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Ether-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) experienced a year of dramatic expansion and painful corrections in 2025. Liquidity deepened, assets scaled rapidly, and investor behavior revealed a market still finding its long-term footing.

Volatility, Scale, and Institutional Learning: Ether ETFs 2025 Recap
Ether ETFs entered 2025 without the fanfare of bitcoin, but they ended the year as one of crypto’s most actively traded institutional vehicles. The path between those points, however, was anything but smooth.
The year began cautiously. January and February were choppy, marked by small inflows and persistent outflows that kept net assets hovering between $11 billion and $13 billion. Several early-week drawdowns, including a $185.9 million exit in mid-January and a $335 million outflow in late February, underscored lingering uncertainty around ether’s near-term catalysts.
Spring brought stabilization, not fireworks. March and April remained net negative overall, but outflows steadily narrowed. By May, sentiment shifted. Ether ETFs posted a string of modest but consistent inflows, lifting net assets toward $9.5 billion. Liquidity was improving, and participation was broadening.
The real turning point came in the summer. From June through August, ether ETFs entered a powerful accumulation phase. July alone delivered three major inflow weeks, including $2.18 billion and $1.85 billion additions, while August peaked with a massive $2.85 billion inflow. By early August, net assets surged past $30 billion for the first time, while weekly trading volumes regularly exceeded $15 billion. Ether ETFs had arrived.
Ether ETFs weekly performance throughout 2025
That momentum proved fragile. September and October brought sharp reversals, with consecutive weeks of $700–800 million outflows wiping out a meaningful portion of summer gains. Despite the drawdown, trading volumes remained elevated, signaling rotation rather than abandonment. Investors were actively managing exposure, not exiting the asset class.
November was the most punishing stretch of the year. Ether ETFs recorded three consecutive weeks of heavy outflows, including a $728.6 million exit mid-month and a $500.3 million drawdown the following week. Net assets slid from above $22 billion to under $17 billion in a matter of weeks, exposing ether ETFs’ sensitivity to broader risk sentiment.
December delivered a split verdict. After another sharp $644 million weekly outflow, flows turned positive again into year-end, capped by an $84.6 million inflow in the final full week. Net assets stabilized around $18–19 billion, while weekly trading volumes remained robust near $9–10 billion.
The takeaway from 2025 is clear. Ether ETFs proved they can scale quickly, absorb volatility, and sustain deep liquidity. But they also behaved like a high-beta institutional instrument, amplifying both conviction and caution.
Looking to 2026, ether ETFs appear positioned for more selective accumulation. With infrastructure mature and participation entrenched, future flows may hinge less on novelty and more on Ethereum’s ability to deliver sustained network growth, staking economics, and real-world adoption.
#Binance #wendy #ETH #ETF $ETH

Even though 2025 has been a broadly mixed year for altcoins, Ethereum stands out on one very specific point.
Never before has ETH concentrated so much activity on derivative markets, to the point that this year clearly sets a record in terms of futures trading.
More generally, derivatives trading volumes continue to dominate the entire crypto market.
In 2025, this dominance of futures intensified in a spectacular way, and this was very clearly confirmed for Ethereum.
➡️ Binance, which remains by far the dominant platform in terms of volumes among CEXs, perfectly illustrates this phenomenon.
More than $6.74T in ETH futures volume was traded there over the year, nearly double that of 2024, which was already a historical record.
This dynamic is not limited to Binance.
It is consistently observed across other major exchanges such as OKX, which recorded a new record with $4.28T in ETH futures volume, Bybit with $2.15T, and Bitget with $1.95T.
All major exchanges therefore converge toward the same conclusion 👉 Ethereum was one of the most traded assets in the world on derivative markets in 2025, highlighting just how strong speculative appetite has been.
➡️ This second chart particularly highlights the scale of this futures dominance.
With a spot-to-futures ratio around 0.2 over the year, this concretely means that for every dollar invested in ETH on the spot market on Binance, nearly $5 were committed to futures contracts.
Such a ratio is characteristic of a market heavily oriented toward leverage.
This setup reflects extreme speculation on Ethereum in 2025.
Record trading volumes combined with such an unbalanced ratio show that futures have largely structured ETH’s price dynamics.
However, a market primarily driven by derivatives is, by nature, more unstable and more unpredictable.
Movements tend to be amplified, disorderly, and highly dependent on liquidations, ultimately allowing ETH to register only a marginal new all-time high by just a handful of dollars.
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#Binance #Bitcoin #wendy $BTC

Reports of a large-scale hack involving Trust Wallet, a popular multi-currency wallet, flooded social media on Thursday. Known blockchain security influencer ZachXBT stated that hundreds were affected, and that over $6 million was siphoned from victims’ wallets.

Over $6 Million Siphoned from Trust Wallet Users
Several victims have been affected by a mystery hack hitting Trust Wallet users.
Blockchain influencer ZackXBT broke the news in his Telegram channel, alerting that several Trust Wallet users had reported having their funds drained.
Following this initial report, ZachXBT stated that the number of victims had risen into the hundreds and that over $6 million had been siphoned from these victims in SOL, EVM tokens, and BTC.
While the cause of the hack is still to be determined, X user Akinator stated that it could be related to a supply chain attack as part of the latest December 24 update of the wallet’s browser extension.

He assessed:
A recent update added hidden code that silently sends wallet data outside. It pretends to be analytics, but it tracks wallet activity and triggers when a seed phrase is imported.
This theory is consistent with reports on social media claiming that these funds were withdrawn after inputting seed phrases into Trust Wallet’s browser extension.
ZachXBT added that he hoped Trust Wallet would offer compensation to victims if there is confirmation that the wallet is responsible for this incident.
Threat Researcher Vladimir S. claims that he contacted a Trust Wallet team member anonymously. “From what I know, if you have the TW extension in Google and you have money there, disconnect the computer on which it is installed from the network and the Internet. This will minimise damage,” he stressed.
At the time of writing, Trust Wallet has not responded to these allegations, but Vladimir S. states that they are investigating and will share news about this incident soon.
#Binance #wendy #bitcoin #TWT $TWT

Martin Yeza, deputy of the new Congress, stated that stablecoins might fulfill a new pivotal role in the country’s payment structure. He considers that allowing the central bank to hold cryptocurrency and state companies to mine crypto would be positive. Local analysts also supported a so-called economic “tetherization.”

