Market Signal Briefing

Key NotesTHETA has dropped to its 2020 price range despite multiple crypto rallies passing by.Long-term charts show repeated lower highs with THETA down more than 97% from ATH.Whistleblower lawsuits allege insider-driven price inflation and misleading partnerships.
THETA has returned to price levels last seen in 2020 after erasing gains from multiple bull market rallies along the way. The long-term weekly chart shows a clear distribution structure, with each recovery attempt capped by a descending trendline stretching back from the 2021 peak.

Despite brief rallies between late 2020 and early 2022, THETA continues to trade at $0.3278, down 97.95% from its all-time high seen above $15, according to CoinMarketCap. The altcoin is down a massive 21% in the past 30 days.

THETA’s weekly chart below resembles a classic post-bubble unwind. The 2021 peak marked the high of the cycle, followed by increasingly weaker rebounds in subsequent years. Each bounce was capped earlier than the last, while support gradually eroded until price returned to its original accumulation range.

THETA in a long-term downtrend | Source: TradingView

The failure to establish higher lows during major market recoveries indicates that the previous rally was largely emotion-led. Without a decisive break above long-term resistance and a meaningful expansion in volume, the chart does not favor massive allocation of capital.

Whistleblower Lawsuits Cast Shadow Over Theta Labs
THETA prices could drop further with two separate whistleblower lawsuits filed in California by former senior executives of Theta Labs, Jerry Kowal and Andrea Berry. The complaints allege that the company and its leadership engaged in years of deceptive practices tied to the THETA token and related NFT activity.

According to a Bloomberg report, the filings talk about internal concerns around token sales, disclosure practices, and governance that were allegedly met with retaliation rather than reform.

The lawsuits describe a pattern in which token-related announcements and promotional activity were used to support higher prices, while insiders allegedly reduced exposure during periods of high trading volumes.

Former Theta Labs Executives File Whistleblower Lawsuits

Two former senior executives at Theta Labs have filed whistleblower lawsuits in California, accusing the company and CEO Mitch Liu of years-long deception, market manipulation, and retaliation, according to @DecryptMedia.… pic.twitter.com/w0DyUKKLBu

— ME (@MetaEraHK) December 17, 2025

The former employees claim they witnessed repeated efforts to inflate THETA demand. While the allegations remain unproven, the token’s price performance further adds legitimacy to Kowal’s and Berry’s statements.

Celebrity Marketing and Disputed Partnerships
The lawsuits focus heavily on the use of high-profile marketing to attract liquidity. Promotional efforts tied to celebrities such as Katy Perry are alleged to have played a role in driving speculative interest rather than organic adoption.

The complaints also claim that certain NFT-related activity created an artificial appearance of demand through internal or coordinated behavior. Theta’s relationship with Google has also been discussed.

According to the lawsuits, a standard cloud services agreement was publicly framed as a strategic partnership, which created the impression of endorsement and validation that did not exist.

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

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

Parth Dubey on LinkedIn

After the latest drop, Bitcoin price consolidates around $87,000, within a narrow range that is now pressing against multi-week resistance. The star token usually accumulates before undergoing the next price action, and hence, the ongoing price compression is believed to transform into a gigantic breakout. While the macro narrative has soured and unemployment is rising, with liquidity expectations shifting, several high-timeframe technical signals are tightening. Historically, this type of macro-technical overlap has preceded a decisive BTC breakout. 

BTC Price Consolidating Within a Critical ZoneThe BTC price lost the pivotal support zone around $88,600 during the recent pullback and has been compressing below the key resistance since then. The price is forming a sequence of higher lows below the range of $87,500 and $88,300, while volatility bleeds out. This type of squeeze historically revolves in the direction of the primary trend, still firmly upward. 

Observing the above chart, it would be clear that breaking the newly formed resistance zone between $87,500 and $88,000 is essential to open the doors beyond $90,000. However, it could further test yet another important barrier at $89,000, which has been a strong trend reversal zone since the start of the month. Therefore, a close above $88,500 to $89,000 would open the path to $90,000 to $92,000 based on previous liquidity pockets and untested price inefficiencies. 

On-Chain Positioning Points Toward Accumulation, Not ExhaustionOn-chain data continues to signal strength beneath Bitcoin’s price action. While BTC trades just below major resistance, wallet behaviour, long-term holder supply, and derivative positioning all indicate steady accumulation rather than distribution. Futures open interest is elevated around ~$60 billion (not collapsing), while funding rates remain neutral—suggesting traders aren’t panicking out of longs.

Bitcoin’s futures open interest has stayed elevated rather than crashing, indicating steady engagement rather than forced deleveraging—a common sign of capitulation. Funding rates have hovered near neutral, reflecting balanced leverage rather than extreme short-term blow-offs. Collectively, this pattern aligns with accumulation behaviour on-chain, not exhaustion.

The Bottom Line-What’s Next for the Bitcoin Price Rally?Bitcoin’s tightening price structure is forming against a macro backdrop that is quietly becoming more supportive. Rising unemployment has historically increased expectations of liquidity support, and while policy shifts are not immediate, risk assets tend to move ahead of them. Importantly, this is occurring while leverage remains controlled, ETF flows have stabilised, and on-chain data shows little evidence of broad distribution.

From here, the market has two clear paths. A decisive break above $88,300 would likely trigger a liquidity-driven expansion toward $90,000–$92,000, confirming that the current compression has resolved higher. A rejection, on the other hand, could sweep support near $85,600, but unless $84,300 breaks on a daily close, such a move would resemble a reset rather than a trend reversal.

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Onchain data reveals that Bitcoin is headed for its fourth consecutive annual loss in history, marking the first time the decline is not due to an industry meltdown or scandal. The sharp selloff on Monday during the New York session led to a 3.7% drop in Bitcoin prices, bringing the total decline to 7% YTD. 

Data retrieved from major crypto data trackers and aggregators suggests that the latest decline is a much milder correction compared to the previous three drawdown years. The decline is also occurring against a different backdrop, as institutional adoption has expanded and regulation has matured since the last major crypto crash in 2022. Bitcoin’s first three annual declines since its debut on exchanges in 2010 were marked by events that temporarily shattered the market’s confidence. 

Meanwhile, Bitcoin has dropped sharply since its early October ATH of $126,000 despite support from influential figures like U.S. President Donald Trump. Data from SoSoValue shows that investors are ditching BTC ETFs, and the low volumes suggest a lack of appetite for betting on a rebound. Even massive purchases by dominant BTC holders, such as Michael Saylor’s Strategy, have not been enough to sway investor sentiment. 

