Market Signal Briefing

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has expanded access to advanced derivatives by enabling ether (ETH) options writing for all eligible users. The move allows traders to sell ETH options, a strategy previously dominated by professional and institutional participants, opening new opportunities to generate premium income while managing market risk.

According to a press release shared with CoinDesk, Binance introduced ETH options writing in response to rising demand from both retail and institutional investors for sophisticated crypto derivatives. By writing options, users can earn upfront premiums, often described as a passive-like income, in exchange for taking on the obligation to buy or sell ether at a predetermined price if the option is exercised.

This development builds on Binance’s earlier efforts to democratize bitcoin options writing and reflects surging interest in BTC, ETH, and ETF-linked derivatives products. Institutional demand for crypto options has accelerated in recent years, highlighted by BlackRock’s IBIT options surpassing Deribit’s native BTC options in trading volume earlier this year, signaling a major shift in the crypto derivatives landscape.

Options contracts give buyers the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset at a set price before expiry. While buyers profit from favorable price movements, sellers act as insurers against those moves, collecting immediate premium income. On platforms like Deribit, experienced traders have long used this approach by writing calls or puts against existing crypto holdings to boost yield.

Binance users can now apply similar strategies with ETH options by posting margin as collateral. Access is subject to a mandatory suitability assessment designed to promote responsible derivatives trading. To accelerate liquidity, Binance is offering a 20% discount on both maker and taker fees for VIP users across newly listed ETH, BTC, BNB, and SOL options contracts.

Alongside the product launch, Binance has upgraded its options trading platform with higher API throughput, lower latency, expanded strike prices, and enhanced WebSocket market data. These improvements aim to support high-frequency traders and institutions while reinforcing Binance’s position in the increasingly competitive crypto options market.

<Copyright ⓒ TokenPost, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited>

PI now stands above $0.20 after a 13% monthly decline.

Billionaire investing icon Ray Dalio says Bitcoin has problems.

In a new interview with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, Dalio says he owns a little BTC, but believes it’s inferior to gold and unappealing to central banks.

“Bitcoin is limited in supply… It’s perceived as money, as a storehold of wealth, that is unlikely to be significantly held by central banks and many others because of the number of problems it has.”

The Czech National Bank became the first central bank to buy Bitcoin last month as part of a $1 million test portfolio of digital assets – but the portfolio is separate from the bank’s official reserves.

Dalio cites Bitcoin’s public transaction ledger, which pseudonymously tracks users’ wallet addresses and transactions, as a key issue.

“Transactions could all be followed in Bitcoin. One can monitor what the transactions are. Governments can monitor what the transactions are. And governments can interfere with those transactions.

Just like we talked about earlier, when we talked about gold is the only asset that you can have that they can’t mess with and control, you’ve got it. That’s not true of Bitcoin.”

Bitcoin proponents argue that BTC is the strongest bearer asset, enabling users to access and transfer their wealth anywhere on earth by remembering a 12-word security phrase.

Governments have found indirect ways to intervene, compelling crypto companies to implement KYC/AML rules, freeze accounts and block transactions linked to sanctioned entities.

Dalio says he’s also concerned about the security of Bitcoin’s network.

“And then there are other issues in Bitcoin, like we talked about the possibility, would somebody make synthetic gold like they would make synthetic diamonds as a risk?

Well, in terms of Bitcoin being cracked, broken, all sorts of things, and controlled, it has those issues. So that’s how I look at Bitcoin…

I’m bearish on fiat currencies. So when I look at the world, I’m just trying to say, “What do I hold?”. So I hold a little bit of Bitcoin. I have a little bit of Bitcoin, but, for me, it’s not as attractive as gold.”

Bitcoin has maintained an uptime of over 99.98% for more than 16 years since its inception in 2009, with 100% reliability since 2013 and no successful hacks to its protocol.

It is often criticized for the extensive energy it takes to secure the network and mine new BTC, as well as the asset’s extreme price volatility.

Gold has been used as a store of value for over 6,000 years, and gold mining has long faced environmental concerns of its own.

The US government has confiscated both gold and Bitcoin in the past, such as through Executive Order 6102 in 1933 for gold and multiple seizures of Bitcoin from criminal operations, including a $15 billion haul in 2025, underscoring that no asset is entirely immune to governmental intervention.

Generated Image: Midjourney

Bitcoin supporters are warning holders not to rush out of BTC to buy gold even as the metal climbs above $4,000 per ounce. According to market educator Matthew Kratter, Bitcoin’s features — like ease of transfer, clear supply rules, and divisibility — make it a stronger long-term store of value than gold.

Gold Supply Concerns
Kratter points to steady increases in the gold supply, estimating it has risen about 1-to-2% annually for decades. Based on that rate, supplies would double roughly every 47 years.

That steady growth, he says, can be amplified by large new finds — on land or, he adds, potentially beyond Earth — which could flood markets and push prices down after a surge.

Reports have disclosed that sudden inflows of precious metal have reshaped economies before, citing how the arrival of New World gold into Europe in the 1500s contributed to major inflation and the collapse of Spain’s power.

Gold’s Practical Limits
The physical nature of gold creates limits in a world that moves value over networks. Moving large amounts is costly and risky. Kratter has argued that tokenized gold — digital tokens claiming to represent physical reserves — brings back counterparty risk: issuers might mint more tokens than they hold, refuse redemption, or see reserves seized.

Based on reports from market watchers, these concerns have pushed some buyers toward assets that are easier to move or verify over the internet.

Industrial Metals Catch Up
Reports have disclosed that industrial metals also posted huge gains in 2025, a year when copper, lithium, aluminum, and steel ran as strong as gold in many markets.

Demand from AI data centers, electric vehicles, and clean-energy projects has pushed consumption higher. Supply hiccups — like mine outages and stretched inventories — tightened markets at the same time. That mix of stronger demand and shakier supply has helped lift prices across the board.

Tariffs And Trading Rushes
Trade policy has added more heat. US President Donald Trump’s announcements of 50% tariffs on certain copper, steel, and aluminum products prompted traders and buyers to rush shipments and stockpile supplies.

BTCUSD trading at $87,915 on the 24-hour chart: TradingView
That front-loading behavior briefly drained available inventories and sent prices swinging. Traders told reporters that even short-term tariff threats can cause big moves because firms try to avoid future costs by buying early.

Where Bitcoin Fits In
The debate between gold and Bitcoin is still active. Bitcoin proponents highlight scarcity — the fixed BTC supply rule — and speed of transfer. Gold advocates contend that gold has centuries of use as money and that Bitcoin’s volatility remains a hurdle for some investors.

The industrial metals rally adds a third thread: these materials are tied to real economic activity, not just safe-haven flows.

Analysts say investors should weigh different risks. Gold can act as a hedge in turbulent times, but steady mine output and big discoveries can change its long-term math. Industrial metals may keep rising if energy and tech demand holds.

And Bitcoin’s supporters argue its digital traits make it better suited to a world that values fast, verifiable transfers.

Featured image from Gemini, chart from TradingView

Share

Others

Binance is pushing deeper into retail derivatives by allowing everyday users to earn income through Ethereum options selling, a strategy previously limited to experienced, professional traders.

Binance is pushing deeper into retail derivatives by allowing everyday users to earn income through Ethereum options selling, a strategy previously limited to experienced, professional traders.

The change follows backend upgrades to Binance’s options engine, enabling broader participation in premium-based ETH strategies.

Turning ETH Volatility Into Premium Income
Instead of trading direction, users can now monetize volatility by selling options. As an options writer, a trader collects an upfront premium immediately, regardless of how the market ultimately resolves. In practice, this mirrors an insurance-style model, where the seller is compensated for taking on defined market risk.

To reduce misuse and excessive exposure, Binance applies two key controls. First, sellers must post margin to cover potential losses. Second, access is gated behind a suitability assessment designed to confirm understanding of derivatives risk. These measures aim to balance accessibility with capital protection.

For early activity, Binance is temporarily cutting Maker and Taker fees by 20% for VIP users trading newly listed ETH, BTC, BNB, and SOL options contracts.

One Piece of a Larger Yield Stack
Options selling now sits alongside Binance’s broader income-focused ecosystem, offering alternatives for users who prefer lower involvement or different risk profiles.

ETH holders can generate yield through staking with low entry thresholds, while Flexible and Locked Earn products provide interest-based returns with varying liquidity conditions. Liquidity Farming adds another layer by sharing trading fees from pooled assets. Meanwhile, users seeking capital efficiency can tap Web3 Loans via Binance Wallet, borrowing against holdings through protocols like Venus Protocol without liquidating positions.

Expanding Access Without Removing Safety Nets
By extending options selling to retail users, Binance is narrowing the gap between institutional-style strategies and mainstream access. The move reflects growing demand for advanced income tools, while margin rules and assessments signal a continued emphasis on controlled risk within its derivatives platform.

Author

Alexander Zdravkov

Reporter at CoinsPress

Alexander Zdravkov interessiert sich leidenschaftlich für Bedeutungsfragen. Er ist seit mehr als drei Jahren im Kryptobereich tätig und hat ein Auge dafür, aufkommende Trends in der Welt der digitalen Währungen aufzuspüren. Ob er nun tiefgreifende Analysen liefert oder tagesaktuell über alle Themen berichtet, sein tiefes Verständnis und seine Begeisterung für das, was er tut, macht ihn zu einer wertvollen Ergänzung für das CoinsPress-Team.

As the crypto market heads into the final week before Christmas, several major altcoins are approaching governance votes and tokenomics shifts that could materially alter their long-term supply dynamics.

