Stablecoins are poised to become a foundational layer of global finance over the next two years, according to Ripple President Monica Long, who says the asset class is shifting from experimental pilots to full-scale production across mainstream payments.

In commentary outlining her expectations through 2026, Long argues that stablecoins are no longer a niche crypto innovation but are on track to become the default infrastructure for cross-border payments, embedded directly into legacy financial rails used by banks, merchants, and corporates worldwide.

Stablecoins Embedded Into Global Payment Rails

Long points to recent developments from traditional payment giants as evidence that stablecoins are being “hard-wired” into incumbent systems.

Visa and Stripe going live with USDC settlement for merchants, she says, marks a turning point where blockchain-based rails are being adopted within existing corporate payment flows rather than operating in parallel.

“In 2026, stablecoins will integrate with legacy financial rails and, within the next five years, become fully integrated into global payment systems,” Long said, adding that cross-border payments are likely to be the first area where stablecoins emerge as the default settlement mechanism.

B2B Payments Drive the Next Adoption Wave

While early stablecoin growth was dominated by retail trading and remittances, Long said she expects business-to-business payments to lead the next phase of adoption.

B2B payments already account for the majority of stablecoin flows, a trend she believes will accelerate as corporates seek efficiency gains.

Beyond faster settlement, Long highlighted the impact on corporate balance sheets, particularly in Europe, where she estimates €1.3 trillion remains trapped in working capital across payables, receivables, and inventory.

Stablecoins, she said, have the potential to unlock this capital by enabling real-time settlement and improved cash-flow management.

Crypto Shifts From Speculative to Structural

Long also outlines a structural shift underway across the crypto sector. She expects crypto to evolve from an alternative asset class into the operating layer of modern finance, with institutional balance sheets holding more than $1 trillion in tokenized and digital assets by the end of 2026.

Regulatory clarity is a key enabler of this transition. Long cites frameworks such as the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation as laying the legal groundwork for a compliant stablecoin market.

By 2027, she expects banks and financial institutions in regulated regions to issue and hold their own regulated stablecoins.

Custody and M&A to Accelerate

As institutional interest grows, Long predicts increased consolidation across crypto infrastructure, particularly in custody services.

The commoditisation of custody, she explains, is likely to drive a new wave of mergers and acquisitions as traditional banks, service providers, and crypto firms seek to accelerate their blockchain strategies.

She expects more than half of the world’s top 50 banks to formalise at least one new digital asset custody relationship in 2026.

Looking ahead, Long believes crypto M&A will increasingly extend beyond the sector itself as firms pursue usability and scale.

“To acquire the next billion users, especially institutions, crypto must get radically easier to use and move outside the echo chamber,” she said.

The post Ripple President Monica Long Says Stablecoins to Move From Pilot to Production by 2026 appeared first on Cryptonews.

Cathie Wood, founder of ARK Invest, believes the post-October 10 crash bottom for Bitcoin may already be established as prices stabilize around $86,000.

Bitcoin price prediction metrics indicate institutions are positioned to lead the next bull cycle heading into 2026.

Institutions Now Hold Nearly 30% of Bitcoin Supply

Wood emphasized that Bitcoin represents a revolutionary global monetary system and asset class, functioning as institutions’ preferred gateway into cryptocurrency and deserving frontline status in institutional portfolios.

Glassnode data reveals institutions now control 29.8% of the total Bitcoin circulating supply. Public companies alone custody over 1 million BTC, U.S. spot ETFs hold 1.31 million, and exchanges maintain nearly 3 million BTC.

Despite Bitcoin trading beneath the Short-Term Holders’ realized price of $104,000, placing recent market participants under sustained loss pressure, institutions continue accumulating.

Just yesterday, Bitcoin advocate Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy doubled down on its conviction, announcing another massive Bitcoin purchase worth nearly $1 billion.

In a Form 8-K filing dated December 15, MicroStrategy disclosed acquiring 10,645 BTC between December 8 and December 14, spending $980.3 million at an average price of $92,098 per coin.

Additionally, Eric Trump’s World Liberty Financial recently purchased 416 Bitcoin worth $38 million, expanding the company’s holdings to 5,000 BTC.

Bitcoin Price Prediction: Daily Chart Shows Early Stabilization Signs

Bitcoin’s daily chart displays price attempting recovery after a sharp corrective downtrend, with the market recently breaking above a short-term descending trendline.

This movement signals potential transition from bearish control to early stabilization, particularly as price maintains above the highlighted demand zone in the low-$80,000 region, which previously absorbed substantial selling pressure.

The most crucial overhead level sits at the short-term holders’ realized price near $104,000, aligning with prior range support turned resistance.

While Bitcoin trades below this zone, upside attempts will likely encounter supply from trapped buyers, restricting follow-through.

The RSI has risen from oversold conditions but stays below the 50 midpoint, suggesting improving momentum without a complete bullish reset.

This favors a scenario where price can advance toward the $92,000–$98,000 region near term, but a sustained bull run remains unlikely unless Bitcoin reclaims and maintains above $100,000–$104,000 on strong volume.

Maxi Doge Offers Investors 72% APY Ahead of Institutional Rally

Increased institutional buying could drive Bitcoin above $100,000 soon, and when this occurs, presale projects like Maxi Doge ($MAXI) would benefit from the massive demand surge.

Maxi Doge is an early-stage meme coin following the Dogecoin playbook that generated over 1000x gains in the years since its launch.

The MAXI presale has raised over $4.3 million and offers 72% annual staking rewards for those entering early at the current price of $0.000273 per token.

The project offers an alpha channel where traders exchange insider tips, share early trade ideas, and discover hidden opportunities to capitalize on the upcoming bull run.

To buy early, visit the official Maxi Doge website and connect a crypto wallet like Best Wallet.

You can pay with existing crypto like USDT and ETH, or use a bank card to complete your purchase in seconds.

The post Bitcoin Price Prediction: Cathie Wood Says the Bottom Might Be In – Are Institutions About to Trigger the Next Bull Run? appeared first on Cryptonews.

RedotPay, a stablecoin payment fintech, has raised $107 million in an oversubscribed Series B funding round showing investor confidence in the role of stablecoins in everyday payments.

This latest funding raise brings RedotPay’s total capital secured in 2025 to $194 million as the company continues to scale rapidly.

Rapid User Growth and Surging Payment Volumes

RedotPay said it now serves more than 6 million registered users across over 100 countries. As of November 2025, the platform has surpassed $10 billion in annualized payment volume, with transaction volumes nearly tripling year-on-year.

According to RedotPay more than 3 million new users joined the platform during 2025 through November showing rapid adoption of stablecoin-powered financial services among both crypto-native and mainstream users.

The company said it has also reached a key milestone in monetization, generating over $150 million in annualized revenue while maintaining a profitable, scalable business model.

RedotPay says its growth is driven by infrastructure and strong demand for predictable, borderless payments in markets facing currency volatility, inflation, or limited banking access.

Series B Led by Goodwater, Backed by Crypto Heavyweights

The Series B round was led by Goodwater Capital, with participation from Pantera Capital, Blockchain Capital, and Circle Ventures, alongside continued backing from existing investors including HSG.

“Stablecoin has the potential to disrupt global money flow and strengthen financial inclusion,” said Jin Oh, Partner at Goodwater Capital, adding that RedotPay has demonstrated “remarkable traction” across major markets. Investors highlighted the platform’s ability to translate blockchain infrastructure into real-world payment utility at scale.

Building Stablecoin-Powered Financial Services

RedotPay said it is focused on making fund movement instant, predictable, and borderless through a suite of stablecoin-powered products. These include a stablecoin-based card that allows users to spend digital assets globally, stablecoin payout rails for fast international transfers, and access tools that bridge traditional finance with digital assets via multi-currency accounts and peer-to-peer marketplaces.

“Our goal is to help users manage their finances with confidence through stablecoin-powered financial services,” said Michael Gao, Co-Founder and CEO of RedotPay. He notes that the new funding will accelerate product innovation while expanding the company’s global footprint in a compliance-focused manner.

