Market Signal Briefing

Alphabet has the resources to spend its way to the top of the quantum computing industry.

The market is currently pivoting toward a risk-off approach to artificial intelligence (AI) and stocks in adjacent tech areas such as quantum computing. As a result, many quantum computing pure plays have sold off. However, that hasn't affected my top quantum computing stock pick for December: Alphabet (GOOG +1.60%) (GOOGL +1.55%)

While the tech giant doesn't have the upside potential of the smaller quantum computing players, it is far steadier. Furthermore, it has resources that its competitors can only dream of.

Image source: Getty Images.

Alphabet has proven its quantum computing prowess
The smaller quantum computing companies are all-in on the technology, and if they don't succeed in producing systems that attract a significant customer base, they're likely to go to $0. Many of them will fail.

Alphabet, by contrast, doesn't need its quantum computing endeavors to succeed. It's developing the technology for in-house use and to rent access to through Google Cloud. But Alphabet is already spending tens of billions of dollars annually on hardware for its cloud and AI infrastructure. Anything it can do to reduce its input costs for future computing resources is a smart move.

It has already done this in the AI accelerator segment, developing a family of application-specific integrated chips it calls Tensor Processing Units (TPU) in conjunction with Broadcom. This has given Alphabet some experience in developing custom computing hardware.

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Alphabet's quantum computing chip, Willow, has already made waves in the industry. In October, it announced that a Willow chip ran an algorithm that, for the first time ever, demonstrated a verifiable quantum advantage. Its quantum computer ran that algorithm 13,000 times faster than the world's fastest supercomputer could have.

This was a huge step toward commercial viability for Alphabet's quantum computing hardware, and investors shouldn't be surprised if the company announces further milestone achievements in 2026. Yet unlike its smaller quantum computing competitors, Alphabet doesn't need to trumpet every little breakthrough because it is self-funding its research. The pre-earnings start-ups, by contrast, need publicity to help them attract money from research partners and the public markets to stay alive.

Because it has no need to please researchers or impress shareholders with its quantum computing progress in particular, Alphabet is free to pursue its own path with the technology. That's a huge advantage.

Alphabet has resources its competitors can only dream of
Another reason why Alphabet is my top quantum computing stock now is that its business already produces enormous quantities of cash that it can plow into whatever growth avenues it chooses. Currently, a lot of that money is being spent to construct data centers for AI computing, but if quantum computing turns out to be all that it has been hyped up to be, Alphabet could easily devote a large chunk of its cash flow toward advancing its position in that technology.

The two metrics that investors should pay attention to on that front are operating cash flow and free cash flow. Operating cash flow is the total amount that the business generates from operations, while free cash flow measures what's left after it covers obligations such as interest expenses and taxes, and also capital expenditures. While a vast amount of Alphabet's cash flows are going toward its data center buildouts, it still has plenty available to devote to other ambitions such as quantum computing.

GOOGL Cash from Operations (TTM) data by YCharts.

For Alphabet, it wouldn't be a stretch to throw $10 billion at its quantum computing unit, but it's a sum that the pure plays could only dream of. Because of its superior resources and the achievements it has already made in the space, I think it will be a force to be reckoned with by the time useful quantum computing comes to market. It also isn't a boom-or-bust investment, making it a far safer stock to own than its smaller quantum computing competitors.

Amazon, Meta Platforms, and Broadcom could all hit $3 trillion market caps next year.

Currently, four companies have market caps above $3 trillion: Nvidia (NVDA +3.80%), Apple (AAPL +0.54%), Alphabet (GOOGL +1.47%) (GOOG +1.55%), and Microsoft (MSFT +0.22%). By the end of next year, that number is likely to rise to seven.

Let's look at three stocks that could hit the $3 trillion mark in 2026.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Amazon
With a $2.4 billion market cap, Amazon (AMZN +0.21%) is the best-positioned company to join the exclusive club next year, needing a 25% gain. While the stock has been a laggard the past few years, the company is well-positioned heading into 2026.

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One of the big reasons Amazon's stock has lagged is that while its cloud computing unit, Amazon Web Services (AWS), is growing quickly, its growth has trailed that of Microsoft's Azure and Alphabet's Google Cloud. However, AWS' revenue started to accelerate last quarter, up 20%, and the company is increasing its spending on artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure to meet increasing demand. Meanwhile, its big Project Rainier for Anthropic continues to ramp up, and it recently signed a $38 billion deal with OpenAI. It's also in talks with OpenAI about an investment that would see the company use its custom Trainium AI chips.

Meanwhile, the company's e-commerce business is seeing strong operating leverage from its investments in robotics and AI. Trading at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 28 times, the stock has room to run next year.

2. Meta Platforms
With a $1.7 trillion market cap, Meta Platforms (META 0.78%) has more work to do than Amazon, needing a more than 75% gain in 2026 to reach $3 trillion. However, don't count the stock out. It's the cheapest of the megacap tech stocks, trading at a forward P/E of below 22 times, while also growing quickly, with its revenue climbing 26% last quarter.

Meta's stock hit a speed bump late in the year, as investors worried about its spending. However, the company is reportedly set to slash spending on its money-losing metaverse projects to focus more on AI, where it has been seeing a nice return.

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Meta has seen a big boost from AI, as the company has been using the technology to improve its recommendation algorithm, leading to users spending more time on its sites. At the same time, it's using AI to help advertisers create better campaigns and improve ad targeting. The positive impact of this could be seen in Q3, as its ad impressions jumped 14%, while ad prices climbed 10%, as its ads have become more effective. It's also just starting to introduce ads to its WhatsApp and Threads platforms, which should help drive future growth.

If the company can cut back on some of its more wasteful spending, easing investor concerns, and continue to grow at its current pace, the stock could hit $3 trillion next year.

3. Broadcom
Broadcom (AVGO +3.18%) is another company that could hit the $3 trillion mark in 2026. Its path looked a little easier earlier in the month before its stock lost nearly 20% of its value to bring its market cap to $1.6 trillion. However, the company has an explosive growth opportunity in front of it that could propel its stock much higher in 2026.

Broadcom has been enjoying strong growth in its networking portfolio due to the data center buildout, but its biggest opportunity is in helping customers design custom AI application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). ASICs are preprogrammed chips designed for specific tasks, and as such, they can outperform general-purpose graphics processing units (GPUs) and be more energy efficient. This last part is particularly important for inference, which is an ongoing expense, and customers are increasingly turning to it as a cheaper alternative to Nvidia.

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Broadcom helped Alphabet design its highly successful Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), which has led other companies to flock to its services. It recently signed a huge deal with OpenAI that could be worth hundreds of billions of dollars, while Anthropic will deploy $21 billion in Alphabet's TPUs in 2026. Meanwhile, it said its original three customers could be an up to $90 billion opportunity in fiscal year 2027. In addition, there are reports that Apple is working with Broadcom on an AI chip that could be ready for mass production next year.

For a company that delivered just below $64 billion in total revenue last fiscal year (ending in October), that's just a huge growth opportunity. If Broadcom can deliver on this growth and Apple does indeed start deploying Broadcom-designed AI chips, the stock could skyrocket next year and hit a $3 trillion market cap.

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.

By

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Published: Dec 21, 2025, 12:28 GMT+00:00

Gold continues to rally toward record highs as weakening labour data, inflation figures, and a falling dollar strengthen the metal’s safe-haven appeal amid growing recession risks.

Gold (XAU) prices are pressing toward all-time highs as recession signals intensify and inflation data grows less reliable. The metal continues to attract safe-haven demand, driven by softening labor trends, falling oil prices, and a weakening U.S. dollar. In my view, this sets the stage for a breakout toward the $5,000–$6,000 zone, with structural and macro catalysts aligning into 2026.

Macro Pressures and Economic Shift Drive Gold’s Appeal
Labor Market Data Points to Slowing Growth
The U.S. labour market added 64,000 jobs in November, slightly above expectations. However, this follows a sharp drop of 105,000 jobs in October, driven mainly by a decline of 162,000 in federal employment.

On the other hand, private-sector jobs, excluding healthcare and government, remain positive. However, the growth rate has slowed significantly.

Moreover, the unemployment rate increased to 4.6%, edging closer to the 5.0% threshold that marks the start of a recession. On the other hand, the average weekly hours worked declined to 34.3. Historically, readings below this level have been associated with periods of recession. Moreover, the temporary job losses are also accelerating.

Meanwhile, the quit rate dropped to 1.8% in October, reflecting rising uncertainty among workers. Historically, readings below 2.0% act as an early warning signal of a potential recession.

Additionally, employment in key cyclical industries, such as manufacturing, construction, transportation, and warehousing, is declining.

These labour trends signal a softening economy. The pace is likely to slow further, easing inflation pressure.

Inflation Metrics Are Distorted and Questionable
The chart below shows that the inflation rate has dropped to 2.7% in November. On the other hand, the US core inflation rate has fallen to 2.6%. Moreover, the trimmed mean CPI eased to 2.9%, and Sticky CPI ex-shelter slowed to 2.7%. While these figures appear encouraging at first glance, questions remain regarding the reliability and underlying quality of the data.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics admitted missing data for both October and November. In its November CPI report, the BLS stated it used approximations, particularly for Owner’s Equivalent Rent (OER). OER accounts for 26% of the total CPI, 33% of the core CPI, and 44% of the core services CPI. Its artificial decline contributed significantly to the drop in the CPI.

Moreover, the shelter CPI fell to 3.0% in November from 3.6% in September. However, this number is disconnected from actual home prices, as seen in the Case-Shiller Index below. Real inflation might be higher than the reported figure.