From Uniswap’s long-awaited fee switch to Hyperliquid’s proposed billion-dollar token burn, the coming days mark a decisive moment for multiple ecosystems.

Top 4 Altcoins With Important Headlines This WeekUniswap (UNI), Hyperliquid (HYPE), Aster (ASTER), and Huma Finance (HUMA) each have protocol-level changes scheduled between December 22 and December 25.

Sponsored

Sponsored

This places token holders and validators at the center of critical decisions as 2025 draws to a close.

Uniswap’s Fee Switch Vote Heads Toward Christmas DeadlineVoting on Uniswap’s UNIfication proposal concludes on December 25, potentially ending years of debate around protocol fees and value capture for UNI holders. Uniswap founder Hayden Adams also confirmed that voting for the Unification proposal is now live.

The proposal, jointly developed by Uniswap Labs and the Uniswap Foundation, would activate protocol fees across the ecosystem. It would also burn 100 million UNI from the treasury, an amount designed to reflect what would have been burned had fees been active from inception.

Uniswap governance voting shows strong support for the UNIfication proposal, with voting ending December 25, 2025According to the proposal summary, voting “For” signals support to:

Turn on Uniswap protocol fees and use them to burn UNI
Send Unichain sequencer fees to the same burn mechanism
Build Protocol Fee Discount Auctions (PFDA)
Develop aggregator hooks for Uniswap v4
Burn 100 million UNI from the treasury
Refocus Labs entirely on protocol development
Migrate governance-owned Unisocks liquidity to v4 on Unichain and burn the LP position
Uniswap Foundation confirmed momentum heading into the on-chain vote, stating:

Sponsored

Sponsored

“Last month, we posted a governance proposal to turn on protocol fees & align incentives across the Uniswap ecosystem… UNIfication passed snapshot with 63M+ votes in favor. Tomorrow, the proposal moves to on-chain vote,” Uniswap said on X (Twitter).

Amid this fray, the Uniswap token, UNI, rallied by 30% on Sunday. As of this writing, UNI was trading for $6.21, up by over 15% in the last 24 hours.

Uniswap (UNI) Price Performance. Source: CoinGeckoIf approved, the proposal will enter a two-day time lock before execution, after which the burn and fee switch will go live immediately.

Hyperliquid Validators Vote on $1 Billion HYPE BurnHyperliquid’s governance process reaches its own deadline on December 24, when validators finalize a vote to formally recognize nearly $1 billion worth of HYPE tokens as permanently burned from its Assistance Fund. This could remove over 10% of HYPE from circulating and total supply.

“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,” the Hyper Foundation explained.

The Assistance Fund holds $998,965,886.59, mainly in spot holdings at a system-controlled address.

Sponsored

Sponsored

The Hyperliquid Assistance Fund holds approximately $999 million, subject to validator burn vote ending December 24 (Source: Coin Bureau)The tokens are held at a system address with no private key, making them mathematically irretrievable without a hard fork. The vote establishes a binding social consensus never to access those funds.

The proposal reinforces Hyperliquid’s reputation as one of crypto’s most unconventional high-growth protocols, having raised no venture capital and routed revenue directly into token buybacks.

With barely two days left before the vote is finalized, the HYPE token is trading for $24.92, up over 3% in the last 24 hours.

Hyperliquid (HYPE) Price Performance. Source: BeInCryptoAster Reduces Emissions as Rewards Program LaunchesOn December 22, Aster will reduce its token emissions while simultaneously launching a new $12 million Crystal Weekly Drops rewards program.

Sponsored

Sponsored

“We’re excited to launch $12 million Crystal Weekly Drops — Aster’s new weekly cash rewards program following Double Harvest,” wrote Aster.

Phase 1 runs from December 22 to December 28, with up to $2 million in USDF distributed based on platform-wide perpetual trading volume.

The emission adjustment signals a shift toward tighter supply controls as Aster attempts to balance incentives with sustainability.

Huma Finance Distributes Vanguard Utility BadgesHuma Finance rounds out the pre-holiday slate on December 24, when it distributes Huma Vanguard utility badges to qualifying HUMA stakers.

The wait is over! Huma Vanguard badges arriving this Christmas Eve 🎄

2,706 community members will receive their badge in the first wave, congrats and happy early holidays!

For ~200 of you who were on track but missed staking your S2 airdrop, we’re giving you a grace period… pic.twitter.com/aSVRpclnEl

— Huma Finance 🟣 (@humafinance) December 18, 2025
Huma also offered a brief grace period for users who missed staking their Season 2 airdrop, allowing requalification through December 21.

Taken together, the concentration of governance votes, token burns, emission cuts, and staking incentives marks one of the most active pre-Christmas periods for altcoin tokenomics this year.

While immediate price reactions remain uncertain, the decisions made in the coming days could shape supply curves, incentive models, and protocol alignment well into 2026. This makes UNI, HYPE, ASTER, and HUMA closely watched assets as the year comes to a close.

GBTC’s outflows have left the US BTC-spot ETF market with total net inflows of $57.4 billion, underpinning the importance of BlackRock’s presence in the BTC-spot ETF market. BlackRock’s absence from the US BTC-spot ETF market could have resulted in total net outflows and a materially different narrative for BTC and the broader market.

Structural Reasons for Modest XRP ETF Inflows
Several factors explain XRP’s comparatively modest ETF inflows:

There are Five XRP-spot ETFs vs. 11 BTC-spot ETFs.
The absence of a top 10 ETF issuer by AUM.
Broader macroeconomic conditions. The US BTC-spot ETF market has reported total net outflows of $1.9 billion since XRP-spot ETFs began trading.

Solana Comparison and Broader Market Context
The Solana-spot ETF market is more comparable to the XRP-spot ETF market, given that there are six SOL-spot ETFs. Despite launching in October, the US SOL-spot ETF market has reported total net inflows of $741 million since launch, trailing the XRP-spot ETF market.

Despite net inflows since launch, SOL has plunged 40% in the fourth quarter, while XRP has dropped 33%. Meanwhile, BTC has declined a more modest 22% in the fourth quarter, while ETF issuers reported hefty outflows.

These trends suggest the broader macroeconomic backdrop and developments on Capitol Hill overshadowed institutional demand.

Macro Drivers: Fed, BoJ, and Capitol Hill
The US government shutdown and delay in crypto-friendly legislation have weighed on sentiment. A more hawkish Fed policy stance and anticipation of a Bank of Japan rate hike weighed on demand for crypto in the fourth quarter.

However, softer US inflation and weaker labor market conditions have increased the chances of a March Fed rate cut. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, the probability of a March cut rose from 47% on November 21 to 56.3% on December 19.

Meanwhile, last week’s dovish BoJ rate hike weighed on yen demand, triggering a 1.45% USD/JPY rally on Friday, December 19. While the yen fell sharply, 10-year Japanese Government Bond (JGB) yields broke above 2% for the first time since 2006. The weaker yen was crucial for market sentiment, breaking XRP’s inverse correlation with 10-year JGB yields.

Rising bets on a March Fed rate cut and easing fears of a yen carry trade unwind underpin a bullish short- to medium-term outlook for XRP.

XRPUSD – Daily Chart – 221225 – Market Structure Bill
Considering these tailwinds, the short-term (1-4 weeks) outlook has turned bullish, with a $2 price target. The medium-term (4-8 weeks) and longer-term (8-12 weeks) outlooks remain constructive, with price targets of $2.5 and $3.0, respectively.

Downside Risks to the Bullish Scenario
Several scenarios could challenge the bullish outlooks. These include:

The Bank of Japan announces a neutral interest rate of between 1.5% and 2.5% and the need to combat inflation aggressively.
US economic data and Fed speakers temper bets on a March rate cut.
The MSCI delists digital asset treasury companies (DATs). Delistings would likely reduce interest in XRP as a treasury reserve asset.
US Senate opposes the Market Structure Bill.
XRP-spot ETFs report outflows.

These scenarios would likely send XRP toward $1.75, indicating a bearish trend reversal.

In summary, the short-term outlook has turned cautiously bullish as fundamentals override the bearish technicals. Meanwhile, the medium- to longer-term outlooks are constructive.

Financial Analysis
Technical Outlook: EMAs Signal Caution
XRP fell 0.58% on Sunday, December 21, partially reversing the previous day’s 1.29% gain to close at $1.9224. The token underperformed the broader crypto market, which gained 0.29%.

Sunday’s pullback left XRP well below the 50-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), signaling a bearish bias. While technicals remain bearish, fundamentals are increasingly outweighing the technical structure.

Key technical levels to watch include:

Support levels: $1.75, and then $1.50.
50-day EMA resistance: $2.1343.
200-day EMA resistance: $2.4098.
Resistance levels: $2, $2.5, $3.0, and $3.66.

Looking at the daily chart, a break above the $2 psychological level would pave the way to the 50-day EMA. A sustained move through the 50-day EMA would signal a near-term bullish trend reversal, bringing the 200-day EMA and the $2.5 resistance level into play.

A breakout above the EMAs would affirm the medium-term outlook, and the longer-term (8-12 weeks) $3.0 price target.

Journalist

Posted: December 22, 2025

Prediction markets (PMs) are one of crypto’s hottest topics alongside stablecoins, tokenization, and perpetual markets right now. However, the segment is typically viewed as typical gambling by critics.

For Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin, however, PMs are “truth seeking” and “an antidote for crazy opinions,” with the exec citing Elon Musk’s claim of “UK civil war being inevitable.”