Scaling Compliance, Talent, and Global Reach

RedotPay plans to deploy the new capital toward strategic acquisitions, licensing, and compliance expansion to support entry into new markets.

The company will also accelerate global hiring across engineering, product, and compliance teams. Looking ahead, RedotPay said it aims to deepen its presence in key growth regions.

The post RedotPay Raises $107M Series B as Stablecoin Payments Surge to 6M Users Worldwide appeared first on Cryptonews.

KindlyMD Inc., a healthcare and Bitcoin treasury company, is facing the risk of being delisted from the Nasdaq after its share price remained below the exchange’s minimum bid requirement for an extended period.

In a Form 8-K filing dated Dec. 12, the company disclosed that it had received a notice from Nasdaq’s Listing Qualifications Department after its common stock closed below $1 for 30 consecutive trading days, placing it out of compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1).

KindlyMD’s shares, which trade under the ticker NAKA, are currently priced at $0.38. The stock is down nearly 5% on the day, has fallen more than 30% over the past month, and is down over 73% year to date.

KindlyMD Faces June 2026 Deadline to Recover Stock Price

Under Nasdaq rules, KindlyMD has 180 calendar days, or until June 8, 2026, to regain compliance by maintaining a closing bid price of at least $1 for a minimum of 10 consecutive trading days.

KindlyMD’s current situation marks a steep reversal from earlier optimism surrounding its Bitcoin strategy.

In May, the company merged with Nakamoto, a Bitcoin-focused public entity, in one of the first known cases of a healthcare firm formally adopting Bitcoin as a core treasury asset.

The combined entity retained the KindlyMD name, with Nakamoto operating as a wholly owned subsidiary, and raised more than $700 million through a mix of private placements and convertible debt to fund Bitcoin purchases.

That strategy accelerated in August, when KindlyMD acquired 5,764 Bitcoin in a single transaction, spending approximately $679 million at an average price above $118,000 per coin.

According to CoinGecko data, the company now holds Bitcoin valued at about $502.6 million, placing it around 32nd among public Bitcoin treasury holders, down from 26th three months earlier.

At current prices, the position carries an unrealized loss of roughly $176 million, or about 26%.

Bitcoin itself is trading near $87,000, up modestly on the week, but many publicly listed companies holding crypto on their balance sheets have seen their stocks fall faster than the underlying assets.

The Bitcoin Treasury Trade Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All: KindlyMD vs. Strategy

KindlyMD’s financial filings reflect the strain of its rapid transformation. In its third-quarter report, the company posted revenue of $0.4 million from its healthcare operations, while operating expenses climbed to $10.8 million, driven largely by costs tied to its Bitcoin strategy.

The company reported a net loss of $86 million for the quarter, including non-cash charges linked to the Nakamoto merger and unrealized digital asset losses.

Notably, the company said the Nasdaq’s notice has no immediate impact on its listing and that its shares will continue trading on the Nasdaq Global Market during the compliance period.

If it fails to recover, the company may seek to transfer to the Nasdaq Capital Market or pursue a reverse stock split, though it cautioned that there is no assurance either step would be successful.

The situation differs from Strategy Inc., formerly MicroStrategy, which is facing uncertainty tied to index eligibility rather than exchange rules.

MSCI began reviewing its index methodology in October 2025, triggering a sharp sell-off in MSTR shares.

The company has formally submitted its 12-page letter to MSCI opposing the proposal.

While the stock later stabilized after retaining its Nasdaq 100 position, the risk remains, with a delisting potentially triggering billions in forced passive fund sales.

MSCI is expected to issue a final decision in January 2026.

Notably, across the market, digital asset treasury stocks have broadly underperformed their underlying holdings in recent months.

Data shows that in November, inflows into DATS were only $1.32 billion in inflows, their lowest level of the year, showing a cooling of investor appetite as volatility and regulatory uncertainty persist.

The post KindlyMD Bitcoin Treasury Faces Nasdaq Delisting As It Plunges Below $1 — Can It Survive Like MSTR? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Major asset managers are forecasting that Bitcoin will shatter its traditional four-year cycle and reach new all-time highs in 2026, driven by massive institutional capital inflows and regulatory clarity.

Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan and Grayscale Research both project BTC will exceed its previous peak despite conventional wisdom suggesting 2026 should be a pullback year.

Bitcoin has historically followed a four-year cycle tied to halving events, with three significant up years followed by sharp corrections.

Since the most recent halving occurred in April 2024, more than 18 months ago, traditional cycle theory would predict 2026 as a down year.

However, Hougan argues that the forces driving previous cycles have weakened substantially, while new structural dynamics are taking hold.

“We believe the wave of institutional capital that began entering the space with the approval of spot bitcoin ETFs in 2024 will accelerate in 2026, as platforms like Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, and Merrill Lynch begin allocating,” Hougan wrote in Bitwise’s annual predictions report.

He expects Bitcoin to reach new all-time highs, relegating the four-year cycle to the dustbin of history.

Institutional Era Replaces Retail-Driven Volatility

Grayscale’s 2026 outlook echoes this transformation, projecting Bitcoin will set fresh records in the first half of next year as the market transitions into what it calls the institutional era.

The asset manager identifies two pillars supporting this view:

• Macro demand for alternative stores of value amid rising public debt
• Fiat currency risks, plus improving regulatory clarity that deepens blockchain integration with traditional finance.

The changing market structure has already altered Bitcoin’s price behavior. Previous bull markets saw gains exceeding 1,000% in a single year, while this cycle’s maximum year-over-year increase reached only 240% through March 2024.

Grayscale attributes this moderation to steadier institutional buying rather than retail momentum chasing, arguing the probability of deep, prolonged drawdowns has declined significantly.

Grayscale expects rising valuations in the crypto sector in 2026, and as a result, Bitcoin could exceed its previous high in the first half of the year.

Bitwise’s analysis also highlights how Bitcoin volatility has steadily decreased over the past decade, with BTC now less volatile than Nvidia throughout 2025.

Hougan predicts Bitcoin’s correlation with stocks will fall in 2026 as crypto-specific factors like regulatory progress and institutional adoption power the asset higher even if equities struggle.

Regulatory Clarity and Monetary Policy Alignment

Katherine Dowling, president of Bitcoin Standard Treasury Company, recently forecast that Bitcoin would reach $150,000 by the end of 2026, citing “the trifecta of a positive regulatory environment, quantitative easing, and institutional inflows.”

President Trump recently signed the GENIUS Act, establishing stablecoin regulatory framework, while the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency permitted national banks to offer crypto brokerage services.

Just this month, Bank of America now allows its financial advisers to recommend Bitcoin ETFs, potentially channeling portions of the bank’s $3.5 trillion in client assets into digital assets.

The Federal Reserve cut rates three times in 2025 and expects to continue easing next year.

Notably, Grayscale expects bipartisan crypto market structure legislation to become US law in 2026, which will solidify blockchain-based finance in capital markets.

Since US Bitcoin ETPs launched in January 2024, global crypto ETPs have attracted $87 billion in net inflows, yet less than 0.5% of US advised wealth is allocated to crypto.

On the technical level, according to a CryptoQuant analyst, on-chain data shows long-term holders distributing coins at one of the largest 30-day rates in the past 5 years, typically indicating late-cycle behavior.

However, CryptoQuant data also shows short-term holders are facing pressure, as Bitcoin has traded below their $104,000 cost basis since October 30, resulting in unrealized losses averaging 12.6%.

As reported by Cryptonews today, Bitcoin dropped nearly 4% to approximately $85,940 amid investor risk reduction ahead of crucial US economic data.

Despite near-term volatility, like other major players, Bitfinex maintains that the groundwork is being laid for BTC to regain all-time highs in 2026, supported by looser monetary policy and steady adoption by ETFs, corporates, and sovereign entities that are absorbing multiples of the yearly mined supply.