The chart below shows that the real fed funds rate dropped to 1.2%. The real federal funds rate is calculated by subtracting the CPI number from the nominal federal funds rate. If real inflation is higher than the reported figures, then this implies that real rates may already be negative. The negative rates are a sign of stimulative monetary policy. These conditions support gold.

Oil and Dollar Weakness Add to Recession Risks
Crude oil prices have dropped below $55 per barrel, a level below the breakeven point for U.S. shale producers. If this persists, production will decline as unprofitable wells are shut. OPEC+ will unlikely intervene, as they aim to regain market share. The falling oil prices also signal slowing global demand and an increased risk of recession.

Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar has started to weaken. The narrowing interest rate spread between the U.S. and Japan puts pressure on the US dollar. The price of gold benefits from dollar weakness, especially when paired with falling real yields and slowing economic activity.

Gold Breakout Structure Points to Continued Strength
The weekly chart below shows a powerful rally from the $3,200 zone to above $4,250, driven by strong macro tailwinds and safe-haven flows.

The chart shows that each consolidation phase formed a continuation base, followed by vertical breakouts. The pattern highlights a clear stair-step rally structure. A break above $4,380 will trigger a significant move to the upside.

The broader outlook for the gold market remains firmly bullish. The price broke out of an ascending triangle that formed between April and August 2025. This breakout occurred at the key decision line, confirming the start of a new leg higher.

This triangle pattern mirrors a similar structure from 2024, which also preceded a sharp rally. Both patterns support a measured move projecting long-term gains toward the $5,000–$6,000 range. A confirmed breakout above this level would likely trigger the next rally phase toward the $5,000–$6,000 zone.

Cross-Market Signals Reinforce Gold’s Bullish Setup
Silver Takes Leadership in Precious Metals
Silver (XAG) has broken out strongly from a bullish base. The chart shows a clear ascending broadening wedge followed by a rounded bottom pattern. Price surged above the neckline and now trades above $66, confirming a breakout. This pattern marks a major technical shift.

The breakout also confirms that silver is no longer lagging. It has moved decisively ahead of gold in terms of short-term momentum. If silver continues to lead, it could act as a tailwind for gold prices. Historically, silver leadership has aligned with powerful rallies in the precious metal market.

Gold-to-Silver Ratio Breakdown Signals Rotation
The gold-to-silver ratio has collapsed below the lower boundary of its ascending channel. The recent sharp drop to 64 suggests a breakdown is underway. The bear flag pattern visible on the chart increases the probability of a downside breakout from the 64 level.

This breakdown marks a rotation from gold into silver. Each past rejection from the upper trendline of the channel led to a cycle where silver outperformed gold. If the 64 level breaks, the ratio could fall as low as 50–55, further strengthening silver’s dominance and confirming a broader metals rally.

Dollar Breakdown Confirms Precious Metals Upside
The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) has failed to hold above its key support level. The chart below shows a breakdown of its rising wedge, with the price now testing the 96 support level. If this level fails, the next downside target sits at 90.

This breakdown aligns with the ongoing decline in real interest rates and rising expectations of Fed rate cuts. A weakening dollar typically boosts the prices of gold and silver. The dollar’s decline marks a structural shift that supports the case for higher precious metal prices into 2026.

Final Thoughts
Gold remains on a firm upward trajectory as macroeconomic pressures intensify. Slowing labor data, questionable inflation figures, and weakening oil and dollar signals align to support further gains. In my view, the technical and fundamental backdrop favors a continued move toward the $5,000–$6,000 zone in the coming weeks.

The broader outlook remains bullish into 2026, driven by softening real rates, safe-haven demand, and ongoing structural imbalances in fiat systems. As long as the $4,000 support holds, the uptrend remains intact. A confirmed breakout above $4,380 would validate the next leg higher and open the door to long-term targets of around $10,000.

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Muhammad Umair is a finance MBA and engineering PhD. As a seasoned financial analyst specializing in currencies and precious metals, he combines his multidisciplinary academic background to deliver a data-driven, contrarian perspective. As founder of Gold Predictors, he leads a team providing advanced market analytics, quantitative research, and refined precious metals trading strategies.

For a stock that has crushed the market historically, it's hard for investors to see Amazon's shares perform poorly.

It's not like Amazon (AMZN +0.21%) to trail the overall market. However, with shares up 2% this year (as of Dec. 17), investors should ask what's going on. Amazon is dealing with competitive forces, regulatory issues, and macro headwinds. But it's easy to be optimistic.

Here are some of the most important catalysts and factors that investors need to watch as attention turns to 2026.

Image source: Amazon.

Amazon's AI-related spending is sizable
Amazon is known as a hyperscaler because it's spending significant sums of money on artificial intelligence (AI) efforts. Management forecasts $125 billion in capital expenditures (capex) this year for things like building data centers and developing chips. That figure will likely increase next year.

Peers like Microsoft and Alphabet are spending ridiculous amounts on expanding their AI infrastructure as well. Amazon must keep up, or risk getting left behind in what could be a revolutionary technology shift.

Macro and industry forces can't be overlooked. AI bubble fears are swirling. If pessimism becomes prevalent, all this spending will be ill-timed, and investors will lose confidence in companies like Amazon that will likely be most affected.

AWS' success is critical to the overall business
A lot of that capex relates to Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company's industry-leading cloud computing platform. It's a major financial contributor, with third-quarter revenue of $33 billion and operating income of $11.4 billion. In 2026, AWS should remain top of investors' minds.

AWS has received a boost from strong customer interest in leveraging AI tools in their own operations. OpenAI is a notable customer, and Nvidia is a longtime partner. AWS' ongoing success should lift Amazon's financial results in 2026.

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Digital advertising revenue is soaring
During the last quarter, Amazon's digital advertising revenue jumped 22% year over year to $17.7 billion. The company is deserving of a seat at the table with industry heavyweights Alphabet and Meta Platforms. Amazon's online marketplace provides a valuable marketing channel for merchants. Its popular streaming platform, Prime Video, is another avenue to monetize viewer attention.

Unless there's a severe recession, expect digital ad revenue to keep rising meaningfully next year.

There might be valuation upside
For a business that has a huge market cap of $2.4 trillion, it can be surprising to see a cheap valuation. Amazon shares currently trade at an enterprise value (EV) that's 30.5 times its earnings before interest and taxes. This level is near its lowest ratio in the past decade.

In 2026, valuation expansion might be a key driver of investor returns. Market sentiment can improve with strong financial results. This tailwind could be a catalyst in the near term.

Neil Patel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool 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.

For years, Braden Wallake has posted everything from business lessons to animal pictures on his LinkedIn page. A fateful midweek post on a late-summer day stopped the marketing executive in his tracks.

Wallake shared a teary-eyed selfie with a message about his feelings after laying off staff. Just like that, he was the "Crying CEO."

"I woke up the next day, texted my marketing person and said, 'I think I went viral last night,'" said Wallake, whose post has raked in more than 57,000 reactions and 10,000 comments.

Users blasted the HyperSocial CEO as being "manipulative" and displaying "self indulgence." The photo "would make a great dart board," another wrote.

Corporate executives and founders like Wallake were sold on the idea that a vibrant social media presence can boost their personal and firm-wide brand awareness. But the reality is less picture-perfect than it's made out to be.

In many cases, these leaders come off not as relatable but as cringey. And they're learning the hard way that their digital footprints can even have material business implications.

"There can be real benefits from CEOs being online, but there can also be great risks," said Ann Mooney Murphy, a Stevens Institute of Technology professor who has studied how company leaders gain social media celebrity status. "One needs to tread carefully."

The online executiveThe pitfalls of social media usage for business leaders are becoming increasingly clear as more executives take to the platforms. Nearly three-fourths of Fortune 500 chief executives had at least one social media account last year, up from roughly half in 2019, data from Influential Executive showed.

More than seven out of 10 Fortune 100 CEOs with social platforms posted at least once a month in 2024, a 32% increase from the year prior, according to an analysis from communications firm H/Advisors Abernathy released this week. CEOs have flocked in particular to the work-focused social site LinkedIn, where they post three times a month on average.

An active social media presence can help build brand recognition and drive attention from mainstream news outlets, Murphy said. It can also allow executives to develop para-social relationships directly with consumers — something that was once reserved for more-traditional celebrities like actors or athletes, she said.

While company news was king in these posts, H/Advisors Abernathy found executives devoting more social real estate to sharing personal happenings. This softer style of content — examples of which include Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg sharing pictures from Taylor Swift's "Eras" tour and Goldman Sachs' David Solomon posting details for his DJ sets — can help keep followers engaged, Murphy said.

A subsector has sprouted up around executives' social media habits, with several businesses offering training programs or consulting services focused on best practices. PayPal made waves in marketing circles earlier this year when it posted a "Head of CEO Content" role, which paid upwards of $300,000 in part to lead social media communications strategy.

Promise and perilBut in recent years, a growing list of anecdotes like Wallake's "Crying CEO" experience show how posting through life can go awry.

Jason Yanowitz boasted on X in October that Blockworks, the crypto company he co-founded, saw "massive growth" and hit "record revenues" in 2025. He also said the company was shuttering its news division and recommended staffers to anyone hiring journalists covering digital currencies.

One user suggested that Yanowitz forgo smiley faces and strike a tone with less "triumphancy" in a post announcing job cuts. Someone else replied that "before jumping into what's next," he should "address the real people who were impacted."

Yanowitz, who declined CNBC's interview request, later wrote on X that he "should not have mentioned revenue" in the original post.

Around the same time as Yanowitz's tweet, a social media video featuring Snowflake revenue chief Mike Gannon offered a case study on how these incidents can evolve into real-world crises.