Source: Farcaster

That being said, he did acknowledge that the platforms can still be manipulated to cause harm. 

Polymarket’s breakthrough
Still, 2025 became a breakout moment for the segment, particularly with the integration of major financial platforms for risk planning. 

Polymarket was tapped by New York Stock Exchange’s (NYSE) parent company, ICE, to distribute the platform’s data to global financial firms. This would help with risk management for hedge funds and other entities. 

It also scored a partnership with social media giant X (formerly Twitter). The Polygon-based decentralized PM soon reached a record high in daily trading volume, at $179 million, amid growing traction and adoption. 

Source: X

Interestingly, Premier League and other sports seasons began in August, and Polymarket volume also picked up momentum around that time. However, prediction markets enable users to wager on multiple markets, ranging from elections to cryptocurrency topics.  

Polymarket vs. Kalshi
Given their financial incentives, markets and experts, including Buterin, view PMs as a better source of truth than traditional surveys.

For long, Polygon-based Polymarket has been the leading Web3 predictions market. However, Kalshi tokenised its smart contracts and partnered with various Solana-based platforms such as Jupiter. The BNB chain also scaled its adoption of PMs. 

Lately though, Kalshi has eaten into Polymarket’s share. In fact, it now controls 73% of the market’s volume. 

Source: The Block

Kalshi partly gained traction due to Polymarket’s U.S ban since 2022. However, the platform has resolved its regulatory issues and is planning to reopen to the U.S. market again. Even so, it remains to be seen if it will reclaim its market dominance. 

Also, Polygon’s recent downtime affected Polymarket, prompting the team to accelerate its L2, according to insiders. Besides, with the planned POLY launch, the platform volumes could bounce back, driven by users farming for airdrops. 

Final Thoughts

Prediction markets are ‘truth-seeking’ tools to clear noise from crazy markets and topics, according to Buterin. 
Kalshi continues to dominate market volume as Polymarket seeks U.S market re-entry. 

Solana started a recovery wave above the $120 zone. SOL price is now consolidating and faces hurdles near the $128 zone.

SOL price started a decent recovery wave above $122 and $124 against the US Dollar.
The price is now trading above $125 and the 100-hourly simple moving average.
There is a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $127 on the hourly chart of the SOL/USD pair (data source from Kraken).
The price could continue to move up if it clears $128 and $130.

Solana Price Faces Resistance
Solana price remained stable and started a decent recovery wave from $117, like Bitcoin and Ethereum. SOL was able to climb above the $120 level.

There was a move above the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $134 swing high to the $117 low. The bulls even pushed the price above $125. However, the bears remained active near $127. There is also a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $127 on the hourly chart of the SOL/USD pair.

Solana is now trading above $125 and the 100-hourly simple moving average. On the upside, immediate resistance is near the $127 level, and the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $134 swing high to the $117 low.

Source: SOLUSD on TradingView.com
The next major resistance is near the $130 level. The main resistance could be $135. A successful close above the $135 resistance zone could set the pace for another steady increase. The next key resistance is $144. Any more gains might send the price toward the $150 level.

Another Decline In SOL?
If SOL fails to rise above the $130 resistance, it could continue to move down. Initial support on the downside is near the $125 zone. The first major support is near the $122 level.

A break below the $122 level might send the price toward the $117 support zone. If there is a close below the $117 support, the price could decline toward the $108 zone in the near term.

Technical Indicators

Hourly MACD – The MACD for SOL/USD is gaining pace in the bullish zone.

Hourly Hours RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for SOL/USD is above the 50 level.

Major Support Levels – $125 and $122.

Major Resistance Levels – $128 and $130.

Bitcoin steadies near $89,000 as gold hits record and Asia stocks riseUpdated Dec 22, 2025, 5:42 a.m. Published Dec 22, 2025, 5:17 a.m.

Bitcoin traded near $88,800 on Monday as global markets leaned back into risk following record highs in gold and gains across Asian equities.

Ether climbed back above $3,000, while XRP, Solana and Dogecoin also edged higher after a volatile stretch that saw crypto prices swing sharply independent of stocks and commodities.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

The steadier tone came as gold pushed to an all-time high above $4,380 an ounce, driven by growing bets that the Federal Reserve will deliver additional rate cuts in 2026.

The metal is on track for its strongest annual performance since 1979, supported by central-bank buying and persistent inflows into gold-backed exchange-traded funds.

Asian stocks advanced alongside the move in precious metals. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose more than 1%, led by technology shares, after a rebound in U.S. equities late last week helped calm global markets. U.S. equity futures were also higher.

Japan remained in focus after the Bank of Japan’s recent rate hike pushed government bond yields to multi-year highs. The yen strengthened after officials warned against excessive currency moves, while higher yields reinforced the shift away from years of ultra-loose policy.

Crypto followed the broader risk tone but remained fragile. Traders pointed to thin year-end liquidity and lingering leverage as factors keeping rallies in check.

Data from K33 Research shows long-term bitcoin holders are nearing the end of an extended selling phase, while institutional buyers have begun absorbing bitcoin faster than miners can produce it. Corporate treasuries and ETFs have increased purchases even after prices fell more than 30% from October highs.

Crypto continues to take cues from the macro backdrop — helped by rate-cut expectations and haven demand in gold, but restrained by the aftereffects of a deep fourth-quarter drawdown.

More For You

Protocol Research: GoPlus Security

Nov 14, 2025

What to know:

As of October 2025, GoPlus has generated $4.7M in total revenue across its product lines. The GoPlus App is the primary revenue driver, contributing $2.5M (approx. 53%), followed by the SafeToken Protocol at $1.7M.GoPlus Intelligence's Token Security API averaged 717 million monthly calls year-to-date in 2025 , with a peak of nearly 1 billion calls in February 2025. Total blockchain-level requests, including transaction simulations, averaged an additional 350 million per month.Since its January 2025 launch , the $GPS token has registered over $5B in total spot volume and $10B in derivatives volume in 2025. Monthly spot volume peaked in March 2025 at over $1.1B , while derivatives volume peaked the same month at over $4B.View Full Report

More For You

Binance opens up ways for users to generate income using ETH options

12 minutes ago

Binance has opened up ether options to all users, allowing them to earn passive income.

What to know:

Binance has opened up ether options to all users, allowing them to earn passive income, expanding a strategy previously limited to professional traders.The exchange's move responds to growing demand for advanced derivative tools from both retail and institutional investors.Binance has upgraded its options platform to offer faster execution and greater flexibility, aiming to dominate the competitive crypto options market.Read full story

XRP weakens after repeated price-action failures near $1.95A loss of $1.77 could lead to a significant drop, with the next major support around $0.80.Updated Dec 22, 2025, 5:27 a.m. Published Dec 22, 2025, 5:27 a.m.

(CoinDesk Data)

What to know: XRP broke down from a consolidation phase, slipping below the $1.93 support zone as sellers took control.The cryptocurrency has been vulnerable since losing the $2.00 level, with rebounds failing to gain traction.A loss of $1.77 could lead to a significant drop, with the next major support around $0.80.XRP broke down from a multi-day consolidation late Saturday, slipping below the $1.93 support zone as elevated volume confirmed sellers were in control, even as broader crypto markets remained mixed.

News backgroundThe move comes amid a broader cooling in risk appetite across crypto, with bitcoin struggling to hold recent rebounds and large-cap altcoins seeing selective pressure rather than broad capitulation. Analysts have noted that XRP, in particular, has been vulnerable since losing the $2.00 handle earlier this month, with repeated rebounds failing to attract sustained follow-through.On-chain data from Glassnode shows that below $1.77, realized supply thins significantly until the $0.80 area, a level that previously marked heavy accumulation during earlier cycles. While that remains a longer-term scenario, the loss of intermediate support has increased sensitivity to downside extensions.Technical analysisXRP spent most of the session trading within a $1.90–$1.95 range before sellers forced a breakdown through the lower bound. The $1.93 area, which had acted as support through multiple tests, gave way during U.S. hours as volume expanded well above recent averages.The most decisive move occurred around 13:00 UTC, when price slid to $1.897 on volume of roughly 93.8 million tokens, around 78% above the 24-hour average. That move flipped the former support zone into resistance and confirmed a failure of the prior consolidation structure.On the hourly chart, XRP is now trading below its short-term moving averages, with momentum indicators rolling over rather than showing divergence. The inability to reclaim $1.93 quickly keeps the near-term bias tilted lower.Price action summaryXRP fell from $1.926 to $1.915 over the 24-hour period ending Dec. 22 at 02:00 UTCPrice briefly spiked to $1.95 earlier in the session before reversing sharplyA late-session push lower saw XRP trade down to $1.907 during the final hourVolume accelerated into the breakdown rather than fading, suggesting active selling rather than thin liquidityDespite some dip-buying near $1.90, rebounds lacked momentum, and price failed to re-enter the prior range.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

What traders should know$1.93–$1.95 now acts as a resistance band following the breakdown$1.90 is the first level bulls need to defend to prevent follow-through sellingA clean loss of $1.77 would expose a much thinner demand zone until roughly $0.80, based on on-chain cost basis dataAny recovery attempt needs a fast reclaim of $1.93 on rising volume to neutralize the current setupFor now, XRP remains in a technically fragile position, with sellers controlling rallies and buyers showing limited conviction at higher levels.

