Ethereum AI Generated News

Title: BRICS Turns to Gold — A Strategic De-dollarization That Could Reshape Global Finance BRICS and its aligned partners are accelerating a bold shift away from the dollar and toward gold — a move that is already translating into market power and could have major consequences for global payments, reserves and the crypto-friendly world of tokenized assets. Key facts and figures - Combined production from BRICS and aligned countries (China, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Iran, Uzbekistan and others) now represents roughly 50% of global gold output. - China produced about 380 tonnes of gold in 2024; Russia produced about 340 tonnes the same year. - According to the World Gold Council, central banks purchased more than 1,000 tonnes of gold annually from 2022 through 2024 — the longest continuous buying streak in modern history. - Between 2020 and 2024, BRICS and aligned nations accounted for over 50% of central bank gold purchases. - BRICS’ collective official reserves now exceed 6,000 tonnes. Major holdings include Russia (2,336 tonnes), China (2,298 tonnes) and India (880 tonnes). - Brazil added 16 tonnes in September 2025 — its first purchase since 2021 — bringing its reserves to 145.1 tonnes. - Gold prices reached record territory at the time of writing, surpassing $4,000 per ounce. What’s happening and why it matters BRICS countries are not just buying gold — they’re using production and reserves strategically to reduce reliance on dollar-denominated assets and on Western financial infrastructure. Russia and China have led systematic accumulation programs across a range of emerging economies, and these coordinated moves are shifting physical market influence away from traditional Western vaults toward Asia and Eurasia. Policy and infrastructure moves - The bloc is piloting a gold-backed instrument called the “Unit”: the prototype combines 40% physical gold and 60% BRICS national currencies. The pilot issued 100 Units on October 31, each pegged to 1 gram of gold. - BRICS is working on a joint gold pool to stabilize markets and developing shared infrastructure across Russia, China, the UAE and South Africa. - Plans are underway for a “BRICS Gold Price” benchmark, aimed at creating an independent pricing mechanism outside dollar-dominated systems. - Russia and China now settle most bilateral trade in yuan and rubles; member currencies dominate trade within the Eurasian Economic Union. These practices have accelerated since Western sanctions on Russia in 2022. Voices from the market Frank Giustra, Canadian mining investor, warned at the Precious Metals Summit in Beaver Creek, Colorado: “Now, believe it or not, we are in the era of hard money. If you own paper gold, you do not own real gold. When the crisis comes, it will not be there.” Russian economics expert Yevgeny Biryukov told Russian media on December 13: “For BRICS countries, gold is a tool for protection against sanctions risks, a response to the unreliability of traditional partners, and a real asset with a thousand-year history of recognition.” Implications for markets and crypto This pivot has several practical implications: - Reserve diversification and large-scale physical buying tighten supply in traditional markets, supporting higher gold prices. - An operational gold-backed Unit and the creation of a BRICS price benchmark could spur alternative settlement and pricing rails — developments that matter to cross-border payments and digital asset innovators. - For crypto markets, tokenized gold products, gold-backed stablecoins and on-chain representations of reserve assets could see renewed interest if demand for gold as an alternative to fiat rises. Bottom line By combining production clout, central bank purchases and new monetary infrastructure, BRICS is signaling a long-term strategy to reduce dollar dependency and strengthen an independent financial ecosystem. Whether the result is a durable shift in global monetary order — or a re-engineering of how precious metals and digital assets intersect — remains a story markets and crypto communities will be watching closely. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Shiba Inu’s burn program ground to a halt over the past 24 hours, with just 552 SHIB sent to dead wallets — effectively a 0% burn rate, according to Shibburn. That’s a dramatic reversal after a 3,620% spike the previous day when more than seven million tokens were incinerated, and it’s unfolding as the broader crypto market turns cautious heading into year-end. Key figures and market moves - 24-hour burns: 552 SHIB (0% burn rate), per Shibburn. - 7-day burns: 2,150,328 SHIB — a 96.96% decline from the prior period. - SHIB price: down about 4.55% to $0.000007344 at the time of writing; the token fell from a Dec. 13 intraday high near $0.00000845 to roughly $0.00000731 by Thursday, marking a fifth straight day of losses. What’s driving the slide The collapse in burn activity coincides with broader market weakness and thin trading volumes for meme coins. New macro data added to the pressure: the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ delayed November CPI report showed annual inflation at 2.7%, feeding risk-off sentiment across digital assets. Even a potentially bullish catalyst — Coinbase’s Dec. 15 launch of Shiba Inu perpetual futures — was unable to lift SHIB as market-wide selling dominated. Why the burn matters Token burns are part of Shiba Inu’s intended deflationary mechanics, and a sudden pause is notable because the community has long pushed for aggressive burns to chip away at the massive circulating supply (about 589 trillion SHIB). Lead developer Shytoshi Kusama has previously argued that mainstream adoption is the real solution for Shiba’s future and suggested that an enormous reduction in supply — theoretically on the order of 99% — would be required to supplant real-world utility. Outlook The combination of near-zero burn activity, persistent price weakness, low liquidity and macro uncertainty makes for a challenging backdrop. Historically, stretches of market exhaustion sometimes precede reversals once panic-selling fades, but whether this lull is just end-of-year positioning or the start of a more persistent slowdown into 2025 remains unclear. Traders appear to be taking a wait-and-see approach as the market digests inflation data and the year wraps up. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

