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Bitcoin hasn’t fared well over the past month and continued to drop after falling below $100,000. Crypto mining stocks also felt the pain since their earnings are heavily tied to Bitcoin, but some of those same stocks can still rally due to their involvement in artificial intelligence and other initiatives. 

These three crypto mining stocks can still rally despite Bitcoin’s correction. Bitcoin’s future rebound is also a good catalyst for these picks.

Nebius (NBIS)

Nebius is one of several crypto miners that have pivoted into AI data centers. The company addresses the energy and computing bottlenecks that face tech giants, but the company is heavily invested in two brands that will harness AI to reach more customers.

Nebius Stock Price Year to Date. Source: Google Finance

Autonomous vehicle developer Avride and edtech company TripleTen are two long-term investments that add more value to NBIS stock. 

However, Nebius isn’t sitting and waiting around for its large stakes in these companies to gain value.

Nebius has recently secured a 5-year deal with Meta Platforms, valued at approximately $3 billion. That partnership came on the heels of a multi-billion-dollar deal with Microsoft. 

Those partnerships aren’t fully reflected in current revenue numbers, but that didn’t stop Nebius from delivering 355% year-over-year revenue growth in Q3.

The words “Bitcoin” and “crypto” did not appear once in Nebius’ Q3 press release or letter to shareholders. The AI firm seems to have made a complete pivot away from Bitcoin as it shifts its focus toward AI infrastructure.

Goldman Sachs recently reiterated its Buy rating for the stock while raising its price target from $137 to $155 per share. “AI demand-supply imbalance underpins continued strength in its core operations,” the firm said in its research.

IREN (IREN)

While Nebius is diversified into other investments and also offers a software stack for its customers, IREN is solely focused on providing AI cloud services. 

It solves the AI energy bottleneck like Nebius, but its 3.2 gigawatt pipeline and ability to produce AI data centers at scale give it an advantage.

IREN also secured a major deal with Microsoft worth $9.7 billion over five years. The deal gives Microsoft access to 200 megawatts. Once IREN taps into its full pipeline, it can support 16 deals like the Microsoft contract.

IREN Stock Price Over the Past 6 Months. Source: Google Finance

IREN still mines Bitcoin, and it represented 97% of Q1 FY26 revenue. AI cloud services revenue didn’t move by much year-over-year, but the Microsoft deal can fuel substantial growth in that segment. 

Right now, IREN still heavily depends on Bitcoin but is making the pivot into AI data centers.

Roth MKM analyst Darren Aftahi reiterated a Buy rating for the stock in November and set a price target of $94. That price target suggests IREN will more than double from current levels. 

Terawulf (WULF)

Terawulf is closer to IREN than it is to Nebius. It’s another crypto miner that depends on crypto but has signed big tech deals that set the stage for an AI pivot. The crypto miner intends to increase its contracted capacity by 250-500 megawatts per year. 

For context, Terawulf allocated 168 megawatts to Fluidstack for $9.5 billion over a 25-year lease agreement. 

Fluidstack is backed by Google, which can open the door to additional deals. The lease comes to $380 million per year, or $2.26 million per year for each megawatt.

Terawulf Share Price. Source: Google Finance

Using that conversion rate, Terawulf’s plan to increase capacity by 250-500 megawatts per year can translate into an additional $565 million to $1.13 billion in annual recurring revenue. Bitcoin prices drove Q3 results, but long-term AI data center ambitions have captivated investors.

“Based on our bullishness for TeraWulf to secure sites and execute on HPC buildouts, we maintain our Buy rating and $17 price target,” Compass Point said in a research note. 

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

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

Dormant Bitcoin Supply Returns as Market Waits for Policy Clarity

Over 2,400 BTC aged more than ten years moved this week, activating long-dormant supply worth more than $215 million. These coins usually stay untouched, and movement often precedes distribution rather than accumulation.

Another signal shows Coin Days Destroyed flashing again. This metric highlights old holders moving Bitcoins, often to sell into strength. 

Demand absorbed this supply earlier in the year, but analysts now observe buyers stepping back while experienced holders send coins to market.

Bitcoin Coin Days Destroyed Metrics. Source: CryptoQuant

Older supply returning during weak demand has historically pressured price action. ETF inflows remain soft, and netflows show reduced institutional appetite compared with recent peaks. This suggests rallies may struggle unless liquidity returns.

Institutional analysts remain confident in the broader cycle. Bernstein argues Bitcoin may have broken the four-year halving rhythm and is entering an extended adoption phase. 

The firm expects Bitcoin to reach $150,000 in 2026, with a potential 2027 peak near $200,000.

Yet market direction now depends on the Federal Reserve. If policymakers cut rates as expected, liquidity may improve and strengthen risk assets through early 2026. 

A weaker dollar and lower capital costs could help support ETF demand and absorb long-term holder selling.

A delay or smaller cut could create volatility. Combined with revived supply, Bitcoin may face deeper corrections before recovering. 

Analysts warn that strong bids will be necessary to offset aging supply reactivation.

For now, Bitcoin sits between shifting on-chain behavior and macro expectations. Investors will watch the FOMC signal closely to understand whether the next move strengthens market resilience or exposes further downside.

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson says quantum threats to blockchain are overstated today. He argues the industry already knows how to build quantum-resistant systems, but lacks efficiency and hardware alignment to switch. 

In a recent podcast discussion, he described quantum as “a big red herring,” adding that real urgency will come only when military-grade quantum benchmarks show credible progress.

Quantum Is a Red Herring For Crypto

Hoskinson explained that blockchains could migrate to quantum-secure cryptography, but the performance trade-off is steep. 

“The protocols to do that are about 10 times slower and 10 times more expensive to run,” Hoskinson said. 

He noted that no network wants to sacrifice throughput for future-proofing, stating, 

“I have a thousand transactions a second. Now I’m going to do a hundred transactions a second, but I’m quantum proof. Nobody wants to be that guy.”

Standards Remain the Gatekeeper

The Cardano founder tied quantum-security delays to standardisation. Until early government guidance landed, the sector risked adopting algorithms that would later be deprecated or unsupported. 

“We had to wait for the US government to write the standards,” he said, referencing FIPS 203–206 under NIST’s post-quantum cryptography program.

Hardware vendors now have direction to build accelerated silicon for approved post-quantum algorithms. 

Hoskinson highlighted why this matters for blockchain performance: “If you pick a non-standard protocol… you’re 100 times slower than the hardware accelerated stuff.” 

He said alignment with NIST ensures both speed and security without locking networks into inefficient cryptography for a decade.

This marks a turning point. Post-quantum standards exist, and the U. government has begun adoption. 

Large infrastructure players such as Cloudflare have already integrated PQ key exchange into mainstream traffic. It signals that migration pressure is slowly building across internet security stacks.

The Quantum Risk To Crypto Is Timed, Not Immediate

Hoskinson’s framing mirrors wider sentiment across cryptography research. Quantum threats to blockchain signatures are real but not current. 

Researchers and financial-security analysts still view CRQC-level systems as a 2030s-era event rather than a present hazard. Risk stems from when to migrate, not whether.

That window now has a reference clock. “DARPA has a program called QBI, the Quantum Blockchain Initiative,” Hoskinson said. 

According to him, the program is evaluating 11 companies to determine if practical quantum computers can exist at scale by 2033. 

He called QBI the clearest public benchmark for journalists tracking progress, adding,

“The military needs to know — when do we upgrade our crypto and how do we do that?”

Recent moves support his caution. While quantum research continues — from topological qubit work like Microsoft’s Majorana-based devices to large-scale PQ rollouts in communications infrastructure — no evidence suggests imminent cryptographic collapse. 

Post-quantum migration continues, but cost, latency, and ecosystem fragmentation remain barriers for blockchains.