The post Bitwise Chief: Bitcoin to Hit Fresh Records in 2026 and Break Four-Year Cycle appeared first on Cryptonews.

Tether announced it has led an $8 million investment in Speed1, Inc., a payments infrastructure company building global settlement rails using the Bitcoin Lightning Network and stablecoins.

The funding round also included participation from Ego Death Capital. The investment aligns with Tether’s broader push to expand real-world payment use cases for USDT while supporting Bitcoin-native financial infrastructure.

Speed focuses on allowing instant low-cost payments by combining Lightning’s high-speed transaction capabilities with stablecoin settlement for price stability. The company said the funding will support product development and continued global expansion.

Growing Payment Volume and User Base

Speed currently processes more than $1.5 billion in annualized payment volume across consumers, creators, platforms, and enterprise merchants. Its core products—Speed Wallet and Speed Merchant—serve approximately 1.2 million users and businesses. The platform offers instant payments, native Bitcoin and USDT settlement, and global routing designed to meet enterprise reliability requirements.

The company positions its infrastructure as a bridge between Bitcoin-native networks and practical payment needs, particularly for cross-border transactions, creator payouts, and merchant settlement.

By integrating stablecoins alongside Lightning, Speed enables users and businesses to choose between volatility exposure and price-stable settlement, depending on their needs.

Tether Deepens Focus on Bitcoin-Aligned Infrastructure

Tether said the investment supports its strategy of strengthening Bitcoin-aligned financial infrastructure while expanding the utility of USDT beyond trading and into everyday payments.

According to the company, Speed’s architecture demonstrates how Lightning and stablecoins can operate together at scale, combining low fees, global reach, and compliance-focused design.

“Speed is showing what Lightning can achieve when paired with a stable, liquid digital dollar like USDT,” said Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino. He added that the company is focused on backing infrastructure that reduces friction in payments and broadens access to reliable settlement rails, particularly for mainstream commerce.

Bridging Speculation and Real-World Use

Speed’s leadership said the platform is designed to move crypto beyond speculative use cases and into functional, global payments. CEO Niraj Patel said Lightning provides transaction speed, while stablecoins enable universal access and predictable value, allowing the infrastructure to support consumers, creators, and merchants at scale.

Speed integrates closely with the Lightning Network while allowing stablecoin settlement for users who require price stability. The company said this hybrid approach lowers friction across cross-border payments, platform-level settlement, and merchant transactions especially in regions where traditional banking infrastructure is costly or inefficient.

As stablecoins and Bitcoin-based networks gain traction in payments, the investment highlights growing interest from major digital asset firms in infrastructure that supports real-world financial activity rather than solely trading and speculation.

Earlier Visa announced it will allow stablecoin-based settlement across its US payments network broadening its suite of crypto-related services.

The post Tether Invests $8M in Speed to Scale Lightning-Based Stablecoin Payments appeared first on Cryptonews.

Hyperscale Data Inc., an artificial intelligence-focused data center company anchored by Bitcoin, said its Bitcoin treasury has reached approximately $75.5 million, representing about 97.5% of its market capitalization.

The NYSE American–listed company said the valuation is based on Bitcoin’s price as of December 14, 2025, and Hyperscale Data’s closing share price on December 15.

The company also reiterated its long-term objective of holding Bitcoin equal to 100% of its market capitalization as part of its broader $100 million digital asset treasury strategy.

Sentinum Holdings and Recent Purchases

Hyperscale Data’s wholly owned subsidiary, Sentinum Inc., held approximately 498.46 Bitcoin as of December 14, according to the press release.

This total included about 69.68 Bitcoin generated from mining operations and 428.79 Bitcoin acquired on the open market, including roughly 41.31 Bitcoin purchased during the week ended December 14. At a Bitcoin closing price of $88,175, these holdings were valued at approximately $44 million.

Additional Capital Allocated for Bitcoin

Beyond its existing holdings, Hyperscale Data said it has set aside $31.5 million in cash for future open-market Bitcoin purchases.

The company said it plans to deploy this capital using a dollar-cost averaging strategy designed to reduce exposure to short-term market volatility while steadily increasing its long-term Bitcoin reserves.

Executive Chairman Milton “Todd” Ault III described reaching 97.5% of market capitalization as a major milestone, adding that the company remains focused on accumulating Bitcoin despite price fluctuations.

Hyperscale Data said it generally targets deploying at least 5% of allocated cash each week, though the pace may vary depending on market conditions. The company will continue to publish weekly updates every Tuesday detailing its Bitcoin holdings as it progresses toward its $100 million DAT target.

American Bitcoin Grows Treasury to 5,098 BTC

American Bitcoin has expanded its Bitcoin treasury to more than 5,098 BTC, marking a sharp increase in holdings since its Nasdaq debut on September 3, according to a company update on X.

The firm reported a BTC Yield of 96.5% over the period through December 14, 2025, a metric that tracks growth in Bitcoin exposure on a per-share basis rather than price appreciation alone. American Bitcoin’s satoshis per share rose to 533, reflecting continued accumulation and balance-sheet expansion.

A company chart shows steady growth in total BTC reserves throughout the year, with a notable acceleration in the second half of 2025 as American Bitcoin pursued what it described as a strategy of ongoing, disciplined accumulation.

The update places American Bitcoin among a growing group of publicly listed firms using Bitcoin as a core treasury asset, as institutional adoption of BTC continues to broaden across equity markets.

The post Hyperscale Data and American Bitcoin Expand Corporate Bitcoin Treasuries appeared first on Cryptonews.

The crypto market is down today again, with the cryptocurrency market capitalisation decreasing by 4.2%. It is close to falling below the $3 trillion mark and now stands at $3.02 trillion. 95 of the top 100 coins have gone down over the past 24 hours. At the same time, the total crypto trading volume is at $134 billion.

Crypto Winners & Losers

At the time of writing, all of the top 10 coins per market capitalization have seen their prices decrease over the past 24 hours.

Bitcoin (BTC) is down by 4% since this time yesterday, currently trading at $86,184.

Bitcoin (BTC)

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Ethereum (ETH) is down by 6.8%, now changing hands at $2,924. This is the highest drop in the category.

It’s followed by XRP’s 5.9%, now standing at $1.88.

At the same time, Tron (TRX) saw the category’s smaller fall, having decreased by 0.6%, currently trading at $0.2788.

Looking at the top 100 coins, only five appreciated over the past day.

MemeCore (M) is up 3.9% to the price of $1.73.

Provenance Blockchain (HASH) follows with a rise of 2.2% to the current $0.03079.

On the other hand, three coins recorded double-digit falls.

Aster (ASTER) decreased by 12.4% to $0.8193, followed by Ondo (ONDO)’s and Pump.fun (PUMP)’s 10% each to $0.4046 and $0.002418, respectively.

Meanwhile, the US Financial Stability Oversight Council has removed crypto from its list of systemic financial threats in its 2025 annual report.

Moreover, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has dismissed or paused close to 60% of crypto-related cases over the past year.

Uncertainty Driving Policy Expectations

Nic Puckrin, investment analyst and co-founder of the Coin Bureau, BTC “is in the red once again – a chart that is becoming all too familiar as a disappointing Q4 draws to a close.”

Having fallen to around $86,000, BTC is now knocking on the door of its 100-week moving average, a strong support level that sits around $84,800, he says. And AI bubble fears and concerns over future monetary policy appear to be to blame once more.

Notably, the market was convinced that “ultra-dove” Kevin Hassett was a shoo-in for the next US Federal Reserve Chair role. However, Kevin Warsh – a far more hawkish candidate – now appears to be emerging as the frontrunner.

“The second Kevin is far more likely to stick to the FOMC’s current projections of just one more rate cut in 2026, so the market is starting to believe this narrative,” Puckrin says.

He adds that it doesn’t help that December is typically a time to book tax losses for the financial year, and Bitcoin is one asset that will have lost many investors money.

