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XRP Falls 10% to $1.78 — Analyst Says Liquidity Sweep Could Propel Token to $4.22 or $1.50
Ripple’s native token XRP slid to an intraday low of $1.78 early Friday and is trading around $1.84, marking roughly a 10% drop over the past week. The pullback has raised fears that XRP could trend further down toward the $1.60–$1.50 area — levels that would mirror its November 2024 lows and wipe out recent gains if reached. Not everyone is bearish, however. TradingView analyst Keertivasan says the token’s current correction may be nearing an end and that now could be an attractive accumulation zone. In a post outlining his view, he projects XRP could rally to $4.22 once a corrective phase finishes and a new impulsive move begins. A central theme of his thesis is “liquidity hunting” by larger market players. In simple terms, liquidity hunting is when institutions push prices toward common retail stop-loss clusters near support or resistance levels, triggering sell orders and creating the liquidity they need to enter larger positions. Keertivasan argues XRP needs that liquidity sweep at weekly timeframe levels before a substantial upward move becomes possible. If XRP did reach his $4.22 target, that would represent roughly a 120% gain from today’s $1.84 price — meaning a $1,000 position could hypothetically become about $2,200. Of course, such upside is contingent on market structure and execution of the scenario described. Broader market weakness is also at play: Bitcoin has weakened this week to the mid-$80,000s, putting pressure on altcoins including XRP. Given the mixed signals — potential for a liquidity-driven bounce but real downside risk — investors should weigh the risk, do their own research, and consider position sizing and risk management before taking an entry. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
BNB Selloff from $1,369 Peak Raises Risk of Slipping Below $800
BNB’s breakneck 2025 run ended suddenly in October, and the token is still feeling the hangover. After surging past $1,000 for the first time and peaking at a record $1,369 in mid‑October, Binance’s native token has retraced sharply in the months since. Price snapshot: CoinGecko shows BNB is down 3.2% over the past 24 hours, 4.4% over the week, 8.8% across 14 days and 8.5% versus one month. That recent weakness has put a spotlight on one nagging question: could BNB slide under $800? Macro headwinds and flight to safety are the immediate culprits. Slowing economic growth alongside surprisingly strong employment data has pushed some investors out of risky assets and into traditional safe havens — gold and silver have repeatedly set new highs during the same period. Net outflows from crypto, including meaningful withdrawals from BNB, reflect a broader risk‑off stance among market participants. BNB’s near‑term path will likely mirror the wider market, especially Bitcoin. If BTC fails to hold its current levels, expect further pressure on BNB. Compounding that risk: long‑dormant Bitcoin whales have begun moving and offloading holdings after years of inactivity. Should that trend persist, it could amplify selling across the board and drag altcoins, including BNB, lower. On the forecasts front, CoinCodex models anticipate a short-lived dip below $800 — projecting BNB at $798 on Dec. 25 — before a recovery that takes the token back above $1,000 by Feb. 19, 2026. For now, traders should watch BTC price action and whale flows closely; those dynamics are likely to determine whether BNB finds support above $800 or slides further. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
BRICS Enters 'Second Stage' of Expansion — Could Accelerate CBDCs and Dollar Alternatives
Russia’s BRICS Sherpa Sergey Ryabkov told the PIR Center on Tuesday that the bloc has entered a “second stage” of expansion — but stopped short of giving any timetable or naming prospective new members. “We have now entered, I believe, the second stage of expansion. I will not speculate here about when, who, and in what capacity we will have further rapprochement with BRICS,” he said. Ryabkov did, however, signal that growth may not be limited to outright accession. He flagged the potential for a formal “partner states” category as a vehicle for broader engagement, noting that “BRICS already has quite a few of these countries that have recently achieved this status.” That suggests the alliance could deepen ties with sympathetic governments without immediately moving to full membership. The diplomat also credited Russia’s 2023 chairmanship with a successful rollout of the bloc’s recent enlargement. According to Ryabkov, founding members all played constructive roles in integrating newcomers and ensured a smooth transition. He argued the integration is already bearing fruit: “All BRICS members acknowledge that we have accomplished this task quite effectively.” Ryabkov pointed to Indonesia’s accession — which took effect in January 2025 — as a concrete example. He praised Jakarta’s rapid engagement across BRICS activities and described the newcomer’s contributions as “valuable and effective,” saying the integration of recent entrants has effectively been completed. The Sherpa framed the expanded BRICS as stronger and more financially sustainable, calling attention to the bloc’s recent summit outcomes. “Practical results are reflected in the final documents. It’s enough to look at the lengthy declarations of the leaders, adopted in Kazan in 2024 and in Rio de Janeiro in 2025. It’s clear what has been done and what will be done next,” he said. Why crypto readers should watch - Expansion and formal partner categories could widen BRICS’ geopolitical and economic reach, potentially accelerating moves to diversify trade and finance arrangements beyond Western-run systems. - An enlarging BRICS bloc could intensify discussions around alternatives to dollar-dominated settlement, cross-border payment mechanisms, and coordinated approaches to central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) — all topics with direct relevance to crypto markets and infrastructure. - Ryabkov’s comments stop short of concrete policy shifts, but they underscore that BRICS is actively shaping new institutional pathways that could influence global financial architecture over the coming years. Bottom line: BRICS has signaled a deliberate, staged approach to growth. The bloc’s consolidation — including new membership and partner-state mechanisms — is already being touted as a strategic success. For crypto and digital-finance observers, the key question is whether that institutional deepening will translate into coordinated alternatives to existing payment rails and monetary norms. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Bitcoin Battles to Reclaim $90K as Tom Lee Predicts $180K, Market in "Extreme Fear
Bitcoin is back in the spotlight after another sharp slide that has traders watching whether the flagship crypto can claw its way back above the $90,000 line. Recent U.S. macroeconomic developments have pummeled the market, but some analysts insist the downturn is temporary — even a tactical buying opportunity for long-term holders. Market veteran Tom Lee has been among the more bullish voices. Lee frames the sell-off as "engineered liquidation" rather than a collapse of fundamentals, saying a modest further pullback would actually be healthy as "smart money keeps buying the blood." He has also laid out an aggressive upside view, predicting Bitcoin could reach $180,000 by the end of January 2026 and suggesting that a break above $125,000 would upend the conventional four-year cycle narrative. CoinCodex’s technical models paint a mixed picture: they currently classify sentiment as bearish and point to extreme fear in the market, but still forecast upside in the months ahead. Key points from CoinCodex’s latest update (Dec 17, 2025, 06:21 AM GMT+5): - Near-term: Bitcoin could test roughly $88,000 before year-end. - Medium-term: A forecasted rise of 18.26% to reach $103,469 by March 15, 2026. - Market metrics: Fear & Greed Index at 11 (Extreme Fear); 13 of the last 30 days were green; 30-day price volatility around 2.69%. The debate now centers on timing: will Bitcoin recover lost momentum and recapture major price levels before year-end — or will macro pressures prolong the pullback? With polarized signals from sentiment gauges and bullish forecasts from high-profile analysts, traders and investors will be watching flows and on-chain activity closely for clues about where the next major move could come from. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Russia: Bitcoin & Ethereum "Will Never Be Money" — Crypto Only as Investment, Ruble for Payments
Russia is tightening the reins on crypto, reaffirming that Bitcoin and Ethereum are not legal tender and that the ruble must remain the country’s sole payment currency. Anatoly Aksakov, chair of the State Duma’s Financial Markets Committee, stated bluntly that cryptocurrencies “will never become money in Russia” and insisted they may only be used as investment instruments. “Where payment is required, it must only be conducted in rubles,” he added, underlining lawmakers’ intent to block crypto from replacing fiat in everyday transactions. The remarks come amid a broader tug-of-war in Moscow between caution and opportunity. While Russia’s central bank governor Elvira Nabiullina has previously called for a full ban on cryptocurrencies, other voices have suggested a more pragmatic path. “If [cryptocurrencies] were legalized, federal budget revenues may see a significant increase,” said Masharov, adding that regulation could also help law enforcement combat money-laundering tied to scams and fraud. For now, Russia appears set on a middle ground: permitting crypto activity as a speculative or investment asset while firmly rejecting its use as a medium of exchange — a stance that keeps the ruble front and center in domestic payments. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
BRICS Moves to 'Second Stage' — Partner Tier Could Supercharge CBDCs and Crypto Rails
Russia’s BRICS Sherpa Sergey Ryabkov told the PIR Center on Tuesday that the bloc has moved into a “second stage” of expansion, though he stopped short of giving a timetable or naming potential new members. Instead, Ryabkov suggested that future growth could come not only through full membership but also via a formal “partner” category — a route BRICS has already begun using. Ryabkov framed Russia’s 2023 chairmanship as a decisive moment, saying expansion under Moscow’s watch was handled smoothly and that each founding member played an active role in onboarding newcomers. He pointed to Indonesia’s accession in January 2025 as an example of fast, effective integration: “It has promptly embarked on cooperation in all areas and is making a valuable and effective contribution,” he said, adding that the integration of recent entrants has effectively been completed based on their results. With Indonesia’s addition, BRICS is now a 10-member bloc. Ryabkov argued the expanded grouping is stronger and more financially sustainable, with tangible outcomes reflected in the long leader-level declarations adopted in Kazan (2024) and Rio de Janeiro (2025). He characterized those documents as evidence of what the bloc has achieved and what it plans next. Why this matters to crypto markets: larger BRICS membership and a formal partner tier could accelerate efforts to diversify trade and payment mechanisms beyond traditional Western-dominated systems. That shift increases the relevance of alternative settlement rails, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and cross-border digital-asset use cases — all developments crypto investors and infrastructure providers will watch closely as the bloc’s makeup and policy priorities evolve. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Chainlink Whales Flip to Buying, Add $263M in LINK Despite Support Break
On-chain analytics firm Santiment says Chainlink’s biggest holders are back to buying. Santiment tracked the 100 largest LINK wallets — the network’s top whales — and found that after a wave of distribution in October, these addresses began accumulating again at the start of November. The cohort has added roughly 20.46 million LINK (about $263 million), not only undoing October’s drawdown but pushing their combined holdings to a higher level than before. Key points - Santiment defines “top addresses” as the 100 largest Chainlink wallets — the investors whose moves can materially affect supply dynamics. - October saw sustained selling from these whales, which began as LINK experienced a sharp price crash and continued until early November. - Since the start of November the group has flipped to net accumulation, adding ~20.46M LINK (~$263M). Most of that buying occurred in November; December buying has been muted so far. - The change in whale behavior could be an influential input for LINK’s next directional move, though pace and persistence of accumulation remain uncertain. Technical backdrop Separately, analyst Ali Martinez highlighted a bearish technical development: LINK recently broke a multi-year support trendline it had respected since 2023. The token tested that line twice in the first half of 2025 and found support, but the most recent retest failed, resulting in a breakdown. A subsequent attempt to reclaim the line from below was rejected, suggesting the old support may now be acting as resistance. Price snapshot - Chainlink is trading around $12.96 following the latest selloff. Why it matters Whale accumulation can tighten supply and dampen downward pressure, while a confirmed technical breakdown increases the odds of further weakness. Monitoring on-chain flows alongside price action — particularly whether the top 100 keep buying or return to selling — will be key for gauging LINK’s near-term trajectory. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Bitcoin's "Death Cross" Is Back — History Says Context Trumps the Signal
Bitcoin’s “death cross” is back on the chat boards — and in client inboxes. VanEck’s head of digital assets research, Matthew Sigel, said he’s been fielding questions after the 50-day moving average slipped below the 200-day — the classic “death cross.” His response on X was short and direct: “Lagging indicator,” accompanied by a table documenting every Bitcoin death cross since 2011. The broad takeaway: the signal tells you what’s already happened, not necessarily what’s next. Key headline numbers from Sigel’s table - 6‑month median return after a death cross: +30% - 12‑month median return: +89% - Positive hit rate (percent of times returns were positive): 64% But the richer story comes from the market-regime context Sigel added. The same technical crossover has produced wildly different outcomes depending on where in the cycle it showed up: - Bottoming regimes (washout-and-rebound): - 2011 (“post-bubble bottom”): +357% over 12 months - 2015 (“cycle bottom”): +82% at 6 months, +159% at 12 months - 2020 (“Covid bottom”): +812% over 12 months - 2023 (“cycle bottom”): +173% at 6 months, +121% at 12 months - Structural bears (systemic deleveraging, weaker forward returns): - 2014 (two instances): -48% and -56% over 12 months - 2018: -35% over 12 months - 2022: -52% over 12 months - In-between regimes: - 2019 (“late bear”): +9% at 6 months, +89% at 12 months - 2021 (“late cycle”): +30% at 6 months, -43% at 12 months - 2024 (“post-ETF regime”): +58% at 6 months, +94% at 12 months — a label that signals structural demand (ETFs) and different liquidity plumbing may change how signals play out. What it means for traders and investors - A death cross is not an automatic sell signal or a bullish omen — it’s a lagging confirmation of trend. - Whether it marks a bottom, a fake-out, or a persistent downtrend depends on the underlying regime: capitulation and policy response tend to produce explosive rebounds; structural deleveraging tends to prolong losses. - New structural factors — notably ETF flows and different liquidity mechanics — may make recent signals behave differently than in prior cycles. At press time Bitcoin was trading around $86,631. The bottom line: pay attention to regime and fundamentals, not just moving averages. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
TAO Slides 5–8%: Daily Trend Turns Bearish — Buyers Limited to Tactical Dips
TAO slips back into daily bearish structure as sellers press mid‑cycle drawdown TAO pulled back sharply overnight, sliding roughly 5–8% in the last 24 hours and trading in the mid‑$200s (about $250–$265) across venues. That move has pushed the token negative year‑to‑date versus January’s open, though it remains several times higher than its 2023–early‑2024 base — so structurally it still sits in a higher regime than the last cycle. A handful of analysts have framed the current zone as a “buy the dip” area, with one popular comparison likening buying TAO here to buying Bitcoin under $300. But the charts tell a more cautious story. Technical picture - Daily trend: Bearish. Price action shows sustained selling pressure and corrective candles beneath recent support. - Momentum: Weakening. MACD has rolled back from its recovery phase into renewed downside bias, while RSI has drifted lower but is not yet in extreme oversold territory. - Key levels: Immediate resistance sits at a short‑term ceiling that recently acted as support — a clean break above that could open a test of a higher supply zone. A convincing market‑structure flip requires clearing broader structural resistance to confirm buyers are regaining control. - Support: A nearby cluster of bids represents the critical short‑term floor. If that zone fails, the technical outlook would deteriorate quickly and expose TAO to further declines. Order‑book dynamics and flow Order‑book data shows sizable bid walls below the market, suggesting some participants are willing to defend lower levels, while thick ask walls in the mid‑range point to heavy overhead supply. Clearing that supply would need meaningful momentum and higher volume. What traders are doing Market observers say long exposure is more appropriate as short‑term, tactical plays (fade‑the‑dump scalps) rather than trend‑following positions while the daily structure stays bearish. Short‑side or sell‑on‑rallies strategies remain aligned with the prevailing downtrend, though fast moves and bounces around support zones increase volatility and risk. Takeaway Short term (24h): Bearish. Momentum is down and price sits under recent local support — bullish positions here are tactical, not trend-driven. Year‑to‑date / cycle view: Cautiously bullish. TAO still benefits from AI infrastructure narratives and halving‑driven scarcity and trades well above legacy ranges, but it’s in a mid‑cycle drawdown with clear downside risk if risk appetite for AI assets cools. Watch for a decisive break above key resistance to signal a trend reversal, or a failure to hold the nearby support cluster for signs of deeper weakness. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Best Crypto Exchanges for 2026: BYDFi, Bybit, Coinbase, Kraken & Binance US Compared
Disclosure: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Conduct your own research before using any platform. Market context — what changed in 2026 The Financial Stability Oversight Council’s 2025 annual report removed crypto from its list of systemic financial threats — a signal that U.S. regulatory sentiment is stabilizing. That helps lower a major source of macro uncertainty, but it doesn’t make platform choice any easier for traders. New exchanges and products keep appearing worldwide, and the industry still bears scars from high-profile collapses such as FTX. In 2026, traders must weigh security, accessibility, fees, supported assets and advanced tools to find the right venue for their strategies. How to choose a crypto trading platform Key factors to consider: - Security and asset protection (cold storage, insurance/protection funds, proofs of reserves) - Regulatory status and licensing where relevant - Fees and deposit/withdrawal costs - Range of supported cryptocurrencies and fiat on-ramps - Trading products (spot, margin, futures, options, staking) and leverage limits - UX, liquidity and customer support (including 24/7 availability) - Extra features such as demo accounts, copy trading, bots, or payment cards Top picks for 2026 — platform breakdowns Below are platforms that stand out across those criteria, especially for U.S. users. BYDFi Overview: Launched in 2020, BYDFi combines a centralized exchange with an on‑chain trading engine (MoonX). It grew quickly, earning a spot on Forbes’s Top 10 Global Crypto Exchanges in 2023 and reaching roughly 1,000,000 users across 190+ countries. Highlights: - CEX + DEX dual-engine, no-KYC trading option, 1,000+ spot assets, 500+ perpetual pairs, up to 200x leverage - Low fees, demo accounts for beginners, BYDFi Card to increase real-world crypto utility - Copy trading and automated bots (spot DCA, grid, futures) for strategy replication Security & support: - Proof of Reserves, protection fund, cold storage, multi-party approvals, account segregation, enforced 2FA and whitelisting - 24/7 human customer support — a recurring strength cited by users Pros: Broad asset range, advanced trading features, strong security posture and responsive support Cons: Newer exchange relative to long-established incumbents — users should confirm regulatory status in their jurisdiction Bybit Overview: Headquartered in Dubai and growing rapidly, Bybit claims tens of millions of users and has expanded its regulatory footprint (holds a virtual asset platform operator license from the UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority). Highlights: - Wide product set: spot, margin, futures, options, P2P; trading bots and other advanced features - Multiple fiat on-ramps, competitive trading fees, generally user-friendly interface Security: - Majority of funds in multi-signature cold storage; uses Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) and Threshold Signature Schemes (TSS) Pros: Deep liquidity, feature-rich platform for advanced traders, competitive fees Cons: Trustpilot ratings mixed; regulatory status varies by jurisdiction — check local support Coinbase Overview: Founded in 2012, Coinbase is one of the most recognized names in retail crypto trading with roughly 100 million users. Highlights: - 360+ cryptocurrencies and 400+ trading pairs, crypto staking, free ACH deposits/withdrawals, free transfers between Coinbase accounts - Advanced charting options and a polished interface that works for both beginners and experienced traders Support & security: - Strong security protocols, widespread regulatory compliance in the U.S., multiple support channels including live chat and phone Pros: Brand recognition, ease of use, strong security and regulatory posture Cons: Fees can be higher on certain products compared with some competitors with a focus on low-cost traders Kraken Overview: Operating since 2011, Kraken is known for reliability, transparency and conservative risk management. It serves over 13 million users and supports 410+ cryptocurrencies. Highlights: - Advanced trading tools including margin and futures, multi-fiat support - Company momentum: recent funding rounds and a public filing point to continued expansion Security & trust: - Long track record, strong operational security and conservative compliance approach Pros: Reputation for reliability and security, robust feature set for serious traders Cons: UI can feel less modern to newcomers compared with some rivals Binance US Overview: Binance is a dominant global exchange; Binance US is its U.S.-facing platform, focused more on beginners and retail traders. Highlights: - USD deposits/withdrawals via ACH, USD-denominated trading pairs, TradingView integration for advanced charting - Generally straightforward onboarding for U.S. customers Pros: Familiar brand, solid liquidity on major pairs, decent charting tools Cons: Binance US offers fewer advanced features than some competitors and typically carries higher trading fees relative to global Binance Bottom line There’s no one-size-fits-all best exchange. BYDFi stands out in this list for its expansive asset coverage, dual-engine architecture and copy-trading/automation features. Bybit offers deep liquidity and advanced tools, Coinbase balances accessibility with regulatory trust, Kraken emphasizes long-term reliability and security, and Binance US provides a familiar, beginner-friendly gateway to USD trading pairs. Whatever platform you consider, do your own due diligence: verify regulatory status in your jurisdiction, understand fee structures and custody arrangements, and never trade more than you can afford to lose. Disclosure: This content was provided by a third party. Neither crypto.news nor the author endorses any product mentioned here. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Binance Cracks Down on Fake Listing Agents — Publishes Blacklist, Offers $5M Reward
Binance has moved to tighten control over its token listing process, warning projects to cut out middlemen and apply directly to the exchange. In a Wednesday announcement, the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume laid out the official pathways and rules for getting tokens listed — and flagged a growing problem with third-party “listing agents” who promise listings in exchange for payment. Binance made clear that it does not authorize any intermediaries to offer listing services and urged projects to submit applications only through its official Spot Listing, Futures Listing and Alpha Featuring forms. Binance also published a partial blacklist of individuals and organizations it says are falsely marketing themselves as “Binance listing agents.” The list names seven entities and people, including an account called Central Research (which claims on X to represent an investment research organization), the crypto incubator BitABC, and an individual identified as Fiona Lee, who presents herself on a Chinese-language X account as a former A-share trader and altcoin liquidity provider. Binance emphasized the list is not exhaustive and encouraged the community to remain vigilant. To deter fraud, Binance said it will pursue strong measures — including legal action — against brokers found to be operating fraudulently. The exchange is also offering rewards of up to $5 million for verifiable information that leads to the identification of listing scammers and asked people to report suspicious activity via its whistleblower email at audit@binance.com. The move comes against the backdrop of long-standing scrutiny of Binance’s listing practices. Founded in 2017, Binance remains the largest exchange by volume, handling roughly $11 billion in daily crypto trades and listing about 440 crypto assets, according to CoinGecko. Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has previously acknowledged shortcomings in the exchange’s listing process, suggesting centralized exchanges should consider more automated approaches similar to decentralized exchanges to reduce front-running and other issues around announcement-to-list windows. Cointelegraph reached out to Binance for comment on its prior responses to fraudulent listing agents but had not received a reply at the time of publication. For projects seeking a listing, Binance reiterated: use the official submission channels and avoid any third-party offers that demand payment or guarantees. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Lightning Network Hits Record 5,600 BTC as Exchanges, Tether and Upgrades Boost Capacity
Bitcoin’s Lightning Network just hit a fresh all-time capacity high, signaling renewed institutional interest and growing infrastructure upgrades across the ecosystem. Key figures - Lightning Network capacity climbed to 5,606 BTC on Monday, surpassing its previous record from March 2023, according to Bitcoin Visuals. - LN analytics provider Amboss reported a similar peak of 5,637 BTC (~$490 million) on Tuesday. - The increase follows a capacity surge in November and December after a year of declines. What’s behind the jump - The boost in capacity appears to be driven largely by major players adding liquidity to the network. Amboss said the inflows are “across the board,” and singled out large exchanges — including Binance and OKX — as significant recent depositors to the Lightning Network. - That inflow of BTC increases the network’s ability to route fast, low-fee payments, but doesn’t necessarily mean everyday usage has risen in lockstep: the number of Lightning nodes stands at about 14,940 (well below the March 2022 peak of roughly 20,700), and channels are at 48,678, also down from 2022 highs. In short, more Bitcoin is being locked into LN channels even as node and channel counts remain subdued. Ecosystem developments boosting Lightning’s utility - Stablecoin activity: Tether led an $8 million funding round for Bitcoin startup Speed to enable stablecoin payments on the Lightning Network, a move that could accelerate real-world stablecoin use over BTC rails. - Wallet adoption: MetaMask added Bitcoin support this week, though the wallet clarified it will use Native SegWit (not Lightning) for those transactions. - Protocol upgrades: Lightning Labs released Taproot Assets v0.7, adding reusable addresses, a fully auditable asset supply, and improved transaction reliability and size. Taproot Assets is a multi-asset protocol that allows tokens — including stablecoins — to be minted on Bitcoin and moved over the Lightning Network. By combining Bitcoin’s security with LN's instant, low-fee settlement, Taproot Assets aims to make multi-asset use on Bitcoin more practical and transparent without relying on less-secure or centralized networks. Why it matters Higher capacity means the Lightning Network can handle larger aggregated flows and offer better routing resilience. Institutional liquidity — from exchanges and funders like Tether — could lower friction for merchants and apps that want instant Bitcoin or stablecoin payments. However, the divergence between BTC locked in channels and fewer active nodes/channels suggests the current growth is liquidity-driven rather than a clear sign of broader on-chain user adoption. Bottom line: Lightning is getting deeper and more capable. With exchange deposits, stablecoin funding, and protocol upgrades all converging, the network looks better positioned to support real payments and multi-asset use — even as questions remain about how quickly everyday usage will follow. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Headline: Hyperliquid Proposes Permanent Burn of 37.11M HYPE as Traders Grow Bullish Hyperliquid’s native token HYPE is bucking the broader market slump, trading up marginally (under 1%) over the past 24 hours and ranking among the better performers in the top-20 crypto assets while Bitcoin, Ether and XRP sit in the red. What’s happening - The Hyperliquid Foundation has proposed a validator vote to formally recognize 37.11 million HYPE — about 3.71% of the token’s supply — as permanently burned. If approved, the move would remove those tokens from both the circulating and total supply. - Those tokens sit in the protocol’s “Assistance Fund” address, which automatically converts trading fees collected by the perpetual-focused exchange into HYPE. According to the team, the assistance fund address was never controlled via a private key, and a past hard fork was required to access funds related to it. The current proposal would create a social consensus that no future protocol upgrades should be used to access that address, effectively sealing the tokens off from the supply forever. Why it matters - A formal burn reduces the effective supply and can tighten token economics, which market participants often view as bullish. That narrative may be underpinning some of the heightened derivatives activity. Derivatives flow and on-chain signals - CoinGlass data shows Open Interest (OI) on HYPE rose 1.63% in the last 24 hours to $1.53 billion, signaling a larger notional value of active positions. - The OI-weighted funding rate has climbed to 0.0839%, indicating increased buyer-driven pressure in perpetual futures markets — another sign traders are positioning for upside. Technical outlook - Short-term charts are mixed. On the 4-hour timeframe, HYPE has been bearish after a roughly 4% decline over the past week, but it is holding above a key support near $26. - Momentum indicators: the daily RSI sits around 40 (below the neutral 50 but showing a fading bearish bias), while the MACD and signal line remain in a downtrend, suggesting bears still exert influence. - Price scenarios: if HYPE fails to hold the $26 level on a daily close, downside could extend toward the October 10 low near $20. Conversely, a daily close above $26 could give bulls the room to push toward resistance around $34 — particularly if the burn proposal is factored into markets. Bottom line The validator vote on recognizing the Assistance Fund HYPE as burned is a small-but-notable supply action that traders are already reacting to. Derivatives metrics point to growing bullish positioning, but technical indicators still show lingering downside risk if $26 does not hold. Watch the vote outcome and whether markets fully price in the potential permanent removal of 3.71% of the supply. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Bhutan’s Big Bitcoin Bet: Up to 10,000 BTC (~$860M) to Fund Gelephu Mindfulness City
Bhutan has unveiled a major new bet on crypto: a national “Bitcoin Development Pledge” that could allocate up to 10,000 BTC — roughly $860 million at current prices — to finance the creation of Gelephu Mindfulness City. Officials said the move reframes bitcoin as a strategic national asset rather than a speculative holding. In an emailed announcement, the government said it is exploring responsible deployment options — including collateralization, treasury-management strategies, or long-term holding — that would fund the project while protecting value. Final decisions on how the bitcoin will be used are expected in the coming months. Gelephu Mindfulness City is being set up as a special administrative region that will use digital assets as part of its financial reserves, and it sits at the center of Bhutan’s broader blockchain play to diversify the economy and draw investment. The pledge forms one pillar of a wider digital strategy that already includes a blockchain-based national digital identity, crypto-enabled payments for tourists and merchants, and the recent launch of TER, a sovereign-backed gold token. Bhutan has prior experience with bitcoin: it was among the first countries to mine BTC at a sovereign level, converting surplus hydropower into digital assets for several years. The government says it will continue to use excess clean energy for mining without increasing environmental impact. Taken together, the initiatives signal Bhutan’s aim to blend digital finance, governance and sustainability — with an eye toward economic opportunities for younger generations. The coming months should clarify whether the country will move forward with a hefty sovereign bitcoin allocation and how those holdings will be managed. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Third Wave of Profit‑Taking Drives Bitcoin LTH Supply to Eight‑Month Low
Headline: Long-term holder supply tumbles to eight-month low as Bitcoin weathers third wave of profit-taking Bitcoin’s long-term holder (LTH) supply has slid to an eight-month low, underscoring an unusual pattern of repeated profit-taking this cycle. On-chain analytics from Glassnode show LTH supply at 14,342,207 BTC — a level not seen since May — as BTC trades near $87,484, roughly 40% below its October all-time high. What counts as a long-term holder? Glassnode defines LTHs as addresses that have held BTC for at least 155 days, which puts the current cohort cutoff around mid-July — so any buyer from then who has not moved their coins is included. The recent drop in LTH supply represents the third distinct wave of distribution in the ongoing market cycle, according to on-chain analysis. Timeline of the three sell waves - Wave 1: Late 2023 into early 2024 — LTHs sold into strength after the launch of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs, as BTC climbed from roughly $25,000 to near $73,000 by March 2024. - Wave 2: Later in 2024 — further distribution as the market surged toward $100,000 amid heightened optimism following President Trump’s election victory. - Wave 3: 2025 — continued LTH selling while BTC spent much of the year above $100,000, driving supply lower again. Why this cycle is different Historically, during the 2013, 2017 and 2021 bull runs, long-term holder supply tended to follow a single boom-and-bust sequence: LTH supply would bottom around euphoric peaks and then recover gradually as buyers re-accumulated. This cycle has diverged — instead of one blow-off top and a single major distribution event, the market has absorbed multiple, repeated waves of LTH sales without a classic climax. Market observers say this is notable. Alec, co-founder of Checkonchain, described LTH spending this cycle as “unlike anything seen in recent history,” highlighting that the market has been able to absorb a third sell wave without collapsing — a sign of deeper liquidity or stronger buyer interest at different price points. Implications LTH distribution remains a major source of sell-side pressure and is a clear contributor to the nearly 40% correction from October’s highs. That said, the market’s ability to absorb multiple distribution waves suggests demand at various levels is still robust. Key metrics to watch going forward include further shifts in LTH supply, accumulation by new cohorts, ETF flows and macro developments that could influence both holder behavior and overall liquidity. Bottom line: repeated profit-taking from long-term holders has reshaped this cycle’s narrative — the supply base for “hodlers” is smaller than it was months ago, and markets appear resilient enough to digest multiple distribution waves rather than a single blow-off top. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Firmer Chinese yuan could spark Bitcoin rally by easing liquidity, analysts say
Headline: Strengthening yuan could create a friendlier macro backdrop for bitcoin — here’s how Bitcoin (BTC $87,483.67) often moves with global money flows, and one under-the-radar factor that could help lift crypto risk appetite is a firmer Chinese yuan, analysts say. Where the yuan stands - The yuan traded around 7.043 per U.S. dollar early Wednesday — its strongest level since Oct. 8. - That amounts to roughly a 1% gain this quarter and about a 4% rise from April’s low of 7.3504 per dollar. No direct, proven yuan-to-BTC link — but meaningful channels exist There’s no solid evidence that yuan moves directly drive bitcoin prices — long-running rumors that a weaker yuan pushes Chinese capital into crypto haven’t been proven. But LondonCryptoClub, a market newsletter, highlights two macro channels through which a firmer CNY could indirectly support bitcoin. 1) Domestic policy room: cheaper imports, lower inflation, more stimulus A stronger yuan makes imports cheaper, reducing domestic inflationary pressure. That gives Chinese policymakers more room to enact stimulus or easing to fight deflationary trends — and calls for stimulus have risen after weak retail sales and corporate investment numbers released earlier this week. That extra domestic support could offset rising borrowing costs elsewhere (e.g., Japan, Australia) and the prospect of slower Fed cuts, helping risk assets broadly — including crypto. 2) FX operations, dollar recycling, and a weaker greenback If the yuan rallies relentlessly, the People’s Bank of China may step in to slow the move by buying dollars and selling yuan. That operation effectively increases CNY liquidity (the central bank issues yuan to buy dollars), and those accumulated dollars are often “recycled” — sold against other currencies to keep reserve weightings balanced. That process can weigh on the dollar index. Historically, a softer dollar tends to lift demand for dollar-denominated assets such as bitcoin and loosens global financial conditions. As LondonCryptoClub’s founders put it: smoothing yuan strength requires increasing money supply to buy dollars, and recycling those dollars into other FX markets feeds broader dollar weakness — “added together, it all feeds into an easier liquidity environment which should be bullish for bitcoin.” Bottom line and near-term outlook The mechanics are plausible, but not guaranteed. Whether a stronger yuan and potential Chinese stimulus will be enough to steady bitcoin’s recent slide will play out over coming weeks as policy moves, economic data and global rate expectations evolve. For now, traders should watch Chinese policy signals, PBOC FX activity, and dollar direction for clues on bitcoin’s next leg. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
DTCC Chooses Privacy-Focused Canton to Tokenize U.S. Treasuries — MVP Targeted H1 2026
Headline: DTCC Taps Privacy-Focused Canton Network to Tokenize U.S. Treasuries — MVP Targeted for H1 2026 The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) has picked the privacy-centered Canton Network as its tokenization partner, marking a major step toward bringing tokenized, regulated securities onto a permissioned distributed ledger. What’s happening - DTCC will enable a subset of U.S. Treasury securities custodied at DTC to be minted as tokens on the Canton Network. - The move follows a No-Action Letter from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that cleared DTCC to implement and operate a tokenization service for real-world, DTC-custodied assets. - DTCC and Digital Asset (the firm behind Canton) are aiming for a minimum viable product (MVP) in a controlled production environment in the first half of 2026, with plans to scale the initiative based on client demand. Why it matters - DTCC is the backbone of U.S. clearing and settlement infrastructure; its adoption of a tokenization platform signals stronger institutional appetite for digitizing traditional securities. - Canton is designed to let institutions issue and trade tokenized real-world assets — bonds, loans, funds, and now certain U.S. Treasuries — while preserving privacy and regulatory compliance on a shared ledger. - The project could unlock new liquidity, product types, and operational efficiencies across the market if adoption grows. Governance and industry backing - DTCC will take a leadership role within Canton Network’s decentralized governance and will join the Canton Foundation as co-chair alongside Euroclear — positioning the clearinghouse to help shape standards for decentralized financial infrastructure. - Digital Asset’s Canton Network counts major financial firms among its backers, including BlackRock, Blackstone, Nasdaq, S&P Global, Goldman Sachs, and Citadel Securities. Quotes - “DTCC’s partnership with Digital Asset and the Canton Network is a strategic step forward as we collaborate across the industry to build a digital infrastructure that seamlessly bridges the traditional and digital financial ecosystems and provides unmatched scalability and safety,” said Frank LaSalla, CEO of DTCC. - “DTCC’s leadership in this space not only accelerates industry adoption but establishes a foundation for meaningful innovation, unlocking new liquidity opportunities, products, and operational improvements,” said Yuval Rooz, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Asset. Bottom line This partnership pairs DTCC’s market infrastructure clout with Canton’s privacy-first tokenization tech — a combination that could materially advance institutional tokenization of regulated securities once the H1 2026 MVP is proven and client demand guides expansion. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
SBI Ripple Asia and Doppler Finance to Make XRP Yield-Bearing and Tokenize RWAs on XRPL
Headline: SBI Ripple Asia and Doppler Finance team up to make XRP a yield-bearing asset and push tokenized real-world assets on XRPL SBI Ripple Asia has struck a landmark memorandum of understanding with Doppler Finance to explore XRP-based yield products and tokenization of real-world assets on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) — the first time SBI Ripple Asia has partnered with an XRPL-native protocol. What they’ll build - The collaboration aims to develop institutional-grade yield infrastructure for XRP, turning the token from primarily a payments medium into a productive, yield-bearing asset. - Doppler Finance — which positions itself as XRP-focused yield infrastructure — will design compliant, transparent on-chain products targeted at institutional clients. - SBI Digital Markets, a unit regulated by Singapore’s Monetary Authority (MAS), will serve as the institutional custodian, providing segregated custody for client assets. Why it matters - Historically, XRPL has seen far less on-chain yield activity than smart-contract platforms. This partnership signals a push to close that gap by bringing regulated financial players and XRPL-native tooling together. - For Doppler, the deal opens access to one of Asia’s more established digital-asset ecosystems through SBI’s regional footprint and relationships, including ties to Japan’s SBI Holdings and Ripple. - For institutions in jurisdictions with clearer regulatory frameworks like Japan and Singapore, the move aligns with growing interest in tokenized assets and blockchain-based yield products. Quotes and positioning Doppler’s head of institutions framed the initiative as expanding XRP’s role beyond payments and positioning it as a productive asset. An SBI Ripple Asia spokesperson said the firm plans to accelerate secure and transparent yield infrastructure on XRPL by combining Doppler’s on-chain framework with SBI’s digital-asset experience across Asia. What to watch next Expect pilot products, custody arrangements, and compliance frameworks to take shape first. If successful, the effort could broaden institutional demand for XRP and increase use cases for tokenized real-world assets on the Ledger — potentially changing how XRP is used in institutional portfolios and DeFi-like strategies on XRPL. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Uniform Labs has launched Multiliquid, its institutional liquidity protocol, into production after development, auditing and testing, the blockchain infrastructure firm announced Wednesday. Founded by former executives from Standard Chartered, UniCredit and other digital banking groups, Uniform Labs says Multiliquid is aimed squarely at a persistent pain point in tokenized finance: liquidity. Multiliquid lets institutions swap instantly, 24/7, between blue‑chip tokenized money market funds and major stablecoins such as Circle’s USDC and Tether’s USDT. By enabling immediate on‑chain swaps, the protocol intends to eliminate the days‑long redemption waits and cash‑flow friction that have prevented many tokenized assets from being practical for treasury and corporate workflows. At launch the protocol supports integrations with leading tokenized Treasury products issued or managed by firms including Wellington Management and other large asset managers, with more assets scheduled to be added over time. Uniform Labs says the architecture is built to handle tokenized money market funds as well as private credit, private equity, real estate and other real‑world assets (RWAs), but with instant settlement behavior that mirrors stablecoins’ 24/7 payment rails. The timing of the launch is notable. The GENIUS Act recently changed the economics of dollar‑backed stablecoins by barring issuers from paying interest or yield directly to holders, a regulatory shift that has put yield‑bearing stablecoin structures under scrutiny. With that constraint, institutions are looking for compliant ways to combine the always‑on utility of stablecoins with regulated, yield‑bearing products. Uniform Labs positions Multiliquid precisely for that setup: stablecoins remain “pure” payment instruments onchain, while yield is sourced from tokenized money market funds and other regulated RWAs plugged into the protocol’s swap layer. Uniform Labs also frames Multiliquid as a response to a broader structural weakness in tokenization. While the tokenized RWA market has grown to more than $35 billion, many assets — especially outside traditional Treasury products — still rely on issuer‑controlled redemption windows and lack continuous secondary liquidity. “There’s essentially zero secondary liquidity for most tokenized assets, whether money market or private credit funds, with investors largely forced to wait for issuer‑controlled redemption windows,” said Will Beeson, Uniform Labs’ founder and CEO. “Multiliquid is the missing liquidity layer between tokenized assets and stablecoins, so that onchain capital markets can actually function in real time.” If it works as advertised, Multiliquid could make tokenized RWAs materially easier to use in corporate treasuries and institutional trading desks by converting otherwise illiquid token holdings into spendable stablecoins instantly. The company says holders using the protocol will be able to access liquidity at any time, and it plans to expand supported assets and integrations going forward. See also: Visa’s integration with Circle to bring USDC settlement to U.S. banks following a $3.5 billion stablecoin pilot. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
Hut 8 Jumps 20% on $7B, 15-Year Fluidstack AI Data-Center Lease — Google Backstops Deal
Hut 8 shares jump 20% after blockbuster Fluidstack AI data-center deal Hut 8 (HUT) popped about 20% in pre-market trading after unveiling a major long-term leasing agreement with AI infrastructure provider Fluidstack that positions the bitcoin-and-AI miner as a significant player in the fast-growing AI data-center market. Deal highlights - Length and size: A 15-year lease worth $7 billion for 245 megawatts (MW) of IT capacity at Hut 8’s River Bend campus in Louisiana. - Expansion rights: Fluidstack gets a Right of First Offer (ROFO) on up to an additional 1,000 MW as the campus expands. - Optional extensions: The agreement includes three 5-year renewal options, lifting the potential total contract value to roughly $17.7 billion if exercised. - Google backstop: Google is providing a financial backstop for the base lease term, materially lowering counterparty risk. - Financials: Hut 8 projects the contract will generate about $6.9 billion of cumulative net operating income over 15 years — roughly $454 million per year. - Timeline and financing: River Bend is slated to begin commissioning in Q2 2027. Project-level debt financing is expected to cover up to 85% of development costs, with JPMorgan serving as lead left underwriter alongside Goldman Sachs. Why it matters The deal marks a major pivot by a publicly traded bitcoin miner into large-scale AI infrastructure, locking in long-term revenue and demonstrating strong institutional backing via Google and top-tier banks. It also follows a recent Fluidstack partnership with Cipher Mining that similarly included Google support, highlighting growing demand for turnkey high-performance computing capacity from hyperscalers and AI firms. Bottom line The agreement not only provides Hut 8 with a multi-year revenue anchor but also signals intensifying convergence between crypto miners’ power and cooling expertise and the booming market for AI compute real estate — a trend investors rewarded immediately with a sizable stock bump. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news