MSCI has launched a consultation on whether companies with significant cryptocurrency or Bitcoin holdings should be excluded from some of its main indices, sending waves through markets that track those indexes.

According to reports, the consultation targets firms whose balance sheets are more than 50% invested in digital assets. Phong Le, CEO of Strategy, argued in interviews that the move is “like penalizing Chevron for oil,” saying that holding an asset should not disqualify an operating company from broad market indices.

Impact Estimates Suggest Billions Could Move

Based on reports from banks and analysts, the potential impact could be large. JPMorgan estimates show that MSCI-only adjustments might trigger forced selling of about $2.8 billion, while the figure could climb to $8.8 billion if other index providers follow suit.

Stocks of companies holding Bitcoin have already felt pressure. Strategy (ticker MSTR), the largest corporate Bitcoin holder, has been in direct talks with MSCI, seeking to clarify its position and prevent removal from key indexes.

Phong Le joined @SchwabNetwork to discuss the $60T digital credit opportunity and response to MSCI. Restricting passive index investment in bitcoin today would be like restricting investment in oil and oil rigs in the 1900s, spectrum and cell towers in the 1980s, or compute and… pic.twitter.com/3VcYnF5nE4

— Strategy (@Strategy) December 10, 2025

Who Could Be Affected And Why

The review focuses on so-called “digital-asset treasury” firms — companies that might behave more like investment vehicles if a large portion of their assets sits in cryptocurrency.

According to circulated consultation documents, the 50% threshold defines the most extreme cases. Some analysts warn the cutoff is blunt and could misclassify companies that run genuine businesses while using crypto as a treasury reserve.

Industry Groups Mobilize

A coalition of bitcoin-focused companies and trade associations has publicly opposed the move. They argue that excluding these firms would force passive funds tied to MSCI indexes to sell holdings mechanically, even when they are part of operational businesses.

Reports have disclosed letters, interviews, and lobbying efforts aimed at influencing MSCI’s final decision. Market participants say the pushback highlights the tension between traditional index rules and companies with unconventional asset allocations.

Decision Timeline Could Trigger Market Moves

The consultation window is expected to close around Dec. 31, 2025, with some reports suggesting MSCI could announce a decision by mid-Jan 2026.

If the exclusions are enforced, passive funds tracking MSCI indexes may need to rebalance, which could create mechanical selling pressures for affected stocks. However, feedback during the consultation could still alter the outcome before any final rules are adopted.

Bitcoin Investors Face Key Questions

Beyond short-term market moves, investors now face questions about which listed firms cross the 50% threshold, how indices should treat non-traditional assets, and whether other index providers will adopt similar rules.

The choices MSCI makes could affect billions of dollars in flows and reshape how publicly traded companies approach holding cryptocurrency.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

American Bitcoin Corp. reported a fresh addition to its Bitcoin reserve after buying 416 BTC, bringing its total holdings to around 4,783 coins.

According to company disclosures and market reports, American Bitcoin (NASDAQ: ABTC) acquired about 416 BTC in the week ending December 8, increasing its on-balance stash to roughly 4,783 BTC. The purchase came from a combination of mined coins and selective market acquisitions, the company said.

American Bitcoin Boosts Holdings

The cash value of the latest pick-up was roughly in the $38 million range when reported, based on market prices at the time. That addition places the firm among the larger corporate BTC holders and increases the amount of Bitcoin the company holds for treasury purposes.

Reports have linked the buying to the firm’s stated strategy of growing its reserve alongside ongoing mining operations.

Shares Slide While Reserves Grow

While the balance sheet shows accumulation, the stock has struggled. Since ABTC’s market debut in September, shares have fallen by more than 70% from earlier highs, and the company has faced volatile trading as lock-up periods and market swings played out.

Some analysts continue to cover the name, but investors watching the share price have been cautious even as the firm expanded its Bitcoin holdings.

Mining, Custody And Pledges

Based on reports, the newly reported total includes coins held in custody and some that are pledged under agreements tied to miner purchases. The company noted that a portion of its BTC comes directly from mining operations while other pieces were bought on the market.

That mixed supply route means not all additions are simple open-market buys; some are internal production converted to treasury stock.

Satoshis Per Share And What Investors See

According to the company’s latest breakdown, its Satoshis Per Share (SPS) metric rose as a result of the accumulation, giving investors a clearer read on how much Bitcoin each share represents.

