Today's Crypto and Bitcoin News

Bitcoin is currently priced at $97,456, Bitcoin is down -5.60% in the past 24 hours, while Ethereum trades at $3,416, down -5.80%. The Fear and Greed Index decreased from 75 to 74 (Extreme Greed) today, still reflecting bullish market sentiment. Bitcoin hit $2 trillion in market cap in 2024, reaching 14% of gold’s $17 trillion valuation. Companies like Hut 8 are increasing their reserves, with over 10,000 BTC valued at $1 billion. Bitcoin ETFs surpassed $129 billion in assets within one year, outpacing gold ETFs at $128 billion. Solana’s decentralized applications (DApps) earned $365 million in November alone, with memecoin DApps generating $509 million year-to-date. These numbers highlight cryptocurrency’s explosive growth and its impact on global markets.   What’s Trending in the Crypto Community?  MetaMask: Expanded crypto payment card pilot program, allowing US users to pay directly through the wallet. Hut 8: Purchased $100 million worth of BTC, increasing total reserves to $1 billion. Sky: Will focus on fully migrating MKR to SKY next year and launching more subDAOs. Solana’s decentralized applications (DApps) earned $365 million in November alone, with memecoin DApps generating $509 million year-to-date.  Read more: Bitcoin $1M by 2027, IBIT ETF Leads with $36.3B Inflows, WLFI Partners with Ethena Labs, Stablecoins Poised for 2025 Boom: Dec 19  Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me    Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers  Trading Pair  24H Change MOVE/USDT +27.37% HBAR/USDT +5.52% XRP/USDT +0.37%   Trade now on KuCoin   Hut 8 Hits $1 Billion in Bitcoin Holdings Hut 8 total BTC holdings held in reserve and market value. Source: GlobeNewswire   Hut 8 is a leading Bitcoin miner in North America and now holds over $1 billion in Bitcoin. The company announced on December 19 the purchase of 990 BTC for $100 million. The average cost per Bitcoin was $101,710. This acquisition aligns with their strategy of combining low-cost production with market purchases to increase returns.   Hut 8's CEO, Asher Genoot, emphasized that Bitcoin reserves are a cornerstone of their financial strategy. Hut 8 has scaled operations to lower production costs, aiming to grow holdings at a discount. The company’s reserve expansion reflects a broader trend among institutions treating Bitcoin as a strategic asset.   “As we scale operations and extend our cost advantage in Bitcoin production, we anticipate that the flywheel effect will enable us to grow our holdings organically at a significant discount to market prices,” the Hut 8 CEO said.   Bitcoin’s adoption continues as the United States transitions to a pro-crypto administration under President-elect Donald Trump. Institutions now recognize Bitcoin’s potential for long-term financial growth.   Bitcoin Market Cap Reaches 14% of Gold's Value of $17 trillion  Bitcon vs. gold market capitalization. Image: Galaxy Research.   Bitcoin’s market cap has reached $2 trillion, equaling 14% of gold’s $17 trillion market cap. Bitcoin now ranks seventh among global assets, surpassing Saudi Aramco ($1.8 trillion) and silver ($1.6 trillion). It trails Alphabet ($2.1 trillion) by a narrow margin.   Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) now manage $129 billion in assets, exceeding gold ETFs at $128 billion. Bitcoin ETFs achieved this milestone less than a year after their launch in January 2024. By contrast, gold ETFs required two decades to reach similar levels. K33 Research highlights this as a turning point, showing that Bitcoin has overtaken gold ETFs in investor interest.   The broader cryptocurrency market cap stands at $3.8 trillion. Bitcoin dominates with a 54% share, while Ethereum holds 12%. For comparison, Apple and Microsoft lead the global asset rankings at $3.4 trillion and $2.6 trillion, respectively.   BRN analyst Valentin Fournier highlighted strong catalysts for the digital asset market. He noted rising corporate adoption of Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin strategy, with companies adding Bitcoin to their treasury reserves. He also pointed to emerging talks about Bitcoin becoming part of national reserves.   "Looking ahead, we expect heightened volatility as markets adjust to elevated expectations for Donald Trump’s potential presidency,” Fournier said. "Despite short-term turbulence, the long-term outlook remains overwhelmingly bullish, and heavy exposure to bitcoin and ether remains the most compelling strategy for navigating this cycle.”     Bitcoin is now ranked seventh in terms of top assets by market cap. Images: Companies marketcap.com.   Read more: Exploring Bitcoin's Santa Claus Rally 2024 – Will BTC Soar This Festive Season?   Solana DApps and Pump.fun Earn $365 Million in November Revenue Solana DApps revenue in 2024. Source: Syndica   Solana decentralized applications (DApps) generated $365 million in November 2024, led by memecoin launchpad Pump.fun. Pump.fun contributed $106 million, becoming the first Solana DApp to surpass $100 million in monthly revenue. However, the platform faced criticism over inappropriate content shared via livestreams. On November 25, Pump.fun halted live streaming indefinitely. Weekly revenue dropped 66%, from $33.8 million to $11.3 million by month’s end.   Year-to-date, memecoin DApps have earned $509 million, making them the top revenue source on Solana. Telegram bots followed with $300 million, while spot decentralized exchanges (DEXs) contributed $141 million. In January, memecoin DApps earned $600,000. By November, monthly earnings surged to $183 million, a 300-fold increase.   Solana memecoin DApps reached $509 million in revenue year-to-date. Source: Syndica   Solana’s total DApp revenue in 2024 came primarily from decentralized finance (DeFi), accounting for 83.7%. Wallets contributed 9.6%. Infrastructure, NFTs, and gaming made up 6.5%.   Read more: Top Crypto Projects in the Solana Ecosystem to Watch   Conclusion Bitcoin and blockchain technology continue to redefine global finance. Hut 8’s $1 billion Bitcoin reserve highlights institutional trust in crypto. Bitcoin ETFs now manage $129 billion, overtaking gold ETFs and achieving near parity with gold in market cap. Solana’s DApp ecosystem shows rapid growth, with memecoin projects leading revenue generation. These figures emphasize the accelerating adoption of blockchain across industries and its growing role in the global economy.

Bitcoin is currently priced at $101,306, Bitcoin is down -5.40% in the past 24 hours, while Ethereum trades at $3,626, down -6.85%. The Fear and Greed Index decreased from 81 to 75 (Extreme Greed) today, still reflecting bullish market sentiment. The cryptocurrency market is transforming rapidly, driven by groundbreaking innovation, institutional interest, and regulatory advancements. Bitcoin is projected to reach $1 million by 2027 as demand grows and supply remains fixed. BlackRock’s IBIT ETF has shattered records, capturing $36.3 billion in inflows in less than a year. Stablecoins are on the verge of explosive growth in 2025, supported by regulations like MiCA.    What’s Trending in the Crypto Community?  Bitcoin to Hit $1 Million by 2027 with New Adoption Pricing Model Pump.fun became the first Solana protocol to generate more than $100 million in monthly revenue. AI agent startup /dev/agents raised $56 million in a seed round with a $500 million valuation, led by Index Ventures and CapitalG. The tokenized RWA (Real-World Asset) market reached a historic high of $14 billion, a 66% increase from the start of the year. Read more: Bitcoin Hits ATH $108K,Bitcoin ETFs Close to Dominating Gold with $121.8 Billion in AUM, Trump’s $200 Billion U.S. Bitcoin Reserve Plan: Dec 18    Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me    Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers  Trading Pair  24H Change MOVE/USDT +12.15% ENA/USDT +9.30% OM/USDT +1.34%   Trade now on KuCoin   Bitcoin to Hit $1 Million by 2027 with New Adoption Pricing Model Source: KuCoin   Dr. Murray A. Rudd and Dennis Porter predict Bitcoin will hit $1 million by January 2027. The study points to Bitcoin’s fixed 21-million-coin supply and rising institutional demand as key drivers. Even small daily withdrawals from exchanges could reduce liquidity and drive prices higher. Strategic accumulation by corporations, funds, and governments strengthens this trajectory. Under aggressive assumptions, Bitcoin could exceed $2 million by 2028 and reach multimillion-dollar levels by 2030.   This model focuses on supply-and-demand equilibrium instead of historical trends. It shows how strategic Bitcoin reserves and corporate treasury adoption can impact long-term value. Companies like MicroStrategy are already using leveraged strategies to buy Bitcoin, validating the model. With adoption growing and supply limited, Bitcoin offers massive potential for appreciation.   BlackRock’s IBIT Becomes Decade’s Most Successful ETF with $36.3 Billion Inflows Source: X   BlackRock’s IBIT ETF gained $36.3 billion in net inflows in 11 months, outperforming 2,850 ETFs launched in the last decade. It set a single-day inflow record of $1.1 billion, doubling Fidelity’s FBTC best day of $473.4 million. Bitcoin ETFs in the US now manage $117 billion in assets, close to gold ETFs’ $128 billion.   Analysts credit ETFs with driving Bitcoin’s rapid growth. They give institutions a regulated path to invest in digital assets. IBIT’s performance shows how ETFs are reshaping the crypto space, making Bitcoin more accessible to traditional markets.   Read More: BlackRock's ETF Acquires $418.8M in Bitcoin on December 16   Trump-Backed World Liberty Financial Partners with Ethena Labs Ethena Labs announced the partnership on X. Source: Ethena Labs   World Liberty Financial (WLFI), supported by President-elect Donald Trump, has teamed up with Ethena Labs to integrate sUSDe, a yield-bearing stablecoin. Since November, sUSDe has reached $1.2 billion in supplied assets across Aave Core and Lido instances. WLFI’s governance will vote on using sUSDe as collateral in its Aave instance, enabling loans in USDC and USDT.   Per an announcement posted to X:   “Should it pass, this proposal will enable World Liberty Financial users to benefit from sUSDe rewards and also WLF token rewards. This integration will increase stablecoin liquidity and utilization rates on the protocol, as sUSDe's integration has on Aave's Core instance.”   This collaboration signals confidence in Ethena’s long-term viability, bolstered by WLFI’s acquisition of $600,000 in ENA governance tokens. Even if the vote does not pass, both entities plan to pursue alternative integration opportunities. WLFI co-founder Zak Folkman emphasized the partnership’s goal to democratize financial tools, making decentralized finance more accessible globally. This move positions WLFI as a key player in expanding stablecoin use cases within the DeFi ecosystem.   WLFI also purchased $600,000 worth of Ethena’s ENA tokens, showing confidence in Ethena’s potential. Even if the vote fails, WLFI and Ethena plan further collaborations. WLFI co-founder Zak Folkman said the partnership aims to make decentralized finance tools more accessible worldwide.   Stablecoins Set for Explosive Growth in 2025 Source: Chainalysis   Stablecoins are set to grow rapidly in 2025, driven by clear regulations like the European Union’s MiCA framework. MiCA, effective January 2025, provides rules for stablecoin issuers and opens opportunities for banks to offer custody services.   Tether’s USDT remains dominant but faces challenges under MiCA. Competitors like Circle’s USDC, already MiCA-compliant, could gain market share. Analysts predict the market cap of USDT and USDC could double or triple. Local stablecoins, such as AE Coin in the UAE, are also gaining traction. Stablecoins are moving from niche tools to mainstream financial assets.   Read more: What Is RLUSD? A Comprehensive Guide to Ripple's Stablecoin and Its Impact on XRP   Conclusion The crypto market is evolving rapidly, with rising adoption, growing institutional interest, and clearer regulations. Bitcoin’s path to $1 million, BlackRock’s record-breaking ETF, and the growth of stablecoins and tokenized assets highlight its transformative potential. While volatility remains, blockchain’s role in reshaping global finance continues to expand, offering new opportunities and challenges for investors.

