“Selling pressure is primarily retail-driven from leveraged and short-term participants,” Ray Youssef, CEO of NoOnes, told Cryptonews.

Backing this, recent data show that global crypto ETPs have attracted $87 billion in net inflows since U.S. Bitcoin ETPs launched in January 2024.

Source: X/@CointelegraphHe added that Bitcoin “has not traded like digital gold in 2025” due to heightened sensitivity to macroeconomic factors, with upside now “tied to liquidity expansion, sovereign policy clarity, and risk sentiment, rather than to monetary debasement alone.“

Speaking with Cryptonews, Farzam Ehsani, Co-founder and CEO of VALR, also noted that “the end of this year remains one of the more challenging periods for cryptocurrencies in recent years, amid seasonal weakness, persistent overbought conditions, and a return of investor interest to more conservative instruments, primarily US government bonds.“

He outlined two plausible scenarios:

Either the current drawdown reflects strategic positioning by large players ahead of renewed accumulation.
The market is undergoing a deeper reset driven by macro headwinds and Federal Reserve policy.
Recovery Timeline Extends Into 2026Speaking with Cryptonews, John Glover, Chief Investment Officer of Ledn, expects “continued volatility with prices dipping to between $71k and $84k, which will form the bottom of Wave IV” before the fifth and final wave begins.

“My Wave V remains at $145k to $160k,” he stated, though completion of the current correction “will take months to finish.”

Source: TradingViewEhsani sees scope for Bitcoin to revisit the $100,000–$120,000 range in the second quarter of 2026, noting that “a renewed historical price high could occur as early as the first half of 2026.”

Notably, Michael Van De Poppe also observed that rejection at $90,000 “isn’t a bad sign, as of yet,” with markets clearly wanting “$86K to hold as support” to provide enough momentum to challenge resistance zones.

#Bitcoin rejects at a crucial resistance zone and continues the sideways price action.

That's unfortunate, but it remains to be building and upwards trend on the lower timeframes.

Rejection at $90K isn't a bad sign, as of yet.

The markets clearly want $86K to hold as… pic.twitter.com/iBG0xqPQ7o

— Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) December 23, 2025

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2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:09 4mo ago
CoinDesk 20 Performance Update: Uniswap Drops 3.7% as All Index Constituents Decline cryptonews
UNI
Internet Computer (ICP) was also an underperformer, down 2% from Monday.
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:09 4mo ago
Crowd Turns Against XRP — Why That Could Fuel the Next Surge cryptonews
XRP
XRP Faces Rising Negativity — A Classic Signal for a Potential Price ReboundAccording to leading on-chain analytics firm Santiment, XRP is facing unusually high levels of negative social media sentiment. 

Source: SantimentWhile this may seem bearish, history suggests it often signals the opposite. In crypto markets, extreme retail pessimism has frequently preceded strong price rebounds, positioning XRP at a potential contrarian inflection point.

Santiment’s sentiment analysis gauges crowd psychology by tracking social media discussions to determine whether traders are predominantly bullish or bearish. When negative sentiment rises well above historical norms, it signals that fear and doubt may be peaking. 

At these extremes, selling pressure often fades, setting the stage for a potential market reversal rather than further downside.

Well, this pattern reflects a classic market dynamic: prices often move against the crowd. When retail sentiment turns broadly pessimistic, most selling is already exhausted, leaving the market primed for a rebound. 

At that point, even modest buying pressure can spark upward momentum. Historically, Santiment shows that assets with unusually negative sentiment tend to outperform in the short to medium term as sentiment mean-reverts.

XRP is currently trading at $1.89, according to Coincodex, with sentiment firmly bearish and the Fear & Greed Index at 24, signaling extreme fear. 

While the token has struggled to sustain upside momentum in recent sessions, this deepening pessimism may be a contrarian signal. Historically, sentiment-driven traders view such conditions not as red flags, but as potential accumulation zones that often precede a rebound.

Specifically, negative sentiment alone doesn’t trigger instant price gains, market conditions, liquidity, and macro factors remain key. Still, extreme sentiment signals a shift in risk-reward dynamics, often favoring potential upside.

What’s next? Well, the current environment calls for attention, not panic. Overwhelmingly negative social media sentiment often signals emotional fatigue, not fundamental weakness. Historically, such extremes are when savvy investors quietly position themselves ahead of reversals.

XRP’s surge in bearish commentary may be less a warning and more a setup. If history holds, widespread doubt could fuel a surprise price rebound, a reminder that in crypto, sentiment extremes often mark opportunity.

ConclusionExtreme social media negativity on XRP may signal opportunity rather than alarm. Historically, when retail sentiment hits deep pessimism, rebounds often follow. At $1.89, XRP could be at a pivotal point, making this a key moment for contrarian-minded investors to assess risk and position for potential upside.
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:11 4mo ago
Shiba Inu Burns Hit Absolute Zero While Price Bleeds cryptonews
SHIB
Shiba Inu records zero token burns in 24 hours as SHIB price drops 2.05% to $0.000007144. Investors face uncertainty as selling pressure intensifies and recovery hopes fade.