“This all makes for a lacklustre end to 2025, and we could even see BTC fall below $80,000 if the rout continues. In the short term, the ETF cost basis at $83,800 is the next level to watch, and there’s support below that at $81,200 – the true market mean.”

Additionally, Bitunix analysts noted that the U.S. NFP report is set to be released today, arguing that both it and the subsequent CPI release should be viewed as “impaired data” because of the government shutdown.

For crypto, “weak NFP data combined with distorted statistics create a dual impact on risk assets,” the analysts say.

“On one hand, earlier pricing of rate cuts supports medium-term liquidity expectations, offering underlying support for assets such as BTC,” they write. “On the other hand, heightened data uncertainty may trigger sharp short-term volatility across rates, the U.S. dollar, and crypto markets, increasing the likelihood of leveraged positions being flushed out.”

Finally, they warn that the crypto markets should remain alert to liquidity sweeps and heightened volatility around the data release, with particular attention to whether capital uses macro uncertainty as an opportunity for deleveraging and repricing.

Levels & Events to Watch Next

At the time of writing on Monday morning, BTC stood at $86,184. The day’s chart shows a clear plunge from $89,935 to the intraday low of $85,427.

Additionally, BTC’s price is down 4.3% over the past week. The intraweek high currently stands at $94,267.

Many argue that there’s still room for BTC to grow higher, over $90,000 and towards $100,000. Some even say a new ATH is possible soon. However, another drop is likely in the short term, in which case, BTC could fall below $80,000.

Ethereum is currently changing hands at $2,924. Over the past day, the coin fell from the day’s high of $3,171 below $3,000 to $2,895.

ETH dropped 5.6% in a week, trading in the $2,919–$3,390 range. It is now down 41% from its ATH of $4,946.

Further decrease would lead the price to the $2,780 and $2,650 levels. If the coin appreciates instead, ETH could reclaim the $3,000 and $3,120 zones.

Meanwhile, the crypto market sentiment fell yet again within the fear territory. The crypto fear and greed index stands at 22 today, compared to 27 yesterday.

This shows significant caution and worry among market participants in regards to the market’s short- and mid-term performance.

ETFs Saw a Mixed Friday

On the first trading day of this week, the US BTC spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded a significant amount of outflows of $357.69 million. The total net inflow pulled back to $57.55 billion.

Of the twelve BTC ETFs, five saw outflows and none saw inflows. Fidelity is responsible for the majority of the negative flows, letting go of $213.12 million.

It’s followed by Bitwise’s $44.32 million in outflows.

Moreover, the US ETH ETFs recorded negative flows on Monday as well, for a third day in a row, with $224.78 million in outflows on 15 December. The total net inflow fell back below $13 billion, now standing at $12.86 billion.

Of the nine funds, six recorded outflows, and none saw inflows. BlackRock recorded the majority of this amount: $139.09 million.

Grayscale is next with $55.28 million in outflows.

Meanwhile, Grayscale argues that Bitcoin is not done with this cycle and that it will set a new all-time high in the first half of 2026.

Quick FAQ

1. Why did crypto move with stocks today?

The crypto market saw a decrease over the past 24 hours, and the US stock market closed its Monday session lower. By the closing time on 15 December, the S&P 500 was down by 0.16%, the Nasdaq-100 decreased by 0.51%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.086%. Tech shares stay under notable pressure as AI bubble concerns increase.

2. Is this drop sustainable?

The day’s decrease is unsurprising and may continue over the days to come, despite potential brief price appreciations. Some analysts argue that we have entered the bear market.

The post Why Is Crypto Down Today? – December 16, 2025 appeared first on Cryptonews.

The Financial Conduct Authority launched a public consultation on comprehensive crypto regulations designed to establish clear standards across trading, staking, lending, and decentralized finance while protecting consumers and supporting innovation.

The proposals, published across three consultation papers, seek feedback until February 12, 2026, as Britain positions itself as a global hub for digital assets ahead of the regime’s 2027 implementation.

The regulatory framework applies similar principles to crypto as traditional finance, requiring transparency for consumers, proportionate requirements for firms, and flexibility for innovation.

David Geale, executive director for payments and digital finance at the FCA, said: “Regulation is coming – and we want to get it right. We’ve listened to feedback, and now we’re setting out our proposals for the UK’s crypto regime.“

Comprehensive Framework Covers Eight Core Areas

The consultation addresses admissions and disclosures, requiring firms to provide clear information before investors commit capital to cryptoassets.

Market abuse measures target insider trading and manipulation to ensure fair markets, while trading platform standards aim to keep exchanges safe and reliable.

Intermediary requirements establish responsibilities for brokers and middlemen handling crypto transactions.

Staking services must clearly disclose risks when offering yield-generating products that lock up customer assets.

Lending and borrowing rules protect both crypto lenders and borrowers through standardized safeguards.

The proposals extend to decentralized finance, questioning whether traditional finance rules should apply to protocols enabling trading and lending without intermediaries.

Prudential requirements establish financial safeguards that help firms better manage operational risks.

The framework builds on earlier feedback and new research published alongside the consultation, aligning with government legislation introduced on December 15.

Government Legislation Backs Regulatory Expansion

The Treasury introduced the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2025, bringing new crypto activities under FCA supervision from 2027.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said, “Bringing crypto into the regulatory perimeter is a crucial step in securing the UK’s position as a world-leading financial centre in the digital age.“

Economic Secretary Lucy Rigby also added that “We want the UK to be at the top of the list for cryptoassets firms looking to grow and these new rules will give firms the clarity and consistency they need to plan for the long term.”

The legislation places crypto firms under the same supervision as traditional financial products, including transparency standards.

Britain’s approach follows the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, while the US is developing its own framework.

The UK established the Transatlantic Taskforce with America to coordinate crypto standards. Around 12% of UK adults now hold cryptocurrency, according to FCA data.

Regulatory Progress Follows Market Development

The consultation caps significant regulatory evolution since Britain formally recognized Bitcoin and crypto assets as legal property under the Property (Digital Assets etc) Bill.

The law confirmed digital assets can be owned, inherited, and recovered under property law protections previously limited to traditional assets.

Parliament’s approval resolved legal ambiguity around ownership disputes, stolen funds, and inheritance cases.

CryptoUK called the property law “a massive step forward,” noting it provides a clearer legal footing for proving ownership and recovering tokens after fraud.

In September, the FCA accelerated crypto application reviews, cutting approval times from 17 months to 5 months while raising acceptance rates from 15% to 45%.

BlackRock and Standard Chartered secured registrations since April as the regulator improved processes through pre-approval meetings and industry roundtables.

The Bank of England separately proposed stablecoin regulations last month, with both institutions promising final rules by the end of 2026.

The government also appointed a “digital markets champion” to coordinate the development of blockchain-based financial infrastructure, including tokenized securities and digital gilts, under the DIGIT framework.

Last month, the Treasury also advanced DeFi tax reforms, backing a “no gain, no loss” model deferring capital gains until users withdraw tokens rather than taxing every deposit.

The changes follow two years of consultations with industry participants, including Aave, Binance, and major accounting firms, to align tax events with actual economic outcomes.

The post FCA Opens Consultation on UK’s First Comprehensive Crypto Rulebook appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin has fallen sharply from its recent peak, but fresh data shows it is still holding up better than almost every other corner of the crypto market, showing how capital behavior has shifted during the latest downturn.

Bitcoin is down roughly 26% over the past three months and about 30% from its all-time high near $126,200, trading just above the $85,000 level.

Despite the drop, on-chain analytics firm Glassnode said Bitcoin has outperformed nearly all major crypto sectors over the same period.

From AI to Meme Coins, Crypto Sectors Sink as Bitcoin Shows Relative Strength

The broader market context helps explain the divergence. Total crypto market capitalization fell around 27.5% over the past three months, slightly more than Bitcoin’s decline.

Ether has suffered a deeper drawdown, sliding about 36% since mid-September and trading below $3,000.