Bitcoin surged to a historic high of $108,353 on December 17th and is currently priced at $106,149, Bitcoin is up 0.08% in the past 24 hours, while Ethereum trades at $3,893, down 2.33%. The Fear and Greed Index decreased from 87 to 81 (Extreme Greed) today, still reflecting bullish market sentiment.  Bitcoin smashed its all-time high of $108,353 on December 17, fueling optimism across markets despite a brief pullback to $106,000. Institutional investors continue to drive Bitcoin adoption through ETFs, record-breaking inflows, and strategic stock acquisitions. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump’s bold plan for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve signals growing acknowledgment of Bitcoin as a national asset. As Bitcoin dominance rises, related equities like MicroStrategy (MSTR) and Marathon Digital (MARA) soar alongside the cryptocurrency. With predictions of Bitcoin hitting $200,000 by mid-2025, the market stands firmly in a bullish phase.   What’s Trending in the Crypto Community?  Ripple (XRP): USD stablecoin  RLUSD stablecoin launched on December 17. Metaplanet (Japan): A Japanese publicly listed company, Metaplanet will issue ¥4.5 billion in bonds to increase its Bitcoin holdings. Tether (USDT)’s Investment: Tether invests in European stablecoin provider StablR. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve: President-elect Donald Trump’s bold plan for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve signals growing acknowledgment of Bitcoin as a national asset.  Read more: What Is RLUSD? A Comprehensive Guide to Ripple's Stablecoin and Its Impact on XRP    Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me    Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers  Trading Pair  24H Change LTC/USDT +6.19% XRP/USDT +2.34% TRON/USDT - 4.96%   Trade now on KuCoin Bitcoin Hits $108K Before Settling at $106K BTC/USD 1-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView   Bitcoin surged to a historic high of $108,353 before dipping over $2,000 to stabilize near $106,000. On-chain data identifies $98,133 as a key support zone, where whales have accumulated over 150,000 BTC. Whalemap’s analytics confirm this price level as a critical buffer for Bitcoin’s upward trajectory.   BTC/USD whale clusters. Source: Whalemap/X   The brief pullback eliminated $70 billion in open interest, with CoinGlass reporting $1.3 billion in liquidated positions. Despite short-term volatility, trading firm QCP Capital remains optimistic, emphasizing that the market's strength outweighs any bearish sentiment. Indicators like the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) reflect strong underlying momentum, suggesting further gains ahead.   Exchange Bitcoin futures OI (screenshot). Source: CoinGlass   Bitcoin bull market drawdowns. Source: Glassnode   Bitcoin ETFs Close to Dominating Gold with $121.8 Billion in AUM Bitcoin ETFs are closing in on gold ETFs, achieving 88% of their total assets under management (AUM). US Bitcoin spot ETFs now hold over 1.135 million BTC worth $121.83 billion—more than 5% of Bitcoin’s total supply. Inflows hit $2.167 billion in a single week between December 9 and 13, according to Farside Investors.   Gold ETFs in the US market hold $138 billion in AUM, but Bitcoin is gaining ground rapidly. Institutional investors are driving this shift, recognizing Bitcoin as the “digital gold” for the future. Analysts predict this momentum will push Bitcoin to $200,000 by mid-2025 as capital flows into Bitcoin-linked assets continue to rise.   BTC/USDT daily price chart Source: TradingView   Bitcoin-Linked Stocks like Microstrategy See Massive Gains Equities tied to Bitcoin are reaping rewards from the cryptocurrency’s rally. MicroStrategy  (MSTR) saw inflows of $11 million after joining the Nasdaq 100, tripling its daily average. MicroStrategy now holds 439,000 BTC with a 72.4% year-to-date return.   Marathon Digital (MARA) added 11,774 BTC, pushing its stock price up 11% and delivering a 47.6% annual return. Riot Blockchain expanded its holdings to 17,429 BTC, achieving a 37.2% yield for the year. Institutional investors continue to pour money into Bitcoin-linked equities, capitalizing on Bitcoin’s dominant market position.   Trump’s $200 Billion Bitcoin Reserve Plan Sparks Optimism US President-elect Donald Trump plans to leverage the $200 billion Exchange Stabilization Fund (ESF) to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR). Dennis Porter, founder of the Satoshi Act Fund, revealed Trump’s intention to stabilize the dollar by purchasing Bitcoin through the Treasury.   Porter stated, “Trump will use this fund to buy Bitcoin.”   If Trump does not act, state-level initiatives will move forward, with Pennsylvania and Texas already drafting legislation to create their own reserves. Senator Cynthia Lummis’s proposed Bitcoin Act aims to acquire 200,000 BTC annually over five years to position the US as a Bitcoin leader. Globally, Brazil, Poland, and Japan are considering similar measures to adopt Bitcoin as a national reserve asset.   Bitcoin Price Dominates as Institutional Demand Grows Bitcoin’s dominance continues to rise, with daily charts showing strong support between $102,650 and $103,333. Long positions on Binance outpace short ones, reflecting bullish trader sentiment. The MACD indicator signals positive price momentum, while key psychological support at $100,000 will stabilize any corrections.   With ETFs holding over $121.83 billion and institutional investors driving inflows, Bitcoin’s upward trend remains unstoppable. Stocks like MicroStrategy and MARA are capitalizing on this momentum, and Trump’s proposed Bitcoin reserve further cements Bitcoin’s role as a national asset.   Read more: What Is a Bitcoin ETF? Everything You Need to Know   Conclusion: Bitcoin’s Bullish Trajectory Continues Bitcoin’s all-time high of $108,353 marks the beginning of a new phase of adoption and institutional confidence. ETFs dominate with nearly 88% of gold’s AUM, stocks soar alongside Bitcoin, and Trump’s strategic plan highlights its growing role in global finance. Analysts predict Bitcoin will hit $200,000 by mid-2025, with current price levels offering a launchpad for sustained growth. Bitcoin’s future is clear. It leads the market, attracts record-breaking institutional support, and reshapes global financial systems.

Bitcoin is currently priced at $106,060, Bitcoin is up 1.52% in the past 24 hours, while Ethereum trades at $3,986, up 0.69%. The Fear and Greed Index rose to 87 (Extreme Greed) today, reflecting bullish market sentiment. As Bitcoin surged to a new all-time high of $107,000 on December 16th, MicroStrategy bought 15,350 BTC for $1.5 billion bringing its total to 439,000 BTC worth $45.6 billion. Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, is launching on December 17, 2024.    Crypto investment products recorded $3.2 billion in inflows last week marking the 10th straight week of growth. Furthermore, total inflows for 2024 reached $44.5 billion with $20.3 billion in the past 10 weeks alone accounting for 45% of the year’s total. Ethereum products added $1 billion last week hitting seven straight weeks of inflows. Investor confidence is at record highs as crypto markets gain momentum.   What’s Trending in the Crypto Community?  MicroStrategy (MSTR): Purchased approximately 15,350 Bitcoin with about $1.5 billion in cash. Semler Scientific: Purchased 211 Bitcoins again; Riot acquired 667 Bitcoins at an average price of $101,135 per BTC. Solv Protocol: Announced that SOLV will be listed on Hyperliquid. Base Network: TVL broke through $14 billion, setting a new all-time high. Ripple (XRP): Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin will release on December 17.  Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me    Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers  Trading Pair  24H Change BTC/USDT +1.63% XRP/USDT +2.94% TRON/USDT + 2.20%   Trade now on KuCoin MicroStrategy Adds $1.5 Billion in Bitcoin  Source: Michael Saylor on X   MicroStrategy bought 15,350 BTC between December 9 and 15 for $1.5 billion at an average price of $100,386 per Bitcoin. This brings MicroStrategy’s total holdings to 439,000 BTC worth $45.6 billion. The company has spent $27.1 billion on its Bitcoin treasury with an average purchase price of $61,725 per BTC. CEO Michael Saylor remains resolute saying he will continue buying Bitcoin even above $100,000.   On December 9, MicroStrategy added another 21,550 BTC further cementing its dominance as the largest corporate Bitcoin holder. At current prices MicroStrategy’s holdings account for nearly 0.5% of Bitcoin’s fixed supply of 21 million. Their aggressive acquisition strategy reflects deep confidence in Bitcoin’s ability to preserve value and outpace inflation over time.   Source: Michael Saylor on X   Ripple’s RLUSD Stablecoin is Launching on December 17th Source: KuCoin   Ripple will launch its RLUSD stablecoin on December 17, 2024 on the XRP, Ledger and Ethereum networks. Early listings include Uphold, MoonPay, Archax, and CoinMENA with more platforms like Bitso and Bitstamp to follow.     Ripple added Raghuram Rajan, former Reserve Bank of India governor, and Kenneth Montgomery, former Federal Reserve Bank of Boston vice president, to its advisory board. CEO Brad Garlinghouse confirmed RLUSD is fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits, government bonds, and cash equivalents.    Ripple CTO David Schwartz warned of early RLUSD volatility due to limited supply, with some traders willing to pay as much as $1,200 per token. “Please don’t FOMO into a stablecoin,” he said.     RLUSD will launch in the Americas, Asia-Pacific, UK, and Middle East. Ripple is exploring entry into the E.U. pending regulatory approval.   Read more: What Is RLUSD? A Comprehensive Guide to Ripple's Stablecoin and Its Impact on XRP   Bitcoin Enters “Santa Claus Mode” Hitting $107,000 Bitcoin rallied 5% on December 15th reaching $106,554 before stabilizing at $106,000. The surge comes just days after BTC broke through $104,000 on December 5. Bitcoin has climbed over 190% year-to-date. CK Zheng CIO of ZK Square said Bitcoin has entered “Santa Claus mode” as year-end demand increases with investors fearing they will miss out.   Jack Mallers CEO of Strike added to the excitement suggesting that President-elect Donald Trump could issue an executive order on day one to make Bitcoin a U.S. reserve asset.    Mallers said “There’s potential to use a day-one executive order to purchase Bitcoin. It wouldn’t be the size and scale of 1 million coins but it would be a significant position.”   Bitcoin’s December surge signals growing demand from institutional and retail investors as the year closes.   Crypto Investment Products See $3.2 Billion Weekly Inflows Flows by assets (in millions of US dollars). Source: CoinShares   Crypto investment products recorded $3.2 billion in inflows between December 9 and 13. This marked the 10th consecutive week of gains. Total inflows for 2024 hit $44.5 billion with $20.3 billion coming in the last 10 weeks alone.   Bitcoin investment products led with $2 billion in inflows reflecting strong institutional demand. Since the U.S. presidential election Bitcoin-related products have seen $11.5 billion in inflows. Short Bitcoin products recorded inflows of $14.6 million although total assets under management remain at $130 million.   BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF led inflows with $2 billion while Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust saw outflows of $145 million. These shifts highlight investor preference for newly launched ETF products.   Flows by countries (in millions of US dollars). Source: CoinShares   Ethereum ETPs Hit $1 Billion Weekly Inflows Ethereum investment products added $1 billion in inflows last week marking the seventh consecutive week of growth. Total inflows for Ether-based products over the seven-week period reached $3.7 billion. Ethereum trades near $4,003 showing steady upward momentum driven by institutional interest and growing use in decentralized finance.   Ethereum products remain the second-largest driver of inflows behind Bitcoin highlighting its utility in smart contracts and DeFi ecosystems.   Read more: What Is an XRP ETF, and Is It Coming Soon?   Global Inflows Reflect Market Confidence The United States led all regions with $3.1 billion in inflows followed by Switzerland with $35.6 million and Germany with $33 million. Sweden recorded the only outflows last week totaling $19 million. These figures underscore the growing global acceptance of Bitcoin and Ethereum as key investment assets.   Institutional players continue to dominate with products like BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF drawing billions in capital. Investors see Bitcoin and Ethereum as reliable stores of value in volatile markets with Bitcoin outperforming gold and equities year-to-date.   Conclusion Bitcoin’s rise to $106,500 reflects growing institutional confidence and increased global demand. MicroStrategy’s $1.5 billion purchase reinforces Bitcoin’s long-term value as a reserve asset. Crypto investment products saw $3.2 billion in inflows last week bringing 2024’s total to $44.5 billion. Ethereum investment products added $1 billion marking consistent growth for the second-largest cryptocurrency. Speculation on Bitcoin becoming a U.S. reserve asset continues to drive momentum as 2024 approaches.