Newton Gitonga2 min read

23 December 2025, 02:11 PM

Shiba Inu has encountered a significant setback, as the cryptocurrency's burn mechanism has come to a complete standstill. Data from Shibburn, the platform monitoring the token's deflationary measures, shows that zero burn activity occurred in the past 24 hours. This development arrives at a critical moment as SHIB struggles with persistent downward pressure.

The absence of token burns raises concerns among investors who rely on this mechanism to support price stability. The Shiba Inu ecosystem typically removes tokens from circulation by sending them to inaccessible wallets. This process aims to create scarcity and potentially drive value appreciation. However, the ecosystem failed to execute any burns despite mounting pressure on the token's market value.

SHIB has experienced notable volatility during this period. The meme coin dropped from $0.000007348 to $0.000007126 as burn activity remained at zero. Current trading data places SHIB at $0.000007124, reflecting a 2.3% decline in the last 24 hours. The token continues to underperform compared to the broader cryptocurrency market.

SHIB price chart, Source: CoinMarketCap

Selling Pressure IntensifiesMarket participants have responded to the declining prices by increasing their selling activity. Holders are exiting their positions as the downturn persists. Long-term traders have adopted a cautious stance, which has contributed to the challenging market conditions. This behavior has created additional headwinds for any potential recovery.

The Relative Strength Index for Shiba Inu reached 14, indicating oversold territory. Technical analysts typically view such readings as signals for potential rebounds. Yet the anticipated upward movement has failed to materialize. The combination of selling pressure and rising circulating supply has created an unfavorable environment for price appreciation.

Without burns to counteract the expanding supply, the token faces structural challenges. The circulating supply continues to grow while demand weakens. This imbalance threatens to perpetuate the downward trend. 

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Newton Gitonga

Newton Gitonga covers cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and digital finance. He specializes in breaking down complex trends with clear, data-driven reporting. His work focuses on market analysis, technical insights, and the evolving role of altcoins in shaping global markets.

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Latest Shiba Inu News Today (SHIB)
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:12 4mo ago
BitMine (BMNR) Stock: Company Purchases $88 Million Worth of Ethereum cryptonews
ETH
TLDR

Table of Contents

TLDRAggressive Accumulation StrategyStock Doubles on Treasury BetStaking Revenue on the HorizonGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks

BitMine acquired 29,462 ETH worth $88 million through BitGo and Kraken exchanges on Monday
Total holdings now exceed 4 million ETH with a treasury valued at approximately $12 billion
BMNR stock has surged over 110% since launching Ethereum accumulation strategy in June
Company targets acquiring 5% of Ethereum’s total circulating supply
Upcoming MAVAN staking network will generate revenue from ETH holdings

BitMine Immersion Technologies expanded its Ethereum position with an $88 million purchase this week. The Tom Lee-backed company bought 29,462 ETH on Monday through cryptocurrency platforms BitGo and Kraken.

Onchain analyst Lookonchain spotted the transactions using Arkham Intelligence data. BitMine has not publicly confirmed these specific purchases yet.

The company did announce Monday that it acquired 98,852 ETH last week. BitMine now controls 4,066,062 ETH tokens purchased at an average price of $2,991 each.

Bitmine Immersion Technologies, Inc., BMNR

At current market prices, the treasury holds roughly $12 billion in value. This makes BitMine the largest corporate holder of Ethereum globally.

Aggressive Accumulation Strategy
The NYSE-listed firm launched its Ethereum treasury plan on June 30, 2024. Since then, the company has relentlessly accumulated tokens to reach its goal of owning 5% of Ethereum’s circulating supply.

Tom Lee serves as BitMine Chairman and co-founded investment research firm Fundstrat. He believes Ethereum will transform global finance through its dominance in DeFi and tokenization.

“We are making rapid progress towards the ‘alchemy of 5%’ and we are already seeing the synergies borne from our substantial ETH holdings,” Lee said in Monday’s statement.

Lee positioned BitMine as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain. The company engages with developers in the DeFi community while facilitating Wall Street’s move toward tokenization.

Stock Doubles on Treasury Bet
BMNR shares delivered outsized returns since the treasury strategy began. The stock climbed more than 110% from June through its peak rally.

Shares traded at $31.09 on Tuesday, down 1.52% for the day. The stock previously soared from single digits to above $50 before consolidating at current levels.

Investors treat BitMine as a leveraged play on Ethereum. The company offers exposure to ETH’s upside while maintaining a debt-free balance sheet.

Ethereum traded at $2,954.98 on Tuesday, dropping 2.3% during the session. Retail sentiment for ETH registered as ‘bearish’ with ‘low’ chatter volume.

Staking Revenue on the Horizon
BitMine plans to monetize its massive ETH position through staking operations. The company is developing its Made in America Validator Network, known as MAVAN.

This staking infrastructure will generate passive income from the treasury holdings. The revenue model adds another layer to BitMine’s Ethereum investment thesis.

DefiLlama data confirms Ethereum leads all blockchains in DeFi activity measured by total value locked. The network maintains its dominance despite growing competition from other Layer-1 chains.