More For You

Protocol Research: GoPlus Security

Nov 14, 2025

What to know:

As of October 2025, GoPlus has generated $4.7M in total revenue across its product lines. The GoPlus App is the primary revenue driver, contributing $2.5M (approx. 53%), followed by the SafeToken Protocol at $1.7M.GoPlus Intelligence's Token Security API averaged 717 million monthly calls year-to-date in 2025 , with a peak of nearly 1 billion calls in February 2025. Total blockchain-level requests, including transaction simulations, averaged an additional 350 million per month.Since its January 2025 launch , the $GPS token has registered over $5B in total spot volume and $10B in derivatives volume in 2025. Monthly spot volume peaked in March 2025 at over $1.1B , while derivatives volume peaked the same month at over $4B.View Full Report

More For You

Binance opens up ways for users to generate income using ETH options

12 minutes ago

Binance has opened up ether options to all users, allowing them to earn passive income.

What to know:

Binance has opened up ether options to all users, allowing them to earn passive income, expanding a strategy previously limited to professional traders.The exchange's move responds to growing demand for advanced derivative tools from both retail and institutional investors.Binance has upgraded its options platform to offer faster execution and greater flexibility, aiming to dominate the competitive crypto options market.Read full story

Top Stories

Developers argue that while quantum computers pose no immediate threat, upgrading the protocol and coordinating a network-wide migration could take five to ten years.

Danielle du Toit2 min read

22 December 2025, 05:30 AM

Although the risk is still theoretical for now, the lengthy migration window has become a central concern as some investors question whether Bitcoin can adapt quickly enough if quantum capabilities advance faster than expected.

Bitcoin’s Quantum Debate Is Heating UpThe debate over whether quantum computing poses a serious threat to Bitcoin has resurfaced, and well known developers, investors, and venture capital figures are offering very different views on both the urgency of the risk and the timeline for action. At the center of the discussion is the question of how long it will take to migrate Bitcoin to post-quantum cryptographic standards, and whether markets should already be pricing in that risk.

Jameson Lopp, a Bitcoin Core developer and co-founder of custody firm Casa, said that while quantum computers do not pose an immediate threat to Bitcoin, preparing the network for a post-quantum future will be a long and complex process. According to Lopp, carefully updating the protocol and coordinating a large-scale migration of funds across the network could realistically take between five and ten years. He explained that Bitcoin’s decentralized consensus model makes such upgrades a lot more difficult than changes to centralized software systems.

Lopp’s assessment is similar to comments from Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream, who also argued that quantum computing is still a distant concern rather than an imminent existential threat. In the Bitcoin community, however, the issue exposed a growing divide. 

Long-time Bitcoin developers and so-called maximalists argue that the technical and economic barriers to launching a successful quantum attack on Bitcoin are enormous. Bitcoin advocate Pierre Rochard said that any realistic attempt to attack the network with quantum computers will be so expensive that it would likely require government-level subsidies. Similarly, Samson Mow, CEO of Bitcoin advocacy firm JAN3, dismissed claims of near-term danger by saying that today’s quantum machines struggle with even trivial numerical problems without extreme customization.

On the other side of the debate, some venture capitalists and market analysts argue that perception alone can influence price action. Charles Edwards, founder of digital asset fund Capriole, warned that Bitcoin’s price could face serious downside pressure if the protocol is not demonstrably quantum-ready by 2028. Edwards has urged node operators to consider enforcing Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 360, which introduces a quantum-resistant signature scheme for Bitcoin.

Overall, most people agree on one point: quantum computing is not an immediate threat to Bitcoin’s security, but ignoring the issue entirely could prove costly. 

ENRICH your inbox with our best storiesDon’t miss out and join our newsletter to get the latest,
well-curated news from the crypto world!

Danielle du Toit

Danielle du Toit, a criminology honors graduate, has channeled her curiosity and analytical mindset into exploring the fascinating and ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency. Drawn to the dynamic nature of blockchain technology and its impact on global markets, Danielle thrives on uncovering insights in this complex industry.
As a crypto journalist, Danielle is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge with fellow enthusiasts. Her work combines a keen investigative eye with a love for storytelling, making even the most intricate aspects of crypto accessible and engaging. Through her writing, Danielle aims to inspire readers to delve deeper into the weird and wonderful realm of digital finance.

Read more about

BitcoinLatest Cryptocurrencies News Today

You might not believe it, but it has been five years since the SEC filed a lawsuit against Ripple.

What began as an existential threat to one company became the defining regulatory conflict for the entire crypto industry.

The day it beganThe SEC complaint, which was made public on Dec. 22, was met with shock within the crypto industry. The lawsuit was filed on the final days of SEC Chairman Jay Clayton’s tenure. 

The market reacted violently. XRP crashed over 60% in days, wiping out billions in value. It was a "blood in the streets" moment. 

HOT Stories

Fear of liability caused a domino effect. Major exchanges like Coinbase and Bitstamp immediately delisted XRP or halted trading for U.S. customers.

card

The tribalism of crypto spiked. Bitcoin and Ethereum proponents felt safe, but rest of the altcoin market feared they would be next. 

The battle year-by-year Ripple refused to settle (unlike most crypto firms before them). They hired a massive legal team and argued they lacked the "fair notice" that XRP was a security.

In 2021, the community mobilized. Its members were busy filing amicus briefs and crowdsourcing evidence of SEC inconsistencies.

During the discovery, Ripple demanded internal SEC emails related to a 2018 speech by Director William Hinman, who had declared Ether was not a security. The SEC fought tooth and nail to keep these hidden. 

In 2022, Procedural rulings began to favor Ripple. Judges ordered the SEC to hand over the Hinman documents.

The documents revealed internal confusion at the SEC. This bolstered Ripple’s argument that the rules were unclear. The narrative changed from "Ripple is in trouble" to "the SEC is overreaching." 

In June 2023, Judge Analisa Torres issued the historic summary judgment. She ruled that XRP sold on public exchanges (programmatic sales) was not a security. At the same time, she determined that the tokens sold directly to institutional investors was a security. 

With the "security" question mostly settled, the fight turned to the remedies. The SEC asked for $2 billion in fines and disgorgement. Ripple argued for a penalty closer to $10 million. 

Judge Torres ordered Ripple to pay a $125 million civil penalty. 

In October 2024, the SEC filed a notice of appeal. 

Victorious, but at a cost In 2025, the five-year war finally concluded. Ripple emerged as the clear victor, though the peace treaty was expensive.

By mid-2025, the SEC's leadership and priorities had changed, and the agency footed strongly pro-crypto views. The SEC moved to withdraw its appeal. Ripple, in turn, dropped its cross-appeal.

Ripple "won" on the legal status of XRP, they had to swallow a bitter pill regarding the financial penalty. The company ultimately paid the $125 million judgment, a figure the user might view as the "higher fine". 

Back to business  Ripple survived a regulatory assault that would have bankrupted almost any other company. 
They shelled out a nine-figure.

In exchange, however, they obtained black-and-white legal clarity in the United States.

The end of the litigation cleared the path for a slew of XRP ETFs that launched in the fourth quarter of the year.

News

Video

PricesResearchConsensus 2026

Data & Indices

SponsoredDogecoin slips below $0.129 as range support gives wayDespite attempts to rebound, selling interest kept pressure on the downside, leaving DOGE in a technically vulnerable position.Updated Dec 22, 2025, 5:37 a.m. Published Dec 22, 2025, 5:37 a.m.

What to know: Dogecoin fell below a key support level near $0.129, with increased volume confirming a breakdown from its recent range.The token slipped 0.3% over 24 hours, trading from $0.1309 to $0.1305, with intraday volatility reaching 4%.Despite attempts to rebound, selling interest kept pressure on the downside, leaving DOGE in a technically vulnerable position.Dogecoin edged lower over the past 24 hours as selling pressure pushed the token below a key support level near $0.129, with elevated volume confirming a breakdown from its recent consolidation range.

Market overviewDOGE slipped roughly 0.3% over the 24-hour period ending Dec. 22, trading down from $0.1309 to $0.1305 after failing to hold support that had contained price action for several sessions. While the percentage move was modest, intraday volatility reached roughly 4%, reflecting increased sensitivity around nearby technical levels.Trading activity picked up notably during the session. Aggregate volume rose sharply, with turnover spiking well above recent averages as price tested both the upper and lower bounds of its range. Early strength carried DOGE briefly higher toward $0.134 before sellers emerged, reinforcing that level as near-term resistance.Technical analysisThe technical picture deteriorated during U.S. and early Asian hours as DOGE lost footing near $0.1289, a level that had repeatedly attracted buyers in recent sessions. The breakdown occurred alongside a sharp increase in volume, suggesting active participation rather than low-liquidity drift.The most decisive move came shortly after 02:00 UTC, when price slid from the $0.132 area toward $0.130 on a concentrated burst of selling. That move marked a clear exit from the prior consolidation structure and flipped former support into resistance.On shorter timeframes, DOGE now trades below its immediate moving averages, with momentum indicators leaning lower rather than showing divergence. Attempts to rebound toward $0.132 have so far met selling interest, keeping pressure on the downside.Price action summaryDOGE traded between roughly $0.134 and $0.130 during the sessionVolume surged to well above recent norms during the breakdown phaseA brief rally early in the session failed near $0.134 resistanceLate-session selling pushed price below $0.129 before stabilizing near $0.130Despite some stabilization near current levels, price has not yet reclaimed the former range floor.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

What traders should watch$0.132–$0.134 now acts as overhead resistance following the breakdown$0.129 is the first level to watch on the downside; a sustained loss could open the door to further weaknessA quick reclaim of $0.129–$0.130 on rising volume would be needed to neutralize the bearish setupContinued elevated volume without upside follow-through would reinforce the case for consolidation resolving lowerFor now, DOGE remains in a technically vulnerable position, with sellers controlling rebounds and buyers showing limited conviction above former support.

