Sometimes, though, you just want an excuse to shoot a bunch of weird little guys in weird little spaces.
Don't get too close, now... they do bite.
Credit:
Oddcorp
For those times, there is Oddcore, a new Early Access, roguelike boomer shooter that is a stark contrast to the more sprawling self-serious shooters out there. The game's combination of frenetic, quick-moving action, semi-randomized scenarios, and well-balanced risk/reward upgrade system makes for a pick-up-and-play shooter that I find myself struggling not to pick up and play for a few more quick-hit sessions even as I write this.
The bitcoin price hovered below $90,000 near $80,000 today as traders made another late push to recover year-end losses during thin holiday trading, but the market again lacked the conviction needed for a sustained breakout.
The bitcoin price stood at $88,063 at the time of writing, up about 1% over the past 24 hours, according to market data. Trading volume totaled roughly $40 billion, reflecting muted participation as December draws to a close.
Bitcoin is now about 1% below its seven-day high of $89,201 and roughly 1% above its seven-day low of $86,855.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency has a circulating supply of 19,969,296 BTC, with a hard cap of 21 million coins. Bitcoin’s total market capitalization is approximately $1.76 trillion, up 1% from a day earlier.
Bitcoin pushed toward the $90,000 level yesterday for a second straight session before the rally stalled once again. Price action remains confined to a broad range between roughly $85,000 and $95,000, a structure that has defined the market since a sharp October sell-off.
That drawdown followed Bitcoin’s all-time high in early October, when prices were up nearly 30% on the year.
Since then, sentiment has shifted. The bitcoin price is now down about 5% from last December, putting it on track for its first annual loss in three years.
“I’d continue to expect exaggerated moves on light flow through New Year’s,” Jasper De Maere, desk strategist at Wintermute, said in a note to Bloomberg.. He cautioned traders against relying too heavily on short-term signals until liquidity returns to normal levels.
The recent price stagnation contrasts with the broader recovery in traditional risk assets. Bitcoin began the year with a strong rally fueled by optimism around crypto-friendly policies under the second Trump administration.
That enthusiasm faded as uncertainty surrounding President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda rattled global markets.
Bitcoin price battling with leveraged traders
While U.S. equities have largely rebounded from those shocks, Bitcoin has struggled to regain momentum. The October downturn was compounded by a wave of liquidations after leveraged positions reached record levels. On Oct. 10, a sharp sell-off flushed out long exposure and reset market positioning.
Demand for spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds has also weakened. According to data by Bloomberg, ETF outflows have reached roughly $6 billion in the fourth quarter, adding steady pressure as Bitcoin failed to reclaim the $90,000 threshold.
Holiday trading conditions have further distorted price action. Earlier this week, the bitcoin price swung sharply around $90,000 during low-liquidity sessions, posting fast gains and losses that lacked follow-through.
Prices briefly rose about 2.6% during thin trading and held above $86,000 over the week, but again failed to sustain levels above $90,000 during Asian hours.
QCP Capital said recent moves reflect a market short on participation. In a note, the firm pointed to a steep decline in derivatives activity following last Friday’s record options expiry. Open interest dropped by nearly 50%, signaling that many traders moved to the sidelines.
That options expiry also altered short-term market dynamics. According to QCP, dealers who were long gamma ahead of the event are now short gamma on the upside. In such conditions, rising prices can force hedging activity that amplifies short-term moves, particularly when liquidity is thin.
A similar setup emerged earlier this month when the bitcoin price briefly approached $90,000. Funding rates climbed quickly as traders crowded into bullish positions, creating short-lived upward pressure.
Deribit’s perpetual funding rate surged above 30% following the latest expiry, up from near-flat levels beforehand. Elevated funding rates often indicate overheated positioning and raise the cost of maintaining long exposure.
From a technical perspective, Bitcoin Magazine analysts said the market continues to reject lower levels within a broadening wedge pattern, suggesting downside momentum is weakening. Key resistance sits at $91,400 and $94,000. A weekly close above $94,000 could open a path toward $101,000 and $108,000, though resistance remains heavy.