Other narrative-driven sectors have fared worse. AI-related tokens are down roughly 48%, meme coin market capitalization has dropped about 56%, and real-world asset tokenization tokens have fallen around 46%.

DeFi tokens have also struggled, declining close to 38% over the same period.

Glassnode’s cross-sector performance data shows how the sell-off unfolded. In late September, most sectors were clustered near neutral performance, suggesting capital was still broadly distributed and risk appetite remained intact.

That changed in early October, when a sharp, market-wide shock pushed nearly all sectors lower. High-beta areas such as Layer 1s, Layer 2s, AI, gaming, NFTs, and meme tokens saw deeper drawdowns, while Bitcoin fell more modestly, acting as a relative shelter.

Attempts at recovery in mid-October failed to gain traction. Small rebounds across altcoin sectors did not reclaim prior levels, and Glassnode data shows no sector returning to neutral performance.

By late October and into November, losses widened further, with performance dispersion increasing and capital continuing to withdraw rather than rotate.

By mid-November, several sectors entered what Glassnode described as a capitulation phase, with drawdowns deepening across Layer 1s, DePIN, gaming, NFTs, and memes. Bitcoin and Ether also fell, but Bitcoin maintained the shallowest relative losses.

Shark Accumulation Hits Fastest Pace Since 2012 as Whales Distribute

By December, the picture had become clearer. Bitcoin stood out as the top relative performer despite remaining in negative territory, while Ether continued to lag.

Defensive altcoin categories such as exchange tokens and staking-related assets sat in the middle, and speculative narratives occupied the bottom.

Glassnode said the data does not show rotation into new winners but rather graduated losses, with Bitcoin retaining capital more effectively as liquidity tightened.

This relative strength has played out alongside shifting BTC dominance dynamics. Earlier in the year, Bitcoin dominance rose steadily and peaked near 65%, coinciding with a strong price rally.

The structure changed around mid-July, when dominance began to fall and capital rotated into altcoins.

That rotation broke down during an October deleveraging event, when forced liquidations briefly pushed capital back into Bitcoin.

Since then, dominance has moved sideways between roughly 59% and 61%, reflecting a market without a clear anchor.

Bitcoin’s relative outperformance shows that investors are still treating BTC as a defensive anchor, preserving capital during periods when altcoins face deeper drawdowns and weaker conviction.

Onchain positioning adds another layer to the story. Glassnode data shows that mid-sized holders, often referred to as “sharks” with balances between 100 and 1,000 BTC, added about 54,000 BTC over the past week, bringing their collective holdings to roughly 3.575 million BTC.

The pace of accumulation is the fastest seen since 2012, suggesting strong dip-buying from higher-net-worth individuals and institutional players.

At the same time, selling pressure has come from long-term holders and so-called OG whales with balances above 10,000 BTC.

According to Glassnode and Capriole Investments, distribution from older coins has offset record institutional buying, limiting near-term upside and keeping downside risks in focus.

The post Bitcoin Falls 26%, But Outperforms Every Major Crypto Sector in 3 Months — What’s Going On? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Visa Inc. announced on Tuesday it is set to allow stablecoin-based settlement across its US payments network broadening its suite of crypto-related services.

The payments giant will allow US financial institutions to settle transactions using Circle Internet Group Inc.’s USDC stablecoin over the Solana blockchain.

Faster Settlement for U.S. Banks?

By allowing USDC settlement, Visa said it is offering banks and fintechs faster funds movement over blockchain networks, seven-day availability, and improved resilience during weekends and holidays.

Initial participants include Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, both of which are settling transactions with Visa in USDC over the Solana blockchain. Visa said broader availability for U.S. institutions is planned through 2026.

Blockchain Infrastructure and Arc Partnership

Visa said it is also deepening its collaboration with Circle by serving as a design partner for Arc, a new Layer 1 blockchain currently in public testnet. Arc is being built to support high-performance, large-scale commercial activity onchain.

Visa plans to use Arc for USDC settlement within its network and intends to operate a validator node once the blockchain goes live, further integrating blockchain infrastructure into its core settlement processes.

Modernizing Treasury and Liquidity Management

According to Visa, U.S. stablecoin settlement allow seven-day settlement windows, improved liquidity management, and greater automation for participating banks. The framework is designed to bridge traditional payment rails with blockchain-based infrastructure while maintaining Visa’s standards for security, compliance, and reliability.

“Financial institutions are preparing to use stablecoins as part of their treasury operations,” said Rubail Birwadker, Visa’s Global Head of Growth Products and Strategic Partnerships. “USDC settlement gives banks a faster, programmable option that integrates with existing systems.”

Building on a Global Stablecoin Track Record

This latest U.S. launch builds on Visa’s earlier stablecoin settlement pilots across Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. Visa began experimenting with USDC settlement in 2021 and became one of the first major payment networks to settle transactions in a stablecoin in 2023.

Circle said the U.S. expansion represents a milestone for institutional adoption of stablecoins, while early banking partners highlighted benefits such as clearer liquidity timing and API-driven settlement.

Visa said it will continue to expand its stablecoin capabilities and recently launched a Stablecoins Advisory Practice through Visa Consulting & Analytics to help financial institutions assess and implement stablecoin strategies.

Binance Blockchain Week Highlights Stablecoin Momentum

Speaking at Binance Blockchain Week 2025, Binance CEO Richard Teng focused heavily on the rapid expansion of the stablecoin market, describing stablecoins as one of crypto’s most effective real-world use cases. He said global stablecoin market capitalisation climbed by nearly 50% this year, while the number of wallets holding stablecoins has also risen by around 50%.

Teng highlighted transaction data as evidence that stablecoins are moving firmly into the financial mainstream. He noted that daily stablecoin transaction volumes have now surpassed those processed by Visa.

Teng also attributed this growth to improving regulatory clarity, including recent progress in the US, and pointed to emerging-market initiatives such as Bhutan’s nationwide crypto payments system built on Binance Pay as examples of how stablecoins are increasingly being used as core payment infrastructure rather than speculative instruments.

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Wyoming-chartered crypto bank Custodia has filed a petition with the full Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking reconsideration of the Federal Reserve’s denial of its master account application, escalating a five-year legal battle.

The bank argues that the October panel decision misinterpreted federal law and raises constitutional concerns about the Fed’s authority.

The petition, filed on December 15, requests en banc review, asking all active circuit judges to examine whether regional Federal Reserve Banks can exercise unreviewable discretion over master account access for legally eligible institutions.

Custodia contends the three-judge panel’s 2-1 ruling conflicts with the Monetary Control Act’s mandate that payment services “shall be available” to nonmember depository institutions, creating what it describes as an unconstitutional veto power over state banking charters.

State Banking Authority Under Threat

The filing raises federalism concerns about the Fed effectively overriding Wyoming’s 2020 decision to charter Custodia as a Special Purpose Depository Institution.

Without master account access, the bank cannot utilize core Federal Reserve payment services, including wire transfers and automated clearinghouse systems, rendering its state-issued charter largely meaningless despite meeting all statutory eligibility requirements.

“When the Fed denies a master account to a state-chartered financial institution, it effectively vetoes a bank charter that State regulators have approved,” the petition states.

Wyoming created its SPDI framework specifically to attract digital asset companies, requiring 100% reserve backing and prohibiting lending to reduce risk.

Custodia argues the Fed’s rejection undermines this carefully crafted state regulatory regime designed to foster blockchain innovation within stringent safety parameters.

The constitutional implications extend beyond federalism.

Custodia’s legal team contends that if regional Reserve Bank presidents hold unreviewable discretion over master accounts, they effectively become “Officers of the United States” wielding significant executive authority without proper constitutional appointment.

Federal Reserve Bank presidents are selected by private bank directors and approved by the Board of Governors, a process Custodia argues violates the Appointments Clause if those officials exercise the discretionary power the majority opinion affirmed.

Deep Judicial Split Emerges

The petition highlights growing disagreement among Tenth Circuit judges on statutory interpretation.

