YouTube has quietly added a new payout option that lets creators in the US receive earnings in PayPal’s dollar-pegged token, PYUSD. According to several reports, the change appears to be active now and is being offered through PayPal’s payout rails rather than through any direct crypto custody by YouTube.

How The Option Works

PayPal’s head of crypto, May Zabaneh, confirmed the setup to Fortune and said the company uses its existing payout network to deliver PYUSD to recipients who opt in.

That means YouTube will still calculate and send creator earnings in dollars to PayPal’s system, and PayPal is then responsible for the conversion to the stablecoin and distribution to creators. The move builds on PayPal’s broader push to offer stablecoin tools to businesses and individual users.

PYUSD was introduced by PayPal in 2023 and has since been plugged into services such as Venmo and PayPal’s merchant tools. Reports have made clear that YouTube itself is not holding or moving crypto on behalf of creators; PayPal handles the token side.

Scope And Availability

For the moment, the option is available only to creators based in the US. A Google spokesperson confirmed the rollout but declined to share a schedule for any expansion beyond American users.

Creators who qualify for YouTube’s monetization programs may be able to opt into the new payout method for monthly earnings like ad revenue and paid memberships.

Some creators will value the extra choice. Receiving PYUSD could let a creator hold a dollar-pegged token onchain, spend it where PayPal tools accept it, or convert back to fiat through PayPal.

There are tradeoffs: holding a stablecoin brings different custody and tax considerations than a straight bank transfer. Reporting systems and bank rules may differ depending on how the creator finally cashes out.

What Creators Should Expect

The signup step should be familiar to anyone who already uses PayPal payouts on YouTube; it will likely appear as an alternative payment method in creator settings.

Once chosen, payments will flow through PayPal’s established payout system and show up as PYUSD in the recipient’s compatible wallet or PayPal balance, per the descriptions circulating in the trade press.

PYUSD In Numbers

PYUSD’s onchain presence has grown rapidly. Market trackers list the stablecoin with close to $4 billion in circulating value and roughly 3.8 billion tokens in supply at the moment, figures that underline how much the token has expanded since launch.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Do Kwon, the South Korean co-founder of Terraform Labs, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on December 11, 2025 in a Manhattan federal court after pleading guilty to fraud tied to the collapse of the TerraUSD stablecoin and its sister token, Luna.

According to court documents and news reports, the judge described the scheme as a massive fraud that left thousands of investors facing heavy losses.

Sentence And Court Ruling

Judge Paul A. Engelmayer handed down the 15-year term after prosecutors urged for a sentence of up to 12 years and the defense asked for a much lighter term.

Do Kwon pleaded guilty in August 2025 to conspiracy to defraud and wire fraud, and as part of the plea he agreed to forfeit roughly $19 million.

The US Attorney’s office says the guilty plea admits he misled investors about how the stablecoin kept its $1 peg.

Scale Of The Losses

Reports have placed the market fallout from the Terra collapse at about $40 billion in erased value. Many ordinary investors lost life savings and some victims gave emotional testimony at sentencing, describing real financial ruin.

News outlets and court filings tie the crash in May 2022 to a sudden loss of confidence that cascaded through markets and hurt other crypto firms.

Civil Penalties And Settlements

Before the criminal case reached this point, Kwon and Terraform faced a major civil action from the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

According to the SEC, Terraform Labs and Kwon agreed to pay more than $4.5 billion in disgorgement, interest and penalties, while Kwon personally faced an $80 million civil fine and a ban from crypto trading.

That civil judgment was filed in 2024 and has been used by regulators as part of the overall effort to make investors whole.

International Arrest And Extradition

Kwon was arrested in Montenegro in March 2023 after leaving Singapore; authorities say he was using forged travel documents when detained.

He fought extradition in Montenegrin courts but was eventually transferred to the US late in 2024 to face federal charges. Reports outline a long legal fight across borders that ended with his return to New York to answer criminal counts.

What The Sentence Means

Legal analysts say a 15-year term signals the court’s view that the fraud caused wide damage and that punishment should deter similar schemes. Victims’ statements at sentencing appear to have weighed heavily.

Kwon still faces separate probes and possible charges in other countries, and the civil judgment means substantial sums are earmarked for recovery efforts tied to Terraform’s bankruptcy.

Featured image from Getty Images, chart from TradingView

Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, has been honored with a new “disappearing” statue installed at the New York Stock Exchange this week.

According to reports, the piece was placed by investment firm Twenty One Capital and is part of a broader public art effort linking Bitcoin’s cultural presence with major financial sites.

Installation And The Artist

The sculpture was made by Italian artist Valentina Picozzi and is built so that it appears nearly invisible from certain angles, then clearly forms when seen from the side.