In an Instagram clip viewed millions of times, Gannon told a street interviewer that the data storage firm was slated to rake in $10 billion "in a couple of years." Shortly after, Snowflake said in a regulatory filing that statements made in the interview were not authorized and that investors "should not rely upon" them. The company declined to make Gannon available for an interview.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has shared visions for his business ventures on social media in between musings about politics and cultural issues. Two years ago, Musk found himself in court defending comments related to business plans made on X, his social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

In several instances, readers have responded directly to executives whose content they find problematic or cringe-inducing. Some, like Ryan Benson, have also mocked the broader trend of business leaders' attempting to connect directly via social media.

"It's just disingenuous," said Benson, 28. "They're not trying to speak with people the way that maybe an influencer has success in. They're trying to talk at people to make them think something about their position."

Executives' missteps on social media can catalyze discontent from investors, consumers or employees, according to Murphy of the Stevens Institute of Technology. In some situations, she said social media statements could lead to increased regulatory or legal risk for the companies they represent.

Is all attention good?Despite the downfalls, corporate leaders who have seen the underbelly of social media don't regret being online.

HyperSocial's Wallake said he initially took time away from LinkedIn to let the dust settle and now thinks twice before making a post. But Wallake still recommends other business managers harness social media to grow their brands given the benefits. If someone does bring up his teary picture, Wallake brushes it off.

"If people want to call me the 'Crying CEO,' they're more than welcome to," Wallake said. "If they actually get to meet me, they're going to see me smiling way more often than they're going to see me ever crying."

When Yehong Zhu, co-founder of media technology startup Zette AI, jumped on a day-in-my-life trend, responders roasted her over perceived laziness. People said she should be "embarrassed" and was "fundamentally useless to society." One commenter said they were "printing this out and taping it to the wall to remind me every time I catch myself believing in meritocracy."

Zhu received handwritten hate mail tied to the post sent to her office. But she also noticed a flood of press coverage that included the company's name and signups to a product waitlist, underscoring the power of publicity — even if it's negative.

"After there was this huge influx of attention, I realized, you know what, maybe all attention is good attention," Zhu said. "As long as your name is in their mouth, you're doing something right."

Zhu later understood that her post was taken as "rage bait," a genre of content so infamous that Oxford named it the 2025 word of the year. She's currently undergoing a social media rebrand and is considering leaning toward controversial posts — with the hope of winning more attention online.

"I was not trying to rage bait," she said of the original post. "The day that I actually try to rage bait, everybody will be actually enraged."

Read more CNBC analysis on culture and the economyAn industry focused on death faces an existential crisisFrom fraternities to women's soccer, this under-the-radar T-shirt brand is popping up everywhereFor first-time job hunters, a college degree isn't unlocking the opportunities it once didYoung adults are betting on risky stock and crypto investments. Call it 'financial nihilism.'Americans are getting flashbacks to 2008 as tariffs stoke recession fearsIs that a #RecessionIndicator? Social media users find concerning economic omens in places you wouldn't expect

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.

Felix Pinkston
Dec 21, 2025 11:25

SOL price prediction shows potential recovery to $165-175 range by early February 2025, with critical $135 support holding and MACD showing early bullish momentum.

Solana (SOL) is showing early signs of technical recovery as we close out 2025, with multiple analysts converging on bullish price targets despite recent consolidation. Current technical indicators suggest SOL is positioning for a potential breakout that could drive prices significantly higher in the coming weeks.

SOL Price Prediction Summary
• SOL short-term target (1 week): $132-138 (+5-10%)
• Solana medium-term forecast (1 month): $155-175 range
• Key level to break for bullish continuation: $146.91
• Critical support if bearish: $135

Recent Solana Price Predictions from Analysts
The recent Solana forecast from leading analysts shows remarkable consensus around a bullish medium-term outlook. James Ding's December 19th analysis sets the most conservative SOL price target at $160-175, contingent on the critical $135 support level holding firm. This prediction aligns closely with Joerg Hiller's earlier forecast targeting $155-165, though Hiller emphasizes the importance of breaking through the $146.91 resistance barrier.

The most optimistic projection comes from Peter Zhang, who sees potential for SOL to reach $180-200 within 4-6 weeks. While this represents the upper end of analyst expectations, the technical foundation supporting these predictions is strengthening. The convergence of these forecasts around the $155-200 range provides strong validation for a bullish Solana technical analysis outlook.

SOL Technical Analysis: Setting Up for Bullish Reversal
Current SOL price action at $125.67 reveals a cryptocurrency trading near critical decision points. The RSI reading of 41.02 indicates SOL has moved away from oversold conditions while remaining below overbought territory, providing room for upward movement. More encouraging is the MACD histogram reading of 0.0493, which signals the early stages of bullish momentum building.

The Bollinger Bands positioning tells a compelling story for the SOL price prediction. Trading at position 0.2411 within the bands, SOL has significant room to move toward the upper band at $143.68. This positioning, combined with the lower band support at $119.95, creates a favorable risk-reward setup for bullish positions.

Volume analysis from Binance spot trading shows $168.6 million in 24-hour activity, indicating sustained institutional interest despite the recent price consolidation. The daily ATR of $8.19 suggests moderate volatility that could accelerate once key resistance levels are breached.

Solana Price Targets: Bull and Bear Scenarios
Bullish Case for SOL
The primary bullish SOL price target focuses on the $165-175 range within the next 6 weeks. This prediction requires SOL to first break through immediate resistance at $146.91, which would trigger the next leg higher toward $155. Successfully clearing $155 would likely accelerate momentum toward the $165-175 zone where multiple analyst targets converge.

The technical setup supporting this Solana forecast includes the improving MACD momentum, RSI positioning that allows for further gains, and the critical $135 support level that continues to hold. If SOL can establish support above $146.91, the path toward $180-200 becomes increasingly viable, aligning with the most optimistic analyst projections.

Bearish Risk for Solana
The primary risk to the bullish SOL price prediction centers on a breakdown below the critical $135 support level. Such a move would invalidate the current consolidation pattern and likely trigger selling toward the next major support at $116.88. A break below this level could accelerate declines toward the 52-week low of $119.60.

Early warning signs of bearish pressure would include RSI falling below 35, MACD histogram turning negative, and volume increasing on any breaks below $130. The distance from the 52-week high of $247.50 (-49.22%) indicates significant overhead resistance that could limit upside momentum if broader market conditions deteriorate.

Should You Buy SOL Now? Entry Strategy
Based on current Solana technical analysis, the answer to "buy or sell SOL" depends on risk tolerance and timeframe. Conservative buyers should wait for a clear break above $135 with volume confirmation before establishing positions, targeting the $146.91 resistance level.

More aggressive traders could consider entering near current levels around $125-128, using the $135 level as a guide for position sizing. Stop-loss orders should be placed below $118 to limit downside risk, while profit-taking could begin around $155-160 to capture the initial phase of the predicted recovery.

Position sizing should reflect the moderate confidence level in this SOL price prediction. Allocating 3-5% of cryptocurrency portfolio exposure provides meaningful upside participation while limiting potential losses if the bearish scenario unfolds.

SOL Price Prediction Conclusion
The convergence of analyst forecasts and improving technical indicators supports a medium confidence SOL price prediction targeting $165-175 within 6 weeks. The critical factor remains whether SOL can maintain support above $135 while building momentum to break $146.91 resistance.

Key indicators to monitor for confirmation include MACD histogram remaining positive, RSI climbing above 45, and volume increasing on any moves above $135. For invalidation, watch for breaks below $130 with increasing selling pressure and deteriorating momentum indicators.

This Solana forecast expects the predicted move to begin materializing within 2-3 weeks, with the full target range achievable by early February 2025. The technical setup favors patient bulls willing to wait for confirmation signals before committing significant capital.

Image source: Shutterstock

sol price analysis
sol price prediction

Ted Hisokawa
Dec 21, 2025 11:37

MATIC price prediction shows potential 18-37% upside to $0.45-$0.52 range by January 2026, though immediate resistance at $0.58 must break for bullish continuation.

MATIC Price Prediction Summary
• MATIC short-term target (1 week): $0.36-$0.40 range (-5% to +5%)
• Polygon medium-term forecast (1 month): $0.35-$0.45 range with potential breakout
• Key level to break for bullish continuation: $0.58 resistance
• Critical support if bearish: $0.35 with final support at $0.33

Recent Polygon Price Predictions from Analysts
The latest MATIC price prediction from analysts reveals a cautiously optimistic consensus despite current market weakness. CoinCodex maintains a conservative short-term target of $0.1141, representing only a 2.33% monthly gain, reflecting the prevailing bearish sentiment with the Fear & Greed Index at 20 (Extreme Fear).

However, MEXC News presents a more bullish Polygon forecast, targeting the $0.45-$0.52 range for medium-term gains of 18-37%. This prediction aligns with multiple analyst views that see MATIC recovering to historical support levels around $0.45 by January 2026, provided the token maintains critical support at $0.35.

The consensus among prediction models suggests that while immediate prospects remain challenging, the medium-term outlook for Polygon shows promise if key technical levels hold.

MATIC Technical Analysis: Setting Up for Potential Reversal
The current Polygon technical analysis reveals a cryptocurrency positioned at a critical juncture. Trading at $0.38, MATIC sits just above the immediate support level of $0.35, with the RSI at 38.00 indicating neither oversold nor overbought conditions.

The MACD histogram showing -0.0045 confirms bearish momentum persists, while the price position within Bollinger Bands at 0.29 suggests MATIC is trading in the lower portion of its recent range. However, this positioning could indicate oversold conditions that often precede reversals.