Argentina’s New Congress Might Give Crypto A New Push In 2026
The new Argentine Congress will have to deal with several critical cryptocurrency and stablecoin-related issues this new year.
According to Deputy Martin Yeza, the government will reevaluate the recipe for dollarization to stabilize the economy this year, with the inclusion of stablecoins and cryptocurrencies as dollar proxies.
Talking with Iproup, he stated:
If a series of reforms are implemented, we will face significant resistance, and those kinds of sessions will certainly not be well-received in Congress.
However, one of the changes he would like to see is the incorporation of stablecoins as a payment mechanism. He also considers that allowing the central bank to hold cryptocurrency and mine it through state companies, such as YPF, even if the government doesn’t take advantage of these possibilities immediately.

One of the key campaign promises of President Milei was to close the central bank and dollarize the economy to bring inflation numbers down.
Rocelo Lopez, a local crypto entrepreneur, supported a “tetherization” of the Argentine economy, referring to Tether, the issuer of USDT, the largest stablecoin by market capitalization.
For a conventional dollarization of the Argentine economy, the U.S would have to greenlight it, and associated shipping and logistics costs for bringing U.S. cash to Argentina would have to be considered.
A “tetherization” would offer benefits compared to a regular dollarization process without involving the U.S. government. Operations would be traceable and with low-cost transactions, Lopez stressed.
Recent reports reveal that Argentine banks are prepared to offer crypto services to their customers, and that the central bank is drafting a special measure to open the cryptocurrency market to private banks.
#Binance #wendy $BTC $ETH $BNB

Bitcoin ETFs recorded a fifth consecutive day of outflows, while ether ETFs also remained under pressure. XRP and solana ETFs continued to post modest inflows, signaling selective investor appetite amid broader caution.

XRP and Solana Stay Green as Bitcoin Logs Fifth Straight Outflow Day
A quiet holiday backdrop did little to steady crypto exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows, as investors continued trimming exposure to bitcoin and ether while maintaining smaller allocations to XRP and solana funds.
Bitcoin spot ETFs saw a net outflow of $175.29 million, extending their streak of daily exits to five sessions. The selling pressure was broad-based, spanning eight different funds. Blackrock’s IBIT once again absorbed the largest share, shedding $91.37 million. Grayscale’s GBTC followed with a $24.62 million outflow, while Fidelity’s FBTC lost $17.17 million.
Additional exits were spread across Bitwise’s BITB at $13.32 million, Ark & 21Shares’ ARKB at $9.88 million, and Vaneck’s HODL at $8.05 million. Smaller outflows were also recorded by Grayscale’s Bitcoin Mini Trust with $5.81 million and Franklin’s EZBC with $5.06 million. Despite the heavy exits, trading activity remained elevated at $31.57 billion, while total net assets edged slightly lower to $113.83 billion.
Five days of successive outflows for bitcoin ETFs
Ether ETFs also closed the day in the red, posting a net outflow of $52.70 million. Grayscale’s ETHE led the declines with a $33.78 million exit, followed by Blackrock’s ETHA, which saw $22.25 million leave the fund. The only offset came from Grayscale’s Ether Mini Trust, which attracted a modest $3.33 million inflow. Trading volumes cooled to $689.44 million, and net assets held steady at $17.86 billion.
XRP ETFs continued their steady run of inflows, adding $11.93 million on the day. Franklin’s XRPZ accounted for nearly all of the activity with an $11.14 million inflow, while Canary’s XRPC contributed a smaller $794K addition. Total value traded came in at $10.84 million, with net assets unchanged at $1.25 billion.
Solana ETFs also remained in positive territory, albeit with modest gains. The group recorded a $1.48 million inflow, driven by a $1.08 million addition to Fidelity’s FSOL and a $399K inflow into Vaneck’s VSOL. Trading volume reached $15.77 million, and total net assets stood at $930.59 million.
Overall, Christmas Eve’s trading reflected a cautious market tone. Bitcoin and ether ETFs continued to see consistent outflows, while XRP and solana maintained small but persistent inflows, as the markets go off for the holidays.
#Binance #wendy #bitcoin $BTC

The Hong Kong SFC and FSTB publish consultation results and launch a new review of advisory and management regimes for virtual‑asset service providers.

Hong Kong’s Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) announced on 24 December 2025 that they have concluded consultations on legislative proposals for virtual‑asset (VA) dealer and custodian regimes, and will move forward with the related licensing frameworks. The agencies also opened a fresh consultation on proposed regimes for VA advisory and management service providers, extending the “same business, same risks, same rules” approach.
The dealer regime will align with Type 1 securities‑dealing rules, while the custodian regime focuses on safeguarding private keys and client assets. Regulators invite interested parties to begin pre‑application discussions to ensure readiness for the upcoming licensing requirements, aiming to cement Hong Kong’s position as a trusted hub for digital‑asset innovation.
#Binance #wendy #bitcoin #HongKong $BTC $ETH $BNB

Silver’s breakout above $70 is stoking inflation fears and dollar anxiety, with Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki warning the move could foreshadow deeper currency erosion while fueling a bullish path toward $200.

