Ruya Bank has launched in-app Bitcoin trading, becoming the first Shari’ah-compliant bank to let customers buy and sell the cryptocurrency using a mobile banking app.

According to the bank, the move follows approval by its Shari’ah-governance board and was built with a regulated partner to handle custody and settlement.

Shari’ah Approval And Partnership

Ruya said it worked with Fuze, a regulated virtual-asset infrastructure provider, to manage custody, settlement and compliance for trades.

The bank framed the service as a Shari’ah-approved investment option rather than a tool for quick speculation. Reports have disclosed that Bitcoin is the initial digital asset offered at launch.

UAE Crypto Flows And Local Context

Between July 2023 and June 2024 the UAE recorded roughly US$30 billion in virtual-asset inflows, a rise of 42% year-on-year according to figures circulated around the launch.

Ruya Bank CEO: Bitcoin Is Now Shari’ah Compliant — A New Chapter for Islamic Digital Finance https://t.co/sijVZfAJne via @unlockbc @myruyabank #islamicFinance #isBitcoinHalal #Shariah_compliant #Bitcoin #adoption #BitcoinNews #UAE

— Unlock Blockchain (@unlockbc) December 8, 2025

That growth has come as regulators in the UAE lay out clearer rules for virtual-asset service providers, making banks and fintechs more willing to add crypto features inside regulated apps.

How The Offering Works

Users who meet the bank’s terms can execute Bitcoin buys and sells inside the Ruya app. Trade execution and custody are handled by Fuze under the arrangements described.

The bank says its Shari’ah board reviewed the structure to ensure compliance with Islamic finance principles, with an emphasis on transparency and clearer risk controls.

Potential Impact On Muslim Investors

For Muslims who have avoided crypto because of religious concerns, this gives a regulated route inside an established bank.

Analysts quoted in coverage suggested the move could nudge more conservative savers toward holding some Bitcoin when they otherwise would not have.

Adoption will depend on demand and on whether other Islamic banks follow Ruya’s example.

What Comes Next

Ruya has signaled it will consider offering other virtual assets later, depending on demand and regulatory clarity. Based on reports, the bank wants to position this service as part of longer-term wealth planning rather than short-term trading.

This step marks a notable moment: a Shari’ah-compliant bank rolling Bitcoin trading into its core app with a regulated custodian.

It could widen access for Muslim investors in the UAE and beyond, while also testing how Islamic finance rules and modern crypto systems can be combined in practice.

Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView

Ethereum saw a flurry of big moves that traders say could matter for its next price swing. In just a few hours, major accounts pulled large sums off an exchange and big wallets opened sizable margin longs. Market watchers are parsing those moves for clues.

Institutions Shift Big Stakes

According to Arkham Intelligence, Amber Group and Metalapha pulled out 9,000 Ether from Binance in a short span, a haul worth more than $28 million at current prices.

Based on reports, institutional flows have been heavy for months — nearly 4 million ETH has been accumulated by institutions over five months. Those kinds of transfers are often linked to custody setups or long-term holdings rather than quick trades.

Whales Add Margin Bets

Several large wallets added roughly $426 million in margin long exposure. Wallets named 1011short and Anti-CZ are among the accounts that expanded long bets.

That kind of activity raises the chance of sharper moves in either direction: if prices rise, longs can feed a rapid upswing; if a pullback hits, forced selling could amplify losses. Market structure is tighter now than it was several months ago.

INSTITUTIONS ARE ACCUMULATING $ETH ~ QUIETLY.

In the last few hours:

• Amber Group withdrew 6,000 ETH ($18.8M) from Binance • Metalapha withdrew 3,000 ETH ($9.4M)

That’s 9,000 ETH pulled off exchanges in a single morning.

This is the same pattern we’ve seen for weeks:… pic.twitter.com/MBgyXoPfJz

— BMNR Bullz (@BMNRBullz) December 8, 2025

Available Supply Shrinks

On-chain data shows only 8.7% of ETH is currently held on exchanges. More than 28 million ETH is locked up in staking, custody, and what reports call long-term storage.

Staking inflows remain high, with over 40,000 ETH added per day on average. Less supply on exchanges can lower immediate selling pressure, making price swings more dependent on fresh buy orders.

Price Range And Key Levels

Ethereum has gained 2.5% in the last 24 hours and is trading near $3,050. According to an analyst’s chart, ETH has been moving inside a tight range between $3,050 and $3,200, with $3,100 acting as a support line.

Traders say a clear break above the $3,300–$3,400 band could open the way toward $3,700 to $3,800. Failure at that resistance would likely push prices back toward $3,000, where buyers may step in again.

Regulatory Step Could Matter

In a related development, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has launched a pilot that allows Ethereum, USDC and Bitcoin to be used as collateral in regulated derivatives venues.

Acting Chair Caroline Pham unveiled the plan in Washington and said the move will let regulators observe how tokenized collateral behaves in stressed conditions.

The program sets rules for custody, segregation, and valuation tests inside a controlled environment.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Bitcoin’s on-exchange supply has dropped sharply, and traders are taking note. According to Santiment, more than 403,000 BTC have left exchanges since December 7, 2024 — roughly 2% of Bitcoin’s total supply.

That shift, measured against an on-exchange balance of about 2.11 million BTC in late November, is being seen as a sign that fewer coins are poised for quick sale.

Exchange Balances Shrink

Santiment said lower exchange balances have historically been linked with fewer sudden sell-offs, an observation many market watchers find encouraging.

The math is straightforward: when a big chunk of supply sits outside exchanges, there is less immediately available stock to meet selling pressure.

As Bitcoin’s market value hovers around $90K, crypto’s top market cap continues to see its supply moving away from exchanges. Over the past year, there has been:

A net total of -403.2K $BTC moving off exchanges A net reduction of -2.09% of $BTC‘s entire supply moving… pic.twitter.com/Y0JTC880Np

— Santiment (@santimentfeed) December 8, 2025

Institutions Step In

Based on reports from BitcoinTresuries.Net and others, exchange outflows are not only going to private cold wallets. ETFs and public firms are also accumulating.