Bitcoin hit an all-time high of $106,500 on December 15, 2024, driven by speculation that the Trump administration may designate it as a US reserve asset. Currently priced at $104,469, Bitcoin is up 3.10% in the past 24 hours, while Ethereum trades at $3,958, up 2.29%. The Fear and Greed Index rose to 83 (Extreme Greed) today, reflecting bullish market sentiment. With a $2 trillion market cap, Bitcoin is projected to reach as high as $800,000 by 2025, potentially growing to a $15 trillion valuation. MicroStrategy, holding 158,245 BTC, will join the Nasdaq 100 by December 23, while MARA Holdings seeks inclusion after recent major Bitcoin purchases. XRP, supported by the RLUSD stablecoin, is also gaining traction, with its $138 billion market cap expected to grow alongside increased adoption.   What’s Trending in the Crypto Community?  MicroStrategy (MSTR) has been included in the Nasdaq 100 index and will join on December 23, 2024. Bitcoin has broken through $106,500, setting a new all-time high on Monday, December 16, 2024. . Bitwise CEO: AI agents need crypto systems and use stablecoins and Bitcoin for transactions. Lending Protocol Aave: Net inflow surged to $500 million in the past week. NFT Trading Volume: Reached $224.41 million this week, a 16.27% increase from the previous week. OpenSea: Registration of a foundation has sparked airdrop speculation, with a new version possibly launching this month. Read more: What Are AI Agents in Crypto, and the Top AI Agent Projects to Know?    Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me    Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers  Trading Pair  24H Change BTC/USDT +2.83% FTM/USDT +16.08% AAVE/USDT - 2.71%   Trade now on KuCoin   BTC Hit an All-Time-High above $106K Today Source: KuCoin   Bitcoin hit 106,500 today, reaching an all-time high on December 15, 2024. Perianne Boring, founder of The Digital Chamber, predicts Bitcoin’s fixed supply may drive its price to 800,000 by the end of 2025. She ties this potential surge to Donald Trump implementing his proposed crypto policies.   Boring stated “If Donald Trump is successful in putting forth a lot of the proposals that he's proposed to the [crypto] community the sky's the limit because Bitcoin has a fixed supply.”   The stock-to-flow model forecasts Bitcoin’s price to exceed 800,000 by 2025. At that price Bitcoin’s market cap would hit 15 trillion up from its current 2 trillion. This model estimates Bitcoin scarcity and demand trends.   PlanB the stock-to-flow model creator predicts Bitcoin will average 500,000 across 2025. He also believes Bitcoin’s price could peak at 1 million during this period.   Source: PlanB   Trump and Bitcoin: A New Reserve Asset? Donald Trump might declare Bitcoin as a United States reserve asset through an executive order on day one in office. Jack Mallers, CEO of Strike, revealed this plan during a podcast interview with Tim Pool. Trump could use the "Dollar Stabilization Act" to authorize this move. The proposal suggests the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve purchase 200,000 Bitcoin annually over five years. Senator Cynthia Lummis introduced this strategy as part of the Bitcoin Act of 2024. The goal is to accumulate 1 million Bitcoin and hold the reserve for 20 years. This would remove 5 % of Bitcoin’s 21 million fixed supply from circulation.   Mallers stated, "There’s potential to use a day-one executive order to purchase Bitcoin. It wouldn't be the size and scale of 1 million coins but it would be a significant position."   Analysts predict this could cause Bitcoin's price to skyrocket. Perianne Boring, founder of The Digital Chamber, forecasts Bitcoin could hit $800,000 by the end of 2025. This would raise Bitcoin’s market cap to $15 trillion from its current $2 trillion. PlanB, creator of the stock-to-flow model, expects Bitcoin to average $500,000 in 2025 and potentially peak at $1 million. BlackRock, managing $10 trillion in assets, advises a 1 to 2% portfolio allocation to Bitcoin. A 2 % allocation of global reserves, currently valued at $900 trillion, could push Bitcoin to $900,000.   Read More: Donald Trump Backed WLFI Acquires $12 Million in Ethereum, Chainlink, and Aave   Michael Saylor and MARA’s Drive to the Nasdaq 100 Source: Google   MicroStrategy will join the Nasdaq 100 on December 23. The company holds over 158,245 Bitcoin worth $16.7 billion at current prices. MARA Holdings aims to follow this path. MARA invested over $600 million in Bitcoin in the last two months, increasing its market cap to $7.32 billion. MicroStrategy's market cap now stands at $94.77 billion.   Michael Saylor, MicroStrategy founder, said, "I expect $MARA will be the next." MARA’s chairman Fred Thiel added, "We are working hard to get there."   Joining the Nasdaq 100 solidifies a company’s position as one of the 100 largest on the exchange. This inclusion reflects the growing prominence of Bitcoin-centric firms in traditional finance.   RLUSD Stablecoin: Driving XRP Demand into 2025 Source: KuCoin   The RLUSD stablecoin will likely drive demand for XRP heading into 2025. The New York Department of Financial Services approved RLUSD, which will be backed by fiat reserves and short-term Treasury bills. Most RLUSD transactions will occur on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and the XRP-EVM sidechain. These systems require XRP for gas fees, ensuring consistent demand.   Georgios Vlachos, co-founder of Axelar, explained, "When you do those transfers, you pay for gas in XRP. XRP holders benefit because you burn some XRP every time you do a transaction."   XRP currently has a maximum supply of 100 billion tokens with 57 billion circulating. In November 2024, XRP reached a seven-year high of $2.90, driven by political developments and new ecosystem upgrades. The price later pulled back to $2.45 as the Relative Strength Index hit 95, signaling overbought conditions.   Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin will increase activity on the XRP Ledger. Emerging economies also use stablecoins like RLUSD for transactions and as a hedge against inflation. In December 2024, XRP ranked as the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market cap at $138 billion, just $2 billion shy of Tether’s $140 billion.   Read More: Ripple’s RLUSD Secures Approval from The New York State Department of Financial Services, Dec 11   Conclusion: Bold Moves Reshaping Crypto Bitcoin and XRP are entering a transformative period fueled by policy changes and technological advancements. Trump’s potential Bitcoin purchase could make it a national reserve asset, potentially driving prices to $800,000 or beyond. XRP's demand will likely grow with the adoption of RLUSD and increased activity in its ecosystem. Institutions like MicroStrategy and MARA are setting new benchmarks for crypto integration into traditional markets. With $900 trillion in global reserves and growing institutional interest, Bitcoin and XRP are positioned for unprecedented growth in 2025.

The cryptocurrency market continues to experience rapid growth and dynamic shifts, driven by substantial investments and strategic initiatives. Major players are shaping the industry with multi-million-dollar acquisitions and innovative developments. Among the most notable moves, World Liberty Financial Initiative (WLFI), tied to President-elect Donald Trump, executed a $12 million crypto acquisition, boosting its portfolio to over $74.7 million. This article examines WLFI’s investment, its growing asset base, and its ambitions in decentralized finance (DeFi).   Read More: Eric Trump Predicts Bitcoin Will Hit $1 Million and Drive Global Adoption   WLFI Executes a $12 Million Crypto Acquisition Source: Arkham   On December 12, WLFI acquired 2631 ETH for $10 million at a rate of $3801 per token. Alongside Ethereum, WLFI also purchased 41335 LINK and 3357 AAVE, investing $1 million in each token. These purchases signal WLFI’s commitment to securing assets with strong technical foundations and market potential.   Arkham Intelligence reports that WLFI’s total crypto holdings now exceed $74.7 million. The portfolio includes 14576 ETH valued at $57 million, 102.9 cbBTC worth $10.3 million, and a variety of other assets, including USDC. The acquisition resulted in immediate market reactions, with LINK and AAVE prices surging by over 25% within 24 hours of the announcement.   Source: Arkham   A Growing Portfolio and Strategic Vision WLFI’s crypto portfolio demonstrates a calculated approach to asset diversification. Ethereum, which processes over 1.1 million daily transactions and secures $22 billion in total value locked (TVL) across decentralized finance protocols, serves as a core holding. Chainlink, with its decentralized oracle network integrated into over 1000 blockchain projects, and Aave, a leading DeFi protocol with a TVL of $4.6 billion, complement WLFI’s Ethereum position.   With holdings of 14576 ETH, 102.9 cbBTC, and smaller allocations to other cryptocurrencies, WLFI is building a portfolio aligned with its vision of driving decentralized finance adoption. The $10.3 million in Bitcoin represents a calculated diversification strategy, balancing Ethereum’s scalability with Bitcoin’s stability.   Plans to Dominate the DeFi Space WLFI has outlined ambitious plans to establish itself as a leading platform in the DeFi space. The organization intends to offer lending, borrowing, and digital asset investment services. Additionally, it plans to launch a proprietary stablecoin and tools to facilitate seamless access to third-party DeFi platforms.   The initiative’s $12 million investment in crypto assets aligns with its strategy of leveraging blockchain technology to create scalable and interoperable financial services. WLFI’s confidence in decentralized systems is bolstered by favorable regulatory prospects under Trump’s administration, which is expected to take a pro-crypto stance.   Market Impact of WLFI’s Investments WLFI’s acquisitions have significantly influenced market dynamics. Ethereum’s robust adoption metrics, including a market cap exceeding $460 billion and daily trading volumes averaging $40 billion, underscore its position as a foundation for decentralized applications. LINK’s price surge following WLFI’s purchase highlights market confidence in its utility, with the token integrated into critical blockchain infrastructure.   Aave’s appeal stems from its ability to enable seamless lending and borrowing. With a 25% price increase within a day of WLFI’s acquisition, the market recognizes the protocol’s role in driving DeFi adoption. WLFI’s holdings of 14576 ETH and 41335 LINK solidify its status as a major player in the crypto market.   Source: Arkham   Read More: MicroStrategy Eyes Trillion-Dollar Valuation, WLFI Token Sale Approaches, and Bitcoin Search Volume Drops to Yearly Low: Oct 14   Conclusion World Liberty Financial Initiative’s $12 million crypto acquisition showcases its commitment to advancing decentralized finance. With a portfolio now exceeding $74.7 million, including 14,576 ETH worth $57 million and 102.9 cbBTC valued at $10.3 million, WLFI has positioned itself as a key player in the blockchain ecosystem. Its plans to launch a stablecoin and expand DeFi access tools further underline its ambitious strategy. These moves, supported by strategic investments in Ethereum, Chainlink, and Aave, highlight WLFI’s vision to lead the crypto market’s next phase of innovation and adoption.

