The Marshall Islands has launched a nationwide universal basic income (UBI) program that allows citizens to receive payments via cryptocurrency.

Under the initiative, every resident citizen is entitled to quarterly payments of roughly $200, or about $800 annually, as the government seeks to offset rising living costs and slow outward migration, according to a report from The Guardian.

The first payments were distributed in late November, with recipients given the option to receive funds through bank deposits, paper checks, or a government-backed digital wallet that delivers payments on the blockchain.

Marshall Islands Says UBI Aims to Boost Inclusion, Not Replace Work

Finance Minister David Paul said the scheme was designed to ensure broad inclusion rather than replace employment income.

“We the government want to make sure no one is left behind,” Paul told the Guardian, adding that the payments are intended to act as a social safety net and a morale boost rather than a substitute for work.

The Marshall Islands, a Pacific nation of around 42,000 people located between Hawaii and Australia, faces unique economic and geographic challenges.

Many communities are spread across remote atolls, complicating the delivery of public services and financial assistance. Officials say the cryptocurrency option was introduced to help overcome those logistical barriers.

The program is funded through a trust established under a long-standing agreement with the United States, partly aimed at compensating the Marshall Islands for decades of US nuclear testing.

The fund holds more than $1.3 billion in assets, with Washington committed to contributing an additional $500 million through 2027.

Dr. Huy Pham, an associate professor and crypto-fintech lead at RMIT University, said the initiative represents a global first.

“This is the world’s first national rollout of a UBI program,” he said, noting that the use of blockchain technology at a countrywide level is highly unusual.

The crypto payments are made using a US dollar-pegged stablecoin, a choice officials say provides price stability while allowing fast, traceable transfers across hundreds of islands.

Still, uptake of the digital option remains limited. According to the Marshall Islands Social Security Administration, about 60% of the first payments were made via bank deposits, with most of the remainder issued as checks.

Only around a dozen people have opted to receive their UBI through the digital wallet so far.

Sam Altman’s World Aspires to Create a Global UBI Mechanism

Sam Altman’s World, originally launched as Worldcoin, has also positioned its blockchain initiative as a path toward a global UBI mechanism.

The project’s core idea is to verify each person’s unique human identity using biometric scans. The “Orb” device creates a World ID that proves a user is real and not a bot, enabling fair distribution of its native token, WLD.

Verified users receive allocations of WLD, which some view as a form of UBI within the network, aimed at expanding financial inclusion and economic participation worldwide.

World also launched World Chain, an Ethereum layer-2 blockchain, last year. The network serves its 15 million verified users with a “World ID” obtained via iris scanning.

The post Marshall Islands Rolls Out Universal Basic Income With Crypto Payment Option appeared first on Cryptonews.

Digital asset platform Exodus has partnered with crypto payments firm MoonPay to roll out a US dollar-backed stablecoin designed for everyday use.

The Exodus Movement, known for its self-custodial crypto wallet, said Tuesday that the fully reserved digital dollar is scheduled to launch in early 2026.

The asset will be issued and managed by MoonPay and built using M0, a stablecoin infrastructure platform that enables companies to create and operate custom fiat-backed tokens.

Exodus Pay to Bring Self-Custodial Digital Dollar Spending to Global Users

The yet-to-be-named stablecoin will be integrated into Exodus Pay, a forthcoming payments feature within the Exodus app.

The goal is to allow users to spend and send digital dollars globally while maintaining self-custody, without requiring technical knowledge of cryptocurrencies or blockchain networks.

“Stablecoins are quickly becoming the simplest way for people to hold and move dollars onchain, but the experience still needs to meet the expectations set by today’s consumer apps,” said JP Richardson, co-founder and CEO of Exodus.

He added that the project aims to make digital dollar payments as seamless as traditional financial apps, starting with Exodus Pay.

MoonPay will distribute the stablecoin across its global network, supporting buying, selling, swapping, deposits and checkout services.

According to the companies, this broad integration is intended to give the digital dollar immediate real-world utility for consumers, merchants and partner applications.

The collaboration comes as MoonPay expands its enterprise stablecoin business, launched in November, which focuses on issuing and managing compliant digital dollars across multiple blockchains.

Its integration with M0 allows stablecoins to be programmable and interoperable while remaining tailored to specific product use cases.

“Enterprises want stablecoins that are programmable, interoperable and tailored to a specific product experience,” said Luca Prosperi, co-founder and CEO of M0.

“Our infrastructure is built to support that flexibility at scale.”

GENIUS Act Sparks Renewed Stablecoin Push Across Banks and Crypto Firms

The announcement lands amid a renewed surge of interest in stablecoins following the passage of the GENIUS Act in July, which established a federal regulatory framework for fiat-backed stablecoins in the US.

Since then, banks and crypto firms alike have accelerated their efforts to launch proprietary digital dollars.

This year alone has seen the Trump family-linked World Liberty Financial introduce the USD1 stablecoin, Stripe roll out stablecoin-based accounts in more than 100 countries, and Tether announce plans for a regulatory-compliant token dubbed USAT.

Despite the influx of new entrants, the market remains heavily concentrated. Tether’s USDT dominates with roughly 60% market share and about $186 billion in circulation, while Circle’s USDC holds around 25% with a market capitalization of $78 billion.

Together, the two account for roughly 85% of the $310 billion global stablecoin market.

The post Exodus and MoonPay Team Up to Introduce Dollar-Backed Stablecoin for Everyday Payments appeared first on Cryptonews.

HashKey Holdings started trading in Hong Kong on Wednesday with an early pop that quickly cooled, as investors weighed the exchange’s long term pitch against a jittery crypto backdrop.

The company’s shares rose about 6% in the opening stretch, then gave back most of the move and dipped slightly below the IPO price of HK$6.68 later in the morning.

The listing followed an offering that raised about $206M, making HashKey the first crypto company to go public in Hong Kong.

Founded in 2018, the firm runs the city’s largest licensed crypto exchange and also offers brokerage, tokenization and asset management services.

Filings showed strong demand across the book. The institutional tranche drew subscriptions about 5.5 times the stock available, while the retail portion was nearly 394 times oversubscribed.

HashKey Secures Top-Tier Investors As Bitcoin Pulls Back

Investors also stepped into the deal through cornerstone allocations, including Fidelity, UBS, CDH Investments and Cithara Fund. JPMorgan and Guotai Haitong acted among the joint bookrunners.

The debut arrived as crypto prices swung sharply in recent months after earlier record highs. Bitcoin fell as much as 36% in about a month after reaching an all time peak above $126,000 in early October.

Xiao Feng, HashKey’s chairman and chief executive, said he remained upbeat on where digital assets are headed even as prices whipsaw. “My confidence is only growing stronger and I am more optimistic than 10 years ago because there’s more regulation and compliance guidelines for us to follow which will allow the industry to grow further,” he said.

Beijing Curb Meets Hong Kong Embrace Of Digital Assets

Hong Kong has leaned into digital assets even as mainland China keeps a tighter grip after Beijing banned cryptocurrency trading in 2021 and renewed warnings about virtual assets.

Xiao said mainland measures targeted pyramid schemes and fraud using stablecoins, and he framed Hong Kong’s approach as distinct.

“Hong Kong continues to promote policies regarding digital assets and we have benefited from that,” he said. “We should firmly adhere to ‘one country’, but wisely take advantage of ‘two systems.’”