Kala blames it on a lack of follow-through despite positive catalysts
Annual returns for Bitcoin from 2014 to date. Source: Bloomberg.
Pratik Kala, a portfolio manager at Apollo Crypto, notes a surprising lack of follow-through across the crypto industry, despite numerous positive catalysts. Bitcoin has decoupled from stocks during this bear market as the S&P 500 rose 16% YTD earlier this month. Tech stocks, which tend to move in sync with Bitcoin, are also performing even better as the token’s value plummets. 

The 2014 hack and subsequent collapse of Mt. Gox reportedly exposed huge gaps in crypto’s infrastructure and showed early traders that their funds were still at risk even on centralized platforms. Bitcoin dropped nearly 58% that year.

Meanwhile, a bubble in the so-called initial coin offerings (ICOs) burst four years later after authorities cracked down on crypto, sending Bitcoin and other tokens spiraling downward. The 74% decline of 2018 still holds the record for the most significant drop in BTC prices ever.  

The 2022 meltdown was probably the most significant because it led to the closure of several major firms like Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX. It also sparked a broad crackdown by the Biden administration. 

Seiler says the current BTC decline is more than a price correction
Maxime Seiler, the chief executive officer at STS Digital, claims that this bear BTC cycle could end up being more of a time correction than a sharp price correction. He believes this is just a long consolidation as BTC trades between $70,000 and $100,000. 

However, realized losses for short-term BTC holders are reportedly the highest since the FTX collapse. The brittleness of Bitcoin’s rally was evident on October 10, when nearly $19 billion of leveraged wagers were wiped out, sending crypto markets into a tailspin that exposed the vulnerabilities piling up beneath the surface. Meanwhile, it looked like nothing could stop Bitcoin’s rise until October’s peak.

On the other hand, several market metrics currently suggest that traders are choosing to remain on the fence for now, or at least until Bitcoin’s volatility reduces. Data retrieved from SoSoValue confirms that investors have withdrawn over $5.2 billion from U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs since October 10. Market depth has also dropped about 30% from the year’s high, according to data from researcher Kaiko.

Kala observed that BTC prices have failed to follow through, despite the industry receiving everything it had asked for on the regulatory front, including staking on ETFs. The Apollo Crypto portfolio manager noted that the selling by old whales has dampened the coin’s momentum.

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Key NotesBlackRock Bitcoin ETF alone saw $210 million of outflows on Dec.16, signaling sustained institutional selling pressure.On-chain data shows one of the largest sell-offs by Bitcoin long-term holders in the past five years.Investors are bracing for heightened volatility ahead of key macro events, including US CPI data and a BoJ rate hike.
Amid the strong Bitcoin

BTC
$86 451

24h volatility:
0.2%

Market cap:
$1.73 T

Vol. 24h:
$43.63 B

price correction, spot Bitcoin ETF outflows have surged simultaneously, clocking another $277 million on Dec. 16. This surge in outflows, along with the sell-off from long-term holders, highlights the waning institutional sentiment. BTC price is currently around $86,500 as analysts brace for further volatility ahead of the US CPI, and BoJ rate hike decisions this week.

Bitcoin ETF Outflows Remain Strong
On Tuesday, Dec. 16, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded outflows for the second consecutive day at $277 million. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led the most outflows at $210 million, followed by Bitwise’s BITB at $50 million as per Farside Investors data.

Fidelity’s FBTC was the only Bitcoin fund to see positive inflows at $26.7 million, while the rest others saw zero or negative flows.

As per the on-chain data, the BlackRock Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) dumped a total of 2.405 BTC yesterday. However, the trading activity remains elevated with $2.8 billion in total volumes.

BlackRock Bitcoin ETF trading: Source: Trader T

Moreover, the net assets under management (AUM) across all Bitcoin ETFs saw a sharp drop from $169.5 billion to $120.7 billion over the past 60 days. November alone saw net outflows totaling $3.79 billion, reported market analyst Shanaka Anslem Perera.

He added that BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF, IBIT, accounted for a significant portion of the decline, recording approximately $2.7 billion in redemptions over a five-week period. The sustained outflows suggest strong institutional selling pressure in the market.

Bitcoin Long-Term Holders Locking Gains
On-chain data shows that long-term holders (LTH) of Bitcoin are locking in gains, while selling on every rise. According to data from CryptoQuant, the recent sell-off from LTHs over the past 30 days is one of the largest in the last five years.

It added that selling by this cohort has historically occurred closer to market highs rather than during price bottoms. Current data shows long-term holder supply declining from record levels, while Bitcoin continues to trade well above the LTH realized price.

This shows that the recent selling reflects profit-taking behavior instead of any panic-driven capitulation. Market experts like Peter Brandt expect an 80% Bitcoin crash from the highs.

Bitcoin long-term holder selloff | Source: CryptoQuant

All eyes will be on the macro events such as the release of US CPI data and the Bank of Japan (BoJ) rate hike. The Bank of Japan is expected to raise its policy rate to 0.75%, making it the country’s highest interest rate level since 1995.

Each of the Bank of Japan’s previous rate hikes has coincided with sharp declines in Bitcoin, with past drawdowns ranging between 23% and 31%.

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

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Bhushan is a FinTech enthusiast and holds a good flair in understanding financial markets. His interest in economics and finance draw his attention towards the new emerging Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrency markets. He is continuously in a learning process and keeps himself motivated by sharing his acquired knowledge. In free time he reads thriller fictions novels and sometimes explore his culinary skills.

Bhushan Akolkar on X

As 2026 approaches, Aave roadmap priorities are coming into focus with a strong push on protocol upgrades, real-world assets, and a consumer-facing app strategy.

Summary

Stani Kulechov unveils Aave’s 2026 roadmapAave V4 aims to unify liquidity across chainsHorizon targets tokenized real-world assets at institutional scaleMobile app rollout targets mainstream fintech usersOutlook for Aave in 2026
Stani Kulechov unveils Aave’s 2026 roadmap
Stani Kulechov, founder and CEO of Aave, has detailed the protocol’s growth agenda for 2026, framing it as a structured “2026 Master Plan.”

He shared the outline in an X post on Dec. 17, 2025, just one day after the United States Securities and Exchange Commission formally dropped its long-running investigation into the platform.

According to Kulechov, the coming year will build directly on what he called 2025 “Aave’s most successful year.”

The protocol attracted record net deposits and processed billions in user activity. Moreover, he argued that 2026 will shift focus toward innovation, deeper integrations, and scaling into new market segments beyond crypto-native users.

Kulechov summarized the strategy around three pillars: Aave V4, Horizon, and the Aave App. These components are designed to advance cross-network liquidity, extend into real-world asset markets, and capture mainstream mobile users, respectively.

Aave V4 aims to unify liquidity across chains
The first pillar is Aave V4, the next major upgrade of the lending protocol. It is slated to introduce cross-chain liquidity capabilities, a more modular architecture, and deeper customization. Together, these changes are intended to make the system more scalable and flexible for both developers and institutional users.