De-dollarization isn’t just a headline about the dollar losing share in global FX tables — it’s a strategic unwind of exposure to the US dollar and dollar-denominated assets. Countries aren’t necessarily “dumping” dollars overnight; many are simply reducing reliance on a single currency and building alternative systems and reserves that chip away at the dollar’s dominance over time. Here are three quieter, but consequential, ways de-dollarization is playing out: 1) Local payment rails and cross-border systems Instead of routing everything through dollar-denominated corridors, countries are building their own payment networks that prioritize local currencies. China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS), launched in 2015 to support international renminbi use, is a prime example. CIPS offers clearing, settlement and messaging capabilities to rival SWIFT — and its usage has climbed steadily, accelerating after Russia-related sanctions in 2022. That said, CIPS still leans on SWIFT infrastructure for many payments: about 80% of transactions on CIPS reportedly continue to use SWIFT (Yeung & Goh, 2022). And in raw volume, CIPS processes roughly $60 billion a day, which is tiny next to the $1,800 billion daily throughput of CHIPS, the main U.S. dollar high-value payment system. Even so, local rails create alternative corridors that reduce friction for non-dollar trade and settlement. 2) A renewed rush into gold Central banks are stacking bullion. Gold’s share of global official reserves rose 3 percentage points in Q1 2025 to 24% — the highest level in 30 years and the third consecutive annual increase. Over the same period, the dollar’s share slipped by about 2 percentage points to roughly 42%, its lowest since the mid-1990s, while the euro held near 15%. Gold overtook the euro in 2024 to become the world’s second-largest reserve asset. Major buyers like China and India have accelerated purchases, treating bullion as a hedge against dollar volatility and geopolitical risk — a classic diversification play that weakens exclusive dependence on the dollar. 3) Contracts and pricing outside the dollar Market pricing conventions are shifting, too. Increasingly, energy and commodity deals are being struck in currencies other than the dollar: oil and petrol trades settled outside the dollar, LNG contracts denominated in euros, and metals priced in alternative currencies all chip away at the dollar’s role as the default invoicing unit. When large commodity flows are priced and settled in non-USD terms, the network effects that have long sustained dollar dominance slowly erode. Why this matters to crypto watchers For crypto markets, de-dollarization is relevant both strategically and operationally. As states and institutions diversify currency exposures and build alternative rails, demand for non-dollar-denominated digital assets, tokenized reserves (including gold-backed tokens), and cross-border stablecoins could rise. Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and sovereign payment systems aiming to bypass dollar corridors also change the landscape for cross-border settlement and stablecoin utility. Whether crypto benefits directly will depend on regulatory frameworks, liquidity, and interoperability with these emerging systems. Bottom line: de-dollarization isn’t a single dramatic event — it’s a slow, multi-front process. New payment networks, heavier gold allocations, and the growing prevalence of non-USD pricing are quietly reshaping the global monetary architecture and trimming the dollar’s automatic dominance. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Pi Coin’s roller-coaster start to 2025 has turned into a steep descent. After spiking to an all-time high of $2.99 in February, PI has plunged more than 93% from that peak. CoinGecko shows a mixed short-term picture: PI is up 0.7% over the past 24 hours but still down 2.6% over the last week, 12.4% across 14 days, and 9.3% over the past month. Why the slide? - Macroeconomic pressure: A fragile broader economy has pushed risk-averse investors toward safer assets, prompting large crypto outflows that have weighed on PI alongside other tokens. - Earlier weaknesses for PI: Unlike some tokens that fell with the wider market during October’s correction, PI’s decline really began after its February top. The coin has only managed a few sporadic rallies since then. - Utility and sentiment concerns: Market watchers point to a lack of clear on-chain utility for PI and fading hype since early 2025 as contributing factors to its prolonged underperformance. Can PI bounce back? A rebound is possible, but conditions don’t look favorable in the near term. Economists’ forecasts of slow growth and sticky labor figures increase the odds of another “crypto winter,” which could mean continued selling pressure for speculative assets like PI. That said, PI’s fortunes could be tied to overall market momentum: a major rally in Bitcoin could lift many altcoins. The Bitcoin angle Some large firms are confident BTC will rise substantially—Grayscale and Bernstein have both suggested Bitcoin could hit a new all-time high in 2026. If that scenario plays out, spillover gains could help revive interest and price action in PI, though timing and magnitude are uncertain. What to watch next - Bitcoin price action and institutional flows - PI trading volumes and net outflows - Any updates on Pi Network’s utility, partnerships, or mainnet progress - Macro indicators that influence risk appetite Bottom line Pi Coin has lost much of the momentum it showed early in the year, driven by macro headwinds, fading hype, and questions around utility. A recovery is possible—especially if Bitcoin leads a broader market rally—but investors should be prepared for continued volatility and downside risk. (This is informational, not financial advice.) Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Bitcoin jolted markets today with a volatile one‑hour move that underscored how quickly sentiment can flip in crypto. BTC spiked roughly $3,000 to briefly reclaim $90,000, only to slide back toward the mid‑$80,000s as a wave of leveraged liquidations rippled through derivatives markets. What happened - According to the Kobeissi Letter, the initial rally triggered about $120 million in levered short liquidations. Minutes later, roughly $200 million in levered long positions were wiped out, pushing Bitcoin back to roughly $86,000. Kobeissi described the episode as a “$140 BILLION swing in market cap in under 2 hours,” adding bluntly: “Leverage is out of control.” - The speed and size of those liquidations highlight the risks of high leverage around major price levels, where tight stops and crowded positions can amplify moves in both directions. A technical bullish case: the fifth “golden cross” - Amid the turbulence, trader Merlijn (on X) flagged a fresh technical signal: Bitcoin has just printed its fifth golden cross. The golden cross—classically the 50‑day moving average crossing above the 200‑day—has historically preceded large rallies for BTC in past cycles. - Crypto commentator CryptosRUs noted the prior golden crosses were followed by substantial gains of 87%, 47%, 78% and 33% respectively, arguing that these crossovers often occur early in cycles when market sentiment remains skeptical. What it means - A golden cross is a bullish technical indicator, and its appearance adds a narrative that a sustained uptrend could be forming. But it’s not a guarantee—short‑term price action can still be dominated by leverage-driven squeezes and macro news. - Traders and investors should weigh the signal alongside on‑chain data, derivatives positioning, and broader macro factors. The recent $140 billion market cap swing is a reminder that even when charts look favorable, rapid reversals remain possible in a highly leveraged market. Bottom line Bitcoin’s intraday pump-and-dump showcased both the upside momentum and the fragility that leverage can introduce. The newly printed golden cross offers a bullish backdrop, but market participants remain wary: technicals may point higher, yet volatile liquidations can erase gains just as fast. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Bitwise — one of the largest U.S. crypto asset managers — has published its top 10 predictions for 2026, laying out the narratives it thinks could drive the next major phase of the market. The report, posted on Bitwise’s website and amplified via social channels, mixes macro, institutional, and on-chain themes that together point to wider adoption and deeper capital flows — but also to renewed regulatory scrutiny in some areas. Here are Bitwise’s ten forecasts, with what each could mean for investors and the market: 1) Bitcoin breaks its historic four‑year cycle and posts a new all‑time high - Bitwise expects 2026 to mark a structural shift in BTC’s behavior, ending the cadence many traders have relied on and opening a new bull phase. 2) Bitcoin volatility shrinks - With deeper institutional participation, Bitwise predicts BTC volatility could fall — possibly below the levels of some large tech stocks like Nvidia — offering a calmer risk profile for longer‑term holders. 3) ETFs absorb more than 100% of new Bitcoin, ETH and Solana supply - Accelerating institutional demand may mean ETFs buy more of newly mined/issued supply than is produced, tightening available liquidity and supporting prices. 4) Crypto stocks outperform major tech stocks - As Wall Street integrates digital assets, Bitwise expects crypto‑focused equities to outpace broader tech indices. 5) Prediction markets hit record open interest - Mainstream acceptance and regulated platforms could push decentralized prediction market activity to new highs. 6) Stablecoins face increased scrutiny - Regulators may target stablecoins for their macroeconomic effects, particularly in emerging‑market FX regimes — a potential headwind for dollar‑pegged tokens. 7) On‑chain vaults (ETF 2.0) could double AUM - Institutional capital moving on‑chain — via advanced custody and vault products — may significantly expand assets under management in on‑chain structures. 8) ETH and SOL reach new all‑time highs (contingent on regulatory clarity) - Bitwise sees broader upside for smart‑contract platforms if regulators provide clearer pathways for adoption. 9) Half of Ivy League endowments include crypto exposure - More endowments and large institutions may start allocating to digital assets, signaling deeper, long‑term institutional adoption. 10) The U.S. launches 100+ crypto‑linked ETFs - A large proliferation of regulated ETF products could dramatically broaden capital channels into crypto markets. What this means: Bitwise’s roadmap is bullish on structural adoption — ETFs, institutional flows, on‑chain capital, and endowment allocations — but it also flags areas of regulatory risk, especially around stablecoins and tokens that depend on clarity from policymakers. For traders and long‑term investors, the predictions suggest a market evolving from retail‑driven cycles to one increasingly shaped by institutional mechanics and regulation. Bitwise’s list isn’t a guarantee, but it frames the scenarios that could most materially reshape crypto markets by 2026. Expect the coming months to be defined as much by policy and product launches as by price action. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Bitwise, one of the largest U.S. crypto asset managers, has published its top 10 market predictions for 2026 — a roadmap the firm says could shape crypto’s next major narrative. Released on Bitwise’s website and amplified on social channels, the forecast paints an optimistic picture driven by growing institutional adoption, regulatory progress, and new product flows. Here’s a clearer, more informative look at each prediction and why it matters. Why it matters: Bitwise frames 2026 as a potential inflection point. If several of these scenarios play out, they could attract larger pools of regulated capital, reduce market volatility, and broaden crypto’s role in institutional portfolios. Top 10 Bitwise predictions for 2026 (with context) 1) Bitcoin breaks its historic 4‑year cycle and posts a new all‑time high. - Bitwise expects a structural shift in BTC price behavior that could end the pattern many investors watch around halving cycles. 2) Bitcoin’s volatility shrinks — possibly falling below Nvidia’s — as institutional participation deepens. - Greater institutional liquidity and custodial frameworks could dampen BTC’s headline swings. 3) ETFs absorb more than 100% of new Bitcoin, ETH & Solana supply as institutional demand accelerates. - Exchange-traded products could gobble up newly mined/issued coins, tightening available float and supporting prices. 4) Crypto stocks outperform major tech stocks as Wall Street adapts to digital assets. - Traditional tech equities may be outpaced if investor capital rotates toward firms tied to blockchain growth. 5) Prediction-market open interest hits all‑time highs, driven by mainstream adoption and regulated platforms. - On- and off-chain prediction platforms could mature into significant derivatives venues. 6) Stablecoins face increased scrutiny for their macro impact, especially in emerging-market FX regimes. - Regulators may focus on how stablecoins interact with foreign-exchange stability and capital flows. 7) On-chain vault assets (so‑called “ETF 2.0”) could double AUM, expanding the frontier of on‑chain institutional capital. - Institutional-grade, on-chain custody and vault products may attract large inflows and bring more assets on-chain. 8) ETH and SOL reach new all‑time highs, contingent on supportive regulatory clarity. - Smart‑contract platforms could rally alongside Bitcoin if rules around tokens and staking become clearer. 9) Half of Ivy League endowments include crypto exposure, signaling deep institutional allocation. - Bitwise sees endowments and large allocators increasingly viewing crypto as a strategic diversifier. 