Judge Timothy Tymkovich’s dissent joined Judge Bacharach’s 2017 opinion in Fourth Corner Credit Union v. Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, creating a 2-2 split among circuit judges on whether the Monetary Control Act mandates master account access.

Tymkovich wrote that the Fed’s interpretation grants “unreviewable discretion” that raises “thorny questions” under Article II while contradicting the MCA’s plain language, which requires services to be “available to nonmember depository institutions.“

The Kansas City Fed denied Custodia’s application in January 2023 after 27 months of review, citing risks from its “crypto-asset activities” despite initially telling the bank there were “no showstoppers” with its application.

Internal Fed documents revealed that staff deemed Custodia’s capital “adequate” and praised its “impressive” executive team, only for Board of Governors officials to intervene.

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller has since acknowledged publicly that the Fed possesses sufficient tools to manage risks without denying master accounts entirely.

In an October interview, Waller suggested the Fed can “tailor” account structures to match individual bank risk profiles, undermining the necessity argument for blanket denials.

OCC Exposes Systematic Crypto Debanking

Custodia’s legal fight unfolds as federal regulators confront widespread debanking practices targeting crypto firms.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency released findings in December showing all nine largest national banks imposed “inappropriate” restrictions on lawful businesses, including digital asset companies, between 2020 and 2023.

JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, Wells Fargo, and others maintained internal policies requiring escalated approvals or imposing blanket restrictions on sectors deemed to conflict with institutional values.

The review examined thousands of complaints about political and religious debanking, as well as crypto exclusions.

Banks insisted they did not discriminate, but the OCC found many restrictive policies were publicly visible.

In fact, Strike CEO Jack Mallers recently claimed his accounts were abruptly closed under vague references to “concerning activity,” fueling allegations of coordinated exclusion despite regulatory denials.

The controversy intensified after President Trump signed an executive order in August intended to prevent banks from debanking customers solely for crypto-related activity.

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The Financial Stability Oversight Council has removed crypto from its list of systemic financial threats in its 2025 annual report. This is a dramatic regulatory shift attributable to the transformation happening under the Trump administration.

The 86-page document, approved December 11, eliminates the dire warnings about digital assets that dominated previous years, instead emphasizing responsible growth and regulatory clarity for the sector.

The FSOC’s latest assessment contrasts sharply with its 2024 report, which warned that stablecoins represented an acute vulnerability to runs absent appropriate risk-management standards.

This year’s report acknowledges crypto’s role in innovation and economic development, while noting that recent legislative progress has addressed many of the concerns that previously existed.

The council now describes digital assets as facilitating secure, efficient transactions through distributed ledger technology rather than framing them as destabilizing forces.

Legislative Progress and Banking Access Reforms

The transformation stems largely from the passage of the GENIUS Act in July, which established America’s first comprehensive federal framework for payment stablecoins.

The legislation requires licensed issuers to maintain reserves in highly liquid assets, such as U.S. Treasuries, and prohibits rehypothecation except for limited purposes.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted in the report that continued use of dollar-denominated stablecoins supports the dollar’s role in international finance.

Beyond stablecoins, federal agencies have systematically withdrawn restrictive guidance that previously discouraged banks from engaging with crypto firms.

The SEC eliminated prior-notification requirements for offering digital asset custody services, while banking regulators rescinded joint statements that effectively pushed crypto activity outside traditional finance.

The Federal Reserve ended its novel activities supervision program, returning oversight to normal supervisory processes.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency released preliminary findings showing all nine largest national banks imposed inappropriate restrictions on lawful crypto businesses between 2020 and 2023.

JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, Wells Fargo, and others maintained internal policies requiring escalated approvals or blanket limitations on digital asset companies, alongside sectors such as firearms and adult entertainment.

Comptroller Jonathan Gould described the practices as “harmful to lawful enterprises” and an inappropriate use of national bank charters.

The findings build on President Trump’s August executive order guaranteeing fair banking access and state-level fair access laws in Florida, Idaho, and Tennessee, designed to prevent ideological account closures.

Market Structure Legislation Races Senate Deadline

Last week, Senator Cynthia Lummis pushed for immediate Senate Banking Committee markup of the Responsible Financial Innovation Act before the holiday recess, warning negotiations cannot drift into February without risking election-year paralysis.

She told the Blockchain Association Policy Summit that bipartisan drafts have been rewritten repeatedly, exhausting staff members as lawmakers struggle to reconcile the House and Senate approaches to defining which tokens fall outside securities classification.

The House passed the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act in July, giving the CFTC primary oversight of digital commodities while preserving SEC authority over fundraising.

The Senate version uses the term “ancillary assets” and faces tension over decentralized finance regulation.

Senator Thom Tillis warned that missing the December window could freeze the bill for the rest of 2026.

However, Senator Mark Warner also suggested completing everything before the holiday recess would be difficult, noting the White House still hadn’t provided final language on quorum and ethics rules.

Traditional Finance Embraces Tokenized Products

JPMorgan Chase demonstrated the sector’s mainstreaming by launching its first tokenized money-market fund on the Ethereum network.

The My OnChain Net Yield Fund begins with $100 million of the bank’s capital before opening to qualified investors with minimum investments of $1 million.

The MONY fund accepts subscriptions in cash or USDC, demonstrating institutional adoption of crypto-native payment rails for settlement alongside traditional cash.

The launch follows the GENIUS Act’s regulatory clarity, with Wall Street accelerating tokenization efforts across equities, bonds, and real-world assets.

John Donohue, JPMorgan’s global liquidity head, cited a “massive amount of interest from clients around tokenization” and the bank’s intention to lead the space with product lineups that match traditional money-market fund choices on the blockchain.

The integration of blockchain into core financial products, once considered distant from crypto, indicates the technology is progressing from experimental to infrastructure-grade status within traditional finance.

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Solana has weathered one of the most powerful distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks ever recorded without any visible impact on network performance.

The attack, which has been ongoing for more than a week, peaked at nearly 6 terabits per second (Tbps), ranking as the fourth-largest DDoS attack in internet history, according to data shared by SolanaFloor.

Despite the scale, network metrics show Solana continued to process transactions normally, with sub-second confirmations and stable slot latency throughout the period.

Solana Joins Google, Cloudflare and AWS in Record-Scale DDoS History

Charts accompanying the disclosure place the Solana incident alongside historic attacks targeting major centralized infrastructure providers, including Google Cloud, Cloudflare customers, Microsoft Azure, and AWS.

While those attacks ranged from 2.3 Tbps to as high as 46 Tbps, Solana’s appearance on the list marks a rare case of a public blockchain facing traffic volumes comparable to the largest assaults on traditional internet services.

Validators and core infrastructure absorbed the traffic without degraded performance, reinforcing claims that Solana’s architecture has matured significantly since earlier congestion episodes.

Meanwhile, the Sui network experienced a DDoS attack just a day earlier, which resulted in delayed block production and periods of reduced performance.

A DDoS attack is an attempt to overwhelm a network, website, or system with massive traffic so it can’t operate normally.

Attackers use large numbers of compromised devices (a botnet) to send junk requests at the same time, flooding the target with data.

The goal isn’t to steal information, but to slow the system down, cause outages, or make services unavailable.

DDoS attacks are not rare in crypto. Last year, the Cardano network experienced an attempted DDoS attack beginning at block 10,487,530.

Raul Antonio, chief technology officer of Fluid Tokens, explained that the attack tried to manipulate the blockchain into charging lower fees for high-value transactions.

Likewise, layer-2 blockchain Manta suffered a DDoS attack shortly after successfully listing its Manta token on multiple exchanges last year.

Solana Faces Liquidity Reset as Losses Mount

As reported, Solana is entering a period of stress as on-chain data points to shrinking liquidity and falling profitability.

Glassnode data shows the network’s 30-day realized profit-to-loss ratio has remained below 1 since mid-November, a level typically linked to bearish conditions, meaning traders are realizing losses more often than gains and market sentiment has weakened.