“Satoshi Nakamoto” Valentina Picozzi – @satoshigallery

Twenty One Capital places a statue of Satoshi Nakamoto, the inventor of bitcoin, in NYSE. Its new home marks a shared ground between emerging systems and established institutions. From code to culture, the placement… pic.twitter.com/sTiNq3h5HY

— NYSE (@NYSE) December 10, 2025

The work took about 21 months to design and build, and this NYSE placement is the sixth of a planned series of 21 monuments scattered around the globe. The layered-metal technique creates the optical effect that mirrors Satoshi’s elusive identity.

Past Incidents And Recovery

The statue’s arrival at Wall Street follows earlier headlines tied to the same design. In August, a version of the disappearing Satoshi in Lugano was briefly missing after being taken and later recovered from Lake Lugano, with the recovery drive boosted by a 0.1 BTC reward offered by the art collective behind the pieces.

This is such an achievement, even in our wildest dream we wouldn’t think about placing the statue of Satoshi Nakamoto in this location!

The 6th/21 statues of Satoshi Nakamoto found its home in the NYSE.

Thank you https://t.co/iIEvZawAte

— Satoshigallery (@satoshigallery) December 10, 2025

Reports have disclosed that municipal workers found the sculpture in pieces, and the episode drew attention to the artwork’s symbolic value and physical fragility.

Market Reaction To The Installation

Trading and market news have shown a mixed response to the spectacle. Reports indicate that Twenty One Capital, which organized the NYSE installation, saw its shares fall about 19% during its trading debut, an early sign that symbolic moves do not always calm investor nerves. Some coverage framed the firm as a multibillion-dollar company while noting the sharp initial swing in its stock.

Where is Satoshi?

We are offering 0.1 btc to whoever will help us recovering the Statue of Satoshi Nakamoto that was stolen yesterday in Lugano.

You can steal our symbol but you will never be able to steal our souls.

Thank you all for the nice messages.

We are all in this… https://t.co/cAGCqg4CuP pic.twitter.com/iGrBOdVYhe

— Satoshigallery (@satoshigallery) August 3, 2025

What This Means For Cultural Adoption

According to market and cultural commentators, placing the Satoshi statue at the NYSE signals growing acceptance of Bitcoin imagery by established institutions.

The move places a public symbol of the cryptocurrency inside one of the oldest trading venues in the US, and that contrast is being read as an example of how ideas from digital currency culture are entering mainstream spaces.

Observers say the artwork functions as both tribute and provocation, inviting debate about anonymity, value, and public memory.

What To Watch Next

Reports have noted that more of the planned installations will appear in other cities, bringing the total project aim to 21 locations.

Other institutions’ reactions remain to be seen, including whether additional major venues will host similar statues and how public opinion may shift following the recent theft and recovery in Switzerland.

The disappearing sculpture now stands as a real-world example of how art connected to the cryptocurrency world interacts with public spaces.

Featured image from Advance Innovations, chart from TradingView

e& UAE, United Arab Emirates’ telecom giant, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Al Maryah Community Bank to trial AE Coin, a Central Bank-licensed stablecoin, as a payment option across the telco’s services.

According to company statements, the plan would let customers use an AED-backed token to pay for mobile and home-service bills, prepaid and postpaid recharges, and purchases on e& digital platforms.

Integration Across Consumer Touchpoints

Reports have disclosed that e& Group aims to plug AE Coin into its existing payment systems. The move would add the stablecoin as an alternative to cards and bank transfers on e&’s mobile apps and at smart self-service kiosks.

e& UAE’s CEO, Hatem Dowidar, said the partnership with Al Maryah Community Bank will allow “instant settlement, complete transparency, and frictionless access” — language that signals the operator expects quicker finality and clearer audit trails for transactions.

For many users, that could mean fewer delays and simpler proof of payment when calling or browsing for services.

What The Partners Say

Based on reports, Al Maryah Community Bank’s chief executive, Mohammed Wassim Khayata, said the collaboration widens real-world uses for licensed virtual assets and opens the door to faster, more secure options for everyday payments.

Ramez Rafeek, General Manager of AED Stablecoin LLC, described AE Coin as created to support regulated and transparent digital payments.

Those comments frame the trial as an attempt to move a regulated token from niche experiments into mass consumer use. The pilot will start within selected e& channels; no national rollout timetable has been disclosed.

Potential Impact On Users And The Market

Analysts and payments experts say a telecom of e&’s size could quickly expose millions of customers to stablecoin payments if the test succeeds.

According to the companies involved, integrating AE Coin would cover prepaid top-ups and postpaid billing, which are high-frequency transactions that could provide an immediate test bed for volume and reliability.

Observers note that real adoption will hinge on how easy customers find the process, how wallets are managed, and whether merchants accept the token beyond e&’s own services.

