Crypto

Bitcoin's recovery relied on a shift toward the "digital gold" narrative, but global growth risks and strong equity markets have delayed that breakout. Key takeaways: Bitcoin failed to break $90,000 again as investors favored gold and bonds. S&P 500 record highs and lower interest rates have reduced Bitcoin’s appeal as a hedge compared to traditional equities. Read more

An $11 billion Bitcoin whale is betting hundreds of millions of dollars on price increases of Bitcoin, Ether and Solana, while "smart money" traders remain net short on leading tokens. The $11 billion Bitcoin whale who correctly predicted the $19 billion October market crash is betting on the price appreciation of the top cryptocurrencies, signaling a potential market recovery. After cashing out $330 million in Ether (ETH), the whale opened three leveraged long positions worth a cumulative $748 million, betting on price increases of Bitcoin (BTC), Ether and Solana (SOL). The largest is an ETH long position worth $598 million, opened at $3,147, which faces liquidation if Ether’s price falls below $2,143, according to blockchain data platform Lookonchain’s Tuesday X post. Read more

CC and ZEC have gained the most value today.

Bitcoin's tape over the past 24 hours looked engineered for crypto investors, as BTC surpassed the $90,000 threshold in the early hours of Dec. 29, only to give back those gains less than 12 hours later. Traders like TedPillows posted clown emojis alongside charts showing repeated peaks and troughs, while CryptoSeth called it “fraud commodity” […] The post Recent Bitcoin crashes cry “manipulation” as on-chain data catches market maker dumping appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Prediction markets show traders clustering around a $2 billion–$3 billion range, with odds for $4 billion and $6 billion outcomes falling steadily after October's crash.

US-listed XRP ETFs continued to draw steady inflows through December, even as Bitcoin and Ether funds posted sharp monthly outflows. Spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States continued to attract capital through December, extending their inflow streak to 29 consecutive days despite choppy market conditions. According to data from SoSoValue, spot XRP (XRP) ETFs recorded $8.44 million in net inflows on Monday, pushing cumulative inflows to $1.15 billion since they launched. Total net assets stood at about $1.24 billion, even as XRP prices and broader crypto markets faced selling pressure during the month. “XRP inflows are a function of regulatory clarity and steady accumulation into a less crowded trade, than BTC/ETH,” Vincent Liu, chief investment officer at Kronos Research, told Cointelegraph, adding that XRP’s cross-border settlement use case “offers differentiated exposure that continues to attract longer-horizon capital.” Read more

Ethereum whales added millions of ETH in 2025 as retail sold, while developer activity hit record highs and key price levels remain in focus.

Metaplanet added 4,279 BTC to take its treasury to 35,102 BTC, as its Bitcoin Income Generation business beat forecasts. Metaplanet added another 4,279 Bitcoin at an acquisition cost of about $451 million, bringing its total stack to 35,102 BTC (worth around $3 billion) as the Tokyo-listed firm leaned harder into a hybrid model of the Bitcoin treasury and income business.  In a Tuesday filing, the company also reported that revenue from its Bitcoin (BTC) Income Generation business had overshot previous forecasts, jumping to 8.58 billion Japanese yen (about $54 million) for 2025. Metaplanet’s revenue is driven by option-based strategies that turn its BTC into recurring cash flow rather than a dormant, volatile asset.​ These options-based strategies use a separate pool of Bitcoin to sell options, earn premiums and cycle those trades, while keeping Metaplanet’s core long-term BTC stash untouched. Read more

Metaplanet's bitcoin income generation business generated about $55 million in annual revenue for 2024.

Metaplanet’s Bitcoin treasury strategy appears back in motion after a notable Q4 lull.

Institutions are increasingly using bitcoin options strategies on altcoins to manage price volatility and enhance returns, STS Digital told CoinDesk.

Grayscale said macro pressure and clearer US regulations are setting the stage for crypto’s next bull market in 2026. Demand for alternative stores of value and clearer regulations are driving what could become crypto’s next bull market, according to Grayscale. Speaking on CNBC’s “Crypto World,” Grayscale’s head of research Zach Pandl said Monday that the strongest driver remains macroeconomic pressure. Increasing government debt, persistent fiscal deficits and concerns over fiat currency debasement are pushing investors to look beyond traditional assets. “There’s a lot of things happening in crypto ... but the biggest asset in the market, Bitcoin, is driven because of demand for alternative stores of value because of debt and deficits and the risk of fiat currency debasement,” he said. Read more

The LIT token supply is split evenly between the ecosystem and team/investors, with a portion airdropped to early participants.

Traders are forcing macro risk through metals rather than crypto, with silver volatility spiking on physical tightness while bitcoin stays trapped in a low-volatility holding pattern.

Yet, there are some positives as well.

BUIDL tokens are used in crypto market infrastructure and as collateral, bridging traditional finance and blockchain technology.

Democrat Maxine Waters demands an SEC oversight hearing after the agency dropped major cases against Coinbase, Binance, and other crypto firms. US Representative Maxine Waters has called for a hearing with Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Paul Atkins, highlighting concerns over the agency’s dismissal of crypto cases, and nine other points of contention.   In a letter on Sunday to French Hill, chair of the House Financial Services Committee, Waters argued that a hearing was well overdue highlighting what she sees as “questionable policy changes” at the SEC.  “Chair Gensler testified before the Committee twice during his first year. Despite having a clear obligation to oversee the SEC, the Committee has not held a single hearing with Chairman Atkins, despite the agency’s rapid, significant, and questionable policy shifts during the Trump Administration,” she wrote.   Read more

Bitcoin selling pressure from long time hodlers is finally abating and Ether whales are adding to their holdings. Markets remain bearish, however. Long-term Bitcoin holders have pumped the brakes on selling their fat stacks for the first time in six months, while Ether whales have ramped up accumulation of the digital asset. Wallets holding Bitcoin (BTC) for at least 155 days trimmed their positions from 14.8 million coins in mid-July to 14.3 million in December. However, crypto investor and entrepreneur Ted Pillows noted in an X post on Monday the selloff has tapered off.  “Long-term holders have stopped selling Bitcoin for the first time since July 2025. Things are looking good for a relief rally here,” he said. Read more

Asian stocks cooled after a seven-day winning streak, while global equities dipped for the first time in eight sessions.

While Bitcoin and Ethereum struggle, XRP and Solana are quietly attracting billions.