Why It Matters

Hoskinson’s comments cut through a debate often driven by speculation rather than engineering data. Quantum-safe blockchain design exists, but activating it prematurely slows networks, raises transaction costs, and fragments developer tooling. 

With NIST standards finalised and hardware roadmaps forming, networks are moving toward planning, not panic.

Most experts believe the shift will land in the next decade. Hoskinson echoed that view: 

“Most smart people think there’s a strong possibility we’ll have something in the 2030s.” 

Until then, efficiency, competition, and hardware-acceleration support will dictate when blockchains flip the switch to quantum-proof cryptography.

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

The purchase comes at a moment of heightened scrutiny for MicroStrategy’s figurehead, Michael Saylor. The company has faced significant pressure during a broader market downturn driven by Bitcoin’s weak price performance.

Accumulation Continues as Pressures Grow

Saylor has continued expanding MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin holdings despite sustained public scrutiny of the company’s approach.

Bitcoin’s price has weakened over the past two months, failing to reclaim the $100,000 level it lost in November and currently trading around $89,950.

MicroStrategy, now effectively a Bitcoin-focused treasury rather than a traditional software firm, has been hit hard as its valuation moves in lockstep with Bitcoin’s volatility, creating persistent headwinds.

Even so, the company has pressed ahead with new purchases. Notably, it did not buy during the recent dip to $86,000 over the weekend but instead announced its latest acquisition as Bitcoin briefly rallied to $90,615.

Some viewed the move as a way to energize supporters and maintain high morale among loyal investors. However, some analysts believe MicroStrategy’s ability to fund future Bitcoin purchases is weakening.

Analyst Novacula Occami noted that, for this latest purchase round, MicroStrategy was only able to sell $44 million of preferred stock last week, which is a very small amount compared to past capital raises.

This suggests the market may be less willing to lend or buy their preferred equity.

Because leverage is becoming more challenging, MicroStrategy is shifting back to issuing regular shares. In this case, it sold 5.1 million MSTR shares at $181 each, which dilutes existing shareholders.

Given MicroStrategy’s current conditions, this method may soon become unsustainable.

MicroStrategy’s mNav Crashed Below 1 Before Recovering. Source: Saylor Tracker Stock Weakness Threatens Funding Model

MicroStrategy experienced a severe downturn at the start of December when its market cap briefly fell below the net value of its Bitcoin holdings. The event produced fresh concerns about leverage, liquidity, and overall investor confidence.

The share price dropped to $156, reducing the company’s valuation to $45 billion. At the same time, the value of MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin holdings stood at roughly $55.2 billion, marking an unusual period in which the market valued the company below its underlying assets.

MicroStrategy has since regained its foothold. However, if its stock were to again trade below the value of the assets it owns, issuing new shares will become harder and less effective.

As leverage continues to dry up and equity dilution becomes less sustainable, MicroStrategy may face a moment where it cannot raise enough capital to continue its accumulation model. 

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

These events could inject volatility and influence price movements in the short term. Here is a breakdown of what to look out for in each project.

1. Aptos (APT)

Unlock Date: December 11

Number of Tokens to be Unlocked: 11.31 million APT (0.96% of Total Supply)

Current Circulating Supply: 736 million APT

Total supply: 1.18 billion APT

Aptos is a Layer-1 blockchain platform designed for scalability, security, and efficiency in decentralized applications (dApps) and Web3 ecosystems. It utilizes the Move programming language to enable high-throughput transactions and smart contract execution.

Aptos will release 11.31 million tokens on December 11, in line with its pattern of monthly cliff unlocks. The tokens are worth $19.79 million. It represents 0.80% of the released supply.

APT Crypto Token Unlock in December. Source: Tokenomist

The team will award 3.96 million APT to core contributors. The community and investors will get 3.21 million and 2.81 million tokens, respectively. Additionally, Aptos will allocate 1.33 million tokens to the foundation.

2. Linea (LINEA)

Unlock Date: December 10

Number of Tokens to be Unlocked: 1.38 billion LINEA (1.92% of Total Supply)

Current Circulating Supply: 16.7 billion LINEA

Total supply: 72 billion LINEA

Linea is a zkEVM Layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum (ETH). The network provides fast, low-cost transactions while maintaining compatibility with Ethereum tools and security.  

On December 10, the project will unlock 1.38 billion tokens valued at approximately $11 million. This stack accounts for 6.76% of the circulating supply.

LINEA Crypto Token Unlock in December. Source: Tokenomist

Linea will split the supply into three ways: 600.08 million tokens for long-term alignment, 480.07 million LINEA for Ignition, and 300.07 million tokens for future airdrops.

3. Cheelee (CHEEL)

Unlock Date: December 13

Number of Tokens to be Unlocked: 20.81 million CHEEL (2.08% of Total Supply)

Total supply: 1 billion CHEEL

Cheelee is a SocialFi hybrid platform that rewards users with LEE tokens for watching short videos. It blends familiar social media mechanics with blockchain-based incentives. The platform utilizes its token, CHEEL, for governance, content promotion, and advertising.

The team will release 20.81 million tokens on December 13. The tokens are worth around 10.86 million and represent 2.86% of the current released supply.

CHEEL Crypto Token Unlock in December. Source: Tokenomist

Cheelee will keep 10.58 million tokens for rewards. Furthermore, it will assign 7.55 million tokens for marketing and 2.64 million for liquidity. Lastly, the team will direct 36,720 tokens to a community drop.

Besides these three, other prominent token unlocks that investors can look out for this week include Axie Infinity (AXS), BounceBit (BB), and Movement (MOVE).

The SEC has closed its multi-year investigation into Ondo Finance without recommending any charges after examining whether the firm’s tokenized US Treasuries and ONDO token violated securities laws.

As equity tokenization rises on the SEC’s agenda, the decision clears the way for Ondo to expand its operations nationwide.

SEC Quietly Closes Ondo Case

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) signaled a continued shift in its enforcement posture after news broke that it had closed its investigation into tokenization firm Ondo Finance.

Although the news became public on Monday, the dismissal occurred toward the end of last month.

According to reports, the SEC launched the probe in October 2023, under the leadership of former Chair Gary Gensler, to assess whether the firm had complied with securities laws.

Now, under current Chair Paul Atkins, the SEC has taken a more pro-crypto direction. The closure of the Ondo probe exemplifies its ongoing rollback of several high-profile cases. The SEC now adds the Ondo investigation to the list of closed cases, alongside those involving Coinbase, Ripple, and Kraken.

The move also shows heightened institutional interest in the potential of asset tokenization.

Tokenization Gains Momentum in Washington

Equity tokenization, once viewed cautiously by regulators, is now firmly on the SEC’s agenda. 

Last week, the SEC’s Investor Advisory Committee held a panel on how distributed ledgers could modernize public equity issuance and trading. It marked a notable departure from the enforcement-first posture of recent years.

That institutional appetite mirrors the traction seen in the private sector. 

Tokenized US Treasuries have become one of the fastest-growing on-chain asset categories. Meanwhile, early tokenized equity products are beginning to draw interest from global investors. 

Ondo, an early participant in the tokenization sector, was among the firms to ride this regulatory shift. The closure of the SEC investigation now removes a degree of uncertainty for the company and for others pursuing tokenized real-world assets. 

Ondo said in a blog post that the decision enables it to proceed with plans to expand its US operations, supported by its acquisition of Oasis Pro, a broker-dealer and ATS operator. 

The firm is also scheduled to host its annual Ondo Summit in New York in February. There, it’s expected to outline new tools and products focused on real-world asset tokenization.

Welcome to the US Crypto News Morning Briefing—your essential rundown of the most important developments in crypto for the day ahead.