Silver Rally Fuels Kiyosaki’s Inflation Alarm and Bullish Price Forecast
Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki warned that silver trading above $70 could be an early signal of rising inflation risks and continued erosion of the U.S. dollar, framing the move as beneficial for precious metals holders and harmful for cash savers.
In a post on social media platform X dated Dec. 23, Kiyosaki said:
I am concerned $70 silver may signal hyper- inflation in 5 years as the fake $ keeps losing value.
He added: “Don’t be a loser. Fake $ will continue to lose purchasing power as silver goes to $200 in 2026.” Kiyosaki has repeatedly criticized fiat currencies, arguing that government spending and monetary expansion undermine long-term purchasing power. His comments echoed past warnings in which he has urged investors to favor assets such as gold, silver, and bitcoin over cash and bonds.
The remarks come as precious metals prices surge amid persistent concerns over inflation, mounting government debt, and the outlook for interest rates. Silver has recently pushed to record highs, extending gains driven by strong investment demand and tightening supply, while also benefiting from robust industrial use in solar panels, electric vehicles, and electronics. Market data confirms the surge, with spot silver reaching $71.94 an ounce by Dec. 25, up 142% year to date, driven by industrial demand from the solar and electronics sectors and safe-haven inflows amid a weakening U.S. dollar. Meanwhile, gold has traded near all-time highs as central banks, particularly in emerging markets, continue adding to reserves and investors seek protection from currency volatility and geopolitical risk.
#Binance #wendy $BTC $ETH $BNB

Bitcoin’s price on Wednesday stands at $87,234, with a market capitalization of $1.74 trillion, reflecting a cautious tone heading into Christmas Eve as 24-hour trading volume clocks in at $36.90 billion and the intraday range stays boxed between $86,713 and $88,091. The numbers suggest bitcoin is pacing itself rather than sprinting, as traders digest mixed signals across timeframes and indicators.

Bitcoin Chart Outlook
On the daily chart, bitcoin remains stuck in a sideways-to-down posture after failing to hold its early December surge toward the mid-$94,000 area. Price action continues to carve out lower highs and lower lows, forming a mild descending channel that signals short-term fatigue rather than outright panic.
Volume has tapered off noticeably, reinforcing the idea that momentum is waning on both sides of the market. Importantly, price has not convincingly breached the $85,000 to $86,000 support zone, which keeps broader consolidation firmly in play instead of a deeper unraveling.
BTC/USD 1-day chart on Dec. 24, 2025.
Zooming into the four-hour chart, the structure leans bearish to neutral following repeated rejections near the $89,000 to $90,000 zone. Lower highs since Dec. 22 and spikes in selling volume on declines show that downside pressure has not fully clocked out for the holidays. That said, price behavior near $86,000 to $87,000 suggests some absorption is taking place, with candles shrinking as volatility cools. Translation: participants are waiting for confirmation, not charging blindly into thin liquidity.
BTC/USD 4-hour chart on Dec. 24, 2025.
The one-hour chart adds nuance rather than drama. Bitcoin has been drifting sideways around $87,000 to $87,500 with low volume and small-bodied candles, a classic sign of short-term exhaustion after a pullback. This kind of compression often precedes a sharper move, though direction remains unresolved. Think coiled spring, not wrapped present. Intraday participants appear content to let price reveal its hand rather than force a narrative.
BTC/USD 1-hour chart on Dec. 24, 2025.
Oscillators on the daily timeframe underscore that theme of indecision. The relative strength index ( RSI) sits at 42, firmly in neutral territory and far from signaling excess in either direction. The Stochastic oscillator at 34, the commodity channel index (CCI) at minus 80, the average directional index (ADX) at 23 and the Awesome oscillator at minus 948 all echo a market lacking strong conviction. Momentum and the moving average convergence divergence ( MACD) do hint at short-term recovery pressure, but those signals are counterbalanced by the broader trend, making this more of a cautious eyebrow raise than a victory lap.
Moving averages (MAs), however, are decidedly less festive. Every major trend gauge, from the exponential moving average (EMA) and simple moving average (SMA) across 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, and 200 periods, sits above the current price. That alignment reinforces the broader downward bias and confirms that bitcoin is trading below key dynamic resistance levels. Until price reclaims those averages with authority, rallies are likely to be treated with skepticism. In short, bitcoin isn’t breaking down, but it also isn’t handing out gifts just yet.
Bull Verdict:
Bitcoin’s case for upside rests on resilience, not bravado. Price is holding above the critical $85,000 to $86,000 support band while the one-hour and four-hour charts show signs of seller exhaustion and stabilization. Momentum and the moving average convergence divergence ( MACD) both lean constructive in the short term, suggesting room for a relief move if volume returns and nearby resistance levels are challenged. It is not fireworks, but it is steady footing — and in this market, that still counts.
Bear Verdict:
The opposing argument is grounded in trend, and trends tend to win arguments. Bitcoin remains below every major exponential moving average (EMA) and simple moving average (SMA), from the short-term 10-period to the long-term 200-period, reinforcing a dominant downward bias. Daily structure shows lower highs, weakening volume and failed attempts to reclaim higher territory near $90,000 and above. Until price convincingly re-enters that range, rallies risk looking more like seasonal cheer than sustainable strength.
#Binance #wendy #bitcoin $BTC

Gold and silver ended 2025 with outsized gains, driven by monetary policy shifts, central bank accumulation, and sustained industrial demand that pushed both metals to multi-decade highs.

Gold and Silver Post Standout 2025 Performance
Gold prices climbed from $2,585 per ounce in January to $4,524 by Dec. 23, posting a 75% annual gain, while silver rose from $28.51 to $72.66 per ounce, marking a 155% increase over the same period.
The advance capped one of the strongest years for precious metals in decades, with both assets outperforming most major commodities and financial benchmarks. Analysts pointed to a combination of macroeconomic uncertainty, central bank diversification, and supply constraints as core drivers behind the sustained rally.
“The market divergence is hard to ignore. While indices show exhaustion, metals are soaring,” one X user wrote in mid-December. “With structural deficits & central banks buying, the flight to safety is on. The next leg higher is soon.”