The metric is being used by some market watchers to compare ABTC’s treasury strength against other public firms. Analysts have pointed to the SPS figure in their notes while also flagging the stock’s recent pressure.

Family Backing And Public Profile

American Bitcoin was launched with backing from the Trump family and other partners, and the firm’s public profile has been higher than many peers because of that link.

Reports have highlighted the involvement of Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., while also referring to US President Donald Trump as part of the broader family context that has helped draw attention to the business.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood says Bitcoin’s long-running four-year pattern may be losing its grip as big financial players buy and hold more of the supply, a shift that could tame price swings and change how investors plan ahead.

Institutional Buying Is Changing Markets

According to Wood, large firms and spot ETFs are slowly locking up coins that used to flow in and out of retail hands. The most recent halving, on April 20, 2024, cut the miner reward to 3.125 BTC.

On a daily basis, that reduction translated to about a 450 Bitcoin drop in supply each day, a figure some analysts call small compared with the trillions attributed to the market’s value and the billions moving into ETFs.

Ark has been active too, buying shares in Coinbase, Circle and its own Ark 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB), a signal that institutional demand is more than a rumor.

Cycle Rules Are Being Questioned

Based on reports from banks and crypto firms, the familiar cycle—rises tied to halvings followed by deep crashes of 75–90%—is under debate.

Standard Chartered cut its 2025 price forecast from $200,000 to $100,000, arguing ETF inflows weaken the halving’s price punch.

Bitwise’s Matt Hougan and CryptoQuant founder Ki Young Ju have said institutional flows have changed or even erased the classic rhythm.

Markets hit a peak near $122,000 in July, and some analysts now say future drawdowns may be shallower, in the 25% to 40% range rather than the extreme collapses seen earlier.

Market Structure Still Shows Old Patterns

Not all evidence points to a finished cycle. Reports published by on-chain analytics firms such as Glassnode show behaviors among long-term holders that look like past up-and-down swings.

Demand from late-cycle buyers has softened in ways that mirror prior years, according to that research. It is being argued that halvings remain meaningful interruptions inside a longer trend, not irrelevant events.

Macro observers add that broader economic forces—rates, fiat liquidity, and institutional appetite—are increasingly important in the price story.

Investors should expect longer moves more often, with rallies stretching over more months and volatility generally lower, analysts say.

Wood suggested volatility is falling and that markets may already have hit a low a couple of weeks earlier.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Crypto venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (A16z) has opened its first Asian office in Seoul, South Korea, signaling a deeper push into the region where on-chain activity and user adoption have surged. According to the firm, the new hub will support portfolio companies and help build local partnerships and communities.

A16z Moves Into Seoul

The office will be led by Sungmo Park, who has held roles at Monad and Polygon, and who joins a16z as Head of APAC go-to-market. Reports have disclosed that Anthony Albanese, the fund’s chief operating officer, announced the move and framed it as a way to put teams closer to where users and builders are located.

I’m honored to share that I will be joining @a16zcrypto as Head of APAC go-to-market.

a16z crypto backs exceptional founders, providing not just capital but also hands-on support to help them grow into transformative companies.

Now, a16z crypto is opening an office in Seoul and…

— sungmo (@sungmo_apac16z) December 10, 2025

A16z said Seoul will act as a gateway for interacting with companies across Asia and for giving portfolio firms local support on partnerships, marketing and expansion. Park will focus on regional strategy and on helping founders navigate local markets. This is not described as a small PR outpost; it is positioned as a real operating base for the region.

Excited to announce that @a16zcrypto is expanding into Asia and opening our first office in Seoul, South Korea. As part of this, we’re thrilled to have @sungmo_apac16z join our team as Head of APAC go-to-market to lead the Seoul office and start building our presence in the… pic.twitter.com/KBljioBCqx

— Anthony Albanese (@AAlbaneseNY) December 10, 2025

Based on reports, Asia-Pacific recorded about US$2.36 trillion in on-chain value over the 12 months ending June 2025, an increase of close to 70% from the prior year. That growth helped convince a16z that Asia needs a local presence. Chainalysis and several industry trackers show heavy on-chain flows and deep retail participation across the region.

Our latest State of Crypto report shows that onchain users are widely distributed around the world, with a particularly strong concentration in Asia. It now represents a significant share of global crypto activity, for example:

South Korea is the second-largest crypto market…

— Anthony Albanese (@AAlbaneseNY) December 10, 2025

Why Korea Matters To Crypto

South Korea itself is highlighted as one of the largest national crypto markets. According to a16z and other coverage, nearly one in three adults in South Korea hold crypto assets — a rate that in some measures is higher than local stock ownership. That level of retail use, plus a thriving developer community, made Seoul an attractive choice for the firm.