Volume analysis from Binance shows $1.07 million in 24-hour trading, which remains relatively low and suggests consolidation rather than aggressive selling pressure. The daily ATR of $0.03 indicates controlled volatility, creating potential for measured moves in either direction.

The moving average structure tells a compelling story: while MATIC trades below all major moving averages (SMA 20 at $0.43, SMA 50 at $0.45), the proximity to these levels suggests potential resistance-turned-support scenarios if buying pressure emerges.

Polygon Price Targets: Bull and Bear Scenarios
Bullish Case for MATIC
The bullish MATIC price target of $0.45-$0.52 becomes achievable if several technical conditions align. First, MATIC must reclaim the SMA 20 at $0.43, which would signal initial bullish momentum. The critical breakthrough level remains at $0.58, where strong resistance has formed.

Should buyers push MATIC above $0.58, the path opens toward the upper Bollinger Band at $0.56 initially, followed by the more ambitious targets around $0.52. This scenario requires volume expansion and RSI moving above 50 to confirm momentum shift.

The bullish case strengthens if broader cryptocurrency markets recover, as Polygon's utility in the DeFi and gaming sectors could drive demand. Historical support at $0.45 represents a logical first target, offering approximately 18% upside from current levels.

Bearish Risk for Polygon
Bearish scenarios for Polygon center on the breakdown of the $0.35 support level. Should this critical support fail, the next major level sits at $0.33, representing the strong support identified in technical analysis.

A break below $0.33 could trigger further selling toward the 52-week low of $0.37, though this level has already been tested. The bearish case gains strength if the RSI drops below 30 into oversold territory while volume increases, suggesting capitulation selling.

Risk factors include continued broader market weakness, regulatory concerns affecting DeFi protocols, and potential competition from other Layer 2 solutions that could pressure Polygon's market position.

Should You Buy MATIC Now? Entry Strategy
The current technical setup suggests a cautious approach to buying MATIC. Conservative investors should wait for confirmation above $0.43 (SMA 20) before establishing positions, with initial targets at $0.45.

More aggressive traders might consider accumulating near current levels around $0.38, but must implement strict risk management with stop-losses below $0.35. Position sizing should remain modest given the uncertain technical picture.

A dollar-cost averaging approach makes sense for longer-term investors, as the medium-term Polygon forecast suggests eventual recovery to the $0.45-$0.52 range. However, any purchases should be made with the understanding that a test of $0.35 support remains possible.

Entry strategy should focus on the $0.36-$0.38 range for initial positions, with additional buying planned if MATIC retests $0.35 support successfully.

MATIC Price Prediction Conclusion
The MATIC price prediction for the coming months shows cautious optimism despite current technical weakness. While short-term prospects remain challenging with bearish momentum indicators, the medium-term outlook suggests potential recovery to the $0.45-$0.52 range by Q1 2026.

Key indicators to monitor for prediction validation include RSI movement above 50, MACD histogram turning positive, and most critically, whether MATIC can break above the $0.58 resistance level. Failure to hold $0.35 support would invalidate the bullish scenario and suggest deeper correction toward $0.33.

The timeline for this prediction spans 1-3 months, with confidence level assessed as MEDIUM based on the technical setup and analyst consensus. Investors should prepare for volatility while positioning for potential medium-term recovery in Polygon's price trajectory.

Image source: Shutterstock

matic price analysis
matic price prediction

Joerg Hiller
Dec 21, 2025 11:56

LINK price prediction shows bullish momentum building toward $13.50 short-term target, with Chainlink forecast suggesting $20 breakout potential by year-end.

Chainlink (LINK) is positioning for a significant price breakout as technical indicators align with bullish analyst predictions. Despite trading at $12.56 with recent weakness, multiple forecasting models suggest LINK is preparing for a sustained rally that could deliver substantial returns for strategic investors.

LINK Price Prediction Summary
• LINK short-term target (1 week): $13.50 (+7.5%)
• Chainlink medium-term forecast (1 month): $16.50-$20.50 range (+31-63%)
• Key level to break for bullish continuation: $14.93
• Critical support if bearish: $11.74

Recent Chainlink Price Predictions from Analysts
The latest LINK price prediction consensus reveals remarkable alignment among analysts and AI forecasting models. Coin Arbitrage Bot's systematic predictions show a progressive uptrend, with targets escalating from $12.92 on December 21st to $13.37 by December 25th. This represents a consistent 2-6% daily appreciation expectation.

More aggressive Chainlink forecast projections come from traditional analysts. Tony Kim from BitcoinEthereumNews presents a compelling LINK price target of $16.50 for the medium term, citing a 34% upside potential if bulls successfully breach the critical $14.93 resistance level. Even more optimistic, Lawrence Jengar and Alvin Lang both project a $20.50 LINK price target, representing a potential 63% gain from current levels.

The convergence between AI-driven models and human analyst predictions strengthens the bullish case, particularly given the medium confidence levels across all forecasts.

LINK Technical Analysis: Setting Up for Breakout
Current Chainlink technical analysis reveals a compelling setup despite apparent near-term weakness. The RSI at 41.94 sits in neutral territory, providing ample room for upward momentum without triggering overbought conditions. This positioning is ideal for sustained rallies.

The MACD histogram shows -0.0694, indicating mild bearish momentum that appears to be bottoming out. Historical patterns suggest this level often precedes trend reversals in LINK's price action. The Bollinger Bands positioning at 0.21 confirms LINK is trading in the lower portion of its recent range, creating attractive risk-reward dynamics for long positions.

Volume analysis from Binance spot trading ($13.46M in 24-hour volume) suggests institutional accumulation despite the modest price decline. This divergence between price and volume often signals smart money positioning ahead of significant moves.

Chainlink Price Targets: Bull and Bear Scenarios
Bullish Case for LINK
The primary bullish LINK price prediction centers on breaking the $14.93 resistance level identified by multiple analysts. Successfully clearing this barrier opens the path to $16.50-$18.26 targets within 2-4 weeks. The ultimate LINK price target of $20.50 becomes achievable if momentum sustains through year-end.

Technical catalysts supporting this Chainlink forecast include the potential MACD crossover above the signal line and RSI expansion above 50. The 50-day moving average at $13.80 represents the first meaningful resistance, followed by the crucial $14.93 level.

Bearish Risk for Chainlink
Downside risks emerge if LINK fails to hold the $12.19 support level highlighted in recent predictions. A breakdown below this threshold could trigger stops and push prices toward the stronger support at $11.74, representing the immediate support level from technical analysis.

The 200-day moving average at $17.64 remains significantly above current prices, indicating the longer-term trend requires substantial work to rebuild. Any broader cryptocurrency market weakness could amplify LINK's downside vulnerability.

Should You Buy LINK Now? Entry Strategy
Based on current Chainlink technical analysis, strategic entry points emerge around $12.40-$12.55, close to current levels. This represents an attractive risk-reward setup with stop-loss placement below $11.74 (immediate support) limiting downside to approximately 7%.

The buy or sell LINK decision favors accumulation for traders with appropriate risk tolerance. Position sizing should remain conservative given the medium confidence levels in predictions, with 2-3% portfolio allocation representing prudent exposure.

Entry timing benefits from waiting for RSI to confirm upward momentum above 45, providing additional confirmation of the bullish thesis. Volume expansion above $15M daily average would signal institutional validation of the breakout attempt.

LINK Price Prediction Conclusion
The comprehensive LINK price prediction analysis supports a bullish outlook with high probability of reaching $13.50 within one week, representing medium confidence based on converging technical and fundamental factors. The Chainlink forecast extends this optimism to $16.50-$20.50 targets over the next 4-6 weeks, contingent on breaking key resistance levels.

Critical indicators to monitor include MACD momentum shifts, RSI expansion above 50, and volume confirmation above $15M daily. The prediction timeline suggests initial targets materialize by December 25th, with extended targets achievable by year-end if market conditions remain supportive.

Investors should watch the $14.93 resistance level as the key determinant for medium-term bullish continuation, while $11.74 support provides the critical downside threshold for risk management purposes.

Image source: Shutterstock

link price analysis
link price prediction

The crypto market cap is consolidating near key levels as traders reposition, Ethereum plans its next upgrade, and XRP ETF optimism grows.

Ethereum hovered near $2,977 as traders tracked big Binance staking wallet moves, repeated support retests, and liquidation pressure building above spot. Together, the charts frame a market watching whether ETH can hold key levels and challenge nearby resistance.

Arkham Data Shows Large ETH Moves Between Binance Staking WalletsArkham’s transfer page shows multiple large Ethereum outflows between two Binance labeled wallets, “Binance: Eth2 Staking (0xF17)” and “Binance: Eth2 Staking (0xBdD).” The log includes recent transfers of 80,000 ETH marked “1 day ago” and another 80,000 ETH marked “5 days ago,” alongside older moves such as 20,000 ETH and 70,000 ETH around three months ago. The entries display USD estimates in the hundreds of millions for several of the transfers.

Binance ETH Staking Transfers. Source: Arkham / X

A social media post circulating with the screenshot claimed Binance “staked $500 million worth of ETH this week” and called the activity “bullish for Ethereum.” However, the screenshot itself shows wallet to wallet movements between Binance staking labeled addresses, so it does not, on its own, prove new staking demand from external users or net new ETH entering Binance staking.

The same post also included a promotional line asking readers not to forget to “drop your sol wallet address.” Meanwhile, the on chain view shown in the image focuses on Ethereum transfers and does not reference Solana wallets or any giveaway mechanics.

Ethereum Trades Near $2,977 as Analyst Tracks Support HoldMeanwhile, Ethereum traded near $2,977 on the ETH USDT 2 hour Binance chart after returning above a highlighted support zone, according to a TradingView screenshot shared by DonnieBTC on X.

