Market Signal Briefing

Stock futures rose across the board in the U.S. as the tech-led rally continued into the holiday-shortened trading week.

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SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ambarella, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMBA), an edge AI semiconductor company, today announced in advance of CES its reaffirmed commitment to advancing the drone market with high-performance, low-power system-on-chips (SoCs) that combine industry-leading video processing with on-device artificial intelligence (AI). As drones evolve from “flying cameras” to intelligent robotic platforms with higher autonomy, Ambarella is investing in technologies that help drone makers deliver higher image quality, lower latency decision-making, and more autonomous capabilities without relying on constant cloud connectivity.

A History Rooted in Aerial Imaging
Ambarella has a long-standing heritage in video compression and image signal processing that helped define modern aerial imaging. Over the past decade, the company’s SoCs have been widely adopted across camera-centric form factors, including products that demand stabilized, high-resolution video, efficient power consumption and consistent performance in dynamic lighting conditions. This foundation in imaging has positioned Ambarella to support the next wave of drone innovation, where video quality and on-device AI compute intelligence increasingly converge.

Edge AI is Becoming Central to Drones and Ambarella is Positioned to Win
Across the industry, drones are rapidly incorporating AI “on the edge” inside these edge-endpoint devices to reduce latency, improve reliability, enhance safety and enable real-time understanding of the environment. By running AI locally on the drone, manufacturers can deliver capabilities such as intelligent subject tracking, obstacle awareness, scene understanding and event detection while minimizing backhaul bandwidth and supporting operation in connectivity-challenged environments.

Ambarella’s CVflow® AI architecture and large portfolio of its CV families of SoCs, now in their third generation, are designed to bring advanced computer vision and deep learning inference to power and thermally constrained devices like drones, pairing AI acceleration with robust imaging pipelines to help OEMs build more capable airborne systems.

“Drones are quickly transforming into intelligent edge aerial robots, capturing, processing and understanding the world in real time,” said Fermi Wang, President and CEO of Ambarella. “Ambarella’s heritage in high-quality imaging, combined with our CVflow AI roadmap, enables drone makers to push more autonomy and more insight onto the drone itself, where every millisecond and every milliwatt matters.”

Commercial, Consumer and Prosumer Drone Use Cases Rising and Ambarella is Expanding its Focus
As regulations mature and organizations seek safer, faster and more cost-effective workflows, commercial, consumer and prosumer drone deployments continue to broaden. Applications such as infrastructure inspection, construction and surveying, precision agriculture, energy and utilities, public safety, and industrial site monitoring are driving demand for smarter sensing and actionable intelligence at the point of capture. Ambarella is actively exploring and expanding several engagements across these segments where customers increasingly value edge AI for real-time detection, classification, central domain control and decision support, alongside premium imaging for recording video to document 360 views of the flight path, as well as taking photos.

Antigravity Deploys Ambarella CV5 in Antigravity A1 – World’s First 360 Drone¹.
As a recent example of next-generation drone innovation, Antigravity is leveraging Ambarella’s CV5 AI SoC for 8K imaging, as well as this SoC’s internal CVflow AI accelerator to do on-device inferencing, highlighting how advanced video processing and on-device intelligence can be integrated in a modern aerial platform to deliver a differentiated user experience.

“The Antigravity A1 reflects our ambition to push drone imaging forward, capturing more detail, more reliably, in more situations,” said Antigravity CEO Michael Shabun. “By leveraging Ambarella’s CV5 SoC for high-quality imaging with its integrated CVflow architecture for on-device AI acceleration and inferencing, we can deliver intelligent capabilities at the edge while staying focused on efficiency and performance.”

Ambarella’s Drone-Forward Priorities
Ambarella’s ongoing drone innovation is centered on helping drone vendors deliver:

Cinematic, compute-driven imaging with advanced ISP capabilities for challenging real-world conditions.On-device AI for perception and real-time understanding with reduced latency and bandwidth dependence.L1 to L4 levels of autonomous robotics capabilities.Efficient AI performance-per-watt, to support longer flight time and compact designs with minimized thermal-management components.A scalable AI SoC roadmap that will drive higher levels of autonomy for drones in the future.
Demonstrations
Ambarella will be demonstrating the capabilities of its CV5 AI SoC by providing visitors with the opportunity to try the Antigravity A1 drone at its invitation-only exhibition during CES, which takes place in Las Vegas the week of January 5th. For more information or to schedule a demo tour, please contact your Ambarella representative or visit www.ambarella.com/products/aiot-industrial-robotics.

About Ambarella
Ambarella’s products are used in a wide variety of edge AI and human vision applications, including video security, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), electronic mirrors, telematics, driver/cabin monitoring, autonomous driving, edge infrastructure, drones and other robotics applications. Ambarella’s low-power systems-on-chip (SoCs) offer high-resolution video compression, advanced image and radar processing, and powerful deep neural network processing to enable intelligent perception, sensor fusion and planning. For more information, please visit www.ambarella.com.

Ambarella Contacts

Media contact: Muneyb Minhazuddin, [email protected], +1 408-400-1466Investor contact: Louis Gerhardy, [email protected], +1 408-636-2310Sales contact: https://www.ambarella.com/contact-us/
All brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Ambarella reserves the right to alter product and service offerings, specifications, and pricing at any time without notice. © 2025 Ambarella. All rights reserved.

¹ The term "world's first" refers to the fact that, as of July 28, 2025, Antigravity has announced the market's first 8K all-in-one 360 drone. It captures high-quality 360 video directly without the need for an external 360 camera attachment. The drone features a built-in 360 camera, supports real-time data transmission, and allows users to adjust shooting parameters on the fly.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d1284de4-30d5-416f-ba65-2c7c4f6eaf3f

Antigravity A1
The world’s first 360 Drone from Antigravity built on Ambarella CV5

TORONTO, Dec. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), today announced the estimated annual reinvested capital gains distributions for the iShares ETFs listed on the TSX or Cboe Canada for the 2025 tax year. Please note that these are estimated amounts only as of December 15, 2025 and could change if the iShares Funds experience subscriptions or redemptions prior to the ex-dividend date or due to other factors.

These estimates are for the annual non-cash capital gains distributions, which are typically reinvested in additional units of the respective funds at the year-end, and do not include estimates of ongoing monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual cash distribution amounts. The additional units will be immediately consolidated with the previously outstanding units such that the number of outstanding units following the distribution will equal the number of units outstanding prior to the distribution.

BlackRock Canada expects to announce the final annual reinvested distribution amounts on or about December 29, 2025, for all funds. The record date for the 2025 annual distributions will be December 30, 2025, payable on January 5, 2026. The actual taxable amounts of reinvested and cash distributions for 2025, including the tax characteristics of the distributions, will be reported to brokers (through CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. or “CDS”) in early 2026. BlackRock Canada expects to announce the final monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual cash distribution amounts, as applicable, for 2025, on or about December 29, 2025, for all funds.

Details regarding the “per unit” distribution amounts are as follows:

Fund NameFund
TickerEstimated Annual Reinvested Capital Gains Distribution
Per UnitiShares 1-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETFCBH0.00000iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETFCBO0.00000iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETFCDZ1.66653iShares Equal Weight Banc & Lifeco ETFCEW0.76061iShares Gold Bullion ETFCGL0.00000iShares Gold Bullion ETFCGL.C0.00000iShares Global Real Estate Index ETFCGR0.00000iShares International Fundamental Index ETFCIE1.08684iShares Global Infrastructure Index ETFCIF2.89527iShares Japan Fundamental Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)CJP2.71248iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETFCLF0.00000iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETFCLG0.00000iShares US Fundamental Index ETFCLU2.16977iShares US Fundamental Index ETFCLU.C2.78757iShares Premium Money Market ETF(2)CMR0.00600iShares Global Agriculture Index ETFCOW2.38368iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index ETFCPD0.00000iShares Canadian Fundamental Index ETFCRQ1.11300iShares US Dividend Growers Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)CUD2.58536iShares Convertible Bond Index ETFCVD0.00000iShares Emerging Markets Fundamental Index ETFCWO1.02000iShares Global Water Index ETFCWW1.23519iShares Global Monthly Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)CYH0.18287iShares Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETFFIE0.31037iShares ESG Balanced ETF PortfolioGBAL1.07946iShares ESG Conservative Balanced ETF PortfolioGCNS0.67823iShares ESG Equity ETF PortfolioGEQT1.78369iShares ESG Growth ETF PortfolioGGRO1.66202iShares Bitcoin ETFIBIT0.28380iShares Bitcoin ETF(1)IBIT.U0.20402iShares Silver Bullion ETFSVR0.00000iShares Silver Bullion ETFSVR.C0.00000iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense Index ETFXAD1.16006iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETFXAGG0.21558iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF(1)XAGG.U0.15613iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XAGH0.00000iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETFXAW0.41894iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF(1)XAW.U0.30933iShares Core Balanced ETF PortfolioXBAL0.46947iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETFXBB0.00000iShares S&P/TSX Global Base Metals Index ETFXBM0.00000iShares Core Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETFXCB0.00000iShares ESG Advanced Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETFXCBG0.00000iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETFXCBU0.00000iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF(1)XCBU.U0.00000iShares S&P Global Consumer Discretionary Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XCD0.00000iShares Canadian Growth Index ETFXCG5.22120iShares China Index ETFXCH0.00000iShares Semiconductor Index ETFXCHP0.00000iShares Global Clean Energy Index ETFXCLN0.49921iShares Core Conservative Balanced ETF PortfolioXCNS0.21075iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETFXCS1.27446iShares ESG Advanced MSCI Canada Index ETFXCSR2.72150iShares Canadian Value Index ETFXCV1.61517iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETFXDG0.39473iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF(1)XDG.U0.28849iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XDGH0.00000iShares Core MSCI Canadian Quality Dividend Index ETFXDIV0.86478iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare Index ETFXDNA0.00000iShares Global Electric and Autonomous Vehicles Index ETFXDRV0.00000iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE Index ETFXDSR0.50778iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETFXDU1.22853iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF(1)XDU.U0.89393iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XDUH0.59442iShares Canadian Select Dividend Index ETFXDV1.40026iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XEB0.00000iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETFXEC0.00000iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF(1)XEC.U0.00000iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETFXEF0.33452iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF(1)XEF.U0.24420iShares S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index ETFXEG0.00000iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XEH0.00000iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETFXEI0.65403iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETFXEM0.00000iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETFXEMC0.00000iShares Jantzi Social Index ETFXEN0.00000iShares Core Equity ETF PortfolioXEQT0.32711iShares ESG Aware MSCI Canada Index ETFXESG1.19105iShares S&P/TSX Energy Transition Materials Index ETFXETM0.00000iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETFXEU0.00000iShares Exponential Technologies Index ETFXEXP3.56592iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XFH0.00000iShares Core Canadian 15+ Year Federal Bond Index ETFXFLB0.00000iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETFXFLI0.00000iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF(1)XFLI.U0.00000iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF (CAD-Hedged)XFLX0.00000iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financials Index ETFXFN0.00000iShares Floating Rate Index ETFXFR0.00000iShares Core Canadian Government Bond Index ETFXGB0.00000iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETFXGD0.00000iShares Global Government Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XGGB0.00000iShares S&P Global Industrials Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XGI0.00000iShares Core Growth ETF PortfolioXGRO0.44033iShares Cybersecurity and Tech Index ETFXHAK2.91694iShares Canadian HYBrid Corporate Bond Index ETFXHB0.00000iShares Global Healthcare Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XHC0.00000iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XHD1.87355iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETFXHU2.25218iShares U.S. High Yield Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XHY0.00000iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETFXIC0.00000iShares India Index ETFXID0.39708iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XIG0.00000iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XIGS0.00000iShares MSCI EAFE® Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XIN0.00000iShares Core Income Balanced ETF PortfolioXINC0.00000iShares S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology Index ETFXIT3.45109iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETFXIU0.00000iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETFXLB0.00000iShares S&P/TSX Capped Materials Index ETFXMA0.00000iShares S&P U.S. Mid-Cap Index ETFXMC0.00000iShares S&P U.S. Mid-Cap Index ETF(1)XMC.U0.00000iShares S&P/TSX Completion Index ETFXMD0.00000iShares S&P U.S. Mid-Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XMH0.00000iShares MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index ETFXMI0.00000iShares MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XML0.00000iShares MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets Index ETFXMM0.00000iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XMS0.88682iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor Index ETFXMTM0.92366iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETFXMU2.82177iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF(1)XMU.U2.05881iShares MSCI Min Vol Canada Index ETFXMV2.12711iShares MSCI Min Vol Global Index ETFXMW0.37734iShares MSCI Min Vol Global Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XMY0.00000iShares S&P/TSX North American Preferred Stock Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XPF0.00000iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETFXQB0.00000iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor Index ETFXQLT0.00000iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XQQ1.35769iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETFXQQU0.00000iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF(1)XQQU.U0.00000iShares Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETFXRB0.00000iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index ETFXRE0.00000iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETFXSAB0.00000iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETFXSB0.00000iShares Conservative Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETFXSC0.00000iShares Conservative Strategic Fixed Income ETFXSE0.00000iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE Index ETFXSEA0.70078iShares ESG Aware MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETFXSEM0.54309iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate Bond Index ETFXSH0.00000iShares ESG Advanced 1-5 Year Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETFXSHG0.00000iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETFXSHU0.32222iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF(1)XSHU.U0.23082iShares Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETFXSI0.00000iShares Core Canadian Short-Mid Term Universe Bond Index ETFXSMB0.00000iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETFXSMC0.00000iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XSMH0.00000iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XSP0.00000iShares S&P 500 3% Capped Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XSPC0.00000iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETFXST0.74912iShares ESG Aware Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETFXSTB0.00000iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XSTH0.00000iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETFXSTP0.16596iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF(1)XSTP.U0.11954iShares U.S. Small Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XSU0.00000iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Index ETFXSUS0.72009iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XTLH0.00000iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETFXTLT0.19366iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF(1)XTLT.U0.14613iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XTOH0.00000iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETFXTOT0.00000iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF(1)XTOT.U0.00000iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETFXTR0.36871iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)XUH0.00000iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETFXUS0.00000iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF(1)XUS.U0.00000iShares S&P 500 3% Capped Index ETFXUSC0.00000iShares S&P 500 3% Capped Index ETF(1)XUSC.U0.00000iShares S&P U.S. Financials Index ETFXUSF0.00000iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA Index ETFXUSR2.28403iShares S&P/TSX Capped Utilities Index ETFXUT1.13042iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETFXUU0.00000iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETF(1)XUU.U0.00000iShares MSCI USA Value Factor Index ETFXVLU0.00000iShares MSCI World Index ETFXWD0.00000    (1) Distribution per unit amounts are in U.S. dollars for IBIT.U, XAGG.U, XAW.U, XCBU.U, XDG.U, XDU.U, XEC.U, XEF.U, XFLI.U, XMC.U, XMU.U, XQQU.U, XSHU.U, XSTP.U, XTLT.U, XTOT.U, XUS.U, XUSC.U, and XUU.U.

(2) For iShares Premium Money Market ETF (CMR), the distribution amount may include an income component.

Further information on the iShares ETFs can be found at http://www.blackrock.com/ca.

Forward-looking information

This notice contains forward-looking statements with respect to the annual reinvested capital gains distributions for the iShares ETFs. By their nature, these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual distributions to differ materially from the estimated distributions set forth in this notice. Factors that could cause the actual distributions to differ from the estimated distributions include, but are not limited to, the actual amounts of distributions received by the iShares ETFs, portfolio transactions, currency hedging transactions, and subscription and redemption activity.

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BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate.

About iShares ETFs
iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of approximately 1,700 exchange traded funds (ETFs) and approximately US$5.2 trillion in assets under management as of September 30, 2025, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

iShares® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Canada.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. 

Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”). Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). TSX is a registered trademark of TSX Inc. (“TSX”). All of the foregoing trademarks have been licensed to S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and sublicensed for certain purposes to BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), which in turn has sub-licensed these marks to its affiliate, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), on behalf of the applicable fund(s). The index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, and has been licensed for use by BFA and by extension, BlackRock Canada and the applicable fund(s). The funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, any of their respective affiliates (collectively known as “S&P Dow Jones Indices”) or TSX, or any of their respective affiliates. Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices nor TSX make any representations regarding the advisability of investing in such funds.

MSCI is a trademark of MSCI, Inc. (“MSCI”). The ETF is permitted to use the MSCI mark pursuant to a license agreement between MSCI and BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., relating to, among other things, the license granted to BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. to use the Index. BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. has sublicensed the use of this trademark to BlackRock. The ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI and MSCI makes no representation, condition or warranty regarding the advisability of investing in the ETF.

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HomeStock IdeasQuick Picks & Lists

SummaryThe S&P 500 experienced sharp swings in 2025 due to shifts in trade policy, AI speculation, and rate cuts, while corporate profits remained resilient.Broader AI adoption and steady economic growth are expected to drive double-digit earnings growth in the S&P 500 in 2026.Tech is expected to dominate earnings growth again next year, but more sectors are projected to contribute.Heading into the New Year, I selected five Strong Buy stocks with high earnings growth expectations and heavy analyst coverage, spanning the materials, energy, tech, financials, and healthcare sectors.I am Steven Cress, Head of Quantitative Strategies at Seeking Alpha. I manage the quant ratings and factor grades on stocks and ETFs in Seeking Alpha Premium. I also lead Alpha Picks, which selects the two most attractive stocks to buy each month, and also determines when to sell them. Thapana Onphalai/iStock via Getty Images

Registration is now open for our Top Stocks for 2026 event with Steven Cress, featuring his newest list of high-conviction picks designed to target long-term performance. Steve's previous Top Stocks lists have demonstrated an impressive track record, so

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it. 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 that any particular security, portfolio, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. The author is not advising you personally concerning the nature, potential, value or suitability of any particular security or other matter. You alone are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, security or strategy, or any product or service, is appropriate or suitable for you based on your investment objectives and personal and financial situation. Steven Cress is the Head of Quantitative Strategy at Seeking Alpha. Any views or opinions expressed herein 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.

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

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

Alvin Lang
Dec 22, 2025 09:06

Bitcoin Cash technical analysis points to $625 BCH price target within 3 weeks, with current momentum indicators supporting bullish continuation from $580 base.

BCH Price Prediction Summary
• BCH short-term target (1 week): $606 (+4.5%)
• Bitcoin Cash medium-term forecast (1 month): $580-$625 range

• Key level to break for bullish continuation: $600
• Critical support if bearish: $536 (SMA 200 confluence)

Recent Bitcoin Cash Price Predictions from Analysts
The analyst community shows remarkable consensus on Bitcoin Cash's near-term trajectory. This BCH price prediction analysis reveals that major forecasting platforms are aligned on upside potential, with CoinCodex projecting $606.58 by today's close, while MidForex's AI-driven model targets $590.93 as the average trading range.