Gold’s performance in 2025 reflected renewed demand for monetary hedges as real interest rates remained pressured for much of the year. Expectations for interest rate cuts early in the year set the tone, while persistent geopolitical tensions reinforced gold’s appeal as a reserve asset. Central banks continued to accumulate bullion at a historically elevated pace, adding steady demand independent of short-term market positioning.
Silver’s move proved even more pronounced, reflecting its dual role as both a monetary metal and a critical industrial input. Demand from solar manufacturing, electric vehicles, data centers, and electronics expanded throughout the year, tightening supply in a market already experiencing multi-year deficits. Unlike gold, silver’s price action showed sharper acceleration during periods of industrial demand growth.

Market data from 2025 showed that gold and silver followed a phased trajectory. Early gains were supported by monetary policy expectations and safe-haven flows. Midyear consolidation gave way to renewed upside momentum in the second half as physical supply constraints became more visible and investment demand reaccelerated.
Silver inventories, particularly across major exchanges and vaulting systems, declined as industrial consumption absorbed available supply. Leasing rates rose sharply at several points during the year, signaling tightness in the physical market rather than speculative excess. These conditions amplified silver’s price response during periods of increased demand.

Gold’s rise was steadier but equally significant. Investment flows into bullion-backed products increased alongside physical bar and coin demand, particularly outside North America. Central banks in emerging and developed markets alike continued diversifying reserves amid concerns surrounding currency exposure and long-term fiscal sustainability.
The broader economic backdrop also played a role. Global debt levels remained elevated, while inflation metrics proved uneven across regions. These factors reinforced demand for hard assets viewed as stores of value (SoV), particularly during periods of currency volatility and geopolitical strain.

Industrial demand emerged as a defining feature of silver’s outperformance. Solar panel production alone accounted for a growing share of annual silver consumption, while electric vehicle manufacturing continued to increase silver loadings per unit. Expansion in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and advanced electronics further tightened the supply-demand balance.
“Silver is no longer playing second fiddle — it’s gaining real market value, not just hype,” one X influencer explained. “Some analysts are calling this a once-in-a-decade reset. Silver may just be finding its real value, and if demand holds — this ride could go WAY higher.”
By year’s end, both metals reached new nominal highs, reflecting not only cyclical forces but longer-term structural shifts. Analysts noted that silver’s performance highlighted vulnerabilities in supply chains for energy transition technologies, while gold’s strength always points to ongoing demand for neutral reserve assets.
Market participants debated whether the gains represented a temporary overshoot or a repricing driven by durable fundamentals. While short-term volatility remained possible, the breadth of demand across investment, industrial, and official sectors differentiated 2025 from previous metals rallies.
Silver flipped Apple this week, becoming the third most valuable asset by market cap.
Looking ahead, expectations for 2026 remain mixed but grounded in similar themes. Central bank demand is expected to persist, while industrial consumption of silver is projected to remain elevated. Potential economic slowdowns could affect industrial metals broadly, though structural demand drivers remain intact.
The 2025 performance of gold and silver ultimately reflected a convergence of financial, industrial, and geopolitical forces. Rather than a narrow speculative episode, the year’s gains signaled a broader reassessment of precious metals’ role within global markets as economic and technological transitions continue.
#Binance #wendy #Silver $BTC $ETH $BNB

Bitwise Asset Management released 10 crypto predictions for 2026, outlining a forcefully bullish, bitcoin-centered outlook driven by ETF demand, institutional adoption, regulatory progress, supply constraints, and a shifting market structure favoring sustained upside momentum ahead.

Bitwise Forecasts 10 Predictions as Bitcoin Decouples From Stocks and Follows Crypto-Specific Catalysts
Bitwise Asset Management, a U.S.-based asset manager, released its “10 Crypto Predictions for 2026” report on Dec. 15, laying out a bitcoin-centered outlook alongside a clearly defined set of market, regulatory, and institutional forecasts.
The report, authored by Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan and Head of Research Ryan Rasmussen, states:
We think the bulls will win out in 2026. The prevailing positive trends, from institutional adoption to regulatory progress, appear too strong and too far-reaching to be subdued for long.
The first prediction emphasizes: “ Bitcoin will break the four-year cycle and set new all-time highs,” as Bitwise argues that the historical drivers of pullback years—halvings, interest-rate spikes, and leverage-driven blowups—have weakened. The second prediction states that bitcoin will be less volatile than Nvidia, highlighting BTC’s transition toward a lower-risk profile as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) broaden ownership. The third prediction projects that ETFs will purchase more than 100% of new bitcoin supply, alongside ethereum and solana, reinforcing a structural supply-demand imbalance. Explaining the long-term foundation behind these calls, the report adds:
One of the primary reasons we’re bullish on crypto in the long term is that we think demand from institutional investors will outpace new supply for years to come.

The remaining seven predictions expand the framework supporting bitcoin’s outlook. The fourth prediction forecasts that crypto equities will outperform tech equities as regulatory clarity unlocks new revenue streams and product launches. The fifth predicts that Polymarket open interest will reach a new all-time high, surpassing levels seen during the 2024 U.S. election.
The sixth anticipates that stablecoins will be blamed for destabilizing an emerging-market currency, even as adoption reflects underlying inflation pressures. The seventh predicts that onchain vaults, described as “ETFs 2.0,” will double assets under management as institutional-grade risk controls emerge. The eighth projects that ethereum and solana will reach new all-time highs if the CLARITY Act passes, strengthening the overall regulatory environment for crypto, including bitcoin.
The ninth states that half of Ivy League endowments will invest in crypto, expanding institutional exposure to bitcoin-linked products. The tenth predicts that more than 100 crypto-linked ETFs will launch in the U.S., further broadening access. A bonus prediction returns directly to bitcoin, forecasting that its correlation with stocks will fall as crypto-specific catalysts increasingly drive performance.
#Binance #wendy #bitcoin $BTC $ETH $BNB

This week has been an absolute roller coaster in the precious metals space, with price action doing cartwheels and headlines barely keeping up. Spot silver on the Shanghai Gold Exchange finished Dec. 24, 2025, at a premium to futures contracts, a classic case of backwardation that hints at a snug physical market in China.