BitBo lists ETFs holding over 1.5 million BTC and public companies holding over 1 million. Combined, those holdings represent nearly 11% of the total Bitcoin supply.

According to analysts, institutional vehicles have quietly absorbed a lot of coins, changing where Bitcoin sits and who can sell it.

Supply Moves Matter

This is more than bookkeeping. Coins locked in institutional or self-custodied vaults are not sold on a whim. That makes available supply tighter.

At the same time, coins leaving exchanges can lead to sharper price moves when demand surges because the pool of sellable coins is smaller. Some of the effects are already visible on price charts; others may show up later if buying pressure picks up.

Price Action And Macro Focus

Bitcoin traded near $90,650 with a small rise of 0.28% in recent action. Year-to-date gains stand at 11%. The market swung from a daily low of $89,540 to a high of $92,290, showing active trading around current levels.

Traders are watching a Federal Reserve meeting closely, and the outcome is expected to drive short-term volatility. Interest-rate cues often move broader markets, and crypto is no exception.

Market Outlook And Risks

Overall, the move off exchanges looks like a bullish backdrop because it reduces immediate selling liquidity. Still, that same scarcity can make prices more sensitive to changes in demand, which raises the possibility of sharper swings.

Analysts will be watching whether ETFs and public firms continue to add to their holdings or start to slow down purchases.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Galaxy Digital, a major crypto services firm, transferred 900 BTC to a wallet that was created shortly before the move on December 9, 2025, according to on-chain monitoring shared by blockchain analysts.

The coins were valued at close to $81.60 million at the time of the transfer, implying an average price near $90,656 per Bitcoin.

Large Bitcoin Transfer Logged

According to on-chain trackers, the receiving address showed no prior history, which caught attention because transfers of this size tend to leave a clear trail and invite scrutiny.

The initial notice came from blockchain sleuths who flagged the transaction and published the receiving address for public view. No public statement has come from Galaxy Digital to explain the move.

What The Move Could Mean

Based on reports, big transfers by firms like Galaxy Digital often involve custody reshuffles, client orders, or trades arranged off-exchange. That said, a transfer to a brand-new address does not by itself prove a sale took place.

A newly created wallet received 900 $BTC($81.59M) from Galaxy Digital 2 hours ago.https://t.co/Ahrqpn4Hip pic.twitter.com/EIWmMXyWJZ

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) December 9, 2025

The coins might be placed into cold storage, moved between internal wallets, or prepared for an over-the-counter trade. Public data show only the on-chain flow; the motive behind it remains unconfirmed.

Background On Galaxy Digital

Galaxy Digital has handled several very large transactions this year, and that track record adds context to the latest move.

Earlier in 2025 the firm facilitated a notably large transfer tied to a long-dormant early Bitcoin holder, a sequence of transactions that amounted to tens of thousands of BTC and drew wide market attention.

Those prior actions showed Galaxy operating as a major intermediary when big holders decide to move or sell coins.

Market Reaction And Risks

Traders watched price action closely after the transfer was flagged, but the mere movement of BTC between wallets does not always trigger market swings.

If the coins entered an exchange or were offered for public sale, price impact would be more likely. If they remained in custody or were split into smaller distributions, the market effect could be muted.

For now, there is no public evidence that the transfer caused immediate selling or that the funds were liquidated.

What To Watch Next

Observers will look for follow-up on-chain flows — for instance, whether the new address sends coins onward, or whether linked wallets show signs of exchange deposits.

Analysts will also watch for any official comments from Galaxy Digital or disclosures tied to client mandates.

Until then, the facts are limited to the Bitcoin transaction record itself and the valuation snapshot reported when the move was first spotted.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

XRP Spot ETFs have nearly crossed the $1 billion mark in assets under management (AUM), marking one of the quickest ramps since Ethereum, according to Ripple’s CEO.

Rapid Fund Growth In Weeks

According to the disclosure, the four XRP ETF products now hold about $1.23B in total net assets, which equals 597 million XRP at a reported XRP price of $2.06.

Reports have disclosed a fresh inflow of $30 million on Monday, Dec. 8, and the cumulative net inflow into these products stands close to $935 million.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse highlighted that the collective figure reached the $1 billion level in under four weeks after the first fund hit the market.

Canary Capital Leads With Heavy Flows

Canary Capital’s XRPC grabbed the most attention at launch, bringing roughly $245 million in net flows on its debut day on Nov. 13. Canary’s fund holds about 335.889 million XRP, valued at approximately $691 million, which represents 56% of the combined assets across the four funds.

<4 weeks, and XRP is now the fastest crypto Spot ETF to reach $1B in AUM (since ETH) in the US.

With over 40 crypto ETFs launched this year in the US alone, a few points are obvious to me:

1/ there’s pent up demand for regulated crypto products, and with Vanguard opening up…

— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) December 8, 2025

The other managers hold smaller shares: Grayscale’s product holds 104.381 million XRP, about $215 million or 17.47% of the total; Bitwise carries 93.827 million XRP valued at $193.284 million or 15.7%; Franklin Templeton has 62.99 million XRP worth about $131.829 million, or 10.71%.

A Wave Of Approved Crypto Funds

Based on reports, this development follows a broader rollout of spot and futures crypto ETFs since US spot Bitcoin ETFs arrived in January 2024.

Ethereum spot products launched in July 2024, and Solana listings came in October 2025. The US Securities and Exchange Commission has approved more than 40 crypto-related ETF products this year, which market participants say has opened familiar rails for mainstream investors.

Vanguard’s choice to allow crypto access inside standard retirement and broker accounts is being cited as a change that lets many Americans gain exposure without deep crypto know-how.

What This Means For Investors

According to analysts and market observers, the speed of these flows underlines strong demand for regulated crypto vehicles. Big-name asset managers entering the market have helped create options that look and act like other mutual funds or ETFs, which can ease the path for retirement plans and advisers to take part.

At the same time, a large share resting in a single debut fund shows concentration risk: Canary’s XRPC accounts for more than half of the total net assets, and that matters for liquidity and fund dynamics if flows shift.

Fresh Inflows & ETF Demand

While $1.23 billion is a headline figure, market watchers will be watching fresh inflows, trading volumes, and how price moves react to ETF demand.