The chart shows ETH rebounding from a sharp mid week drop and then revisiting the same price band several times. Price action also remains capped by a descending trendline that links earlier highs, while several shaded bands above current levels mark nearby resistance areas on the chart.

Ethereum Support Zone Retest. Source: TradingView/X

DonnieBTC wrote that Ethereum has moved back above the highlighted zone “for a few times now.” He added that he is watching whether ETH can reclaim the area and hold it, and he said the outlook improves if price sustains above that band.

Liquidation Heatmap Highlights Dense Levels Above ETH PriceA CoinAnk liquidation heatmap shared by X user CW shows a large concentration of potential liquidation levels above Ethereum’s recent trading range, as ETH moved from the low $3,100s into the $2,700s and then stabilized near the $2,900 to $3,000 area over the past week.

Ethereum Liquidation Heatmap. Source: CoinAnk

On the chart, the brightest horizontal band sits above current price, clustered around the low $3,000s. In this type of heatmap, brighter colors usually mark larger pools of leveraged positions that could be forced closed if price trades into that zone, because liquidations tend to trigger around common leverage entry points and stop levels.

CW wrote that “high leverage short positions on ETH will be liquidated soon.” Liquidations only occur if price moves into those levels, so the heatmap shows where pressure may appear, not a guarantee that ETH will reach it.

XRP trades below $1.90, is there any hope for the next 10 days or so.

In the spirit of free markets and open experimentation, corporate boards should have the freedom to allocate treasury assets as they see fit, whether in cash, bonds, gold, real estate, or Bitcoin. Capital allocation has always been a core function of corporate management, not a passive afterthought.

Bitcoin (BTC) walks to close 2025 with more than $112 billion locked in US spot ETFs, exchange reserves at a record low of 2.751 million BTC, and perpetual futures open interest of nearly $30 billion.

Every single one of those data points would have sounded constructive in 2022. In late 2025, they map to the same outcome: price chopping between $81,000 and $93,000 while narratives stay bullish and volatility stays suppressed.

The gap between what the numbers say and how the market trades defines structural stagnation. In this regime, liquidity exists but doesn't flow, where capital is large but fragmented, and where the plumbing can't translate headline demand into directional conviction.

The tell came on Dec. 17, when Bitcoin liquidated $120 million of shorts and $200 million of longs within hours, not because leverage exploded but because order books couldn't absorb the round-trip without whipsawing.

Spot depth on tier-one centralized exchanges looks acceptable on paper. CoinGecko's June 2025 report pegs the median BTC order-book depth at $20 million to $25 million on each side, within ±$100 of the mid-price across eight major venues.

Binance alone supplies roughly $8 million on bid and ask, accounting for 32% of the total. Bitget holds $4.6 million, OKX $3.7 million. Zoom in to a ±$10 band and only Binance clears $1 million on each side.

Most of the other exchanges sit between $100,000 and $500,000, with Kraken and Coinbase closer to $100,000. That's institutional-grade depth if investors are crossing a few hundred coins.

Yet, it's tissue paper if a medium-sized fund decides to rebalance or a macro event forces simultaneous unwinding across venues.

Kaiko's February 2025 liquidity ranking confirms the asymmetry: market depth has clawed back to pre-FTX levels for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP, but more than half of the top 50 tokens by market cap still fail to generate $200 million in average daily volume.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana lead Kaiko's liquidity rankings, while more than half of top 50 tokens score below 100 points. Image: KaikoLiquidity beyond the majors decays fast, and Kaiko flags that when trading activity runs hot relative to available depth, price impact jumps non-linearly. The architecture has recovered; the capacity hasn't scaled.

Blood-flow problemLow exchange reserves cleanly mapped to bullish supply dynamics: fewer coins on venues meant less inventory available to sell.

That logic breaks when coins stop moving between exchanges. CryptoQuant's Inter-Exchange Flow Pulse (IFP) has weakened throughout 2025, indicating that arbitrageurs and market makers are less active in moving Bitcoin across venues to exploit mispricings.

Lower IFP thins out the aggregate order book and makes prices more sensitive to individual orders, even small ones. When record-low reserves with weak inter-exchange circulation are combined, scarcity expresses as fragility rather than mechanical strength.

Bitcoin's Inter-Exchange Flow Pulse declined sharply in 2025, signaling reduced arbitrage activity and weaker liquidity circulation between trading venues. Image: CryptoQuantBinance complicates the picture further. While most major exchanges report net BTC outflows, Binance has recorded net inflows, concentrating tradable inventory on the single venue where price discovery happens.

That centralization blunts the “low reserves equals bullish” framing, because sellable supply is pooling exactly where liquidity matters most.

If depth is shallow everywhere else and concentrated on one platform, any large flow, whether ETF redemption, macro-driven selling, or derivatives unwind, hits the same choke point.

Derivatives reset without convictionPerpetual futures open interest dropped from cycle highs near $50 billion to roughly $28 billion by mid-December, per Glassnode's recent report. That's a near-50% drawdown in the market's ability to absorb directional bets.

Bitcoin perpetual futures open interest declined from cycle highs near $50 billion to roughly $28 billion by December 2025 while funding rates remained near neutral. Image: GlassnodeFunding rates hovered near the 0.01% baseline during the recent selloff, rather than spiking either way, and Binance's late-October funding note shows BTC and major alt perps sitting close to neutral with minimal deviation.

The market isn't paying up to be long or short, as positioning has been de-risked, not re-levered.

Options positioning layers in a second constraint. The same Glassnode report pointed to Bitcoin running into a “hidden supply wall” between $93,000 and $120,000, where the short-term holder cost basis sits around $101,500 and roughly 6.7 million BTC, 23.7% of circulating supply, trades underwater.

About 360,000 BTC of recent selling came from holders realizing losses. That loss-bearing supply migrates into the long-term holder cohort, which historically precedes either capitulation or extended range-bound chop.

Dec. 26 marks the year's largest options expiry, with heavy gamma positioning pinning the spot price in an $81,000-$93,000 range until those contracts roll off. Derivatives aren't driving volatility, but rather suppressing it.

ETF flows as noise, not signalUS spot Bitcoin ETFs hold roughly 1.3 million BTC, about 6.5% of the market cap, and cumulative net inflows sit at $57.5 billion as of Dec. 18, per Farside Investors data.

That makes the ETF channel structurally important, but not directionally reliable. December's flow pattern was a whipsaw: Dec. 15 saw $357.6 million in net outflows, Dec. 16 another $277.2 million, and then Dec. 17 reversed with $457.3 million in net inflows, led by Fidelity's FBTC and BlackRock's IBIT.

US spot Bitcoin ETF cumulative net inflows reached $57.5 billion by December 18, 2025, with daily flows showing increased volatility in recent months. Image: Farside InvestorsOn Dec. 15, Bitcoin held near $87,000 even as ETFs bled more than $350 million in a single day, stressing that ETF flows are now large enough to move intraday sentiment but not consistently additive to price.

The vehicle is trading macro expectations and rate policy, not delivering a steady “up only” impulse.

What stagnation looks like in Q1 2026Structural stagnation isn't a bearish call, but just a liquidity regime.

Spot books on top centralized exchanges have recovered to pre-FTX levels for Bitcoin. Still, close-to-mid liquidity remains in the low single-digit millions per side on most venues and is overwhelmingly concentrated on Binance.

On-exchange reserves sit at record lows, but inter-exchange flows have collapsed, so thin books translate to jumpier slippage and larger price impact for the same notional.

Perpetual open interest reset, funding stays neutral, and options plus overhead spot supply between $93,000 and $120,000 mechanically pin Bitcoin into a range until new capital or a macro catalyst forces repositioning.

ETF flows swing by hundreds of millions of dollars day to day, but the sign flips on rate data, employment prints, and Fed guidance rather than crypto-native fundamentals.

Unless one of three things changes, Bitcoin can have bullish headlines, new products, and expanding infrastructure while price action remains choppy and range-bound through the first half of 2026.

Liquidity exists, but it's stuck. The infrastructure is institutional-grade, but it's not scale-ready. The capital is large, but it's fragmented across venues, wrappers, and jurisdictions.

That's what structural stagnation means: not broken, not bearish, just boxed in by its own plumbing until something forces the next leg.

Bitcoin Market Data

At the time of press 11:35 am UTC on Dec. 21, 2025, Bitcoin is ranked #1 by market cap and the price is up 0.49% over the past 24 hours. Bitcoin has a market capitalization of $1.77 trillion with a 24-hour trading volume of $15.93 billion. Learn more about Bitcoin ›

Crypto Market Summary

At the time of press 11:35 am UTC on Dec. 21, 2025, the total crypto market is valued at at $3 trillion with a 24-hour volume of $58.2 billion. Bitcoin dominance is currently at 59.03%. Learn more about the crypto market ›

Mentioned in this article

TLDR:

Stellar in 2025 strengthened its payment rails by prioritizing low fees, speed, and accessibility across markets.
Soroban smart contracts matured in 2025, supporting live dApps and practical use beyond experimental deployments.
Real-world asset tokenization expanded on Stellar, enabling compliant on-chain treasuries and financial instruments.
Institutional users continued building on Stellar in 2025, relying on network stability and predictable performance.

Stellar in 2025 marked a defining period for the network, shaped by steady delivery rather than market noise. 

The year reflected measurable adoption across payments, smart contracts, and tokenized assets. 

Network activity showed consistent utility, while institutional participation remained stable. As XLM traded near $0.21, Stellar entered 2026 positioned as an operational blockchain infrastructure.

Payments, Infrastructure, and Network Reliability
Stellar in 2025 reinforced its original mandate of fast, low-cost, and accessible payments. Network development stayed centered on cross-border transfers and financial access within emerging markets. 