China’s Silver Market Enters Deep Backwardation as Demand Outpaces Supply in Shanghai
Silver prices on the Shanghai Gold Exchange climbed to lofty territory on Dec. 24, 2025, with the Ag(T+D) spot contract settling near 19,400 Chinese yuan per kilogram, or roughly $78.55 per ounce using the day’s USD/CNY rate of about 7.015.
That price tag placed Shanghai silver comfortably above the global yardstick on Comex, where futures wrapped up at $72.36 per troy ounce. The gap pointed to local strains in China’s market, where near-term physical demand looked heavier than available supply.

Silver backwardation—when spot prices top futures—made itself known in China’s silver contracts toward the end of 2025. On the Shanghai Futures Exchange, near-dated silver futures sat below the spot equivalent, with the main contract around 17,609 yuan per kilogram, or about $78.02 per ounce, confirming the inverted curve. Such a setup, far from business as usual, suggested traders preferred metal in hand now rather than promises later, often an early warning of supply stress.
The main force behind this backwardation traced back to thinning silver stockpiles in China, the world’s largest consumer of the metal. Inventories on Shanghai exchanges slid to multi-year lows by November 2025, pressured by strong industrial appetite that ran ahead of imports and local output. China’s solar panel industry, a heavy silver user for photovoltaic cells, grew sharply in 2025, helping fuel expectations of a global silver deficit for a fifth straight year.
Other contributors included supply hiccups from major mining regions beyond China, notably Peru and Mexico, where labor disputes and environmental rules trimmed production. These global bottlenecks restricted bullion flows into China, intensifying the local mismatch. Trade policy shifts and currency moves added to the mix, as a firmer yuan against the U.S. dollar raised import costs and nudged holders toward keeping metal close.
The first big blast higher in silver on the chart—circa 1979–1980—came courtesy of the Hunt brothers’ audacious bid to corner the global silver market. The brothers—chiefly Nelson Bunker Hunt and William Herbert Hunt—went on a buying spree in the 1970s, hoovering up physical silver and loading up on silver futures. The strategy was part inflation shield, part currency-hedge panic after the Bretton Woods system fell apart, with a side quest of gaining oversized influence over supply. That party ended abruptly when COMEX and the Chicago Board of Trade rewrote the margin rules, sending prices tumbling.
On the demand front, China’s electronics and electric vehicle industries added further pressure, since silver’s conductivity makes it indispensable for batteries and wiring. Investment demand heated up too in recent times, with retail buyers and institutions eyeing silver as a hedge against inflation and geopolitical strains, including U.S.-Venezuela tensions that indirectly influenced commodity routes. Together, these forces fed a loop in which higher spot prices encouraged hoarding physical metal instead of rolling into futures.
Also read: Crypto Traders Cry Foul as Bitcoin Lags Behind a Red-Hot Gold, Silver and Stock Market
The backwardation has sent ripples across China’s silver market, bringing sharper day-to-day price swings. Trading volumes on Shanghai exchanges jumped, with reports of brisk activity as speculators lined up for possible short squeezes. Silver lease rates-essentially the cost to borrow physical metal—rose to record territory, signaling tight conditions in the lending pool.
Chinese producers reacted by speeding up sales to take advantage of elevated spot prices, a move that could ease immediate pressure but risk future supply gaps if investment in mining falls behind. Industrial users, meanwhile, faced steeper input costs, which could filter through to higher prices for exports such as solar panels and electronics. This dynamic highlighted silver’s split personality as both a factory input and a financial plaything.
Beyond China, the backwardation echoed through global pricing, with Comex futures showing sympathetic moves even as inversion remained milder in Western markets. Analysts have warned that ongoing deficits could propel silver toward triple-digit prices if supply fails to recover in 2026. Still, Federal Reserve rate decisions and economic momentum in regions like the U.S. and Europe could temper the pace.

Traders kept a close watch on inventory data, treating Shanghai warehouse levels as a pulse check on market tightness. By late December 2025, withdrawals from these stocks continued, reinforcing the backwardated curve and sparking calls for more recycling and alternative sourcing. Comparisons to past squeezes surfaced, though specialists cautioned that any resolution hinges on supply chain adjustments.
In sum, China’s silver backwardation in 2025 points to deeper structural strains in the global market, where demand from green technologies has been outpacing mine supply growth. As the year wraps up, Shanghai’s premium over Comex has held firm, a sign that physical imbalances could spill into the new year unless policy shifts or production gains step in.
#Binance #wendy #Silver $BTC $ETH $BNB

Fasset will provide regulated onboarding, KYC and on‑/off‑ramp services for ADI Foundation’s Dirham‑backed stablecoin infrastructure in Abu Dhabi.

On 24 December 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Fasset announced a strategic partnership with ADI Foundation, the Abu Dhabi‑based non‑profit founded by Sirius International Holding (a subsidiary of IHC). The agreement gives Fasset responsibility for compliant onboarding, KYC and on‑/off‑ramp infrastructure to support the ADI Chain mainnet and the upcoming Dirham‑backed stablecoin issued by First Abu Dhabi Bank and IHC.
The collaboration aims to accelerate institutional blockchain adoption across the UAE and the broader MENA region, leveraging Fasset’s $26.7 million of funding and regulatory approvals in multiple jurisdictions. “This partnership reflects the shift from testing to real‑world deployment of digital asset infrastructure,” said Daniel Ahmed, COO and Co‑Founder of Fasset.
#Binance #wendy #bitcoin $BTC $ETH $BNB

The SEC moved swiftly against alleged crypto fraud, accusing multiple trading platforms and investment clubs of orchestrating a multimillion-dollar scheme that lured retail investors through social media, messaging apps and fake AI-driven trading promises.