BitMine continued buying even as crypto markets faced volatility. The company’s consistent accumulation demonstrates conviction in Ethereum’s long-term potential. The firm operates with clear targets and a defined strategy for building the largest corporate Ethereum treasury in existence.
2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:18 4mo ago
Bitcoin Price Prediction: BTC Price Drops Below $88,000, Could Bears Win 2025 Despite New ATH? cryptonews
BTC
Bitcoin

Cryptocurrency

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Crypto Writer

Arslan Butt

Crypto Writer

Arslan Butt

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Sep 2022

About Author

Arslan Butt is an experienced webinar speaker, market analyst, and content writer specializing in crypto, forex, and commodities. He provides expert insights, trading strategies, and in-depth analysis...

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We believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. However, this potential compensation never influences our analysis, opinions, or reviews. Our editorial content is created independently of our marketing partnerships, and our ratings are based solely on our established evaluation criteria. Read More

Last updated: 

December 23, 2025

Bitcoin Price Prediction
Bitcoin is trading near $87,550, down roughly 2.6% over the past 24 hours, as short-term sentiment cools across crypto markets. Despite the pullback, the broader structure suggests consolidation rather than collapse. Bitcoin remains the largest digital asset by market value, with a capitalization of $1.74 tn, while daily trading volume holds above $42 bn, signaling continued institutional and retail participation.

Market-wide indicators reinforce the cautious tone. The Crypto Fear and Greed Index sits at 29, firmly in “fear” territory, while the Altcoin Season Index reads just 17, underscoring a decisive rotation back into Bitcoin dominance.

Total crypto market capitalization stands near $2.96 tn, down from early-December highs but still well above key long-term support levels.

Bitcoin (BTC/USD) Technical Structure Signals Compression, Not PanicOn the 4-hour chart, Bitcoin price prediction seems bearish as BTC continues to trade inside a descending channel that has guided price action since the rejection near $94,200 earlier this month. While lower highs remain intact, downside momentum has slowed.

Price has repeatedly held above the $84,500 support zone, forming a series of higher lows that hint at buyer absorption rather than forced liquidation.

Bitcoin (BTC/USD) Price Chart – Source: TradingviewThe 50-EMA and 100-EMA, clustered between $88,300 and $88,900, are acting as a compression zone. Price is hovering just below this band, often a sign of balance before expansion. Candlestick behavior reinforces this view, with recent sessions producing spinning tops and small-bodied candles, signaling indecision rather than aggressive selling.

Breakout Levels That Matter NextFrom a pattern perspective, Bitcoin appears to be coiling for a directional move. A decisive break above $90,500, which aligns with the channel top and a key pivot zone, would likely open the door toward $94,200, followed by $98,000 if momentum accelerates.

Until then, technical analysis suggest a possible retest of $85,000–$84,500 before any breakout attempt.

Key levels to monitor:

Support: $84,500, then $80,600
Resistance: $90,500, $94,200, $98,000
Bitcoin Outlook: Consolidation Before the Next Trend LegWhile sentiment gauges remain cautious, price behavior tells a more constructive story. Bitcoin’s current range looks less like distribution and more like preparation. If BTC holds above $84,500 and reclaims $90,500, the structure supports a medium-term advance toward $98,000–$101,000.

For longer-term participants, periods of fear combined with technical compression have historically preceded stronger trend legs as confidence rebuilds.

PEPENODE: A Mine-to-Earn Meme Coin Nearing Presale ClosePEPENODE is gaining momentum as a next-generation meme coin that blends viral culture with interactive gameplay. With over $2.38 mn raised and the presale approaching its cap, interest is building fast as the countdown enters its final stretch.

What makes PEPENODE stand out is its mine-to-earn virtual ecosystem. Instead of passive holding, users can build digital server rooms using Miner Nodes and facilities, earning simulated rewards through a visual dashboard. The concept brings gamification and competition into the meme coin space, giving holders something to do before launch.

The project also offers presale staking, allowing early participants to earn boosted rewards ahead of the token generation event. Leaderboards and bonus incentives are planned post-launch to keep engagement high.

With 1 $PEPENODE priced at $0.0012064 and limited allocation remaining, the presale is entering its final opportunity window for early buyers.

Click Here to Participate in the Presale

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2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:20 4mo ago
Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP Have Hit 'Final Low', Raoul Pal Says: 'Do Nothing' To 'Make It' In Bullish 2026 cryptonews
BTC ETH XRP
Real Vision CEO Raoul Pal says the crypto market has likely hit its “final low” and urges investors to “do nothing” but hold as a massive wave of global liquidity prepares to hit markets in 2026.

What Happened: In a recent interview on the When Shift Happens podcast, Pal reinforced his “Everything Code” thesis, arguing that the recent correction was a necessary clearing event before the next leg up.

Pal argues that retail investors lose money by over-trading or using leverage during volatility and would be better advised to follow a two-pronged “do nothing” strategy:

The Minimum Regret Portfolio: Pal advocates for a concentrated bet on major Layer-1 blockchains rather than chasing memecoins. “Layer-1s won’t go to zero in one cycle,” Pal noted.

The 5-Year Cycle: Contrary to the popular 4-year halving theory, Pal argues this cycle extends into 2026 due to debt rollovers. “Liquidity really is required in 2026 because we’ve got $10 trillion to roll.”
Instead of focusing on majors like Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) or XRP (CRYPTO: XRP), Pal remains “massively overweight” on Sui (CRYPTO: SUI).