Changelly's Bitcoin Cash forecast mirrors this optimism with a $602.94 target, creating a tight prediction cluster between $590-$607. MEXC News provides the broadest BCH price target range of $580-$625, suggesting 15-20% upside potential over the next three weeks. This convergence among independent analysts strengthens the bullish case, as contrarian views remain notably absent from recent predictions.

The consistency across multiple prediction models indicates institutional confidence in Bitcoin Cash's technical setup, particularly after the recent consolidation phase around $535.60 that established a solid foundation for the current rally.

BCH Technical Analysis: Setting Up for Bullish Breakout
Bitcoin Cash technical analysis reveals a compelling setup for continued upside momentum. Trading at $580, BCH sits comfortably above all major moving averages, with the SMA 7 ($578.14) and SMA 20 ($576.07) providing immediate support. The critical factor supporting our BCH price prediction is the decisive break above the SMA 50 ($538.59) and SMA 200 ($536.86), confirming the transition from bearish to bullish market structure.

The RSI reading of 53.32 positions Bitcoin Cash in the neutral zone with significant room for expansion before reaching overbought levels. This provides ammunition for the next leg higher without immediate momentum exhaustion concerns. The MACD histogram at 0.5129 confirms bullish momentum acceleration, while the MACD line ($11.43) trading well above the signal line ($10.92) suggests continued buying pressure.

Within the Bollinger Bands framework, BCH's position at 0.55 indicates healthy momentum without extreme overextension. The upper band at $615.67 represents the immediate technical resistance, aligning closely with analyst price targets around $606-$625.

Volume analysis from Binance shows $21.2 million in 24-hour trading, providing sufficient liquidity to support the forecasted price movements. The daily ATR of $36.53 suggests normal volatility levels, supporting controlled price appreciation rather than speculative spikes.

Bitcoin Cash Price Targets: Bull and Bear Scenarios
Bullish Case for BCH
Our primary Bitcoin Cash forecast targets $625 within the next 2-3 weeks, representing a 7.8% gain from current levels. This BCH price target aligns with the 52-week high at $624.90, creating a natural resistance zone that could trigger profit-taking.

The path to $625 requires a clean break above $600, which would activate the next wave of momentum buyers. Technical confluence suggests this level could be reached within 5-7 trading days, given the current momentum profile. A sustained move above $625 would open the door to the $650-$670 zone, though this falls outside our immediate forecast window.

Key bullish catalysts include maintaining support above the $576 SMA 20 level and RSI expansion above 60, which would confirm momentum acceleration. Volume expansion above $30 million daily would provide additional confirmation of institutional interest.

Bearish Risk for Bitcoin Cash
The primary risk to our bullish BCH price prediction centers on a breakdown below the critical $536 support zone, where the SMA 50 and SMA 200 converge. A decisive break of this level would invalidate the bullish structure and target the $500 psychological support.

Further downside risk extends to $482, representing the key support level identified in our technical framework. This scenario would require broader cryptocurrency market weakness and could materialize if Bitcoin experiences significant selling pressure.

Warning signals include RSI dropping below 45, MACD histogram turning negative, and daily volume spiking above $40 million on downward moves, indicating panic selling rather than healthy correction.

Should You Buy BCH Now? Entry Strategy
Current levels around $580 present a favorable risk-reward setup for those considering whether to buy or sell BCH. Our Bitcoin Cash technical analysis suggests scaling into positions between $575-$585, with the SMA 20 at $576 providing dynamic support.

For conservative traders, waiting for a pullback to the $570-$575 zone offers better entry positioning while maintaining exposure to the bullish thesis. Aggressive buyers can enter at market with stops placed below $565, representing a 2.6% risk for potential 7.8% upside to the primary BCH price target.

Position sizing should reflect the medium confidence level of this prediction, suggesting 2-3% portfolio allocation for most retail investors. Professional traders might consider 5-7% allocation given the favorable technical setup and analyst consensus.

Stop-loss placement below $536 provides the optimal balance between giving the trade room to work while protecting against structural breakdown. This level represents approximately 7.6% downside risk from current prices.

BCH Price Prediction Conclusion
Our comprehensive Bitcoin Cash forecast projects a high-probability move to $625 over the next 2-3 weeks, supported by bullish technical indicators and strong analyst consensus. The BCH price prediction carries medium confidence given the neutral RSI positioning and recent consolidation above key moving averages.

Critical indicators to monitor include the $600 breakout level for bullish confirmation and the $576 SMA 20 support for early warning of potential weakness. Volume expansion above current levels would strengthen conviction in the upside targets, while a break below $565 would warrant reassessment of the bullish thesis.

The timeline for this Bitcoin Cash forecast spans 15-21 trading days, with intermediate targets at $590 (1 week) and $606 (2 weeks) providing stepping stones toward the primary $625 objective. Success depends on broader cryptocurrency market stability and continued institutional interest in major altcoins.

Image source: Shutterstock

bch price analysis
bch price prediction

The majority of the Uniswap community has voted in favor of “UNIfication,” a governance proposal that will reshape the protocol’s tokenomics and introduce a new system for burning UNI tokens using revenue collected from trading fees.

Summary

Over 69 million UNI votes have backed the UNIfication proposal.
A two-day time lock will follow before protocol fees are activated and automated UNI burns begin.
100 million UNI tokens will be burnt from the protocol’s treasury. 

As of presstime, the proposal has over 69 million votes in favor of the sweeping tokenomics overhaul, much higher than the 40 million vote threshold that was required for the measure to pass. The Uniswap community had been eagerly anticipating the vote, and the quorum was met less than three days after voting opened on Dec. 20. The process is set to close on Dec. 25.

With such a strong majority in favor, the proposal is expected to go live after a mandatory two-day timelock period, following which the protocol fee switch would be enabled on the Unichain mainnet and subsequently rolled out across supported pools.

At its core, the UNIfication proposal aims to tighten UNI’s long-term supply by setting up an automated system that uses protocol earnings to regularly buy back and burn tokens.

A total of 100 million UNI from the treasury would be removed from circulation to account for the tokens that “would have been burned if fees were on from the beginning,” the proposal notes.

At the same time, the proposal would roll out a new incentive system called Protocol Fee Discount Auctions, which is expected to help liquidity providers earn more from their trades.

The proposal will also introduce several structural changes by transferring the responsibilities of the Uniswap Foundation to Uniswap Labs. Furthermore, a growth budget of 20 million UNI per year will be established to support development, integrations, and partnerships.

UNI price rallies
UNI price has risen over 25% since voting for the UNification proposal opened earlier this week.

As previously reported by crypto.news, retail buying activity, as well as increased demand from large token holders, has helped support the recent price gains.

However, the token faced some headwinds over the past few days in response to the ongoing crypto market downturn that has seen leading cryptocurrencies plunge below key levels. When writing, UNI was trading at $6.17 according to CoinGecko, down 1.3% in the past 24 hours.

Hyperliquid Labs has firmly denied insider trading allegations after on-chain activity sparked community concern over a wallet shorting the HYPE token.

The clarification comes at a sensitive moment for the decentralized perpetuals exchange, just days before validators vote on a proposal that could permanently remove nearly $1 billion worth of HYPE from circulation.

Sponsored

Hyperliquid Addresses Wallet Allegations Ahead of Landmark HYPE Burn VoteThe controversy emerged after traders flagged a wallet believed to be linked to the Hyperliquid team that appeared to be shorting HYPE during recent unlock periods.

According to Hyperliquid, the address in question, 0x7ae4c156e542ff63bcb5e34f7808ebc376c41028, does not belong to any current employee or contractor.

The individual controlling the wallet was reportedly terminated in the first quarter of 2024, well before the token activity that triggered renewed scrutiny in December.

“Building a transparent financial future requires a foundational commitment to ethical conduct and legal clarity,” Hyperliquid Labs said. “All individuals associated with Hyperliquid Labs, including employees and contractors, are bound by strict ethical standards regarding the HYPE token.”

The statement outlined a comprehensive trading policy, including a full ban on derivatives trading involving HYPE by team members, whether short or long, and a zero-tolerance stance on insider trading.

Sponsored

“Integrity is non-negotiable at Hyperliquid Labs,” the team added. “Any violation of these policies is grounds for immediate termination and potential legal proceedings.”

Addressing the specific wallet directly, Hyperliquid said, “This individual is no longer associated with Hyperliquid Labs, and their actions do not reflect our team’s standards or values.”

The team framed the clarification as part of its responsibility to remain aligned with the long-term health of the ecosystem, particularly as HYPE’s market profile continues to expand.

Hyperliquid Discord Communication. Source: Hyperliquid Discord ChannelSponsored

Upcoming Validator Vote Could Permanently Burn $1 Billion in HYPE TokensThe timing is notable. Hyperliquid is simultaneously approaching a pivotal governance decision that could reshape its token economics.

The Hyper Foundation has proposed a validator vote to formally recognize all HYPE tokens accumulated by the Assistance Fund as burned. The vote concludes on December 24.

The Hyper Foundation is proposing a validator vote to formally recognize the Assistance Fund HYPE as burned, removing the tokens permanently from the circulating and total supply.

For context, the Assistance Fund converts trading fees to HYPE in a fully automated manner as part…

— Hyper Foundation (@HyperFND) December 17, 2025
Sponsored

The Assistance Fund converts protocol trading fees into HYPE in an automated process and holds the tokens in a system address without a private key, making them inaccessible without a hard fork.

“$1 billion HYPE tokens could be burned. Hyperliquid wants validators to vote on burning nearly $1B in HYPE tokens from the Assistance Fund. The vote runs through December 24 and could remove over 10% of HYPE from circulating and total supply,” wrote analysts at Coin Bureau.