SEC Alleges Social Media Crypto Scam Targeted US Retail Investors
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Dec. 22 announced charges against three purported crypto asset trading platforms and four investment clubs, alleging a wide-ranging fraud scheme that targeted retail investors through social media promotions and messaging apps.
The chief of the SEC’s Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit, Laura D’Allaird, said: “This matter highlights an all-too-common form of investment scam that is being used to target U.S. retail investors with devastating consequences.” She added: “Fraud is fraud, and we will vigorously pursue securities fraud that harms retail investors.”
The agency detailed the scale of the alleged misconduct, stating:
The defendants misappropriated at least $14 million from U.S.-based retail investors and funneled those funds overseas through a web of bank accounts and crypto asset wallets, as alleged.
The regulator described how the defendants allegedly used paid advertisements on social platforms to recruit victims into Whatsapp groups, where individuals posing as financial professionals promoted artificial intelligence-driven trading tips before directing participants to fake crypto asset trading platforms and nonexistent security token offerings.
The alleged operation involved purported crypto asset trading platforms Morocoin Tech Corp., Berge Blockchain Technology Co. Ltd., and Cirkor Inc., along with investment clubs AI Wealth Inc., Lane Wealth Inc., AI Investment Education Foundation Ltd., and Zenith Asset Tech Foundation.
Court filings outline that no legitimate trading occurred and that investors were allegedly pressured to pay additional fees when attempting withdrawals. The civil complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, accuses the defendants of violating the anti-fraud provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with the SEC seeking permanent injunctions, civil penalties, and disgorgement with prejudgment interest.
Separately, the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Assistance issued guidance urging investors to verify promoters through Investor.gov and remain cautious of opportunities promoted in online group chats. While enforcement actions highlight ongoing risks, regulated crypto businesses, transparent blockchain networks, and compliant tokenization projects continue to demonstrate lawful use cases that support innovation alongside investor protections.
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Crypto scams are rapidly migrating into private group chats, where fraudsters pose as trusted experts, use AI-powered deception, and funnel retail investors toward fake trading platforms, prompting a fresh SEC warning about rising losses and evolving tactics.

SEC Warns Crypto Group Chats Are Breeding Ground for Investor Scams
Crypto-related fraud is increasingly emerging from online messaging spaces used by retail investors. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Investor Education and Assistance issued an investor alert on Dec. 22, warning that crypto-focused group chats are frequently used to lure investors into scams.
The SEC warned:
Fraudsters may create a fake investment-related group chat that claims to be led by a well-known financial guru, esteemed professor, successful CEO, or other expert.
The investor alert explains that these chats are often promoted through social media ads or unexpected invitations and are designed to appear authoritative and trustworthy. It details how scammers may impersonate respected figures or fabricate entire personas, sometimes using artificial intelligence tools such as deepfake videos, to promote crypto trading strategies, token offerings, or automated systems that claim to deliver consistent profits.
The guidance emphasizes that victims are frequently directed to professional-looking websites or mobile apps, where fabricated balances, staged screenshots, and false claims of regulatory approval are used to reinforce credibility before withdrawal attempts trigger new payment demands.
Crypto-related enforcement activity and recurring warning signs are detailed later in the alert. In SEC v. Morocoin, the SEC charged several purported crypto trading platforms and investment clubs that allegedly solicited investors through social media ads and Whatsapp group chats. The SEC’s complaint describes:
The defendants allegedly directed investors in the group chats to open accounts on crypto asset trading platforms falsely boasting licenses from regulators including the SEC.
According to the regulator’s complaint, “the defendants tricked investors into investing in phony Security Token Offerings that the defendants falsely promoted as zero-risk, high-profit opportunities by legitimate businesses.” The SEC noted: “The defendants then allegedly charged investors bogus fees to withdraw their money, falsely telling investors that their accounts were about to be frozen due to SEC investigations.”
The alert also identifies specific payment red flags, including “Sending crypto assets to an unknown wallet or individual.” It reiterates that guaranteed returns do not exist in crypto markets, where higher potential rewards typically involve higher risk. At the same time, lawful crypto activity continues to operate within existing securities frameworks, supported by transparent blockchain records, verifiable transactions, and regulated intermediaries that enable legitimate innovation and investor participation.
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Vaneck’s digital assets outlook signals a stronger, steadier crypto market, spotlighting bitcoin’s improving structure, a capital-intensive mining shift, and selective growth in stablecoins and payments as speculation fades and fundamentals take hold.

Vaneck Sees Bitcoin Stability, Mining Upside, and Targeted Crypto Adoption
Vaneck, a global investment firm known for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and digital asset research, released a report titled “Plan for 2026: Predictions from Our Portfolio Managers” on Dec. 18, presenting a constructive outlook on bitcoin market structure, mining economics, and the evolution of digital payments and stablecoins.
Head of Digital Assets Research Matthew Sigel pointed to bitcoin’s historical four-year cycle and the behavior of prior post-election peaks, where sharp advances have often been followed by extended periods of sideways movement rather than abrupt reversals. He stated: “That pattern suggests 2026 is more likely a consolidation year than a melt-up or a collapse.”
Addressing macro conditions and positioning, Sigel wrote:
As debasement ramps, liquidity returns, and bitcoin historically responds sharply. We have been buying.
The outlook emphasized that repeated leverage resets and a reduction in speculative excess have strengthened market structure instead of undermining it, supporting steadier performance as volatility compresses.
Turning to sector-specific opportunities, the report noted: “For 2026, we continue to see the strongest opportunity in the capital-intensive pivot underway in bitcoin mining.” That assessment reflects expectations that miners with disciplined balance sheets, efficient power access, and scalable infrastructure are positioned to benefit as consolidation advances and cost-of-capital differences widen.
Beyond mining, the outlook identified targeted growth tied to practical blockchain usage rather than broad token exposure. The report added:
A second but more selective opportunity is emerging in digital payments and stablecoin settlement.
Expanding on that theme, the analysis explained: “ Stablecoins are entering genuine business-to-business payment flows, where they can improve working-capital management and reduce cross-border settlement costs.” Vaneck framed these developments as evidence of a maturing crypto market, with value increasingly accruing to bitcoin, mining infrastructure, and payment rails that intersect directly with traditional financial activity rather than speculative retail-driven segments.
#Binance #wendy #Vaneck $BTC $ETH $BNB

A warning of a looming dollar breakdown is rattling markets as Peter Schiff says fading safe-haven trust could ignite inflation, crush living standards, and send shockwaves through currencies, bonds, and risk assets worldwide.