IPO Funds Earmarked For Infrastructure And Expansion

HashKey currently remains loss-making and Xiao said the firm will focus on cash flow in the near term while continuing to invest as the sector develops. The prospectus said it plans to use IPO proceeds on technology infrastructure, market expansion and partnerships, and operational and risk management.

HashKey secured one of the earliest licences under Hong Kong’s 2022 digital asset regime, and research cited in its filing said it accounts for more than 75% of the city’s onshore digital asset trading volume.

Beyond spot trading, it runs on-chain services such as staking, tokenization and custody, and manages billions in client assets through funds and structured products aimed at institutional and high net worth investors.

The post HashKey’s Hong Kong Market Debut Lacks Spark As Volatility Keeps Buyers On Edge appeared first on Cryptonews.

Robinhood Markets is expanding its sports event contracts to include additional sports wagering capabilities. The platform lets users wager on precise football stats, including the number of touchdowns a player can make, receiving and rushing yards for a player.

The online brokerage unveiled a list of updates to its sports-focused prediction markets business, Reuters reported. The rollout comes just in time for the NFL playoffs, scheduled in January 2026.

Robinhood Launches Enhanced ‘Preset Combos’

According to Robinhood’s official announcement, customers can trade what it calls “preset combos” for individual professional football games. These combine multiple event contracts and only pay out if each event within the combination resolves correctly.

These combos resemble parlay bets in traditional gambling, JB Mackenzie, VP and general manager of futures and international at Robinhood, told CNBC.

“We’re trying to build new customer experiences that make it easier and, in some cases, provide them more advanced order types and trading capabilities to meet the needs that they’re asking us for,” Mackenzie said.

New Player Contracts Let Customers Track, Trade Individual Pro Player

Besides, Robinhood has announced player contracts, which let users track and trade individual pro football player performances.

Player contracts for other sports are forthcoming, Robinhood noted. “These tools give traders greater precision, control, and access to the events they care about most,” the company added.

Event contracts have exploded in popularity since the U.S. presidential election. Since its launch in 2024, Robinhood’s prediction markets has reported 11 billion contracts traded by more than 1 million customers.

“There are a plethora of competitors. But with us being early to market, we’ve been able to fine-tune our product,” said Adam Hickerson, senior director of futures at Robinhood, told Reuters.

The most popular contracts have been in sports. According to the Pew Research Center, 22% of adults in the US said they’ve personally bet money on sports in the past year.

On Tuesday, Robinhood also announced new features for its brokerage platform, including updates to Robinhood Cortex, its AI-powered investing assistant.

The post Robinhood Rolls Out Sports Wagering Capabilities – Just in Time for NFL Playoffs appeared first on Cryptonews.

Crypto markets staged a tentative rebound even as macro warning signs continued to flash. Bitcoin climbed 2% to reclaim the $87,000 level, while Ethereum remained range-bound near $2,900, according to SoSoValue data. Gains were broad-based across SocialFi, PayFi, RWA, and Layer 1 sectors, with standout moves in TON, TEL, OM, and SUI, though AI and NFT tokens lagged. The rebound comes against a cautious backdrop highlighted by 10x Research, which warned that widespread optimism around 2026 is increasingly disconnected from underlying data. Despite the bounce, the crypto fear and greed index sits at 16, firmly in “extreme fear,” suggesting investor confidence remains fragile.

But what else is happening in crypto news today? Follow our up-to-date live coverage below.

The post [LIVE] Crypto Market Update: 10x Research Flags Cracks in 2026 Bullish Narrative as Bitcoin Reclaims $87K Amid Extreme Fear appeared first on Cryptonews.

U.S. banks are moving closer to issuing dollar-backed stablecoins after the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) approved a proposed rule that sets out how FDIC-supervised institutions can apply to do so under the GENIUS Act, a stablecoin law signed earlier this year.

The proposal marks the FDIC’s first concrete step toward implementing the legislation and shows a broader shift in how U.S. regulators are bringing digital payment instruments into the traditional banking system.

The FDIC’s Stablecoin Blueprint: Who Gets In, Who Stays Out

The proposed rule, approved unanimously by the FDIC board on Tuesday, would create a formal application process allowing certain state-chartered banks to issue payment stablecoins through separately capitalized subsidiaries.

The framework applies to state nonmember banks and state savings associations supervised by the FDIC.

These banks would not be permitted to issue stablecoins directly on their balance sheets but could do so through a subsidiary that receives prior approval from the agency.

Under the GENIUS Act, only approved entities known as Permitted Payment Stablecoin Issuers are allowed to issue payment stablecoins in the United States.

A payment stablecoin is defined as a digital asset intended for payments or settlement that maintains a stable value, typically backed one-to-one by cash or highly liquid assets such as U.S. Treasury securities.

The law explicitly states that these stablecoins are not deposits, legal tender, or securities.

Here is the FDIC’s Blueprint for Bank-Issued Tokens

The FDIC’s proposal lays out a detailed application process. Banks would be required to submit written requests explaining the structure of the subsidiary, the design of the stablecoin, and how it would maintain price stability.

Applicants must disclose reserve composition, liquidity arrangements, capital levels, governance structures, redemption policies, and reliance on third-party service providers.

The agency also requires information on ownership, management, and control, and bars approval if key personnel have histories of serious financial crimes.

Reserve requirements form a central pillar of the proposal. Stablecoins issued by approved subsidiaries must be fully backed on a one-to-one basis, with clear policies governing reserve management and asset segregation.

Subsidiaries would also need to explain how users can redeem stablecoins for dollars in a timely and transparent manner, including fee disclosures and advance notice of any changes.

To reinforce oversight, each issuer must retain an independent public accounting firm to verify reserve balances through monthly attestations.

What Happens If Regulators Don’t Act? FDIC’s Stablecoin Timer Explained

The timeline outlined in the rule sharply limits regulatory delay.

The FDIC has 30 days to determine whether an application is substantially complete and 120 days to approve or deny it. If the agency fails to act within that period, the application would be deemed approved by operation of law.

Denials must be justified on safety and soundness grounds, and applicants would have access to a dedicated appeals and hearing process.

Notably, the proposal also includes a temporary safe harbor that allows early applicants to request limited waivers of certain GENIUS Act requirements for up to 12 months.

The FDIC will accept public comments on the proposal for 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register.

The move comes amid a broader recalibration of U.S. crypto and digital-asset policy.

Last week, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency confirmed that national banks may engage in riskless principal crypto transactions, allowing them to intermediate client trades without holding inventory.

Also, the Treasury Department has also begun implementing its responsibilities under the GENIUS Act, including oversight of non-bank stablecoin issuers.

The post U.S. Banks Cleared to Issue Stablecoins as FDIC Moves to Implement GENIUS Act appeared first on Cryptonews.

Canada is moving closer to putting rules around stablecoins, and the Bank of Canada wants the guardrails tight.

Governor Tiff Macklem said Tuesday that any future Canadian stablecoins should look and behave like reliable money, not a speculative token with a promise attached.

Macklem’s message was simple. If stablecoins are going to circulate as a payment tool, they must hold their value at par, and they must remain redeemable when it matters most. “We want stablecoins to be good money, like bank notes or money on deposit at banks,” he said.

To get there, he set out two core conditions. “A stablecoin must be pegged at a one-to-one ratio to a central bank currency and be backed by high-quality liquid assets so that it can always be converted to cash at par,” he told the Montreal Chamber of Commerce said.

In practice, that means reserve assets that can be sold quickly without taking big losses, typically government-backed instruments such as treasury bills and government bonds.