KuCoin is making waves in the crypto industry, securing the 8th position in DefiLlama's list of the top 10 crypto exchanges by net inflows for 2024. The platform has recorded over $262 million in net inflows so far this year, demonstrating robust user confidence and continued market relevance.   Quick Take KuCoin ranks 8th among top crypto exchanges by net inflows with $262 million in 2024. KuCoin Token (KCS) has risen by over 16% in 2024, reaching a high of $15.70 and currently trading around $13.49. Institutional interest continues to drive market confidence, with larger BTC and USDT deposit sizes. KuCoin's success reflects its innovative features and commitment to user growth. A Strong Year for KuCoin Net inflows so far this year | Source: DefiLlama   DefiLlama's data underscores KuCoin's strength in a competitive market. Amid a dynamic landscape, KuCoin’s consistent inflows reflect its ability to attract and retain users through a combination of innovative features, strategic partnerships, and a user-friendly trading experience. The exchange's spot and futures markets, as well as its educational initiatives like KuCoin Learn, have contributed to its growing popularity among both retail and institutional traders.   KuCoin’s 8th place ranking places it ahead of several notable competitors, highlighting its continued growth and resilience.   KuCoin exchange TVL exceeds $3.5 billion | Source: DefiLlama   Industry Giants Lead the Charge At the top of DefiLlama’s list is Binance, which has achieved an impressive $24 billion in net inflows so far in 2024. This surge is driven by a massive user base of 250 million and increasing interest from institutional investors. Binance attributes its growth to favorable regulatory developments, milestone events like the launch of Bitcoin ETFs, and historic price movements.   Bybit and OKX follow Binance, with inflows of $8.2 billion and $5.3 billion, respectively. Other platforms like BitMEX, Robinhood, and HTX also feature prominently in the rankings, showcasing the diverse nature of the current exchange ecosystem.   KuCoin Token (KCS) Gains Over 16% in a Year KCS price performance | Source: KuCoin   KuCoin Token (KCS) has shown impressive growth over the past year, registering an increase of over 16%. Starting 2024 at under $11, the KCS price surged to a high of over $15.70 and is currently trading around $13.49 at the time of writing. This performance highlights the growing confidence in KuCoin's ecosystem and its native token, driven by the exchange's continued innovation and user engagement.   Institutional Interest Boosts Market Confidence A notable trend in 2024 is the rising interest from institutional investors. According to a CryptoQuant report, the average Bitcoin deposit size on centralized exchanges like Binance has increased from 0.36 BTC to 1.65 BTC. Meanwhile, USDT (Tether) deposits have surged from $19,600 to $230,000. This influx of institutional capital reflects broader market confidence and a growing appetite for digital assets.   KuCoin’s Continued Success KuCoin’s latest Proof of Reserves (PoR) data | Source: KuCoin PoR   KuCoin's achievement of over $262 million in net inflows is a testament to its commitment to providing a secure, innovative, and user-centric platform. With ongoing developments in GameFi, social trading, and educational resources, KuCoin is poised to maintain its position as one of the leading exchanges in the industry.   As 2024 progresses, KuCoin’s performance in net inflows showcases its role as a key player in the growing crypto ecosystem.

Bitcoin is currently priced at $100,002 with a -1.10% decrease in the past 24 hours, while Ethereum trades at $3,881, up +1.31% over the same period. The futures market remains balanced, with a 50.1% long and 49.9% short position ratio. The Fear and Greed Index, a key measure of market sentiment, maintained the sentiment from 83 (Extreme Greed) yesterday to 76 (Extreme Greed) today. The crypto market is undergoing a rapid transformation, fueled by major investments and strategic initiatives. In the past few months alone, institutional players and companies have collectively moved billions into cryptocurrencies and blockchain projects, signaling a new phase of adoption. Highlights include a $12 million purchase by Donald Trump-backed WLFI, Sol Strategies’ 2336% stock surge since July, Chainalysis’ expansion to cover 4 million Solana memecoins in Pump.fun, BlackRock’s $50 billion Bitcoin ETF product, and Avalanche’s $250 million token sale for a groundbreaking upgrade. These developments showcase the growing financial and technical significance of the crypto ecosystem.   What’s Trending in the Crypto Community?  Donald Trump-backed WLFI Purchases $12 Million in Ethereum, Chainlink and Aave Sol Strategies Plans Nasdaq Listing After 2336% Stock Surge Chainalysis Expands Solana Coverage to Pump.fun Memecoins Avalanche Raises $250 Million for Avalanche9000 Upgrade BlackRock's Bitcoin spot ETF has surpassed its gold ETF in size. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg donated $1 million to President-elect Trump's inauguration fund.  Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me    Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers  Trading Pair  24H Change ETH/USDT + 2.18% LINK/USDT + 20.14% AAVE/USDT + 17.5%   Trade now on KuCoin   Donald Trump-backed World Liberty Financial (WLFI) Purchases $12 Million in Ethereum, Chainlink, and Aave Source: Arkham   World Liberty Financial (WLFI) Initiative tied to President-elect Donald Trump made a $12 million crypto acquisition. On December 12, WLFI purchased 2631 ETH for $10 million at $3801 per token. The project also acquired 41335 LINK and 3357 AAVE spending $1 million on each.   According to Arkham Intelligence WLFI's holdings now exceed $74.7 million. The portfolio includes 14,576 ETH worth over $57 million 102.9 cbBTC valued at $10.3 million and additional assets like USDC. WLFI’s substantial crypto purchase appears to have influenced market conditions. According to CryptoSlate’s data, both LINK and AAVE recorded price increases exceeding 25% within 24 hours.   Source: Arkham   WLFI aims to position itself as a leader in decentralized finance by offering lending borrowing and digital asset investment services. The initiative plans to launch a stablecoin and DeFi access tools signaling confidence in decentralized systems under favorable US regulations.   Sol Strategies Plans Nasdaq Listing After 2336% Stock Surge Sol Strategies formerly Cypherpunk Holdings announced plans to list on Nasdaq after a 2336% increase in its stock price since July. The company's ticker HODL on the Canadian Securities Exchange benefited from its pivot to the Solana ecosystem.   As of December 11, Sol Strategies holds 142,000 SOL tokens worth $46 million and operates four Solana validators. The company has staked nearly 1 million SOL tokens valued at over $300 million further integrating into the Solana network.   A Nasdaq listing offers access to a broader investor base, improved liquidity and enhanced brand visibility. The move underscores the company's focus on Solana as the next frontier in blockchain innovation.   Chainalysis Expands Solana Coverage to Pump.fun Memecoins Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis extended its Solana token coverage to include Pump.fun memecoins. The platform now supports compliance tools like Know Your Transaction KYT and Reactor for all Solana Program Library SPL tokens.   Pump.fun has facilitated the creation of over 4 million memecoins generating $93 million in monthly revenue as of November. While the platform is the fastest-growing crypto app ever, 95 % of its tokens reportedly become scams or rugpulls within a day of launch.   Chainalysis aims to mitigate risks by offering complete exposure and tracing for Pump.fun tokens. The expansion enables exchanges to list memecoins with compliance coverage and gives governments tools to investigate fraudulent activities.   Read more: Top Solana Memecoins to Watch   BlackRock Recommends Bitcoin Allocations of Up to 2 % BlackRock managing $11.5 trillion in assets issued its first specific guidance on Bitcoin portfolio allocations. In a report to institutional investors the firm recommended a 1 to 2% allocation for multi-asset portfolios citing Bitcoin's growing importance.   BlackRock compared Bitcoin’s risk profile to mega-cap tech stocks. A 1 to 2% allocation in a 60-40 portfolio offers a balanced risk without excessive exposure. However the firm warned that going beyond 2 % would disproportionately increase portfolio risk.   BlackRock's IBIT product manages $50 billion in assets. The firm's support solidifies Bitcoin's role as a key portfolio asset for institutional investors.   Read More: Ethereum ETFs BlackRock and Fidelity Fuel $500 Million in Two Days   Avalanche Raises $250 Million for Avalanche9000 Upgrade Avalanche raised $250 million in a locked token sale led by Galaxy Digital Dragonfly and ParaFi Capital. The funds will support the Avalanche9000 upgrade set to launch on mainnet December 16.   The upgrade aims to reduce blockchain deployment costs by 99.9 % and transaction costs by 25 times. Over 500 Layer 1 chains across sectors like gaming loyalty payments and real-world asset tokenization are in development on Avalanche.   Avalanche previously raised $230 million in 2021 showing consistent support from leading crypto investors. The Avalanche9000 upgrade promises to revolutionize Layer 1 scalability and cost-efficiency.   Conclusion The crypto market has entered a new phase of growth driven by billions in investments and strategic developments. WLFI now holds over $74.7 million in assets after its $12 million crypto purchase while Sol Strategies’ stock soared 2336 % and its SOL holdings reached $46 million. Chainalysis’ tools now cover over 4 million Solana memecoins and Pumpfun generated $93 million in revenue last month. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF product manages $50 billion and Avalanche’s $250 million token sale will launch a highly scalable upgrade. These numbers and initiatives reflect the accelerating pace of crypto adoption and the sector’s expanding role in global finance.