Aave Labs, the development team behind the protocol, already published a launch roadmap for the V4 upgrade in September.

This Aave roadmap described the final phases of testing and review, including the new Cross-Chain Liquidity Layer, which builds on the previous version of the protocol. However, Kulechov’s new comments clarify how the upgrade should change the platform’s economic design.

As he explained, “V4’s architecture replaces fragmented liquidity pools with Hubs of capital on each network. Specialized Spokes can then be built on top of Hubs to offer tailored lending markets for any type of asset.” This is effectively an aave cross chain liquidity model intended to make capital more efficient.

With this architecture, Aave could theoretically “handle trillions of dollars in assets,” Kulechov said. That scale, he argued, could position the protocol as a preferred venue for institutions, fintech firms, and large enterprises. Moreover, the upgrade includes new cross-chain interfaces and a revamped developer experience that should make launching products on Aave significantly easier.

Looking ahead to 2026, Kulechov said Aave will host “new markets, new assets, and new integrations that have never existed before in DeFi.” That said, he tied this ambition directly to execution of the Aave V4 upgrade and the ability to attract sustained aave deposits growth strategy capital inflows.

Horizon targets tokenized real-world assets at institutional scale
The second pillar, Horizon, is a decentralized lending market for tokenized real-world assets. Kulechov said the product “will onboard many of the top financial institutions to Aave” and broaden the protocol’s reach to an asset base he estimates at more than $500 trillion.

Horizon launched earlier this year on Aug. 27 and quickly gained traction. By Sep. 1, it had surpassed $50 million in deposits, with most liquidity concentrated in RLUSD and USDC. Moreover, Kulechov framed the product as a core bridge between decentralized finance and traditional markets.

In his latest update, the CEO noted that “Horizon currently sits at $550M net deposits.” In 2026, the team plans to “quickly scale this to $1 billion and beyond” by expanding collaborations with leading institutional partners. Those partners include Circle, Ripple, Franklin Templeton, VanEck, and others.

This effort underpins Aave’s broader push into aave real world assets and what Kulechov describes as major global asset classes. However, the plan relies on sustained aave institutional adoption and continued regulatory clarity following the end of the U.S. SEC investigation.

By positioning Horizon at the center of this institutional strategy, Aave intends to convert traditional financial products into on-chain, collateralized markets. That said, the aave horizon launch also serves as a proof of concept for scaling tokenized assets across multiple regulatory jurisdictions.

Mobile app rollout targets mainstream fintech users
The third pillar of the 2026 strategy is the Aave App, which is designed to capture a share of the $2 trillion mobile fintech industry. Launched in mid-November, the app offers a banking-style savings experience built on Aave’s underlying liquidity infrastructure. Moreover, it is aimed at users who may not be familiar with DeFi interfaces.

According to Kulechov, the app is already live on the Apple App Store. From 2026, the team plans a full rollout with a target of reaching one million users. The Aave mobile app is therefore central to the protocol’s effort to convert non-crypto users into active depositors.

Kulechov argued that “Aave cannot scale to trillions of dollars without mass adoption on the product level.” In that context, the Aave roadmap links consumer-friendly front ends with the deeper infrastructure shifts brought by V4 and Horizon. However, success will depend on user trust, regulatory comfort, and a smooth integration between app UX and on-chain liquidity.

Outlook for Aave in 2026
Across V4, Horizon, and the mobile application, Aave is attempting to align protocol engineering with institutional and retail growth. Moreover, the cleared regulatory overhang from the SEC investigation gives the team more freedom to execute its 2026 Master Plan.

If Aave delivers on the Aave v4 upgrade, expands Horizon’s institutional footprint, and scales the app to a million users, it could materially increase its share of the lending market. That said, the path to “trillions of dollars” in handled assets will still be shaped by market conditions, competition, and evolving regulation.

In summary, Aave enters 2026 with a clearly defined strategy across infrastructure, real-world assets, and mobile distribution, backed by detailed milestones and ambitious growth targets.

Amelia Tomasicchiohttps://cryptonomist.ch

As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder of The Cryptonomist.
She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.

Bitcoin at a Crossroads Ahead of Trump’s AddressBitcoin is once again sitting at a critical psychological zone. After failing to hold recent highs, BTC has cooled alongside broader risk assets as markets digest tighter liquidity, geopolitical noise, and macro uncertainty.

Now, attention has shifted to a potential short-term catalyst: Donald Trump’s “Address the Nation” speech, scheduled after he hinted at a major message in a social media post.

With sentiment fragile and positioning cautious, the timing of this address matters more than usual — especially as large institutional players have already been buying.

Institutional Accumulation Signals ConfidenceWhile retail sentiment remains mixed, institutional flows tell a different story.

Recent reports show:

Tom Lee’s Bitmine purchasing $140.58 million worth of EthereumFidelity buying $26.7 million worth of BitcoinThis kind of accumulation typically happens before a narrative shift, not after. Institutions tend to position ahead of macro events, especially when they expect improved risk conditions or policy signals.

In other words, smart money may already be pricing in a more constructive outlook.

Why Trump’s Speech Matters for CryptoCrypto markets have become increasingly sensitive to political and macro narratives — not just data releases.

If Trump’s address includes:

Pro-growth or pro-business messagingCriticism of restrictive monetary policyA softer tone on regulation or innovationSignals of economic stimulus or deregulationThen Bitcoin could react quickly, as traders front-run a shift toward looser financial conditions.

Bitcoin thrives on:

Liquidity expectationsPolicy uncertaintyDeclining confidence in traditional systemsA bullish or optimistic message could be enough to flip short-term sentiment.

Can This Push Bitcoin Back Above $100K?A Trump speech alone is unlikely to start a full bull run — but it can trigger a relief rally if conditions align.

For Bitcoin to reclaim $100K, the market needs:

A positive macro or policy signalConfirmation through price action and volumeFollow-through from institutions, not just headlinesThe recent BTC and ETH purchases suggest step one may already be in motion.

If Trump delivers a market-friendly message, BTC could:

Break back above key resistanceForce short coveringPull Ethereum and large-cap alts higher in a rotation moveThat would put $100K back on the table — at least as a near-term target.

What If the Speech Disappoints?If the address is purely political or avoids economic signals:

Bitcoin likely stays range-boundVolatility fades quicklyThe market refocuses on rates and liquidityEven in that case, institutional accumulation limits downside risk, making deep sell-offs less likely unless macro conditions sharply worsen.

Final TakeawayBitcoin is not rallying on hype right now — it’s reacting to positioning, policy expectations, and institutional behavior.

With major BTC and ETH purchases already on the books, Trump’s “Address the Nation” speech could be the spark, not the fuel.