Bank Of Canada Calls For Clear, Fee-Free Stablecoin Exit Paths

Macklem also pushed for clarity on the user experience, not just the balance sheet. He said issuers should fully disclose the conditions for redeeming stablecoins, including the timing and any fees, so consumers and businesses know exactly what they are buying into before they rely on the token for payments.

The remarks land after the Liberal government said in November that it would introduce stablecoin regulations next year.

Ottawa wants to modernize Canada’s financial system, and it has pointed to stablecoins as one piece of a broader push to keep pace with other economies, including the United States, that are already building rules for fiat-pegged digital tokens.

Canada’s urgency also reflects a wider shift. Stablecoins have pushed further into mainstream finance after the GENIUS Act in the United States created a clearer framework for dollar-backed stablecoins, a move that supporters say could accelerate adoption.

Stablecoins Get Rules, Not Endorsements, From Canada’s Central Bank

As more dollar stablecoins circulate globally, policymakers in other countries have started to worry about monetary sovereignty and what happens if local users default to foreign digital dollars for everyday transactions.

That is why Macklem framed his stance as pragmatic rather than promotional. “It’s not really up to the Bank of Canada to encourage stablecoins or discourage stablecoins. What is up to the Bank of Canada is to ensure that if Canadians, Canadian businesses want to use stablecoins, they are, in fact, stable,” he said in a news conference after his speech.

Stablecoin Oversight Tied To Canada’s Payments Modernization Push

The finance ministry has argued that a proper framework would build trust so fiat-backed stablecoins are safe and secure for consumers and businesses to use, and it has said the central bank will act as the regulator.

Macklem tied the stablecoin conversation to a larger upgrade cycle in Canadian payments. He said 2026 should bring more innovation as the country modernises infrastructure, including the Real-Time Rail system designed to enable instant settlement for consumers and businesses, including cross-border use cases.

He also pointed to open banking as another pillar, saying the Bank of Canada intends to work on implementation that would make it easier for customers to compare services and switch banks.

The post Canada’s Central Bank Pushes For Strong Reserve Backing For Stablecoins appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin rose about 2% in Asian hours on Wednesday as regional shares edged higher, and traders kept one eye on Thursday’s US inflation print for clues on how much room the Federal Reserve has to cut rates in 2026.

Equity markets remained measured across the region after a mixed US jobs report and soft purchasing managers’ data left investors debating whether growth is cooling fast enough to justify easier policy.

Akshat Siddhant, lead quant analyst at Mudrex, said “Despite this uncertainty, Bitcoin exchange reserves sitting at record lows have supported the upside, giving bulls an edge. Attention now turns to the upcoming CPI data, which will shape expectations around a potential Fed rate cut.”

“If momentum holds, BTC could advance toward $90,000, with support gradually moving higher to the $86,000 zone,” he added.

Market snapshot

• Bitcoin: $87,274, up 1.9%
• Ether: $2,948, up 0.5%
• XRP: $1.93, up 3.4%
• Total crypto market cap: $3.05 trillion, up 1.3%

Tech Rebound Lifts Asian Mood As CPI Looms

S&P 500 futures slipped 0.1% as the CPI release moved to the top of the macro calendar.

Technology shares helped lift sentiment after a bruising stretch. South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.6% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 0.3%, as buyers returned to large-cap tech names and the broader AI complex.

Some of that lift spilled into the robotaxi theme in Hong Kong. Pony AI and WeRide climbed more than 3% each, tracking strength in Tesla after chief executive Elon Musk said the carmaker was testing robotaxis with no human safety drivers.

On Wall Street, the Nasdaq finished Tuesday higher and the S&P 500 and Dow ended lower, with healthcare and energy weighing. Investors parsed delayed economic releases after a recent government shutdown slowed data collection, and the market treated the numbers as directionally useful rather than definitive.

Payroll Surprise Fails To Ease Growth Concerns

A Labor Department report showed nonfarm payrolls rose by 64,000 jobs in November after an October drop linked to government spending cuts, and the unemployment rate climbed to 4.6%. Separate figures showed retail sales were flat in October, slightly below economists’ expectations.

Nic Puckrin, an investment analyst and co-founder of Coin Bureau, said year-end tax-loss selling is adding pressure, with Bitcoin among the assets where many investors are sitting on losses.

He said that dynamic could weigh on prices into the end of 2025 and leaves room for a slide below $80,000 if the sell-off deepens. In the near-term, he pointed to the ETF cost basis around $83,800 as a key level, with further support near $81,200, which he described as the market’s true mean.

Japan Gains On Trade Data As Rate Hike Bets Build

In Greater China, the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 rose 0.5% and the Shanghai Composite stayed flat, as investors waited for clearer signs of fiscal support from Beijing after a run of soft November data.

Elsewhere, Australia’s ASX 200 dipped 0.2% and Singapore’s Straits Times index fell 0.3%, and data showed Singapore’s non-oil exports rose in November.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 0.3% and the broader Topix gained 0.1% after trade data showed exports beat expectations, a signal that overseas demand is supporting growth into year-end. Traders also watched the Bank of Japan ahead of Friday’s policy decision, with markets leaning toward a rate increase as the yen stays weak and inflation remains sticky.

US rate expectations also sat under a leadership storyline, after the Wall Street Journal reported President Donald Trump is set to interview Fed Governor Christopher Waller on Wednesday for the chair role, adding another variable to a week already driven by CPI risk.

The post Asia Market Open: Bitcoin Holds $87k As Shares Nudge Up On Mixed US Jobs Report appeared first on Cryptonews.

XRP has dropped 4.3% in the last 24 hours, once again slipping below the crucial $2 support level as market-wide pressure intensifies.

This breakdown could point to a bearish XRP price prediction, suggesting bulls may be on the verge of capitulation.

Adding to the sell-off, long liquidations surged to $584 million, showing just how many traders were blindsided by the latest dip.

The market had been finding support at this key psychological price level for days, but buying interest was weak and failed to ignite a rally despite efforts by bulls to defend this zone.

Trading volumes have doubled in the past day as well, currently standing at $3.9 billion. This implies strong selling pressure following this bearish breakout.

Despite the drop, XRP-linked exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have attracted positive net inflows for 21 consecutive days now, reflecting strong interest from institutional buyers and long-term holders in the regulated markets.

XRP Price Prediction: Break Below $1.86 Could Result in Another 10% Drop

Heading to the charts, the 4-hour time frame shows that a break below the $2 level with strong volumes occurred yesterday.

This quickly triggered a stronger drop toward the next area of support at $1.86.

Bulls are now trying to defend this mark as a move below could result in a drop to the token’s October 10 lows of $1.58. This translates into a downside risk of 10% in the near term.

Notably, however, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) has hit extreme oversold levels at 21.5 in this lower time frame. The last two times this has happened, the price recovered slightly.

However, a break below $1.86 would mean that the market is ready to resume its downtrend.

As well-established tokens like XRP struggle to recover, investors may find better opportunities in top crypto presales, such as Maxi Doge ($MAXI).

The meme coin has raised over $4 million, with many analysts comparing it to the early days of Dogecoin.

Maxi Doge ($MAXI) Brings Doge’s Viral Energy to the Trading Community

Inspired by the viral Doge meme, Maxi Doge ($MAXI) is a hyped-up character that embodies the energy that comes with bull markets.

$MAXI holders gain exclusive access to an idea hub, where they can share trading setups, early opportunities, and exclusive market insights.