Supporters argue the proposal is consistent with Hyperliquid’s broader operating model. The protocol famously raised no venture capital, conducted a 31% airdrop at genesis, and has processed over $3.4 trillion in trading volume with a lean team of roughly 11 employees.

As the insider trading allegations collide with a landmark supply decision, the coming days may prove decisive for Hyperliquid’s credibility, governance reputation, and long-term positioning in the decentralized derivatives market.

XRP Price Today: Sitting on a Dangerous Line$XRP is currently trading in what can only be described as a high-risk technical zone. After a strong rally earlier in 2025, the XRP chart now shows a prolonged downtrend, with price compressing just above the $1.6–$1.8 support area.

XRP/USDT 1D - TradingView

This zone has acted as a temporary floor multiple times over recent weeks. However, repeated tests of the same support usually weaken it — and that’s exactly what the current structure suggests.

The market is no longer trending strongly; instead, XRP is drifting lower while volatility compresses, a classic setup for a decisive move.

The $1.8 Level: Broken, Reclaimed, But Losing StrengthThe attached charts clearly show that $1.8 has already been broken several times recently. Each time, those moves turned into fakeouts, with price quickly reclaiming the level and pushing back above it.

XRP/USDT 2H - TradingView

While that may look bullish at first glance, technically it tells a different story:

Buyers are still defending the zoneBut each bounce is weaker than the lastLower highs continue to form under descending resistanceThis is not accumulation — it’s distribution under pressure.

As long as XRP holds above $1.8 on daily closes, downside remains limited. But the margin for error is shrinking fast.

Why the $1.6 Zone Is the Real Line in the SandThe $1.6 area is far more critical than $1.8.

If XRP loses $1.6 with a confirmed daily close, the chart opens up aggressively to the downside. There is very little structural support below, which is why the risk accelerates quickly.

Based on historical price action and visible liquidity zones on the chart, the next downside targets would be:

$1.20 – prior consolidation and demand zone$1.00 – major psychological level$0.80 – last major structural support before the 2024 baseOnce below $1.6, XRP would likely enter a fast-moving bearish leg, not a slow grind.

Descending Trendline Pressure Is Still in ControlAnother key element visible on the chart is the descending trendline that has capped XRP’s price since its local top near $3.5.

Every meaningful bounce has been rejected at that trendline, reinforcing the bearish structure. Until XRP reclaims that diagonal resistance — ideally above $2.5–$2.7 — the broader trend remains downward biased.

Momentum indicators also reflect this uncertainty, with oscillators bouncing but failing to produce sustained trend reversals.

XRP/USD 1D - TradingView

Everything Now Depends on Crypto Market SentimentXRP is no longer trading in isolation. The broader crypto market’s behavior will likely decide whether this support holds or breaks.

Key sentiment drivers include:

Bitcoin holding or losing its major support zonesOverall market liquidity and risk appetiteAbsence of strong bullish catalysts for altcoinsIf the broader market stabilizes or turns higher, XRP could once again defend $1.8 and attempt a relief rally.
If sentiment deteriorates, $1.6 will not hold.

In weak markets, altcoins like XRP tend to break support faster and harder than Bitcoin.

Strategy founder Michael Saylor has predicted that Bitcoin (BTC) will reach $1 million per coin within a ten-year window. The billionaire backed the largest cryptocurrency to outperform gold by 10x  in the coming years to become the de facto safe-haven asset. 

Bitcoin On The Highway To $1 Million
Michael Saylor, founder of Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), has doubled down on his prediction for Bitcoin, tipping the asset to have a meteoric ten-year run. According to Saylor, a BTC price of $1 million per coin is “inevitable,” forecasting the asset to reach the milestone in a decade.

Saylor shared his thoughts in a recent interview with Sky News following his keynote address at Bitcoin MENA 2025. Per Saylor, Bitcoin’s incoming meteoric run will see its market capitalization surge from $2 trillion to $20 trillion over a ten-year window, while backing the premier cryptocurrency to reach $200 trillion.

When quizzed on Bitcoin and gold, Saylor pitched his tent with the premier cryptocurrency. While conceding that gold will still be relevant in 20 years, Saylor noted that Bitcoin will emerge as the leading safe-haven asset.

“I expect Bitcoin to emerge as the dominant digital monetary network in the world, and it is the world’s reserve capital,” said Saylor. “I don’t think gold will do that. I think that Bitcoin will be 10X bigger than gold.”

Despite Saylor’s predictions, gold has outperformed Bitcoin in 2025, with the yellow metal up over 60% year-to-date. Meanwhile, Bitcoin is down by nearly 5% from its price at the start of 2025 after erasing its yearly gains in a steep correction in Q4.

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Unfazed by the asset’s short-term price performance, Saylor’s Strategy is on a Bitcoin buying spree. At press time, Strategy holds 671,268 BTC with the company ramping up its purchases in recent weeks, defying Bitcoin’s correction.

Bullish Predictions For BTC
Michael Saylor is not the only one forecasting bullish predictions for Bitcoin. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has also tipped BTC to reach $1 million in the near future, projecting a 250,000 projection by the end of 2026.

Ark Invest’s Cathie Wood is backing a Bitcoin valuation above $1 million by 2030, noting that the asset will ignore its traditional four-year cycle in the coming years. Amid the optimistic predictions, Schiff has issued grim warnings for Bitcoin’s price, while others are pointing to rising quantum computing risks as long-term concerns for the asset.

Midnight, Cardano’s privacy-focused token, hits a record high as major exchange listings boost volume, liquidity and trader interest despite ADA’s muted DeFi activity.

Summary

Midnight’s price and volume surged to a record high after new listings on Binance, Bybit and Kraken drove liquidity and narrowed spreads across order books.​
Technicals show a clean breakout above the four-hour trendline with support forming in a lower range, while leverage remains moderate and liquidation risk contained.​
On-chain data suggests capital rotating from Cardano DeFi into Midnight as investors bet on zero-knowledge privacy infrastructure tied to Charles Hoskinson’s ecosystem.

Midnight Token Reaches Record High as Exchange Listings Drive VolumeMidnight, a privacy-focused token linked to the Cardano blockchain, reached a record high as trading volume surged following listings on major cryptocurrency exchanges, according to market data.

Midnight price
The token rose sharply over a 24-hour period, with trading activity indicating participation from both retail and institutional traders, according to trading desk reports. The price reached its highest level since the token’s launch.

By trading volume, Midnight ranked as the fourth most traded cryptocurrency globally, surpassing several established tokens, according to exchange data. The figures reflected elevated capital turnover across multiple platforms.

Technical indicators showed the token breaking above the upper trendline on the four-hour chart, according to market analysts. While some profit-taking occurred at certain price levels, the overall price structure remained stable, with support established in a defined lower range as liquidity conditions improved following exchange listings.

Binance, Bybit, and Kraken recently introduced trading pairs for Midnight. Order book depth increased across trading venues and bid-ask spreads narrowed during high-volume sessions, facilitating price discovery, according to exchange data.

Midnight operates as Cardano’s first privacy-focused partner chain and utilizes zero-knowledge proofs for programmable data protection, according to the project’s documentation. The technology appeals to users seeking privacy solutions designed for regulatory compliance.

The token’s association with Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson contributed to investor interest, according to market observers. Cardano’s research-driven approach influenced sentiment and contributed to capital inflows despite short-term volatility.

The surge in Midnight contrasted with activity on Cardano’s main chain, where total value locked declined slightly in recent sessions, according to blockchain analytics. Market observers suggested liquidity may be rotating from Cardano decentralized finance applications into Midnight markets. Such divergence is common with new token listings, as early-stage assets often attract speculative inflows while established networks may lag temporarily, according to analysts.

On-chain data showed capital inflows remained positive for Midnight, with limited selling pressure, according to blockchain analytics providers. Derivatives data indicated moderate use of leverage, which reduced immediate liquidation risk in the event of a price pullback.

Midnight’s performance reflected growing interest in privacy infrastructure as regulatory pressure and debates around data protection have brought zero-knowledge solutions into focus, according to industry analysts.

Traders anticipate increased volatility around key resistance levels, according to market commentary. Sustained trading volume could support consolidation and further price gains, while aggressive profit-taking could trigger sharp pullbacks, analysts said.

Key NotesEther started the week above $3,000 after a sharp rise in trading activity.Taker Sell Volume points to fading sell-side pressure.A move above $3,200 would signal takeover by the bulls, analyst says.
Ether

ETH
$3 047

24h volatility:
2.1%

Market cap:
$368.34 B

Vol. 24h:
$17.29 B

has started the week on a positive note after a volatile stretch. On Dec. 22, the cryptocurrency reclaimed the $3,000 level as its trading volume jumped by 100%. Analysts are predicting a relief rally ahead, backed by cooling sell pressure.

Data by CryptoQuant suggests that the 30-day moving average of Ethereum Taker Sell Volume has slipped to about $6.3 billion, the lowest reading since May. This drop indicates that fewer traders are now exiting positions out of urgency or fear.

Ethereum Taker Sell Volume 30-day SMA | Source: CryptoQuant

The latest ETH purchase by Tom Lee’s Bitmine confirms the renewed buying interest. According to the data by Lookonchain, the company has acquired 13,412 ETH, worth over $40 million, on Dec. 22.

It seems that Tom Lee(@fundstrat)'s #Bitmine just bought another 13,412 $ETH($40.61M).https://t.co/m3WT8Jwh6x pic.twitter.com/DCpdDNp0U9

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) December 22, 2025

Moreover, the Net Unrealized Profit and Loss indicator (NUPL) for Ether remains in positive territory near 0.22. This level shows that the average ETH holder is still in profit, though those gains are moderate. 

