BeInCrypto IT

Bitcoin has surged sharply above $94,000, ending a series of flat trading days between $88,000 and $92,000. The upward breakout came suddenly on December 9, accelerating in a matter of minutes and breaking the range that had locked the market for almost a week.

Whale accumulation and short position liquidations drive the breakout

Trading data shows strong inflows to major institutional and exchange-linked wallets in the hour leading up to the rally.

In 2025, the crypto sector entered a new phase, characterized by an increase in institutional participation. After years of caution and skepticism, large companies are now allocating significant capital to digital assets.

But what has changed for institutions to finally turn to a sector they had always kept at a distance? BeInCrypto spoke with Aishwary Gupta, global head of Payments and Real World Asset at Polygon Labs, to explain in detail the factors that led to this transformation. Gupta explains why institutional inflows now dominate the market and what this change entails.

The price of XRP has dropped by almost 10% over the last month despite a slight increase of 1.5% this week. The price remains stuck in a range between $2.31 and $1.98, failing to achieve a significant breakout. This tension reflects a division in market behaviors: whales are selling on strength while key groups of holders continue to accumulate.

The back and forth between these two factions keeps the price of XRP within a descending wedge that has not yet confirmed a bullish reversal.

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) opens the December 2025 session today, with the decision scheduled for tomorrow, December 10, at 8:00 PM Italian time.

Investors and traders are closely watching whether the central bank will continue its easing cycle or surprise the markets by keeping interest rates unchanged. Being the last monetary policy communication of the year, the outcome will have a significant impact on the crypto markets.

The rate cut scenario: what happens if the Fed makes a 25 bps cut in December

Standard Chartered has lowered its long-term price forecasts for Bitcoin (BTC), warning that a key pillar of recent demand, corporate purchases of Bitcoin, has likely come to an end.

The bank now believes that future Bitcoin gains will be driven by a single source: ETF inflows, a change that could slow the pace of growth in the years to come.

The Bitcoin Retracement is 'Painful but Normal'

In a new note, Geoff Kendrick, Head of Digital Asset Research at Standard Chartered, stated that the bank is postponing its Bitcoin forecast to $500,000 and lowering its year-end price targets for the period 2026-2029.

Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the former CEO of Binance, denied viral claims that BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, had filed for an exchange-traded fund (ETF) on Aster (ASTER) in staking.

The connection between Aster and CZ comes from CZ's significant personal investment and his public support for the decentralized derivatives exchange, which in the past triggered huge price surges and speculation.

Did BlackRock apply for an Aster ETF?

The Russell 2000 Index, which includes about 2,000 small-cap companies, has long been an indicator of investor appetite for growth and high-risk stocks. Analysts have quickly noted its correlation with the crypto market.

When risk appetite sentiment spreads in the crypto market, it can help push Bitcoin and altcoins upward. The details below illustrate how this dynamic develops.

Russell 2000 sends a breakout signal, igniting hope for crypto

Stablecoin issuers continue to mint new tokens like USDT and USDC. This expansion is often compared to the spark that ignites major market rallies. However, data shows that the market capitalizations of major stablecoins have increased for months while the crypto market as a whole has not grown proportionally.

The following report highlights several reasons behind this discrepancy, based on recent data and industry analysis.

3 reasons behind the decoupling between the growth of stablecoins and the crypto market

The recent price action of Bitcoin shows a continued weakness as the asset struggles to find direction amid weak macroeconomic signals, presenting a bullish-neutral forecast.

The lack of momentum has kept BTC on a downward trend for several days, but the expected 25 basis point interest rate cut by the Federal Open Market Committee on Wednesday could change sentiment. Whether this becomes a catalyst heavily depends on the behavior of short-term holders.

BitMine Immersion Technologies, the largest corporate holder of Ethereum (ETH), has doubled its ETH purchases in December, highlighting confidence in the asset.

The renewed purchases occur despite a challenging environment for Ethereum. The increase in inflows to exchanges and ongoing outflows from exchange-traded funds (ETFs) indicate short-term pressure across the market.

BitMine purchases 138.452 ETH in a week, now controlling 3.2% of the supply.

According to a recent statement, BitMine acquired 138.452 ETH last week, representing a 156% increase compared to the previous four weeks. Its total holdings amount to 3.86 million ETH.

The FOMC meeting on December 9-10 is attracting intense attention as traders price in a possible 25 basis point rate cut, a move that could bring a brief period of liquidity to risk assets. The crypto market is still moving cautiously, slipping by about 1.1% in anticipation of the announcement. However, some crypto whales are positioning themselves in advance.