Using Metcalfe’s Law models regarding active users and stablecoin flows, Pal estimates Sui is approximately 80% undervalued compared to Solana (CRYPTO: SOL).

He acknowledges the ecosystem relies on Mysten Labs proving adoption, but views the risk/reward as convex.

Why It Matters: Pal points to upcoming banking regulation changes as a silent signal that the Fed and Treasury are preparing to flood the system.

New rules allowing banks to hold Treasuries with lower risk weighting could unleash unlimited purchasing power.

Pal argues that fiscal stimulus, such as President Donald Trump‘s much-touted “no tax on tips,” and expansionary monetary policy in China could combine for a “perfect storm” for risk assets.

One overlooked beneficiary of such a development may be privacy coins like Zcash (CRYPTO: ZEC).

Still, Pal warns of “renting conviction” from prominent backers and stated that he is waiting for ZEC to form a “higher low” and prove the trend isn’t just a rotation of capital before allocating.

What’s Next: Pal predicts the total crypto market cap will reach $100 trillion over the next decade.

For 2026, his thesis is simple: the liquidity that was drained in late 2025 is coming back with a vengeance.

“We’re 3% of the way there,” Pal stated. “Just don’t get shaken out.”

Read Next:

Cardano’s Hoskinson Says ‘Time to Get Cooking’ With Solana: Is A SOL-ADA Cooperation Coming?
Photo: Shutterstock

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2025-12-23 14:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 09:21 4mo ago
Ripple (XRP) News Today: December 23 cryptonews
XRP
What's the latest in the Ripple (XRP) ecosystem?

In the following lines, we will explore the latest partnership expansions by Ripple, and we will take a look at the growing inflows into the spot XRP ETFs.

We will also touch upon the asset’s price performance, which has been rather underwhelming as of late.

XRP Healthcare and TJM News
At the end of the previous business week, Ripple outlined the expansion of its partnership with TJM Investments, a FINRA-regulated broker-dealer, and TJM Institutional Services, an NFA-registered introducing broker (TJM). The new deal would allow TJM to offer its clients improved capital and collateral efficiency as well as enhanced clearing stability and balance-sheet support via Ripple Price – the newly rebranded multi-asset prime brokerage platform.

“We are pleased to deepen our partnership with TJM, which reflects the shared vision and trust the principals of our businesses have cultivated for over a quarter-century,” commented Noel Kimmel, President of Ripple Prime.

Separately, XRP Healthcare, a Web3 company building a blockchain-based healthcare payment platform on the XRP Ledger, announced securing a global trademark protection across healthcare services, digital health technology, and payment-related infrastructure in several global jurisdictions.

The trademark is now registered in the US under Classes 9 and 44, with established registrations in the UK, EU, UAE, and Uganda. XRP Healthcare also said it’s working on receiving the green light in other jurisdictions.

Thirdly, Upshift, Clearstar, and Flare announced in a press release shared with CryptoPotato that they have jointly launched earnXRP, a new XRP-denominated yield vault designed to make earning on-chain XRP yield simpler, more transparent, and more accessible.

This will allow token holders to generate yield directly denominated in XRP, without managing complex DeFi strategies themselves.

You may also like:

Ripple (XRP) ETFs Continue to Outperform BTC, ETH Funds Despite Cooling Inflows

Not Journalism: Ripple CEO Slams NYT Over ‘Crypto Hit Piece’

Ripple (XRP) Whales Step Up as Taker Demand Flips Bullish

Ripple ETF Streak Continues
Canary Capital’s XRPC became the first spot XRP ETF to launch in the US with 100% exposure to the asset on November 13. Since then, four more products have followed suit, and the financial vehicles have enjoyed investors’ attention.

In well over a month, they have seen only green days in terms of net inflows. The total amount allocated to the funds exceeded $1.1 billion as of Monday’s close, when $43.89 million entered the ETFs. Moreover, the spot XRP funds have outperformed all other crypto-based ETFs since November 13.

XRP Price Update
Despite the overall bullish year for Ripple and the growing ETF inflows, the underlying asset’s price performance has been quite disappointing lately. It traded above $2.55 on November 13, ahead of the first ETF launch, but has tumbled to under $2.00 as of press time, losing over 20% of its value.

After another unsuccessful breakout attempt yesterday, it was stopped at $1.95 and now sits below $1.90, which is a key support line. If decisively broken to the downside, it could lead to another drop to $1.70 or even $1.00.

Naturally, the overall sentiment toward the asset has turned bearish, which could actually be a blessing in disguise. Santiment reported that XRP has benefited greatly in previous such instances when the crowd turned against it.

Tags:
2025-12-23 13:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 07:15 4mo ago
Risk aversion boosts gold, hurts bitcoin: Crypto Daybook Americas cryptonews
BTC
Your day-ahead look for Dec. 23, 2025Updated Dec 23, 2025, 12:30 p.m. Published Dec 23, 2025, 12:15 p.m.