Whether BTC breaks back above $100K depends on what comes next — but for the first time in weeks, the setup favors upside reaction over panic selling.

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As concerns about the potential risks posed by quantum computing to the cryptocurrency landscape grow, the Solana Foundation has taken new measures by announcing a collaboration with Project Eleven, which specializes in post-quantum security.

Solana’s Focus On Long-Term Security 
In a Tuesday press release, the Solana Foundation outlined its commitment to fortifying the cryptocurrency’s ecosystem against the implications of quantum computing. 

Through this initiative, Project Eleven has conducted a comprehensive threat assessment and successfully prototyped a functioning testnet utilizing post-quantum digital signatures. 

Under their engagement, Project Eleven undertook a risk analysis to evaluate how forthcoming breakthroughs in quantum computing could impact various facets of Solana’s infrastructure. Areas scrutinized included user wallets, validator security, and the foundational cryptographic assumptions that underpin the network. 

Moreover, Project Eleven has implemented a working post-quantum signature system on a Solana testnet, demonstrating that quantum-resistant transactions can be both practical and scalable.

Matt Sorg, VP of Technology at the Solana Foundation, emphasized the organization’s approach: “Our responsibility is to ensure Solana remains secure not just today, but decades into the future.” 

He noted that the culture of innovation within the Solana ecosystem would continue to thrive with the upcoming release of a second client and an advanced consensus mechanism this year. 

Alex Pruden, CEO of Project Eleven, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Solana didn’t wait for quantum computers to become a headline problem. They invested early, asked the hard questions, and took actionable steps today.” 

Industry Leaders Urge Speedy Action
Solana’s stance comes amid alarming reports indicating that quantum computers could potentially undermine blockchain security by developing algorithms capable of deciphering private keys. 

This scenario raises significant concerns for any digital assets operating on blockchain technology that rely on digital signatures, making them vulnerable to quantum hacking. As such, industry experts are actively exploring various measures to bolster cryptocurrency networks against these threats. 

Doug Finke, Chief Content Officer at Global Quantum Intelligence, pointed out that several groups are integrating the three post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms established by NIST into their platforms. 

He emphasized the uncertainty surrounding when a sufficiently powerful quantum computer might be developed, raising the stakes even further. Finke stated, “What’s worse, if an unfriendly party does develop such a computer, they may not let anyone know about it.”

Currently, several cryptocurrencies have already begun incorporating quantum-safe cryptography into their architecture, including Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL), Cellframe, and Bitcoin Quantum from BTQ. 

Among those issuing warnings about the looming threats from quantum computing are notable figures such as Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko, Capriole Investment founder Charles Edwards, and representatives from major firms like BlackRock and Google.

Yakovenko has urged the Bitcoin community to accelerate efforts to implement quantum-resistant upgrades. He believes there is a 50% chance of a significant quantum breakthrough occurring within the next five years, further emphasizing the need for vigilance.

The daily chart shows SOL’s price trending downwards. Source: SOLUSDT on TradingView.com
At the time of writing, SOL is trading at $127, which is a 6.7% decrease in price over the past seven days. Compared to the all-time high of $293 reached earlier this year, SOL is trading at almost 56% below this threshold. 

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

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Bhutan has announced plans to commit 10,000 Bitcoin from its reserves towards the development of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), a special administrative region.

The GMC is Bhutan’s flagship economic initiative, where it plans to harness innovation, sustainability, and financial connectivity to foster national growth and create long-term prosperity for the country’s youth and broader population of roughly 800,000 people, in line with His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s vision of applying modern digital technologies with care and responsibility.

Located in the southern town of Gelephu near the Indian border, the GMC was officially launched in 2024 to reverse the outflow of talent by generating high-value employment opportunities, and also to support Bhutan’s plans to deepen its involvement in Bitcoin mining and broader digital asset infrastructure.

According to a December 17 announcement, Bhutan will use up to 10,000 Bitcoin from its national reserves, which is estimated to be valued at roughly $875 million based on current prices. 

Officials said the country is considering a mix of collateralization, risk-managed yield strategies, and long-term holding plans that prioritize the preservation and compounding potential of its digital asset treasury.

“Any use of Bitcoin will be guided by strong governance and prudence, with an emphasis on capital preservation, appropriate oversight, and transparency,” an excerpt from the announcement stated.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wants every Bhutanese citizen to benefit from the GMC project and is therefore developing a “new land policy” to ensure broad-based prosperity through shared ownership of the region’s future.

“Think of GMC as a company and landowners as its shareholders. Since most land is state-owned, Bhutanese from all Dzongkhags will share in its success,” he said.

Bhutan integrates crypto across GMC
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Bhutan has already begun integrating Bitcoin and other digital assets into GMC’s strategic reserves and has introduced various crypto-based services to support digital asset adoption.

For instance, Bhutan launched TER, a sovereign digital token on the Solana blockchain, fully backed by physical gold reserves, earlier this month.

The TER token is designed to combine the reliability of gold with the advantages of blockchain-based finance, with DK Bank serving as the exclusive distributor and Matrixdock providing the infrastructure for tokenization and collateral verification.

Earlier, the country migrated its entire national digital identity platform to the Ethereum blockchain, making it the world’s first nation to anchor a population-wide identity system on a public network.

All of these initiatives are expected to form the foundation of Bhutan’s digital economy as the country steadily builds out the GMC over the coming years.

Earlier this year, Bhutan also became the first country to enable nationwide crypto payments for tourism services.

To achieve this, the government partnered with Binance Pay and DK Bank to allow international travelers with Binance accounts to pay for everything from hotels and visas to local goods and services using crypto.

TLDR

 Bhutan commits up to 10,000 BTC for the long-term development of GMC, focusing on sustainability and innovation.
Bhutan uses surplus hydropower for Bitcoin mining, supporting digital asset accumulation without environmental impact.
Bhutan aims to preserve BTC value through risk-managed yield strategies, with a focus on long-term capital preservation.
Bhutan integrates blockchain for a national digital identity system, providing secure access to public services for citizens.
 King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck emphasizes equitable development for all citizens, with landowners benefiting from GMC’s growth.

Bhutan has announced a national Bitcoin Development Pledge to support the long-term growth of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC). The pledge commits up to 10,000 Bitcoin (BTC), valued at approximately USD 1 billion, to bolster the city’s economic and sustainable development. This move aligns with Bhutan’s broader vision of incorporating digital technology responsibly for national prosperity.

Bitcoin Reserves to Support Gelephu Mindfulness City
The BTC pledge will primarily fund the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City, a new hub in southern Bhutan. GMC is designed around principles of mindfulness, sustainability, and innovation, aiming to provide a balanced environment for economic growth. His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck announced the pledge, stressing that it reflects Bhutan’s commitment to responsible digital asset management.