10) The U.S. launches 100+ crypto‑linked ETFs, dramatically expanding regulated capital channels. - A proliferation of ETF listings would create many new on‑ramps for retail and institutional investors. Bottom line: Bitwise’s 2026 forecast is largely bullish — premised on accelerated institutional demand, expanded ETF and on‑chain product availability, and clearer regulation. Many of the predictions hinge on regulatory developments and continued adoption; if they materialize, they could reshape liquidity, volatility, and institutional allocations across the crypto ecosystem. Would you like a shortened social-media blurb or graphics-ready headline package based on this summary? Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Shiba Inu closed out 2025 as one of the year’s worst-performing cryptocurrencies, trading around $0.0000078 and down roughly 72% year-to-date. That slump means most investors who bought SHIB over the past two years are currently sitting on losses — and the familiar “buy the dip” chorus is growing louder even as many indicators flash warning signs. What the indicators say - Traders Union’s technical panel is overwhelmingly negative: of 24 analysts, 19 rated SHIB a “strong sell,” 2 recommended buying, and 3 were neutral (recommend hold). The overall scoring skews toward downside risk. - TradingView’s technical summary mirrors that sentiment. Moving averages show a “strong sell” and the platform’s summary points to sell as well. The repeated price declines have chipped away at confidence in the dog-themed token, and market sentiment has soured accordingly. Several on-chain metric firms have issued price views for SHIB, but technical aggregation currently favors caution. Where investors are looking instead Some market participants suggest shifting capital out of Shiba Inu and into larger-cap, less volatile crypto such as Bitcoin or Ethereum to help recoup losses. The article notes Bitcoin trading near $87,000 and suggests that after dips it often moves into the $91,000–$93,000 range—potentially offering short-term trading opportunities. Ethereum is also cited as an alternative for diversification. Bottom line Most technical signals and analyst tallies currently point away from buying SHIB and toward either holding off or reallocating to more established crypto assets. As always, investors should do their own research and weigh risk tolerance before making portfolio moves. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: Solana stalls at $132 as bulls try to build on a bounce above $126 Solana (SOL) has kicked off a modest recovery after finding support around $124–$126, but momentum is running into resistance around the $130–$132 area. Data from Kraken shows SOL is consolidating under the 100-hour simple moving average and a bearish trend line that sits near $132 on the hourly chart — a clear battleground for the next directional move. What happened - SOL rallied off the $124 low and climbed above $126 and $128, briefly trading north of $130. That recovery mirrored gains seen in Bitcoin and Ethereum. - The bounce cleared the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement of the $136→$124 decline, but mounting selling pressure has kept prices below the 100-hour SMA and near stronger retracement levels. Key levels to watch - Immediate resistance: $130 (also the 100-hour SMA) and the 61.8% Fib retracement. - Near-term hurdle: the bearish trend line around $132. - Major upside targets: $135 (a key breakout level), then $144 and $150 if momentum accelerates. - Immediate support: $126 and $124. - If downside accelerates: a break under $124 could expose $116, with $108 as the next zone of interest. Technical readout - Hourly MACD is still in the bearish area, though attention is on whether it can roll over or flatten as bulls try to reclaim momentum. - Hourly RSI sits below 50, indicating neutral-to-weak short-term momentum. Takeaway The $130–$132 zone is the critical test for Solana. A sustained move above $132 (and ideally a close above $135) would shift the short-term outlook back in favor of bulls and open the path toward $144–$150. Failure to overcome resistance risks a slide back to $124 and potentially lower support levels. Traders should watch price action around the 100-hour SMA and the bearish trend line on the hourly chart for clues. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: UK crypto ownership slips to 8% — but bigger Bitcoin and Ether stakes point to a more concentrated investor base Crypto ownership among UK adults fell to 8% in 2025, down from 12% in 2024, according to a YouGov survey published by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The survey — 2,353 interviews conducted between August 5 and September 2 — shows that while overall participation has cooled, ownership remains double the 4% reported in 2021, suggesting a long-term uplift in adoption. Key takeaways - Ownership is skewed by gender and age: 11% of men hold crypto versus a lower share among women, and 15% of 18–34 year-olds report owning digital assets — the highest concentration by age group. - Portfolio sizes are growing: 21% of holders report portfolios valued between £1,001 and £5,000, and 11% report holdings of £5,001–£10,000. The FCA says “more people are moving away from small holdings and are instead making larger investments.” - Bitcoin and Ether dominate: among crypto owners, about 57% hold bitcoin and 43% hold ether. Holdings of other cryptocurrencies are much lower. - Lending/borrowing users are more experienced: the FCA noted participants in lending and borrowing tend to be “more knowledgeable, more comfortable with risk, and more aware of our warnings than the average crypto user.” Regulatory push The FCA released the survey the same day it launched three consultations targeting exchanges, staking, lending and decentralized finance — part of the UK government’s drive to create a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework. The regulator has invited feedback by February as it shapes new rules for the sector. Bottom line: fewer Brits report owning crypto than a year ago, but those who remain appear to be placing larger, more concentrated bets on the sector’s two biggest assets, even as regulators step up efforts to formalize oversight. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

The Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) has made a striking policy pivot in its newly released 2025 Annual Report, officially removing crypto from its list of systemic financial threats and shifting its focus from warnings to integration and regulatory clarity. A new posture for crypto In an 86‑page report, the FSOC abandons the alarmist tone of 2024 — when the council warned that stablecoins were “vulnerable to runs” and posed risks to market confidence — and instead emphasizes the role digital assets can play in “secure, efficient transactions through distributed ledger technology.” The council explicitly credits legislative moves this year, most notably the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, enacted in July 2025, for providing the regulatory framework it had previously said was missing. What changed for banks and regulators The report signals concrete operational changes as well as rhetoric. FSOC documents and joint statements that focused solely on crypto risks have been withdrawn and replaced with new guidance on permissible engagements between banks and digital asset ecosystems. Crucially, the council has removed the “no objection” hurdle that had required prior supervisor approval for certain bank crypto activities — effectively clearing banks to move beyond guarded experimentation into more routine participation. Regulatory rulemaking on the way FSOC urges its member agencies to issue comprehensive guidelines covering digital asset custody, tokenization standards, permissionless blockchains, and clear anti‑money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) expectations. The intent is to replace piecemeal enforcement with a structured integration strategy designed to unlock the economic potential of a now “de‑risked” sector. Market signals and supervisory actions The report points to market developments as evidence of maturation: the strong performance of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs and accelerated tokenization activity in 2025. It also notes supervisory moves that reinforce the shift — including OCC approvals for certain crypto activities and preliminary trust charter applications for Circle, Ripple, and Fidelity Digital Assets. Risks remain, but enforcement will be targeted FSOC does not declare crypto risk‑free. The council acknowledges ongoing illicit finance concerns related to some stablecoins, but stresses that most on‑chain activity is transparent and legitimate, supporting continued targeted enforcement rather than broad restrictions on lawful uses. Global fragmentation and the arbitrage risk While the U.S. appears to have settled its domestic debate, the FSOC warns that global fragmentation persists. A contemporaneous thematic review from the Financial Stability Board (FSB) cautions that inconsistent regulation among major economies could threaten global financial stability. Although the U.S. (via the GENIUS Act), the EU (MiCA), and Singapore are moving ahead with frameworks, the FSB notes only a handful of jurisdictions have fully implemented its 2023 recommendations on crypto‑asset and stablecoin oversight. That patchwork — with the UK roughly aligned to the U.S. model and some European authorities still cautious — raises the prospect of regulatory arbitrage as we move into 2026. Bottom line FSOC’s 2025 report marks a clear turning point: the agency has moved from flagging crypto as a systemic threat to actively shaping how the industry is integrated into regulated finance. The U.S. is positioning itself as a model for balancing innovation and stability, but the industry’s long‑term resilience will depend on synchronizing global guardrails to close the “significant gaps” the FSB identified. Disclaimer: This content is informational and not investment advice. Trading or investing in cryptocurrencies carries high risk; readers should do their own research before making decisions. © 2025 AMBCrypto Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Aave cleared of SEC probe — but market reaction and governance tensions persist Aave said on December 16 that a U.S. regulator has closed a four‑year investigation into the protocol, a development CEO and founder Stani Kulechov described as a huge relief. “DeFi has faced unfair regulatory pressure in recent years. We’re glad to put this behind us as we enter a new era where developers can truly build the future of finance. DeFi will win,” Kulechov wrote on X. Regulatory and timing context - The closure makes Aave the second major DeFi project to be released from SEC scrutiny after Uniswap Labs. The specific focus of the probe was not made public; it may have related to the same “unregistered exchange or broker‑dealer” questions levied at other platforms. - According to a shared SEC letter, the agency informed Aave of the conclusion in mid‑August, but the team only disclosed the outcome four months later. That delay has drawn attention given the internal tensions that have recently surfaced around protocol governance. Governance row and accusations of value leakage - The announcement arrived amid heated debate in the Aave community. Critics have accused Kulechov and Aave Labs of diverting roughly $10 million in potential DAO revenues that critics say could have been used for AAVE buybacks to support token value. - Supporters countered that Aave Labs fronted legal costs and argued the DAO would have struggled to cover litigation expenses on its own — a point opponents say underscores who ultimately controls key decisions and resources. - Whether the public SEC update was timed to ease community pressure cannot be determined from available information. Product roadmap and fundamentals - Despite the dispute, Aave Labs and its founder continue to push development: Aave’s road map for 2026 prioritizes tokenization via Horizon, wider adoption through the Aave app, and Aave V4, which promises unified liquidity across markets. - On fundamentals, Aave still leads the lending sector. Token Terminal data shows the protocol has generated more than $800 million in fees this year — about 52% of the total lending market. Market reaction and accumulation signals - The AAVE token dipped roughly 4% after the disclosure and was trading near $183 at press time. - On‑chain flows suggest accumulation: CryptoQuant’s Binance Altcoin Netflow flagged AAVE among tokens being withdrawn from the exchange, which can indicate buyers moving tokens into custody rather than selling. Bottom line Aave’s regulatory cloud has been lifted, but governance questions and token price weakness mean the story isn’t over. The next tests will be execution on the 2026 roadmap and whether on‑chain and market behavior reflect renewed investor confidence. Sources: Aave/X, Token Terminal, CryptoQuant. This article is informational and not investment advice; always do your own research before trading. © 2025 AMBCrypto Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Markets are signaling a shift: gold and silver are climbing while Bitcoin lags — and that divergence is showing up on-chain. Tokenized gold is drawing investor capital as concern over macro uncertainty grows. Combined value in gold-backed tokens has topped $4 billion since early 2025, according to The Block, suggesting investors are using on-chain, gold-pegged instruments as a steadier alternative during volatile market stretches. Most of that supply is concentrated in two products — Tether Gold (XAUt) and Paxos Gold (PAXG) — both of which have seen supply growth accelerate in recent months. The on-chain move mirrors real-world demand. Central banks have been steady purchasers of bullion through 2024 and 2025, adding tens of tonnes nearly every month. World Gold Council data showed net purchases