Risk aversion puts the brakes on any bitcoin advance. (GoranH/Pixabay modified by CoinDesk)

What to know: You are viewing Crypto Daybook Americas, your morning briefing on what happened in the crypto markets overnight and what's expected during the coming day. Crypto Daybook Americas will kickstart your morning with comprehensive insights. If you're not already subscribed to the email, click here. You won't want to start your day without it.

Crypto Daybook Americas will be on hiatus for a while starting Wednesday. We'll be back Jan. 5 with your regular wake-up call of what stirred the industry overnight and what's coming up in the day ahead. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!

By Omkar Godbole (All times ET unless indicated otherwise)

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

The crypto market mood remains somber ahead of the U.S. GDP data report due later today, which is expected to show the world's largest economy held firm in the third quarter.

Bitcoin BTC$87,695.37, the largest cryptocurrency by market value, fell to $87,500 after failing to hold gains above $90,000 on Monday. All 16 CoinDesk indexes are down over 24 hours, with the DeFi Select index dropping 4% and the metaverse index losing over 3%. HASH and RAIN are the only top-100 tokens by market cap to have gained more than 6% over the past 24 hours.

The overall weak tone is confounding, given the continued decline in the dollar index, which generally bodes well for risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. The DXY has dropped below 98.00 and is on the verge of hitting its lowest since early October.

"It is noteworthy that this occurred against the backdrop of a decisive rally in gold and other precious metals, as well as the momentum of the weakening dollar. This once again highlights the change in the underlying attitude to risk, which is also confirmed by the sell-off of global bonds," Alex Kuptsikevich, chief market analyst at FxPro, said in an email.

"In the coming weeks, we can expect an even more pronounced decline in cryptocurrencies, as well as the spread of risk aversion to stocks and currencies of developing countries," he said.

At 8:30 a.m., the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis will unveil its preliminary estimate for the third-quarter gross domestic product. Most economists forecast an annualized 3.2% growth rate for the period, with some eyeing a print as high as 3.5%.

Figures like these indicate a slowing from the second quarter's 3.8% pace, yet still comfortably exceed the 2.6% average maintained since late 2021.

A weaker-than-expected print could reignite demand for BTC, though it will be interesting to see whether it sustainably lifts prices above $90,000, a level that has acted as a ceiling lately.

In traditional markets, futures tied to the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are little changed, indicating a lack of directional clarity at the opening bell. Historically, these indexes have fared well during the final days of the year.

Gold's rally continues, with the metal approaching $4,500 per ounce. Meanwhile, the yen strengthened against the dollar on speculation the Bank of Japan could intervene in FX markets to stall the currency's recent slide. Stay alert!

Read more: For analysis of today's activity in altcoins and derivatives, see Crypto Markets Today

What to WatchFor a more comprehensive list of events this week, see CoinDesk's "Crypto Week Ahead".

CryptoDec. 23, 9 a.m.: FLR$0.01149 AMA on XDec. 23, 11 a.m.: NATIX$0.0₃2951 live “WorldSeek Demo” on X.MacroDec. 23, 8:30 a.m.: U.S. Oct. Durable Goods Orders MoM Est. -1.5%; Ex. Transport MoM Est. 0.3%; Ex. Defense MoM (Prev. 0.1%).Dec. 23, 8:30 a.m. U.S. Q3 PCE Prices QoQ (second estimate). Headline Est. 2.9%; Core Est. 2.9%.Dec. 23, 8:30 a.m.: U.S. Q3 GDP (initial estimate) (Prev. 3.8%).Dec. 23, 10 a.m.: Dec. CB Consumer Confidence Est. 92.Earnings (Estimates based on FactSet data)Nothing scheduled.Token EventsFor a more comprehensive list of events this week, see CoinDesk's "Crypto Week Ahead".

Governance votes & callsYearn DAO is voting to rotate multisig signers (YIP-89) and enact a yETH recovery plan (YIP-90) that utilizes Treasury yield, a 10% revenue redirect, and forfeited claims to repay users. Voting ends Dec. 23.GMX DAO is voting to seed the new GMX-Solana deployment with $400,000 USDC, using half to buy GMX tokens to create a balanced initial liquidity pool. Voting ends Dec. 23.Aave DAO is voting to reclaim full ownership of brand assets, including domains, social handles, and naming rights, from service providers like Aave Labs, transferring them to a DAO-controlled entity to prevent private misuse. Voting ends Dec. 26.UnlocksNo major unlocks.Token LaunchesDec. 23: Aster's stage 5 buyback program Starts.ConferencesFor a more comprehensive list of events this week, see CoinDesk's "Crypto Week Ahead".