Bitcoin is currently priced at $101,110 with a +4.67% increase in the past 24 hours, while Ethereum trades at $3,831, up +5.60% over the same period. The futures market remains balanced, with a 50.9% long and 49.1% short position ratio. The Fear and Greed Index, a key measure of market sentiment, upgraded the sentiment from 74 (Extreme Greed) yesterday to 83 (Extreme Greed) today. The crypto world is changing fast and transforming traditional finance as well. Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology are redefining global markets. From Bitcoin-backed ETFs like BlackRock and Fidelity buying a record-breaking $500 Million in Ethereum ETF investments and the rise of stablecoins, Citi’s research numbers show how crypto is transforming traditional finance. This article explores three key trends: MicroStrategy joining the Nasdaq 100, Ethereum ETFs driving billions in trading volume, and stablecoins reshaping global finance with trillions in transactions.   What’s Trending in the Crypto Community?  Spot Bitcoin ETFs saw net inflows for nine consecutive days, and spot Ethereum ETFs saw net inflows for twelve consecutive days. MicroStrategy  (MSTR) Joins the Nasdaq 100. ETFs BlackRock and Fidelity Drive $500 Million USD in Ethereum. Stablecoins Rival US Dollar Dominance By 1.4 Trillion in Q1 2024 and continue the trend into 2025 according to Citi Wealth. CEO of BNY Mellon: Tokenization is a major trend in financial markets.  Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me    Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers  Trading Pair  24H Change SUI/USDT + 28.10% XRP/USDT + 5.22% AAVE/USDT + 28.16%   Trade now on KuCoin   MicroStrategy Joins the Nasdaq 100 Source: Eric Balchunas   MicroStrategy  will join the Nasdaq 100 stock index on December 23. This is a major milestone for a company that has shifted its focus to Bitcoin. Since adopting its Bitcoin strategy in 2020, the stock price has surged 2500%. It climbed from about 140 USD per share to over 3600 USD as of December 2024. Bitcoin recently passed 100,000 USD, boosting MicroStrategy further.   Inclusion in the Nasdaq 100 will put MicroStrategy in the Invesco QQQ Trust ETF. This ETF manages 322 billion USD in assets. Institutional investors will now have easier access to MicroStrategy, which holds 152000 Bitcoin valued at over 15.2 billion USD. Analysts predict the company could join the S&P 500 next year if its market capitalization reaches 14 billion USD.   Critics highlight risks. MicroStrategy has 2.4 billion USD in debt, much of it financed at low interest rates around 0.75%.   ETFs BlackRock and Fidelity Drive $500 Million USD in Ethereum Source: The Block   Ethereum  continues to attract institutional investors. BlackRock and Fidelity bought 500 million USD worth of Ethereum in two days. They used Coinbase and its Prime platform to execute these trades.   BlackRock's ETHA ETF recorded 372.4 million USD in trading volume on December 10. Fidelity's FETH ETF added 103.7 million USD in trading volume the same day. Combined, these ETFs accounted for 476.1 million USD in activity. Ethereum traded at 3830 USD on December 11. The price increased 5.1% in 24 hours with 39.3 billion USD in trading volume.   The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved eight spot Ethereum ETFs in May 2024. Institutional inflows into Ethereum now exceed 3 billion USD. Total assets under management for Ethereum ETFs stand at about 12 billion USD.   Citi Wealth Cites Stablecoins Rival US Dollar Dominance By 1.4 Trillion in Q1 and Continues The Trend Source: The Block   Stablecoins now dominate cryptocurrency trading, making up over 80% of total volume. Tether holds a market capitalization of 83 billion USD. Circle’s USDC has 27 billion USD. Combined, these stablecoins handle over 1 trillion USD in monthly transactions.   Citi Wealth reports stablecoins are strengthening the global dominance of the US dollar. Stablecoins backed by US Treasury bills represent 1% of total Treasury purchases today. Regulatory clarity could double stablecoin adoption by 2026. Treasury demand from issuers might surpass 150 billion USD annually.   “Rather than usurping the dollar, therefore, this variety of cryptocurrency could thus make dollars more accessible to the world and reinforce the U.S. currency’s longstanding global dominance."   In Q1 2024, stablecoins processed 5.5 trillion USD in transactions. Visa handled 3.9 trillion USD in the same period. Tether alone accounted for 3.4 trillion USD in transfers. Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin recently received regulatory approval. This approval opens the door for more competition in the stablecoin market.   "Originally, cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin were conceived as rivals to the central bank–issued currencies. Indeed, some believed – and continue to believe – that bitcoin might end the U.S. dollar’s hegemony," the strategists wrote in a new report. "However, stablecoins – which account for more than four-fifths of cryptocurrency trading volume – are challenging that narrative."   Citi points to the fact that the vast majority of stablecoins are pegged to the U.S. dollar while issuers keep both USD and U.S. Treasuries on reserve. They also suggest that if the U.S. government moves to further legitimize stablecoins, that could bolster USD's dominance.   "Greater regulatory clarity could also potentially further boost [stablecoins] appeal. If so, demand for U.S. Treasury bills from stablecoin issuers might grow from around 1% of purchases today," said Citi. "Rather than usurping the dollar, therefore, this variety of cryptocurrency could thus make dollars more accessible to the world and reinforce the U.S. currency’s longstanding global dominance."   Traditional payment providers are adapting fast. Visa partners with Circle to settle transactions using USDC. PayPal launched its PYUSD stablecoin in August 2023. These moves show how traditional and crypto-native systems are converging.   Citi also included data illustrating how widely used stablecoins have become.   "Activity has reached record highs, with $5.5 trillion in value across the first quarter of 2024. By comparison, Visa saw about $3.9 trillion in volume," the strategists said. "In response to this challenge, Visa, PayPal and other traditional providers are adapting by offering stablecoins of their own or settling transactions in other firms’ coins."   Read more: What Is RLUSD? A Comprehensive Guide to Ripple's Stablecoin and Its Impact on XRP   Conclusion Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology are reshaping global finance. MicroStrategy’s 2500% stock price surge and 152,000 Bitcoin holdings highlight Bitcoin’s role in corporate strategy. Ethereum ETFs are driving billions in trading volume and attracting major institutional players. Stablecoins now process trillions in transactions each year while reinforcing the dominance of the US dollar. These trends are not just reshaping finance. They are building the future of the global economy.   Read more: Wise Monkey (MONKY) Airdrop for FLOKI, TOKEN, and APE Holders on December 12: All You Need to Know

Wise Monkey ($MONKY), a memecoin inspired by the "Three Wise Monkeys" proverb, is set to launch on December 12, 2024. Developed by Forj, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, the token aims to blend cultural wisdom with modern crypto trends. To celebrate its launch, Wise Monkey has announced an extensive airdrop campaign for holders of FLOKI (FLOKI), TokenFi (TOKEN), and ApeCoin (APE). Here’s a complete guide to the $MONKY airdrop, including eligibility, distribution ratios, and snapshot dates.   Key Highlights of the $MONKY Airdrop 45.5% of the $MONKY supply will be distributed via airdrops to FLOKI, TOKEN, and APE holders. The Wise Monkey token will launch on December 12, 2024, at 10:00 AM UTC.  The snapshots for FLOKI and TOKEN holders will be taken on December 15, 2024. The snapshot for APE holders took place on November 29, 2024.  The $MONKY token will be deployed on the BNB Chain. Who Is Eligible to Receive $MONKY Airdrop?  Wise Monkey airdrop for FLOKI, TOKEN, and APE holders | Source: Floki blog   1. $MONKY Airdrop for FLOKI Holders Twenty-seven percent of the total $MONKY supply, equivalent to 2.7 trillion tokens, will be airdropped to FLOKI holders. To qualify, you need to hold at least 1 FLOKI token, either on-chain or on a supported centralized exchange. This includes both regular holders and stakers. The distribution ratio is set at 0.35 $MONKY for every 1 $FLOKI. For example, if you hold 1,000 FLOKI, you will receive 350 MONKY tokens. The snapshot for this airdrop will be taken at 00:00:00 UTC on December 15, 2024. The airdrop will be distributed on the BNB Chain, even if your FLOKI tokens are held on Ethereum. Supported exchanges currently include KuCoin, Binance, Gate.io, and Uphold, with additional exchanges potentially being announced.   2. $MONKY Airdrop for Floki Trading Bot Users Four percent of the total $MONKY supply is reserved for users of the Floki Trading Bot. To qualify, users need to trade $MONKY using the Floki Trading Bot during a designated three-month period, with specific details to be announced. Rewards will be distributed proportionally based on trading volume. For more information, you can visit the Floki Trading Bot website at tb.floki.com.    3. $MONKY Airdrop for TokenFi (TOKEN) Holders Four percent of the total $MONKY supply will be allocated to TokenFi (TOKEN) holders. To be eligible, you must hold at least 1 TOKEN on-chain, either on the BNB Chain or Ethereum. This airdrop also includes TOKEN holders who have staked their tokens. The distribution ratio is 130 $MONKY for every 1 $TOKEN. For instance, if you hold 1,000 TOKEN, you will receive 130,000 MONKY tokens. The snapshot for TOKEN holders will be taken at 00:00:00 UTC on December 15, 2024. The distribution will occur on the BNB Chain, even for TOKEN holders on Ethereum.   4. $MONKY Airdrop for ApeCoin (APE) Holders Ten percent of the total $MONKY supply, amounting to 1 trillion tokens, will be distributed to ApeCoin (APE) holders. This allocation is divided as follows: 8% for APE holders, 1% for Ape Accelerator supporters, and 1% for ApeFest attendees. To qualify, you need to hold at least 1 APE token on Ethereum Mainnet, Binance Smart Chain, or ApeChain. This eligibility also extends to APE stakers on platforms such as ApeStaking, BendDAO, and Parallel Fi. Each eligible wallet holding at least 1 APE will receive 804,828 $MONKY tokens, regardless of the total amount held. The snapshot for this airdrop was taken at 00:00:00 UTC on November 29, 2024. The confirmed exchanges supporting this airdrop include KuCoin, OKX, Gate.io, and Uphold.   Read more: KuCoin Will Support the Wise Monkey (MONKY) Airdrop for FLOKI and APE Holders   How to Check If You Qualify for the Wise Monkey Airdrop Visit airdrop.floki.com after the snapshot date. Enter your wallet address to check eligibility. No wallet connection or seed phrase required. Stay Safe Only refer to official Wise Monkey channels for the latest updates about the MONKY airdrop. Beware of scams - do not connect your wallet, send tokens, or share your seed phrase with anyone claiming to offer $MONKY airdrops.   Wise Monkey (MONKY) Tokenomics  $MONKY tokenomics | Source: Floki blog   The Wise Monkey token ($MONKY) has a total supply of 10 trillion tokens and is designed to foster community engagement within the Floki Ecosystem. A significant portion of the supply is allocated for airdrops to ensure fair distribution and promote participation.    27% of the MONKY supply will be airdropped to FLOKI holders and stakers.  4% is reserved for TokenFi (TOKEN) holders and stakers 4% will be distributed as rewards for users of the Floki Trading Bot. This strategic distribution model encourages long-term growth and active involvement from multiple communities.   $MONKY Launch Details Wise Monkey ($MONKY) is set to launch on December 12, 2024, at 10:00 AM UTC. The token has a total supply of 10 trillion $MONKY and will be deployed on the BNB Chain. It will launch with an initial market cap of $10 million FDV. The official contract address will be shared 48 hours before launch. To prevent sniping, an anti-sniper mechanism will restrict purchases within the first 10 minutes to FLOKI and TOKEN holders with at least $1,000 worth of tokens as of December 9, 2024, 17:00 UTC. Additionally, no individual wallet will be allowed to purchase more than 0.02% of the total supply during this period.   Conclusion The Wise Monkey ($MONKY) airdrop offers a unique opportunity for FLOKI, TOKEN, and APE holders to participate in a culturally inspired memecoin project. Make sure your tokens are held in supported wallets or exchanges by the snapshot dates to secure your $MONKY tokens. Stay tuned for more updates and announcements from Wise Monkey’s official channels!