peaking above 70 tonnes in late 2024, followed by renewed buying in mid-to-late 2025 after a short lull earlier in the year. That persistent demand has helped push bullion higher: gold has approached the $4,300/oz area and silver has climbed above $60/oz. By contrast, Bitcoin has struggled. ETF flows and long-term holder behavior have diverged: strong inflows into gold ETFs have coincided with outflows from Bitcoin ETFs and signs that long-term BTC holders are trimming exposure. The result: the Bitcoin-to-gold ratio has fallen roughly 50% in 2025, underscoring a widening gap between crypto and traditional safe havens. BTC moved from levels above $110,000 earlier in the period cited to about $88,000 as buyers failed to step in. Industry voices see a structural story behind the rotation. Ray Youssef, CEO of NoOnes, told AMBCrypto that gold’s ascent is acting as a macro headwind for crypto. He argues the rally isn’t merely speculative: rising global debt, compressing yields, and concerted central-bank buying are strengthening gold’s position as a hedge against policy uncertainty. “Traders are pricing in the possibility of prolonged macroeconomic fragility by increasing gold exposure, while the crypto market awaits a clearer liquidity landscape,” Youssef said. The growing market for gold-backed tokens complicates the old narrative of a single “crypto safe haven.” Investors now have an on-chain way to hold exposure to a time-tested safe asset without fully exiting blockchain rails, a trend that could reshape capital flows if uncertainty persists. Sources: The Block, World Gold Council, AMBCrypto. Disclaimer: This content is informational and not investment advice. Cryptocurrency and commodity trading carry high risk; conduct your own research before making decisions. © 2025 AMBCrypto Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Michael Arrington — the founder of TechCrunch and CrunchBase — put XRP front and center in a recent social post, naming it among his largest personal crypto holdings. In a Dec. 13, 2025 tweet asking followers to “Tell me your top five crypto holdings (by total dollar value),” Arrington wrote that his own positions included XRP along with Bitcoin, Ethereum and Immutable (IMX); some reports also cited Solana among his top five. The disclosure drew heavy online engagement and reignited debate about who’s buying what — and why. Community reaction was mixed and fast-moving. Replies ranged from staunch Bitcoin-only positions to diversified portfolios; industry figures such as Tony Edward echoed Arrington’s multi-asset approach by listing XRP alongside BTC and ETH as core holdings. Some observers framed the post as a high-profile vote of confidence for XRP. Others warned that one investor’s allocations don’t necessarily signal a market-wide shift. Arrington’s support isn’t only rhetorical. Reports say Arrington Capital joined Ripple and SBI Holdings in October to back an Evernorth-led initiative to build a large institutional XRP treasury. Described by some participants as one of the biggest projects of its kind, the effort aims to boost institutional use of XRP and support on-ledger activity such as decentralized finance and lending — positioning Arrington as both backer and participant in infrastructure that could expand institutional adoption. The market backdrop is mixed. As of Dec. 16, 2025, XRP was trading near $1.98 after holding roughly in a $2.00–$2.20 band in recent sessions. The token saw a modest daily lift of about 1.2% to roughly $2.08 on Monday, clawing back some ground after early-December weakness. Volatility has been larger earlier in the year: XRP peaked near $3.65 in July before giving back much of those gains. Institutional interest in regulated XRP exposure has climbed, too. Reports show XRP futures on the CME hit a record open interest of about $3 billion in late October 2025, a figure market watchers say reflects growing institutional appetite for regulated products tied to the token. Arrington has previously pointed to XRP’s strong returns — tweeting in March that it had been the best-performing major asset across multiple time frames (90 days, 180 days, one year and three years). Performance rankings have shifted since then, and later data no longer lines up with that specific claim. Bottom line: Arrington’s public endorsement and institutional ties keep XRP in the spotlight and underscore growing institutional activity around the token — but traders and analysts caution that a single investor’s allocations are only one piece of the broader market picture. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Solana (SOL) has begun a modest recovery after finding support around $124–$126, but the token faces clear short-term hurdles as it consolidates below key technical levels. What’s happening now - SOL staged a bounce from roughly $124 and climbed past $126 and $128, briefly pushing above $130 during the move. That rebound followed the recent dip from a $136 swing high to the $124 low (data via Kraken). - Despite the rally, SOL is still trading under the 100-hour simple moving average and beneath a bearish trend line that’s forming around $132 on the hourly chart — meaning bulls must break those barriers to sustain upside momentum. Key technical levels to watch - Immediate upside resistance: $130 (also the 100-hour SMA) and the 61.8% Fib retracement of the drop from $136 to $124. - Near-term overhead caps: $132 (trend-line resistance) and $135. A decisive close above $135 could clear the way toward $144 and potentially $150. - Downside support: $126 is the first floor, followed by $124. A break below $124 could expose $116, and a close under $116 may open the path toward $108. Momentum snapshot - Hourly MACD is moving deeper into the bearish zone, indicating momentum is still tilted to the downside. - Hourly RSI sits below 50, reflecting a lack of strong buying conviction at present. What to look for next - Bull case: an hourly close above $130–$132 and the 100-hour SMA — especially a sustained push above $135 — would validate the recovery and likely target higher resistance levels. - Bear case: failure to clear $132 could see SOL slip back toward $124 and lower, with $116 and $108 as the next major supports. Keep an eye on hourly closes around the 100-hour SMA and the $132 trend line — they’ll likely determine whether Solana’s recovery gains traction or stalls. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