Nothing scheduled.Market MovementsBTC is down 0.44% from 4 p.m. ET Monday at $87,638.35 (24hrs: -2.41%)ETH is down 0.2% at $2,967.13 (24hrs: -2.47%)CoinDesk 20 is down 0.3% at 2,717.75 (24hrs: -2.16%)Ether CESR Composite Staking Rate is up 4 bps at 2.84%BTC funding rate is at 0.0046% (5.0315% annualized) on BinanceDXY is down 0.39% at 97.90Gold futures are up 1.04% at $4,516.00Silver futures are up 1.66% at $69.70Nikkei 225 closed little changed at 50,412.87Hang Seng closed down 0.11% at 25,774.14FTSE is little changed at 9,869.30Euro Stoxx 50 is little changed at 5,742.58DJIA closed on Monday up 0.47% at 48,362.68S&P 500 closed up 0.64% at 6,878.49Nasdaq Composite closed up 0.52% at 23,428.83S&P/TSX Composite closed up 0.77% at 32,000.10S&P 40 Latin America closed up 0.42% at 3,100.71U.S. 10-Year Treasury rate is down 2.6 bps at 4.145%E-mini S&P 500 futures are unchanged at 6,932.75E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures are unchanged at 25,706.00E-mini Dow Jones Industrial Average Index futures are unchanged at 48,687.00 Bitcoin StatsBTC Dominance: 59.58% (unchanged)Ether to bitcoin ratio: 0.03388 (-0.24%)Hashrate (seven-day moving average): 1,051 EH/sHashprice (spot): $37.27Total Fees: 2.55 BTC / $227,479CME Futures Open Interest: 112,885 BTCBTC priced in gold: 20.8 ozBTC vs gold market cap: 5.86%Technical Analysis

SOL's daily chart in candlestick chart. (TradingView)

The chart shows solana's SOL$124.14 daily price swings in candlestick format. The token price recently broke below the weekslong sideways consolidation pattern only to bounce back on the following day, trapping bears on the wrong side of the market. That's a classic "Wyckoff spring action," pointing to seller fatigue, often the first sign of an impending trend reversal higher. The bullish reversal, however, needs confirmation in the form of a break above the upper boundary of the channel formation. Crypto EquitiesCoinbase Global (COIN): closed on Monday at $247.9 (+1.13%), pre-market down 0.57% to $246.49Circle Internet (CRCL): closed at $87 (+1.01%), -1.44% at $85.74Galaxy Digital (GLXY): closed at $24.61 (+2.54%), -0.49% at $24.49Bullish (BLSH): closed at $45.52 (+2.06%), -2.16% at $44.58MARA Holdings (MARA): closed at $10.13 (-0.49%), -0.79% at $10.05Riot Platforms (RIOT): closed at $14.4 (-0.69%), -0.14% at $14.38Core Scientific (CORZ): closed at $15.79 (+1.22%), -0.16% at $15.77CleanSpark (CLSK): closed at $12.1 (+0.58%), -0.91% at $11.99CoinShares Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF (WGMI): closed at $42.18 (+2.63%)Exodus Movement (EXOD): closed at $15.77 (+1.68%)Crypto Treasury Companies

Strategy (MSTR): closed at $164.32 (-0.3%), -0.45% at $163.52Semler Scientific (SMLR): closed at $17.41 (2.9%), unchangedSharpLink Gaming (SBET): closed at $9.57 (-2.45%), -0.52% at $9.52Upexi (UPXI): closed at $1.99 (-4.33%), -1.01% at $1.97Lite Strategy (LITS): closed at $1.41 (-1.4%), unchangedETF FlowsSpot BTC ETFs

Daily net flows: -$142.2 millionCumulative net flows: $57.25 billionTotal BTC holdings ~1.31 millionSpot ETH ETFs

Daily net flows: $84.6 millionCumulative net flows: $12.55 billionTotal ETH holdings ~6.09 millionSource: Farside Investors

While You Were SleepingBitcoin trails polar opposites, gold and copper, as the 'fear and AI' trade lifts tangible assets (CoinDesk): Investors seeking both safety and growth appear to have reached an unexpected consensus in 2025: Bitcoin is failing to capture either trade.Miner capitulation is a contrarian signal, indicating renewed bitcoin momentum, VanEck says (CoinDesk): The past 30 days marked the steepest hashrate drop since April 2024, a pattern historically linked to miner capitulation and markets nearer local bottoms than tops.AAVE falls 18% over week as dispute pulls down token deeper than major crypto tokens (CoinDesk): A governance clash over control of branding and public messaging has weighed on sentiment, despite founder Stani Kulechov purchasing $12.6 million worth of AAVE tokens.More For You

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

More For You

Bitcoin finds its legs: Crypto Daybook Americas

Dec 22, 2025

Your day-ahead look for Dec. 22, 2025

What to know:

You are viewing Crypto Daybook Americas, your morning briefing on what happened in the crypto markets overnight and what's expected during the coming day. Crypto Daybook Americas will kickstart your morning with comprehensive insights. If you're not already subscribed to the email, click here. You won't want to start your day without it.

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2025-12-23 13:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 07:22 4mo ago
ONDO Approaches Critical Weekly Support as Institutional Growth Accelerates cryptonews
ONDO
TLDR

ONDO approaches $0.20–$0.30 weekly support, signaling potential rebound opportunities.
TVL hits $1.93B as investors accumulate tokenized treasuries for on-chain yield.
SEC closes investigation with no charges, enabling U.S. institutional expansion.
Price may retest $0.58 neckline if weekly support holds and buyers step in.

ONDO is nearing a critical weekly support zone, trading between $0.20 and $0.30, where buying pressure could emerge. 

The token currently sits at $0.39, indicating a late-stage pullback rather than a new breakdown. Market trends show lower highs and lower lows, with declining volume suggesting potential seller exhaustion. 