Ethereum NUPL | Source: CryptoQuant

Historically, this range suggests guarded confidence. It signals that the market is no longer fear-driven, but is still far from overheated conditions seen near cycle tops.

Meanwhile, Binance has recorded large net outflows of ETH, which means near-term selling risk is lower. Importantly, these exchange exits are despite moderate unrealized gains, suggesting holders are not rushing to lock in profits. 

Ethereum netflow on Binance | Source: CryptoQuant

Recent Ether Price Weakness Still Suggests Caution
This easing in selling pressure comes after a difficult week for Ethereum, when the price slipped below $2,800. Last week, spot ETH ETFs saw a combined net outflow of $644 million, with none of the nine funds posting inflows.

Popular crypto analyst CyrilXBT noted on X that while ETH is bouncing, it is still under key resistance levels. He explained that the $2,700-$3,000 area acts as a fragile support for the top altcoin, and further weakness can result in a “quick downside acceleration.”

However, he added that ETH could look “healthy” if it manages to cross the $3,200-$3,400 level.

$ETH

ETH is basically stuck in the same story: bouncing, but still under key overhead levels.

The orange band ($2.7–3.0k) is the battlefield. It’s support until it isn’t.

Above that, ETH needs to reclaim $3.2–3.4k to look “healthy” again.
Expectation: hold $2.7–3.0k = chop +… pic.twitter.com/8Lby8IOw6Q

— CyrilXBT (@cyrilXBT) December 22, 2025

At the time of writing, ETH is trading near $3,031, up by around 2% in the past day. But, it remains 38% below its August peak of $4,953.

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

Cryptocurrency News, Ethereum News, News

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

Parth Dubey on LinkedIn

Ripple’s RLUSD has marked its first anniversary, rising to the top five stablecoins and securing regulatory approvals across the globe. In the coming years, the team has its sights set on challenging the dominance of Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC, capitalizing on a streak of regulatory wins.

RLUSD Enters Top Five Stablecoins In The US
RLUSD, a US dollar-pegged stablecoin issued by Ripple, has marked its first anniversary, notching impressive numbers in under 12 months. Launched on December 17, 2024, the RLUSD has inched its way into conversations for leading stablecoins.

According to Standard Custody CEO Jack McDonald, Ripple has joined the top five stablecoins, reaching the milestone in “record time.” While not expressly stated, McDonald’s comments in an X post refer to the category of US-regulated stablecoins, specifically those with OCC and NYDFS licenses.

Under this subset, Ripple’s RLUSD ranks in third place behind Circle’s USDC and PayPal’s PYUSD with market capitalizations of $78 billion and $3.8 billion, respectively. One year after launch, Ripple’s market capitalization sits at $1.3 billion, making it “one of the fastest climbs in the regulated stablecoin space.”

“I’m excited to celebrate the one-year anniversary of RLUSD,” said McDonald. “We’ve gone from 0 to a top 5 USD stablecoin in record time.”

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However, CoinMarketCap data ranks RLUSD eighth by market capitalization, including both US-regulated and offshore stablecoins.

A Streak Of Milestones For the Ripple-Backed Stablecoins
Apart from its frenetic surge over one year, RLUSD racked up impressive milestones along the way. Right off the bat, the OCC’s conditional approval of Ripple’s National Trust Bank charter puts RLUSD in pole position for regulatory compliance.

To cement its place in the enterprise market, Ripple tapped BNY Global to custody RLUSD reserves and enlisted Deloitte for attestations as an added layer of credibility. Outside the US, RLUSD has received regulatory approvals in key jurisdictions such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

All year long, RLUSD has been cementing its place as a major bridge for real-world assets (RWA). The stablecoin offers BlackRock and VanEck’s tokenised funds with a 24/7 off-ramp, extending its institutional use case.

Meanwhile, plans for multichain expansion are underway with Ripple pursuing interoperability on Optimism, Base, Ink, and Unichain.

“It was undeniably the year of the stablecoin, and I can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store,” said McDonald.

Rewards on PYUSD are changing how people think about holding digital dollars. PayPal is no longer letting users’ money go idle, as it provides a way to earn while keeping their money stable.
With Rewards on PYUSD, PayPal blends the comfort of traditional money with the flexibility of crypto, all inside an app millions already trust.

What is PYUSD?
PYUSD, or PayPal USD, is a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar. One PYUSD is always meant to be worth one dollar. Paxos Trust Company, a regulated financial firm, issues PYUSD. Real assets, such as cash and short-term U.S. Treasury bills, back each token. This support makes PYUSD consistent and stable. Users can buy PYUSD directly inside PayPal or Venmo. You can redeem it 1:1 for U.S. dollars at any time.

Earn 4% rewards on PayPal USD (PYUSD)

PYUSD is a stablecoin — redeemable 1:1 for US dollars.

Same money. Different results.

Get started in seconds: Buy. Opt in. Earn -> https://t.co/MQnDcqKzGn

*Rate as of today

— PayPal (@PayPal) December 18, 2025

How Rewards on PYUSD Work
PayPal now offers up to 4% annual rewards on PYUSD balances. The app displays the changing rate.

Rewards are:

Calculated daily
Paid out monthly
Earned in PYUSD

To start earning, users need to opt in and hold at least $1 worth of PYUSD. There is no lockup period. You can use the funds and withdraw at any time. This makes Rewards on PYUSD feel more flexible than many traditional savings options.

What You Can Do With PYUSD
PYUSD is not only for holding. You can:

Send it to other PayPal or Venmo users
Spend on platforms that support PayPal crypto.
Convert it back to U.S. dollars
Transfer it to external wallets on supported blockchains

This means your money stays active while still earning rewards.

Today, we’re unveiling a new stablecoin, PayPal USD (PYUSD). It’s designed for payments and is backed by highly liquid and secure assets. Starting today and rolling out in the next few weeks, you’ll be able to buy, sell, hold and transfer PYUSD. Learn more https://t.co/53RRBhmNHx pic.twitter.com/53ur2KmjU7

— PayPal (@PayPal) August 7, 2023

The FDIC does not insure PYUSD rewards, as they are not bank accounts but crypto products. PayPal can also adjust the reward rate. Nevertheless, those already using PayPal can easily monetize in digital dollars without the hassle of using complex crypto platforms.

Conclusion
PayPal is driving digital money adoption, as shown by PYUSD rewards. It makes things clear, conversant, and adaptable. Rewards on PYUSD can be an option for anyone willing to earn a bit more while maintaining stable value.

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.

Telegram Wallet is stepping into a new role, and it’s a big one. With xStocks now live on the TON blockchain, everyday Telegram users can access tokenized U.S. equities without leaving the app they already use daily.
Thanks to this move, Telegram Wallet becomes more than just a platform for holding crypto.

From Crypto to Stocks, Inside Telegram
xStocks represent real U.S. equities in tokenized form. Consider Apple, Tesla, Microsoft, and hundreds of other popular companies. These assets are now live on TON, the blockchain closely tied to Telegram, making stock access feel as easy as sending a message.

xStocks are going live on @ton_blockchain.

Tokenized equities, built as a neutral public good, are now expanding to meet Telegram’s ecosystem of over 1 billion people.

Learn more ↓ pic.twitter.com/QcRQ9wd4gu

— xStocks (@xStocksFi) December 18, 2025

Kraken-backed infrastructure powers this launch, building on xStocks’ earlier success on Solana and EVM networks. Over 50,000 users have already traded xStocks, generating more than $13 billion in combined CEX and DEX volume. Even with limited availability, the first month alone saw over 60,000 users and $10 million in trading volume. Now, with TON, xStocks takes the next step toward mass adoption.

Why Telegram Wallet Changes Everything
Traditional stock investing often comes with barriers. You need brokerage accounts, long onboarding processes, and access is usually limited by geography. xStocks removes all that. With Telegram Wallet, you can open your wallet, tap xStocks, and trade. No separate apps, no broker holding your assets, and no regional restrictions. Tokenized stocks sit alongside TON, stablecoins, and other digital assets in one place.

Your Telegram just became a trading desk.@xStocksFi are now supported in @tonwallet_tg

Real-world stocks, on-chain and self-custodial — trade directly from your wallet.

📖 How it works: https://t.co/Xn1PUKUulH

Open your wallet. Tap @xStocksFi. Start trading. pic.twitter.com/7Iuf3AJSZm

— TON 💎 (@ton_blockchain) December 20, 2025

Everything is self-custodial. You own the tokens, and the record of ownership is on-chain. Backed Finance provides a tokenization framework that meets full regulatory compliance requirements, with institutional validation from Kraken. These are not synthetic assets. Every xStock is the actual ownership exposure.

More Than Trading
Since xStocks are on-chain, they offer capabilities that regular brokers cannot. You can switch between stocks and rebalance portfolios without converting to fiat. You can also send tokenized equities within decentralized applications. Developers can integrate xStocks and use them like any other token on TON, with support across wallets, apps, and bots. This makes TON a consumer blockchain of real-world assets.

A new asset class is live on TON.@xStocksFi: tokenized real-world equities, on-chain.

Powered by @BackedFi. Supported by @krakenfx.

Available in @tonwallet_tg.

🔹Self-custodial

🔹DEX-tradable

🔹Telegram-native pic.twitter.com/c6cTM4TrlM

— TON 💎 (@ton_blockchain) December 18, 2025

This launch isn’t about replacing traditional Finance. It’s about removing friction. By bringing real stocks into Telegram Wallet, TON and Kraken are showing what investing looks like when it’s designed for everyone. Your chat app is now your trading desk, and global investing just became a lot more accessible.

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.