What The Move Could Mean

The entry of a major US venture firm into Seoul may boost interest among local startups seeking international partners and could make capital more accessible for teams in South Korea and nearby markets. Several news outlets describe the office as focused on go-to-market support rather than immediate, large-scale local investing, at least at launch.

Competition For Deals

Reports note that other global funds and crypto firms have been increasing activity in Asia this year. A16z’s decision comes as several markets across the region report rising developer activity and fresh funding rounds. For founders, having an established US investor with a local office may speed introductions to global customers and partners.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

A noted Bitcoin adviser has warned that Shiba Inu faces an uphill climb unless it retakes a prior support band, a call that has stirred debate across crypto social channels.

According to posts by BingX Bitcoin adviser Nebraskan Gooner, the token must return above a horizontal region he marked between $0.000014 and $0.00001 to avoid a “dead” outlook.

Key Support Level Under Scrutiny

Gooner’s chart points to a multi-year zone that once acted as firm support. Reports show SHIB touched that band and later surged to about $0.000045 in early March 2024.

The importance of the area is highlighted by the token’s price action: it has spent much of Q4 2025 below that range, and at the time of reporting SHIB was trading around $0.000008618.

That places the coin roughly 33–38% below the $0.000013–$0.000014 region that many traders watch as critical.

$SHIB

Dead unless it reclaims red. pic.twitter.com/LOllFuyPYv

— Nebraskangooner (@Nebraskangooner) December 9, 2025

Technical Traders See Trouble Ahead

Breaking a long-held support level often flips buying interest into resistance, and that scenario is what traders fear here. Based on reports from market commentators, a failure to climb back into the red band would make upward moves harder and likely sap momentum.

Gooner used blunt language, saying “Dead unless it reclaims red” unless the token reclaims the zone. The phrase was repeated widely, feeding both bearish calls and pushback from supporters.

Community Response And Roadmap Calls

Across social threads, many users argued that SHIB is not unique; several altcoins appear stalled in the current phase. A number of holders said SHIB’s recovery chances may hinge on a wider altcoin rebound, sometimes called altcoin season.

According to Zach Humphries, members of the Shiba Inu project must refocus every ecosystem initiative around SHIB, reposition the token to attract renewed retail interest, and publish a clear, actionable roadmap to restore earlier momentum.

Bitcoin’s Role In A Possible Comeback

Some analysts pointed to Bitcoin as the likely spark for any broad recovery, expecting the alpha coin to rebound toward $125,000 from around $90,000, while others have projected a new peak near $150,000 in 2026. If Bitcoin climbs above $100,000, traders say speculative flows could return and lift meme tokens including SHIB.

Price Snapshot And What Comes Next

Short-term price moves show SHIB up 0.95% in the past 24 hours but down 4.8% over the last week. Many market observers emphasize that a return into the highlighted $0.000014–$0.00001 area would improve technical odds for a rally.

At the same time, others warn that even with historical liquidity and a large community, reclaiming a broken support is often difficult and can take time. The coming weeks will likely test whether market-wide momentum or renewed project direction can change SHIB’s path.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Strive, the bitcoin-focused issuer backed by Vivek Ramaswamy, launched an at-the-market plan to sell up to $500 million of its Variable Rate Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock.

Reports have disclosed the offering was filed on December 9, 2025 and that net proceeds may be used for general corporate purposes, including buying Bitcoin and Bitcoin-related products.

Strive Launches $500M Program

The public asset manager signed a sales agreement that names Cantor Fitzgerald, Barclays and Clear Street as placement agents for the program.

Based on reports, the ATM structure lets Strive sell SATA shares into the open market over time rather than in a single block. The prospectus supplement tied to the program makes clear how the offering fits into Strive’s capital toolbox.

Strive’s Announcement In Context

Strive has been steadily adding Bitcoin to its balance sheet this year. Reports show the firm bought about 1,567 BTC between October 28 and November 9 at an average price near $103,315 per coin, bringing total holdings to roughly 7,525 BTC as of early November.

These figures place Strive among the larger public corporate holders of Bitcoin and help explain why it is tapping preferred equity rather than other funding routes.