Grab a coffee as global markets enter a period of unprecedented friction with the era of synchronized economic cycles coming to an end. While the US quietly restores liquidity, China remains locked in a state of deflation, and Japan’s rising bond yields threaten to destabilize global capital flows. This has created a fractured, multi-speed adjustment that will test investors and policymakers alike.

Crypto News of the Day: How the US, China, and Japan Are Now Moving Against Each Other

Global financial markets are entering a period of profound structural strain, as long-standing assumptions about synchronized economic cycles collapse.

Against this backdrop, investors now face a fractured global system, with competing forces shaping market behavior. The forces are:

US liquidity injections,

Chinese political constraints, and

Japanese fiscal stress.

China’s $18.9 Trillion Debt Trap: Why Beijing Can’t Print

In China, structural constraints limit the government’s ability to pursue large-scale monetary interventions.

The scale of the problem extends from local government debt reaching ¥134 trillion ($18.9 trillion). This is dispersed across 4,000 financing vehicles and has been exposed by a property collapse that has destroyed key revenue streams.

Unlike Japan, which leveraged QE to stabilize its economy, China cannot monetize. Article 29 of Chinese law prohibits primary market bond purchases, and capital flight is severely punished. Debt functions as a political tool rather than an economic liability.

“Monetization would sever the control mechanism holding the Party together,” researcher Shanaka Anslem explains.

The result: persistent deflation, a slowdown in growth to around 4%, and a tightly managed renminbi (RMB, China’s official currency).

Analysts warn this will extend global disinflationary forces years beyond consensus, a phenomenon Anslem calls “the Long Grind.”

Fed’s Lagging Balance Sheet: The Hidden Risks of Post-QE Tightening

Meanwhile, the US faces its own structural challenges. The Federal Reserve officially concluded its three-year, five-month quantitative tightening (QT) program on December 1, reducing its balance sheet by $2.43 trillion to $6.53 trillion.

Treasury securities dropped to $4.19 trillion, and mortgage-backed securities fell to $2.05 trillion, unwinding over half of the pandemic-era QE expansion.

Analyst Endgame Macro notes that the real danger lies not in the Fed’s balance sheet itself but in the lag of its effects.

Tightening over the past two years has left households stretched, corporate bankruptcies hitting 15-year highs, and small businesses without a safety net.

Even with rate cuts and eventual QE, policy cannot instantly reverse stress already moving through the economy.

The Fed is now pivoting to Reserve Management Purchases (RMP), with officials expected to buy $20–$40 billion in Treasury bills per month starting in January 2026.

Shanaka Anslem explains that this quietly injects $480 billion in liquidity annually while keeping the mechanics of QE off the books.

 Bank reserves, already at $3 trillion, are set to expand, shifting from abundant to adequate and signaling changing conditions for risk assets, inflation hawks, and credit markets alike.

Japan’s Debt Crunch: The 30-Year Ultra-Low-Rate Era Comes to an End

Across the Pacific, Japan is confronting a fiscal reckoning that may ripple through global markets, as revealed in a recent US Crypto News publication.

Japanese bond yields have surged, with the 20-year yield hitting 2.947%, the highest since 1998.

Meanwhile, the 10-year at 1.95% levels are flagged as critical by institutional stress models. The Bank of Japan now holds ¥28.6 trillion in unrealized losses, equivalent to 225% of its capital base, rendering it technically insolvent.

Rising yields threaten the $1.13 trillion in US Treasuries held by Japanese investors, as well as the $1.2 trillion yen carry trade, which could unwind and trigger $500 billion in global capital outflows over 18 months.

“For 30 years, Japanese yields anchored global rates artificially low. Today, it snapped. The world is shifting into an entirely different interest-rate regime,” said one analyst in a post.

Not a Soft Landing: The World Enters a Three-Speed Financial Reset

The convergence of these forces, that is, US liquidity expansion, Chinese fiscal restraint, and Japanese debt stress, marks the end of synchronized cycles and the beginning of a multi-speed, volatile environment.

Analysts warn of structural impacts on credit markets, currencies, and even crypto. X, a market observer, notes that a Japanese bond sell-off could trigger a Tether depeg, depress Bitcoin, and force corporate crypto holders, such as MicroStrategy, to liquidate, creating cascading effects across digital assets.

Meanwhile, in the US, corporate bankruptcies are rising, with 655 filings through October 2025, the highest in 15 years. Shanaka Anslem warns that the reckoning has only begun, as shadow banks and private credit absorb risks that traditional banks rejected, masking underlying vulnerabilities.

With tariffs, interest rate pressures, and fiscal tightening compounding the stress, analysts see 2026 as a year of structural adjustment.

Liquidity injections, market psychology, and geopolitical factors will collide to determine winners and losers across asset classes.

The long grind presents as a prolonged period of volatility driven not by cyclical missteps but by structural, multi-decade shifts in monetary policy, fiscal discipline, and global capital flows.

Forces Reshaping Global Finance

Investors should track:

US RMPs,

Fed rate cuts,

Shadow credit defaults, and

Japanese capital repatriation,

These forces collectively reshape risk, return, and liquidity in ways not seen since the end of the post-global financial crisis (GFC) low-rate era.

Byte-Sized Alpha

Here’s a summary of more US crypto news to follow today:

Crypto fund inflows hit $716 million as Bitcoin, XRP, and Chainlink lead institutional shift.

Coinbase plots full comeback in India, fiat support expected in 2026.

Bitcoin to $170,000: Reaganomics 2.0 will send BTC soaring in 2026.

Peter Brandt and “the world’s highest IQ man” give opposing Bitcoin predictions.

Four key US economic data to shape Bitcoin sentiment this week.

Landmark FSRA license forces three-entity overhaul for Binance in Abu Dhabi.

Crypto Equities Pre-Market Overview

CompanyAt the Close of December 5Pre-Market OverviewStrategy (MSTR)$178.99$182.00 (+1.68%)Coinbase (COIN)$269.73$275.35 (+2.08%)Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY)$25.51$25.93 (+1.65%)MARA Holdings (MARA)$11.74$12.00 (+2.21%)Riot Platforms (RIOT)$14.95$15.20 (+1.69%)Core Scientific (CORZ)$17.11$17.19 (+0.47%)

Crypto equities market open race: Google Finance

The crypto market faces a pivotal week between December 8 and 13, 2025, as six major events converge to impact prices and sentiment. With multiple critical events condensed into a few days, the interplay of macroeconomic policy, technology milestones, legal proceedings, and regulatory action creates a unique dynamic.

Together, these forces are likely to influence altcoin valuations and shape investor confidence across the sector.

FOMC Interest Rate Decision Sets the Tone for Bitcoin

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will reveal its interest rate decision on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET. According to the CME FedWatch tool, there is an 87.4% chance of a rate cut, a 12.6% probability of no change, and no expectation of an increase.

Interest Rate Cut Probabilities. Source: CME FedWatch Tool

Markets anticipate easier financial conditions, which could boost risk assets like Bitcoin. However, the greatest market movement is expected from Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s 2:30 p.m. ET press conference, which will provide key guidance for future monetary policy.

Solana Breakpoint Conference

The flagship Solana Breakpoint Conference begins December 11 at the Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Organizers say this will be the largest Breakpoint yet, running through December 13.

The event overlaps with Abu Dhabi Finance Week and the Formula 1 Grand Prix, placing Solana at the center of financial and technological attention.

Panels will focus on institutional adoption, with sessions on staking infrastructure for Solana ETFs and network security.

Breakout events like MEV Day, Block Zero, and Colosseum Breakpoint Arena will cover blockchain scaling and decentralized applications. Registration prices range from $100 for students to $700 for late-bird admission, keeping the event accessible to a broad audience.

Industry leaders and institutional investors will meet to discuss how to generate revenue within the Solana ecosystem.