Ethereum continues to dominate institutional crypto investments. According to Arkham Intelligence, BlackRock and Fidelity bought $500 million worth of Ethereum in just two days, using Coinbase Prime to execute their trades. These purchases underline Ethereum’s increasing integration into traditional financial markets.   Source: The Block   BlackRock’s ETHA ETF Recorded an Explosive $372.4 Million in Trading Volume BlackRock’s ETHA ETF ETH Investments in the last 48 Hours. Source: X   On December 10, BlackRock’s ETHA ETF recorded $372.4 million in trading volume. Fidelity’s FETH ETF added another $103.7 million on the same day. Together, these two ETFs generated $476.1 million in combined trading activity. Ethereum’s price rose to $3830 by December 11, marking a 5.1 percent increase in just 24 hours. During the same period, Ethereum's total trading volume reached $39.3 billion, showcasing strong market interest. These numbers signal the growing demand for Ethereum-focused financial products. Institutional investors are rapidly adopting Ethereum ETFs to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency, further legitimizing its position in global financial markets.   BlackRock’s ETHA ETF ETH Investments in the last 48 Hours. Source: X   SEC Approval Accelerates the institutional crypto adoption The SEC's approval of eight spot Ethereum ETFs in May 2024 marked a major milestone for institutional crypto adoption. Spot ETFs allow investors to directly track Ethereum’s price without holding the asset themselves. Since the approval, institutional inflows into Ethereum have exceeded $3 billion, boosting liquidity and investor confidence.   Today, Ethereum ETFs manage $12 billion in total assets under management, reflecting the scale of interest from institutional players. These ETFs simplify the investment process for institutions, offering a regulated and accessible entry point into the cryptocurrency market.   Institutional Involvement Reshapes Ethereum’s Market Fidelity’s FETH ETF ETH Investments in the last 48 Hours. Source: X   The $500 million investment by BlackRock and Fidelity represents a significant portion of recent trading activity. Ethereum’s market capitalization now exceeds $460 billion, solidifying its position as the second-largest cryptocurrency. Daily trading volumes regularly average $40 billion, with ETFs accounting for $4 billion of this activity.   Institutional participation brings more than just capital. It boosts market liquidity, stabilizes price movements, and builds trust among investors. BlackRock and Fidelity's actions show that Ethereum is not just a speculative asset but a viable component of diversified investment portfolios.   Fidelity’s FETH ETF ETH Investments in the last 48 Hours. Source: X   Ethereum’s Expanding Ecosystem Ethereum  drives innovation in the decentralized finance space. It currently secures $22 billion in total value locked across decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols. The network processes more than 1.1 million transactions daily, supporting thousands of decentralized applications and use cases.   Ethereum’s proof-of-stake consensus system adds another layer of security and efficiency. Over 74,000 validators actively maintain the blockchain, ensuring a decentralized and reliable network. Layer 2 scaling solutions built on Ethereum, such as Arbitrum and Optimism, hold over $9 billion in locked assets. These solutions enhance transaction speeds and reduce costs, making Ethereum more accessible to users.   Regulatory Support Brings Stability The SEC's support for Ethereum ETFs represents a significant step in crypto regulation. Spot ETFs remove barriers for institutions by offering an easy and secure way to invest in Ethereum. They eliminate the need for private key management and provide the transparency that traditional investors demand. These features attract risk-averse institutions and enable them to deploy large amounts of capital confidently.   Since the launch of spot ETFs, Ethereum has seen a steady increase in adoption among institutional players. BlackRock and Fidelity’s activity reflects a broader trend of financial institutions embracing Ethereum as a core investment.   Read More: Ethereum ETF Explained: What It Is and How It Works   The Ripple Effect on Crypto Markets Ethereum’s institutional adoption benefits the entire cryptocurrency ecosystem. As the second-largest blockchain, Ethereum sets the benchmark for trust and reliability. Its growing credibility among traditional financial players paves the way for broader adoption of digital assets. Ethereum’s success attracts more investors and developers, strengthening its ecosystem and driving innovation across the crypto market.   Conclusion Ethereum’s rapid adoption by institutional players like BlackRock and Fidelity highlights its pivotal role in the evolving financial landscape. Their $500 million investment in just two days demonstrates the growing appeal of Ethereum ETFs as a bridge between traditional finance and crypto. With $12 billion in ETF assets under management, $3 billion in institutional inflows, and a thriving network, Ethereum continues to lead the way in both innovation and adoption.

Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, addressed the Bitcoin MENA event in Abu Dhabi on December 10. He predicted Bitcoin’s price would hit $1 million per coin driven by its fixed supply of 21 million coins and growing global demand. Trump described Bitcoin as a “store of value, a hedge against inflation and a safeguard against political and natural risks.”   Source: Cointelegraph    Bitcoin’s current price is $97,604 up 160% from January 2024 when it was trading at $37,500. Trump emphasized Bitcoin’s increasing adoption stating that more governments would recognize its potential as a strategic reserve asset by 2030. He predicted early adopters would see significant gains projecting a tenfold increase in value over the next decade.   Quick Takes: Bitcoin to $1 Million: Eric Trump predicts Bitcoin will hit $1 million per coin due to its fixed supply of 21 million coins and increasing global demand. Current Price Surge: Bitcoin trades at $97,604 today, up 160% from $37,500 in January 2024. Global Adoption: Bitcoin adoption grew 87% in 2024, with over 420 million users worldwide. Emerging markets drive growth through remittances and savings. Institutional Involvement: Spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $33.6 billion in inflows in 2024, with institutional portfolio allocations expected to rise from 4% to 8% by 2025. Scarcity Drives Demand: Only 1.8 million Bitcoin remain to be mined out of the 21 million total supply, making it a unique and finite asset. Bitcoin is reshaping global finance. Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization predicts Bitcoin will reach $1 million per coin. Speaking at the Bitcoin MENA event in Abu Dhabi on December 10 Trump highlighted Bitcoin’s fixed supply of 21 million coins, its utility as a store of value and its role as a hedge against inflation and political risks. Trump’s bold prediction reflects the growing recognition of Bitcoin’s transformative potential.   Eric Trump on Bitcoin’s Path to $1 Million Eric Trump addressed Bitcoin MENA and called Bitcoin a global store of value and a safeguard against economic instability. He emphasized its scarcity with a fixed supply of 21 million coins. Trump stated that this limited supply combined with rising demand forms the foundation for his $1 million prediction.   “Bitcoin is not just an asset,” Trump said. “It is a hedge against inflation, political turmoil and acts of nature.” He described Bitcoin as a tool for preserving wealth long-term free from the vulnerabilities of fiat currencies.   Bitcoin trades at $97,604 today up 160% from $37,500 in January 2024. Trump highlighted this growth as evidence of Bitcoin’s rising importance. He predicted that by 2030 more governments would adopt Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset fueling further demand and price growth.   Read More: Trump’s Win Fuels Crypto Hopes as Bitcoin Hits New Highs and Memecoin Platform Pump.Fun Soars $30.5 million: Nov 7 The Case for Global Bitcoin Adoption Source: KuCoin   Trump’s prediction aligns with Bitcoin’s expanding adoption worldwide. In 2024 spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted $33.6 billion in inflows. Institutional portfolios allocated an average of 4% to Bitcoin, a figure expected to double by 2025.   Emerging markets play a major role. In nations with unstable currencies, Bitcoin is used for remittances and savings. Global adoption rose by 87% in 2024 with over 420 million people owning or using Bitcoin. Trump stressed that early adopters would benefit most. He projected Bitcoin’s value could increase tenfold within a decade creating major opportunities for investors who act now.   Bitcoin’s Scarcity and Strategic Importance Bitcoin’s finite supply sets it apart from fiat currency. Unlike fiat currencies which governments can print without limit Bitcoin’s total supply is fixed at 21 million coins. By December 2024 19.2 million coins had been mined leaving fewer than 1.8 million to be created.   This scarcity increases demand especially as inflation erodes the value of traditional currencies. Central banks and governments are starting to consider Bitcoin as a reserve asset. The US government has discussed creating a Bitcoin reserve which could trigger a global race among nations to secure holdings.   Bitcoin’s Resilience in Challenging Markets Bitcoin remains strong despite market volatility. In 2024 Bitcoin outperformed gold which rose 12% and the S&P 500 which gained 17%. Bitcoin’s 160% increase reflects its ability to attract investors during uncertain times.   Trump noted that Bitcoin offers protection during geopolitical conflicts, economic instability and natural disasters. He described it as essential for safeguarding wealth in a volatile world.   Conclusion Eric Trump’s prediction of Bitcoin reaching $1 million highlights its growing influence in global finance. Bitcoin’s fixed supply, rising adoption and ability to hedge against economic risks position it as a key financial tool. As more governments and institutions adopt Bitcoin its global impact will grow. Trump’s vision at Bitcoin MENA underscores the opportunities for those who invest now and cements Bitcoin’s role in reshaping the future of finance.

Max Resnick, a prominent Ethereum researcher, has made waves in the crypto world by leaving Ethereum infrastructure firm Consensys to join Solana's research and development team at Anza. His move highlights ongoing debates around Ethereum’s scaling strategy and brings renewed attention to Solana’s ecosystem and price outlook.   Quick Take  Max Resnick, a vocal Ethereum researcher, left Consensys to join Solana's R&D firm, Anza, citing dissatisfaction with Ethereum's layer-2 scaling approach. After finding support at $205, Solana (SOL) rebounded to $220, with on-chain data indicating bullish sentiment and potential for further gains. Analysts predict SOL could hit new all-time highs, with long-term targets reaching up to $4,000 based on a cup-and-handle chart pattern. Institutional interest and serious projects migrating to Solana support a bullish outlook for the network’s future. Max Resnick’s Jump to Solana Resnick, who served as head of research at Consensys' Special Mechanisms Group since February 2023, publicly announced his departure on December 9 via X (formerly Twitter). In recent months, he had grown critical of Ethereum’s reliance on layer-2 solutions for scaling, advocating instead for a base-layer scaling approach akin to Solana's.   “I’m taking my talents to Solana,” Resnick posted, revealing his new role at Anza, the firm behind Solana’s Agave client, which aims to improve network resilience and uptime.   For his first 100 days at Anza, Resnick plans to focus on Solana’s fee markets and consensus implementations—two key areas where he believes his expertise can make the most impact.   Read more: Solana vs. Ethereum: Which Is Better?   Community Reaction and Industry Impact The Ethereum community had mixed reactions to Resnick’s move. Ethereum advocate Ryan Berckmans noted the irony of Resnick’s shift, saying:   “Critics like Max have frequently claimed that Ethereum needs to become more like Solana.”   Meanwhile, Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko and Ethereum co-founder Joe Lubin expressed optimism, suggesting Resnick’s move could accelerate innovation through cross-pollination between the ecosystems. Resnick will maintain an advisory role at Consensys as a research fellow.   Solana Price Prediction: Potential for a Major Rally to $4,000 SOL/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin   Solana (SOL) has been attracting significant attention not just from industry experts but also from market analysts. Following a recent correction, SOL found support at $205.41 and rebounded to trade around $221. On-chain data indicates a bullish outlook:   Daily trading volume surged from $2.92 billion to $5.99 billion, the highest level since November 20, according to DefiLlama. Long-to-short ratio reached 1.03, signaling bullish sentiment, per Coinglass. Solana’s daily trading volumes | Source: DefiLlama   If support at $205 holds, analysts predict a potential retest of the $247 level, with a breakout possibly pushing prices higher. Some projections even foresee SOL hitting $4,000 in the long term, based on a cup-and-handle pattern identified by analyst Ali Martinez. This would mark a 1,734% surge from current levels.   Key Factors Driving Solana’s Growth Network Resilience: Solana’s ongoing improvements, including the Agave client, aim to enhance uptime and scalability. Ecosystem Expansion: Projects like Render have already migrated to Solana, showcasing its potential beyond memecoins. Staking Confidence: Solana staking activity has surpassed 400 million SOL tokens, reflecting strong community support and participation. Institutional Interest: Firms like Bitwise predict SOL could peak at $750 by 2025, driven by serious project adoption and a favorable regulatory environment. Read more: Solana Price Prediction: Will SOL Overcome Current Hurdles to Reach $450?   Looking Ahead While Solana faces short-term resistance around $220, a sustained breakout could pave the way for new all-time highs. The prospect of a Solana ETF remains on the horizon, potentially accelerating growth under a more favorable regulatory climate.   Max Resnick’s transition underscores Solana’s rising prominence as a scalable blockchain solution. Whether this move heralds a new era for Solana remains to be seen, but the momentum for SOL is undeniably building.