For now, XRP listings have drawn sizable attention, and the coming weeks should make clearer whether the early momentum will spread more evenly across products and push broader investor participation.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Tether Investments has joined a €70 million funding round for Generative Bionics, a company spun out of the Italian Institute of Technology.

According to the announcement, the move is aimed at speeding work on humanoid robots and Physical AI systems built for industry use.

The deal brings private capital to a project that grew from two decades of university research and a large team of engineers.

Generative Bionics’ Research Roots

Based on reports, Generative Bionics draws directly from two decades of robotics work at IIT. The firm claims about sixty advanced humanoid prototypes were developed and tested during that period.

It has assembled roughly 70 engineers and AI scientists from IIT into its core technical team. That team is said to bring a combined experience of more than 600 years in physical robotics and related AI work. The company also holds exclusive licenses for key technologies created at the institute.

Tether Invests in Generative Bionics as Part of Funding Round to Advance Intelligent “Made in Italy” Humanoid Robots

Read more:https://t.co/q5PHCV3zvy

— Tether (@Tether_to) December 8, 2025

Plans For Production And Field Use

Tether’s funding will support edge AI development, industrial validation, and the first production facility. Generative Bionics is preparing initial industrial deployment programs that it expects to announce in early 2026.

Reports indicate the company intends to place robots in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, retail, and other areas where human-like machines could help with repetitive or risky tasks. The first full humanoid concept from Generative Bionics is set to appear at CES in Las Vegas.

How This Fits Into Tether’s Broader Strategy

Tether Investments, based in El Salvador, says it uses profits and reserves to back technologies that connect digital systems with physical infrastructure.

The firm’s recent moves include funding work on brain-computer interfaces through Blackrock Neurotech and teaming up with Northern Data and Rumble to build a 20,000-GPU global compute network for open, privacy-focused AI development.

According to the announcement, the Generative Bionics deal is part of a wider push into physical systems that complement software and compute.

The investment also signals a shift by a major stablecoin-related company into long-term industrial bets. Tether presents this as a way to expand its footprint beyond financial tools and into areas that could deliver practical, real-world utility.

That said, critics will point out that robotics is capital intensive, and turning research prototypes into reliable, certified machines for everyday workplaces is difficult and slow.

Market Potential And Risks

Analysts cited in the announcement estimate the humanoid robotics sector could top €200 billion by 2035 and may reach as much as €5 trillion by 2050.

Those figures show why governments, universities, and private groups are racing to commercialize advanced robots.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Argentina’s central bank is preparing to let commercial banks offer regulated cryptocurrency services, ending a three-year restriction that kept traditional lenders out of the market, according to recent reports.

The change would allow banks to handle trading and custody of a limited set of digital assets under tighter rules and monitoring.

Banks Could Reopen Crypto Desks Under New Rules

Reports have disclosed that the Banco Central de la República Argentina (BCRA) is reviewing a regulatory framework that would permit banks to provide crypto trading and custody, but only within a controlled, licensed setup.

The move responds to heavy use of Bitcoin and stablecoins by many Argentines as a shield against peso weakness and inflation.

Analysts say banks would likely need separate units, stronger custody systems and clear compliance checks before they can serve customers.

ARGENTINA’S CENTRAL BANK JUST ANNOUNCED BANKS CAN OFFER #BITCOIN AND CRYPTO SERVICES

HERE WE GO!! pic.twitter.com/0yCYXLT4MA

— Vivek Sen (@Vivek4real_) December 8, 2025

Background: Why Banks Were Barred

The prohibition dates back to May 2022, when the central bank barred banks from transacting in or offering services for cryptocurrencies that were not formally regulated by the authorities.

BREAKING: Argentina’s central bank is drafting rules to let banks offer crypto trading and custody, putting them in direct competition with exchanges under tighter KYC rules.

Huge move for Argentina pic.twitter.com/RMz2icnC81

— Conor Kenny (@conorfkenny) December 8, 2025

That rule effectively prevented lenders from listing crypto products inside their apps or taking custody on behalf of clients. The ban pushed most retail activity toward registered Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) and overseas platforms.

What The New System Would Build On

Based on reports, any shift would build on the country’s recent steps to regulate VASPs. The Comisión Nacional de Valores (CNV) has already issued registration criteria and AML/CFT requirements for local crypto firms, including technical rules on custody and “travel rule” compliance.

Those existing rules are likely to form the baseline for the bank licensing regime, with extra safeguards for depositors and liquidity.

How This Could Affect Users And The Market

For everyday savers who turned to digital coins to protect savings, a bank-led service could mean easier access through familiar apps and possibly stronger institutional custody — though it would not erase price risk.

Regulators are expected to insist on explicit risk disclosures and limits; client holdings in crypto would not automatically carry the same guarantees as insured bank deposits.

Market players say initial offerings may focus on major assets such as Bitcoin and established stablecoins, rather than a wide array of tokens.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Based on reports, France’s second-largest banking group has started letting customers trade crypto in its mobile apps. BPCE opened the service on Monday for selected users of Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Épargne.

Around 2 million people in four regional banks can now buy and sell Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and USDC through the apps.

Measured Limited Rollout

The launch covers the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur branch of Caisse d’Épargne and the Île-de-France division of Banque Populaire, among others.

BPCE has said it will watch early use closely. That controlled approach is meant to catch technical issues and fix the user flow before wider availability. If all goes to plan, the bank intends to extend the feature across its 25 remaining regional entities by 2026, reaching a retail base of roughly 12 million clients.

EXCLUSIVE @TheBigWhale_: BPCE now lets customers buy crypto assets.

Starting this Monday, the French bank’s customers will be able to purchase BTC, ETH, SOL, and USDC: https://t.co/J2C4UnWi68@GroupeBPCE, one of Europe’s leading banks, is rolling out this service in a first… pic.twitter.com/3olRgVoot4

— Raphaël Bloch (@Raph_Bloch) December 6, 2025

BPCE has set up a separate unit, Hexarq, to handle customer crypto accounts. Each user will have a dedicated in-app digital-asset account that is managed by Hexarq rather than being routed to outside exchanges or third-party wallets.