On Monday, a significant development unfolded within the Uniswap ecosystem as a proposal aimed at altering its fee structure received overwhelming support from token holders. The proposal, known as the “UNIfication” proposal, has surpassed the required quorum, with more than 69 million UNI tokens cast in favor and virtually no dissent. This potential shift in Uniswap’s fee mechanism could have notable ramifications for its market position and operational dynamics.

Uniswap, a leading decentralized exchange operating on the Ethereum blockchain, has been a focal point in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector due to its liquidity protocols and automated market-making services. The proposed fee adjustment seeks to implement what is described as a “fee switch.” This mechanism would allow a portion of the trading fees collected on the platform to be directed from liquidity providers to the protocol’s treasury. The intention is to create a sustainable financial model that supports ongoing development and governance initiatives.

The overwhelming support for the proposal reflects a strong consensus among stakeholders about the strategic direction Uniswap should pursue. The proposal’s approval is seen as a step towards enhancing the protocol’s financial resilience and capacity for future innovations or operational needs. However, the implementation of such changes comes with its own set of challenges and considerations.

From a business perspective, transitioning to a model where a fraction of trading fees bolsters the protocol’s treasury could enhance Uniswap’s ability to fund development, governance, and other critical activities. Such a move aligns with broader trends in DeFi, where protocols are seeking sustainable revenue streams that can support long-term growth and competitive positioning in the rapidly evolving crypto landscape.

The industry implications of this proposal are significant. Should the fee switch be enacted, it could influence how other decentralized exchanges and DeFi platforms structure their fee and governance models. As Uniswap holds a substantial share of the decentralized exchange market, its strategic decisions often set precedents that others in the sector may follow or react to.

Despite the strong support, this proposed change comes with potential risks and competitive pressures. Redirecting fees from liquidity providers to the protocol’s treasury might lead to concerns among current liquidity providers about reduced incentives. In turn, this could affect the overall liquidity and trading volume on the platform if not addressed carefully. Uniswap’s competitors could see this as an opportunity to attract liquidity providers by offering more favorable fee structures or incentives.

Moreover, regulatory landscapes are continuously evolving, and changes in how fees are structured and distributed could attract scrutiny. As decentralized exchanges grow in popularity and influence, they often find themselves under increased regulatory observation. Ensuring compliance while implementing structural changes will be crucial for maintaining trust and stability within the platform’s ecosystem.

The proposal’s success in reaching quorum and gaining broad support indicates a clear mandate from the community to proceed with these changes. However, the transition to this new fee structure will require careful implementation to balance the interests of liquidity providers and the protocol’s developmental needs. Stakeholders will need to closely monitor the impacts on liquidity, user engagement, and financial sustainability.

Looking forward, the next steps involve a detailed planning phase for implementing the fee switch. This will likely include further community consultations, technical assessments, and potential adjustments based on stakeholder feedback. Once these steps are completed, the proposal will move forward in the governance process, which could culminate in an official vote to enact the changes. The timeline for full implementation will depend on the outcomes of these processes and the readiness of the protocol to accommodate the new structure.

Uniswap’s move towards altering its fee distribution underscores the dynamic nature of the DeFi space, where protocols must continuously adapt to maintain competitive advantages and meet the demands of their user base. As the proposal progresses through the necessary stages, the crypto community will be watching closely to see how these changes influence Uniswap’s performance and its role within the broader DeFi ecosystem.

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XRP rebounds from a multi‑week low into key support as TD Sequential flags a potential local top, while spot XRP ETFs log ongoing inflows despite mixed price action.

Summary

XRP has bounced off a multi‑week low and is holding above a critical support zone that traders say will decide whether the recovery continues or breaks down.​
The TD Sequential indicator, previously accurate on XRP, now signals a possible local top after the bounce, mirroring broader indecisive price action seen in Bitcoin.​
Spot XRP ETFs continue to post steady positive inflows and growing assets under management, underscoring institutional interest even as XRP trades sideways.

Ripple’s XRP token has recovered from a recent multi-week low and surpassed a level that traders have identified as significant for determining future price movements, according to market analysis.

XRP is trading around $1.93, leaving it roughly 8–9% below last week’s highs but still firmly within its recent range. Twenty‑four‑hour trading volume sits near $5.7 billion, signaling healthy liquidity even as price action remains largely range‑bound between key support and resistance levels.​

XRP price
The TD Sequential, a technical indicator used to predict potential exhaustion points in asset price trends, has signaled a possible local top for XRP (XRP) following its recovery from Friday, according to data shared by analyst Ali Martinez.

The TD Sequential has previously demonstrated accuracy in forecasting XRP price movements, according to market observers. Following a late-November decline, the indicator flashed a buy signal and the cryptocurrency rose in subsequent days, according to historical data. Similar signals had preceded notable rebounds before that occurrence.

The indicator has also generated sell signals with comparable effectiveness, according to analysts.

Analyst CryptoWZRD noted that XRP closed “indecisively” and is mirroring Bitcoin’s overall market sentiment. Bitcoin showed slight gains while XRP remained relatively flat, according to market data.

XRP has maintained its position above a support level that traders have characterized as critical. A breakdown below that support could trigger a significant decline if additional support levels fail, according to technical analysis.

Spot Ripple exchange-traded funds have recorded consecutive days of positive inflows since the first fund launched, according to market data.

Darius Baruo
Dec 22, 2025 07:50

Bitcoin technical analysis suggests potential rally to $94,000-$98,000 range by January 2026, with immediate support at $84,450 and bullish momentum building.

Bitcoin's current technical configuration presents a compelling setup for potential upside movement as we head into 2026. With BTC trading at $89,043.65 and showing nascent bullish momentum signals, our comprehensive Bitcoin forecast analysis reveals multiple scenarios that could unfold over the coming weeks.

BTC Price Prediction Summary
• BTC short-term target (1 week): $92,000-$93,750 (+3.3% to +5.3%)
• Bitcoin medium-term forecast (1 month): $94,000-$98,000 range
• Key level to break for bullish continuation: $94,589 (immediate resistance)
• Critical support if bearish: $84,450 (immediate) / $80,600 (strong support)

Recent Bitcoin Price Predictions from Analysts
The analyst community has converged around a cautiously optimistic outlook for Bitcoin, with several notable BTC price prediction targets emerging from recent analysis. FX.co's technical team has identified a $93,750 short-term price target based on double bottom formation and consolidation above key moving averages, representing a medium-confidence prediction that aligns closely with our technical assessment.

More aggressively, Cooper's Head of Research Fadi Aboualfa has projected a Bitcoin forecast reaching $138,000-$148,000 in the longer term, citing historical patterns where Bitcoin finds support at ETF investor cost basis levels before beginning major expansion phases. This high-confidence prediction suggests significant upside potential beyond our immediate targets.

The consensus among analysts points toward short-term resistance around $92,000-$93,750, with medium-term potential extending to the $98,000-$102,000 range. This convergence of predictions provides additional validation for our bullish BTC price prediction framework.

BTC Technical Analysis: Setting Up for Breakout
Bitcoin's current technical structure reveals several encouraging signals supporting our bullish BTC price prediction. The MACD histogram has turned positive at 263.97, indicating building bullish momentum despite the overall MACD remaining in negative territory at -1,401.06. This divergence often precedes significant price movements and supports our Bitcoin forecast for upward movement.

The RSI reading of 46.93 positions Bitcoin in neutral territory, providing ample room for upward movement before reaching overbought conditions. This technical breathing room is crucial for sustainable rallies and strengthens the case for our $92,000-$93,750 short-term BTC price target.

Bitcoin's position within the Bollinger Bands at 0.44 suggests the cryptocurrency is trading in the lower-middle portion of its recent range, with the upper band at $93,927 serving as our primary resistance target. The 20-period SMA at $89,562 is providing immediate overhead resistance, but a break above this level could accelerate movement toward our Bitcoin technical analysis targets.

Volume analysis from Binance spot trading shows $836.8 million in 24-hour volume, indicating healthy participation that could support a sustained breakout move.

Bitcoin Price Targets: Bull and Bear Scenarios
Bullish Case for BTC
Our primary bullish scenario envisions Bitcoin breaking above the immediate resistance at $94,589, which would trigger momentum toward our BTC price target of $98,000-$102,000. This Bitcoin forecast requires several technical confirmations: sustained trading above the 20-period SMA, RSI moving above 55, and MACD achieving a bullish crossover.

The path to $98,000 becomes viable if Bitcoin can reclaim the 50-period SMA at $92,739, which currently serves as dynamic resistance. A successful break of this level, combined with increasing volume, would validate the longer-term analyst predictions and support movement toward the $138,000-$148,000 range cited by institutional researchers.

Key bullish catalysts include maintaining support above $89,000, achieving daily closes above $93,750, and demonstrating the ability to hold gains rather than immediately retracing.

Bearish Risk for Bitcoin
The bearish scenario for our BTC price prediction centers around a failure to hold current support levels. Immediate risk emerges below $84,450, which would likely trigger algorithmic selling and test the critical $80,600 support level identified in our Bitcoin technical analysis.

A break below $80,600 would invalidate our bullish Bitcoin forecast and potentially target the 52-week low region around $83,644. This scenario would require a fundamental shift in market sentiment and would likely coincide with broader crypto market weakness.

Risk factors to monitor include failure to reclaim the 20-period SMA on daily closes, RSI dropping below 40, and MACD histogram turning decisively negative.

Should You Buy BTC Now? Entry Strategy
Based on our Bitcoin technical analysis, the optimal entry strategy involves a layered approach. Primary entry opportunities exist at current levels ($89,000-$89,500) for investors comfortable with moderate risk, given the proximity to technical support levels.