More For You

Protocol Research: GoPlus Security

Nov 14, 2025

What to know:

As of October 2025, GoPlus has generated $4.7M in total revenue across its product lines. The GoPlus App is the primary revenue driver, contributing $2.5M (approx. 53%), followed by the SafeToken Protocol at $1.7M.GoPlus Intelligence's Token Security API averaged 717 million monthly calls year-to-date in 2025 , with a peak of nearly 1 billion calls in February 2025. Total blockchain-level requests, including transaction simulations, averaged an additional 350 million per month.Since its January 2025 launch , the $GPS token has registered over $5B in total spot volume and $10B in derivatives volume in 2025. Monthly spot volume peaked in March 2025 at over $1.1B , while derivatives volume peaked the same month at over $4B.View Full Report

More For You

Binance opens up ways for users to generate income using ETH options

12 minutes ago

Binance has opened up ether options to all users, allowing them to earn passive income.

What to know:

Binance has opened up ether options to all users, allowing them to earn passive income, expanding a strategy previously limited to professional traders.The exchange's move responds to growing demand for advanced derivative tools from both retail and institutional investors.Binance has upgraded its options platform to offer faster execution and greater flexibility, aiming to dominate the competitive crypto options market.Read full story

Top Stories

Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017,
aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy,
our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a
rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging
blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover
all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

The Bank of Japan’s latest decision to increase its interest rate to the highest in 30 years has sent the yen plummeting to record lows. As the yen continues to crash, defying the country’s expectations, officials warn of “appropriate action” against excessive moves. While this unexpected downfall following the BOJ’s rate hike has sparked a sudden surge in Bitcoin price, its future hangs in the balance.

Bitcoin Price Under Shaky Ground Post BOJ Rate Hike
According to the latest reports, the Japanese yen has declined to severe lows following the BOJ’s recent interest hike. Earlier today, officials like Atsushi Mimura, the vice finance minister of Japan’s international affairs, signaled the government’s intervention to tackle the currency’s further fluctuations. Mimura added that the recent foreign exchange movements were “one-sided and sharp.”

Notably, this statement comes in response to the yen’s historic plummets against other currencies like the dollar, the euro, and the Swiss franc. While the dollar hit a mark of 157.67 yen, the euro and the Swiss franc reached 184.90 yen and 198.08 yen, respectively. If the dollar continues to grow against the Japanese currency, reaching 160 yen, authorities are expected to take necessary actions.

In response to this development, the Bitcoin price has seen a marginal surge, sparking a fresh wave of enthusiasm. As of now, BTC is valued at $88,949, with a 1.04% increase in a day. Despite a 0.78% weekly dip, the pioneer crypto has seen a notable surge of 5.9% over the last month. However, market experts see this as a temporary hike ahead of a succeeding plunge.

As the Japanese authority has hinted at its potential intervention, a sustained Bitcoin price rally is uncertain. If the authority intervenes to support the yen’s growth, it could negatively impact the Bitcoin price, pulling its price downwards.

BOJ’s Rate Hike Fails to Support Yen: Here’s Why
Significantly, the yen’s plummet despite the BOJ’s rate hike could be connected to multiple factors. Firstly, the BOJ’s rate hike was largely anticipated, and the overnight index swap predicted almost 100% odds for it. This reportedly triggered a “buy the rumor, sell the news” reaction, with investors who had already bought the currency selling it to lock profits, adding downward pressure.

Another major reason is Japan’s negative interest rates in comparison to the US. While Japan’s real rates stand at around -2.15%, the US’s rates are at +1.44%. This difference has pushed investors to borrow yen at lower rates and invest in higher-yielding assets elsewhere.

At the same time, Robin Brooks, a Brookings Institution senior fellow, shared insights on a fundamental problem. He stated,

“Japan’s longer-term interest rates are much too low given massive public debt. As long as that remains true, the yen will continue its debasement cycle…Without this buying, Japan’s longer-term yields would be much higher, which would push the country into a debt crisis…Unfortunately, given how huge Japan’s debt overhang is, the choice is between a debt crisis and currency debasement.”

The BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda’s press release has been quite disappointing for the markets. His words provided no clear guidelines on future rate decisions.  This emphasized the prevailing uncertainty, thus impacting the yen.

Uniswap has secured enough community support to activate UNIfication, its protocol fee switch, with the upgrade slated to launch sometime this week.

It cleared the 40 million vote requirement, with early Monday figures showing approximately 62 million votes in favor of the upgrade since voting opened on December 20. Though formally voting closes on Christmas Day.

Uniswap Labs CEO Hayden Adams stated last week that, following a successful vote, the protocol will enter a two-day timelock period during which the DEX protocol will activate its v2 and v3 fee switches on the Unichain mainnet.

The process should lead to more UNI token burning, approximately 100 million tokens from the Foundation’s treasury, coupled with the launch of a new auction-based fee discount system to boost the returns of liquidity providers.

The fee switches will reduce UNI tokens from 629 million to 529 million tokens 
UNI has gained nearly 25% since voting opened, reaching around $6.08, after bouncing back from a month-long selloff that followed a weak market. The UNI token had also risen nearly 40% as of early November after news of the UNIfication proposal, peaking at $9.70 around November 11.

The proposal will ultimately tighten UNI’s supply-demand dynamics and add long-term value. UNI’s supply in circulation would drop from 629 million to 529 million tokens under the proposed burn. The proposal would also impose v2 pool fees of 0.25% for LPs and 0.05% for the protocol itself, whereas v3 protocol fees would be applied pool by pool to obtain 16–25% of LP fees at each tier.

The plan also formalizes alignment of operations between Uniswap Labs, the Uniswap Foundation, and on-chain governance. Uniswap Labs will focus on developing and expanding the protocol, as well as removing fees from its services. This will be supported by a governance-approved growth budget, which entails distributing about 20 million UNI tokens. The upgrade also provides further enhancements, including the use of trading bots, rerouting trades through external pools, and increasing the return paid to liquidity providers.

Notable crypto players, including Jesse Waldren, managing partner at Variant; Kain Warwick, founder of Infinex and Synthetix; and Ian Lapham, a former engineer at Uniswap Labs, have so far supported the proposal. In addition, only 741 votes — approximately 0.001% of all votes — have been cast against the idea, with slightly more than 1.5 million abstaining. 

Enabling protocol fees has been a long-debated topic in Uniswap governance. But past attempts to introduce fees at Uniswap have been hindered by regulatory ambiguity and disagreements over incentives. Formal on-chain voting now appears to generate market excitement, as traders seek direct market returns stemming from Uniswap’s trading activity.

KuCoin recently listed UnifAI Network  
Since its launch over six years ago, Uniswap has accumulated more than $4 trillion in trading volume, making it the largest decentralized exchange of its kind to date. UNI now ranks 39th worldwide by market capitalization at approximately $3.8 billion, according to Coingecko.

Aside from its governance developments, the protocol’s AI agent-to-agent payments are progressing with Coinbase’s x402 V2, a unified stablecoin protocol that enables frictionless cross-chain transactions. That would mean fees associated with the transfers could contribute to token burns. 

KuCoin’s latest listing of UnifAI Network (UAI) will also enable independent AI agents to perform lending and trading with minimal coding. It has already increased interest in UNI as traders considered how this would shape certain network activity and token economics.

Get $50 free to trade crypto when you sign up to Bybit now

After surviving the weekend in consolidation mode, the crypto markets today open the trade within the same range-bound levels. The price action turned choppy as traders avoided aggressive positioning. The global crypto market capitalisation is hovering near $3 trillion, showing stability but no decisive expansion.

Trading activity, however, picked up modestly. 24-hour market volume climbed into the $70–80 billion range, signalling short-term positioning rather than strong conviction buying. Weekend liquidity remained thin, amplifying intraday volatility without producing sustained breakouts.

Market tone: neutral-to-slightly bearish
Structure: range-bound, headline-sensitive
Risk appetite: selective, defensive

Who’s in Control Right Now: Bulls or Bears?In the past week, the fresh US data turned out to be a short-term relief, as they remain relatively soft. Additionally, the Bitcoin price remained above key demand zones, which raised user confidence, while the accumulation of large-cap cryptocurrencies boosted trust. 

What’s Supporting PricesBitcoin price continues to defend its key short-term supportEthereum price is holding above the psychologically important $3,000 zoneSome large-cap tokens are attracting dip buyersWhat’s Holding the Market BackRepeated failures of the top cryptos like BTC, ETH, XRP, etc, near resistanceWeak follow-through from Bitcoin to the other altcoins after the reboundsOngoing leverage clean-ups across derivatives markets due to the persistent pressureNeither side has full control, and this mix keeps the market range-bound and reactive. 