The conference’s emphasis on strong infrastructure signals Solana’s increasing appeal for traditional finance participants seeking blockchain exposure.

Announcements made during the event could influence the Solana price, which traded for $138.49 as of this writing.

Solana (SOL) Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto Do Kwon Sentencing and Implications for Terra

Terraform Labs founder Do Kwon will be sentenced on December 11, 2025, before Judge Engelmayer in the Southern District of New York.

Kwon pleaded guilty in August 2025 to conspiracy to commit commodities fraud, securities fraud, and wire fraud following the May 2022 collapse of the Terra blockchain, which included LUNA and UST stablecoin.

This collapse wiped out around $40 billion in market value and led to a broad crypto downturn, drawing more scrutiny to algorithmic stablecoins.

Kwon faces a possible maximum of 25 years in prison, though the final sentence will depend on various factors, such as cooperation and victim impact statements.

This sentencing is a key moment for accountability in crypto. It may shape global regulatory attitudes toward stablecoins and algorithmic projects.

Many in the industry see this as a potential precedent for how authorities will pursue future crypto fraud, which may influence confidence in emerging projects.

Nonetheless, developments at the court could sway sentiment for the LUNA price, which is down by almost 20% in the last 24 hours.

Terra (LUNA) Price Performance. Source: Coingecko Aster Accelerates Buyback Program to Support Token

Aster will begin an accelerated Stage 4 buyback program on December 8, 2025, purchasing about $4 million in tokens each day for up to 10 days. The aim is to reduce volatility and support token holders through strategic liquidity management.

Aster’s accelerated buyback program details (Source: mehulcrypto)

This approach front-loads liquidity to address concerns and shows Aster’s commitment to token economics. By concentrating purchases within a short window, the project aims to create upward price pressure and absorb excess selling.

The program is transparent, with set timelines and daily targets, contrasting with less structured methods used by other projects.

In token markets, buybacks can reduce supply, signal confidence, and align team incentives with holders. Aster’s aggressive schedule suggests urgency about market conditions or future announcements.

Bittensor’s TAO Halving

Bittensor’s first TAO halving will occur between December 12 and 15, 2025, depending on block timing. Daily token emissions drop from about 7,200 TAO to 3,600 TAO, copying Bitcoin’s fixed-supply model.

Since nearly half of the 21 million tokens are already in circulation, this marks a vital milestone for the AI-focused blockchain.

Grayscale Research notes the halving could increase scarcity and fuel price speculation as the network attracts developers building AI applications. The halving mechanism ensures predictable supply and rewards long-term validators.

Avalanche ETF Decision

Meanwhile, December 12 is the next deadline for US regulators to decide on an Avalanche ETF. The SEC has delayed decisions on applications from VanEck and Grayscale since mid-2025.

Approval could unlock institutional access to AVAX, while further delays may strengthen Bitcoin and Ethereum’s lead among regulated crypto products.

The SEC’s response will signal attitudes toward investment products for blockchains beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. Approval may lead to more ETF filings, while further delays could reinforce the dominance of existing regulated assets.

XRP is once again trapped in tight consolidation, extending a rangebound pattern that has held the altcoin for several days. 

The altcoin is drawing renewed attention from traders, but this interest has not yet translated into meaningful market participation or price expansion. 

XRP Investors Pull Back

The number of active addresses on the XRP Ledger has dropped sharply, falling to 35,931 — the lowest level in more than three months. This decline highlights waning investor engagement as users pull back from transacting on the network. The lack of consistent activity reinforces the perception that XRP is struggling to generate momentum.

This retraced participation weakens the foundation needed for a sustainable recovery. When network activity falls this low, price rallies often lose strength quickly. This is making it difficult for XRP to build the demand required to break out of its established range.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

XRP Active Addresses. Source: Santiment

The NVT ratio is flashing another warning sign as it surges to a two-week high. A rising NVT typically suggests that an asset is overvalued relative to its transaction volume. In XRP’s case, subdued on-chain activity and elevated valuation pressure form a bearish combination that complicates recovery prospects.

This imbalance indicates that investors may be pricing in optimism that the network’s current fundamentals do not support. Until transaction activity increases, XRP will likely remain vulnerable to correction despite brief speculative rallies.

XRP NVT Ratio. Source: Glassnode XRP Price Faces Sideways Movement

XRP is trading at $2.08 at the time of writing, maintaining a position above the $2.02 support. The altcoin has been stuck between $2.20 and $2.02 for several days. This reflects a lack of directional conviction.

The $2.00 zone remains a critical psychological and structural support. XRP may appear to bounce off $2.02 at times, but given current sentiment and macro signals, it will likely remain capped below $2.20 unless buyer interest strengthens.

XRP Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

If market conditions deteriorate further and XRP loses both $2.02 and $2.00, the bullish-neutral thesis would collapse. A breakdown could send the price below $1.94 and toward $1.85, exposing XRP to deeper losses.

The altcoin market in December no longer shows the heavy losses seen last month. It is now moving into a new sideways phase. Several altcoins with unique catalysts and news flows have pushed many derivatives traders to take one-sided positions.

However, this week also brings several important macro events. These events may expose their positions to significant liquidation risks.

1. Zcash (ZEC)

From the all-time high of $748 set last month, ZEC has dropped by 50%. Such a deep decline tends to attract investors who believe they missed earlier opportunities. This sentiment encourages derivatives traders to expect a rebound in December. As a result, accumulated liquidation volume on the Long side has surged.

ZEC Exchange Liquidation Map. Source: Coinglass

Traders also gained another reason to bet on Long positions. Zooko Wilcox, the founder of Zcash, will join a December 15 discussion hosted by the SEC on crypto, financial oversight, and privacy. Investors expect his appearance to amplify support for privacy altcoins, including ZEC.

If Long positions remain overly confident without stop-loss plans, Long traders may face up to $98 million in liquidations if ZEC falls toward $295 this week.

A recent analysis by BeInCrypto shows that ZEC remains in a broader downtrend after the earlier FOMO rally. Its technical structure continues to resemble a bubble pattern.

2. Aster (ASTER)

Aster, a leading derivatives DEX on BNB Chain, benefited from soaring trading activity during the Perpetual DEX boom in September. However, its price has since dropped by more than 60% and now fluctuates below $1.

Liquidation maps show that total active liquidation volume for Short positions exceeds that of Long positions. Even so, Short sellers may face considerable risk this week.

ASTER Exchange Liquidation Map. Source: Coinglass

Aster recently announced an accelerated buyback program starting December 8, 2025. The new daily buyback pace is about $4 million, up from the previous $3 million.

This development could support a price increase this week. If ASTER rises to $1.07, the total Short-side liquidation volume may exceed $32 million.

Technically, analysts also note that the price has reached a strong support zone and has broken above a one-month trendline.

3. Bittensor (TAO)

The liquidation map for Bittensor (TAO) shows a severe imbalance. Long-side liquidation volume far exceeds that of the Short side.

If TAO drops to $243.50, Long traders may face nearly $17 million in losses. Conversely, a rise to $340 could liquidate approximately $5 million in Short positions.

TAO Exchange Liquidation Map. Source: Coinglass

Why are so many traders betting on Long positions? Many expect the price to rise ahead of TAO’s first halving.

According to BeInCrypto, around December 14, Bittensor’s first halving will reduce daily issuance from 7,200 TAO to 3,600 once total supply reaches 10.5 million.

“This reduction in supply will lower emissions to network participants and increase TAO’s scarcity. Bitcoin’s history shows that reduced supply can enhance network value despite smaller rewards, as its network security and market value have strengthened through four successive halvings. Similarly, Bittensor’s first halving marks a key milestone in the network’s maturation as it progresses toward its 21 million token supply cap.” – Grayscale explained.