Peter Schiff Warns Dollar Decline Threatens Treasuries, Markets, and Living Standards
Economist and gold advocate Peter Schiff has warned that the U.S. dollar is approaching a dangerous breaking point that could trigger severe inflation, destabilize financial markets, and sharply erode living standards, arguing that the loss of safe-haven status risks cascading economic damage across currencies, bonds, and risk assets.
In posts shared on social media platform X on Dec. 22, Schiff highlighted currency market moves as an early warning signal. He stated: “The dollar is now at a new 14-year low against the Swiss franc. It’s now less than 1% away from hitting a record low against the franc.” The economist cautioned:
This portends a broader dollar selloff yet to come, which means higher inflation, rising long-term interest rates, and a weaker U.S. economy.
In another message that day, the gold advocate opined: “The issue is that the dollar is not viewed as the safe haven anymore. Gold has taken its place.” On Dec. 21, Schiff argued that mounting debt and minimal savings make current interest rates unsustainable as the dollar’s reserve role weakens. He also pointed on Dec. 19 to official-sector demand, asserting that “central banks are buying as they expect surging U.S. inflation to destroy the value of dollar reserves.”
Earlier remarks on Dec. 16 broadened his outlook to encompass the wider economy and crypto markets. Schiff contended: “The U.S. economy is teetering on the brink of the biggest economic crisis of our lifetimes. Gold and silver prices skyrocketing to new highs will ultimately pull the rug out from under the U.S. dollar and Treasuries, sending consumer prices, bond yields, and unemployment soaring.”
He further described a grim outcome for consumers, writing:
The dollar will tank and everything unemployed Americans can’t afford to buy will be much more expensive.
#Binance #wendy #bitcoin $BTC $ETH $BNB

JPMorgan is reportedly weighing cryptocurrency trading for institutional clients as regulatory clarity and demand push Wall Street closer to digital assets, signaling a broader thaw between traditional banking and crypto markets.

JPMorgan Explores Crypto Trading as Wall Street Warms to Digital Assets
Global banks are gradually reassessing their relationship with digital assets as client demand and regulatory conditions evolve. JPMorgan Chase & Co. is weighing potential cryptocurrency trading services for institutional clients, according to a report by Bloomberg on Dec. 22, reflecting shifting attitudes within traditional finance. The deliberations underscore how mainstream adoption continues to broaden.
The report details that the Wall Street firm is evaluating whether its markets division could expand into spot and derivatives crypto trading, based on information from a person familiar with the internal discussions. The exploration responds to heightened institutional interest following changes in the U.S. regulatory environment, including clearer guidance that may permit banks to act as intermediaries in crypto transactions.
Any eventual rollout would hinge on product-specific demand, internal risk analysis, and regulatory feasibility, with planning still described as preliminary. A JPMorgan spokesperson declined to comment, while broader industry developments illustrate a warming stance across global banking as regulatory barriers begin to ease.
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has maintained an adversarial public stance on bitcoin, famously labeling it a “fraud” in 2017 and threatening to fire any trader caught dealing in it. Over the years, he has doubled down on this skepticism, comparing the asset to “tulip bulbs” and repeatedly referring to it as a “pet rock” that “does nothing.” During testimony before the U.S. Congress, Dimon further characterized decentralized tokens as “decentralized Ponzi schemes” and has personally expressed the view that bitcoin is “worthless.”
However, his rhetoric has shifted as JPMorgan has integrated digital assets into its operations. By late 2025, Dimon drew a clearer distinction between the underlying technology and the assets themselves, saying, “ blockchain is real, stablecoins are real.” While he continues to advise individuals against participating, he has taken a more pragmatic stance in response to client demand, adding: “I don’t think you should smoke, but I defend your right to smoke. I defend your right to buy bitcoin.”
Beyond its potential expansion into direct crypto trading, JPMorgan has scaled its blockchain activities through live financial instruments on public networks. A primary example is the bank’s December 2025 arrangement of a $50 million short-term bond for Galaxy Digital on the Solana blockchain—the first of its kind to use USDC for both issuance and redemption. Furthermore, the firm is reshaping institutional liquidity by allowing clients to use bitcoin and ether holdings as loan collateral, bypassing the need for forced liquidations. These efforts are anchored by Kinexys, the bank’s rebranded digital asset division, which recently launched the “MONY” tokenized money market fund on Ethereum and integrated programmable JPMD deposit tokens on the Base network to facilitate 24/7 institutional settlement.
#Binance #wendy #bitcoin #JPMorgan $BTC $ETH $BNB

After a flood of documents and photographs from the Jeffrey Epstein files dropped this month, even more material from the sprawling archive is expected to roll out under a U.S. Department of Justice release required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Since then, a Polymarket wager titled “Who will be named in newly released Epstein files?” has drawn attention, with the current front-runner being the world’s richest man, Elon Musk.