Price Action: Top 10 Cryptocurrencies Excluding StablecoinsCryptoCurrent Price24-Hour ChangeMarket StructureShort-Term BiasBitcoin$88,788.68+0.76%Holding range supportNeutralEthereum$3,029.82+1.77%Above $3000, weak momentumNeutralBNB$856.60+0.86%Grinding lower highsNeutralXRP$1.92-0.13%Sideways CompressionNeutralSolana$126.39+0.84%Failed bounced attemptsBearishTron$0.2869+1.23%Relative strengthBullish Dogecoin$0.1322+0.42%Range-boundNeutralCardano$0.366-0.63%Lower-low structureBearishBitcoin Cash$581.12-2.91%Breakdown continuationBearish Chainlink$12.57+0.32%Weak trn recoveryNeutral to Bearish Top Gainers in the Past 24-HoursAuderia (BEAT) with over 53.42% riseMidnight (NIGHT) with over 35.79% riseMYX Finance (MYX) with an over 18.63% riseMemecore (M) with an over 7.39% riseKaspa (KAS) with an over 6.94% riseTop Losers in the Past 24-HoursCanton (CC) with an 18.27% dropAave (AAVE) with a 9.18% dropInternet Computer (ICP) with a 7.22% dropMerlin Chain (MERL) with a 4.30% dropDash (DASH) with a 3.09% dropTop Traded Token in the Past WeekendBitcoin (BTC) Ethereum (ETH) XRPSolana (SOL) BinanceCoin (BNB) What’s Coming This Week? What to Expect From the BTC & ETH Rally?In the coming week, the US is expected to release macro data like inflation rates, employment-linked updates, etc. Besides, the BTC & ETH ETF inflows, funding rates, and open interest shifts across major derivatives and options expiry are expected to fuel the volatility. If this happens, a bullish case for the markets may unfold with the Bitcoin price reclaiming higher resistance with strong volume. Besides, the Ethereum price may reclaim $3,200 and secure the levels for bullish continuation. With the stable top 2, significant rotation may begin into the other altcoins. 

Conversely, failing to do so may compel the BTC price to break below the support, primarily fueled by a liquidation cascade, while the altcoins may continue to underperform. However, considering the current market dynamics and trading patterns, the crypto markets are expected to maintain a range-bound trade. The volatility may spike around data releases but may soon cool down. 

The Bottom LineThis market isn’t quiet—it’s coiling.

When volatility compresses and volume rises together, resolution usually follows. Traders aren’t betting big yet, but they’re paying close attention. The next few sessions may decide whether crypto breaks higher or slips into another shakeout.

Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.

Investment Disclaimer:All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.

Sponsored and Advertisements:Sponsored content and affiliate links may appear on our site. Advertisements are marked clearly, and our editorial content remains entirely independent from our ad partners.

Binance has opened up ether options to all users, allowing them to earn passive income. Dec 22, 2025, 6:00 a.m.

Binance, the leading crypto exchange by trading volume, has just made it possible for everyone to earn a passive-like income through ether options, opening up a strategy once limited to pros.

The exchange announced in a press release shared with CoinDesk that it is allowing users to write (sell) ether options, helping them effectively manage risk and generate extra income. This decision responds to increasing demand from both retail and institutional investors for advanced derivative trading tools.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

The announcement builds on Binance’s move to democratize bitcoin BTC$88,793.98 options writing and mirrors the explosive demand for BTC, ETH, and ETF-based instruments.

The institutional appetite for these products is undeniable; earlier this year, BlackRock’s IBIT options notably eclipsed Deribit’s native BTC options in volume, marking a pivotal moment for the crypto derivatives landscape.

"Binance remains committed to delivering innovative tools that meet the evolving needs of our users," Jeff Li, VP of Product at Binance, said. "The introduction of ETH Options writing and our Options platform upgrade will empower traders with faster execution, greater flexibility, and richer market data to support more advanced and strategic trading approaches in the growing crypto derivatives space."

Options are derivative contracts that provide the holder with the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a predetermined price within a specific timeframe. These contracts pay out at a later date, depending on whether the asset's price rises above or falls below a designated level.

While the call buyer profits from price rallies, the seller (writer) takes the opposing view, essentially providing insurance against bullish moves in exchange for an upfront premium. This premium serves as immediate income.

Savvy traders have increasingly used this strategy over the past couple of years, writing calls or puts on Deribit, often against their coin holdings, to generate income.

Binance users can now do the same with ether options by posting margin to collateralize their obligations, with access contingent on a mandatory suitability assessment to ensure responsible trading.

To incentivize immediate liquidity, Binance is also rolling out a steep 20% discount on both Taker and Maker fees for VIP users across its newly listed ETH, BTC, BNB, and SOL contracts—a move aimed at cementing its dominance in the competitive crypto options space.

Platform upgradeIn a bid to capture a larger share of the derivatives market, Binance has overhauled its options platform with a suite of infrastructure upgrades designed for high-frequency traders and institutional players.

The revamped ecosystem boasts significantly higher API throughput and lower latency, enabling faster order execution during periods of high market volatility. Beyond speed, the exchange has expanded its available strike prices across multiple assets, offering traders the granularity needed for complex hedging and speculative strategies.

To bolster market transparency, the platform now integrates advanced WebSocket streams, providing the deep-tier market data essential for sophisticated technical analysis.

AI Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.

More For You

Protocol Research: GoPlus Security

Nov 14, 2025

What to know:

As of October 2025, GoPlus has generated $4.7M in total revenue across its product lines. The GoPlus App is the primary revenue driver, contributing $2.5M (approx. 53%), followed by the SafeToken Protocol at $1.7M.GoPlus Intelligence's Token Security API averaged 717 million monthly calls year-to-date in 2025 , with a peak of nearly 1 billion calls in February 2025. Total blockchain-level requests, including transaction simulations, averaged an additional 350 million per month.Since its January 2025 launch , the $GPS token has registered over $5B in total spot volume and $10B in derivatives volume in 2025. Monthly spot volume peaked in March 2025 at over $1.1B , while derivatives volume peaked the same month at over $4B.View Full Report

More For You

Dogecoin slips below $0.129 as range support gives way

34 minutes ago

Despite attempts to rebound, selling interest kept pressure on the downside, leaving DOGE in a technically vulnerable position.

What to know:

Dogecoin fell below a key support level near $0.129, with increased volume confirming a breakdown from its recent range.The token slipped 0.3% over 24 hours, trading from $0.1309 to $0.1305, with intraday volatility reaching 4%.Despite attempts to rebound, selling interest kept pressure on the downside, leaving DOGE in a technically vulnerable position.Read full story

7h05 ▪
4
min read ▪ by
Eddy S.

Summarize this article with:

In the midst of stock market turmoil, Michael Saylor persists in his bold strategy. While the MSTR stock is collapsing and regulators threaten to reclassify Strategy, the CEO sends a clear signal: a new Bitcoin purchase is looming. But can this unwavering determination withstand market pressure and investor doubts?

In brief

Michael Saylor teases a new bitcoin purchase despite the 43% drop in MSTR stock in 2025.
Strategy holds 671,268 BTC (3.2% of the total supply) but its mNAV ratio close to 0.93 dangerously approaches the critical zone of 1.
An additional drop of 15 to 20% in bitcoin could force Strategy to sell its BTC reserves.

Saylor’s teasing: a new bitcoin purchase approaching?
On December 21, 2025, Michael Saylor posted an enigmatic message on X: ” Green Dots ₿eget Orange Dots “. A direct reference to the SaylorTracker visualization, often followed by an SEC filing confirming a massive bitcoin purchase. This pattern, repeated throughout the year, has created an almost ritual expectation among investors. Each tease is now interpreted as the announcement of an imminent acquisition, usually official on Monday morning.

This method of communication, both cryptic and calculated, reinforces Saylor’s image as the tireless bitcoin strategist. Yet, it happens in a tense context: MSCI is considering removing Strategy from its global indices, believing the company operates more as an investment vehicle than an operational company. A decision that could further weaken MSTR’s position in traditional markets.

Strategy: a purchase on hold despite the fall of MSTR
MSTR stock has lost 43% of its value since the beginning of the year, a collapse partly reflecting bitcoin’s 30% decrease since its October 2025 peak. Yet, Strategy continues to accumulate BTC, bringing its reserves to 671,268 BTC, or 3.2% of the total supply. These purchases, often funded by share issuances, raise questions about shareholder dilution and the sustainability of the model.

Strategy’s bitcoin reserve.
The latest purchases, such as the 10,624 BTC acquired in early December for 963 million dollars, illustrate this determination. The company has even set aside a reserve of 1.44 billion dollars to avoid liquidating its holdings if needed. A precaution showing the limits of the strategy: each new share issuance increases the pressure on MSTR stock price.

Bitcoin in the red zone: Will Strategy be forced to sell its BTC?
According to Phong Le, Strategy will only sell its bitcoins under one condition. Which one? An mNAV ratio below 1, combined with drying up access to capital. A situation that, if realized, would send a disastrous signal to the market. At $88,000 at the end of 2025, bitcoin keeps Strategy’s mNAV ratio just above 0.93, near the critical threshold of 1.

An additional 15 to 20% drop in bitcoin would be enough to tip it over, forcing the company to consider BTC sales to avoid financial suffocation. However, Saylor bets on a market rebound or new fundraising to avoid the unthinkable. But with a price already down 30% since October, the room for maneuver is shrinking. If bitcoin falls below $75,000, Strategy could find itself cornered, turning its “hold” strategy into an increasingly risky bet.

Michael Saylor’s bitcoin strategy remains a risky bet in an uncertain market. While buy signals multiply, one question remains: Can Strategy keep its promise never to sell, even in adversity? In your opinion, is Strategy’s massive BTC accumulation a strength or a weakness for the market?

Maximize your Cointribune experience with our "Read to Earn" program! For every article you read, earn points and access exclusive rewards. Sign up now and start earning benefits.

Join the program

A

A

Lien copié

Eddy S.

The world is evolving and adaptation is the best weapon to survive in this undulating universe. Originally a crypto community manager, I am interested in anything that is directly or indirectly related to blockchain and its derivatives. To share my experience and promote a field that I am passionate about, nothing is better than writing informative and relaxed articles.