The arrangement keeps custody within the bank’s ecosystem. It also comes with a monthly fee of €2.99 and a trading commission of 1.5% on transactions.

Banks Face Fintech Pressure

Reports have pointed to the rise of fintech rivals as a driving reason for the move. Companies such as Revolut, Deblock, Bitstack and Trade Republic built early crypto offerings and attracted many retail users.

Traditional lenders now risk losing younger customers unless they match those services. Some banks in Europe already offer in-app trading: BBVA supports Bitcoin and Ethereum,

Openbank under Santander lists five cryptocurrencies, and Raiffeisen in Vienna provides similar features through a tie-up with Bitpanda. BPCE’s entry follows this trend and could push other big lenders to act.

The fees set by BPCE are higher than what many crypto-first platforms charge. Yet many consumers may accept that in exchange for having crypto tied directly to their bank accounts and day-to-day services. For many users, trust and convenience matter more than the lowest possible fee.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Michael Saylor’s hint about a fresh Bitcoin purchase has renewed talk among traders and investors, even as on-chain stress signals point to a tougher stretch for the network. The mix of heavy buying by public firms and signs of miner strain is drawing attention from both bulls and bears.

Saylor’s Tracker Signals

According to a StrategyTracker chart shared by Michael Saylor, Strategy holds about 650,000 BTC with a portfolio value near $58 billion. The chart lists an average purchase price of $74,436 and shows 88 confirmed buy events over time.

Saylor captioned the image “Back to Orange Dots?” — a short, familiar cue that has often come before a new accumulation round.

Strategy’s most recent reported move was a 130 BTC buy, which fits the company’s long habit of adding during periods of market fear. That pattern matters because when an entity repeatedly buys through downswings, it shapes how other investors react.

₿ack to Orange Dots? pic.twitter.com/npB0NWSZ52

— Michael Saylor (@saylor) December 7, 2025

Corporate Buying Continues

Based on reports from BitcoinTreasuries.NET, the top 100 public firms now hold about 1,059,453 BTC combined. ABTC reportedly added 363 BTC, the largest increase this week, while Cango Inc. purchased 130.6 BTC.

Other names cited in recent filings include Bitdeer, BitFuFu, Hyperscale Data, Genius Group, and Bitcoin Hodl Co. These moves show that some companies keep expanding reserves even when prices wobble.

For market watchers, steady corporate accumulation can be a calming force, though it does not erase broader sell pressure.

On-Chain Stress Indicators

According to Glassnode charts shared by the Bitcoin Archive, the Hash Ribbon has shifted bearish again, a sign that some miners are facing stress or even pausing operations.

Short-Term Holder NUPL has fallen below zero, meaning many recent buyers are holding coins at a loss. Historically, episodes where miners are squeezed at the same time new holders are underwater have appeared near significant lows.

That outcome is not certain, but the combination of technical miner strain and unrealized losses among short-term wallets is the kind of setup traders watch closely.

What Traders Are Watching Now

Traders are monitoring whether the miner stress and losses among fresh buyers will coincide with renewed buying by big holders.

Some expect that corporate purchases and purchases by Strategy could blunt downside and spark a rebound. Others remain cautious because on-chain indicators point to real strain.

Market action around major events, like central bank announcements, has also shown Bitcoin can stall before policy moves and then move sharply after.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

South Korea moved to tighten rules for cryptocurrency platforms after a major breach at Upbit that sent shockwaves through the local market and government halls.

Government Pushes Bank-Level Rules

According to government and industry reports, the Upbit breach on November 27, 2025 involved the transfer of about 104 billion tokens on the Solana network in roughly 54 minutes.

The value of the tokens was reported at about 44.5 billion won, equal to roughly $30–36 million. Upbit said it would cover customer losses from its own funds, but officials say current law does not force exchanges to reimburse users automatically.

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) have begun drafting rules that would hold virtual asset service providers to bank-level liability standards, requiring compulsory compensation for customers hit by hacks or system failures.

Past Failures Put Pressure On Regulators

Reports have disclosed that the five biggest exchanges in Korea — Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit and Gopax — were cited in official data showing 20 system failures between 2023 and September 2025.

Those incidents affected more than 900 users and caused combined losses of about 5 billion won. Regulators say those prior problems, plus the recent Solana transfers, highlighted gaps in consumer protection and operational stability that current rules don’t close.

Exchanges Face Higher Costs And Fines

Under the proposed measures, exchanges would need to meet stronger IT security and custody standards, submit to regular audits, and maintain clearer recovery plans.

Penalties are also being rethought. Current maximum fines were a fixed 5 billion won in earlier regulations; new drafts reportedly include fines up to 3% of an exchange’s annual revenue for serious breaches.

That kind of exposure could push firms to raise spending on security and insurance, and it may change how they price services.

What It Means For Users And Markets

According to industry analysts, forcing mandatory compensation would boost consumer confidence. That is the stated aim. But restoring trust will likely take time.

Some exchanges have already promised voluntary payouts after the Upbit incident, yet a legal requirement would mark a big shift in how crypto platforms are treated compared with banks and electronic payment firms under the Electronic Financial Transactions Act.

Timeline And Lawmaking Steps

Based on reports, the draft rules are currently under internal review within the FSC and will need to pass through formal legislative processes before becoming law.

Lawmakers and regulators are deliberating exactly which parts of bank rules should apply to crypto firms, and how to avoid stifling competition or innovation while protecting customers.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Robinhood Markets moved into Indonesia this week by signing deals to buy two local firms, a step that gives it instant access to a big pool of investors.

The plan covers both a licensed brokerage and a regulated crypto trader, and the company says it will use those platforms to begin offering its services to Indonesian users. According to reports, the transactions are set to close in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.

Robinhood Targets Large Local Investor Base

Based on reports, Robinhood will acquire PT Buana Capital Sekuritas and PT Pedagang Aset Kripto, two Indonesian companies that already operate under local licenses.

This gives Robinhood the chance to start operating without waiting out a long licensing process, although final approval from Indonesia’s financial watchdog is still required. The firm did not disclose the price it will pay.