Observers note that if the support zone holds, ONDO may attempt to retest the previous neckline at $0.58.

Weekly Support Zone and Price Action
According to CryptoPulse, ONDO is sliding toward the $0.20–$0.30 weekly support zone, historically a strong accumulation area. 

The market structure lost the previous bullish neckline around $0.58, confirming a broader trend reset. Price patterns show a series of declining highs and lows, indicating sellers are weakening as the market nears this key level. 

🎯 $ONDO Weekly Support Watch$ONDO is approaching a key weekly support zone around $0.20–$0.30, an area where buyers may start stepping in.

If this zone holds, price could rebound and retest the broken neckline near the $0.58 area. 🚀

However, a weekly close below $0.18… pic.twitter.com/gXSakbHpYA

— CryptoPulse (@CryptoPulse_CRU) December 23, 2025

Volume has also dropped, signaling reduced selling pressure, which may benefit buyers if they step in.

CryptoPulse emphasized that a defensive reaction at this support zone could set up a mean-reversion bounce. The first upside objective is a retest of the $0.58 broken neckline, where resistance may be strong. 

Traders are watching this level closely, as it could determine the next phase of price movement. A weekly close below $0.18 would invalidate bullish expectations and signal further downside.

This week is considered pivotal, as market participants look for strong buying reactions and increased volume. Any recovery may hinge on the demand zone sustaining price action. 

Analysts suggest monitoring the $0.20–$0.30 area for indications of accumulation. Patience is required if the zone fails to hold, as deeper downside remains possible.

Institutional Developments and Fundamental Growth
ONDO’s total value locked (TVL) continues to rise despite sideways price movements. Altcoin Buzz reported TVL reaching $1.93 billion, reflecting ongoing institutional interest. 

The platform focuses on tokenized treasuries and real-world assets, allowing investors to generate stable on-chain yields. Price movements have lagged behind adoption, but fundamental growth remains evident across the network.

ONDO TVL HITS $1.93B DESPITE MARKET CHOP

While prices are sideways, the value locked in $ONDO is exploding.

TVL just hit $1.93 Billion.

The "Real World Asset" story isn't a fad; it’s a migration of capital.

Whales are accumulating tokenized treasuries for stable, on-chain… pic.twitter.com/pvCgkG8Wgj

— Altcoin Buzz (@Altcoinbuzzio) December 23, 2025

The SEC investigation into ONDO Finance has concluded with no charges or enforcement actions. 

Altcoin Buzz noted this clearance removes regulatory uncertainty, paving the way for institutional expansion in the U.S. ONDO is now advancing with the acquisition of Oasis Pro Markets, a regulated broker-dealer. This move strengthens the connection between traditional finance and the ONDO ecosystem.

Institutional investors are now able to participate without regulatory obstacles, signaling a clearer path for large-scale adoption. 

The combination of increasing TVL and regulatory approval highlights the platform’s readiness for broader market engagement. ONDO’s ongoing developments emphasize stability in both operational execution and asset accumulation.

Market participants are closely monitoring ONDO’s progression, noting that price action is influenced by both fundamental growth and technical support levels. 

With the weekly support zone approaching, investor behavior will determine whether the token can sustain a recovery. Overall, ONDO’s combination of growing TVL and regulatory clarity positions it for strategic advancement in the crypto sector.
2025-12-23 13:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 07:30 4mo ago
Tether-Linked Entities Reportedly Bought Northern Data's Bitcoin Mining Unit cryptonews
BTC
Companies controlled by senior executives at Tether were reportedly among the buyers of Peak Mining, the bitcoin mining arm sold by Northern Data, which is majority owned by the stablecoin giant.
2025-12-23 13:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 07:30 4mo ago
Analyst Reveals Bitcoin Make Or Break Level Amid Campaign For $90,000 cryptonews
BTC
Bitcoin (BTC) is trading at a critical level as market participants watch closely for its next major move. A crypto analyst has revealed that the leading cryptocurrency is approaching a make-or-break level as it hovers around a key support zone that has been holding the price in the short term.
2025-12-23 13:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 07:34 4mo ago
Ethereum Stablecoins See Surge in Business Transactions cryptonews
ETH
Ethereum stablecoins are showing a big shift in how people use them. Recent data from Artemis Analytics reveals a fresh look at how stablecoins work on the Ethereum network.
Ethereum stablecoins are becoming real money for companies and everyday use.

What Are Ethereum Stablecoins Used For?
Ethereum stablecoins are price-stable digital tokens pegged to real currencies, such as the U.S. dollar. The most common ones on Ethereum are USDC and USDT. These coins are digital cash you can send, receive, or spend anytime. Historically, people used them to exchange value, but new research shows the story is changing.

1/ How are stablecoins actually being used? New research by @lightspark and @artemis unpacks the data. Volume has doubled year-over-year, but it’s not driven by retail adoption… pic.twitter.com/RbPPh38pQo

— Christian Catalini (@ccatalini) December 19, 2025

How People and Businesses Actually Use Them
1) Peer-to-Peer Transactions
Looking at transaction volume, about 67% of Ethereum stablecoin transfers are between individual wallets. But that doesn’t mean the biggest amounts of money are moving that way.