MicroStrategy’s relentless Bitcoin accumulation has put the company so far ahead that other public firms are unlikely to catch up, Bitcoin investor Anthony Pompliano argued on The Pomp Podcast this week. MicroStrategy currently holds 671,268 BTC — about 3.2% of Bitcoin’s 21 million supply — a stash valued at roughly $58.6 billion at the time of reporting, according to Saylor Tracker. The company announced Monday that it added another 10,645 BTC for $980.3 million, paying an average of $92,098 per coin. “Is it possible [for another public company to catch up]? Absolutely. Is it likely? I don’t think so,” Pompliano said. He called MicroStrategy’s share of supply “a big number, but it’s also a small number,” noting that it’s far from ownership levels like 10% that would be truly dominant. Pompliano pointed to the head start MicroStrategy’s CEO Michael Saylor secured in 2020, when the company’s initial Bitcoin purchases totaled about $500 million while BTC traded around $9,000–$10,000. At today’s prices — roughly $87,578 at the time Pompliano spoke — that original stake is now worth “over $4.8 billion,” he said. To match MicroStrategy’s cumulative buys, Pompliano argued, a rival public company would need to tap capital markets at scale — effectively raising “hundreds of billions” — or be an extraordinarily cash-generative business. The company’s growing on-chain footprint has raised questions about market influence. Some observers worry MicroStrategy’s holdings could sway price dynamics, though the firm has given mixed signals about future selling. CEO Phong Lee recently told CNBC the company likely won’t sell any Bitcoin until at least 2065, while Saylor has repeatedly signaled on X that he plans to “buy the top forever.” Market participants tend to interpret MicroStrategy’s purchases as bullish for Bitcoin. MicroStrategy executes its major buys through over-the-counter (OTC) desks, which are designed to absorb large orders with minimal market impact. As publicly traded Bitcoin treasuries become a recurring story, the gap between MicroStrategy’s mountain of BTC and what other corporations could realistically assemble highlights how decisive early, sustained accumulation can be in shaping institutional exposure to Bitcoin. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: FSOC drops “systemic threat” label for crypto, pivots from warnings to integration and clearer bank engagement The Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) has made a major policy pivot in its newly released 2025 Annual Report, removing cryptocurrencies from its roster of systemic financial threats and shifting emphasis from alarm to integration. The 86‑page report credits recent U.S. legislation and evolving market maturity for the change, and urges federal agencies to issue comprehensive regulatory guidance for digital assets. What changed - The 2025 FSOC report reverses the tone of 2024, which had flagged stablecoins as vulnerable to runs and a potential threat to market confidence without stronger risk‑management standards. - Instead of focusing on risks, the council now highlights digital assets’ utility — calling out distributed ledger technology for enabling “secure, efficient transactions.” - FSOC explicitly points to the GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins), passed in July 2025, as the missing regulatory framework that has reduced financial stability concerns and “incentivize[d] stablecoin innovation in the U.S. while mitigating financial stability risks.” Easier paths for banks and clearer agency roles - The council has withdrawn earlier joint statements that solely warned about crypto risks and issued new guidance on acceptable banking engagements with digital assets. - Notably, FSOC has removed the prior “no objection” hurdle, effectively allowing banks to undertake certain crypto activities without seeking advance supervisor approval — a practical green light for traditional finance to move beyond tentative exploration. - FSOC recommends member agencies produce detailed guidelines covering custody, tokenization standards, the use of permissionless blockchains, and explicit AML/CFT expectations. Market developments that helped shift the stance - The report credits the successful performance of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs and a surge in tokenization activity during 2025 as signs of a maturing market. - U.S. regulators are backing this transition with clearer oversight steps, including Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) approvals of certain crypto activities and preliminary trust-charter moves involving Circle, Ripple, and Fidelity Digital Assets. Risk acknowledgment and enforcement - FSOC acknowledges continued illicit finance risks tied to stablecoins but notes that most on‑chain activity is transparent and legitimate. The council favors continued enforcement where necessary without broadly restricting lawful uses. The global picture — fragmentation and the arbitrage risk - The U.S. shift comes amid a fragmented global regulatory environment. The Financial Stability Board (FSB) issued a thematic review warning that inconsistent crypto rules across major economies could threaten global financial stability. - While the U.S. (via GENIUS), the EU (MiCA), the UK, and Singapore are moving forward with frameworks, the FSB found only a few jurisdictions have fully implemented its 2023 recommendations for crypto‑asset and stablecoin oversight. That patchwork raises prospects for regulatory arbitrage as markets expand into 2026. Bottom line FSOC’s removal of the systemic‑threat designation marks a clear domestic turning point: U.S. policy has shifted from containment to structuring integration and unlocking economic opportunity in a de‑risked sector. Still, the report stresses that long‑term stability will depend on closing “significant gaps” in international coordination. What to watch in 2026 - Publication of the comprehensive agency guidelines FSOC recommends (custody, tokenization, AML/CFT, use of permissionless chains) - How banks scale crypto services now that the “no objection” barrier is down - Progress on global FSB recommendations and any steps that reduce regulatory fragmentation Disclaimer: AMBCrypto's content is meant to be informational in nature and should not be interpreted as investment advice. Trading, buying or selling cryptocurrencies should be considered a high‑risk investment and every reader is advised to do their own research before making any decisions. © 2025 AMBCrypto Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Title: Private Firm Makes XRP Its Largest Bet — Not for Hype, but for Utility A private investment firm has revealed why XRP represents the largest share of its crypto portfolio: not because of community fervor or price speculation, but because XRP demonstrably does the job it was built for. The firm says its allocation is grounded in measurable, operational performance and real-world utility — treating XRP as infrastructure and a long-term core holding rather than a short-term trade. Why XRP Fits a “Function First” Strategy The firm’s approach is disciplined: concentrate exposure only when an asset clearly excels at its intended role. Under that lens, XRP stands out as a settlement-oriented digital asset whose design and execution deliver operational strengths the