Grayscale’s report has strengthened bullish sentiment among Long traders. Without strict stop-loss planning, a “sell-the-news” effect may trigger widespread liquidations.

Additionally, the second week of December is the week the Federal Reserve announces its interest rate decision. Historically, this announcement has far greater market impact than most internal crypto news. Even if traders correctly predict the Fed’s move, they may still fail to avoid extreme volatility that triggers liquidations for both Long and Short positions.

Crypto funds recorded a second consecutive week of inflows, pulling in $716 million as investor sentiment across crypto markets continued to stabilize and improve.

The fresh capital increased total assets under management (AuM) to $180 billion, marking a 7.9% rebound from the lows in November. However, this is still significantly below the sector’s all-time high of $264 billion.

Crypto Inflows Hit $716 Million as Crypto Sentiment Turns Higher

According to weekly flow data, crypto inflows were broad-based across major regions, signaling renewed global participation. The US led with $483 million, followed by Germany with $96.9 million and Canada with $80.7 million.

This highlights a coordinated return of institutional interest across North America and Europe.

Bitcoin once again emerged as the primary beneficiary, attracting $352 million in weekly inflows. That brings Bitcoin’s year-to-date (YTD) inflows to $27.1 billion, still trailing the $41.6 billion recorded in 2024, but showing renewed momentum after months of hesitation.

At the same time, short-Bitcoin products saw outflows of $18.7 million, the largest withdrawal since March 2025.

Crypto Inflows Last Week. Source: CoinShares

Historically, similar outflows have coincided with price bottoms, suggesting that traders are increasingly abandoning bearish positioning as downside pressure weakens.

However, daily data showed minor outflows on Thursday and Friday, which analysts attribute to the release of fresh US macroeconomic data indicating persistent inflation pressures.

“Daily data highlighted minor outflows on Thursday and Friday in what we believe was a response to macroeconomic data in the US alluding to ongoing inflationary pressures,” wrote CoinShares’ James Butterfill.

That brief pause suggests that while sentiment is improving, it remains sensitive to interest rate expectations and signals from the Federal Reserve.

XRP and Chainlink Post Standout Demand

Beyond Bitcoin, XRP continued its strong multi-month run, recording $245 million in weekly inflows. This pushes XRP’s YTD inflows to $3.1 billion, dramatically outperforming its $608 million total for all of 2024.

The sustained demand reflects ongoing optimism surrounding XRP’s institutional use cases and regulatory positioning in key jurisdictions.

Chainlink posted one of the most striking performances of the week, with $52.8 million in inflows, its largest weekly intake on record.

Notably, this figure now represents over 54% of Chainlink’s total ETP AuM, highlighting how fast capital is rotating into oracle and infrastructure-focused crypto assets.

Sentiment Shifts After November’s Surge

The latest inflow streak follows an even stronger period at the end of November. For the week ending November 29, crypto funds recorded a powerful $1.07 billion in inflows, driven largely by rising expectations of potential 2026 interest rate cuts.

Together, the late-November surge and the current $716 million follow-up suggest a gradual yet consistent shift in institutional sentiment, even as concerns about inflation remain unresolved.

While total AuM remains well below peak levels, the steady return of capital into Bitcoin, XRP, and Chainlink suggests growing confidence that the worst of the recent risk-off cycle may be behind us.

SocialChain Inc., the company behind Pi Network, is facing a $10 million lawsuit after an investor accused it of orchestrating a fraud scheme.

The complaint alleges that the company conducted unauthorized token transfers, secretly sold 2 billion Pi tokens, and deliberately delayed network migration. These actions reportedly triggered a dramatic collapse in the token’s price.

Federal Securities Fraud Lawsuit Challenges Pi Network Leadership

According to court documents, the lawsuit was submitted on October 24 in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. It is assigned to Judge Nathanael M. Cousins. The complaint targets Pi Network founders Chengdiao Fan and Nicolas Kokkalis, as well as SocialChain Inc.

The plaintiff, Harro Moen Moen of Arizona, alleges a multi-year scheme that resulted in substantial financial losses. He is seeking $10 million in damages.

Moen claims that 5,137 Pi tokens were transferred from his verified wallet to an unknown address without his authorization on April 10, 2024. He further added that the situation was worsened by the failure to migrate his remaining 1,403 tokens to the Pi Network Mainnet.

“The complaint, brought by Bulldog Law on behalf of an Arizona cryptocurrency investor, alleges that the defendant and its executives conducted a massive fraud scheme through unauthorized token transfers, secret sales of 2 billion Pi tokens and deliberate migration delays that caused token values to plummet from $307.49 to $1.67,” the summary read.

The complaint also argues that despite marketing Pi Network as decentralized, the defendants allegedly maintained centralized control by operating only three validator nodes.

“He’s also accusing pi of being an unregistered security which is a whole other problem,” a market watcher added.

Pi Core Team Silent as Community Debunks Claims in California Fraud Filing

The Pi Core Team has not publicly addressed the lawsuit. However, the Pi community has been quick to challenge several of the plaintiff’s claims. Many Pioneers argue that unauthorized token transfers could stem from compromised login credentials or phishing attempts. They added that these incidents do not prove any wrongdoing by the team.

It is also worth noting that Pi Network launched its Open Mainnet in February. OKX, the first exchange to list Pi, introduced it with a floor price of $2. The Pi coin reached an all-time high of $2.99 later that month. This raises the question of how the plaintiff arrived at a $307.49 price valuation.

Community members have suggested that a substantial portion of the plaintiff’s argument is based on losses tied to IOU trading. The Pi Core Team has consistentlywarned against this price.

“Where did “$307.49″ come from—even the IOU value was never that high. Also, from a legal standpoint Open Market Value ≠ IOU Value. The lawsuit is based on false equivalence,” a user wrote on Reddit.

Overall, the lawsuit has intensified debate within the Pi community. With the Pi Core Team remaining silent and community members challenging key claims, the outcome will depend on how the court evaluates the evidence behind the alleged losses and valuation discrepancies.

The upcoming US FOMC Meeting, scheduled for December 10, is expected to bring a 25-basis-point cut in interest rates. FOMC’s decision event could bring the interest rate to 3.50% – 3.75% and prove to be highly beneficial for the crypto market.

At the moment, the probability of a rate cut is sitting at 87.2% while a 12.8% chance of no interest rate slash exists. If the former occurs, cryptocurrencies could rise as Lower rates typically drive capital into risk assets like crypto. However, a hawkish surprise could suppress demand, especially with Bitcoin down 20% over 90 days.

US Interest Rate Cut Probability. Source: CME Group

Thus, ahead of the meeting, BeInCrypto has analysed three such altcoins that could benefit from the Fed’s rate cut.

Fartcoin (FARTCOIN)

FARTCOIN has emerged as a strong performer this week, gaining 32% in seven days despite bearish market conditions. The altcoin is trading at $0.404 and continues to show resilience as broader sentiment attempts to stabilize.

The RSI indicates healthy bullish momentum, with the indicator positioned above the neutral line. This trend could support a continued climb, allowing FARTCOIN to break $0.417 and potentially reach $0.470 if buyers remain active and market cues hold steady.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

FARTCOIN Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

If the anticipated rate cut fails to lift sentiment, FARTCOIN may struggle to extend its rally. A loss of momentum could push the price below $0.358. This could risk a decline toward $0.320 or even $0.280, which would invalidate the bullish outlook.

Bitcoin Cash (BCH)

Bitcoin Cash is up nearly 11% this week, making it a key altcoin to monitor as markets prepare for potential rate-cut reactions. As a Bitcoin namesake, BCH often mirrors BTC’s momentum, meaning a BTC rally could extend directly into BCH’s price action.