$MAXI holders can prove their abilities to the community through fun competitions like Maxi Ripped and Maxi Gains, showcasing their ROI to earn attractive rewards and bragging rights.

Pumped by Red Bulls and eager to leave mom’s basement, like so many ‘degens’ are, this project embraces the “up only” culture that has made retail traders a recognizable force in today’s markets.

To get involved, simply head to the official Maxi Doge website and link up your wallet (e.g. Best Wallet) to get started.

You can swap USDT or ETH or use a traditional bank card to buy $MAXI tokens.

The post XRP Price Prediction: XRP Hits Weekly Low as Market Tanks – Is the Bear Market Officially Starting? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin billionaire and MicroStrategy executive Michael Saylor contends that, contrary to widespread fears, quantum computing won’t destroy Bitcoin but will instead “harden it.”

Analysts view this as a significant boost for the Bitcoin price prediction heading into 2026, as many had dismissed next year’s bull run prospects due to quantum threats.

Saylor Says Network Upgrades Will Strengthen Bitcoin

In a December 16 X post, Saylor explained the Bitcoin network would upgrade following a quantum breakthrough, with active coins migrating while lost coins remain frozen.

He concluded, “Security goes up. Supply comes down. Bitcoin grows stronger.”

This statement counters numerous fearmongering predictions claiming Bitcoin encryption faces quantum hacking risks that could trigger network collapse.

However, when Cryptonews interviewed David Carvalho, CEO and chief scientist of Naoris’ post-quantum protocol, about quantum threats to traditional cryptography, the former ethical hacker predicted that 30% of all circulating BTC could face theft risk when “Q-Day” arrives.

Nevertheless, he stressed that “the timeline for such breakthroughs remains uncertain, and exchanges are unlikely to allow compromised coins to circulate freely.”

Bitcoin Price Prediction: Monthly Chart Mirrors 2022 Bottoming Pattern

Bitcoin’s monthly chart shows price consolidating below the critical $108,000–$110,000 resistance zone, which has capped upside and must be reclaimed to confirm continuation of the 2026 upward leg.

This level sits above recent cycle highs and aligns with historical areas where previous bull markets paused before accelerating.

Structurally, the chart highlights strong similarities to the 2022 bottoming phase.

After a deep drawdown marked by consecutive red monthly candles, Bitcoin formed a base and delivered a near-2x rally from lows, followed by consolidation before the next expansion.

The current market appears to be repeating that sequence since October, with price holding well above long-term support and forming higher monthly closes despite recent volatility.

The RSI remains above the neutral 50 level, suggesting the long-term trend stays bullish.

Provided Bitcoin maintains above the mid-$80,000 region, the probability favors this consolidation resolving upward.

A decisive monthly close above $108,000 would likely open pathways to a renewed 2026 bull run rally toward the $140,000–$150,000 region.

Pepenode Raises $2.3M To Position for 2026 Meme Coin Season

If Bitcoin finally breaks the $108,000 resistance and begins the 2026 bull run, meme coins like Pepenode (PEPENODE) would see increased demand.

Pepenode is a new crypto project that’s already raised over $2.3 million despite the crypto market losing over $1.2 trillion of its value this Q4.

It’s a game where you can mine coins without needing expensive hardware setups. You play the game in your web browser, set up virtual mining rigs, and upgrade your facilities to earn PEPENODE tokens.

The project is copying PEPE’s success strategy, which contributed to its 1,000x rally during the 2023-24 run when Bitcoin broke out from bear market lows.

Now that more people are buying Pepenode’s mining rigs, the presale price is going up very fast.

To join the presale before the ongoing round sells out:

• Go to the official Pepenode website.
• Connect a crypto wallet like Best Wallet, and buy PEPENODE tokens for $0.0011968.
• Then pay with crypto using ETH or USDT, or use a bank card in just a few clicks.

The post Bitcoin Price Prediction: Saylor Says Quantum Computing Will ‘Harden’ Bitcoin — Is the 2026 Bull Run Locked In? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Doge tests a potential launchpad level at $0.13, with demand likely to return for bullish end-of-year Dogecoin price predictions.

Popular pseudonymous X analyst BitGur drew attention to the setup, and a green candle today may have confirmed it as a bottom for the meme coin as buyers step back.

The “base formation” noted by Bitgur has unfolded as a triple bottom, a strong reversal structure characterized by three consecutive touches of the base trendline.

Following its structure, the analyst anticipates an unwind of the past two months of decline to reclaim the $0.182 level, a 40% move.

The last quarter of the year has historically been reasonably bullish for the Dogecoin price, but 2025 has deviated from the trend, yet to deliver a single green month.

The Dogecoin price is down 10.6% already for December so far, contributing to the continued decline.

But BitGur’s analysis could be the pivot point for a green December and uphold the historic trend of at least one green month through Q4.

Dogecoin Price Prediction: December May Only Be the Start

The $0.13 demand zone also coincides with the lower boundary of a year-long decedign triangle pattern, and the triple bottom reversal could put it on the breakout path.

If the triple bottom can be confirmed with a clean break above its neckline at $0.155, its $0.182 target may stand as a higher and firmer footing for a breakout push.

Momentum indicators continue to err bullish. The RSI continues to form higher lows in a clear trend towards the neutral line, a sign of buy pressure building beneath the surface

The MACD death cross below the signal line stands to be short-lived as sellers appear to be losing control of the prevailing trend.

A clean triangle breakout sets up a measured move of roughly 260% to past highs around $0.50, and a fully realised target of $1 for a potoentail 680% gain.

Though such a move likely hinges on supportive market conditions, such a U.S. Fed policy shift ot quantatitative easing (QE) in 2026 to stimulate risk appetite.

But for an end-of-year rally, BitGur’s analysis remains the setup to watch – though the outcome hinges on the $0.13 level being held.

PepeNode: A Way to Avoid the Pitfalls of Meme Coin Investors

Those entering the market now face a decision: sit out and miss out on the next leg up, or enter and risk exposure to potential heavy losses if a bull market doesn’t play out.

PepeNode ($PEPENODE) removes much of that pressure by offering a way to accumulate without timing the perfect entry — the pitfall of most meme coin investors.

It’s a simple mine-to-earn (M2E) game. No hardware needed.

Just log in, acquire virtual nodes, stack rigs, and configure their setup to begin generating passive rewards diversified across leading meme coins.

Momentum is climbing fast. The presale has already passed $2.35 million, while early stakers can still earn up to 554% APY.

And thanks to a built-in deflationary model, where 70% of all $PEPENODE spent on nodes and rigs is burned, scarcity supports long-term token value.

PepeNode offers a more measured way to capture high-upside market exposure — without relying on perfect entries.

With just 22 days remaining in the presale, a later entry could come at a higher cost.

The post Dogecoin Price Prediction: Bounce Incoming? Strong Demand at $0.13 Could Trigger a Surprise Year-End Rally appeared first on Cryptonews.

Most derivative traders are positioned for further downside, but that crowded positioning may be exactly what fuels the next upside move for bullish Solana price predictions.

On the seven-day liquidation heatmap, the altcoin faces nearly twice as much potential short-side liquidation as long-side exposure.

That imbalance creates a clear scenario. If SOL pushes up to $147 this week, short sellers could face up to $1 billion in liquidations, forcing them to buy back positions and accelerate the move higher.

But that volatility goes both ways. While long-side exposure is smaller, a drop below $120 could still trigger a $500 million long squeeze and spark a sharp liquidation cascade.

Still, fundamentals place the pressure on short traders this week.