Bitcoin Holdings And Recent Buys

Based on reports, Strive’s stated goal is to increase Bitcoin per share over time. The company has framed preferred equity products like SATA as a way to fund future crypto buys while offering investors a different payout structure than common stock.

That mix — treasury Bitcoin plus income assets — is what Strive has pitched to shareholders in recent filings and investor updates.

Semler Deal And Earlier Purchase Plan

Reports have also tied Strive’s acquisition strategy to an earlier announcement to buy hundreds more coins as part of a corporate deal.

Reuters reported that in September Strive said it would buy 5,816 BTC for $675 million as part of its planned Semler acquisition, a move that would push combined holdings above 10,900 BTC if completed.

That disclosure underscores how the ATM program could fit into a broader plan to grow Bitcoin reserves.

Market Response

Stocks tied to Strive moved on the news. Some market pages recorded modest upticks in SATA and in Strive’s Class A common shares after the filing went public.

Investors and analysts will watch execution closely: an ATM sale can be gradual, and timing matters when buying a volatile asset like Bitcoin.

The preferred-stock route also has payout and conversion features that investors will weigh against dilution and cost of capital.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Michael Saylor, executive chairman of Strategy, told attendees at Binance Blockchain Week that the wall of skepticism inside big banks is breaking down faster than he once expected.

He said he had thought it might take four to eight years for major financial firms to move fully into Bitcoin. Now, he says, that timeline is compressing and the shift is visible right away.

Banking Giants Reverse Course

According to Saylor, the past 12 months have seen heavy hitters — including Citibank, BNY, Bank of America, PNC, JPMorgan, Wells Fargo and Vanguard — shift from hostility to a more welcoming stance on crypto.

Reports have disclosed that Vanguard has enabled clients to trade ETF shares linked to XRP and Bitcoin through its platform. Saylor added that internal plans are in motion at several institutions to roll out custody services and credit lines tied to crypto holdings.

Loans Backed By Bitcoin

Based on Saylor’s remarks, Charles Schwab is preparing to offer Bitcoin custody and to extend credit against BTC as soon as next year, and Citibank is said to be moving in a similar direction.

He recalled earlier struggles to secure bank loans using Bitcoin as collateral and said lenders have flipped their approach within roughly six months.

 

According to him, eight of the top 10 US banks are now issuing credit backed by Bitcoin, a claim that highlights how quickly attitudes appear to be changing inside the industry.

Political Climate Could Be Speeding Things Up

Saylor pointed to policy shifts under US President Donald Trump as a factor that has encouraged banks to leave the sidelines.

Many firms were already experimenting with blockchain years ago — Goldman Sachs, for example, issued one of the first Bitcoin-backed loans in 2022 — but a friendlier regulatory tone, he said, has accelerated planning and product development.

Still, banks face legal, operational and risk hurdles before these services reach broad retail customers.

Markets Watching Fed Announcement

Meanwhile, traders and analysts are watching the Federal Open Market Committee. The Fed is expected to cut rates by 0.25%, bringing the target to 3.5%–3.75%, a move that often boosts risk assets like Bitcoin. Volatility is likely around the announcement, and some market players warn that early rallies can reverse quickly when the Fed provides forward guidance.

Technical Signals And Sentiment

Bitcoin’s own moves were discussed alongside the banking story. The crypto fear gauge hit 10 this week, signaling extreme fear, and price rebounded from $86,700 to roughly $92,300.

One analyst flagged resistance near $94,200 and suggested a clean breakout could open a path toward $103,000. Another observer noted Bitcoin has lagged the Nasdaq’s recovery, a divergence that could work in either direction if markets shift.

Featured image from The Information, chart from TradingView

US President Donald Trump’s name is back in the headlines this week as a Trump-branded mobile game tied to the TRUMP memecoin prepares to go live at the end of the month.

The title, called Trump Billionaires Club, is being marketed as a board-style mobile game that will let players buy virtual properties, trade NFT collectibles and use the TRUMP token inside the app.

Launch Set For December 30 On App Stores

According to the game’s public pages and several crypto outlets, the developer expects an App Store release on December 30, 2025, with pre-registration already open for players who want early access.

Reports have disclosed that the project is led by Bill Zanker and built by a studio using the name Freedom 45 Games, with licensing that allows use of Trump’s branding while noting the product is not created or distributed by his businesses.

$1,000,000 in $TRUMP Coin Rewards! Join the waitlist.

Roll the dice. Make huge deals. Build your empire!

