Cryptographic World

A fugitive wanted by US authorities has been given 28 days by Guernsey's government to object to her assets being confiscated.
Ruja Ignatova, 45, known as the Missing Cryptoqueen, has until 16 December to object to a forfeiture order being brought at Guernsey's Royal Court.
Ms Ignatova has not been seen in eight years, disappearing days after an arrest warrant was issued for her in the United States.
In 2014, she founded the fraudulent OneCoin cryptocurrency, which saw investors lose more than $4bn (£3.2bn), according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The order is being sought on behalf of German authorities in the city of Bielefeld.
A Bulgaria-born German citizen, Ms Ignatova is also wanted by prosecutors there.
With the co-operation of Guernsey authorities, Bielefeld's prosecutors are seeking to recover funds from the sale of two London properties once owned by Ms Ignatova through Guernsey shell companies.
The companies were used to buy a penthouse apartment and a smaller apartment in London.
The apartments have been subject to a Guernsey Royal Court restraint order since 4 November 2021, the day after a BBC report revealed how shell companies obscured their purchases. A restraint order aims to preserve assets so that they may later be confiscated.
Bielefeld chief prosecutor Carsten Nowak confirmed Ms Ignatova's penthouse apartment in Kensington had since been sold for £10m, and the smaller apartment for £1.4m.
However, as of May 2024 only £8.8m remained due to costs, fees and taxes. The amount may have been further reduced since, he added.
"According to German law, the money is intended to compensate OneCoin victims," Mr Nowak said.
The Guernsey legal notice seeks to "realise assets held in an account with the Royal Bank of Scotland".
The application will be heard by Guernsey's Royal Court on 13 January 2026.
Ms Ignatova is also subject to a worldwide asset freeze, brought on behalf of investors seeking compensation at London's High Court.
The search for Ms Ignatova, who is on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list, has achieved global notoriety and is the subject of a popular BBC podcast and multiple TV documentaries.
A reward for information leading to her arrest was increased twenty-fold in 2024, up to $5m (£3.8m), under the US Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program.
The FBI believes Ms Ignatova travels with armed guards and may have had plastic surgery to alter her appearance.
Reports of sightings have come as recently as 2024, in South Africa.
However, that same year the BBC uncovered Ms Ignatova's ties to a suspected Bulgarian mafia boss who was in charge of her security when she disappeared and allegedly responsible for her murder.