This focus aligned with long-standing use cases rather than short-term trends.

The Scopuly Stellar Wallet account summarized this positioning in a public post, noting the network prioritized infrastructure delivery. 

⭐️ Stellar in 2025: A Defining Year for $XLM 🪙

2025 became a milestone year for the Stellar network – not hype, but real progress, real adoption, and real-world impact. Here’s what made $XLM stand out 👇

🔹 Stellar doubled down on its core mission
Fast, cheap, and accessible… pic.twitter.com/TneNFBWjOr

— Scopuly – Stellar Wallet (@scopuly) December 21, 2025

The commentary emphasized execution over speculation, reflecting how Stellar continued improving settlement efficiency. Payment rails remained active across remittances, fintech platforms, and regional corridors.

Protocol upgrades throughout the year supported performance, security, and developer tooling. These changes occurred without disrupting network reliability, which remained a core requirement for financial participants. 

Stability at scale continued to differentiate Stellar from higher-volatility blockchain environments.

Smart Contracts, Tokenization, and Institutional Activity
Stellar in 2025 also saw Soroban smart contracts progress from early experimentation to production use. 

Developer participation increased alongside live decentralized applications operating on mainnet. Use cases focused on practical deployment rather than demonstration environments.

According to the Scopuly update, Soroban’s growth reflected real application demand. The ecosystem showed more contract executions and sustained developer engagement. 

This shift supported broader functionality while maintaining predictable network costs.

Real-world asset tokenization became more visible during the year. Stellar hosted tokenized treasuries, compliant financial instruments, and localized on-chain products. 

These deployments aligned with regulatory frameworks and operational finance requirements.

Institutional engagement remained consistent across 2025. Banks, payment providers, fintech firms, and public entities continued using Stellar for settlement and issuance. 

The network served as a neutral layer for cross-border value transfer and on-chain finance workflows.

XLM maintained a functional role across the ecosystem, supporting fees, liquidity, and network trust. Daily usage reflected operational demand rather than speculative activity. 

As noted in the Scopuly post, Stellar exited 2025 as a working network, defined by delivery and continuity rather than promises.

Cryptocurrency

XRP

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Arslan Butt

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

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Last updated: 

December 21, 2025

XRP is holding near $1.93 as a rare combination of regulatory clarity, persistent ETF inflows, and stabilising technical structure keeps the token firmly on institutional radars. While broader crypto markets have struggled through December, XRP has quietly built a different profile one defined less by speculation and more by steady capital commitment.

Spot XRP ETFs Hit $1bn Inflows MilestoneXRP’s strongest tailwind remains institutional demand. Spot XRP ETFs including offerings from Grayscale, Bitwise, and Franklin Templeton have now surpassed $1.2bn in total assets, with cumulative net inflows topping $1.07bn, according to SoSoValue data.

What stands out is consistency. XRP ETFs have recorded 32 consecutive trading days of net inflows since their November launch, even as Bitcoin and Ethereum products experienced intermittent outflows. In a market where capital has become selective, that persistence signals conviction rather than momentum chasing.

Regulatory Clarity Gives XRP an EdgeXRP continues to benefit from its comparatively clearer legal status in the US following Ripple’s partial courtroom victory. That reduced regulatory overhang has helped XRP retain a market capitalisation above $117bn, keeping it among the most liquid large-cap crypto assets.

At the same time, macro conditions remain cautious. Expectations of gradual global liquidity easing and a stabilising US rate outlook are encouraging rotation, not speculation. For XRP, that environment supports consolidation and positioning rather than explosive upside.

XRP Technical Structure Near a DecisionFrom a technical perspective, XRP price prediction remains bearish as XRP is trading within a descending channel on the 4-hour chart, capped by a falling trendline of resistance. Price is currently testing the $1.93–$1.98 zone, where the 50-EMA and 100-EMA converge. This area has repeatedly stalled rebounds, making it a key pivot for near-term direction.

XRP Price Chart – Source: TradingviewMomentum indicators show early improvement. The RSI has climbed toward the mid-50s, forming a higher low compared with the last price trough, suggesting downside pressure is easing. A rejection near resistance would expose $1.85, with deeper support at $1.77. A clean breakout above $2.00 would shift bias higher.

XRP Price Prediction OutlookIf XRP secures acceptance above $2.00, the structure opens a recovery path toward $2.11–$2.17, aligning with prior resistance. Failure to reclaim that level keeps the broader corrective trend intact. As volatility compresses, XRP appears closer to resolution than exhaustion, setting up a decisive move as market confidence rebuilds.

PEPENODE: A Mine-to-Earn Meme Coin Nearing Presale ClosePEPENODE is gaining momentum as a next-generation meme coin that blends viral culture with interactive gameplay. With over $2.37 mn raised and the presale approaching its cap, interest is building fast as the countdown enters its final stretch.

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

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

With 1 $PEPENODE priced at $0.0012016 and limited allocation remaining, the presale is entering its final opportunity window for early buyers.

Click Here to Participate in the Presale

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With one wrong move proving extremely costly, a single slip in the crypto space led to one of the largest on-chain losses of 2025. A user accidentally sent nearly $50 million in USDT to a fraudulent address, highlighting how a simple error can carry enormous consequences. The loss stemmed from an address poisoning attack, a tactic where scammers trick users into sending funds to malicious wallets. In this case, the incident shows how reliance on convenience in handling wallet addresses can prove extremely expensive.

In Brief

An individual accidentally transferred almost 50 million USDT to a scammer after copying a fake wallet address from past transactions.
The stolen funds were quickly converted from USDT to DAI, then into over 16,000 ETH, and deposited into Tornado Cash to hide them.
After the loss, the victim issued an on-chain alert calling for most of the funds to be returned, including legal warnings and offering a $1 million reward for full recovery.

Small Test Transfer Leads to $50M USDT Loss
On-chain investigator Web3 Antivirus shared on X that the victim lost 49,999,950 USDT after inadvertently copying a fraudulent wallet address from their transaction history. The user had first carried out a small test transfer to what they believed was the correct address before sending the full $50 million minutes later. While the initial transfer seemed harmless, it set the stage for a significant loss.

EyeOnChain, an on-chain analyst, explained that the scam leveraged the initial $50 USDT test transaction. The attacker then created a wallet nearly identical to the original, keeping the first and last characters the same while taking advantage of wallet interfaces that hide the middle section with “…”. When the victim later attempted to send the remaining 49,999,950 USDT, they copied the address from transaction history instead of manually verifying it. Trusting the familiar start and end characters, the user unknowingly sent the full amount to the scammer’s wallet. This sequence of events made it one of the largest on-chain scam losses recorded this year.

Shortly after receiving the stolen funds, the attacker moved quickly to obscure them: within 30 minutes, they swapped 50 million USDT to DAI using MetaMask Swap, converted all DAI into 16,690 ETH, and deposited 16,680 ETH into Tornado Cash, effectively hiding the assets.

The Victim’s Response and the Mechanics of Address Poisoning
Following the loss, the victim posted an on-chain alert calling for 98% of the stolen funds to be returned within 48 hours, including legal warnings and offering a $1 million white-hat reward if the attacker returned the full amount. Analysis of the wallet showed it had been active for roughly two years and primarily handled USDT transfers, with the funds having been withdrawn from Binance shortly before the incident.

Typically, address poisoning does not exploit flaws in smart contracts or cryptography. Instead, it preys on common user behaviors. How then does it occur?

The scammer initiates a small or dust transfer using a wallet that closely resembles the intended recipient, making it appear legitimate at first glance.
This fraudulent address then shows up in the victim’s transaction history, blending in with other past transactions and creating a false sense of security.
When the user copies this address from their history to send funds, they inadvertently transfer the assets to the attacker instead of the correct recipient.

The risks illustrated by cases like this reflect a wider surge in attacks across the crypto space. The year 2025 has been particularly active for malicious actors targeting crypto platforms. Cointribune reported that hacks across the sector led to $3.4 billion in losses, marking the highest annual total since 2022. Most of the damage came from a small number of major attacks, with just three breaches making up 69% of the total value stolen.

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Ifeoluwa O.

Ifeoluwa specializes in Web3 writing and marketing, with over 5 years of experience creating insightful and strategic content. Beyond this, he trades crypto and is skilled at conducting technical, fundamental, and on-chain analyses.

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.

Lawrence Jengar
Dec 21, 2025 11:01

ETH price prediction shows potential recovery to $3,200 within 2 weeks, but faces critical $2,775 support test first. Mixed analyst forecasts create trading opportunity.

Ethereum finds itself at a critical juncture as we approach the final days of 2025, with the current price of $2,996.93 testing crucial support levels. Recent analyst predictions paint a mixed picture for ETH, creating both opportunity and uncertainty for traders looking to position themselves for the new year.

ETH Price Prediction Summary
• ETH short-term target (1 week): $3,150 (+5.1%)
• Ethereum medium-term forecast (1 month): $2,800-$3,400 range
• Key level to break for bullish continuation: $3,200
• Critical support if bearish: $2,775

Recent Ethereum Price Predictions from Analysts
The latest Ethereum forecast from major analysts reveals significant divergence in near-term expectations. CoinCodex presents the most optimistic ETH price prediction, targeting $3,519.21 within five days based on bullish technical momentum. This represents a substantial 17.4% upside from current levels and aligns with their confidence in breaking through immediate resistance.

DigitalCoinPrice offers a more conservative ETH price target of $3,123.18, expecting a modest 4.2% gain by month-end. Their Ethereum technical analysis focuses on sustained bullish momentum indicators, though they maintain medium confidence due to mixed signals.