Bitcoin is currently priced at $97,375 with a -0.71% decrease in the past 24 hours, while Ethereum trades at $3,628, down -2.26% over the same period. The futures market remains balanced, with a 49.1% long and 50.9% short position ratio. The Fear and Greed Index, a key measure of market sentiment, downgraded the sentiment from 78 (Extreme Greed) yesterday to 74 (Greed) today. The crypto market is accelerating into a transformative phase. Eric Trump predicts Bitcoin will reach $1 million citing its scarcity and global utility. Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin has secured regulatory approval paving the way for broader adoption in the $200 billion stablecoin market. Bitwise forecasts Bitcoin at $200,000 in 2025 and predicts stablecoins will double their market cap to $400 billion. These developments highlight the rapid evolution of crypto as a dominant force in global finance.   What’s Trending in the Crypto Community?  Michael Saylor of MicroStrategy: Suggests US sell gold reserves to buy at least 20% to 25% of circulating Bitcoin. US spot Bitcoin ETF saw net inflows of $2.74 billion this week, second-largest weekly inflow since launch. BlackRock: Bitcoin can be a potential diversification tool. El Salvador’s Bitcoin Portfolio Reaches $333M.  Crypto Fear & Greed Index | Source: Alternative.me    Trending Tokens of the Day  Top 24-Hour Performers  Trading Pair  24H Change SUI/USDT - 1.27% XRP/USDT + 5.54% XDC/USDT + 17.75%   Trade now on KuCoin   Eric Trump Predicts Bitcoin Will Hit $1 Million Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, addressed the Bitcoin MENA event in Abu Dhabi on December 10. He predicted Bitcoin’s price would hit $1 million per coin driven by its fixed supply of 21 million coins and growing global demand. Trump described Bitcoin as a “store of value, a hedge against inflation and a safeguard against political and natural risks.”   Bitcoin’s current price is $97,604 up 160% from January 2024 when it was trading at $37,500. Trump emphasized Bitcoin’s increasing adoption stating that more governments would recognize its potential as a strategic reserve asset by 2030. He predicted early adopters would see significant gains projecting a tenfold increase in value over the next decade.   Read Also: Eric Trump: Procrypto Revolution Under Trump Presidency   Ripple’s RLUSD Secures Approval from The New York State Department of Financial Services Source: KuCoin   Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin received final approval from the New York State Department of Financial Services on December 12. CEO Brad Garlinghouse confirmed that listings would begin before the end of 2024. RLUSD will operate on the XRP, Ledger and Ethereum providing multi-chain compatibility.   Ripple announced RLUSD in April 2024 and began testing in August. It partnered with seven major exchanges including Uphold Bitstamp and CoinMENA covering over 40 markets globally. Liquidity will be supported by market makers B2C2 and Keyrock ensuring seamless transactions.   Read Also: Ripple’s Legal Battle: What 60 Minutes Didn’t Tell You About XRP   The global stablecoin market is valued at $200 billion in 2024 with USDT dominating 97.5% of the market. RLUSD aims to capture a significant share by offering faster settlement times and lower fees. Ripple plans to leverage its network which processed over $800 billion in cross-border transactions in 2024 to drive RLUSD adoption.   Stablecoin Market to Reach $400 Billion Stablecoins are forecasted to double their market capitalization from $200 billion in 2024 to $400 billion by the end of 2025. The market processed over $2 trillion in payments in 2024 up from $1.3 trillion in 2023 a 54% increase.   US legislation expected in Q1 2025 will clarify stablecoin regulations driving institutional adoption. Cross-border payments which accounted for 65% of stablecoin usage in 2024 are projected to grow 40% annually. RLUSD and other new entrants aim to challenge USDT’s dominance offering faster transaction speeds and broader network compatibility.   Bitcoin to $200,000 in 2025 According to Bitwise Report Source: KuCoin   A Bitwise report forecasts Bitcoin will break $200,000 by the end of 2025. This would mark a 105% increase from its current price of $97,604. The report cites record inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs which attracted $33.6 billion in 2024. Institutional portfolios allocated an average of 4% to Bitcoin this year, a figure expected to double by 2025.   The report also predicts the US government may establish a Bitcoin reserve triggering a global race among nations to secure Bitcoin. Bitcoin’s scarcity with only 19.2 million coins mined positions it as a key strategic asset.   Ethereum is projected to rise 75% to $7,000 fueled by $18 billion in inflows into spot ETFs and increased activity on Layer-2 solutions like Base and Starknet. Solana, known for its low fees and high throughput, is expected to surge to $750 representing a 150% gain. Solana’s dominance in memecoins and NFT marketplaces contributes to its bullish outlook.   Institutional Growth and Crypto IPOs Coinbase, one of the largest crypto exchanges, is expected to surpass Charles Schwab in valuation by mid-2025. Analysts project Coinbase’s stock to hit $700 a 120% increase from its current price of $316. This growth will be fueled by stablecoin revenues which rose 80% in 2024 and the success of its Layer-2 network Base.   The Bitwise report identifies 2025 as the “Year of the Crypto IPO.” At least five major companies including Circle Kraken and Chainalysis are expected to go public. Combined valuations for these IPOs could exceed $50 billion signaling heightened interest from institutional investors.   Tokenized Assets to Surpass $50 Billion Tokenized real-world assets including US Treasury debt and private credit are projected to surpass $50 billion in 2025. In 2024 these assets processed $15 billion in transactions up 150% from $6 billion in 2023. Wall Street firms are increasingly adopting blockchain for its efficiency and transparency with tokenization offering faster settlements and lower costs.   Conclusion The crypto market is poised for explosive growth. Eric Trump’s prediction of Bitcoin reaching $1 million underscores its scarcity and transformative potential. Ripple’s RLUSD approval positions it to challenge USDT’s dominance in the $200 billion stablecoin market. Bitwise’s forecast of Bitcoin at $200,000 reflects rising institutional interest and technological advancements. With stablecoins set to double their market cap to $400 billion tokenized assets surpassing $50 billion and major crypto IPOs on the horizon 2025 could mark the start of a new era in global finance. These milestones highlight crypto’s accelerating integration into the traditional financial system and its expanding influence worldwide.

The frog-themed memecoin PEPE has surged past an $11 billion market cap after recent whale activity and new exchange listings. On Tuesday, a whale purchased $1.58 million worth of PEPE, using 14.75 WBTC and 150,000 USDC according to data from Onchain Lens.   This activity highlights growing investor confidence, with whale holdings increasing by $1.14 billion in a single day. The surge positions PEPE as a potential challenger to established memecoins like Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Dogecoin (DOGE).   Key Highlights Whales purchase $1.58 million worth of PEPE on Tuesday. PEPE surpassed $11 billion over the last weekend, fueled by new listings and market sentiment, making it the third-largest memecoin by market cap after Dogecoin and Shiba Inu. Pepe’s 24-hour trading volume touched $11.98 billion, surpassing Shiba Inu and nearing Dogecoin. Analysts predict PEPE could reach $0.0000433 if it flips SHIB, and potentially $0.0002 in a euphoric market phase. Over $7.5B Whale Activity Signals Bullish Momentum Source: X   Whales have been instrumental in PEPE's recent price surge. Wallets holding over $10 million in PEPE saw a $1.14 billion increase in holdings on December 7, pushing total whale holdings to $7.56 billion. This accumulation trend indicates strong confidence among large investors, driving Pepe’s position to the third-largest memecoin by market cap, following DOGE and SHIB.   In the past week alone, whales have purchased:   190.14 billion PEPE worth $4.89 million in just six hours. Transactions include 91.36 billion PEPE worth $2.26 million and 58.93 billion PEPE for $1.58 million. This consistent high-volume accumulation supports PEPE’s bullish outlook, suggesting potential for further price appreciation.   Exchange Listings Propel PEPE’s Accessibility PEPE's recent listings on major exchanges like Binance.US and Coinbase have significantly boosted its accessibility and trading volume. The increased availability has attracted new retail and institutional investors, pushing PEPE to outperform both Dogecoin and Shiba Inu.   Current PEPE Stats: Price: $0.000025 Market Cap: $10.8 billion 24-Hour Volume: $11.98 billion PEPE’s trading volume even surpasses that of Solana (SOL), reflecting the high demand for the memecoin.   PEPE Price Predictions for 2025 Analysts offer the following predictions for PEPE’s price movement into 2025:   Short-Term (January 2025): PEPE is expected to trade between $0.000028 and $0.000032 as trading volumes stabilize. Mid-Term (Q1 2025): Speculative surges typical of memecoins could push PEPE to a peak of $0.000035, followed by a correction phase. Long-Term (H1 2025): Continued interest in memecoins may influence PEPE’s trajectory. Price range: $0.000030 to $0.000034. Some optimistic projections even place PEPE at $0.00012 if it matches Shiba Inu’s all-time high market cap. In a highly bullish scenario, analysts foresee a potential rise to $0.0002.   PEPE Technical Analysis: Bearish Risks From a Double Top? PEPE/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin   Despite the bullish momentum, some market signals suggest caution. A potential double top pattern and rising negative funding rates on platforms like Crypto.com could indicate upcoming sell pressure. Additionally, profit-taking by short-term traders may lead to volatility.   Holder Balances Show Profit-Taking Trends Data reveals that balances held by swing traders and short-term holders have increased significantly in the past month. This suggests that short-term traders are providing exit liquidity for long-term holders, which may lead to price fluctuations.   Conclusion: Bullish Outlook with Cautionary Signals PEPE's recent surge past an $11 billion market cap, coupled with significant whale accumulation and new exchange listings, paints a bullish picture. However, potential double top patterns and profit-taking trends warrant caution.   Investors should closely monitor whale activity, market sentiment, and trading volumes to gauge PEPE's future trajectory. While the memecoin’s short-term potential looks promising, volatility remains a factor in its long-term outlook.   Read more: Top Viral Christmas Solana Memecoins on TikTok This 2024 Holiday Season