DISCLAIMER

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

These tokens are likely to lead the way as society continues to adopt cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.

Cryptocurrencies as a whole are still in their early years. There is still a long way to go for society to accept and utilize cryptocurrencies. The current lack of regulations is both a blessing and a curse, often resulting in meme coins and other speculative digital assets that frequently fail.

On the other hand, cryptocurrencies have significant potential to modernize and improve the global financial system.

Perhaps the key message here is to pick your cryptocurrencies wisely. Focus your attention on established tokens with real-world applications. Here are three top cryptocurrencies you can buy and hold for decades.

Since cryptocurrencies are still riskier than most investments, it's not a bad idea to start with a modest amount, such as $500.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. A cryptocurrency aimed at the financial system
XRP (XRP 0.04%) has been one of the more controversial cryptocurrencies. Its developer, Ripple Labs, spent several years locked in a court battle with U.S. regulators over the legality of the company selling tokens to exchanges and investors. However, now that the litigation has ended, there is a lot to like in XRP.

It's the native token for the XRP Ledger blockchain and blockchain-based global payments platform, Ripplenet. The platform facilitates cross-border transactions where a party can send money to another in a different country using XRP as an intermediary. It's a transparent process with bank-level compliance to cash transfer regulations in every active market. The platform has appeal because it's faster and cheaper to use than SWIFT, the incumbent global bank messaging network.

Today's Change

(

-0.04

%) $

-0.00

Current Price

$

1.92

Currently, SWIFT still dominates cross-border financial transactions, but XRP has tremendous potential if it gains traction over the next decade and beyond. XRP's price skyrocketed once the Ripple Labs litigation ended. Since then, a broad decline in cryptocurrency prices has dragged XRP lower, offering a dip investors can buy into if they believe in its long-term upside.

2. This cryptocurrency is like digital gold
Bitcoin (BTC +1.05%) is the first cryptocurrency and remains the largest today, with a market cap of $1.7 trillion, roughly five times larger than the next closest. Ironically, Bitcoin is only the third most widely used blockchain, measured by total value locked (TVL). Instead, Bitcoin has continued to appreciate as an anti-inflationary asset, somewhat like a digital version of gold.

Investors continue to covet and value Bitcoin. More parties are starting to accumulate it. Some corporations have begun to hold it on their balance sheets, and the United States announced plans to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve earlier this year.

Today's Change

(

1.05

%) $

927.18

Current Price

$

88967.00

It's challenging to compare the value of Bitcoin to that of real estate, gold, and stocks, which are still much larger in value. Furthermore, governments worldwide continue to borrow money in a manner that erodes the purchasing power of their fiat currencies. That makes Bitcoin a no-brainer to at least carry some exposure to in your portfolio over the coming decades.

3. Invest in the world's leading smart contract platform
Ethereum (ETH +2.20%) is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency after Bitcoin. Its blockchain is very popular for decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. The Ethereum blockchain has a total value locked (TVL) of $68.7 billion today, roughly eight times that of the next-closest blockchain, Solana. That means it's the most widely used blockchain in the world by a wide margin.

The Ethereum blockchain's usage impacts the market price for Ether, the blockchain's native token. Ethereum is a Proof-of-Stake blockchain where people stake their Ether to validate transactions on the network in exchange for tokens. At the same time, the network burns (destroys) Ether as people use it. The busier the network is, the more supply it burns.

Today's Change

(

2.20

%) $

65.46

Current Price

$

3039.36

A constant creation and destruction of Ether helps keep the supply in check. Ethereum's dramatic lead in blockchain usage also creates a network effect over time as developers will want to build on Ethereum to ensure their dApps gain as many users as possible. It establishes Ethereum as a core cryptocurrency that investors may want to buy and hold for the long term.

HomeETFs and Funds AnalysisETF Analysis

SummaryVTIP invests in short-term inflation-protected treasuries, or TIPs.At current inflation rates, VTIP should deliver 3.8% in returns for shareholders, slightly more than comparable treasuries and t-bills.VTIP is a buy, and seems like a particularly interesting investment to more risk-averse, conservative investors. Jonathan Kitchen/DigitalVision via Getty Images

Inflation-protected treasuries, or TIPs, have outperformed more traditional treasuries for years, as inflation spiked following the pandemic. Inflation remains slightly above-target, which should result in continued TIP outperformance. The Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund ETF (

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.

Pentair is the latest stock to reach this elite status.

There are currently just 56 "Dividend Kings," or stocks with more than 50 years of consecutive dividend growth. However, in the coming years many more companies will join this elite group. Some major names, like McDonald's, are just a few quarters away from reaching dividend king status.

In the meantime, however, there is a large-cap blue chip stock that has just attained this status: Pentair (PNR +0.46%). Better yet, alongside reaching this milestone, the water solutions company has made another announcement that may bode well for long-term investors.

Today's Change

(

0.46

%) $

0.47

Current Price

$

103.87

Pentair announces its 50th consecutive annual dividend increase
On Dec. 15, Pentair announced that it was raising its quarterly dividend by 8%, from 25 cents to 27 cents per share. Shareholders of record as of Jan. 23, 2026 will receive this newly increased dividend on Feb. 6, 2026. As noted in the press release, 2026 marks the 50th consecutive year that the company has increased its dividend.

Image source: Getty Images.

So far, this news hasn't had any positive impact on Pentair's price performance. That's not surprising. Investors are well aware of its long-standing track record of dividend growth. Pentair's current forward P/E of around 19 is close to similar industrial machinery companies with similar dividend growth track records.

Still, there may be potential for shares to rise, thanks to the other "return of capital" announcement made this week.

Pentair's share repurchases could provide a further modest boost
This week, Pentair also announced plans to repurchase up to $1 billion worth of shares over the next three years. Based on Pentair's $17 billion market cap, that's around 5.9% of the company's outstanding share count.

These share repurchases could provide a further boost for the stock over time. Consider it an added bonus, alongside the key drivers for shares: earnings growth and the dividend.

Sell-side analyst forecasts call for Pentair's earnings to grow by another 10% this year. Following the dividend increase, shares now have a forward dividend yield of 1.05%. Working together, these factors stand to serve as the foundation for solid total returns for years to come.

Thomas Niel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

This FX Super One roll off represents the FF Global Auto Industry Bridge Strategy has reached its initial Bridge Closure in the U.S. In the Middle East, deliveries began in late November, and on December 22, FX will deliver a FX Super One to RAK Innovation city.
The Company's Global Automotive Industry Bridge Strategy is upgrading to the Global Embodied AI (EAI) Industry Bridge Strategy.
During the CES event in Las Vegas on January 7, FF and FX will host an FF Stockholders' Day, where there will be a Bridge Strategy update and private preview event for its products.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. (NASDAQ: FFAI) ("Faraday Future", "FF" or the "Company"), a California-based global shared intelligent electric mobility ecosystem company, today announced that it has rolled off the first FX Super One MPV pre-production vehicle at the Company's Hanford, CA factory, named "FF AI-Factory California." This pre-production vehicle milestone was celebrated at the factory with the FF and FX leadership teams along with its Los Angeles HQ employees. During the CES event in Las Vegas on January 7, the Company will host a Bridge Strategy upgrade and preview event for its products.

Faraday Future and Faraday X Announce That the First FX Super One Pre-Production Vehicle Has Successfully Rolled Off the Line at its FF AI-Factory in California

Full video of the event: https://g.ff.com/SuperOneOffTheLine 

During the January 7 event, alongside the Bridge Strategy upgrade and preview, the Company will also host an FF Stockholders Day, where FF will discuss the mass production, sales, delivery, service, and ramp-up roadmap for the Super One — as well as the execution plan for the business plan announced before.

During CES, FF will host a series of Super One co-creation and experience events, officially kicking off its nationwide co-creation sales campaign for 2026. In the first quarter, FF plans to unveil the product strategy for FX's second planned model, FX 4, further advancing its vision of building "An AIEV for Everyone."

The FX Super One MPV became the second model to be rolled off the FF AI-Factory following the FF 91, which began production there in 2023, and marks the first mass-market high-volume model. This line-off carries six major values and strategic significances:

First, it comprehensively validates the Company's capabilities in localized product development, assembly processes, and testing and validation. It lays a solid foundation for upcoming homologation, user experience testing, and deliveries.

Second, FX will now enter the phase of real user experience, co-creation, and sales validation. The confidence of the FX Par partners across the U.S. has been further strengthened, and this also represents the first concrete response to all users who have placed their pre-orders.

Third, the Global Auto Industry Bridge Strategy has achieved a closed loop, establishing a replicable and scalable rapid mass-production system for future FX models.

Fourth, as the disruptor in the EAI era, the FX Super One will fundamentally change the long-standing lack of product diversity in high-end business and family mobility in the U.S. market — where consumers have had little choice — and will drive a meaningful consumption upgrade.

Fifth, it fills a structural gap and blue-ocean opportunity in the U.S. market, and supports manufacturing reshoring of the country.

Sixth, it lays a solid foundation for on-chain ownership confirmation of EAI EV assets and the launch of EAI + RWA products, accelerating the convergence of EAI with Crypto, and Web2 with Web3.