Alignment With National Goals

Reports indicate the trial fits into the UAE’s push for regulated blockchain payments and a less cash-dependent economy.

Regulators have been encouraging licensed solutions, and using a Central Bank-approved stablecoin inside a major consumer network sends a clear signal that authorities are open to controlled innovation.

If adopted more widely, the token could serve as another regulated payment choice alongside existing systems.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

SpaceX moved 1,021 Bitcoin worth about $94.48 million on December 10, according to on-chain alerts from blockchain trackers. The transfer was sent to wallets tied to Coinbase Prime, raising questions about whether the company is reshaping part of its treasury while attention grows around its potential public listing.

Ledger Shuffle Raises Questions

Reports have disclosed that this move is only the latest in a series of large bitcoin transfers involving wallets believed to be linked to SpaceX.

Analysts tracking the transactions say the pattern looks more like a shift into institutional custody rather than an immediate market sale, since Coinbase Prime is commonly used for storage and structured trades by large companies.

SpaceX is estimated to hold around 8,285 BTC, a stash worth roughly $770 million based on recent market prices. That amount places the company among the biggest private holders of bitcoin.

Records show the balance was once higher during 2022, though part of it has been reduced over time as transfers continued.

SpaceX(@SpaceX) just transferred out another 1,021 $BTC($94.48M), to possibly Coinbase Prime for custody.https://t.co/zW62EKM2RD pic.twitter.com/PwBIvD5RaR

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) December 10, 2025

SpaceX: IPO Talk Adds Pressure

At the same time, reports from major outlets say SpaceX is preparing for an initial public offering that could take place in 2026.

Coverage has suggested the fundraising round may target tens of billions of dollars, and estimates of the company’s possible valuation range from $800 billion to more than $1.5 trillion.

Elon Musk reacted on social media to one of the reports, saying the information was accurate, which added more weight to expectations that a listing is being planned.

Because companies often adjust their balance sheets ahead of a public offering, analysts say moving crypto into institutional platforms would not be unusual. It can be done for audits, custody needs, or overall treasury preparation before large financial transactions.

What The Move Might Signal

A transfer into Coinbase Prime does not automatically mean a bitcoin sale is underway. Institutional accounts can hold assets for long periods without sending them directly to the open market.

Traders watching the activity say that only an actual sale — not a custody transfer — would create immediate pressure on Bitcoin prices.

Still, the timing stands out. The latest 1,021 BTC move comes during a period where SpaceX’s on-chain activity has increased. More transfers may follow if the company continues preparing documents and financial disclosures linked to a potential public listing.

The main question now is whether the recent shift was routine treasury work or part of a larger strategy connected to the IPO.

SpaceX has not issued a public statement on the transaction, leaving analysts to rely on blockchain data and regulatory reporting to understand what comes next.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Dogecoin rose 4% to trade at $0.14 Thursday, according to market reports. Market capitalization was about $21 billion while 24-hour trading volume hovered near $1.6 billion. The move followed renewed on-chain activity that has drawn attention from traders and analysts.

Spike In Active Wallets

Based on reports from BitInfoCharts, the number of daily active addresses on the Dogecoin network jumped to over 67,500 on December 3, marking the second-highest reading in the past three months.

That earlier spike on September 15 came as DOGE briefly approached a local top near $0.30. At that time, network activity rose as prices climbed; today, rising wallet activity is being watched closely as prices test a familiar zone after a long slide.

Support Holding Near $0.14

Dogecoin is sitting above an important area around $0.138–$0.14, which has been tested and defended multiple times. Reports show the token has bounced off that level before, and trading volume has more than doubled during the most recent uptick, a sign that buying interest is growing.

Market feeds also report mixed short-term figures: one line shows the token down by 5% in a week while another notes a 7.5% decline over the last week; those numbers do not align and highlight some reporting inconsistencies. Longer-term data show the token has lost roughly 60% over the past year and is about 50% off its recent highs.

Volume And Technical Targets

Traders are eyeing $0.16 as the next meaningful resistance. Based on reports, a decisive move above that zone would be the first clear break in the short-term bearish pattern. Beyond that, the 200-day exponential moving average sits as a broader target, often watched for signals that medium-term momentum has shifted.

A break above the 200-day EMA would be treated by many as confirmation that a recovery could gain traction, although history shows these signals sometimes reverse quickly.

Signals Are Mixed

Daily active address spikes can point to rising interest. They can also reflect simple transfers, bot traffic, or wallet reshuffles by large holders. Increased volume helps the case for buyers, but active-address readings alone are not foolproof.

The current setup looks like a battleground: both bulls and bears are more active than they were a few weeks ago. That activity makes the coming days important for traders who favor short-term moves.