The Parabolic SAR confirms an active uptrend, signaling sustained bullish momentum. If this strength continues, BCH could push toward $624. This is only possible, provided it successfully flips $593 into a stable support level. Securing this range is essential for extending recovery.

BCH Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

If investors shift to profit-taking, BCH may face a sharp reversal. Losing the $593 support could send the altcoin down to $555 or lower. This would invalidate the bullish outlook and expose BCH to deeper corrective pressure.

Double Zero (2Z)

2Z price has surged 21%, pushing the altcoin into the top 100 crypto assets. It is trading at $0.1382, sitting just below the $0.1433 resistance. Holding this range is key as momentum builds across the broader market.

The MACD signals strengthening bullish momentum, which could intensify if the rate cut fuels additional upside. A successful move above $0.1433 may open the path toward $0.1581, supported by improving technical and market conditions.

2Z Price Analysis. Source: TradingView

If uncertainty takes over or investors sell into strength, 2Z could face a reversal. A drop to $0.1296 or even $0.1199 would invalidate the bullish outlook and expose the altcoin to deeper corrective pressure.

The gaming world is at a crossroads. For decades, the success of a video game has been measured by two core metrics, the depth of its storyline and the quality of its graphics. Yet, in the era of decentralized technology and the ubiquitous mobile phone, these traditional fundamentals are being challenged and expanded upon. This tension was the core subject of the BeInCrypto panel, “Traditional Studios vs. Blockchain: Can There Be Common Ground?”

Moderated by Alevtina Labyuk, Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer at BeInCrypto, the discussion brought together industry heavyweights: Mark Rydon, Co-Founder of Aethir, and Inal Kardan, Director of Gaming at TON Foundation. The consensus? Blockchain isn’t here to replace core gaming fundamentals, but to expand what is possible if developers can prove its worth to a skeptical audience.

The Evolution of Gaming Success Metrics

Alevtina Labyuk opened the conversation by reflecting on the industry’s slow pace of fundamental change. “Actually, I also have kind of an experience in gaming 15 years ago, but things didn’t change much in traditional gaming. The two key factors of success of a game were the story line and the graphics. But with the growth of blockchain and mobile phones, the new factors are coming in.”

This evolution means success today isn’t just about the cinematic experience; it’s increasingly about user agency, economic participation, and digital ownership. However, the panel was unanimous on one crucial point that grounds the discussion in reality: the average player remains deeply indifferent to the underlying technology.

The 95% Problem: Joy, Fun, and Indifference

While Web3 enthusiasts often tout the benefits of decentralization, the speakers stressed that the majority of players simply don’t care about the blockchain layer. They play for inherent enjoyment.

“In general, I do agree that players, they don’t need blockchain. Actually, 95% of players don’t care about blockchain, they don’t care of anything, they just think about game itself, they play games for joy, for fun,” stated Inal Kardan.

This perspective is critical. It implies that any successful integration of blockchain must be invisible or, at the very least, purely additive to the fun experience. The technology cannot be the primary selling point.

Kardan, however, offered a powerful example of where that indifference breaks down: when security and ownership become relevant.

He pointed to the Telegram ecosystem, where millions use simple digital gifts, yet a smaller, highly engaged segment leverages smart contracts to secure and trade these assets, ensuring their scarcity and provenance.

“There are cases where users will care about blockchain, to be sure their assets are secure,” Kardan confirmed.

For this active, economically participating user base, transparency and security transform from a niche feature into a mandatory requirement. This highlights a key nuance: blockchain is not necessary for everyone, but it is meaningful for users who want transparency and security around digital items.

The Centralization Risk: The $3 Billion Lesson from CS:GO

The most compelling argument for blockchain as a superior underlying system for digital asset ownership rests on unalterable, transparent rules. Mark Rydon provided a potent, real-world case study to illustrate how traditional centralized systems fail their user bases the CS:GO skins market.

The trading ecosystem for CS:GO skins had grown into a massive market, valued at approximately $6 billion, with defined tiers of rarity. As a centralized ecosystem, however, the rules were ultimately controlled by Valve, the game’s developer.

Rydon detailed the recent incident:

“The CS:GO skins market… they have defined rarity of these skins. A few days ago, Valve came out and changed the rules. They allowed users below the gold tier to burn red skins to obtain gold tier, which caused gold rarity to dump. The market cap was dumped to $3 billion because everyone could make red into gold overnight. People lost millions.”

This incident perfectly encapsulates the inherent risk of a centralized economy. A single authority can change the conditions of ownership overnight, wiping out millions in user-generated value.

Rydon emphasized the core difference: “That impossibility to change the rules would not be possible in an NFT class.”

In a blockchain system, the rules governing asset scarcity, exchange, and minting are recorded in an immutable smart contract. While a centralized authority can still update a game, it cannot unilaterally alter the pre-defined scarcity or rights associated with a user’s on-chain asset. This predictability is what creates trust and sustains value in decentralized economies.

The Commitment Problem: Talkers Versus Builders

The discussion then pivoted to the major studios. Alevtina Labyuk brought up the attempts by established players like Sega and Ubisoft to enter the blockchain segment. The question posed was: how will these giants integrate blockchain without fundamentally sacrificing the centralized control they currently enjoy?

Inal Kardan remained highly skeptical of the sincerity of many legacy studios’ efforts.

“Most of them are just talking. They jump from one blockchain to another looking for grants. That’s not how games are built,” Kardan noted. He continued:

“These big companies, it’s a bit hard to compare them with each other because some of them want to build, some of them want to just to talk.”

This skepticism points to a fundamental misalignment of incentives. Many traditional entities and even new projects, according to Kardan, are optimizing for extracting funds from protocols rather than finding genuine product-market fit that benefits players.

Kardan summarized:

“The majority is about taking money from the protocols, instead of finding a product market fit, they are just looking which protocol they can take more money from”

This focus on short-term financial extraction over long-term product development risks solidifying Web3 gaming’s perception as a speculative, rather than innovative, space.

The Developer’s Responsibility: Proving Real Use Cases

The panel agreed that the onus is ultimately on the developers to demonstrate value. Mark Rydon placed the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the innovators.

Rydon stated:

“It’s really on the developers now, to find either really solid use case. Something like GTA 6 is probably an example that will bring the value and the use cases of the blockchain to the fore in the gaming context, but it’s on them to convince gamers now that this isn’t just a money grab, this is actually a useful feature.”

Blockchain integration must solve a real problem for the player, not just the developer or protocol. Without a genuine, compelling use case—such as true cross-game ownership, secure trading, or transparent economy mechanics—Web3 gaming risks being perceived as a persistent search for speculative value rather than a technological leap forward.

Practical Obstacles and The Question of Control

Inal Kardan also addressed the practical friction points that still limit mass adoption, even with progress in Web3 technology. Technical and policy obstacles remain, particularly within mobile ecosystems:

Platform Restrictions: Telegram mini-apps and similar platforms cannot easily sell digital goods through established ecosystems like Apple and Google.

Payment Barriers: Direct crypto payments are often unsupported.

Trading Limitations: Trading digital goods inside mini-apps is still cumbersome or prohibited, preventing smooth onboarding for everyday users.

These friction points underscore one of the panel’s core issues: Why would Web2 studios give up control? If a traditional studio controls its platform, distribution, economy, and player base, the incentive to decentralize and thus relinquish control over monetization and rule changes is inherently low.

Kardan concluded by warning against unbalanced economic models: “When ninety percent of people in a game are there just to make money the system is not sustainable.” A healthy, sustainable model relies on a balanced mix of motivations: fun, competition, creativity, and economic participation.

Predictions and The Solidification of Common Ground

The panel concluded with predictions for the future.

Mark Rydon expects a significant shift toward AI-generated gaming content, deeper player customization, and highly automated creation pipelines.