We’re expanding globally. Robinhood has entered into agreements to acquire Buana Capital, an Indonesian brokerage, and PT Pedagang Aset Kripto, a licensed Indonesian digital financial asset trader–marking our entry into one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing markets.

More…

— Robinhood (@RobinhoodApp) December 8, 2025

Market Size And Recent Activity

Indonesia is home to a deep and growing retail market. Reports place close to 20 million people participating in capital markets, while about 17 million are active crypto traders — numbers that underline why global platforms are looking closely at the country.

Transaction values in 2024 reached roughly 650 trillion rupiah, which is nearly $40 billion, showing how much activity already flows through local platforms.

How Robinhood Plans To Use The Acquisitions

According to the company’s announcement, the deals are meant to let Robinhood offer its own brokerage and crypto products over time, potentially including access to US equities and global cryptocurrencies for Indonesian users.

Pieter Tanuri, who is the majority owner of the acquired businesses, is expected to serve as a strategic adviser after the closing, reports say. This local guidance could help with day-to-day operations and regulatory interactions.

Regulatory And Competitive Hurdles

The greenlighting by Otoritas Jasa Keuangan or OJK and other Indonesian regulators remains a continuing condition.

Against this, the wider policy backdrop has not stayed constant: tax rules and oversight for crypto tightened up in 2025; regulators have moved parts of crypto oversight under different agencies, making compliance more complex for entrants.

Local rivals are already well established, meaning Robinhood will face a crowded field even if it is granted regulatory clearance.

For Indonesian traders, the move could bring more choices and access to new products, including cross-border trading options that, until now, are limited on many local applications.

It’s part of a broader expansion push at Robinhood after a strong year that saw big gains in its stock price.

The company still has the practical work of integrating systems, meeting local rules, and convincing users to switch platforms.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

According to reports, a well-known crypto commentator/investor who goes by the handle Crypto X AiMan has sold all his Bitcoin and moved the proceeds into XRP. He says four reasons drove his decision, and the move has stirred debate across trading circles.

Investor Dumps Bitcoin For XRP

AiMan, who says he first bought Bitcoin when it traded at $3,000, told followers that legal clarity is the main reason for his shift. He pointed to a July 2023 court ruling by Judge Torres that found certain programmatic XRP sales were not securities.

According to him, that court decision gives XRP a different standing from many other tokens. He also noted that US regulators often treat Bitcoin as a commodity, a stance reiterated by former SEC Chair Gary Gensler. AiMan framed the court outcome as a rare, explicit legal test that favored XRP.

He highlighted another factor: Ripple’s large holdings. Based on company disclosures, Ripple holds close to 40 billion XRP, nearly 40% of the total supply. AiMan argued those reserves could support future use cases if Ripple or its partners chose to deploy the tokens for payments.

I just sold ALL my Bitcoin.

Yes, you read that right.

I went 100% all-in on XRP.

Here’s why:

XRP is the only crypto with legal clarity in the United States (won the SEC case, not a security).

Ripple owns ~40B XRP and is partnered with 300+ banks, central banks, and payment… pic.twitter.com/tRzpiKPas5

— Crypto X AiMan (@CryptoXAiMan) December 5, 2025

He called XRP faster and cheaper to move than Bitcoin, saying it is built for cross-border transfers — a point he used to contrast XRP’s utility with Bitcoin’s role as a store of value. He also ran through a market-size scenario.

Market analysts have projected the cross-border payments market at $250 trillion by 2027, and AiMan suggested that even a 1% share of that volume could mean big gains for XRP.

He admitted the trade is extreme: “If I’m wrong? XRP probably goes to zero, and I lose everything,” he said. He added that if he is right, the payoff would be huge.

XRP’s Legal Advantage

Market reaction has been mixed. Based on reports from data providers, traders are taking large short positions against XRP. Coinglass figures show XRP with $15 million in shorts versus $0.6 million in longs — a roughly 96% short allocation and a shorts-to-longs ratio near 25 to 1.

For comparison, Bitcoin had $131 million in shorts and $70 million in longs; Ethereum showed $110 million shorts and $58 million longs. Despite heavy shorting, XRP has posted daily gains at times, according to recent price movements.

Aggressive Shorts Dominate Positioning

Analysts say heavy short positions can indicate weak near-term sentiment. They also create technical risks, because a squeeze could push prices higher quickly if shorts are forced to cover.

That does not remove the core risks AiMan flagged and others raised: a big token allocation held by one company raises centralization concerns, and banks have not broadly shifted settlement rails to public tokens.

Bitcoin still has a market cap near $1.8 trillion and deeper liquidity, which many investors view as stability in a volatile market.

Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView

According to former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes, battles over the US debt ceiling create clear cash swings that move markets. When the Treasury spends down its main checking account — the Treasury General Account, or TGA — new dollars enter the system and lift risky assets.

Later, when the Treasury refills the TGA by selling debt, cash is pulled back out and pressure returns to stocks and crypto, he said.

Hayes points to 2023 as a clear example, when a large pool of funds at the Fed’s reverse repo facility — about $2.5 trillion — was available to be drawn back into markets.

Market Metrics And Recent Moves

Traders can see the effects in price action. Bitcoin’s recent fall toward the $80,000 area followed a stretch of tighter liquidity, and the rebound to above $91,000 has many investors asking whether the sell-off marked a cycle low.

The crypto market gained ground Monday, with total capitalization rising to a little over $3 trillion, up 1.2% in the last 24 hours. Bitcoin climbed to $92,120, a 1.50% increase on the day and almost 6.5% higher over the week.

Ethereum traded around $3,160 after a 4% daily rise and an 11% weekly jump. Reports have disclosed that these moves come as traders watch big-dollar flows tied to US Treasury operations and central bank balance sheet moves.

Smaller gains in the last day sit against larger weekly returns for several top tokens, showing that swings remain wide but that buying interest has reappeared.

Why 2025 Looks Different

Based on reports, Hayes says 2025 is not the same as 2023. The reverse repo balances that helped fuel the earlier rally are largely gone, and liquidity tightened by almost $1 trillion between July and late 2025 as the Treasury issued debt and the Fed ran quantitative tightening.