Fed Meeting Adds A Macro Angle

Meanwhile, this week’s Federal Reserve meeting has added an extra element of uncertainty. Market participants are parsing comments for signs of a rate cut, which many expect would lift risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.

A shift in rate policy would likely move the broader market more than any single on-chain metric for one token.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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

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

Impact Estimates Suggest Billions Could Move

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

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

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

— Strategy (@Strategy) December 10, 2025

Who Could Be Affected And Why

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

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

Industry Groups Mobilize

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

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

Decision Timeline Could Trigger Market Moves

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

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

Bitcoin Investors Face Key Questions

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

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

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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

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

American Bitcoin Boosts Holdings

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

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

Shares Slide While Reserves Grow

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

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

Mining, Custody And Pledges

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

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

Satoshis Per Share And What Investors See

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

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

Family Backing And Public Profile

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

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

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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

Institutional Buying Is Changing Markets

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

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

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

Cycle Rules Are Being Questioned

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

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

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

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

Market Structure Still Shows Old Patterns

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

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

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

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

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

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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

A16z Moves Into Seoul

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

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

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

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

— sungmo (@sungmo_apac16z) December 10, 2025

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

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

— Anthony Albanese (@AAlbaneseNY) December 10, 2025

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

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

South Korea is the second-largest crypto market…

— Anthony Albanese (@AAlbaneseNY) December 10, 2025

Why Korea Matters To Crypto

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

What The Move Could Mean

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

Competition For Deals

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

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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

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

Key Support Level Under Scrutiny

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

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

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

$SHIB

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

— Nebraskangooner (@Nebraskangooner) December 9, 2025

Technical Traders See Trouble Ahead

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

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

Community Response And Roadmap Calls

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

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

Bitcoin’s Role In A Possible Comeback

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

Price Snapshot And What Comes Next

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

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

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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

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

Strive Launches $500M Program

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

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

Strive’s Announcement In Context

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

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

Bitcoin Holdings And Recent Buys

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

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

Semler Deal And Earlier Purchase Plan

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

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

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

Market Response

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

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

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

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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

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

Banking Giants Reverse Course

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

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

Loans Backed By Bitcoin

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

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

 

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

Political Climate Could Be Speeding Things Up

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

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

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

Markets Watching Fed Announcement

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

Technical Signals And Sentiment

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

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

Featured image from The Information, chart from TradingView

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

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

Launch Set For December 30 On App Stores

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

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

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

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

The Official Trump Mobile Game Is COMING SOON!

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

— TrumpMeme (@GetTrumpMemes) December 9, 2025

A $1M Token Pool To Draw Players

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

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

Crypto Connection: Game Tied Directly To TRUMP Coin

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

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

Token’s Sharp Drop Raises Questions

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

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

Featured image from Gemini, chart from TradingView

💾

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

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

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

Bitcoin: Trader Frenzy And Skepticism

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

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

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

High bars indicate… pic.twitter.com/o3U3yWkwkk

— Santiment (@santimentfeed) December 9, 2025

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

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

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

Fed Decision Could Shift Momentum

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

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

Liquidity, Institutions And The Bigger Picture

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

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

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

What Traders Should Watch

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

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

Featured image from Gemini, chart from TradingView

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

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

Sales And Volume Plunge

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

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

Market Cap Shrinks Dramatically

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

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

Blue Chips Mostly Lose Ground

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

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

Two Collections Show Gains

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

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

Outlook As Year Ends

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

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

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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

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

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

Audit Findings And Numbers

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

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

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

— BNN Bloomberg (@BNNBloomberg) December 8, 2025

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

Dapper Labs And Data Orders

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

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

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

Why Criminal Charges Are Limited

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

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

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

What It Means For Users And Platforms

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

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

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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

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

Shari’ah Approval And Partnership

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

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

UAE Crypto Flows And Local Context

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

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

— Unlock Blockchain (@unlockbc) December 8, 2025

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

How The Offering Works

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

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

Potential Impact On Muslim Investors

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

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

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

What Comes Next

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

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

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

Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView

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

Institutions Shift Big Stakes

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

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

Whales Add Margin Bets

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

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

INSTITUTIONS ARE ACCUMULATING $ETH ~ QUIETLY.

In the last few hours:

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

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

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

— BMNR Bullz (@BMNRBullz) December 8, 2025

Available Supply Shrinks

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

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

Price Range And Key Levels

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

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

Regulatory Step Could Matter

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

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

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

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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

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

Exchange Balances Shrink

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

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

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

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

— Santiment (@santimentfeed) December 8, 2025

Institutions Step In

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

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

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

Supply Moves Matter

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

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

Price Action And Macro Focus

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

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

Market Outlook And Risks

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

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

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView