Weekly Crypto Outlook: What I’m Watching This Week (BTC • ETH • Alts)
Market mood: Fear is elevated and positioning looks fragile, which often leads to sharp moves in both directions. This week feels more “macro-driven” than “narrative-driven,” so I’m prioritizing key events + liquidity levels over predictions.
1) The Macro Drivers (High Impact)
Bank of Japan (Dec 19)
If the BoJ signals tighter policy, it can strengthen JPY and pressure risk assets via carry-trade unwinds. Translation: liquidity can tighten fast, and BTC/Alts often feel it first.
US data flow (jobs/inflation surprises)
Anything that shifts rate-cut expectations can push crypto quickly. Watch for volatility spikes around releases (fakeouts are common).
2) BTC Outlook (Range first, then expansion)
Base case: choppy consolidation unless a macro headline hits.
Support zone: ~88k area first; then ~85k as a deeper liquidity pocket. Resistance zone: ~93k area; reclaiming and holding it improves bullish odds.
Bull scenario: BTC reclaims resistance, open interest stays controlled, spot demand holds → grind up and squeeze shorts. Bear scenario: macro shock + loss of support → fast sweep down (liquidity hunt), then watch for a reaction bounce.
3) ETH & Alts (Selective strength, but fragile)
If BTC is unstable, most alts remain “high beta” (they drop harder). ETH can outperform if it holds key supports and BTC stays rangebound. I’m looking for relative strength leaders (coins holding up while BTC chops) rather than chasing random pumps.
4) My Game Plan (Simple)
Don’t fight macro headlines. Trade levels, not feelings: wait for reclaim/confirmation near support/resistance. Size down if volatility expands; protect capital first.
Not financial advice. Just my watchlist and framework for the week. What are you watching: BoJ, US data, or pure technicals?
North Korean cybercriminals are executing sophisticated scams via bogus video calls, leading to significant financial losses. This alarming trend suggests an increasing threat to digital security, necessitating enhanced protective measures for individuals and organizations.
Binance News
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Security Alliance Warns of North Korean Hackers Using Fake Zoom Calls for Scams
According to BlockBeats, the nonprofit organization Security Alliance has issued a warning about daily scams orchestrated by North Korean hackers. These scams involve fake Zoom meetings designed to trick victims into downloading malware, which then steals sensitive information such as passwords and private keys.
Security researcher Taylor Monahan has highlighted that this tactic has resulted in the theft of over $300 million in assets. The scam typically begins with a message from a Telegram account, often belonging to someone the victim knows, which lowers their guard. The conversation then naturally transitions to an invitation to 'catch up over Zoom.'
Once the fake Zoom call begins, the hackers pretend to encounter audio issues and send a supposed 'patch file.' When the victim opens this file, their device is infected with malware. The hackers then end the fake call with a promise to reschedule, leaving the victim unaware of the breach.
The cryptocurrency market faced substantial outflows, notably led by Bitcoin and Ethereum. This trend could indicate increasing selling pressure, potentially impacting market stability.
Binance News
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Cryptocurrency Market Sees Significant Outflows in 24 Hours
According to ChainCatcher, the cryptocurrency market experienced notable net outflows in the past 24 hours. Bitcoin (BTC) led the outflow list with $151 million, followed by Ethereum (ETH) with $42 million, Zcash (ZEC) with $35 million, XRP with $20 million, and Solana (SOL) with $12 million.
Conversely, some cryptocurrencies saw net inflows. XPL recorded an inflow of $9 million, MNT had $2.1 million, WET saw $1.7 million, Monero (XMR) had $1.4 million, and TRX experienced an inflow of $960,000.
Bitcoin's price fluctuations may lead to substantial liquidations, impacting market dynamics and investor strategies. 🥀😵
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Bitcoin Price Movements Could Trigger Significant Liquidations
According to ChainCatcher, data from Coinglass indicates that if Bitcoin surpasses $94,229, the cumulative liquidation intensity of short positions on major centralized exchanges will reach $828 million. Conversely, if Bitcoin falls below $86,317, the cumulative liquidation intensity of long positions on these exchanges will also reach $828 million.
The recent breach of the ZEROBASE protocol has caused substantial financial damage, impacting many users. This incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures to prevent future attacks. 🤯
$USDT $BNB
Binance News
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Hackers Exploit ZEROBASE Protocol Frontend, Resulting in Significant Losses
According to TechFlow, on December 12, hackers successfully infiltrated the frontend of the ZEROBASE protocol, leading to the theft of funds from over 270 users. The total losses exceeded $240,000, with one user alone losing as much as 123,597 USDT. Prior to the incident, ZEROBASE had issued a security warning about phishing contracts on the BNB Chain, which were attempting to impersonate the official ZEROBASE interface and hijack user connections to trick them into granting USDT authorization.
Headline: 📉 Market Pulse: Bitcoin Consolidates at $90k – Calm Before the Santa Rally? 🎅📊
Date: December 13, 2025
The crypto market is taking a breather today as Bitcoin (BTC) consolidates around the $90,400 mark. After a volatile start to December, we are seeing a "wait-and-see" approach from traders as the weekend approaches.
Here’s your snapshot for today:
🪙 Bitcoin (BTC) Update
Current Price: ~$90,400 The Vibe: Directionless consolidation. BTC is holding steady after recovering from recent dips, but bulls are hesitant to push aggressively just yet. Key Levels to Watch: 🚧 Resistance: $92,000 - $94,000. A breakout here is needed to reignite the run toward $100k. 🛡️ Support: $85,500. This is the critical floor bulls must defend.
🚀 Trending & Top Movers
While the broader altcoin market is dragging slightly lower with BTC, quality assets and new narratives are showing strength:
🔶 BNB: Showing resilience and strong performance relative to the market. ⚡ Monad (MON): Gaining serious traction as the "EVM L1" narrative heats up for 2026. 💧 Hyperliquid (HYPE): Continuing to see high interest and volume. ☀️ Solana (SOL): Remains a crowd favorite, maintaining high social volume despite broader chops.
🧠 Market Sentiment
Fear & Greed: Neutral/Cautious. The Narrative: Investors are balancing Fed caution against historical hopes for a "Santa Rally." Whale movements have been mixed, suggesting big players are re-positioning for the end of the year.
💡 Strategy for the Weekend
Volatility often spikes when liquidity thins out over the weekend.
Watch the Range: If BTC loses $89k, we could see a quick test of lower support. Altcoin Rotation: Keep an eye on BNB and SOL ecosystem plays; they often lead the recovery when BTC stabilizes.
👇 What’s your play for the weekend? Are you buying the dip or waiting for $94k? Let me know in the comments!
The crypto market has experienced significant liquidations, indicating heightened volatility that may lead to further price fluctuations.
Binance News
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Crypto Market Sees $318 Million in Liquidations Over 24 Hours
According to ChainCatcher, Coinglass data reveals that the crypto market experienced liquidations totaling $318 million in the past 24 hours. Long positions accounted for $265 million, while short positions saw liquidations of $52.96 million. Bitcoin long positions were liquidated for $66.78 million, and short positions for $9.47 million. Ethereum long positions faced liquidations of $107 million, with short positions at $10.92 million.
In the same period, 109,089 traders were liquidated globally. The largest single liquidation occurred on Hyperliquid's ETH-USD pair, valued at $5.68 million.
🚀 Weekly Altcoin Outlook: Volatility, AI & The "Short Squeeze" Setup (Dec 15-21)
The market is gearing up for a pivotal week! While Bitcoin dominance remains high, we are seeing a massive buildup of short interest in key altcoins that could trigger explosive reversals. Here is your game plan for the week ahead. 👇
🔥 Top Altcoins to Watch
Solana ($SOL ): The big one to watch. Heavy short interest is building up. If we break the $139.6 resistance, analysts predict a potential short squeeze clearing over $600M in liquidity. Chainlink ($LINK ): The "Interoperability" narrative is heating up with CCIP connecting 70+ chains. Institutional interest remains sticky despite recent price action. Bittensor ($TAO ): Leading the AI charge. With halving dynamics coming into play, look for volatility as the decentralized ML narrative catches a second wind. PEAQ: A darker horse benefiting from the robotics/automation policy tailwinds. Keep an eye on this if you trade the "Real World Assets" (RWA) sector.
📅 Key Dates & Catalysts
Macro Factors: All eyes on Fed Chair Powell’s inflation speech and labor data this week. Expect chop! Dec 17: Major Coinbase ecosystem updates could drive flows into Base and Solana ecosystem tokens.
🧠 Market Sentiment The Altcoin Season Index is low (19/100), meaning we are still in "Accumulation" territory. It’s a week for patience—wait for key resistance flips before aping in.
Disclaimer: This is not financial advice. Always DYOR!
🏛️ Regulatory Shift: Massive news as the SEC Chairman advocates for a blockchain transition in U.S. financial markets! This could be the pivotal moment we've been waiting for in institutional adoption.
📈 Market Watch:
Bitcoin ($BTC): Reclaimed the $92,000 level (+1.37%), showing resilience after the recent Fed rate updates. Layer 2 Surge: L2 tokens are outperforming the market, with Merlin Chain and Mantle leading the charge. Top Gainers: Privacy coins are waking up! Zcash ($ZEC) soared +18% and Dash is seeing green.
🏦 Bank Adoption: The OCC has issued a crypto-friendly letter allowing national banks to engage in specific crypto-asset transactions. Traditional finance is getting closer every day.
🔮 Gemini's Win: Gemini finally secured CFTC approval for prediction markets after a 5-year battle.
👇 What’s your take? Is the SEC's new stance the signal for a 2026 bull run, or just more talk? Let me know in the comments!
$BTC 🚀U.S. financial markets are set to embrace blockchain, enhancing transparency and efficiency for investors in the future. 🔥
Binance News
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SEC Chairman Advocates for Blockchain Transition in U.S. Financial Markets
According to BlockBeats, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins announced that the American financial markets are on the verge of transitioning to blockchain technology. Atkins emphasized that under his leadership, the SEC is prioritizing innovation and actively adopting new technologies to achieve this blockchain future while continuing to protect investor interests. The shift to on-chain markets is expected to offer investors greater predictability, transparency, and efficiency. Participants of the Depository Trust Company (DTC) can now directly transfer tokenized securities to registered wallets of other participants, with these transactions being officially recorded by the DTC.Atkins expressed anticipation for the SEC to consider an innovative exemption policy that would allow innovators to leverage new technologies and business models to begin transitioning markets to blockchain without being constrained by cumbersome regulatory requirements.Additionally, the SEC has approved the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) to custody and confirm tokenized stocks and real-world assets on the blockchain.
Paxos Seeks SEC Approval to Become Clearing Agency
According to Foresight News, Paxos co-founder and CEO Chad Cascarilla announced at the Solana Breakpoint conference that Paxos has applied to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to become a clearing agency. This move would enable Paxos to directly custody and issue stocks and bonds on-chain, allowing users to hold actual underlying assets rather than derivatives. Cascarilla emphasized that this development is crucial for the large-scale transition of traditional financial assets onto blockchain.Cascarilla outlined Paxos's goal to facilitate the integration of traditional assets into the blockchain environment. The company plans to expand its presence in the stablecoin and asset tokenization sectors, including the growth of USDG and gold tokenization products. He expressed the belief that public blockchains will become a unified global platform for asset trading, significantly enhancing market accessibility and liquidity.
😵 #NewsAboutCrypto China's financial bodies have issued a caution against virtual currencies and RWA activities, impacting domestic ventures significantly.
Binance News
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China's Financial Associations Issue Warning Against Virtual Currency and RWA Token Activities
According to ChainCatcher, seven financial industry associations in China have jointly issued a risk warning, explicitly prohibiting domestic participation in virtual currency and Real World Asset (RWA) token issuance and trading activities. Following this regulatory stance, mainland companies have seen a significant cooling in their RWA business ventures in Hong Kong. Industry insiders report a dramatic drop of over 90% in consultation inquiries, with many ongoing projects being asked to pause. Consequently, related concept stocks have experienced a decline, with companies like Langxin Group and GCL Energy Technology seeing their stock values halved from recent highs. In response, some enterprises are now exploring Real Data Asset (RDA) as an alternative direction.
Federal Reserve's Rate Cut and Treasury Purchases Impact Crypto Market
According to Odaily, analyst Adam from Greeks.live reports that the Federal Reserve's recent decision to cut interest rates by 25 basis points and resume a $40 billion monthly purchase of short-term Treasury bills is expected to improve financial system liquidity, benefiting the market. However, Adam cautions that with the Christmas holidays and year-end settlements approaching, the crypto market typically experiences low liquidity and activity during this period, making it premature to anticipate a bull market resurgence.
Options data indicates high concentration in BTC and ETH positions by the end of December, with BTC's maximum pain point at $100,000 and ETH's at $3,200. Meanwhile, the implied volatility for major expiration dates this month has been declining, reflecting a reduced expectation of short-term market fluctuations.
Adam also notes that the skew has remained negative this month, meaning that put options are priced higher than call options at the same Delta. This is due to the dominance of covered call strategies in a stable market, which suppresses call pricing, and the recent market weakness leading more traders to hedge against downside risks with puts.
Overall, the current sentiment in the crypto market is weak, with poor liquidity expected at year-end. The prevailing view in the options market suggests a 'slow decline,' though there is a need to remain cautious of any sudden positive developments that could lead to a short-term reversal, despite the low probability.
Market Conditions Favorable for Year-End Rally, Says GSR Executive
According to BlockBeats, Spencer Hallarn, head of over-the-counter trading at GSR, commented on the current market conditions. He noted that most bullish positions have been largely eliminated, creating a foundation of skepticism. Hallarn highlighted that perpetual contract funding rates are very low, even negative, indicating minimal leverage in the market. Overall, he believes this structure is quite favorable for a Santa rally, suggesting a positive market outlook as the year comes to a close.