TradFi markets appear more firm in their positioning, with Spot SOL ETF on a 7-day inflow streak. While inflows have slowed, the trend suggests conviction in potential upside.

Broader narratives also support bullish sentiment, including XRP expanding DeFi use cases on Solana through Hex Trust and a partnership with Project Eleven to advance post-quantum security.

Solana Price Prediction: Short or Long Squeeze

There is also a technical argument for a short-squeeze scenario: a strong confluence of support acting as a barrier to further downside at $120.

The level marks the base of a triple bottom reversal structure. And with a potential higher low forming on its latest bounce, buyers appear to be stepping in sooner than they did on recent drops.

The setup is highly bullish, and momentum indicators back it.

The RSI continues to print higher lows as it trends toward the 50 neutral line, signalling growing buy pressure beneath the surface.

At the same time, the MACD is holding just above a potential death cross with the signal line, a sign that current levels are pivotal for the prevailing trend.

The $120 level also marks the lower boundary of a year-long descending triangle pattern, with the $210 target of the triple bottom setting up a breakout attempt.

In a breakout scenario, the triangle would target a potential 290% move to $500.

SUBBD: A Staple For the Next Bull Run?

As easing market FUD pits narratives grounded in real-world utility back into focus, platforms like SUBBD ($SUBBD) are attracting serious attention.

Built as an AI-powered content platform, SUBBD is targeting the $85 billion subscriber economy by giving creators true ownership and fans genuine access – the pitfall of legacy platforms.

By removing middlemen, $SUBBD puts value back where it belongs.

Creators can monetize their audiences directly, and fans gain entry to exclusive content, early releases, and deeper engagement through token-gated experiences.

Momentum is already forming. The presale has raised nearly $1.4 million, and even a modest slice of the broader creator economy post-launch could translate into meaningful upside.

With SUBBD, both sides of the community win.

Creators earn more, and fans get closer while embracing the decentralization use cases crypto was built for.

The post Solana Price Prediction: Most Traders Are Betting on a Big Crash – But One Move to $147 Could Change Everything appeared first on Cryptonews.

The crypto market is in the red again today, but not all tokens are suffering. A few are showing signs of strength and could be setting up for major moves.

Ethereum and Hyperliquid are both down by 2%, Aster has dropped 8%, and Pump.fun is sliding by 7%.

The total market cap has fallen with over $660 million in liquidations.

Despite this, some coins are quietly gaining traction, offering rare opportunities in a bearish environment.

One of the most exciting right now is a new mining project that lets players earn meme coins through virtual rigs, no hardware needed.

That project is Pepenode ($PEPENODE), and it might be the best altcoin to buy today.

Best Altcoin to Buy Today That Could 100x – 16 December

PEPENODE has now raised $2.35 million in its presale, which is set to close in 23 days, at which point the token will be listed on exchanges.

This figure offers some evidence of how big PEPENODE could become once it launches, and given that it’s more than just another Pepe-themed meme token, it has a real chance of solid growth in 2026.

It will launch an innovative mining platform, providing average investors with the opportunity to mine other meme coins, without having to invest in any specialized or expensive mining hardware.

Instead, they can spend PEPENODE tokens on the virtual mining nodes, which they can accumulate, upgrade and combine to grow their own virtual mining rigs.

The more nodes users have, the greater their mining rewards will be, with PEPENODE paying out rewards in such tokens as Fartcoin and Pepe.

What’s good about PEPENODE is that users also have the ability to sell off their nodes, so that they can make some extra money when they no longer require them.

On top of this, holders can also stake the token, which is currently providing a yield of 553% APY, making it one of the most profitable new tokens around.

PEPENODE Could Be a Big Winner Amid A Market Rebound

PEPENODE will have a max supply of 210 billion tokens, with investors able to join its presale and buy the coin early by going to its official website.

They can connect a compatible wallet (e.g. Best Wallet) and then buy any desired amount of PEPENODE using ETH, USDT, BNB or fiat currency.

PEPENODE is now at its final presale price of $0.0011968, a price which could end up seeming very cheap once the token launches in just over three weeks.

Given the success of its sale, and given its original approach to mining, it has every chance of rallying once it lists.

And while the market remains in a funk amid macroeconomic uncertainty, prices are now in such an oversold position that a rebound should be coming soon.

PEPENODE is in a prime position to capitalize on such a rebound, which is why it’s our best altcoin to buy today.

The post Best Altcoin to Buy Today That Could 100x – 16 December appeared first on Cryptonews.

Dip days like today are the best opportunities to buy crypto at relatively cheap prices ahead of the next major move up.

Bitcoin has been trading sideways below $90,000 since Sunday, in what many hope will be a short pullback. In the last 24 hours, BTC fell 2.6% and currently trades around $87,158

At its current price, the nearly $2 trillion cap crypto market leader is just over 30% down from its all-time high (ATH) of $126,080, set October 6..

The reality is, Bitcoin’s market dominance has been declining since summer. This is a hint that the next major bullish phase could be driven primarily by altcoins. With that in mind, XRP, Midnight and Sui stand out as some of the most compelling cryptocurrencies to consider right now.

XRP ($XRP): Reshaping Global Cross-Border Payments

Thanks to its rapid settlement times and extremely low fees, Ripple’s XRP ($XRP) remains the heaviest lifter in the field of cross-border payments. The XRP Ledger (XRPL) was designed to make the cumbersome and slow SWIFT messaging system obsolete.

High-profile organizations, including the United Nations Capital Development Fund and the White House, have recognized XRP’s potential in reports. Meanwhile, Ripple’s growing list of fintech partnerships has helped propel XRP to its position as the third-largest non-stablecoin crypto, with a market cap around $117 billion.

After the conclusion of its nearly five-year legal dispute with the SEC, XRP surged to an ATH of $3.65 for the first time in seven years. The token has since retraced 47% and is currently trading near $1.92.

The launch of five spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. is generating substantial institutional inflows although this isn’t reflected in XRP’s current price swings likely because the market priced it in.

However, with additional ETF approvals likely to follow, and if lawmakers can succeed in passing comprehensive crypto regulation over the winter, XRP could hit $10 by New Year or early 2026.

Midnight ($NIGHT): This Charles Hoskinson-Helmed Cardano Project Has Generated Substantial Early Hype. Will it Last?

Midnight ($NIGHT) is Charles Hoskinson’s Cardano side project to bring data protection and regulatory compliance together on the blockchain. Built as a privacy-focused sidechain within the Cardano network, Midnight enables developers and users to interact with decentralized applications (dApps) while keeping sensitive information confidential by default.

Unlike traditional public blockchains where all transaction data is fully transparent, Midnight uses zero-knowledge proofs to allow selective disclosure. This enables users to prove compliance or validity without revealing personal data.

The $NIGHT token plays a governance token role in the ecosystem, allowing holders to vote on protocol upgrades and policy decisions. Additionally it secures the network and incentivizes participation.

Midnight is a new token launch so it’s too early to identify trends, but the project has strong backing, so a bullish Christmas period could see it 4x from its current level around $0.055. Should the holiday period remain bullish, Midnight would end the year hovering above its support level around $0.375

Sui Network: Can This One Flip XRP and Solana?

Sui Network is another fast-rising altcoin positioning itself as a next-generation Ethereum killer through its unique technical strengths.

Speed is Sui’s primary advantage. The network advertises throughput of up to 297,000 transactions per second, compared with Ethereum’s current average of around 15 TPS.