Inal Kardan believes that while AI will dominate the gaming industry overall, blockchain will stabilize, remaining one monetization avenue among many for mainstream developers.

The final takeaway was clear. Blockchain is not a replacement for good gaming; it is a technology that broadens the possibilities of ownership and economic participation.

However, until protocols stop chasing grant distribution, legacy studios commit to genuine decentralization, and developers prioritize building real value that earns player trust, the common ground between traditional gaming and blockchain will remain an aspiration, not a reality. Innovation hinges on teams willing to show that blockchain is not just an opportunity for speculation, but a useful, invisible feature that enhances the joy and fun of the game.

Coinbase, the largest US-based cryptocurrency exchange, has resumed user onboarding in India after a two-year pause.

This return follows sustained engagement with Indian regulators. Despite heavy taxes and regulatory friction, India continues to show rapid growth in digital asset adoption.

Coinbase Reopens Doors to Indian Users

Coinbase initially launched in India in April 2022, targeting a growing crypto user base. However, regulatory headwinds emerged quickly.

The platform suspended support for the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) shortly after the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) distanced itself from the platform. By September 2023, Coinbase had stopped accepting new Indian sign-ups and told existing users to withdraw their balances.

Despite this setback, the company continued working to reestablish its presence in India. In February, BeInCrypto reported that the exchange had begun actively working with Indian regulators to align with local compliance requirements.

According to TechCrunch, Coinbase began allowing Indian users to return to the platform in October through an early-access program. The app registration has now been opened widely, although Indian customers are still restricted to crypto-to-crypto transactions.

During India Blockchain Week, Coinbase’s APAC director, John O’Loghlen, said the company is preparing to introduce a fiat on-ramp in 2026, which would allow users to add local currency and purchase cryptocurrency directly.

“We had millions of customers in India, historically, and we took a very clear stance to off-board those customers entirely from overseas entities, where they were domiciled and regulated. Because we wanted to kind of burn the boats [sic], have a clean slate here. As a commercial business person wanting to make money and active users, that’s like the worst thing you can do, and so you know it wasn’t without some hesitation,” O’Loghlen stated.

Coinbase’s reentry is broader than just platform access. In October 2025, it announced a strategic investment in CoinDCX, one of India’s largest crypto exchange, which serves over 20.4 million users.†

Last week, it signed a memorandum of understanding with Karnataka’s state government to strengthen the state’s blockchain ecosystem and technical capabilities. The partnership centers on developer training, early-stage startup incubation, and public awareness initiatives.

Why Exchanges Are Rushing Back Into India’s Crypto Market

In addition to Coinbase, several other major global exchanges have returned to the Indian market. Bybit resumed operations after completing local registration requirements and paying a $1 million penalty. Binance also made its way back into India last year following the payment of a $2.2 million fine.

This renewed push to operate in India is notable given the country’s strict tax regime. Crypto gains are taxed at 30%, and every transaction carries a 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS). Still, India leads Asia-Pacific in crypto activity.

“India, the largest at $338 billion, blends grassroots adoption with structural gaps in finance: a large diaspora has remittance needs, young adults are using crypto trading as a supplementary income, and fintech rails like UPI and eRupi accelerate usage,” Chainalysis highlighted.

Thus, while India’s regulatory environment remains challenging, the renewed interest from Coinbase, Binance, Bybit, and others highlights the market’s long-term potential. With strong grassroots adoption and ongoing government engagement, India is positioning itself as a central hub for digital asset innovation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Bitcoin traders are preparing for a pivotal week, as four major US economic releases, including the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision and essential labor market data, stand to influence market sentiment and determine the crypto’s next move.

This convergence of monetary policy updates and employment figures finds Bitcoin trading near technical levels that may result in notable volatility, upward or downward.

FOMC Interest Rate Decision

The FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee’s) interest rate decision, scheduled for Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. ET, is widely viewed as the most significant event for Bitcoin and risk assets this week.

Market pricing implies an 87% probability of a rate cut, based on CME Group data, reflecting broad expectations for accommodative monetary policy that often benefits cryptocurrencies.

Interest Rate Cut Probabilities. Source: CME FedWatch Tool

Speculation is growing on social media about the scope of any rate change, with some saying that the market is already pricing a rate cut.

This assumption comes as the Bitcoin price is already showing strength, holding well above the $90,000 psychological level after the weekend’s whipsaw event.

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto

Beyond the interest rate decision, the actual impact on Bitcoin may depend less on the decision and more on the Fed’s guidance for future policy.

Fed Chair Powell Press Conference

After the announcement, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will hold a press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET. Powell’s commentary on future policy, inflation, and the economy is likely to provide important cues for crypto investors.

Historically, his statements have shaped positioning across markets, with Bitcoin being especially sensitive to changes in monetary policy direction.

Market analysts caution that unexpected hawkish comments could put pressure on Bitcoin, even if the rate decision itself appears positive for crypto.

Job Openings (JOLTS) and Initial Jobless Claims

Job openings data for October will be released on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. ET, with economists anticipating 7.2 million openings, unchanged from last month.

This data measures labor market tightness and influences Federal Reserve policy. Strong job openings could discourage aggressive rate cuts, possibly limiting Bitcoin’s short-term gains.

Initial jobless claims for the week ending December 6 will be published Thursday at 8:30 a.m. ET. Analysts expect 220,000 claims, up from the prior week’s 191,000, which was a near two-year low.

Large departures from this forecast could spark swift market moves as traders reassess economic strength and policy outlooks.

The jobs market’s status can cut both ways for Bitcoin. Strong figures can suggest economic health, which typically supports risk appetite, yet may lessen the push for monetary easing. Conversely, weaker data could prompt more rate cuts but signal risk-off sentiment in speculative markets.

Technical analysts are focusing on Bitcoin’s key levels in advance of these releases. The $86,000 mark is a crucial support; consistent moves below it may open a path toward $80,000. Conversely, reclaiming $92,000 could fuel momentum toward the headline $100,000 level.

Additional Federal Reserve officials, such as Philadelphia Fed President Anna Paulson and Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack, are due to speak on Friday after the FOMC meeting. Their remarks could further clarify policy and influence how markets interpret recent decisions, extending the Bitcoin impact beyond Wednesday.

This Week’s Major US Economic Reports & Fed Speakers. Source: Market Watch

This compressed timeline of major economic updates sets the stage for amplified reactions. Bitcoin’s response will likely determine its path in December, impacting year-end investor positioning and testing the resilience of recent institutional interest.

South Korea’s Korbit Research Center projects Bitcoin to trade between $140,000 and $170,000 in 2026, citing US fiscal policy reforms and structural institutional demand as primary catalysts.

In its fourth annual market outlook, Korbit’s research team outlined a macro-driven thesis diverging from the traditional four-year halving cycle narrative. The report argues that Bitcoin’s price trajectory will be shaped less by supply-side mechanics and more by productivity-led US growth under what it terms “stronger Reaganomics.”

Triple-Axis Rebalancing Puts Bitcoin in Sovereign-Asset Class

The forecast highlights three main drivers reshaping asset allocation. Strong US dollar forecasts, possible gold price corrections, and Bitcoin’s growing institutional presence through ETFs and Digital Asset Treasuries fundamentally alter how investors see digital assets. As of November 2025, ETFs and DATs together hold about 11.7% of Bitcoin’s total supply.

Central to the forecast is the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3), enacted in July 2025. The bill permanently restores 100% bonus depreciation and immediate R&D expensing. Korbit estimates these provisions will reduce effective corporate tax rates to 10-12%, triggering a capital expenditure boom and attracting foreign direct investment. This policy mix, the report contends, will sustain dollar strength, contrary to Wall Street’s consensus that expects depreciation.