The Official Trump Mobile Game Is COMING SOON!

Go To https://t.co/3GPTowXqFj NOW! Don’t Miss Out! pic.twitter.com/o6vcj11Wbn

— TrumpMeme (@GetTrumpMemes) December 9, 2025

A $1M Token Pool To Draw Players

The launch campaign will include a $1 million pool of $TRUMP tokens set aside for early players and leaderboard winners as part of pre-launch promotions and airdrops.

The game’s marketing highlights play-to-earn style rewards and tradable NFT items such as statues and pins, which are billed as in-game collectibles that can be bought and sold.

Crypto Connection: Game Tied Directly To TRUMP Coin

The title is explicitly linked to the TRUMP Coin ecosystem: users will be able to fund accounts with cash, crypto, or the TRUMP token, and in-game transactions are expected to use that token as currency.

That integration is part of an effort by promoters to give the memecoin “utility” beyond simple trading. Some early demos show a digital New York board where players roll dice, build and trade, while token balances move behind the scenes.

Token’s Sharp Drop Raises Questions

Reports have also pointed out that the TRUMP token has shed much of its market value since launch, with coverage noting an about 87% decline from peak levels — a collapse that adds urgency to promoters’ push to revive interest via gaming.

Observers and some crypto market analysts warn that giveaways and gimmicks can boost short-term attention but do not guarantee lasting demand or fair returns for buyers.

Featured image from Gemini, chart from TradingView

💾

Bitcoin climbed to a three-week high on Tuesday before slipping back, a move that has traders and analysts watching closely.

According to TradingView data, Bitcoin price topped out at $94,600 late in the session — its highest level since November 25 — then eased to about $92,450 at the time of reporting.

Santiment, a blockchain analytics firm, said social chatter calling for “higher” and “above” exploded during the spike, but market action remained uneven.

Bitcoin: Trader Frenzy And Skepticism

Reports have disclosed that the surge drew heavy retail attention and a flurry of social-media posts urging more buying.

Some market watchers questioned how organic the rise was. A well-known long-term investor using the handle “NoLimit” told his 53,000 X followers that the $94,000 push looked engineered: big buys packed into a few minutes, thin order books, then little follow-through.

Bitcoin enjoyed a much needed rebound back to $94.6K today, reinvigorating traders, causing them to FOMO back in and expect higher prices. According to our social data scraping X, Reddit, Telegram, & other data, calls for “higher” & “above” exploded.

High bars indicate… pic.twitter.com/o3U3yWkwkk

— Santiment (@santimentfeed) December 9, 2025

That pattern, he argued, is how larger traders can create short-term fear of missing out so they can sell into strength.

Santiment also highlighted a behavioral twist: smaller traders appear to pile in after spikes, often leaving them on the wrong side of moves.

Volatility followed the high, as prices pulled back by a couple thousand dollars within hours. Exchange order depth and timing of large blocks, analysts say, matter a lot when liquidity is shallow.

Fed Decision Could Shift Momentum

The US central bank meeting this week is a key wildcard. Market pricing on CME Group futures showed an 88% chance of a 0.25% rate cut, which many traders think helped fuel the rally. Yet some analysts warned that any sign of hesitation about future cuts could dampen risk appetite.

Beyond US policy, next week’s potential Bank of Japan rate action is being watched because a tighter stance there could lift yields and pull capital back to Japan, tightening global liquidity. That kind of flow can pressure risky assets across markets.

Liquidity, Institutions And The Bigger Picture

Meanwhile, long-term holders pared back supply after a 36% correction from the all-time high, and some addresses now hold levels seen in March.

Jessica Gonzales, an analyst cited in reports, said M2 money supply sits at about $22.3 trillion and stablecoin reserves remain elevated, suggesting there is capital around but not necessarily evenly distributed in markets.

Institutional moves also feature: big firms such as BlackRock and Strategy have expanded crypto exposure, which could add a steadier buyer base — or simply shift where risk sits.

What Traders Should Watch

Short-term traders should track order-book depth, large trade clusters, and how price reacts to any Fed wording about future cuts.

The next 25 days were flagged as especially important by several observers because liquidity swings and regulatory updates could flip the narrative fast. If a true broad-based bid forms, prices could move quickly. If the Fed signals caution, the opposite could happen.

Featured image from Gemini, chart from TradingView

A sharp slowdown in buying pushed the NFT market back toward its weakest levels of the year, as weekly and monthly totals fell sharply and overall valuations continued to slip.