"As a "new species" that pioneered the era of Automotive Embodied AI, the successful roll-off of the first FX Super One marks a critical initial step before mass production and delivery, and the achievement of our top KPI for year 2025. For FF, FX, and even the broader US automotive industry, this is a moment worth remembering. Congratulations to everyone who has played a part in this achievement," said YT Jia, Founder & Global Co-CEO of FF. "Today's rollout gives us a strong start heading into the new year. Looking ahead to 2026, we have defined clear goals and execution plans, and we are fully committed living up to the statement 'promises made, promises kept.' Please stay tuned for more news from us coming out of CES in January."

The FX Super One is a premium mass market MPV. It offers a spacious, meticulously crafted interior with high-end materials and advanced technology. The FX Super One prioritizes passenger comfort with a host of features including multiple rows, spacious seating, ambient lighting, and premium entertainment systems, to name a few. The Super One is planned to be available with AWD and two powertrain options: battery electric and, at a later date, an AI hybrid extended range (AIHER) configuration.

Quality is at the core of everything the Company does, and along with the first pre-production Super Ones coming off-the-line, the Company will implement strict production processes and quality requirements. The Company will constantly produce new vehicles starting today and following industry best practices and continuously improve and optimize product quality to lay a solid foundation for increasing production capacity, improving efficiency, and enhancing quality in subsequent stages of production.

Faraday Future's current 1.1 million-square-foot manufacturing and production facility in Hanford, California, named "FF AI-Factory California," has approximately $300 million invested so far in the multi-use facility, and with additional investment and permitting, could become capable of producing more than 30,000 FX vehicles annually. The Company's FF 91 2.0 flagship EV is currently built in this facility. The Hanford factory is preparing a flexible production line for future FX units. The facility could support mixed-line manufacturing or assembly for multiple models.

ABOUT FARADAY FUTURE 

Faraday Future is a California-based global shared intelligent electric mobility ecosystem company. Founded in 2014, the Company's mission is to disrupt the automotive industry by creating a user-centric, technology-first, and smart driving experience. Faraday Future's flagship model, the FF 91, exemplifies its vision for luxury, innovation, and performance. The FX strategy aims to introduce mass production models equipped with state-of-the-art luxury technology similar to the FF 91, targeting a broader market with middle-to-low price range offerings. FF is committed to redefining mobility through AI innovation. Join us in shaping the future of intelligent transportation. For more information, please visit https://www.ff.com/ 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS 

This press release includes "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "plan to," "can," "will," "should," "future," "potential," and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding the FX Super One and related production, delivery timing and production volumes, possible Super One powertrains, a possible FX 4 model, and the launch of EAI + RWA products, involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Company's control, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements.

Important factors, among others, that may affect actual results or outcomes include, among others: the Company's ability to maintain its listing on Nasdaq; the availability of sufficient share capital to execute on its strategy, which the Company currently lacks; the agreement of stockholders to substantially increase the Company's share capital, which could result in substantial additional dilution; the Board's approval of various production and sales plans and proposals, which the Company may fail to obtain; the Company's ability to homologate FX vehicles for sale; the Company's ability to secure the necessary agreements from OEMs to be able to engineer FX vehicles for the U.S. market; the Company's ability to secure agreements necessary to produce the FX 4, which it currently lacks; the Company's ability to secure the necessary funding to execute on the FX strategy, which will be substantial; the Company's ability to secure an occupancy certificate for its Hanford facility; the Company's relative lack of experience in the Web 3 and crypto areas; the Company's ability to increase production capacity at its Hanford facility, which would be costly; the Company's ability to develop an AIHER powertrain; the Company's ability to obtain any necessary approvals to equip the Super One with the Super EAI F.A.C.E. system; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern and improve its liquidity and financial position; the Company's ability to pay its outstanding obligations; the Company's ability to remediate its material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and the risks related to the restatement of previously issued consolidated financial statements; the Company's limited operating history and the significant barriers to growth it faces; the Company's history of losses and expectation of continued losses; the success of the Company's payroll expense reduction plan; the Company's ability to execute on its plans to develop and market its vehicles and the timing of these development programs; the Company's estimates of the size of the markets for its vehicles and cost to bring those vehicles to market; the rate and degree of market acceptance of the Company's vehicles; the Company's ability to cover future warranty claims; the success of other competing manufacturers; the performance and security of the Company's vehicles; current and potential litigation involving the Company; the Company's ability to receive funds from, satisfy the conditions precedent of and close on the various financings described elsewhere by the Company; the result of future financing efforts, the failure of any of which could result in the Company seeking protection under the Bankruptcy Code; the Company's indebtedness; the Company's ability to cover future warranty claims; the Company's ability to use its "at-the-market" program; insurance coverage; general economic and market conditions impacting demand for the Company's products; potential negative impacts of a reverse stock split; potential cost, headcount and salary reduction actions may not be sufficient or may not achieve their expected results; circumstances outside of the Company's control, such as natural disasters, climate change, health epidemics and pandemics, terrorist attacks, and civil unrest; risks related to the Company's operations in China; the success of the Company's remedial measures taken in response to the Special Committee findings; the Company's dependence on its suppliers and contract manufacturer; the Company's ability to develop and protect its technologies; the Company's ability to protect against cybersecurity risks; and the ability of the Company to attract and retain employees, any adverse developments in existing legal proceedings or the initiation of new legal proceedings, and volatility of the Company's stock price. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2025, and other documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. 

CONTACTS:
Investor Relations (English): [email protected]
Investors (Chinese): [email protected]
Media: [email protected]

SOURCE Faraday Future; Faraday X

Several leading AI companies are collaborating with power producers to meet their energy needs.

Technology companies are investing a substantial amount of money in hardware, processors, and memory storage to support AI. According to an estimate by McKinsey, companies need to invest a staggering $5.2 trillion by 2030 on data centers equipped to handle AI processing loads.

However, technology is only part of the story. Power is quietly becoming a major factor in driving the AI revolution because AI data centers consume an enormous amount of electricity. As a result, leading energy infrastructure companies such as NextEra Energy (NEE 1.62%) and Brookfield Renewable (BEPC +1.36%)(BEP +0.79%) are emerging as leaders in powering the AI revolution.

Image source: Google.

Partnering with AI leaders
NextEra Energy owns the country's largest electric utility (Florida Power & Light) and one of the largest energy infrastructure development companies (NextEra Energy Resources). The energy resources segment owns and develops energy infrastructure, including electricity transmission lines and power generation facilities, to support third-party demand.

The company has become a key partner of choice for technology companies to help power their AI strategies over the past year. In October, NextEra Energy signed a new collaboration with Alphabet's (GOOG +1.60%)(GOOGL +1.47%) Google to accelerate nuclear energy deployment in the U.S. As part of the partnership, NextEra Energy will restart its dormant Duane Arnold Energy Center in Iowa to support Google's growing power needs. The tech titan has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to purchase the bulk of the power produced by the facility upon its return to commercial service in the first quarter of 2029.

Today's Change

(

1.47

%) $

4.45

Current Price

$

306.91

NextEra and Google also announced a significant expansion of their energy and technology collaboration in December. They will partner on developing multiple gigawatt (GW)-scale data center campuses in the future with accompanying generation and capacity. NextEra will supply the energy expertise, while Google will bring its data center development capabilities to the partnership.

NextEra Energy is also working with Meta Platforms to help power its AI operations. Meta Platforms recently signed 11 PPAs and two energy storage agreements. NextEra will develop several solar energy projects for Meta, totaling 2.5 GW of power-producing capacity.

Today's Change

(

-1.62

%) $

-1.31

Current Price

$

79.54

Massive power deals
Brookfield Renewable is a leading global renewable energy producer. It sells the power it produces to utilities and large corporations under long-term PPAs.

Earlier this year, Brookfield announced a first-of-its-kind Hydro Framework Agreement with Google. The cloud giant will purchase up to 3 GW of carbon-free hydroelectric power from the company in the future, marking the largest-ever hydropower deal. The first two 20-year PPAs represent over $3 billion of power and cover Brookfield's Holtwood and Safe Harbor hydroelectric facilities in Pennsylvania, which have a combined generating capacity of 670 megawatts.

Today's Change

(

1.36

%) $

0.51

Current Price

$

38.13

Brookfield also signed a first-of-its-kind global renewable energy framework with Microsoft (MSFT +0.40%) last year. The five-year agreement will see Brookfield develop over 10.5 GW of new renewable energy capacity for the technology giant in the 2026 through 2030 time frame across the U.S. and Europe. It's eight times bigger than the largest single corporate PPA ever signed. The deal will provide Microsoft with a pipeline of renewable energy capacity to support growing demand for its cloud and AI services. The companies have the potential to expand their collaboration to Asia-Pacific, India, and Latin America in the future, as well as to new or impactful carbon-free energy sources beyond wind and solar.

Additionally, Brookfield Renewable has an investment in Westinghouse Electric, a nuclear technology company. The U.S. Government recently signed a strategic partnership with Westinghouse to build at least $80 billion of new nuclear reactors in the country using the company's technology. These plants will help support the country's growing AI power needs.

The power behind the AI revolution
NextEra Energy and Brookfield Renewable are two of the world's largest clean power producers. They have the electricity production capacity and development capabilities to meet the growing power needs of AI. That's leading tech titans Google, Meta, Microsoft, and others to join forces with these energy companies to help fuel the AI revolution. These deals will provide technology companies with the energy they need, while potentially powering robust total returns for investors in NextEra Energy and Brookfield Renewable in the coming years.

Matt DiLallo has positions in Alphabet, Brookfield Renewable, Brookfield Renewable Partners, Meta Platforms, and NextEra Energy. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and NextEra Energy. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Renewable and Brookfield Renewable Partners and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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.