In a strong-dollar, disinflationary environment, gold may underperform as a yield-free asset. At the same time, Bitcoin consolidates its position alongside the dollar as a sovereign-grade store of value, possibly leading to gold corrections—even as some analysts project gold at $4,000 per ounce, down 5% from current levels.

This change is challenging older portfolio models. Bitcoin now operates more like a sovereign-level store of value, standing toe-to-toe with gold and the dollar in institutional allocations.

The usual four-year Bitcoin cycle is becoming less relevant. High rates, shrinking liquidity, and slower market rallies have changed the landscape. Rather than a sharp rally by the end of 2025, experts now see price consolidation in the $100,000–$120,000 range, with a possible second peak in 2026 if liquidity returns.

Institutional adoption continues to rise, despite macro headwinds. Bitcoin ETFs are seeing strong inflows since approval, and more companies are adding substantial Digital Asset Treasury holdings. This provides stronger price support and less volatility than in previous cycles.

GENIUS Act Compliance Spurs Layer 1 Blockchain Rivalry

The GENIUS Act, signed in July 2025, delivers clear federal rules for payment stablecoins. White House documentation confirms the law requires 100% reserves in cash or short-term Treasuries from issuers. Regulatory certainty is prompting US banks and institutions to adopt stablecoins swiftly.

This compliance also brings technical demands. Institutions need blockchains with instant finality and privacy features to efficiently meet KYC and AML requirements. Ethereum’s 12-second finality and complete transaction transparency deter institutional users requiring privacy and instant settlement. New Layer 1 networks, including Arc, Tempo, and Plasma, are emerging with selective privacy features and sub-second finality designed for regulatory compliance.

Meanwhile, Solana is making gains in retail use and will introduce Firedancer in early 2026. This upgrade aims for much quicker settlements and higher throughput, which could help Solana win more institutional stablecoin business.

Perpetual DEXs Dominate: Tokenization Pushes DeFi Forward

Decentralized exchanges now account for 7.6% of total cryptocurrency volume as of mid-2025 and could reach 15% by the end of 2026. Perpetual derivatives DEXs are at the forefront, earning most of the top DeFi protocol revenues. OAK Research data shows Hyperliquid held 73% of perpetual DEX market share by June 2025.

Hyperliquid’s dominance comes from efficient trade matching, fast adoption, and creative tokenomics. HYPE token buyback model spurs ongoing demand, and traders can create markets for any asset. Competitors are expanding into real-world assets, FX, commodities, and US equities.

The tokenization of real-world assets has reached $35.6 billion as of November 2025. Growth is led by private credit and US Treasury tokenization. The report expects fintech and web3 firms to drive further adoption, as traditional finance faces hurdles with legacy processes and compatibility issues.

Super-app competition is also heating up. Robinhood integrates stocks, crypto, perpetuals, and real-world assets in a single platform. Coinbase, using CFTC licenses, aims to be the go-to for all on-chain assets and is awaiting regulatory approval for tokenized securities.

Prediction markets are set to benefit as well. Platforms like Polymarket, Kalshi, and Opinion have seen rising volumes and increased regulatory attention. With CFTC approval in the US, these venues are moving closer to the mainstream.

One figure represents decades of trading experience. The other is labeled “the individual with the highest IQ in the world” based on standardized tests. What are their predictions for Bitcoin’s price in the second week of December?

Interestingly, their views appear to clash. Their opposite perspectives highlight how even those with exceptional experience or intelligence can interpret the market in very different ways.

Peter Brandt – Bitcoin Is Retesting Before Returning to a Downtrend

Peter Brandt, a legendary trader with decades spent in commodity and equity markets, is warning about a bleak scenario for Bitcoin.

In his latest Bitcoin analysis, he argues that BTC is retesting a broadening top pattern. This formation shows rising highs and falling lows, often signaling a weakening uptrend.

Bitcoin Price Prediction. Source: Peter Brandt

“This week’s rally may be all the retesting of the broadening top we will see BTC. Of course, we will see.” – Peter Brandt predicted.

Brandt has repeatedly warned about a dead cat bounce scenario for Bitcoin. His chart markings suggest that BTC might push as high as $102,000 before possibly correcting toward $58,840 in the near term.

His perspective acts as a cold reminder from past cycles: the market does not reward naïveté, and classical technical models remain reliable guides amid relentless volatility.

YoungHoon Kim – Manipulation Has Passed, and BTC Is Ready for a New ATH

In contrast, YoungHoon Kim — whose verified IQ score is 276 — views the situation through the lens of game theory.

In his latest assessment, Kim argues that the current dip represents temporary manipulation by market whales. He believes it could fade within a week. After that, Bitcoin may move toward a new all-time high.

Bull Theory, an X account focused on crypto analysis, provides supporting evidence for Kim’s view.

Recent price action shows Bitcoin dropping to $87,700 before quickly rebounding to $91,200. This rapid dump-and-pump sequence, completed within four hours, reflects typical low-liquidity weekend manipulation aimed at wiping out both long and short leveraged positions.

Between the two perspectives—one shaped by decades of technical pattern mastery and the other based on reasoning about crypto market behavior—the answer may soon become clear during the second week of December.

These predictions emerge as the FOMC meeting approaches. Historical data shows a pattern during the last two rate cuts (September 17 and October 29):

Bitcoin tends to rise a few days before the announcement,

Bounce slightly right after the decision,

And then drop sharply afterward.

The market may soon reveal which outlook proves correct.

The meme coin market is showing clearer signs of recovery in December. Pump.fun — the leading platform for launching meme coins — is reporting a renewed increase in newly created tokens.

Analysts also note that investor sentiment is shifting toward a higher risk appetite as the year draws to a close.

How Is Pump.fun Reflecting December’s Increased Risk Appetite?

Dune data shows that the number of new meme tokens created daily on Pump.fun has stayed above 20,000 throughout December. On December 2, the figure exceeded 25,000. This was the highest level since mid-September, marking a notable shift.

Daily Token Created on Pump.fun. Source: Dune

This rebound still cannot match the peak levels seen in early 2025. However, it signals a shift in investor psychology.

Many appear to believe that this is a favorable moment for retail capital to flow back into low-cap and newly launched tokens.

Although the number of new tokens shows a mild upward trend, Pump.fun’s revenue and DEX volume remain down more than 80% compared to early 2025.

Daily Active Wallets on Pump.fun. Source: Dune

One positive indicator stands out: the number of active addresses — including new addresses and returning users — has consistently stayed around 100,000 on average since August. The market experienced multiple major liquidation events during this period, yet user participation did not drop sharply.

Additionally, Michael Nadeau, founder of The DeFi Report, highlighted a notable comparison between user retention in Web2 and on Pump.fun. Pump.fun achieved higher retention rates, with 12.4% in Week 4 and 11.4% in Week 8. In contrast, Web2 averages range from 5% to 10% in Week 4 and 2% to 5% in Week 8.

These data points appear encouraging within a market environment defined by falling valuations and persistent extreme fear during the final quarter of the year.

Furthermore, well-known trader Daan Crypto Trades observed that meme coins have outperformed major altcoins over the past two weeks.

Crypto Sector Performance. Source: Daan Crypto Trades

“Over the past two weeks, memes were the outperformer for a change. It has been a long time since those did well. This is after a long streak of outperformance back in 2023 & 2024,” Daan Crypto Trades stated.

He added that this performance could be an early sign that the market is ready to accept higher risk levels. However, he also cautioned that the trend may be short-lived and might not reflect a long-term shift.

A recent report from BeInCrypto also highlighted at least three indicators suggesting that the meme coin season could return in December. If that scenario plays out, the Pump.fun ecosystem may attract retail investors — those who embrace high risk in pursuit of large potential returns.

At the time of writing, the Pump.fun Ecosystem ranks as the market’s third-best performing category during the first week of December, according to Coingecko.