The BTC will be used for long-term national development, with a focus on capital preservation and sustainable growth. Bhutan plans to evaluate several strategies, including collateralizing BTC holdings and implementing risk-managed yield approaches. These strategies aim to ensure that the digital assets contribute positively to the nation’s future while maintaining governance and transparency.

The approach will be carefully monitored, with an emphasis on responsible stewardship of the Bitcoin reserves. Bhutan recognizes the potential of Bitcoin to generate long-term value and intends to preserve this potential for future generations. This initiative is designed to benefit Bhutan’s young population and ensure broad national prosperity.

Sustainable Bitcoin Mining Using Hydropower
Early this year, Blockomoni revealed that Bhutan has been mining Bitcoin for several years using renewable hydropower from its abundant natural resources. The country generates more hydroelectric power than it consumes, enabling surplus energy to be utilized for Bitcoin mining without negative environmental impacts. This sustainable approach to mining aligns with Bhutan’s broader commitment to environmental responsibility.

The country’s clean energy surplus allows Bhutan to convert excess power into digital assets, which can then be used to support national development projects like GMC. Bhutan’s national Bitcoin reserves have been accumulated in this manner, reinforcing the country’s position as a leader in sustainable digital asset management.

As part of this initiative, Bhutan will continue using its national power generation utility for responsible Bitcoin mining, ensuring that the environmental impact remains minimal. The clean energy approach enhances the country’s capacity to support its digital economy while protecting its natural resources.

Digital Assets and Blockchain Integration in Bhutan
Alongside the Bitcoin pledge, Bhutan has developed a national digital identity system based on public blockchain infrastructure. This system allows nearly 800,000 citizens to securely verify their identities and access public services. By integrating blockchain and digital assets, Bhutan is enhancing its digital infrastructure to provide greater security and convenience to its citizens.

As it was reported by Blockonomi earlier, Bhutan has also introduced a sovereign-backed digital token, TER, which is linked to physical gold, and has enabled crypto payments across local merchants. These developments showcase Bhutan’s thoughtful approach to digital financial infrastructure. With its focus on governance, sustainability, and real-world utility, Bhutan is positioning itself as a model for responsible digital innovation.

In his National Day Address, His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck outlined that the pledge is aimed at ensuring shared prosperity. He emphasized that landowners and citizens will collectively benefit from the development of GMC. The BTC pledge will help fund this vision, which is grounded in values of equity and long-term success.

Wed, 17/12/2025 - 9:16

Shiba Inu is out of flash-crash mode, and the lack of volatility is certainly signaling stabilization.

Cover image via U.Today

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

Although Shiba Inu is no longer in free fall, it would be premature to declare this to be the bottom. Currently, the chart displays stabilization rather than strength. In comparison to the October-November leg, the price has flattened following a protracted downtrend, volatility has decreased and selling pressure has obviously subsided.

SHIB stays downIn technical terms, SHIB remains below all significant moving averages. The long-term EMA overhead is still very bearish, indicating that the prevailing trend has not reversed. At first, any recovery from this point would be remedial rather than a reversal of the trend. That is an important distinction. Bounces inside downtrends are common and frequently mistaken for the bottom.

SHIB/USDT Chart by TradingViewThe RSI is in the low to mid-40s, indicating a lack of significant momentum but not a severe oversold situation. The market is weary but not completely flushed, which is consistent with price behavior. You would anticipate either a violent rejection or a sharp volume spike if this were a true capitulation zone. Neither has yet to occur.

HOT Stories

Key factor for priceIn the future, volume will be the most important factor. It is not very loud right now. That encourages stabilization, but it also leaves room for another leg to fall. SHIB would require fresh selling pressure, either brought on by a sudden liquidity event or more general market weakness, in order to break significantly lower. In the absence of that, the price is more likely to cut sideways and gradually establish a base.

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Although it is contingent, the possibility of another crash is still present. SHIB will not be exempt if Bitcoin or the larger market collapses. Because there is not much demand in this situation, support might quickly give way. The path of least resistance, however, is consolidation followed by a relief bounce when there is no external stress.

One of two things is probably going to happen next: either a final downside sweep intended to cause late stop-losses prior to a recovery, or a slow grind higher toward the closest moving averages as short sellers unwind. Zero is not an option because this market does not function mechanically or structurally that way. The true question is not "Can SHIB recover?" but rather whether a final flush is necessary to finish it cleanly.

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About Oliver Haill
Oliver has been writing about companies and markets since the early 2000s, cutting his teeth as a financial journalist at Growth Company Investor with a focusing on AIM companies and small caps, before a few years later becoming a section editor and then head of research. He joined Proactive after a couple of years freelancing, where he worked for the Financial Times Group, ITV, Press Association, Reuters sports desk, the London Olympic News Service, Rugby World Cup News Service, Gracenote... Read more

About the publisher
Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the world’s key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology
Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.

U.S. software company Freshworks is exploring acquisitions, including AI firms, backed by more than $800 million in cash, as it aims to boost revenue in the coming years, CEO Dennis Woodside told Reuters on Tuesday.

UPPSALA, SE / ACCESS Newswire / December 17, 2025 / Senzime AB (publ.) (STO:SEZI)(OTCQX:SNZZF) today announced that its Next-generation TetraGraph® system has received regulatory clearance for sale in Japan from the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). The approval enables further commercialization of Senzimes products in one of the world's largest healthcare markets. In connection with the approval, Senzime received the first order for 80 Next-generation TetraGraph monitors for delivery to Japan in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Senzime entered the Japanese market in 2019 in partnership with Fukuda Denshi, a global leader in patient monitoring systems. Since then, hundreds of Japanese hospitals have adopted Senzime's TetraGraph technology to monitor patients' neuromuscular function during surgery.

The PMDA approval of the next-generation TetraGraph system represents a significant step in Senzime's strategy to drive continued revenue growth through broader market penetration, system upgrades, and expected higher utilization rates.

"This approval is a key milestone for us in Japan. Our partner Fukuda Denshi has extensive local market reach and a very strong platform to drive continued growth. Combined with recently updated Japanese clinical guidelines that reinforce the use of quantitative neuromuscular monitoring, we are excited to further expand our footprint in the large Japanese market," said Philip Siberg, CEO of Senzime.

Senzime has a long-standing partnership with Fukuda Denshi, which is responsible for commercializing the TetraGraph portfolio in the Japanese market, as well as the Fukuda HN-100 integrated NMT module based on TetraGraph technology. The Japanese market consists of approximately 15,000 operating rooms and nearly 3 million major surgical procedures performed annually, underscoring the revenue potential for Senzime's expanding product portfolio.

For further information, please contact:

Philip Siberg, CEO of Senzime AB
Phone: +46 (0) 707 90 67 34, e-mail: [email protected]

About Senzime

Senzime is a leading medical device company at the forefront of a changing healthcare market, driven by new clinical guidelines and emerging technologies. Established in 1999, Senzime develops and markets precision-based monitoring systems that improve outcomes, reduce costs, and advance perioperative patient safety. The flagship solution is the TetraGraph® system, proven best-in-class for accurate monitoring of neuromuscular transmission during surgery and used in thousands of operating rooms across the globe. The system helps to secure precise dosing of paralytic drugs and provides enhanced insights to safeguard every patient's journey, from anesthesia to recovery.

Headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden, Senzime is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Stockholm Main Market (SEZI), with cross-trading on the US OTCQX Market (SNZZF), and backed by long-term investors. More information is available at senzime.com.

Attachments

Senzime's Next-generation TetraGraph system receives regulatory approval in Japan

SOURCE: Senzime

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596/2014 AS IT FORMS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 ("MAR"), AND IS DISCLOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER ARTICLE 17 OF MAR

LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / December 17, 2025 / Diageo enters into agreement to sell its shareholding inEast African Breweries plc ("EABL") to Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd ("Asahi")

Announcement today of agreement by Diageo to sell to Asahi its 65% shareholding in EABL, and its shareholding in the Kenyan spirits business, UDVK.

Disposals consistent with Diageo's strategy of appropriate and selective disposals of non-core assets, strengthening the balance sheet and supporting our previously shared commitment to de-lever.

Estimated net proceeds after tax and transaction costs of $2.3bn, equating to a multiple of 17x adjusted EBITDA, resulting in an implied enterprise value for 100% of EABL of $4.8bn.

Transaction will de-lever Diageo's balance sheet by c.0.25x.

Diageo has committed to enter into long-term licensing agreements with EABL to secure the continued production and distribution of Guinness, local spirits and ready-to-drink brands, as well as the distribution of Diageo international spirits.

The acquisition of EABL represents the first time a major Japanese brewing business has made an investment of this size in an African alcohol beverage business. Asahi is a strong, responsible and experienced steward for the next phase of growth for EABL.

Subject to regulatory approvals, completion is expected in the second half of calendar year 2026.

Today, Diageo announces that it has entered into an agreement to sell its 100% shareholding in Diageo Kenya Limited, which holds 65.00% of the shares in EABL to Asahi, including its shareholding in the Kenyan spirits business, UDVK. Asahi is a Japanese listed global beverage leader offering a diverse portfolio of brands centred on beer, alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as food. Included in this transaction is Diageo's 53.68% directly owned shareholding in UDVK, a Kenya based spirits producer and importer. EABL, which owns the other 46.32%, has management control and fully consolidates UDVK.

EABL is the largest beer business in East Africa with a heritage that dates back over a century and has delivered a strong growth track record in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Asahi intends to preserve beloved local brands while introducing globally recognised names from its portfolio to consumers in East Africa. EABL benefits from state-of-the-art production facilities, a seasoned Board and management team with extensive experience, and strong relationships with employees, local partners and customers.

Diageo has committed to enter into long term licensing agreements as well as transitional service agreements with EABL. Locally owned brands will remain owned by EABL (e.g. Tusker, Kenya Cane). There will be refreshed agreements for EABL to produce certain Diageo spirits (e.g. Smirnoff, Captain Morgan) and ready-to-drink brands (e.g. Smirnoff Ice, Orijin), as well as the iconic Guinness brand under licence and the import and distribution of Diageo international premium spirits.

Nik Jhangiani Interim Chief Executive Officer of Diageo said: "We are incredibly proud of the achievements of EABL and our colleagues across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. EABL and Diageo have built the largest beer business in East Africa, a testament to driven people with a passion for the consumers and communities they serve. We are excited to partner with Asahi through the licensing of Diageo brands in the region going forward.

This transaction delivers both significant value for Diageo shareholders and accelerates our commitment to strengthen our balance sheet. We remain committed to returning the Group to well within our target leverage ratio range of 2.5 - 3.0x through disposals of non-strategic, non-core assets, alongside delivering positive operating leverage, and tighter capital discipline. This disposal, alongside the recent announcement by USL1 to conduct a strategic review of its ownership of RCB2,represent material steps in delivering on this commitment."

1USL - United Spirits Limited, India. 2 RCB - Royal Challengers Bengaluru cricket team

Atsushi Katsuki, President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Director and Representative Executive Officer of Asahi added:

"This business is a high-quality, leading company in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, with an unrivalled brand portfolio and marketing capabilities, state-of-the-art production facilities and strong market shares. Together with its excellent management team and employees, we will pursue sustainable growth and medium- to long-term enhancement of corporate value, while contributing to the development of the local economies."

Financials 3

In the fiscal year ended 30 June 2025, EABL reported net sales of $996m, $258m EBITDA and net income of $94m, with net debt at $229m.

Listings

Asahi expects EABL to remain listed on the Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania stock exchanges post completion.

3Foreign exchange rates for KES:USD used to translate net sales, EBITDA, net income at fiscal 25 cumulative weighted average rate 129.28. Net debt at spot rate 30 June 2025 129.23

For further information, please contact:

Investor relations:

Sonya Ghobrial +44 (0) 7392 784 784
Andy Ryan +44 (0) 7803 854 842
Grace Murphy +44 (0) 7514 726 167

Media relations:

Rebecca Perry +44 (0) 7590 809 101
Clare Cavana +44 (0) 7751 742 072
Isabel Batchelor +44 (0) 7731 988 857

The person responsible for arranging this announcement on behalf of Diageo is Randall Ingber, General Counsel and Company Secretary.

Note to Editors

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in nearly 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

About Asahi

Asahi is a global leader offering a diverse collection of brands centered on beer, alcohol and non-alcohol beverages, and food. Our mission is to deliver on our great taste promise and bring more fun to life. Established in Japan in 1889, the Group has always been committed to innovation and quality. This dedication has brought together iconic brands and the expertise of renowned breweries from around the world, including those with a rich heritage spanning over centuries. Our approach has culminated in a globally recognized portfolio of brands that includes premium beers such as Asahi Super Dry, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Kozel, Pilsner Urquell, and Grolsch. "Make the world shine" articulates Asahi Group's commitment to build connections among people, thereby paving the way for a sustainable future together. Through these connections, we can contribute to a brighter world, both today and in the future. With a global presence primarily in Japan & East Asia, Europe, Asia Pacific, we provide over 10 billion liters of beverages to consumers worldwide and generate revenues of over JPY 2.9 trillion annually (c. USD 19bn). Headquartered in Japan, Asahi Group Holdings is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

About EABL

EABL is a regional leader in beverage alcohol with an exceptional collection of brands across beer and spirits. Although the business is concentrated on three core markets of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, its products are sold in more than 10 countries across Africa and beyond. The brands are an outstanding combination of local jewels and international premium spirits. These include among others Tusker, Guinness, Bell Lager, Serengeti Lager, Kenya Cane, Chrome Vodka, Johnnie Walker, Captain Morgan and Smirnoff.

EABL's performance ambition is to be one of the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products companies in Africa. It is proud of the brands that it makes and the enjoyment that they give to millions. EABL is passionate about alcohol playing a positive role in society as part of a balanced lifestyle.

ENDS

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact [email protected] or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Diageo PLC

About Jamie Ashcroft
Jamie Ashcroft, the News Editor for Proactive UK, has developed an impressive career in financial journalism, focusing on the small-cap sector for over fourteen years. Before joining the Proactive team, he was a stockbroker during the global financial crisis, a role that complemented his educational background - a first-class degree in Business and Economics and qualifications in software design and development.
As one of the early external hires at Proactive in 2009, Jamie contributed... Read more

About the publisher
Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the world’s key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology
Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.

About Oliver Haill
Oliver has been writing about companies and markets since the early 2000s, cutting his teeth as a financial journalist at Growth Company Investor with a focusing on AIM companies and small caps, before a few years later becoming a section editor and then head of research. He joined Proactive after a couple of years freelancing, where he worked for the Financial Times Group, ITV, Press Association, Reuters sports desk, the London Olympic News Service, Rugby World Cup News Service, Gracenote... Read more

About the publisher
Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the world’s key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology
Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 17, 2025 / BioNxt Solutions Inc. ("BioNxt" or the "Company") (CSE:BNXT)(OTCQB:BNXTF)(FSE:BXT), a bioscience innovator specializing in advanced drug delivery systems, is pleased to announce significant progress in its mission to address one of the most overlooked barriers in medicine: swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). Surveys suggest that up to 40% of adults have experienced difficulty swallowing pills (Source: health.harvard.edu). This widespread challenge can lead to delayed dosing, skipped treatments, and improper medication handling. In autoimmune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Myasthenia Gravis (MG), swallowing impairment is even more prevalent and often becomes a decisive factor in treatment adherence and real-world therapeutic success.

In response, BioNxt has developed a proprietary rapid-dissolving, "melt-in-your-mouth" thin-film drug delivery platform and recently secured its first national-level patent, marking a major step toward commercialization in several high-value autoimmune markets.

Solving a Real Patient Problem: When Pills Are Hard to Swallow

Dysphagia is not a minor complaint - it is a structural barrier in chronic disease management. A recent systematic review found that the pooled prevalence of dysphagia in MS patients is about 45% (Source: medrxiv.org / Journal of Clinical Neuroscience). MG patients also frequently report swallowing difficulty as one of their most burdensome symptoms, with multiple studies highlighting dysphagia as a key clinical feature of the disease.

These challenges occur in disease areas representing multi-billion-dollar global markets. For example, the global MS drugs market is forecast to reach around USD 40-45 billion by 2033 (Source: ihealthcareanalyst.com; valuemarketresearch.com). Recent market analyses project the global MG treatment market to grow to between USD ~2.7-4.7 billion by 2032 (Source: fortunebusinessinsights.com; grandviewresearch.com).

For these patients, large tablets present a daily physical challenge, while injectable therapies introduce additional anxiety and treatment burden. BioNxt's thin-film technology - designed to dissolve under the tongue within seconds - offers a swallow-free, needle-free alternative that aligns with the real-world needs of autoimmune patients. The water-free format allows dosing anytime and anywhere, while being designed to reduce the risk of choking associated with conventional tablets.

The thin film melts rapidly and is absorbed through the sublingual mucosa, allowing a portion of the drug to bypass gastrointestinal transit and first-pass liver metabolism, which may support more rapid absorption and improved bioavailability through sublingual uptake. This approach is particularly relevant in chronic autoimmune conditions such as Lupus Nephritis (LN) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

"When up to 40% of adults report difficulty swallowing pills, and dysphagia affects roughly 45% of patients with multiple sclerosis, the dosage form becomes a key driver of adherence - not a secondary consideration," said Hugh Rogers, CEO of BioNxt Solutions Inc. "Our rapid-dissolving thin films melt under the tongue within seconds, are taken without water, and are designed to support reliable, comfortable dosing in everyday life."

First Patent Granted: Foundation for Commercialization and Global IP Protection

BioNxt recently received its first patent protecting BNT23001, a proprietary sublingual cladribine film intended for MS and MG. The reference drug, cladribine tablets (Mavenclad®), achieved annual sales exceeding USD 1.0 billion, reaching blockbuster status (Source: merckgroup.com). This underscores strong commercial demand for cladribine within the MS treatment landscape.

The newly granted Eurasian patent, valid through 2043, covers more than 200 million people across eight member states. It represents the first issued member of BioNxt's expanding global IP estate, with additional applications progressing in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific - regions that together account for the largest share of global autoimmune drug spending.

BioNxt has completed GMP clinical batch manufacturing for BNT23001 and is preparing for a comparative human bioequivalence study scheduled for the first quarter of 2026. Because cladribine is already approved as an oral tablet, the Company expects an accelerated, bioequivalence-driven regulatory pathway, reducing development timelines, clinical risk, and capital requirements compared with de novo drug development (Source: company development plans and regulatory framework for generic/bioequivalent products).

A Scalable Platform Strategy Supported by a Growing Patent Family

While BNT23001 leads development, BioNxt's thin-film technology is inherently platform-based and is protected as part of a broader patent family. This IP architecture supports the reformulation of multiple approved drugs across autoimmune and chronic disease categories - markets which, when combined, are projected to exceed USD 75-80 billion annually over the next decade (Source: grandviewresearch.com).

Each thin-film formulation benefits from shared manufacturing infrastructure, a streamlined bioequivalence-focused clinical pathway, and robust layered patent protection across key jurisdictions. This combination of platform scalability and IP strength provides BioNxt with pipeline diversification, reduced development risk, and strong partnering leverage in regional and global pharmaceutical markets.

The Company's technology sits within the broader oral transmucosal drug-delivery market, which is expected to grow from approximately USD 45.8 billion in 2025 to nearly USD 96.8 billion by 2033 (Source: sharewise.com citing market research on oral transmucosal systems). This reflects a clear industry shift toward patient-friendly, non-invasive drug delivery formats such as sublingual and buccal films.

About BioNxt Solutions Inc.

BioNxt Solutions Inc. is a bioscience innovator focused on next‐generation drug delivery technologies, diagnostic screening systems, and active pharmaceutical ingredient development. The Company's proprietary platforms-Sublingual (Thin‐Film), Transdermal (Skin Patch), and Oral (Enteric‐Coated Tablets)-target key therapeutic areas, including autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders, and longevity.

With research and development operations in North America and Europe, BioNxt is advancing regulatory approvals and commercialization efforts, primarily focused on European markets. BioNxt is committed to improving healthcare by delivering precise, patient‐centric solutions that enhance treatment outcomes worldwide.

BioNxt is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange: BNXT, OTC Markets: BNXTF and trades in Germany under WKN: A3D1K3. To learn more about BioNxt, please visit www.bionxt.com.

Investor Relations & Media Contact

Hugh Rogers, Co‐Founder, CEO and Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 778.598.2698

Web: www.bionxt.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bionxt‐solutions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bionxt

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward‐Looking" Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking information in this news release includes the anticipated filing date of the Annual Filings. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

SOURCE: BioNxt Solutions Inc.

About Jamie Ashcroft
Jamie Ashcroft, the News Editor for Proactive UK, has developed an impressive career in financial journalism, focusing on the small-cap sector for over fourteen years. Before joining the Proactive team, he was a stockbroker during the global financial crisis, a role that complemented his educational background - a first-class degree in Business and Economics and qualifications in software design and development.
As one of the early external hires at Proactive in 2009, Jamie contributed... Read more

About the publisher
Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the world’s key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology
Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.

Honda is recalling 70,658 vehicles in the United States due to reduced brake function that can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash or injury, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Wednesday.

French oil major TotalEnergies has agreed to sell 50% of a 424-megawatt portfolio of renewable assets in Greece to Asterion Industrial Partners, a Spanish investment management firm, for 254 million euros ($297.36 million), it said on Wednesday.

Labor and Demand Show Signs of Cooling
Recent labor market data highlighted the shifting balance. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 in November, beating forecasts but marking a slower pace of hiring. The unemployment rate climbed to 4.6%, while average hourly earnings increased just 0.1% month on month, easing wage pressure.

Consumer demand also softened. US retail sales were flat in October, undershooting expectations and following a downward revision to September’s data. Together, the figures suggest that economic momentum is cooling without collapsing, a backdrop that strengthens the case for policy flexibility.

Inflation Data Takes Center Stage
Attention now turns to inflation indicators, with the Consumer Price Index due Thursday and the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index on Friday. These releases will shape expectations for further policy moves. Fed funds futures imply a 75.6% probability of rates holding steady at the January meeting, according to CME FedWatch data.

Why Silver Is Tracking Gold
Silver has moved in tandem with gold, supported by its role as both a monetary asset and an industrial input. Expectations of looser financial conditions support investment demand, while slower growth keeps risk appetite cautious. With inflation still under review and policy uncertainty elevated, fundamentals continue to favor gold and silver over yield-sensitive assets.

Short-Term Forecast
Gold holds above $4,300, targeting $4,350–$4,390 short term, while silver near $66.20 eyes $66.90–$68.50 as momentum stays positive; dips toward $4,260 and $64.60 may attract buyers on pullbacks ahead week.

Gold Prices Forecast: Technical Analysis

Two hungry challengers appear to have their eyes on Nvidia's throne.

Lions reign as king of the jungle (although "king of the savanna" would probable more more accurate). Elvis is still the king of rock and roll. Michael Jackson remains the king of pop. However, if the subject is chips that power artificial intelligence (AI) applications, I'd say Nvidia (NVDA +0.99%) is the king.

But the king's perch on the throne just might be at least a little shaky as the new year approaches. Should Nvidia worry about Advanced Micro Devices (AMD +0.77%) and Google parent Alphabet (GOOG 0.51%) (GOOGL 0.49%) breathing down its neck in 2026?

Image source: Nvidia.

AMD's ambitious plans
In November, AMD revealed a strategy to lead the $1 trillion AI and high-performance computing market. The company plans to deliver a revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of greater than 35% over the next three to five years. AMD aims to achieve a revenue CAGR of more than 60% for its data center business.

Such ambitious plans are reminiscent of baseball legend Babe Ruth pointing to deep center field. You only make that kind of move unless you're confident you can back it up. Ruth, of course, proceeded to hit a home run. Can AMD deliver on its growth strategy? It's a definite maybe.

Today's Change

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The company is already making progress toward its goal. For example, ChatGPT developer OpenAI will use AMD's Instinct MI450 GPUs in its next-generation AI infrastructure. The first deployment is scheduled for the second half of 2026. This deal also includes AMD issuing warrants for OpenAI to buy up to 160 million shares.

AI cloud powerhouse Oracle (ORCL +2.02%) is also using AMD's GPUs and CPUs with its first publicly available AI supercluster. The initial deployment is set for the third quarter of 2026. Privately held Cohere is integrating AMD's GPUs with its enterprise AI suite.

AMD also won two major contracts with the U.S. Department of Energy. The agency will use AMD's GPUs and CPUs in its Lux and Discovery AI supercomputers.

Google's TPUs are making inroads, too
GPUs aren't the only game in town for powering AI systems, though. Alphabet's Google Cloud unit is also making inroads with its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs).

Apple (AAPL +0.34%) revealed last year that its Apple Intelligence generative AI functionality was trained using Google's TPUs rather than Nvidia's GPUs. Google, of course, also uses its TPUs with the widely acclaimed Google Gemini 3.0 large language model (LLM).

More AI leaders are also turning to TPUs. Anthropic is spending tens of billions of dollars to expand its AI compute capacity in 2026 using Google's TPUs. The deal with Google is Anthropic's largest purchase of TPUs so far.

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Meta Platforms (META +1.49%) is reportedly in talks to use Google's TPUs in its data centers starting in 2027. In the past, Meta has been a major buyer of Nvidia's GPUs.

Google could gain more traction in the AI chip market next year, thanks to its new Ironwood TPUs. Ironwood is four times more powerful than Google's previous highest-performing TPU.

Should Nvidia worry?
Both AMD and Google appear to be gaining momentum in the AI chip market. Should Nvidia worry? Yes and no.

It's always smart for companies to constantly monitor the competition and not rest on their laurels. Nvidia's management should recognize that its market dominance isn't guaranteed to last forever.

However, I don't think Nvidia's top spot in the AI market is in jeopardy. The company doesn't, either, as evidenced by a post on X last month:

We're delighted by Google's success -- they've made great advances in AI and we continue to supply to Google.

NVIDIA is a generation ahead of the industry -- it's the only platform that runs every AI model and does it everywhere computing is done.

NVIDIA offers greater...

-- NVIDIA Newsroom (@nvidianewsroom) November 25, 2025
In my view, the AI chip market is large enough to support multiple winners. Nvidia will almost certainly remain the king for at least several more years. But either AMD or Google could deserve the title of crown prince.

Keith Speights has positions in Alphabet, Apple, and Meta Platforms. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Apple, Meta Platforms, Nvidia, and Oracle. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.