Brad Garlinghouse, the CEO of Ripple Labs, has sharply criticized 60 Minutes for omitting a key ruling in favor of XRP during his December 8 interview. The segment, which focused on crypto’s role in the 2024 U.S. elections, did not mention a crucial 2023 federal court decision stating that XRP is not a security in certain cases.   Quick Take  Ripple’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse criticized 60 Minutes for omitting the July 2023 ruling that XRP is not a security in programmatic sales. The legal battle with the SEC remains unresolved, with appeals pending. XRP saw significant gains after the ruling, fueled by relistings and ETF speculation. Ripple’s political contributions highlight the industry's fight for regulatory clarity. The segment reflects ongoing tensions between crypto supporters and critics. Missing the Full Picture The 60 Minutes episode covered Ripple’s involvement in funding Fairshake, a political action committee supporting pro-crypto candidates. It also featured former SEC official John Reed Stark, who claimed that XRP and other cryptocurrencies are securities, aligning with SEC Chair Gary Gensler's stance.   However, Garlinghouse took to X (formerly Twitter) post-broadcast, calling out the show for leaving out the July 2023 ruling by Judge Analisa Torres. The judge found that XRP's programmatic sales on digital exchanges did not constitute securities transactions. “60 Minutes shockingly left out that a Federal Judge ruled that XRP is not a security,” Garlinghouse posted.   Source: Brad Garlinghouse on X   A Heated Exchange The omission sparked further debate when Stark reiterated his view on XRP’s status, saying, “Judges have said over and over again that these are securities.” Garlinghouse responded on X, calling Stark “Gensler’s shill” and expressing frustration over what he saw as misleading coverage.   Stark countered, denying any affiliation with Gensler and standing by his remarks that crypto lacks utility. “It has no utility. It’s just pure speculation,” Stark stated during the segment.   Ripple’s Battle with the SEC The omission comes in the context of Ripple’s ongoing legal battle with the SEC, which began in December 2020. The agency accused Ripple of conducting a $1.3 billion unregistered securities offering via XRP sales. While the July 2023 ruling was a partial win for Ripple, the company was still found liable for $125 million in fines related to institutional sales. The SEC’s appeal and Ripple’s cross-appeal have left the case unresolved.   Garlinghouse highlighted that the ruling’s omission misrepresented the current legal standing of XRP. He also stressed that Ripple’s contributions to pro-crypto candidates aim to push for regulatory clarity, which he believes has been lacking under Gensler’s leadership.   XRP Technical Analysis XRP/USDT price chart | Source: TradingView   XRP is trading around $2.23, having reached a multi-year high of $2.85 recently, with a market cap of around $126 billion.   Resistance Levels: Key resistance lies at $2.50 and the psychological barrier of $3.00. Support Levels: Immediate support can be found at $2.00, with a stronger floor at $1.80. Technical Indicators Moving Averages (MA): 50-Day MA: Bullish trend confirmed as XRP trades above its 50-day moving average. 200-Day MA: Indicates long-term bullish momentum, with potential for higher gains. Relative Strength Index (RSI): Currently around 60, suggesting XRP is in bullish territory but not yet overbought. Volume Trends: Recent trading volume spikes indicate strong buying interest, especially following political and legal news. XRP Price Faces a Key Psychological Level of $3 Despite the controversy, XRP has shown resilience. Following the court ruling, XRP briefly climbed to become the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap. The token’s relisting on platforms like Robinhood and increased trading activity from South Korea and Coinbase whales have further bolstered its standing.   Additionally, speculation about potential XRP ETFs has kept investor sentiment optimistic. Several asset managers have filed applications with the SEC to launch XRP-based exchange-traded products.   Short-Term Outlook Bullish Scenario: If XRP holds above $2.00 and breaks through the $2.50 resistance, a retest of the $3.00 level is likely. Positive news regarding the SEC appeal withdrawal or further political support could fuel a rally. Additionally, the launch of Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin could boost XRP adoption by enhancing liquidity and cross-border payment solutions. Increased utility through RLUSD may attract institutional investors and drive further price gains. Bearish Scenario: Failure to hold $2.00 support may see XRP decline to $1.80 or even $1.50, particularly if the SEC pursues its appeal. Long-Term Outlook (2025) Several factors could drive XRP's price toward new highs:   Regulatory Clarity: A favorable resolution of the SEC case under a potentially pro-crypto administration could remove the legal overhang. Institutional Adoption: Potential XRP ETFs and increased institutional interest could significantly boost demand. Cross-Border Payments: Ripple’s expanding partnerships in global remittances may drive real-world utility for XRP. Prediction: Based on current trends and anticipated regulatory shifts, XRP could reach between $5.00 and $10.00 by 2025. If institutional adoption accelerates and regulatory clarity is achieved, a price target of $100 is not entirely out of reach.   Read more: Could $XRP Reach $3 Ahead of XRP ETF Approval?   What’s Next for XRP? The future of Ripple and XRP is deeply intertwined with the evolving regulatory and political landscape in the United States. Brad Garlinghouse's appearance on 60 Minutes highlighted the crypto industry’s growing influence in the 2024 elections. Ripple, along with other crypto firms, has collectively invested over $144 million into Super PACs supporting pro-crypto candidates across the political spectrum.    Garlinghouse emphasized that these contributions aim to secure fair regulatory treatment, noting, “If we had clear rules of the road, Fairshake wouldn’t need to exist.”   The clash between Garlinghouse and former SEC official John Reed Stark during the 60 Minutes segment mirrors the broader debate over crypto’s legitimacy. While critics like Stark dismiss crypto as speculative and risky, Garlinghouse and other supporters liken the current skepticism to the early days of the internet.    “Many were wrong about the internet, and they’re wrong about crypto,” he argued, pointing to increasing adoption by major financial institutions.   XRP’s future largely depends on the SEC’s ongoing appeal and potential shifts under a new U.S. administration. Pro-crypto sentiment is rising, particularly following Donald Trump’s recent support for digital assets and calls to replace SEC Chair Gary Gensler. A favorable regulatory environment could significantly boost XRP’s prospects, potentially clearing the path for institutional adoption and new financial products like XRP ETFs.   The outcome of Ripple’s legal battle with the SEC could set a precedent for the entire crypto industry. If XRP is definitively ruled not to be a security, it may pave the way for clearer regulations and greater market confidence. As Ripple continues to fight for fair recognition, the debates over regulation, media representation, and crypto’s role in the financial system are set to intensify.

Introduction  MicroStrategy strengthens its status as the largest corporate owner of Bitcoin. Between December 2, 2024 and December 8, 2024, MicroStrategy bought 21,550 BTC for $2.1 billion. Its investment was worth $2.1 billion with the company spending an average of $98,783 in each Bitcoin the past week. MicroStrategy holds 423,650 Bitcoin as of December 9, 2024. These holdings are worth $42.36 billion at today’s price of average $100,000 per bitcoin. The company has so far invested $25.6 billion in Bitcoin and has an average purchasing price of $60,324 per Bitcoin since the inception of their investment holdings. MicroStrategy’s various acquisition tactics indicate that the software company has taken a very ambitious approach in its efforts to buy Bitcoin which they’re confident has become a long-term store of value and a better form of currency than fiat money.   Source: Google   Quick Takes  MicroStrategy purchased an additional 21,550 bitcoins worth $2.1 billion in one week from December 2-8, 2024. The balance sheet shows that the company owns 423,650 bitcoins that are valued at $42.36 billion. MicroStrategy has bought $25.6 billion worth of Bitcoin with an average price of $60,324 per bitcoin. Bitcoin surged by 40% within five weeks to touch $100,000. MicroStrategy has gained 20% of its value in the last month and 480% this year. MicroStrategy Makes Big BTC Purchases in December 2024 Source: KuCoin   Between December 2, 2024 and December 8, 2024, MicroStrategy bought 21,550 BTC for $2.1 billion. On average, each Bitcoin’s price in their portfolio is $98,783. This is one of the biggest weekly acquisitions in the company’s history. For this acquisition they utilized cash equivalent of $100 million and issued 5,418,449 shares of MicroStrategy. They did this to raise $2.13 billion from these shares. Discounting fees, which amounted to $5,354 Microstrategy used nearly all the remaining income spent on buying Bitcoin.   This acquisition brings MicroStrategy’s overall holding of this Bitcoin to 423,650. As of now these investments are worth $42.36 billion with each bitcoin priced at an average $100,000.   MicroStrategy has been buying Bitcoin since 2020, and it has directly invested $25.6 billion in the cryptocurrency. Its average purchase price is $60,324 for each Bitcoin. Bitcoin’s price surged by 40% in the last five weeks, where it rose from an average of $70,000 to $100,000. MicroStrategy’s shares increased by 20% in the same period, which is a sign of increased confidence in the company’s Bitcoin approach. From March 26, 2024 the stock has gained 480%. In the same period, the S&P 500 index only rose by 17%. A total of 19.2 million bitcoins are in circulation, and MicroStrategy is now in possession of 2.2%. This makes the company the single largest corporate Bitcoin holder in the entire world.   Read More: MicroStrategy Gains $16.8B as Bitcoin Tops $100K, Base Activity Soars with 8.8M Daily Transactions and $3.6B TVL and More: Dec 6 Microstrategy’s BTC Purchasing Continuity Enhances their Buying Power This financial year MicroStrategy bought Bitcoin for 5 consecutive weeks. This constant buying is indicative of the fact that the company views bitcoin as a store of value in the long run. Bitcoin now makes up almost 100% of MicroStrategy's balance sheet. Bitcoin is preferred by the company more than fiat currencies and conventional investments. It has led to other institutions considering bitcoin as a treasury asset.   Read More: MicroStrategy's Struggles Amid BTC Surge   Market Impact of MicroStrategy’s Actions Bitcoin’s rise past $100,000 has driven new adoption among retail and institutional investors. MicroStrategy’s aggressive accumulation signals confidence in bitcoin’s ability to outperform traditional assets. The company’s stock rose 54% in the two weeks following Bitcoin’s price surge. Analysts expect this upward trend to continue as bitcoin’s price remains strong. MicroStrategy’s actions highlight its role as a market leader in crypto. Its consistent purchases have strengthened bitcoin’s institutional reputation and set a benchmark for corporate adoption.   Read More: MicroStrategy's Bitcoin Holdings and Purchase History: A Strategic Overview   Conclusion  MicroStrategy’s purchase of 2,551 Bitcoins at $2.1 Billion re-establishes the company’s long-term commitment to Bitcoin. The company currently owns 423,650 Bitcoin, which at the current price amounts to $42.36 billion. This investment represents 2.2% of the circulating supply of bitcoin. Furthermore, MicroStrategy’s plan is in part informed by the company’s view that Bitcoin is superior to other mediums of exchange and can overthrow conventional monetary frameworks. These actions demonstrate the involvement of the cryptocurrency in institutional finance and the ability of bitcoin to transform global markets.