According to market trackers, trading activity cooled significantly in November and the first week of December, raising fresh questions about demand heading into year end.

Sales And Volume Plunge

NFT sales fell to $320 million in November, down from close to $630 million in October, CryptoSlam data shows. That level is roughly on par with the $312 million recorded in September 2024.

Based on reports, the trend did not improve at the start of December: from Dec. 1–7, collections generated about $62 million in sales — the weakest weekly total recorded so far in 2025. Market participants are being hit by lower turnover and fewer big trades.

Market Cap Shrinks Dramatically

CoinGecko data shows the sector’s market cap sits at $3.1 billion, which is down 66% from a January high of $9.2 billion. Reports have disclosed a steep month-to-month swing as well: values dropped from $6.6 billion in October to $3.5 billion in November, a fall of 46% in roughly 30 days.

There was a brief uptick on Nov. 11 when market cap moved from $3.5 billion to nearly $4 billion during a memecoin-driven surge, but the recovery was short-lived and the market cap later retreated back to $3.1 billion. These moves show that prices are still volatile and driven by bursts of speculative interest.

Blue Chips Mostly Lose Ground

Top collections were not immune. Based on reports, CryptoPunks fell about 12% over the past month. Bored Ape Yacht Club slid 8.5%, while Pudgy Penguins dropped 10.6% in the same period.

Art-focused blue-chip works also fell: Chromie Squiggle lost 5.6%, Fidenza declined 14.6%, Moonbirds went down 17.9% and Mutant Ape Yacht Club slipped 13.4%. The biggest fall among major names came from Hypurr, which dropped 48%.

Two Collections Show Gains

Not every project followed the downward path. Infinex Patrons posted almost 15% rise in the last 30 days, and Autoglyphs outperformed the top ten with a 21% gain.

These outliers were lifted by collector interest, and in some cases by the projects’ small supply or unique on-chain history. Still, such gains remain the exception rather than the rule.

Outlook As Year Ends

The weak start to December suggests the pullback could continue into the close of the year. Liquidity is thinner now, and short-lived rallies driven by other crypto market events have failed to create lasting momentum.

Prices were pushed down across a wide set of collections, and trading volumes have not shown a sustained recovery.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Canada’s tax authority has told investigators that roughly 40% of people using crypto platforms are at risk of not paying the right amount of tax.

Reports have disclosed the figure as part of a wider push by the Canada Revenue Agency to bring crypto activity into the tax system.

The move has already led to audits, court orders for data, and recovered funds, but criminal charges remain rare.

Audit Findings And Numbers

According to CRA figures, about 15% of flagged crypto users failed to file returns at all. Based on reports, another roughly 30% of those who did file are deemed high risk for under-reporting or other compliance gaps.

The agency’s specialist unit — reported to be around 35 auditors — has handled more than 230 audit files tied to crypto activity.

Canada’s crypto tax crackdown reaps millions. So why no criminal charges? https://t.co/iyRyZzC3rn

— BNN Bloomberg (@BNNBloomberg) December 8, 2025

Reports say the work has led to recovered tax payments that total over C$100 million, though some outlets put the recovered amount closer to C$72 million depending on which cases are counted.

Dapper Labs And Data Orders

One of the court actions targeted users of a platform run by Dapper Labs. The CRA obtained a court order seeking records for about 2,500 users, a slice of roughly 18,000 accounts that were originally on the agency’s radar.

The orders, and others like them, signal a shift: the CRA is increasingly asking judges to force platforms to hand over user data rather than relying only on audit notices.

This is because crypto records can be fragmented, cross-border, and hard to trace without platform cooperation.

Why Criminal Charges Are Limited

Based on reports and legal commentary, the CRA has won civil recoveries but has not seen criminal prosecutions in these crypto cases since 2020.

That gap highlights practical and legal hurdles. Tax fraud cases that go criminal require proof beyond a reasonable doubt that a person willfully evaded tax.

Many crypto cases involve messy transaction histories, unclear intent, or legal questions about how certain tokens should be taxed, and those factors can slow or block criminal referrals.

What It Means For Users And Platforms

For investors, collectors, and traders in Canada, the signal is clear: records matter. Reports note that other Canadian enforcement bodies, including financial intelligence units, are increasing checks on crypto firms and foreign exchanges that touch Canadian customers.

Platforms and users who kept poor records or who relied on assumed anonymity now face higher odds of being identified during audits or court orders.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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