From Inflation Risks to Whale Selling: Factors That Can Make DOGE Price Drop Sharply Below $0.01 Margin in 2026.
Overview:
•Dogecoin’s unlimited supply continues to create inflation pressure that could weaken Dogecoin price during prolonged crypto market downturns.
•Institutional products like ETFs add credibility but may not fully protect Dogecoin from sharp cryptocurrency market corrections.
•Market sentiment and whale activity remain critical, making Dogecoin highly volatile with both strong rallies and deep downside risk.
Dogecoin has once again become a topic of intense debate in the crypto market. Known originally as a joke, the meme-based cryptocurrency has survived for more than a decade and reached massive popularity during previous bull runs.
Concerns are growing about whether DOGE can maintain its value over the long term. Some analysts believe that Dogecoin price could face a severe decline and may even fall below the $0.01 mark in 2026 if negative factors continue to build.
Current Price and Market Situation
Dogecoin is trading close to $0.13 at press time. Daily trading volume remained strong, consistently reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. This shows that DOGE is still actively traded and widely followed.
High volume also reflects heavy speculation and short-term trading rather than long-term confidence. Large price swings remain common, which highlights Dogecoin’s vulnerability during broader market downturns.
Recent Developments and Institutional Interest
Dogecoin received renewed attention in 2025 amid increased institutional involvement. Grayscale launched a Dogecoin investment trust earlier in the year, allowing accredited investors to gain exposure through traditional financial channels.
In September 2025, the first Dogecoin-focused exchange-traded fund, known as DOJE, began trading following a partnership between REX and Osprey. This marked a major milestone for Dogecoin, as ETFs are typically seen as signs of market maturity.
Inflationary Supply Remains Major Risk
The biggest risk associated with Dogecoin is its unlimited supply. While Bitcoin has a capped maximum amount of units, DOGE generates new coins every year through mining. This consistent increase in supply generates inflation. If the demand does not grow at an equal pace, then the value of each unit can slowly deteriorate.
This inflation makes it difficult for Dogecoin to keep up with growing prices, especially in bear markets. Many analysts see this as a structural flaw that can send fluctuations much lower when investor interest fades away.
High Dependence on Market Sentiment
Dogecoin price is closely related to sentiment rather than fundamentals. In the previous rallies, social media trends, online communities, and comments from celebrities have played a huge role. If excitement is high, DOGE can rise rather quickly. When that interest in it does finally die down, prices drop just as fast.
In the event of retail traders shifting to newer meme coins or losing interest in speculative assets altogether, sharp declines could hit Dogecoin. Lacking strong real-world utility, the coin may be hard-pressed to attract long-term buyers in periods of weak sentiment.
Technical Weakness and Selling Pressure
Recent technical indications have pointed to phases of weak buying as sellers continue to control the market. During such phases, Dogecoin has moved to lower support levels. Any failure here could result in rapid declines due to thin liquidity in certain price zones.
Large holders play a role in this movement. When significant portions of Dogecoin are sold in a market downturn, the price drops swiftly. Whales increase the likelihood of sudden crashes through this process, especially in uncertain market conditions.
Dogecoin Price Prediction: What Could Drive DOGE Below $0.01
DOGE’s dip to $0.01 would require many adverse events to occur at the same time. An extended crypto bear market, coupled with a major industrial shock such as an exchange failure or strict regulation, can reduce investor confidence. Retail interest that has declined and heavy selling by large holders could accelerate losses.
Under such conditions, Dogecoin’s inflationary supply and lack of strong utility could be major disadvantages, making a possible price level below $0.01 credible.
Factors That Might Prevent a Collapse
Despite these risks, Dogecoin does have some support. The launch of ETFs and investment trusts offers new ways for investors to get into cryptocurrency, potentially curbing extreme downside moves. DOGE might capitalize on the momentum from a strong crypto market cycle, driven by Bitcoin gains or favorable regulation.
Dogecoin still holds one of the biggest and most active communities in the crypto space. Spontaneous community-driven campaigns and renewed interests may avail temporary price support; however, such support is hardly reliable
Outlook
Dogecoin dipping below $0.01 in 2026 is definitely not impossible. Inflationary supply, reliance on hype, and technical weakness are serious risks. Institutional products and market-wide rallies could delay or prevent such a deep decline.
Dogecoin remains a very high-risk asset with significant volatility to both the upside and the downside. Its future price would depend heavily on overall crypto market conditions, investor sentiment, and whether demand can keep pace with its growing supply.

Investors can't complain about Dogecoin's historical price appreciation, although its volatility has been noteworthy.
Dogecoin (DOGE1.12%), the dog-inspired cryptocurrency that currently carries a market cap of $22 billion, is up by almost 94,000% in the past 10 years (as of Dec. 19). Despite that impressive overall performance, its volatility along the way has been stomach-churning, making it a difficult asset to hold. But some daring investors might be ready to buy after its slump this year.
I'm not one of those people. Here are three reasons I will never buy this meme coin.
1. It's not solving a real problem
One of the most obvious reasons to avoid Dogecoin is that a valid argument can be made that it doesn't actually solve any problems. While people can use the tokens to send peer-to-peer payments or buy from a relatively limited number of merchants online, those are tasks that can be handled easily by a host of conventional financial services and payment tools.
Just because Dogecoin has no meaningful utility that differentiates it, that doesn't necessarily mean it's worthless. Its value rests in its community, as its supporters have kept Dogecoin relevant over time. It helps that the richest person in the world, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, is a major supporter. When he has mentioned the token publicly in the past, it has driven excitement about it.
Yet as we look toward the next decade, I wouldn't bet on the community doing much to drive Dogecoin's price higher. In fact, the community might be ready to move on. The token's price is down 61% so far in 2025 and is 82% below its peak.
2. Developer activity is uninspiring
Ethereum is the world's largest programmable blockchain, as it allows for smart contracts and has a detailed product roadmap that supports development on it. At last count, Ethereum had around 4,000 full-time developers working on it, according to data from Electric Capital. This stacks the odds in its favor to introduce useful features.
When it comes to developer activity, Dogecoin is 81st on the list of the top 100 cryptocurrencies, with a total of 23 full-time developers. Consequently, there isn't much in the innovation pipeline that can move Dogecoin forward.
3. The better long-term crypto investment opportunity is clear
When allocating capital with a five- or 10-year time horizon, a fantastic way to start is by filtering for the highest-quality assets. In the wild world of cryptocurrencies, Dogecoin isn't in the same galaxy as Bitcoin. Bitcoin has a fixed lifetime supply cap, while Dogecoin's supply is uncapped. Bitcoin's market cap of $1.8 trillion underscores the deep liquidity it has.
Bitcoin's also penetrating the traditional financial services industry, and has become a globally recognized asset, with larger pools of capital getting involved. The fact that Bitcoin still has substantial long-term potential for growth while also being a safer bet than Dogecoin is yet another reason I will keep avoiding the meme coin.