Analysts at Altcoin Vector describe the situation as a “full liquidity reset,” a phase that has historically marked the early stages of new liquidity cycles and, in some cases, market bottoms.

While near-term volatility remains high, analysts say conditions could begin to stabilize within weeks, potentially setting the stage for a recovery by early January if the pattern mirrors past cycles.

Meanwhile, amid growing demand for Solana funds, Web3 infrastructure provider Alchemy has rebuilt its Solana stack from the ground up, aiming to deliver near-zero downtime, faster transaction speeds, and higher scalability.

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An AI Agent whale has just turned one of this year’s loudest narratives into an expensive lesson, unloading a basket of agent tokens bought for $31.12M and getting back only $2.57M, according to on-chain data posted from Ember.

The wallet built its positions at the start of the year during the peak of the AI Agent narrative, when capital chased anything linked to autonomous trading bots and AI-powered execution.

With liquidity now thin and sentiment cooler, the same bets have been closed at a loss of about $28.54 million, or roughly 92%.

Token by token, the damage is stark. The whale lost about 91%, or $15.89M, on AIXBT and 92%, or $9.87M, on FAI.

Aggressive Sell-Off Hammers AI Agent Tokens With Losses Across the Board

Positions in NFTXBT and POLY, both from the Virtuals ecosystem, were nearly wiped out with losses of 99%, equal to around $690,000 and $780,000 respectively.

The book did not fare much better elsewhere. BOTTO, an AI-driven art and curation project, produced an 84% hit of about $930,000. MAICRO, another Virtuals-linked agent token, cost the wallet roughly $380,000, a 90% drawdown versus its entry.

Because order books in these names are now shallow, the forced exit hit prices in real time.

Ember’s breakdown shows AIXBT falling about 10% during the selling, FAI dropping 8% and NFTXBT sliding 29%. BOTTO sank 32%, MAICRO tumbled 48% and POLY declined 26% as the whale worked its way through positions.

Arkham Reveals Large-Scale Sell-Off as AI Agent Hype Fades

Screenshots from Arkham’s explorer point to a sequence of transfers between the whale address and liquidity pools, with tens of millions of tokens in each project moving in quick succession. The flows suggest a deliberate decision to capitulate rather than a slow rebalance, locking in losses instead of waiting for a fresh burst of AI Agent speculation.

For market participants who rode the same theme, the episode is a reminder of how narrative-driven sectors can behave once attention shifts elsewhere. Many AI Agent tokens launched into the tail end of the broader AI mania and never built the depth or organic usage that support large tickets on the way out.

The liquidation also shows the limits of whale size in illiquid corners of crypto. Size that helps drive performance during the initial run-up can turn into a liability when liquidity dries up, since every attempt to exit pushes prices lower and erodes recovery value.

For traders still navigating the agents meta, the whale’s exit cuts both ways. It is a sharp reminder that late-stage narratives can punish even deep wallets, yet some may view the flush as clearing stale supply from thin markets.

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The US Securities and Exchange Commission has sharply scaled back its enforcement actions against the cryptocurrency industry since President Donald Trump returned to office.

The agency has dismissed or paused close to 60% of crypto-related cases, according to a report published Sunday by The New York Times.

While enforcement activity continues across traditional markets, cases involving crypto firms have been disproportionately affected by withdrawals, pauses, or outright dismissals since January, the report said.

SEC Retreats From Ripple and Binance Cases

Among the most prominent cases cited were the SEC’s long-running lawsuits against Ripple Labs and Binance, both of which have seen significant pullbacks.

The Times also noted that the regulator is “no longer actively pursuing a single case against a firm with known Trump ties,” a detail that has intensified scrutiny of the agency’s motives.

The SEC pushed back on suggestions of political favoritism, telling the newspaper that its decisions were driven by legal and policy considerations rather than politics.

The report added that it found no evidence President Trump directly pressured the agency to abandon specific investigations.

Industry figures argue the enforcement retreat reflects a broader reassessment of the SEC’s earlier approach to crypto.

Alex Thorn, head of firmwide research at Galaxy Digital, said claims that the shift is linked to Trump’s personal interests overlook what he described as years of aggressive and inconsistent regulation.

Thorn said framing the pivot as politically motivated ignores “four years of direct attacks by the actual partisans.”

The backdrop to the enforcement slowdown includes a deepening connection between Trump-linked entities and the digital asset sector.

In 2025, projects associated with the president or his family expanded significantly, ranging from World Liberty Financial to Trump-branded crypto initiatives, including the Official Trump memecoin and American Bitcoin, a mining venture backed by the president’s sons.

Leadership Shift at SEC Looms as Final Democratic Commissioner Exits

At the same time, changes at the top of the SEC are set to further reshape the agency’s stance.

Paul Atkins, a Republican appointee seen as more receptive to market-driven regulation, is expected to remain chair for the foreseeable future. However, the commission is preparing to lose its final Democratic member.

Caroline Crenshaw, whose term officially expired in 2024, is expected to depart in January after serving an additional 18 months.

Trump has yet to announce nominees to fill her seat or another vacant Democratic position on the commission.

Crenshaw has been one of the most vocal critics of the SEC’s softer approach to crypto under the Trump administration.

In one of her final public appearances last week, she warned that easing oversight could expose markets to wider contagion risks, cautioning that reduced scrutiny may come at a cost to investor protection.

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President Donald Trump has expressed willingness to consider pardoning Keonne Rodriguez, the CEO of privacy-focused Bitcoin wallet Samourai. Rodriguez was sentenced to five years in federal prison last month for money laundering charges.

During an afternoon event in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump answered a reporter’s question that he is aware of the case and is open to exploring a potential pardon.

“I’ve heard about it, I’ll look at it,” he told the reporter. “Why you think it should be pardoned?”

“It sounds like, based on your question, Rodriguez. We’ll look at that, Pam. Okay,” the President said to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was also present during the session.

Samourai Dev Rodriguez Faces 5 Years Prison Charges

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) arrested Keonne Rodriguez and William Hill, the CEO and CTO of Samourai Wallet on April 24. They each face one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business. The case was started under the Biden administration.

Last month, District Judge Denise Cote of the Southern District of New York (SDNY) handed down Rodriguez’s sentence to five years in prison.

Rodriguez was accused of creating a Bitcoin mixing service that was allegedly used to launder $237 million in dirty money. He had voluntarily pleaded guilty in July.

Rodriguez Responds to Trump’s Words

In response to Trump’s consideration on Monday, Rodriguez said, “This is a big step forward.”

“This President knows all about lawfare. He knows all about a weaponized Biden DOJ hunting down their political rivals. He knows the tactics and tricks they play. If he looks at our case closely it will be a case of deja vu, and I think he would do the right thing and grant us a pardon,” Rodriguez wrote on X.

Trump’s response comes four days before Rodriguez’s prison term begins.

Besides, the crypto community is buzzing with #pardonsamourai hashtags, seeking the signing of a petition to reach 100K signatures.

“Just as Ross Ulbricht was pardoned, Keonne must be forgiven, too,” wrote crypto entrepreneur Jesse Tevelow. “We cannot allow one of our own fellow Bitcoiners to spend time in jail for building a legitimate product that protects our Bitcoin and strengthens the network.”

President Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, who started Silk Road, a marketplace on the darknet. In October, Trump also pardoned Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the former head of Binance, concluding months of speculation over his legal fate. These cases mark a major shift in Washington’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation.

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Crypto wallet provider MetaMask has expanded its multichain push by adding native support for Bitcoin, marking a notable shift for a platform long associated with Ethereum-based networks.

The company announced the rollout on social media on Monday, nearly ten months after first hinting at the integration in February.

With the update, Bitcoin now joins Ethereum, Solana, Monad and Sei as supported assets within MetaMask, allowing users to hold and transact BTC directly from the wallet.

MetaMask Lets Users Buy, Swap and Send Bitcoin

MetaMask said users can now buy Bitcoin, swap other tokens into BTC, and send or receive the asset, with confirmed transactions appearing automatically in their asset list.