From a technical perspective, the angle of Sui’s falling support and resistance lines over the last two weeks forms a bullish falling village. This is often a precursor to a major breakout.

So if the festive season becomes bullish, Sui could potentially run up to $5 from its current price around $151.

However, in order to get there, Sui would need to break through sticky resistance zones around the $2 and $4 price levels.

Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER): A Meme-Powered Bitcoin Layer-2 Built for 2026 and Beyond

One project drawing increasing attention ahead of 2026 is Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER), a Bitcoin layer-2 protocol cosplaying as a meme coin. Beneath its lighthearted image, HYPER aims to deliver serious upgrades, including faster transactions, minimal fees, and sophisticated smart contract capabilities.

Built on the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), Bitcoin Hyper incorporates decentralized governance and a Canonical Bridge that enables smooth Bitcoin transfers across multiple blockchain ecosystems.

The ongoing presale has already attracted nearly $30 million in funding. Well-known analyst Borch Crypto has suggested the token could deliver gains of up to 100× once it becomes available on exchanges.

A recent security review by Coinsult found no smart contract vulnerabilities, adding an extra layer of confidence for potential investors. The HYPER token is used for transaction fees, governance participation, and staking, with presale participants able to earn staking yields of up to 39% APY.

With the full platform launch scheduled for 2026, both long-time Bitcoin holders and new entrants have an opportunity to gain early exposure to a project that could significantly expand Bitcoin’s functional ecosystem.

Visit the official presale website or follow Bitcoin Hyper on X and Telegram for more information.

The post Best Crypto to Buy Now 16 December – XRP, Midnight, Sui appeared first on Cryptonews.

The latest release of Alibaba’s ChatGPT competitor, Qwen3-MAX AI, has issued updated cryptocurrency price outlooks for XRP, Pepe, and Dogecoin as the month comes to a close. According to the model, all three assets could face heavy volatility in the weeks ahead, with sharp price swings possible in both bullish and bearish directions.

Outlined below are Qwen3-MAX’s dual-scenario forecasts, detailing both upside and downside targets for each cryptocurrency through the remainder of December.

XRP (XRP): Alibaba AI Flags Risk of $0.15 Crash or Rally Toward $3.50 by Year-End

Under its bearish scenario, Alibaba’s AI projects that Ripple’s XRP ($XRP) could slide from its current price near $1.92 to roughly $0.15. That would represent a steep decline of about 92% if negative sentiment continues to pressure demand.

Such a downturn would stand in stark contrast to XRP’s strong showing earlier this year, when it climbed to its first new all-time high (ATH) in seven years, hitting $3.65 in July following Ripple’s landmark legal victory against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

For much of 2025, XRP has traded within a $2–$3 range. Its relative strength index (RSI) currently sits around 49 and is uptrending as traders pile back in to take advantage of the relative discount.

On the optimistic side, Alibaba’s model envisions a powerful breakout, with XRP potentially jumping 82% to reach $3.50 before the end of the year, nearly three times its previous all-time high.

The launch of five U.S.-listed spot XRP ETFs could act as a catalyst for fresh institutional inflows during the holiday period, mirroring early demand patterns seen with Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.

Additional ETF approvals are likely to follow in the coming months, increasing the likelihood that 2026 becomes a pivotal year for XRP. Investors accumulating at current levels may benefit if that shift materializes.

Pepe ($PEPE): Alibaba AI Forecasts a 420% Upside Move

Pepe ($PEPE), which debuted in April 2023, has become the largest meme coin outside of Dogecoin, boasting a market capitalization exceeding $1.7 billion.

Rooted in Matt Furie’s “Boy’s Club” comic universe, Pepe’s strong meme identity and cultural relevance have helped it maintain a constant presence across crypto-focused social platforms.

Despite intense competition within the meme-coin sector, PEPE continues to benefit from high liquidity and a loyal community. Periodic cryptic references from Elon Musk on X have also fueled speculation that he may hold PEPE alongside his publicly known DOGE and BTC positions.

PEPE is currently trading around $0.000004104, which is roughly 85% below its ATH of $0.00002803 in December 2024.

According to Alibaba’s AI projections, PEPE could climb over 1,100% and effectively double its ATH. There is little chance of this projection materialising given the lack of upward volatility so far in Q4.

In a bearish market environment, the model warns PEPE could fall around 76%, dropping to approximately $0.000001.

Dogecoin (DOGE): Alibaba AI Sees $2.50 Upside or Drop to $0.02

Originally launched in 2013 as a joke, Dogecoin ($DOGE) has grown into one of the most valuable cryptocurrencies, with a market capitalization of about $20 billion. It now represents nearly half of the $43 billion meme-coin market.

DOGE formed several bullish technical patterns in late summer and early autumn, but momentum has faded in recent weeks. In Alibaba’s downside scenario, Dogecoin could tumble to $0.04, a 70% decline from its current price of around $0.1315.

Dogecoin’s all-time high of $0.7316 was set during the retail-fueled rally of 2021, and the long-anticipated $1 level remains unmet. Still, Alibaba’s bullish case suggests DOGE could defy expectations and surge a little over 800%% to $1.20, a 9x increase from current levels.

At the same time, real-world usage of DOGE continues to expand. Tesla accepts Dogecoin for select merchandise purchases, while major payment platforms such as PayPal and Revolut now support DOGE transactions.

Maxi Doge (MAXI): A Fast-Rising Meme Coin Missing From Alibaba’s Outlook

While Alibaba’s AI focuses on established cryptocurrencies, early-stage presale tokens often present significantly higher upside potential. One project gaining rapid traction is Maxi Doge ($MAXI), which has already raised close to $4.4 million as it aims to become Dogecoin’s replacement.

MAXI centers on the character of Maxi Doge, a high-energy crypto degenerate and distant relative of the original Dogecoin. The project leans heavily into meme culture, portraying Maxi as obsessed with weightlifting, ultra-high leverage trading, and building a hyper-engaged grassroots MAXI DOGE army.

Built as an ERC-20 token, MAXI operates on Ethereum’s proof-of-stake network, benefiting from improved energy efficiency and access to one of the largest developer ecosystems in crypto, advantages Dogecoin’s older proof-of-work design lacks.

The presale currently offers staking rewards of up to 71% APY, though yields are programmed to decrease as participation increases.

MAXI is priced at $0.0002735 during its current presale phase, with automatic price increases planned for future rounds. Purchases can be made using MetaMask or Best Wallet.

Dogecoin stands no chance!

Stay updated through Maxi Doge’s official X and Telegram pages.

Visit the Official Website Here

The post China’s Alibaba AI Predicts the Price of XRP, PEPE, Dogecoin by the End of 2025 appeared first on Cryptonews.

Just days after the Midnight (NIGHT) airdrop, Cardano’s DEX volumes have surged to their highest levels since December 2024. This renewed on-chain activity is now sparking fresh interest in a bullish Midnight price prediction.

Charles Hoskinson, Cardano’s founder, called the NIGHT airdrop the most successful launch in the network’s history in a major endorsement that could drive more eyes toward this new token.

Top centralized exchanges (CEXs) quickly incorporated the token into their platforms, which contributed to a rapid increase in liquidity, trading volumes, and interest by the community.

Bybit currently accounts for 67% of NIGHT’s spot volume, followed by Binance’s Alpha program with a 19.6% share.

Midnight Price Analysis: DEX Volumes Explode and Could Soon Reach $100M

Although the airdrop has occurred at a point when the market is struggling to recover, Hoskinson emphasized that DEX volumes have spiked to levels not seen in months.