The majority of those person-to-person transfers are smaller, often less than $1,000. They’re simple value exchanges, like tipping friends, splitting bills, or sending small payments on the chain.

2) Business-to-Business
When you switch from counting transactions to counting value transferred, something big shows up. Business-to-business (B2B) interactions account for far more stablecoin volume than you might think. Even though B2B transfers occur less often, they tend to be much larger in dollar terms. Companies are using Ethereum stablecoins to pay suppliers, settle invoices, move big sums, or manage treasury activity.

Most stablecoin transactions on Ethereum are P2P at 67%

Most of the volume isn’t (only 24%).

Over the last 12 months:

B2B volume grew 156%

Average transaction size rose 45%

P2B grew fastest at 167%

Institutions aren’t sending more payments. They’re sending bigger ones.… pic.twitter.com/Mz03DHzhuS

— James ⟠ | Snapcrackle.eth (@Snapcrackle) December 22, 2025

3) Growing Person-to-Business Payments
Another trend is P2B (person-to-business), where a consumer pays a business. This slice is growing fastest and outpacing simple P2P payments in growth rate. That means regular users are using stablecoins to buy things or pay for services, not only to send money to friends.

Why This Matters
Ethereum still hosts about half of the world’s stablecoin supply, making it a major hub for value transfer. Stablecoin payment volume accounts for a large share of on-chain transfers, up to ~47% when including all payments.

Most of the value is often in a small number of large wallets, indicating that companies and financial players are now big users. This suggests that individuals are no longer the sole consumers of Ethereum stablecoins. They are now used in real financial commerce, such as traditional banking rails, but globally, on a digital platform.

📊 INSIGHT: Ethereum stablecoin B2B volume is up 156%, while P2B leads growth at +167%.

Pointing to larger institutional payments and faster consumer-to-business adoption, per Ethereum Foundation Head of Ecosystem James Smith. pic.twitter.com/LPvjmOtFZ7

— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) December 23, 2025

Conclusion
Ethereum stablecoins are currently facing a pivotal moment. What started as a tool for simple transfers between friends is now becoming a real payment network for business and commerce. Stablecoins are moving beyond speculation to actual, real-world value exchange.

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.
2025-12-23 13:23 4mo ago
2025-12-23 07:34 4mo ago
Gold Makes All-Time High Leap Near $4,500 — Is Bitcoin on Alert? cryptonews
BTC
Gold Hits New Record High at $4,486 Amid Rate Cut SpeculationGold price has surged to a new all-time high (ATH), trading at $4,486 an ounce for the first time, according to CoinCodex. 

Source: CoinCodexThe rally reflects growing investor expectations that the US Federal Reserve will implement further interest rate cuts next year, analysts say, fueling demand for the precious metal as a safe haven asset.

Gold started the year at $2,600 an ounce but has surged 72.5%, its biggest annual jump since 1979, driven by geopolitical tensions, Trump-era trade tariffs, and rate-cut speculation, says Adrian Ash of BullionVault.

As expectations for lower interest rates rise, traditional investments like bonds yield less, pushing investors toward alternatives that balance returns with diversification. Gold, silver, and other commodities have become top choices for risk-averse investors navigating financial uncertainty.

Well, Global central banks are driving gold’s rally by expanding their physical holdings to hedge against economic volatility, reduce reliance on the US dollar, and diversify reserves. Goldman Sachs forecasts that central bank buying will continue through 2026, providing sustained support for the market.

Source: goldmansachsNotably, surging demand from private and institutional investors, fueled by geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, is driving gold to record highs. Analysts are now watching closely to see if this momentum holds amid shifting global interest rates and evolving trade dynamics.

Therefore, gold’s 2025 record-breaking rally reinforces its status as a reliable hedge against economic uncertainty. Despite ongoing price volatility, the metal’s appeal remains strong amid low interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and evolving global monetary policies.

What Gold’s Record-Breaking Price Means for BitcoinGold’s historic price leap has mixed implications for Bitcoin. Often called ‘digital gold’ because of its capped supply and decentralised nature, Bitcoin can move with gold during market stress as investors hunt inflation hedges, but the correlation is imperfect, and short-term liquidity and risk-sentiment swings can send the two assets in different directions.

Specifically, the gold rally may prompt some investors to shift capital from riskier assets, including cryptocurrencies, toward the stability of gold, creating short-term pressure on Bitcoin. 

Yet, Bitcoin’s rise as an alternative asset could benefit from the same macroeconomic forces, inflation, geopolitical tensions, and market uncertainty, positioning it as a complementary hedge and supporting long-term demand.

While gold’s record highs signal investor caution, Bitcoin’s decentralized, finite supply makes it an appealing alternative for diversifying beyond fiat and traditional commodities. Rising institutional interest and growing ETF adoption suggest Bitcoin could remain resilient even as gold steals the spotlight.

Well, gold’s historic rally signals both caution and opportunity for Bitcoin. While some capital may shift to gold for short-term stability, persistent inflation, currency risks, and financial uncertainty continue to bolster Bitcoin’s case as ‘digital gold.’ 

Investors now face a balancing act of harnessing gold’s safety while exploring crypto’s long-term growth and diversification potential.