Prediction Marketplace Traders Price In Curiosity as Epstein Files Drive Market Action
There is already a long roster of luminaries, influencers, politicians, royalty, and celebrities tied to Jeffrey Epstein in one way or another through flight logs, court filings, photographs, and calendars, including former President Bill Clinton, current President Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, the late New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, former Israeli PM Ehud Barak, Woody Allen, Michael Jackson, David Copperfield, Kevin Spacey, and Chris Tucker, among several figures whose names have surfaced over the years.
With the latest Department of Justice (DOJ) releases, bettors have flocked to Polymarket to handicap which additional names might surface in the newly released documents. At the time of writing, the specific wager has attracted $2.71 million in volume since launch, with Tesla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk sitting atop today’s leaderboard. What started as a prediction market has effectively become a notoriety pageant, as traders slap eyebrow-raising probabilities on some of the most recognizable names on the planet.
Polymarket wager as of Dec. 23, 2025, at 4 p.m. Eastern time.
To be clear, these odds simply reflect market mood, chatter, and pure speculation—not findings of guilt, misconduct, or confirmed involvement. None of the individuals listed have been accused of wrongdoing, and merely brushing elbows with Epstein or his close associate Ghislaine Maxwell does not imply awareness of the crimes he or she committed. Even so, the leaderboard reads like a roll call of politics, media, finance, and Hollywood, and traders are unmistakably casting their votes with cash.
Right behind Musk is Stephen Colbert, the longtime CBS late-night satirist, at 96%. Colbert was leading earlier today and Polymarket posted about the matter on X. A sizable drop follows with Tony Blair, the former British prime minister, sitting at 68%. From there, the odds thin out quickly, dipping into the mid-20% range and below as traders hedge their bets across a wide cast of public figures.
The mid-tier includes Ellen DeGeneres at 26%, Piers Morgan at 25%, and Al Gore also at 25%. Close behind are Kirsten Gillibrand at 24% and Robert Downey Jr. at 22%. These are followed by David Koch at 22% and Anderson Cooper at 21%.
Lower on the board—but still very much in the market’s imagination—are Oprah Winfrey at 20%, Jamie Dimon at 21%, and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs at 18%. Rounding things out are Tom Hanks at 17%, Quentin Tarantino at 14%, Henry Kissinger at roughly 15%, Rachel Maddow at 11%, and Jimmy Kimmel at 12%.
Kalshi Zeroes In on Attorneys General, FBI Chiefs, and Beltway Power
Then there’s Kalshi’s market asking “Who will attend the Epstein depositions?” which reads less like a red carpet and more like a reunion tour for former attorneys general, FBI directors, and seasoned political operators.
Kalshi bet as of Dec. 23, 2025, at 4 p.m. Eastern time.
Set against Polymarket’s celebrity-forward theater, the Kalshi contract leans hard into legal heft and Beltway résumés. So far, the bet has seen $54,105 in volume since it was created. The odds are consistently low, suggesting traders see attendance as a long shot—but not so far-fetched that it can be dismissed outright. As with all prediction markets, these percentages capture trader expectations, not confirmed plans, subpoenas, or legal outcomes.
At the top of the list sits Hillary Clinton at 7%. Clinton served as first lady, U.S. senator from New York, and secretary of state, cementing her status as one of the most influential political figures of the past three decades. Sharing that 7% slot is Loretta Lynch, who led the Justice Department during President Barack Obama’s second term and presided over several headline-grabbing federal investigations.
Next is James Comey at 5%, the former FBI director best known for his role in the 2016 election probes and his subsequent firing by President Trump. Just below him is Bill Clinton at 4%, the 42nd president of the United States, whose past ties to Epstein have been extensively documented and repeatedly examined. Also at 4% is Merrick Garland, the sitting attorney general and former federal judge, though traders have recently nudged his odds lower.
Further down the probability ladder, expectations thin out quickly. Jeff Sessions clocks in with effectively negligible odds, hovering near zero despite his former role as the nation’s top law enforcement official. Alberto Gonzales is priced below 1%, signaling scant trader belief that the George W. Bush-era attorney general would appear in depositions. Robert Mueller, who led the Russia investigation, stands at 1%, alongside Eric Holder at 1%, with both seeing their odds drift lower in recent trading.
All told, the competing markets sketch a familiar picture: prediction traders are chasing intrigue more than certainty, blending rumor, reputation, and résumé into a single price tag. Whether it’s celebrity name recognition on Polymarket or institutional pedigree on Kalshi, the odds serve as a snapshot of collective curiosity rather than a preview of courtroom reality. For now, wallets—not warrants—are doing the talking, and the markets reflect fascination, not a verdict.
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The cryptocurrency fell 2% despite better-than-expected GDP numbers for the period between July and September.

Bitcoin Retreats Despite Strong U.S. GDP Numbers
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) published its gross domestic product (GDP) estimate for the third quarter on Tuesday, and the numbers surprised economists. Experts predicted a 3.2% growth rate, but the BEA revealed a 4.3% increase, more than a full percentage point higher than expected. Stocks rose, but bitcoin, counterintuitively, shed 2%, triggering more than $100 million in long liquidations, although that figure eventually dropped to about $73 million, Coinglass data shows.
(U.S. GDP for Q3 2025 grew by 4.3% versus the 3.2% projected by economists. / U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis)
Tuesday’s report was long overdue and almost two months late. The original publishing date was October 30, but the government shutdown caused delays in data collection and processing. The somewhat stale data resulted in a relatively muted market reaction but nevertheless provided insights into key economic drivers. Consumer spending, exports, and government expenditures led the increase, although a drop in domestic investment partially offset the gains.
“Q3 GDP came in at 4.3%, BLOWING PAST expectations of 3.2%,” U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social. “60 of 61 Bloomberg Economists got it WRONG, but ‘TRUMP,’ and some other Geniuses, got it right.”
But despite the record growth, which was the highest in two years, bitcoin retreated. And while economists were pleasantly surprised by hotter-than-anticipated expansion, bitcoin derivatives traders were caught off guard by the cryptocurrency’s 2% drop, resulting in another day of widespread margin liquidations for the bulls.
“In the old days, when there was good news, the Market went up,” Trump wrote in a separate post. “Nowadays, when there is good news, the Market goes down, because everybody thinks that Interest Rates will be immediately lifted to take care of ‘potential’ Inflation.”
The president was referring to the stock market, which reacted positively to the GDP report, albeit without rallying. But he might as well have been describing bitcoin’s price action, which has confounded pundits ever since the October liquidation event.
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