Data from DeFi Llama confirms this, as decentralized platforms processed nearly $68 million last week, while $16 million worth of tokens have exchanged hands since the start of this week.

Looking at the hourly chart, a symmetrical triangle has formed as a result of NIGHT’s latest price action.

High volumes across Cardano DEXs indicate strong interest in the token and favor a bullish outlook for NIGHT.

A break above the triangle’s upper bound would confirm that the token is once again moving toward $0.086.

Meanwhile, if positive momentum is strong enough, NIGHT could surge to $0.11 again, meaning a total upside potential of 96% in the near term.

Projects like Midnight show the strong upside potential that early-stage cryptos have to offer. Pepenode ($PEPENODE) could be the next crypto to explode as the project has raised millions from early backers.

Pepenode ($PEPENODE) Takes the Hassle Out of Mining and Makes It Accessible to Anyone

Mining cryptocurrencies is commonly considered expensive, complex, and challenging for beginners.

Pepenode ($PEPENODE) changes this paradigm by introducing virtual servers and gamifying the whole process.

Players simply have to buy $PEPENODE to fire up their first mining rigs and start earning meme coins.

As they climb the game’s leaderboard, they become eligible to win airdrops of top tokens like Fartcoin (FARTCOIN) and Bonk (BONK).

You can upgrade your setup to boost your rig and mine more. Up to 70% of the $PEPENODE invested in upgrades is immediately burned to reduce the token’s circulating supply.

Despite the latest market downturn, the project has managed to raise over $2.3 million, reflecting investors’ growing appetite for the token.

To buy $PEPENODE and start mining, simply head to the official Pepenode website and link up a compatible wallet like Best Wallet.

You can either swap USDT or ETH for this token or use a bank card to complete your purchase.

The post Midnight Price Prediction: Hoskinson Says It’s Cardano’s Best Launch Ever – But What Comes Next for NIGHT? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Russia’s largest lender, Sberbank, is expanding its push into digital finance as it tests decentralized finance (DeFi) tools and rolls out investment products linked to cryptocurrencies.

Speaking at the “FI Day. AI & Blockchain” conference in Moscow, senior Sberbank executives outlined a strategy focused on digital financial assets, blockchain infrastructure, and regulated access to crypto-linked investments.

The bank is also working on integrating with public blockchains, a notable step for a systemically important institution in Russia’s tightly controlled financial system.

Sberbank in Talks With Russian Regulators on Regulated Crypto Access

Anatoly Popov, deputy chairman of Sberbank’s management board, said the lender is already in active dialogue with the Bank of Russia and Rosfinmonitoring on how crypto-related services could fit within a regulated framework.

The goal, he said, is to allow qualified investors to access digital assets using familiar banking infrastructure, while ensuring investor protection and financial stability.

Sberbank has already begun testing DeFi instruments and expects traditional banking and decentralized finance to converge over time.

Within current regulations, the bank offers structured bonds and digital financial assets (DFAs) whose returns are tied to cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether, as well as baskets of multiple digital assets.

These products allow clients to gain exposure to crypto markets without holding tokens directly.

The bank has also issued digital asset funds tracking indices linked to Bitcoin and Ether, along with a broader crypto infrastructure portfolio that includes assets such as Solana, Tron, Avalanche, and BNB.

In addition, Sberbank has launched several structured bonds, both on exchanges and over the counter, with yields linked to Bitcoin and Ether indices.

The total volume of these crypto-linked instruments has reached about 1.5 billion rubles, which Popov described as a strong result for a nascent market.

While Sberbank does not view cryptocurrencies as a speculative investment for its own balance sheet, it has signaled readiness to act as a liquidity provider and market maker on regulated platforms once clear rules are in place.

The bank estimates that crypto adoption among Russians remains high, with the central bank projecting digital asset holdings in domestic wallets could reach hundreds of billions of rubles by early 2025.

Sberbank is Building its Own Blockchain

Alongside crypto-linked products, Sberbank is continuing to build its own blockchain platform for issuing and managing digital financial assets.

The platform, developed internally, supports smart contracts and tokenization tools for corporate clients and has already been used to issue digital assets linked to commodities and cryptocurrency indices.

Looking ahead, Sberbank sees stablecoins, tokenized assets, and greater interoperability between private and public blockchains as key trends.

Executives said the bank is particularly interested in public networks with mature smart contract ecosystems, such as Ethereum, though broader integration will depend on regulatory clarity.

In March, Sberbank launched a blockchain technology-powered token that tracks global cocoa prices.

The post Russia’s Sberbank Tests DeFi Tools, Offers Crypto Investment Products appeared first on Cryptonews.

Ripple Stablecoin (RLUSD) is expanding to Ethereum in 2026. The decision was made in a press release, and four Ethereum Layer 2 networks were picked.

The stablecoin will be on a “trial” via Optimism, Base (Coinbase’s L2), Ink (Kraken’s L2), and Unichain (Uniswap’s L2), the company said. The integration is set to involve the interoperability protocol Wormhole.

The goal is to iron out any issues before the full public rollout planned for 2026, after final regulatory approvals.

Is This a Step Toward a Bigger Ripple–Ethereum Partnership?

No “big partnership” was explicitly announced beyond the technical integration with Wormhole, however people are speculating now.

This move is overall net positive for the Ethereum ecosystem. RLUSD brings roughly $1.3 billion in existing supply deeper into L2s, where most real DeFi activity happens, including trading, lending, and DEXs.

Alongside USDC and USDT, RLUSD is another highly regulated stablecoin option available for ETH users now. Institutions seeking compliant on-ramps for DeFi, payments, or tokenization will likely flow capital into Ethereum L2s, increasing overall activity and transaction fees.

L2s like Optimism, which Ripple described as a “crucial entry point,” may see rising usage. More transactions mean higher sequencer fees and eventual settlement value flowing back to Ethereum mainnet.

This does not “take” anything from ETH. It is additive volume on Ethereum-aligned chains and actually validates Ethereum’s dominance in DeFi scaling, as even Ripple, historically XRP-focused, is chasing liquidity here.

Ethereum Price Prediction: ETH All Time High Going Into 2026?

December returns have now flipped negative. If December closes in the red, it will be the 9th red month for ETH this year.

The good thing is that downside liquidity has almost been taken out. However, there is still very little buying momentum for Ethereum right now.

From a technical standpoint, ETH price just broke below $3,000. It is not the first time, but it still triggers a warning.

Going into 2026, the ETH chart must hold above $2,800, as it is an important level to keep the structure healthy. A dump below these levels could result in a move toward new lows around $2,500.

Could This Layer 2 Attract XRP Attention Next? Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER)

Bitcoin may be the most secure network in crypto, but speed and usability have always been its weak spots. That is exactly the gap Bitcoin Hyper is trying to close.

Bitcoin Hyper is a new Layer 2 built to bring fast transactions, low fees, and full smart contract functionality to Bitcoin, without compromising its security. It leverages Solana-style high-performance architecture while keeping BTC as the core settlement asset.

At the center of the system is the Hyper Bridge, which allows BTC holders to move funds onto the Hyper network in a trust-minimized way. Once bridged, users receive a 1:1 representation of BTC on the L2 with near-instant finality, opening access to DeFi, staking, payments, meme coins, and NFT activity that simply is not possible on Bitcoin today.