On the downside, $84,000 remains critical support. A break below that level could send the bitcoin price toward the $72,000 to $68,000 range.
The inaugural Las Vegas Vlasic Classic kicked off on November 8 at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, in collaboration with the Paiute Tribe and NuWu Cannabis. This event marked the first golf tournament in Nevada designed to fully comply with cannabis regulations. The concept was simple yet effective, taking place on a course known for hosting major events, and the turnout demonstrated a clear interest in the initiative.
This Las Vegas stop marked a significant development for the growing tournament series, which began in the Midwest and has steadily expanded. Founder Willy Vlasic noted that the move westward was intentional, linking the Classic to a major cannabis market at a time when the industry seeks more open and well-organized events.
“Las Vegas represents the next chapter in our mission to blend sport, advocacy and cannabis culture positively,” Vlasic said. “Partnering with the Paiute Tribe and NuWu Cannabis to create Nevada’s first compliant golf tournament showcases how collaboration can advance national reform efforts.”
The charity golf tournament attracted golfers, industry operators, brand representatives, advocates and supporters from the cannabis community.
While golfers competed for trophies and hole-in-one prizes, the day prioritized dialogue as much as competition. Sponsor tents provided a mixture of product showcases and casual hangouts. Participants varied in their pace of play; some rushed through, while others savored the experience, with no one seeming eager to finish quickly.
Because the event was held at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, owned and operated by the Paiute Tribe, on-site consumption was permitted. This was a unique twist for a cannabis industry event, which are typically limited by state and local restrictions on public use. It added a practical ease to the day and meant attendees could sample products, join activations, and move through the course without the usual workarounds that define most cannabis gatherings.
This relaxed pace suited the attendees well, allowing them to seamlessly transition between golfing, networking, advocacy and casual conversation without interruptions. The event felt like an educational field trip, filled with familiar faces, as well as new introductions and ample opportunities for discussion—all without the constraints of a hectic conference schedule.
A Fundraiser With Clear Outcomes
The Las Vegas Vlasic Classic raised over $17,500, which was distributed among three national organizations dedicated to cannabis justice. Freedom Grow Forever and the Last Prisoner Project each received $6,250, while The Weldon Project received $5,000. These funds support various initiatives, including commissary accounts, re-entry assistance, legal advocacy and clemency efforts for individuals affected by cannabis-related incarceration.
Each partner organization plays a unique role within the reform landscape. Freedom Grow Forever, led by Bill and Jeff Levers, directs funds to support individuals still incarcerated for cannabis offenses. The Last Prisoner Project focuses on providing resources for re-entry microgrants and support systems for those returning to society. The Weldon Project, founded by Weldon Angelos, is dedicated to federal clemency, sentencing policy, and high-level advocacy.
Bill Levers, CEO of Freedom Grow, expressed gratitude to the Vlasic brand and their family for their advocacy work for cannabis prisoners. “The Vlasic family has been incredible partners and true advocates for Freedom Grow’s mission. The Las Vegas Vlasic Classic has played a crucial role in helping us share prisoners’ stories with the public. More importantly, it has allowed us to directly support those on our outreach list thanks to their generous donations. We are deeply thankful to the Vlasic family and every sponsor who made this event possible.”
With Las Vegas now added to the series, the Vlasic Classic, which took place earlier this year in Michigan and Missouri, has raised over $140,000 for second-chance and reform efforts.
Willy Vlasic with Benny Tso, the former chair of the Las Vegas Paiute Nation, at the historic first-ever legal consumption golf tournament in the US.
Strong Support From Across the Industry
A diverse array of brands supported the Las Vegas Classic, including Cannabis Now, Mama J’s, Matrix, Verano, Curaleaf, STIIIZY, and Good Day Farm. Their participation helped anchor the event and attract attention from the broader region. The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) also returned as the official trade association sponsor, offering discounted first-year memberships to attendees.
The next event in the series is the 2026 Missouri Vlasic Classic, scheduled for May 1–3 at Old Kinderhook Resort. Previous Missouri events experienced strong attendance and media coverage, and early indications for 2026 suggest continued momentum.
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Don't get too close, now... they do bite.
Credit:
Oddcorp