That drought of available cash was a headwind for risk assets and helped push prices lower. The mechanics are simple: less cash chasing assets tends to reduce bids and widen price drops.

Price Reaction And Cross-Market Effects

The liquidity story is not limited to crypto. Stocks, gold, and property responded to the same flow shifts during the prior cycle.

Hayes estimates that about $2.5 trillion of liquidity was effectively redeployed from Fed facilities into markets in 2023, amplifying gains across asset classes. When that source was absent in 2025, selling pressure intensified and volatility rose.

Favorable Market Conditions

Hayes says the environment has shifted in a positive way. The Fed has put quantitative tightening on hold, liquidity pressure in the Treasury market is calming down, the TGA is close to where officials want it, and banks are starting to open up their lending taps again.

He views the slide toward $80,000 as the cycle low and expects upward pressure as cash conditions improve. According to his view, these factors together create the environment for renewed upside.

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US President Donald Trump’s new national security strategy is drawing attention for what it leaves out, not what it includes. The document, released this week, highlights threats from hostile states, the rise of artificial intelligence, and worries tied to quantum technology. But it does not mention crypto or blockchain at all, even after months of strong political talk around digital assets.

No Crypto In The New Strategy

According to reports, the strategy outlines several areas Washington plans to strengthen, including defense modernization and partnerships with key allies. It also mentions how emerging tools like AI and biotech could shape competition in the years ahead.

Crypto, however, is missing from the list. That omission stands out because the administration previously backed a plan to build a national digital-asset reserve and had signaled that Bitcoin could play a role in long-term economic planning.

One part of the document mentions that Trump aims to maintain and expand “America’s financial sector dominance” by leveraging the nation’s “leadership in digital finance and innovation” to safeguard market liquidity and stability, which some interpret as a possible reference to crypto.

Observers say the silence does not match earlier moves. In January, Trump approved an order that encouraged agencies to prepare for a “digital-asset stockpile,” an idea tied to creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

That announcement caught global attention, especially after Bitcoin climbed past $126,000 earlier this year before falling to the $88,000 range during a market pullback.

Industry Reaction

Based on reports, some analysts believe the White House chose to keep crypto out of the national security framework to avoid shifting it into a military or defense category.

They argue that digital assets may stay under economic and financial oversight instead of being treated as a strategic security concern.

Others think the omission could weaken the momentum that crypto supporters hoped to see after months of praise from government officials.

Several industry voices say they expected at least a short reference to blockchain due to the technology’s increasing presence in global payments and national-level discussions.

Reports have disclosed that developers and crypto policy groups were tracking the document closely, waiting to see if digital money would be acknowledged in the same way as AI or quantum computing.

That did not happen, and the silence left many wondering whether Washington sees crypto as a priority or just another financial tool.

Questions Moving Forward

The lack of any direct language about crypto may influence market expectations. Some investors considered the national security strategy an important signal that could shape future regulation or federal participation in the crypto economy.

Instead, the absence of a clear stance has raised questions about whether the US will slow its public adoption plans, even as other countries push ahead with central bank digital currency testing.

Featured image from Getty Images, chart from TradingView

According to remarks made at the Founders Summit, Fidelity’s chief executive Abigail Johnson offered a rare look at how the firm moved from curiosity to a full crypto business and why she keeps a personal stake in Bitcoin. The account ties early, small bets to later services now offered to advisors and clients.

Early Interest Turned Practical

Around 2013, a small group inside Fidelity began meeting to learn what Bitcoin might mean for the firm. They mapped out 52 possible uses. Most ideas did not survive testing. One early result — accepting Bitcoin donations for charity — gave the team credibility outside the company and opened doors for deeper work.

That early credibility made it easier for the firm to test bigger ideas without waiting for orders from the top.

A Bold Mining Bet Paid Off

Johnson pushed for a $200,000 purchase of Antminer hardware at a time many inside opposed the move. Reports say that mining effort became “probably the single highest IRR business” Fidelity has had.

The decision put staff into Bitcoin’s technical layers, giving them real experience with wallets, security, and the plumbing of the network long before many rivals caught up.

Company Moves Into Custody

Based on reports, demand from financial advisors drove Fidelity toward custody services. Advisors wanted secure ways to help clients hold and pass on Bitcoin, and Fidelity responded by building custody, custody-adjacent products, and support across asset management and research.

Johnson told the audience she owns Bitcoin personally and described it as a core digital asset that could play a role in people’s savings plans. She calls it crypto’s “gold standard.”

Exchange Supply Drops As Accumulation Continues

Market data referenced in the session showed Bitcoin trading above $89,000 while balances on centralized exchanges fell to roughly 1.8 million BTC — a level not seen since 2017, according to aggregated CryptoQuant and Glassnode figures cited by BRN Research.

Realized-cap growth stayed positive on a monthly basis, which analysts interpret as fresh capital entering the market even when price moves stay contained.

Shark Wallets And Network Growth For Ethereum

Reports also pointed to Ethereum strength. ETH climbed past $3,200 as so-called shark wallets holding between 1,000 and 10,000 ETH resumed accumulation.

Daily new addresses briefly neared 190,000 following the Fusaka upgrade, a spike that analysts say often lines up with stronger demand for ETH.

Market Signals And What’s Missing

Analysts quoted in the briefing noted that supply leaving exchanges and steady accumulation point to longer-term holders taking control. What the market lacks, they said, is a decisive push into the roughly $96K to $106K band that would signal a broader breakout. For now, accumulation continues while prices trade in a tighter range.

Based on reports from the conference, Fidelity’s crypto path reads like a slow build: small internal experiments grew into real operations, and a handful of early bets — including a $200,000 mining play — gave the firm practical know-how.

Combined with current on-chain signs of accumulation, the picture suggests established players and patient holders are shaping market supply even as price momentum waits for a clearer trigger.

Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView

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According to remarks made on CNBC’s Power Lunch, Strategy’s CEO Phong Le said the company moved quickly to calm investor fears after Bitcoin fell sharply. The firm announced a $1.44 billion US dollar reserve on Monday, raised through a stock sale.