The company cautioned that Bitcoin transfers typically settle more slowly than transactions on EVM-compatible chains or Solana, reflecting the network’s design.

To encourage adoption, MetaMask is offering reward points for users who swap into Bitcoin through the wallet.

Until now, access to BTC on MetaMask was limited to wrapped versions of the asset, which rely on intermediaries and carry additional smart contract risk.

The Bitcoin integration was first discussed earlier this year, when MetaMask co-founder Dan Finlay suggested the feature could go live in the third quarter of 2025.

Its arrival underscores the company’s broader effort to reposition itself as a multichain wallet rather than an Ethereum-only tool.

MetaMask began that transition in May with support for Solana, followed by integrations with Sei in August and Monad in November. While details remain limited, the firm has signaled that further blockchain support is planned.

“Bitcoin support marks the latest step in our multichain expansion,” MetaMask said, adding that additional networks are expected to be added in 2026.

MetaMask to Integrate Polymarket

As reported, MetaMask has entered the prediction market space through a new integration with Polymarket, allowing users to trade on real-world event outcomes directly from their wallets.

The feature introduces one-tap funding, enabling deposits from any EVM-compatible chain, and rewards users with MetaMask points for each prediction placed.

The partnership creates a new on-ramp for Polymarket, which has seen rapid growth over the past year, particularly during the 2024 US election cycle.

A more favorable regulatory backdrop and renewed US market access have helped drive its expansion, with the platform now reportedly exploring a valuation of up to $15 billion following a strategic investment from Intercontinental Exchange, the parent company of the NYSE.

The wallet is also preparing for the rollout of a native MASK token, as parent company Consensys gears up for a potential IPO.

The move comes as Polymarket is recruiting staff for an internal market-making team that would trade against its own customers, mirroring a controversial feature already used by rival Kalshi that has drawn criticism and legal challenges.

The New York-based prediction market startup has reportedly approached traders, including sports bettors, to join the new unit, people familiar with the matter said, requesting anonymity because the plans remain private.

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Crypto’s primary liquidity gauge is flashing warning signs. According to a new market note from Matrixport, while total stablecoin supply remains near all-time highs, the pace of new capital inflows has peaked and is now slowing, considered a classic signal of buyer exhaustion.

The firm notes that the rolling 12-month growth rate of stablecoin issuance topped out in late October and has since rolled over. The deceleration coincides with a roughly 3% decline in Bitcoin, which was trading near $85,860 on Tuesday morning, struggling to reclaim key moving averages.

The Data: Liquidity Stock vs. Liquidity Flow

On the surface, crypto liquidity appears abundant. Tether (USDT) and Circle (USDC) together command a combined market capitalization exceeding $260 billion. However, Matrixport argues that headline supply figures obscure a more important signal: the marginal liquidity needed to sustain price momentum is drying up.

The firm attributes the slowdown primarily to the Federal Reserve’s shift toward a more cautious stance on future rate cuts.

“Political constraints may have a greater impact on market flows than investors’ perceptions,” Matrixport wrote, adding that liquidity conditions remain constrained by weak retail participation.

Why Stablecoin Supply Is No Longer Driving Risk Appetite

Matrixport highlights a critical divergence shaping current market dynamics:

• Liquidity Stock: Absolute stablecoin supply continues to rise, theoretically providing ample “dry powder.”
• Liquidity Impulse: The velocity of that capital has collapsed. Instead of rotating into risk assets, funds are remaining idle or moving into yield-bearing instruments.

The firm links this behavior to growing uncertainty around the Fed’s policy path, as reinforced by recent FOMC minutes that offered little clarity on the timing or depth of easing.

Market Reaction: Technical Damage Builds

Price action has turned defensive. Matrixport notes that Bitcoin has lost its “bull market trend indicator” for the first time in several months, signaling weakening momentum beneath the surface.

With the Fed unlikely to deliver aggressive easing in Q1, the firm warns that the “correction phase forecast since October” is likely to persist unless a new macro or liquidity catalyst emerges.

Institutional View: Velocity Matters More Than Size

Matrixport emphasizes that the key distinction separating institutional positioning from retail narratives is the difference between liquidity stock and liquidity impulse.

A $260 billion stablecoin float may sound bullish, but without an accelerating rate of issuance and deployment, it acts more like a reservoir than a flood. Institutional desks are interpreting the Fed’s hesitation as a cap on leverage and risk-taking.

Until the cost of capital meaningfully declines or stablecoin issuance re-accelerates on a rolling basis, Matrixport expects choppy, range-bound conditions rather than sustained breakouts.

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Texas’ role as a center of U.S. crypto activity is set to expand further after Bitcoin Bancorp said it plans to deploy up to 200 licensed Bitcoin ATMs across the state beginning in the first quarter of 2026.

The state is adding to an already dense network of crypto kiosks operating under one of the country’s clearest regulatory frameworks.

Bitcoin Bancorp Enters Texas, Citing Clear Rules and Strong ATM Demand

Bitcoin Bancorp, which trades over the counter under the ticker BCBC, said the planned rollout would mark its entry into what it described as a strategically important market.

The company is one of only three publicly traded Bitcoin ATM network owners in the United States and says it holds foundational patents tied to Bitcoin ATM technology.

Eric Noveshen, a director at the firm, said agreements are already in place that could support faster revenue growth as the company moves from planning into execution.

Following the announcement, Bitcoin Bancorp shares rose 7.83% on the day and are up 29.53% over the past five days, reflecting increased investor confidence in the expansion strategy.

The expansion comes at a time when Texas already hosts more than 4,000 live crypto ATMs, the highest number of any U.S. state.

Large national operators, including Athena Bitcoin, Bitcoin Depot, Coinhub, Cryptobase, and Byte Federal, have established broad coverage across major cities such as Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio.

The presence of this existing infrastructure has lowered barriers for new deployments and signaled sustained consumer demand for in-person crypto access.

Why Bitcoin ATM Operators Keep Flocking to Texas

Texas’ appeal to ATM operators largely stems from its regulatory structure. State law treats virtual currency as a form of money under the Texas Money Services Act, placing Bitcoin ATM operators within a familiar licensing regime overseen by the Texas Department of Banking.

Companies must obtain a money transmitter license, meet minimum net worth requirements of at least $500,000, post a surety bond of no less than $150,000, and submit to regular examinations.

Consumer protection has also become a growing focus. In Texas, state rules require Bitcoin ATM operators to clearly disclose fees, exchange rates, and complaint procedures.

Federal Scrutiny Intensifies Around Bitcoin ATMs

Oversight of Bitcoin ATMs in the United States is tightening at the federal level as regulators respond to rising fraud concerns and increased consumer use.

Currently at the federal level, Bitcoin ATM operators are classified as money services businesses under the Bank Secrecy Act, placing them under the supervision of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

This requires operators to maintain formal anti-money laundering programs, conduct customer identity verification, and monitor transactions for suspicious activity.

Identity checks typically scale with transaction size, ranging from basic phone verification for smaller amounts to government-issued identification and enhanced due diligence for larger transfers.

Operators are also required to file currency transaction reports for cash transactions exceeding $10,000, submit suspicious activity reports when necessary, and retain records for a minimum of five years.

At the same time, federal lawmakers are moving to further regulate the sector. Proposed legislation such as the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 shows a more focused concern over the role of crypto kiosks in scam-related losses nationwide.

What the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act Proposes

Introduced in the U.S. Senate as Bill S. 710, the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act of 2025, which has been read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, is designed to reduce fraud risks while increasing transparency for consumers.

Key provisions of the bill include mandatory registration of virtual currency kiosks with the U.S. Treasury; also, operators are required to provide clear pre-transaction disclosures outlining terms, fees, and a warning that transactions are final and non-refundable.

The bill mandates prominent fraud warnings on kiosks, the issuance of physical receipts containing transaction details and fraud-reporting information, and the implementation of written anti-fraud policies submitted to FinCEN.

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