Conservative investors should consider waiting for a pullback to the $86,000-$87,000 range, which aligns with the 7-period SMA and provides better risk-reward positioning for our BTC price target objectives.

Stop-loss levels should be positioned below $84,450 for aggressive entries, or below $80,600 for more conservative risk management. Position sizing should reflect the 14-period ATR of $3,292, indicating significant intraday volatility that requires appropriate capital allocation.

The buy or sell BTC decision ultimately depends on individual risk tolerance, but our analysis suggests the technical setup favors buyers over the medium term, provided key support levels hold.

BTC Price Prediction Conclusion
Our comprehensive Bitcoin forecast points toward a medium-confidence prediction of $92,000-$93,750 within one week, extending to $94,000-$98,000 over the next month. This BTC price prediction relies on maintaining current support above $84,450 and achieving momentum above the 20-period SMA.

Key indicators to monitor for confirmation include MACD achieving a bullish crossover, RSI sustaining above 50, and daily trading volume exceeding $1 billion during breakout attempts. Invalidation signals include daily closes below $84,450 and failure to reclaim the 20-period SMA within the next 5-7 trading days.

Timeline for this Bitcoin forecast to materialize extends through January 2026, with initial signals expected within the next week and full target achievement anticipated within 4-6 weeks, assuming favorable technical development and broader market conditions.

Image source: Shutterstock

btc price analysis
btc price prediction

Jessie A Ellis
Dec 22, 2025 08:04

BNB price prediction points to $920-$950 by year-end 2025, with analysts forecasting bullish momentum despite current consolidation around $861. Key resistance at $928.

BNB Price Prediction: Targeting $920-$950 by Year-End as Technical Setup Strengthens
BNB Price Prediction Summary
• BNB short-term target (1 week): $885-$900 (+2.7% to +4.5%)
• Binance Coin medium-term forecast (1 month): $920-$1,150 range (+6.8% to +33.5%)
• Key level to break for bullish continuation: $928.24 (immediate resistance)
• Critical support if bearish: $818.39 (immediate support) and $790.79 (strong support)

Recent Binance Coin Price Predictions from Analysts
The latest BNB price prediction data reveals a cautiously optimistic consensus among analysts. CoinCodex maintains a conservative outlook with their $852.12 target, essentially predicting sideways movement, while Bitget's $854.04 forecast using a 0.014% daily growth rate suggests minimal upside momentum.

However, Binance Coin forecast models from Blockchain.News paint a more bullish picture, with targets ranging from $920-$940 by December 31st and an ambitious $1,150 projection within 30 days. This divergence in analyst predictions reflects the current technical uncertainty, with BNB consolidating below key resistance levels while maintaining bullish undertones.

The market consensus suggests that while immediate gains may be modest, the potential for significant appreciation exists if BNB can break above the $928 resistance zone that has capped recent rallies.

BNB Technical Analysis: Setting Up for Bullish Breakout
Current Binance Coin technical analysis reveals a cryptocurrency in transition, displaying mixed signals that could resolve in either direction. At $861.44, BNB trades above its 7-day SMA ($854.17) but remains below key moving averages including the 20-day ($877.81) and 50-day ($898.90) levels.

The RSI reading of 45.16 sits in neutral territory, providing room for upward movement without entering overbought conditions. More importantly, the MACD histogram shows a positive 0.6004 reading, indicating building bullish momentum despite the negative MACD line at -14.9252.

Within the Bollinger Bands framework, BNB's position at 0.3147 (%B) suggests the price sits closer to the lower band ($833.63) than the upper band ($921.99), indicating potential for upward movement toward the band's ceiling.

The daily ATR of $34.14 confirms moderate volatility levels, creating opportunities for significant moves once directional clarity emerges. Volume analysis shows healthy $79.8 million in 24-hour trading, sufficient to support a breakout move.

Binance Coin Price Targets: Bull and Bear Scenarios
Bullish Case for BNB
The primary BNB price target in a bullish scenario centers on the $920-$950 range by December 31st. This target aligns with the Bollinger Band upper boundary at $921.99 and represents a natural resistance zone where profit-taking typically occurs.

For this bullish case to materialize, BNB must first overcome the immediate resistance at $928.24, which has previously capped upward moves. A decisive break above this level with increased volume would likely trigger algorithmic buying and push prices toward the $1,000 psychological level.

The ultimate bullish target of $1,150, as suggested by some analysts, would require breaking above the strong resistance at $1,087.24. This scenario demands sustained buying pressure and broader crypto market support, representing a 33% upside from current levels.

Bearish Risk for Binance Coin
Downside risk for BNB centers on the immediate support level at $818.39. A break below this zone would likely trigger stops and push prices toward the strong support at $790.79, representing a potential 8.2% decline from current levels.

The bearish scenario becomes more probable if BNB fails to reclaim the 20-day moving average at $877.81 and volume remains subdued. Additionally, a broader crypto market correction could pressure BNB below critical support levels regardless of individual technical merit.

Risk factors include potential regulatory concerns affecting Binance operations and general risk-off sentiment in crypto markets as 2025 concludes.

Should You Buy BNB Now? Entry Strategy
Based on current technical positioning, buy or sell BNB decisions should consider the following entry strategy:

Conservative Entry: Wait for a pullback to the $845-$850 zone, near the recent low, with a stop-loss at $818.39. This approach offers a favorable risk-reward ratio with upside targets at $920-$950.

Aggressive Entry: Buy on a breakout above $928.24 with volume confirmation, targeting $1,000+ levels. Set a stop-loss at $885 to limit downside risk.

Position Sizing: Given the moderate confidence level of current predictions, limit exposure to 2-3% of portfolio value. The neutral RSI and mixed moving average signals suggest patience may be rewarded with better entry opportunities.

Risk Management: Maintain strict stop-losses as BNB's $34.14 daily ATR indicates significant intraday volatility that can quickly reverse positions.

BNB Price Prediction Conclusion
The comprehensive BNB price prediction analysis suggests a medium confidence forecast for upward movement toward $920-$950 by year-end 2025. The combination of building MACD momentum, neutral RSI positioning, and analyst consensus supporting higher prices provides a foundation for optimism.

However, the prediction's success depends on BNB breaking above the crucial $928.24 resistance level with sustained volume. Failure to achieve this breakout could result in continued consolidation or a move toward support levels.

Key indicators to monitor: MACD histogram maintaining positive momentum, RSI moving above 50, and trading volume exceeding $100 million during any breakout attempt. The prediction timeline extends through December 31st, 2025, with intermediate targets achievable within 1-2 weeks given proper momentum.

Confidence level remains MEDIUM due to mixed technical signals and the proximity to year-end trading, which often experiences reduced institutional participation and increased volatility.

Image source: Shutterstock

bnb price analysis
bnb price prediction

Bitcoiners have mocked financial pundit Peter Schiff after his anti-crypto poll on the X social media network failed miserably. 

The results show that 59% of over 21,000 voters opted for Bitcoin over gold (23%) or silver (18%) in a hypothetical $100,000 investment held until 2028. 

Schiff previously argued that Bitcoin investors were more motivated to vote in these types of polls "to reinforce the bullish narrative needed to keep building the pyramid."

Bitcoin as a distraction In a recent social media post, Schiff argues Bitcoin is a distraction that is suppressing the price of precious metals.

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"Bitcoin is what's preventing so many people from buying gold or silver. It's so unfortunate that they will lose most of their money in Bitcoin instead of making even more money in precious metals," Schiff said. 

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He views the capital flowing into cryptocurrencies as a tragic misallocation of resources. 

If Bitcoin did not exist, the billions of dollars currently in the crypto market would naturally flow into gold, according to Schiff. 

Why Schiff is winningThe gold bug has previously argued that cryptocurrency’s growth narrative is false. He has challenged Bitcoin proponents by asking "why has Bitcoin lost over 40% of its value relative to gold over the past four years." He has used this data point to declare that Bitcoin's time has passed and that "it's gold's time to shine again."

Schiff's argument hinges on comparing the last major market peak (November 2021) to today (December 2025).In November 2021, gold was trading around $1,800/oz. Today, gold has surged to approximately $4,400/oz.

In November 2021, Bitcoin reached an all-time high of $69,000. Today, it is trading around $88,000.

Since the 2021 peak, Gold has outperformed Bitcoin by a massive margin in pure dollar terms.

Gold has rallied roughly 67% year-to-date due to massive central bank buying and geopolitical instability. Silver has performed even better, surging over 130% in 2025.

Bitcoin, on the other hand, has largely chopped sideways or underperformed.

Bitcoin held near $88K as Asian markets opened with low holiday liquidity.
Altcoins were mixed, while total crypto market cap stayed above $3T.
Derivatives data suggests cautious year-end positioning by traders.

Bitcoin held a solid price at $88,000 in the early Asian markets as cryptos kept their composure despite low year-end liquidity. The markets seemed stable, with cryptos not showing notable strength despite a better start to the day by Asia equities markets.

Bitcoin started with a slight increase of around 0.6%, as it continued to maintain the range that it had established after the events of last week. The performance of Ether was somewhat better as it showed an increase of about 1.5%, but XRP showed a slight decrease. Market participation also remained cautious.

Market Snapshot

Bitcoin (BTC): 88,560
24h Volume: ≈ $42.5 billion | Dominance
Ether (ETH): ≈ 3,
Market Cap: ~$50.9
XRP: ~$1
Current Volume: ≈ $6.4
Total Crypto Market Cap: Approximately $3.08 Trillion (+0
24h Market Volume: Approximately $98 billion

Derivatives markets provided better signals compared to spot markets. futures open interest and options positioning indicate that there has been little derisking going into the year-end. Funding rates on the main exchanges were close to neutral.