Contrasting sharply with bullish forecasts, FX.co's bearish ETH price prediction warns of a potential decline to $2,500. Their analysis emphasizes Ethereum's position below both the 21 SMA ($2,934.80) and 200 EMA, suggesting institutional selling pressure could drive prices lower if the critical $3,000 psychological level fails to hold.

The consensus among analysts points to a pivotal moment for Ethereum, with the next week likely determining whether ETH embarks on a recovery rally or faces deeper correction territory.

ETH Technical Analysis: Setting Up for Consolidation Before Breakout
Current Ethereum technical analysis reveals a complex picture that supports our measured ETH price prediction. The RSI reading of 46.68 sits firmly in neutral territory, indicating neither oversold nor overbought conditions. This positioning typically precedes significant directional moves, supporting the case for an imminent breakout from the current consolidation pattern.

The MACD histogram at -3.7954 confirms bearish momentum remains intact, though the gap between the MACD line (-55.65) and signal line (-51.85) suggests selling pressure may be moderating. This divergence often precedes trend reversals, particularly when combined with neutral RSI conditions.

Ethereum's position within the Bollinger Bands provides additional insight for our Ethereum forecast. Trading at 0.3752 of the band width places ETH closer to the lower band ($2,800.10) than the upper band ($3,324.67), indicating oversold conditions on a relative basis. Historical analysis shows Ethereum tends to mean-revert toward the middle band (currently $3,062.38) after extended periods near band extremes.

Volume analysis from Binance spot data shows $336.9 million in 24-hour turnover, representing moderate but not exceptional interest. For our ETH price prediction to materialize, we'll need to see volume expansion above $500 million to confirm institutional participation in any breakout attempt.

Ethereum Price Targets: Bull and Bear Scenarios
Bullish Case for ETH
The optimistic scenario for our ETH price target centers on reclaiming the $3,200 level, which would trigger a measured move toward $3,400-$3,500. This Ethereum forecast requires several technical conditions to align:

First, ETH must decisively break above the immediate resistance at $3,447.44, confirmed by daily closing prices above this level for at least two consecutive sessions. Volume expansion to over $500 million would provide the necessary confirmation for this breakout scenario.

Second, the RSI needs to push above 55 to confirm bullish momentum, while the MACD histogram must turn positive. These conditions would support our ETH price prediction of reaching the upper Bollinger Band at $3,324.67 as an initial target, with extension potential toward the strong resistance zone at $3,918.23.

The most bullish ETH price target reaches $4,200-$4,400 if Ethereum can sustain momentum above $3,500, though this scenario carries lower probability given current market conditions and would likely require broader cryptocurrency market strength.

Bearish Risk for Ethereum
The downside scenario for our Ethereum forecast involves a breakdown below the critical $2,775 support level. Failure to hold this zone would trigger algorithmic selling and likely test the strong support at $2,623.57 within 1-2 weeks.

A break below $2,623 would invalidate our current ETH price prediction and open the door for FX.co's bearish target of $2,500. This scenario becomes more probable if Bitcoin experiences significant weakness or if broader market sentiment deteriorates due to regulatory concerns or macroeconomic factors.

The most concerning development would be a daily close below $2,500, which could trigger a deeper correction toward the 52-week low area around $1,800-$2,000. However, this extreme bearish case currently carries less than 25% probability based on current technical positioning.

Should You Buy ETH Now? Entry Strategy
The current technical setup suggests a strategic approach for those considering whether to buy or sell ETH. For aggressive traders, initiating positions near current levels ($2,990-$3,000) offers favorable risk-reward, with stop-loss placement below $2,750 limiting downside to approximately 8%.

Conservative investors should wait for confirmation above $3,200 before entering, accepting higher entry prices in exchange for greater probability of success. This approach aligns with momentum trading principles and reduces false breakout risk.

Position sizing should reflect the mixed nature of current signals. Allocating 50% of intended position size immediately, with the remaining 50% contingent on breaking above $3,200, provides balanced exposure while managing downside risk.

For existing ETH holders, the current environment suggests maintaining positions but avoiding additional accumulation until clearer directional signals emerge. Setting profit targets at $3,400 and stop-losses below $2,750 captures the full range of our Ethereum forecast scenarios.

ETH Price Prediction Conclusion
Our comprehensive ETH price prediction for the next 30 days anticipates a recovery toward $3,200-$3,400, with medium confidence in this outcome. The confluence of neutral RSI, moderating MACD divergence, and oversold Bollinger Band positioning supports this measured optimistic view.

Key indicators to monitor for confirmation include daily closes above $3,200, RSI expansion above 55, and volume growth above $500 million. Invalidation signals include breaks below $2,775 support or sustained trading below the 21 SMA.

The timeline for this Ethereum forecast extends through mid-January 2025, with the first two weeks of the new year proving critical for direction. Given the mixed analyst predictions and current technical positioning, maintaining a balanced but slightly bullish stance appears most prudent for navigating the near-term ETH trading environment.

Image source: Shutterstock

eth price analysis
eth price prediction

Sun, 21/12/2025 - 10:38

XRP saw a fundamental change in the way its network functions as occasional payment volume spikes are the new norm.

Cover image via www.freepik.com

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

With the launch of spot XRP ETFs, the network is showing ongoing sharp increases in on-chain payment activity, something it hardly ever did before. According to recent data, single-day transfers have surpassed 1 billion XRP, and payment volume has increased by up to 1,000% in brief bursts. Noise is not that. That is the response of structural demand to a new source of liquidity.

XRP's payment volumes are spikingSpot ETFs are important because they impose actual settlement. They increase spot demand, custody flows and on-chain movement by directly drawing capital into the asset ecosystem, in contrast to pure derivatives. As capital rotates, arbitrage begins and large holders reposition. The outcome is precisely what we are currently witnessing: abrupt, violent increases in payment volume.

XRP/USDT Chart by TradingViewIn the past, the price of XRP has lagged behind these volume spikes before rapidly catching up once the market recognized that the activity was real throughput rather than speculative churn. Although the compression is evident, XRP is technically still trading within a larger corrective structure. A classic divergence is occurring as the price is grinding close to important support and volume is growing below.

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Moves are usually quick and out of proportion when that breaks. This is the source of the 300% spike narrative, which is based on facts rather than conjecture. Asset gaps increase due to thin overhead liquidity and growing transactional demand.

Does market want XRP?The market’s risk appetite changes when a large-cap network like XRP demonstrates that spot exposure and regulatory clarity can revitalize on-chain usage. Traders begin looking for high beta laggards. Once majors begin to move, smaller assets typically absorb that spillover liquidity.

Expect secondary flows into speculative names if XRP’s payment surge results in a long-term uptrend. In that case, price only needs momentum from other sources, it does not require its own fundamental catalyst. That significantly raises the likelihood of abrupt, brief spikes once liquidity unlocks, but it does not ensure a rally.

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Journalist

Posted: December 21, 2025

The market is at a point where investor patience is being tested.

Simply put, HODLers are deciding whether to stay positioned for upside or de-risk ahead of a deeper correction that could compress P/L. Meanwhile, uncertainty around Japanese bond yields is reinforcing a risk-off mood.

In this setup, it’s not surprising that Bitcoin’s [BTC] on-chain metrics aren’t seeing a Q2-style rebound. Back then, BTC’s STH NUPL snapped back after two months of FUD, but this time it remains firmly in the red.

Source: CryptoQuant

Notably, the current FUD appears to be pushing further into the network.

As per the chart above, Miner Reserves were down 900 BTC over the past two days, amounting to $76 million in sell-offs. When compared to their Average Mining Cost, it’s clear that these miners are operating at a loss.

In short, Bitcoin’s on-chain signals continue to point toward capitulation. 

And yet, despite this apparent stress, BTC is still holding above the $85k level. This resilience raises an important question: Has the textbook “buy the fear” setup finally begun to take hold, reinforcing BTC’s bottom?

New whale activity drives half of Bitcoin’s realized cap
In the current macro setup, whale support is starting to play a major role.

For context, stress is building in Japan after the BOJ raised interest rates by 25 bps, the highest level in 30 years.

The effect?

Spot Bitcoin demand is muted, with U.S. investors in particular staying largely on the sidelines.

That said, this volatility is creating a prime setup for a shift in BTC’s supply dynamics. Weak hands are being shaken out, leaving stronger hands to pick up the available supply. Notably, the chart below reinforces this point.

Source: CryptoQuant

Nearly 50% of Bitcoin’s realized cap now comes from new whale buyers.

For context, the realized cap reflects the “price” at which coins last moved on-chain. With nearly half of it now tied to recent whale purchases, a large portion of Bitcoin’s supply has rotated into stronger hands.

From a technical perspective, this dynamic helps explain BTC’s resilience. 

Despite growing market FUD and capitulation pressure, BTC has now spent four weekly closes chopping in a defined range above $85k. If this behavior continues, calling a Bitcoin bottom doesn’t seem too far-fetched.

Final Thoughts

On-chain metrics still signal stress, yet BTC continues to hold above $85k, suggesting underlying strength.
Nearly 50% of Bitcoin’s realized cap is now driven by new whale buyers, indicating a rotation of supply from weak hands to stronger holders, reinforcing BTC’s potential bottom.

Ritika Gupta is a Financial Journalist and Geopolitical Analyst at AMBCrypto, specializing in the critical intersection of world politics, economic policy, and the cryptocurrency markets. Her analysis is informed by her distinguished background, which includes professional experience at major news network.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Psychology from Gargi College, University of Delhi. This academic training provides her with a sophisticated framework for dissecting complex issues such as international regulations, government fiscal policies, and the geopolitical forces that directly influence asset valuations.
At AMBCrypto, Ritika applies this expert lens to synthesize macroeconomic data and political developments, offering readers a deeper context for market movements. She excels at explaining not just what is happening in the market, but why it is happening. Her work is dedicated to providing strategic insights that empower readers to understand the complex relationship between global events and their digital assets.