The reserve is meant to hold enough cash to cover at least 12 months of dividend payments right away, and the company says it will expand that buffer to cover 24 months over time.

Reserve Aimed At Dividend Concerns

Based on reports, Le said the drive was largely about stopping what he called “dividend FUD.” He added that the $1.44 billion was put together in eight and a half days and, by his count, represents about 21 months’ worth of dividend obligations.

“We’re very much are a part of the crypto and Bitcoin ecosystems. Which is why we decided a couple of weeks ago to start raising capital and putting US dollars on our balance sheet to get rid of this FUD,” Le said on Friday.

This afternoon, Phong Le, CEO of @Strategy, joined @CNBC @PowerLunch to discuss how $MSTR moves with bitcoin, how our USD reserve addresses recent FUD, the shifting Overton Window, key volatility drivers, and why bitcoin’s long-term outlook remains strong. pic.twitter.com/1t5hsfov0m

— Strategy (@Strategy) December 5, 2025

The move followed growing questions about whether Strategy could meet its payout and debt commitments if its share price plunged. Company materials also highlight a new “BTC Credit” dashboard that claims the firm now holds enough assets to service dividends for more than 70 years.

Bitcoin’s Drop Tests Crypto Firms

Bitcoin’s slide has been severe. Once trading above $126,000 earlier this year, BTC fell roughly 30% from that high and hit about $88,130 on Friday, after a one-day drop near 4%.

Reports tie the decline to a wave of forced liquidations and dwindling retail interest. At the same time, money has flowed into gold, silver and some large-cap stocks, leaving crypto out of the rally.

Analysts such as Stephane Ouellette of FRNT Financial say the pullback could be a normal reset after a big run, not a sign that crypto is finished.

Short Sellers, Stock Moves, And Market Signals

Investors had been asking whether Strategy would sell Bitcoin if the stock tumbled. Le told CNBC the company would only consider selling its BTC holdings if the stock price fell below net asset value and fresh capital was unavailable.

That stance was meant to reassure holders that the firm was not planning to liquidate core assets on the first sign of trouble. Still, the recent volatility fed narratives that dividend payments and debt service might be at risk, which in turn encouraged some market participants to place bets against the company.

Company Says It Will Avoid Selling Bitcoin

Strategy’s public messaging emphasized access to capital as proof of strength. Raising $1.44 billion in a down cycle, the CEO said, was also designed to show the market that the company could still attract funding.

Based on reports, that was part of an effort to stop short sellers from piling into positions that bet on further declines. The company’s dashboard and the stated runway targets are clear signals aimed at easing investor anxiety.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Two long-dormant Casascius coins, each loaded with 1,000 Bitcoin, were activated on Friday, unlocking more than $179 million that had sat untouched for over 13 years.

According to onchain data, one of the coins was minted in October 2012 when Bitcoin traded at $11.69. The other dates back to December 2011, when BTC was worth $3.88, giving that piece a theoretical gain near 2.3 million% since minting.

Historic Physical Coins Activated

Based on reports, Casascius coins (metal coins) were produced between 2011 and 2013 by Utah entrepreneur Mike Caldwell as physical representations of Bitcoin. Each coin or bar concealed a paper with a private key, and a tamper-resistant hologram covered that key.

Two Casascius coins, each containing 1,000 BTC, have just moved after being dormant for more than 13 years. pic.twitter.com/nlFUy39MkD

— Sani | TimechainIndex.com (@SaniExp) December 5, 2025

Records show only 16 of the 1,000 BTC bars and 6 of the 1,000 BTC coins were ever made, making these items both rare and historically important.

Caldwell shut down the operation after receiving a letter from FinCEN that raised questions about whether his business qualified as an unlicensed money transmitter.

How The Coins Worked

The mechanism was simple in practice but strict in outcome: whoever removed the hologram and revealed the private key could claim the full Bitcoin value stored beneath it.

Once that sticker was lifted and the private key used, the coin no longer carried any Bitcoin value. Based on reports, collectors treat that moment as irreversible. Some owners chose to move funds off the physical coins without cashing out.

Rarity And Returns

Numbers here show why collectors and investors watch these events closely. Two coins at 1,000 BTC each represent a huge hoard when prices are high. Even leaving aside the cost of minting, the December 2011 coin’s rise from $3.88 to current market valuations yields a headline-grabbing multiple.

But experts warn that turning the private key into spendable Bitcoin is only the first step; what happens next depends on the holder’s choices. Some will hold. Others may move funds into cold storage. Selling is not guaranteed.

Derivatives Market Shock

Meanwhile, the spot and derivatives markets are experiencing high volatility. Based on CoinGlass data, today’s derivatives activity showed an 11,588% liquidation imbalance that overwhelmingly wiped out long positions.

Bitcoin, at the time of writing, was trading below $90,000, and more than $20 million in BTC long liquidations occurred in minutes while short positions barely budged. That kind of one-sided pressure happens when many traders are crowded in the same direction and conditions change quickly.

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According to a press release from Consob on December 4, 2025, Italy’s securities regulator told crypto and virtual asset service providers (VASPs) that they must secure authorization under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets regime (MiCA) by December 30, 2025, or stop serving Italian clients.

The notice warns operators that those who do not file for a MiCA-compliant license must close out services and return customer funds by the year-end.

Consob’s Deadline And What It Means For Firms

Based on reports, companies that submit an authorization application by the cutoff may keep operating while the application is under review. But that temporary permission will not last beyond June 30, 2026, regulators say. That window gives providers some breathing room, but it also sets a hard date for final approvals.

The regulator singled out platforms that until now have worked under Italy’s lighter national registry system (OAM). Those businesses now face a choice: apply to become fully authorized crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) under MiCA or plan an orderly exit. Operators who plan to leave must notify users clearly and return assets in a safe, verifiable way.

Italy Opens A Broader Risk Review

According to a Reuters report, Italy’s Economy Ministry has also ordered an in-depth review of crypto risks, bringing together the Bank of Italy, Consob and other agencies to check whether current protections are strong enough for investors and the wider financial system. The move came during a committee meeting that flagged rising exposure and the need to monitor spillovers into traditional finance.