This suggests that there has been little leverage. Bitcoin ETF action was also in the headlines. Though the level of net inflows has moderated in the past few sessions compared to the opening weeks of the quarter, cumulative holdings are not far off record levels, which has helped Bitcoin hold strong above the $85,000-$88,000 level.

Traditional Market
In traditional markets, gold reached a new all-time high of almost $4,383 per ounce as a result of expectations of rate cuts, safe-haven considerations, as well as a weakening US dollar. Silver prices reached new records too, continuing a positive momentum.

In the past, extreme movements within gold reserves have normally been associated with a period of gold consolidation in Bitcoin. Macro cues are mixed. Asian markets are up 0.5%, with U.S. stock futures furthering the recovery seen last week.

Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack believes that interest rates can remain the same for several more months, defying market predictions of a further two cuts in 2026. In Asia, China’s loan prime rates are kept unchanged for the seventh consecutive month. By supporting the notion of targeted measures and not a broad-based stimulus package.

As the end of the year is approaching, the crypto market continues to be shaped by range trading, derivatives, and selective risk, with traders closely observing the ability of Bitcoin to stay above $88,000.

Gold soared above $4,400 per ounce on December 22, marking a new all-time high. Meanwhile, Bitcoin (BTC) is now sitting 29.5% below its record high.

The underperformance of Bitcoin relative to gold has sparked concerns among analysts that speculative assets may be entering a prolonged downturn.

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Gold continued its upward rally today, reaching a fresh all-time high of $4,409 during the early Asian trading session. At the time of writing, the price adjusted to $4,403 per ounce. At the same time, gold futures reached a high of $4,415 per ounce.

Gold Price Performance. Source: TradingViewThe strength was not limited to gold alone. Precious metals broadly extended their gains. Silver surged to a peak of $69.4 per ounce.

“Silver is now hitting daily record highs, up +140% in 2025 alone. Technicals don’t matter anymore and we’ve seen 8-straight green months,” The Kobeissi Letter posted.

Platinum also joined the rally, climbing to its highest price in years. The metal is now only 4.5% away from its all-time high.

“Price has surged above $2,040/oz. The move comes with strong momentum, suggesting a decisive breakout rather than a short-term spike. After lagging gold and silver for most of the cycle, platinum is now catching up, signaling renewed interest in the metals complex and a possible rotation into undervalued commodities,” analyst Mario Nawfal wrote.

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Bitcoin Underperforms in 2025 While Silver and Gold Lead ReturnsMeanwhile, Bitcoin has stayed weak in comparison. Over the past 24 hours, the largest cryptocurrency has only gained about 0.89%.

At press time, it traded at $88,890, around 29.5% beneath its peak. This performance has increased pressure on long-term holders, with profits continuing to decline.

Bitcoin Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto MarketsOverall, in 2025, Bitcoin is down nearly 5%. In contrast, traditional assets have delivered strong gains. According to the latest data, silver has surged 138%, while gold has increased by almost 68% over the same period.

Market Strategist, Charlie Bilello, highlighted that, since January 2024, when the first Bitcoin ETF debuted, gold has surpassed Bitcoin’s performance by 19%.

“Bitcoin is what’s preventing so many people from buying gold or silver. It’s so unfortunate that they will lose most of their money in Bitcoin instead of making even more money in precious metals,” Economist Peter Schiff stated.

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Equities have also outperformed Bitcoin this year, with the Nasdaq rising 20.8%, the S&P 500 advancing 16.4%, and the Russell 2000 climbing 13.4%.

A market watcher explained that gold’s move to fresh all-time highs heading into year-end suggests that investors continue to prioritize capital protection while rotating into risk assets selectively. According to the analyst, periods when gold rallies alongside equities tend to reflect cautious optimism.

“That backdrop explains why BTC Bitcoin is holding ranges instead of accelerating,” the post read.

Analyst Sees Ratio Shift as Warning for Risk AssetsBitcoin’s continued underperformance may carry broader implications beyond market sentiment alone. Bloomberg Intelligence senior commodity strategist Mike McGlone pointed to the Bitcoin-to-gold ratio as a key indicator. According to him,

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“If the S&P 500 posts its third down year since 2008 in 2026, the ounces of the ancient store of value equal to the speculative digital asset will gain accolades as a leading-indicator.”

McGlone pointed out that the Bitcoin-to-gold ratio is hovering near a key technical support level around 20x, based on charts dated December 19.

“What stops the cross from gravitating toward its mode at roughly 5x? The fact that Bitcoin/gold is unchanged from 2020 and has dropped despite a resilient stock market might be signaling an endgame for lofty risk assets. A prerequisite for rising Bitcoin/gold has historically been increasing equity prices. My take is the leading indicator is front running some post-inflation deflation, which may place an inordinate burden on stocks to keep going up,” McGlone added.

The Bitcoin-to-gold Ratio. Source: X/Mike McGloneNevertheless, some market participants hold a more optimistic view on Bitcoin’s outlook. An analyst argued that gold may be overbought, suggesting that capital could eventually rotate out of precious metals and into Bitcoin.

“BTC/XAU has dropped to around 20 ounces of gold, its lowest since early 2024. The weekly RSI is at 29.5, close to three-year lows, which historically marks long-term bottoms for BTC vs. gold. We see a potential bullish divergence, indicating a short-term rebound, with gold appearing overvalued and BTC undervalued,” Web3 Vibes explained.

Whether Bitcoin can close the gap with gold is unclear. The next few months will show if McGlone’s concerns prove true or if risk appetite rebounds for speculative assets. For now, gold appears to outperform its digital rival by a wide margin.

XRP price slipped below a critical support zone late Saturday, signaling renewed downside pressure after breaking out of a multi-day consolidation. The token fell under the $1.93 level on elevated trading volume, confirming that sellers had taken control even as the broader cryptocurrency market showed mixed signals. While bitcoin and other major altcoins avoided sharp sell-offs, XRP proved more vulnerable, extending a technically fragile setup that has been forming for weeks.

The latest XRP price action comes amid a cooling in overall risk appetite across crypto markets. Bitcoin has struggled to hold recent rebounds, and large-cap altcoins are facing selective selling rather than broad capitulation. Analysts point out that XRP has remained under pressure since losing the psychological $2.00 level earlier this month. Multiple bounce attempts failed to gain traction, leaving the market susceptible to a breakdown once key support was tested again.

During the session, XRP traded in a relatively tight $1.90 to $1.95 range before sellers forced a decisive move lower. The $1.93 area, which had held as support through several tests, broke during U.S. trading hours as volume surged well above recent averages. The most aggressive sell-off occurred around 13:00 UTC, when XRP slid to approximately $1.897 on volume nearly 78% higher than the 24-hour average. This move flipped former support into resistance and confirmed the failure of the prior consolidation structure.

On shorter time frames, XRP now trades below its key short-term moving averages, with momentum indicators rolling over rather than signaling bullish divergence. Although some dip-buying emerged near $1.90, rebounds lacked strength and failed to push price back into the previous range. Over the 24-hour period ending Dec. 22 at 02:00 UTC, XRP declined from roughly $1.926 to $1.915 after briefly spiking near $1.95 earlier in the session.

From a broader perspective, on-chain data adds to the caution. According to Glassnode, realized supply thins significantly below $1.77, with limited historical demand until around the $0.80 level, an area associated with heavy accumulation in earlier cycles. While such a move remains a longer-term scenario, the loss of intermediate support increases sensitivity to further downside extensions. For now, XRP remains technically fragile, with sellers dominating rallies and buyers showing limited conviction unless the price can quickly reclaim the $1.93 resistance zone on strong volume.

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XRP remains locked in a persistent downtrend after another failed breakout attempt. The altcoin continues trading below key resistance, reflecting fading investor support. 

Selling pressure has increased as confidence weakens, raising concerns that XRP may struggle to reverse its trend despite repeated recovery efforts.

Almost 50% XRP Supply Is UnderwaterOn-chain data shows a sharp deterioration in profitability. The share of XRP supply in profit has dropped to 52% after weeks of steady decline. Nearly half of the circulating supply now sits at a loss, increasing the risk of panic-driven selling.

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The last time profitability reached similar levels was in November 2024. Historically, when XRP’s supply in profit falls below 50%, extended drawdowns often follow. While a deeper decline is not immediate, this pattern suggests elevated downside risk over the longer term.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

XRP Supply In Profit. Source: GlassnodeMacro data adds further pressure. Supply held by the top 1% of XRP addresses has declined slightly. These wallets now control 87.6% of the total supply, down from 87.7% at the start of the month.

Although the change appears small, these addresses include whales and institutional-scale holders. Even modest distribution from this group can influence price action. Their gradual selling signals caution and reinforces concerns about XRP’s ability to sustain a recovery without renewed demand.

XRP Supply Held By Top 1% Addresses. Source: GlassnodeXRP Price Needs A Christmas MiracleXRP trades near $1.92 at the time of writing, sitting just below the $1.94 resistance. The price remains capped by a downtrend line active for more than six weeks. Given current conditions, XRP is likely to consolidate between $1.85 and $1.94 in the near term.

Bearish sentiment keeps XRP vulnerable to additional selling. A move toward $1.85 remains possible as traders react to declining profitability and whale distribution. However, a deeper breakdown appears limited unless broader market conditions deteriorate sharply.

XRP Price Analysis. Source: TradingViewA bullish alternative still exists. If XRP pushes above $1.94 and decisively breaks $2.00, it would escape the downtrend. Such a move would invalidate the bearish thesis and improve supply profitability. Increased profits could restore confidence and support a broader recovery attempt.