The local resistance level at $0.0000420 would likely offer a selling opportunity upon a retest.
Pepe continued to trend downward and shed 2% in the past 24 hours. It was down nearly 21% from December’s high.
Meanwhile, the recent 5% Bitcoin bounce from Friday’s $85.5k to Monday’s $89.7k has done nothing to help the popular memecoin’s bulls.

Coinalyze data showed that, since the 20th of December, Open Interest slowly dwindled, from $121.5 million to $114.5 million. Alongside the short-term sideways price action, it signaled bearish sentiment within the PEPE market and a total lack of bullish belief.
A report earlier this month highlighted how the long-term PEPE trend was bearish. This finding has not been disproved yet. Here’s what Pepe [PEPE] traders can watch out for in the coming days.
Establishing the bearish strength behind the memecoin

The 1-day chart showed that another bearish structure break occurred last week, on Wednesday, the 17th of December. This break originated from the $0.000044-$0.000050 supply zone (red box).
Any retest of the supply zone would likely result in rejection. This was because the momentum favored the bears, as the RSI’s reading of 40 showed.
The A/D has not halted its decline since the beginning of November, another sign of steady selling pressure.

The 1-hour chart showed a bearish structure in place, and the RSI leaned bearishly as well. Most worrying was the A/D’s sustained slump over the past week, highlighting that selling pressure had not let up.
Exploring the bullish scenario
This is the less likely scenario in the coming days.
Across multiple timeframes, the momentum and volume were bearish, and a bullish breakout appeared unlikely. The 5% Bitcoin [BTC] bounce had no bullish impact on PEPE either.
Traders’ call to action- Remain bearish
As the 1-hour chart showed, a bounce to $0.0000420 would offer a selling opportunity. In case this area is flipped to support, the Fibonacci retracement levels would be the next retracement levels to watch.
Plotted based on the most recent swing move, they were at $0.0000452 and $0.0000476.
Final Thoughts
The Pepe price action remained strongly bearish despite the Bitcoin uptick in recent days.
There were three key short-term resistance levels to watch that PEPE would likely see a bearish reaction from in the coming days.

Over the past couple of years, the meme coin scene has become one of the wildest rides in the cryptocurrency world. Right at the forefront has been Shiba Inu (SHIB), which initially started as a fun gimmick but has since ballooned into a heavyweight with a massive market capitalization. Lately, though, as things have settled a bit, SHIB's upward momentum has cooled off, and folks are hunting for that fresh meme coin with the potential for those jaw-dropping gains. Little​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Pepe (LILPEPE) is the maverick to rescue the day, a star on the rise that is garnering the attention of regular traders as well as big investors. Indeed,​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Shiba Inu may still go for a couple of bright days; however, it looks like that with a staggering 11,221% top by the end of 2026, Little Pepe will be dominating the entire meme space. Actually, the differences between these two animals might be worth investigating, as well as how Little Pepe is leading the next bull run.
Shiba​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Inu (SHIB): Maybe Comeback of Good Times
Currently, the price of Shiba Inu is about $0.0000085, and the price movement has been quite volatile. The market cap of its circulating tokens is still above $5 billion, and that is basically why SHIB is the top-ranked meme coin that has such a small ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌price.
The meme-homework model and the zeal of the fanbase have been the catalyst for SHIB; however, the flame has been diminishing ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌lately. Nevertheless, after a thorough review of charts and blockchain metrics, it is difficult to determine, but SHIB may be preparing for a turnaround. It's far from its top, but the project's ecosystem is still evolving.
With​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ the help of their Layer-2 solution, Shibarium, which is going to be released soon, things are getting unstuck, and in order to be more useful in everyday life, they have made some pretty moves, like the launch of a crypto debit card linked to the Bitget Wallet. While the crypto market is dull, the SHIB token might get a quick increase in ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌price. A high level of activity and an acceleration of token burns could result in a price close to $0.0000099. But if we are honest here, the potential of SHIB to skyrocket is getting lower. That's where Little Pepe was needed, a new choice on the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌block.
Little Pepe (LILPEPE): The Fresh Face with Sky-High 11,221% Upside
Little Pepe (LILPEPE) is the new kid on the block in memes, steadily carving out a name for itself as the potential game-changer. Priced below $0.003 for now, it's got enormous room to run for anyone jumping in early. While SHIB's been around the block, Little Pepe is still wrapping up its presale, offering a dirt-cheap entry point that's hard to pass up. What really sets Little Pepe apart is its emphasis on actual functionality. Many meme coins simply ride on buzz and FOMO, but this one's built from the ground up with Layer 2 technology. That means super-low fees and lightning-fast trades, tackling the headaches that bog down stuff like SHIB or Dogecoin when things get busy. One​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ of the main reasons for the success of Little Pepe is its intelligent design, which takes into account sustainability and is future-proof. The presale generated more than $27.4 million, and the number of holders has now surpassed 44,000. Besides that, it achieved an outstanding 95% on its Certik audit, which is a very high-level result for a meme project of any ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌kind. On top of that, the staking perks are insane, with APYs hitting up to 782%. It encourages folks to hold tight, cutting down on those wild swings from quick flips. They've also got a solid vesting plan to keep early birds from dumping, which helps steady the ship as it scales.
Could Little Pepe Be the Meme Coin to Beat?
SHIB ruled the meme roost back in the day, but the game's changing, and Little Pepe seems ready to charge ahead in this new era. By prioritizing practical tools, cheap transactions, and steady expansion, it stands out from the pack that's all about short-term hype. As more eyes turn to Little Pepe, that 11,221% potential starts feeling pretty realistic. If you're scouting for the meme coin that could shake up crypto big time, Little Pepe's worth a serious look. Its Layer-2 backbone, killer staking yields, and dedicated crowd make it primed for a breakout. SHIB might give a little pop soon, but for the long haul and those huge wins, Little Pepe's the one stealing the show.