What Investors Should Watch For Next

Customers in Italy should confirm whether their chosen platform has lodged a MiCA application or has made clear plans for compliance or exit. If an operator fails to apply by December 30, users could face service interruptions and will need to follow the provider’s instructions for fund returns. Regulators say transparency from firms will be key in the weeks ahead.

Smaller local platforms may find the compliance burden steep. Some operators could seek licenses in other EU states and use passporting rules to serve Italian clients, while others may shut down or merge.

The provisional operating window stretches into mid-2026, but the final shape of the market will depend on how quickly firms meet the tougher requirements and how long authorizations take to process.

Consob’s notice is meant to cut through uncertainty and force a choice before year-end. The combination of a firm deadline, mandatory filings and a parallel review marks a stricter approach to crypto oversight in Italy.

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Reports have disclosed that some extremely wealthy family offices are adding XRP to their holdings, a move that market watchers say could influence demand for the token.

According to Jake Claver, CEO of Digital Ascension Group, a close contact overheard members of an affluent family tied to a major US food brand discussing sizable XRP positions while being driven from Disney World to their hotel in Orlando. Claver also said he has spoken with several large family offices that are making allocations into XRP.

Billionaire Interest And Anecdotal Claims

Claver said many of these investors are not looking for quick gains but for ways to preserve capital over the long run. He said only 38% of global family offices are even considering crypto exposure today, and that some of the families he has spoken with are now exploring XRP as part of a hedge.

Claver emphasized a mindset common among long-term investors: “You should only have to get rich once,” he said, describing how some families build a steady core position surrounded by diversification.

ETF Inflows And Market Numbers

Based on reports, the new XRP exchange-traded funds have pulled substantial supply from exchanges and OTC desks since launch. Over 400 million XRP have been taken up by ETFs, and inflows have topped $887 million with total assets above $906 million as of Wednesday.

Some sources count these moves within nine days of launch; others reference a 15-day window, which suggests reporting on timing has varied. Price action has stayed fairly steady near $2, but many traders are watching whether ETF demand eventually pressures that level.

Record-Breaking XRP Velocity: A Surge in On-Chain Activity

“Such a surge typically signifies high liquidity and substantial involvement from traders or significant movements by whales.” – By @CryptoOnchain

Full analysis https://t.co/AgXG0JK5Ig pic.twitter.com/H04OICWRIW

— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) December 4, 2025

On-Chain Activity And Holder Concentration

Blockchain data shows there are roughly 7 million XRP wallets, and about half of those hold fewer than one hundred XRP. That concentration of ownership is being pointed to by some as a factor that could magnify price moves if larger buyers step in.

On December 2, the XRP Ledger’s velocity metric jumped to 0.0324, a yearly high according to CryptoQuant, driven by large transfers and heightened on-ledger circulation. Reports noted that several whales moved XRP at levels not seen earlier this year, a sign some big players may be repositioning.

What Investors And Observers Are Watching

Observers say the key things to monitor are ETF flows, on-chain metrics like velocity, and whether large family offices publicly disclose allocations. Ripple’s existing ties with certain banks and projects are often cited as part of the story for institutional adoption, though other platforms also aim at broad use by banks.

For now, the picture mixes solid market activity — including ETF inflows and a jump in velocity — with ongoing chatter about billionaire buying. The market signals suggest growing institutional interest, while the family-office stories add another layer to how people are interpreting the trend.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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Reports have disclosed that central banks around the globe have stepped up purchases of gold this year, with one month standing out. In October 2025, officials bought 53 tons of gold, a level that analysts say is the highest monthly demand seen this year. These moves reflect growing concern about inflation, weaker currencies and rising geopolitical risk.

Central Bank Buying Surges

According to data cited by financial outlets, 2025 is on track to be the fourth-highest year this century for institutional gold accumulation when measured net year-to-date through October. Analysts at Deutsche Bank put gold’s share of central-bank reserves at about 24%, a level not seen since the 1990s. Those figures help explain why governments that once moved away from bullion are returning to it now.

Bitcoin Enters The Conversation

Some banks and market researchers are now asking whether Bitcoin could play a similar role for national treasuries. Based on reports from major financial firms, Deutsche Bank projects that Bitcoin could appear on central-bank balance sheets by 2030 as a complementary reserve asset.

Central banks are ramping up gold purchases:

Global central banks purchased +53 tonnes of gold in October, the most since November 2024.

This marks a +194% jump compared to July, and the 3rd-straight monthly acceleration.

In the first 10 months of the year, central banks have… pic.twitter.com/7pZWyEjjvf

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) December 4, 2025

Bitcoin’s market profile has changed: liquidity has risen, and price swings have been less extreme during recent months even though volatility remains higher than older reserve assets. Bitcoin also reached a record above $123,500 in recent trading, a price point that has captured wide attention.

A Few Banks Are Testing The Idea

A small number of central banks are now at least studying the idea more seriously. The Czech National Bank, for example, has discussed the possibility of a “test allocation” to learn how crypto might behave inside a reserve mix. Those conversations tend to focus on custody, accounting rules and how to report gains or losses, rather than immediate buying.

On Gold & Bitcoin: Why Officials Are Cautious

Risk is the main reason most central banks have not moved faster. Bitcoin still shows larger price swings than standard reserve assets, and global rules for how to hold and audit crypto are not uniform. Based on expert commentary, regulators and auditors would need clear guidance before many central banks felt comfortable adding crypto to official reserves.

What This Could Mean For Markets

If even a handful of national banks were to allocate a small share of reserves to Bitcoin, demand could rise sharply and change how markets view the asset. A modest sovereign allocation would not replace gold or the US dollar, but it could give Bitcoin a stronger role as a hedge for countries facing currency weakness or rising inflation. At the same time, such a move would push more work into custody and compliance services, which would have to scale up quickly.

Gold buying by central banks is already significant — 53 tons in one month and about 24% of reserves in gold for some — and that Bitcoin is being discussed as a possible next step for some policymakers. The path from discussion to adoption is uncertain, and many technical and legal questions remain. Still, the debate has moved from theory to test runs and official reports, making this one of the more closely watched trends in global finance this year.

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