The idea is simple: let Bitcoin do what it does best, security and settlement, while Hyper handles speed and execution. That combination is why many see Bitcoin Hyper as one of the first serious attempts to turn Bitcoin into a full economic layer, not just a store of value.

Early interest has been strong, with Bitcoin Hyper already raising nearly $30M from investors betting that this could be the missing piece for Bitcoin adoption at scale. As more wallets, apps, and platforms integrate the Hyper L2, demand for the $HYPER token could accelerate alongside network usage.

For investors looking at where the next infrastructure rotation might come from, Bitcoin Hyper is positioning itself as the bridge between Bitcoin’s dominance and the fast-moving world of DeFi.

The post Ethereum Price Prediction: Ripple Just Picked ETH for $1.3 Billion Stablecoin – Big Partnership Incoming? appeared first on Cryptonews.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has formally concluded its multi-year investigation into the Aave Protocol without recommending any enforcement action.

The action ends nearly four years of regulatory uncertainty surrounding one of decentralized finance’s most widely used lending platforms.

Aave founder and chief executive Stani Kulechov disclosed the outcome in a public post on August 12.

Aave Survived the SEC’s DeFi Crackdown — Here’s What Happened Behind the Scenes

The probe into Aave began around late 2021 or early 2022, during a period of heightened regulatory scrutiny of decentralized finance platforms.

At the time, the SEC was expanding its enforcement focus beyond centralized exchanges to include protocols offering lending, borrowing, and liquidity services without traditional intermediaries.

While the SEC did not publicly outline the scope of its concerns, industry observers have long assumed that the inquiry centered on whether the AAVE token or aspects of the protocol’s operations fell under U.S. securities laws and whether any registration obligations applied.

Throughout the investigation, Aave cooperated with regulators, engaging with SEC staff over several years.

In June 2025, Aave representatives met with members of the SEC’s Crypto Task Force to discuss regulatory approaches, though the agency has not indicated whether those discussions were connected to the closure decision.

Kulechov said the process required significant effort and resources from both the company and him personally, describing the investigation as a prolonged period of regulatory pressure not only for Aave but for decentralized finance more broadly.

As is typical in cases that end without enforcement, the SEC did not publish findings or allegations tied to the probe.

The letter stated that, as of that date, staff did not intend to recommend an enforcement action to the Commission in connection with the investigation identified internally as “HO-14386.”

The notice followed standard SEC practice and included a disclaimer that the decision should not be interpreted as an exoneration and does not prevent the agency from reopening the matter in the future.

The SEC has consistently maintained flexibility to act quickly when investor protection concerns arise, avoiding rigid procedural rules that could delay enforcement.

Notably, earlier today, the Aave (AAVE) token reached a high of $194 before dipping to a low of $184. The token has since stabilized at $187.67, marking a 2.4% gain over the past 24 hours.

For Aave users, it means the protocol can continue operating without the immediate risk of U.S. enforcement action tied to the long-running SEC investigation.

It also reduces regulatory uncertainty around Aave’s core products, offering users more confidence that the platform will remain accessible and stable in the near term.

Is the SEC Done Fighting Crypto? Major Cases Close Without Charges

Aave’s case is the latest in a growing list of high-profile crypto investigations closed without charges in 2025.

In December, Ondo Finance disclosed that the SEC had ended its own multi-year probe into the firm’s tokenized real-world asset products and its ONDO token.

The broader enforcement landscape has shifted notably since early 2025, as the SEC has dropped or dismissed cases and investigations involving Coinbase, Kraken, Robinhood, OpenSea, Uniswap Labs, Consensys, Crypto.com, and several other firms.

Many of those actions were withdrawn with prejudice, preventing the agency from bringing the same claims again.

The change followed a leadership transition at the SEC and a stated move away from regulation through litigation toward developing clearer policy guidance.

A review published by The New York Times earlier today found that the SEC initiated no new crypto-related federal court cases.

Of the crypto cases inherited from prior administrations, the agency pulled back from more than half, either dismissing them, staying proceedings, or conceding key issues.

The post SEC Drops 4-Year Aave Investigation Following ‘Significant’ Defense Battle: Report appeared first on Cryptonews.

Crypto ownership in the UK dropped noticeably in 2025, even as the investors who stayed in the market continued to build larger holdings, according to new figures from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The data from FCA’s Cryptoassets Consumer Research 2025 report shows that 8% of UK adults currently own some form of cryptocurrency. That is down from 12% a year earlier, marking the first clear decline in participation since crypto use surged during the pandemic.

While fewer people now hold digital assets, ownership has not fallen back to early levels. In 2021, just 4% of adults reported owning crypto, meaning today’s figure is still roughly double what it was four years ago.

The figures point to a market that is becoming smaller but more concentrated. Rather than attracting new entrants, crypto ownership appears to be shifting toward existing users who are committing more capital and holding their assets for longer periods.

Crypto Ownership in the UK Still Dominated by 18–34 Age Group

The profile of crypto holders has remained broadly consistent. Ownership is higher among men at 11%, compared with women, and is most concentrated among people aged 18 to 34, where 15% report holding crypto.

Overall public awareness of crypto remains high, with 91% of respondents saying they have heard of cryptocurrencies, matching 2024 levels and continuing a multi-year trend of widespread familiarity.

Individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds and higher-income social grades are also more likely to own digital assets, according to the FCA’s nationally representative survey of more than 2,300 respondents.

Bitcoin remains the most commonly held cryptoasset, owned by 57% of users, and recorded a five-percentage-point recovery after several years of declining ownership.

Ethereum followed at 43%, largely unchanged from 2024. Also, other assets were held at much lower levels, with Solana, Dogecoin, XRP, and Cardano the most commonly mentioned beyond the two market leaders.

Small Holders Exit as High-Value Crypto Portfolios Grow

Behind the headline decline in ownership, the report shows a steady shift toward higher-value holdings.

The share of users holding £1,001 to £5,000 in crypto rose to 21%, up four percentage points from 2024, while those holding £5,001 to £10,000 increased to 11%, up three points.

At the same time, the number of people holding £100 or less continued to fall, extending a trend seen over several years.

The FCA noted that the difference between high- and low-value holders has widened since last year, particularly in motivations linked to long-term investing.

Most crypto purchases continue to be funded using personal cash.

Around 76% of users relied on disposable income, while 25% used long-term savings and 19% used previous investment gains.

The use of credit cards or borrowing fell further, with just 9% reporting credit-based purchases, down five percentage points from 2024.

The data also suggests that new adoption is slowing, noting that only 5% of crypto owners first bought assets after October 2024, while most entered the market between 2019 and 2021.

Incentives such as rewards or promotions also declined, with just 17% of users reporting receiving one in the past six months.

The report also noted centralized exchanges remain the dominant access point, used by 73% of UK crypto users, an increase from last year. Coinbase and Binance remained the most widely used platforms, though Binance’s share declined.

UK Ranks 11th in Global Crypto Adoption as regulation gets clearer

The findings come as the UK continues to reshape its regulatory framework. In 2025, the government introduced legislation to bring crypto activities under the FCA’s supervision while also formally recognizing digital assets as personal property under UK law.

Full implementation of the regime is not expected until 2027, but the FCA has already accelerated approvals and launched consultations covering trading, staking, lending, and decentralized finance.

Globally, the UK ranked 11th in Chainalysis’ crypto adoption index, behind countries such as India, the United States, Brazil, and Vietnam.

The post UK Crypto Ownership Plunges to 8% — But High-Value Portfolios Are Soaring appeared first on Cryptonews.