firm prizes. That functional focus — prioritizing what the technology actually does over narratives — is the primary reason for the large allocation. Settlement Strengths: Speed, Finality and Low Fees According to the firm, XRP’s network is optimized for rapid, definitive settlement. That reduces the uncertainty that plagues value transfers on many blockchains and supports predictable, large-scale transactions. Fees on the XRP ledger are consistently low and stable regardless of usage levels, avoiding the fee volatility that can undermine payments use cases. The network’s ability to maintain high throughput without congestion further supports continuous, real-world payment activity. Institutional Usability and Regulatory Alignment Those technical features feed directly into the firm’s institutional thesis. XRP does not rely on proof-of-work, meaning it avoids the energy intensity and related regulatory scrutiny associated with such systems. The firm argues this design choice improves operational clarity and better aligns with the compliance and efficiency standards financial institutions require — strengthening XRP’s case as infrastructure rather than a speculative instrument. Positioning for Institutional Adoption and Market Repricing The firm expects regulation and institutional priorities to reshape crypto markets: reliability, compliance, and efficiency will matter more than popularity or community momentum. As that transition occurs, pricing should shift away from narrative-driven valuations toward measurable metrics like throughput, liquidity efficiency, and real-world demand. Assets that can move value at scale will likely be repriced upward as usage grows and speculative excess fades. In the firm’s view, XRP already meets many of these standards, so concentrating the portfolio in XRP is a way to position ahead of that market repricing. Bottom line: The firm’s XRP-heavy stance is less a bet on retail hype and more a strategic play on utility, settlement performance, and institutional readiness — framing XRP as core infrastructure for the next phase of crypto adoption. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

KindlyMD’s Nasdaq listing is on the ropes as its stock teeters near penny-stock territory, raising fresh questions about the company’s turnaround after its merger to form a Bitcoin-focused business. Key facts - Ticker: NAKA (Nasdaq). - Current share price: $0.38 (closed Tuesday). - Delisting deadline: June 8, 2026 — the date by which KindlyMD must regain compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid-price rule. - Compliance requirement: a closing bid of at least $1.00 for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days (Nasdaq may require up to 20 consecutive days in certain cases). - Year-to-date decline: almost 99% from its peak of $34.77. - Bitcoin holdings: 5,398 BTC (valued at roughly $474 million per Bitcoin Treasuries). - Market capitalization: about $256 million. What’s happening Nasdaq notified KindlyMD — a notice the company disclosed in an SEC filing — that its shares have persistently traded below the $1 threshold. To avoid delisting, NAKA must sustain a $1-plus close for the required consecutive-business-day window before the June 2026 deadline. Nasdaq’s notice also warns it can, at its discretion, extend that window to as many as 20 days. Why the slide accelerated KindlyMD completed a merger with Nakamoto in August to create a combined Bitcoin-focused entity led by CEO David Bailey. The situation deteriorated in September after previously restricted shares from a reported $200 million fundraising were unlocked, triggering significant selling pressure. Bailey acknowledged the churn in a shareholder letter then, urging short-term traders to “exit” and describing the period as “a point of uncertainty for investors.” Complicating matters further, the company delayed its Q3 earnings in November, attributing the postponement to complex accounting issues stemming from the Nakamoto merger. That delay likely amplified investor unease. The balance-sheet paradox Despite the stock’s collapse, KindlyMD’s reported Bitcoin stash — roughly $474 million at current prices — exceeds its market capitalization of about $256 million. That gap highlights a disconnect between the company’s crypto assets and investor sentiment toward the equity. What to watch next - Whether NAKA can rally and sustain a $1+ close for the required consecutive days before June 8, 2026. - Any further disclosures around accounting for the Nakamoto merger and the timing of delayed financial filings. - Insider moves or additional share unlocks that could add selling pressure. If compliance isn’t restored, Nasdaq could start delisting procedures, leaving KindlyMD to seek a transfer to an alternative exchange or trade over the counter. For now, the stock’s steep fall and the looming compliance deadline make this one of the more closely watched Bitcoin corporate stories for investors tracking treasury-centric plays. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

The UK’s financial regulator says fewer adults now own cryptocurrency — but those who remain are holding bigger positions, a new YouGov poll for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) shows. YouGov interviewed 2,353 UK adults between Aug. 5 and Sept. 2 for the survey published by the FCA on Tuesday. It found that crypto ownership among UK adults fell to 8% in 2025, down from 12% in 2024. That decline, however, still leaves ownership double the level recorded in 2021, when 4% of adults reported holding crypto. The poll also points to a clear shift in the structure of holdings: smaller-value accounts are shrinking while larger holdings are increasing. Among respondents who hold crypto, 21% reported balances in the $1,343–$6,708 range, and 11% reported holdings of $6,709–$13,416. “More people are moving away from small holdings and are instead making larger investments,” the FCA said, adding that participants in crypto lending and borrowing tend to be “more knowledgeable, more comfortable with risk, and more aware of our warnings than the average crypto user.” Bitcoin and Ether remain dominant among UK holders: 57% of crypto owners reported holding Bitcoin and 43% held Ether. Other altcoins lag behind, though roughly 21% of UK holders said they owned Solana. The poll was released the same day the FCA launched three consultations on crypto market rules covering exchanges, staking, and lending/DeFi. The regulator has asked industry and stakeholders for feedback by February as part of wider UK government efforts to build a formal crypto regulatory framework. Bottom line: overall retail participation appears to be cooling, but the concentration of larger positions and continued interest in major tokens underline a maturing — and increasingly regulated — UK crypto market. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news