9h15 ▪
4
min read ▪ by
Luc Jose A.

Summarize this article with:

After a 2024 marked by the influx of ETFs and institutional enthusiasm, signs of fatigue are multiplying. According to CryptoQuant, demand has significantly contracted since October, confirming the entry into a bearish phase. Between the outflow of incoming flows, breaking of technical supports, and investor hesitation, the market shows clear signs of tipping. A turning point that analysts are watching closely as the cycle could change pace.

In brief

The bullish momentum of Bitcoin is fading after a 2024 marked by the arrival of ETFs and institutional enthusiasm.
CryptoQuant signals a sharp drop in demand since October 2025, indicating a possible cycle reversal.
Three successive waves fueled the bullish market: ETFs, US elections, and adoption by listed companies.
Investors now operate in a climate dominated by fear, wait-and-see attitudes, and increased volatility.

A drop in Bitcoin demand : indicators turn red
According to CryptoQuant, the apparent demand for Bitcoin has significantly slowed since the beginning of the fourth quarter of the year, while the crypto queen collapses after a false hope of rebound.

“Demand growth has fallen below trend since early October,” state the analysts. They specify that this dynamic marks the end of a sustained bullish cycle. This observation suggests that “the majority of incremental demand in this cycle has already been realized, thereby removing a key pillar of price support.”

The analysis also identifies three major waves that paced this bullish cycle: a first in January 2024 with the approval of Bitcoin ETFs in the United States, a second driven by the US presidential election results, and a third related to speculation around listed companies accumulating BTC in their treasury.

This slowdown in momentum is confirmed by several objective indicators :

Institutional investor disengagement : about 24,000 BTC were withdrawn from ETFs during this fourth quarter, according to CryptoQuant. This behavior is diametrically opposed to that observed at the same period in 2024, marked by net inflows ;

A falling funding rate : the funding rates of perpetual futures contracts have dropped to their lowest level since December 2023, reflecting a clear weakening of leveraged speculative appetite ;

A major technical break : Bitcoin has broken below its 365-day moving average, currently around $98,172, which constitutes a “critical dynamic support level.”

Taken together, these on-chain data reinforce the hypothesis of a cycle reversal and place investors facing a market now deprived of its fundamental drivers.

Psychological and macroeconomic dynamics to watch
While technical and behavioral signals show clear investor disengagement, medium-term prospects remain mixed.

Some analysts still anticipate a price recovery in 2026, especially if the US Federal Reserve eases monetary policy. This hypothesis is based on the possibility of a rate cut, which would favor risk assets like cryptos. However, for now, the consensus remains cautious. According to the CME Group’s FedWatch tool, only 22.1% of investors expect a rate cut at the next FOMC meeting scheduled for January 2026.

On the political front, pressure is also mounting. President Donald Trump reportedly tried to pressure Jerome Powell by threatening dismissal to accelerate rate cuts before his term expires in May 2026. Such instability could paradoxically increase uncertainty in the markets.

As for the overall investor sentiment, it remains clearly pessimistic. The CoinMarketCap Crypto Fear & Greed Index firmly remains in the fear zone. A mixed situation that historically sometimes precedes the most unexpected rebounds, but nothing guarantees such a scenario for now.

The slowdown in demand and unfavorable technical signals now weigh on the bitcoin price, which enters a phase of uncertainty. If the market confirms this bearish momentum, the coming months could redefine the current cycle’s balances and require a more cautious reading of the short-term outlook.

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Luc Jose A.

Diplômé de Sciences Po Toulouse et titulaire d'une certification consultant blockchain délivrée par Alyra, j'ai rejoint l'aventure Cointribune en 2019.
Convaincu du potentiel de la blockchain pour transformer de nombreux secteurs de l'économie, j'ai pris l'engagement de sensibiliser et d'informer le grand public sur cet écosystème en constante évolution. Mon objectif est de permettre à chacun de mieux comprendre la blockchain et de saisir les opportunités qu'elle offre. Je m'efforce chaque jour de fournir une analyse objective de l'actualité, de décrypter les tendances du marché, de relayer les dernières innovations technologiques et de mettre en perspective les enjeux économiques et sociétaux de cette révolution en marche.

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.

The recent approval of spot XRP ETFs could be a significant catalyst for the cryptocurrency.

Geoffrey Kendrick at Standard Chartered Bank estimates XRP (XRP 0.26%) will reach $8 in 2026. His forecast, which implies 315% upside from the current price of $1.90, is based on the idea that increased regulatory clarity and the recent approval of spot XRP ETFs will boost adoption.

While I agree in principle -- those tailwinds could certainly drive XRP's price higher -- the forecast itself seems overly optimistic, especially when XRP has actually fallen 7% year to date despite the Trump administration's support for the broader cryptocurrency industry. I think a more reasonable target is $3 in 2026, which implies about 58% upside.

Here's what investors should know about XRP.

Image source: Getty Images.

Favorable developments in legal and regulatory matters
In 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against Ripple for allegedly selling XRP as an unregistered security. In 2023, a U.S. district court issued a split ruling, determining direct sales to institutional investors were illegal, but programmatic sales (through exchanges) to retail investors were not.

The SEC initially appealed the ruling, but more recently dropped the appeal. The situation reflects the Trump administration's broader push to support the cryptocurrency industry. For instance, President Trump earlier this year signed an executive order that created a national digital asset stockpile. He also nominated cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins as SEC chairman.

Here's the big picture: The SEC's decision to drop its appeal against Ripple may encourage XRP adoption among investors and financial institutions because a legal headwind has been eliminated. Additionally, the Trump administration's policies could reinforce the trend by treating digital assets as a legitimate component of the U.S. financial system.

XRP supports faster and cheaper cross-border transactions
XRP is the native digital asset on the XRP Ledger, a blockchain designed to support fast and cheap cross-border transactions. The SWIFT messaging system is currently the industry standard in wire transfers, but settlement times are longer and transaction fees are higher. In short, XRP is a bridge currency that resolves those pain points.

Like any asset, XRP's price will rise as demand rises. One potential catalyst is that fintech company Ripple uses XRP to provide payment services to financial institutions, and Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently predicted the XRP blockchain would capture 14% of SWIFT's payment volume (equivalent to $20+ trillion) within five years.

In that scenario, demand for XRP could push its price much higher. But Garlinghouse's prediction seems too optimistic. It makes no sense to use a volatile cryptocurrency to move money when stablecoins exist. And while Ripple has addressed that problem by introducing the stablecoin Ripple USD (RLUSD 0.01%), it competes with better established options like Circle's USDC.

Here's the big picture: Despite legal headwinds clearing and the regulatory environment improving, XRP monthly transaction volume has steadily declined over the last two years. That suggests neither XRP nor RLUSD is gaining significant traction as a bridge currency, and I doubt that will change in the future.

Spot XRP ETFs could unlock demand among institutional and retail investors
In November, several spot XRP ETFs started trading on U.S. markets, including one product launched by Franklin Templeton, which ranks among the 25 largest money managers in the world by AUM. Those funds may encourage adoption by removing friction associated with traditional cryptocurrency exchanges, such as high fees and the headache of managing multiple accounts.

Indeed, Bitcoin's price has increased 90% since spot Bitcoin ETFs were approved in January 2024, so it stands to reason XRP could see material price appreciation as spot XRP ETFs unlock demand. In that context, I think XRP's price could increase 58% to $3 (more or less) in the next year.

Here's the big picture: The recent approval of spot XRP ETFs is the most compelling reason to want XRP exposure. XRP is the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by market value, which means it's probably one of the digital assets in which institutional investors are most interested. Demand from that well-capitalized group could send XRP's price higher. But I still have far more confidence in Bitcoin, so I would keep any position in XRP (or a spot XRP ETF) rather small.

Charles Hoskinson has taken to the X social media network to boast about NIGHT, the native token of the privacy-focused Midnight network, outperforming both XRP and SOL.  

According to CoinGecko data, the 24-hour trading volume for the red-hot token has surged to a whopping $4 billion.  

Stunning launchAfter months of anticipation, the NIGHT token officially launched on Dec. 8. It swiftly became available for trading on centrlized exchanges of the likes of Kraken, Bybit, and various Cardano DEXs. Hoskinson has described the token's debut as an incredible success. 

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Midnight uses a "thawing" period, with tokens being unlocked in waves over 450 days. This keeps users actively checking, claiming, and trading small amounts constantly.

Shattering "ghost chain" narrative?The "frenzy" contradicts the oft-repeated "ghost chain" narrative that has plagued Cardano.

It should be noted that the network is mostly in a "bootstrap" phase. The upcoming Kūkolu Phase is expected to happen in the first quarter of 2026. Privacy-preserving smart contracts will actually go live during the implementation of this phase. 

Hoskinson predicts massive TVL (total value locked) and MAUs (monthly active users) since he is confident that privacy solves the biggest problems currently plaguing DeFi.

"When Midnight turns on, imagine the 12-month rolling average TVL, transactions, and MAUs. A lot of people want private prediction markets, stablecoins, and DEXes," he said.

For instance, you can place a massive bet without revealing your identity or the exact size of your position. A "regulatory-friendly" private stablecoin allows for digital cash that is private to the public but still compliant for audits.

The long-running legal battle between blockchain firm Ripple and the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) reached its definitive conclusion in 2025, ending one of the most consequential regulatory cases in cryptocurrency history.