A group of tokens is seeing a clear increase in accumulation by whales, with some showing bounce or breakout structures on their charts. This article lists three of them.

Bitcoin (BTC) has continued its volatile path today, sliding by 0.70% in the last 24 hours. The asset's decline has raised concerns among traders.

However, some analysts argue that Bitcoin's performance is the result of potential price manipulation, citing a recurring pattern of declines around the opening of the U.S. market, as well as institutional involvement.

Internal Manipulation vs. Market Dynamics: Deciphering Bitcoin's Decline

Bitcoin has defied all bullish expectations in the fourth quarter, a period that has historically been strong for the asset. While the market crash on October 10 was a significant factor behind BTC's decline at the beginning of the quarter, market observers are now questioning the persistence of this weakness.

A recent survey reveals that Japanese investors are moving away from the crypto market, not due to price volatility but because of the complex tax requirements.

The Japanese financial planning platform 400F interviewed 894 participants nationwide in November regarding their cryptocurrency habits. Among former crypto holders, 22.2% cited difficulties with the tax system as the main reason for their exit. This surpassed price fluctuations, with 19.4% of former investors citing volatility as the primary reason for leaving the crypto space.

The licensed cryptocurrency exchange in Hong Kong, HashKey, will be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on December 17, becoming the city's first publicly listed cryptocurrency exchange.

This move marks the formal entry of traditional Chinese industrial capital into the digital asset market.

Hong Kong's Web3 ambitions face their first market test

HashKey Holdings has opened its public offering on December 9, with subscriptions lasting until December 12. The price range is set at HK$5.95 and HK$6.95 per share, aiming to raise a total of HK$1.67 billion (approximately $215 million). The company will be listed under the stock code 3887, with JPMorgan and Guotai Junan International serving as joint sponsors.

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) launched a pilot program for digital assets on December 8, allowing Bitcoin, Ether, and USDC as collateral for margins in the derivatives markets: a move that industry leaders call a historic moment for crypto adoption.

Interim Chair Caroline D. Pham announced the initiative along with new guidelines on tokenized collateral and the withdrawal of Staff Advisory 20-34, a directive from 2020 that had limited the use of virtual currencies in segregated accounts.

Bitcoin has not performed well in the last month and has continued to decline after falling below $100,000. The stocks of crypto mining companies have also been affected, as their earnings are strongly linked to Bitcoin, but some of these same stocks can still register an increase thanks to their involvement in artificial intelligence and other initiatives.

These three actions of crypto mining companies can still register an increase despite the correction of Bitcoin. The future rebound of Bitcoin also represents a good catalyst for these choices.

Bitcoin traders are facing new on-chain signals suggesting that older coins are re-entering the market as investors prepare for the Federal Reserve's next policy decision. Analysts expect the Fed to cut rates at the December meeting, and the markets have already priced in a 25 basis point move.

However, on-chain activity indicates uncertainties beneath the surface.

The Return of Dormant Bitcoin Supply as the Market Awaits Clarity on Policies

The founder of Cardano, Charles Hoskinson, claims that quantum threats to blockchain are currently overestimated. He argues that the industry already knows how to build systems resistant to quantum attacks, but lacks the efficiency and hardware alignment to make the transition.

In a recent discussion during a podcast, he described quantum as 'a big false trail', adding that the real urgency will only come when military-grade quantum benchmarks show credible progress.

MicroStrategy announced today that it has spent nearly 1 billion dollars to acquire an additional 10,624 BTC, increasing the total of its Bitcoin holdings to 660,624 BTC.

The purchase comes at a time of intense scrutiny for MicroStrategy's public face, Michael Saylor. The company has faced significant pressure during a broader market downturn, driven by Bitcoin's weak price performance.

Accumulation continues as pressures mount

Saylor has continued to expand MicroStrategy's Bitcoin holdings despite ongoing public scrutiny of the company's approach.

In the second week of December, tokens worth over $237 million will enter the crypto market. Three major ecosystems, Aptos (APT), Linea (LINEA), and Cheelee (CHEEL), will release a new supply of tokens.

These events could inject volatility and affect price movements in the short term. Here’s an analysis of what to pay attention to in each project.

1. Aptos (APT)

Unlock date: December 11

Amount of tokens to unlock: 11.31 million APT (0.96% of total supply)