Crypto markets often move in cycles. Meme coins usually lead one phase, then utility driven projects take attention in the next. That shift is starting to show again. As Pepecoin holders review where upside may come from next, a new DeFi crypto under $0.1 is entering the discussion. Some market commentators now compare the early PEPE phase with what Mutuum Finance is building today. The comparison is not about hype, but about structure, timing, and remaining upside.
Pepecoin (PEPE)
Pepecoin reached a very large market cap after its rapid rise. That early surge was driven by attention, social momentum, and speculative demand. Many early buyers saw strong gains in a short time. As PEPE grew, price moves became harder to sustain. A large market cap means that each new price increase requires far more capital than before.
PEPE now trades near well known resistance zones where previous rallies slowed. These levels matter because they often attract selling pressure from early holders. With supply already widely distributed, analysts who track meme coin cycles suggest future upside could be limited compared to earlier stages. In bearish or sideways conditions, meme tokens also tend to lose momentum faster because they lack built in utility to support demand.
Mutuum Finance (MUTM)
Mutuum Finance is an Ethereum based DeFi crypto focused on lending and borrowing. Unlike meme coins, it is built around a clear use case. The protocol is designed to allow users to supply assets, earn yield through mtTokens, and borrow against collateral. It also includes a peer to peer lending layer for more flexible loan terms.
The project has raised $19.4M so far and has grown to more than 18,600 holders. MUTM is currently priced at $0.035 and is in Phase 6 of its structured distribution. This phase is now over 99% allocated. The official launch price is set at $0.06. Since early 2025, the token price has already increased by about 250% from Phase 1.
Why Investors Believe MUTM Could Outperform PEPE
One reason often mentioned is market cap size. PEPE already sits at a very large valuation, which limits future upside. Even a 2x move would require billions in new capital. MUTM, by contrast, is still at an early stage with far more room to grow if adoption increases. Smaller caps tend to move faster once demand builds.
Another reason is utility. Pepecoin relies mainly on hype and social interest. Mutuum Finance is built around usage. mtTokens represent supplied assets and grow through yield. Borrowers create ongoing demand for liquidity. The protocol also uses a buy and distribute model, where part of the revenue is used to buy MUTM from the market and reward stakers. This creates demand tied to activity, not attention alone.
Timing is also a key factor. Many early PEPE buyers entered when the token was unknown. At this stage, that early phase is over. MUTM is now approaching a similar moment in its own lifecycle, but with infrastructure nearly ready. According to official updates on X, Mutuum Finance plans to release its V1 protocol on the Sepolia testnet in Q4 2025. This includes liquidity pools, mtTokens, debt tokens, and liquidation systems, with ETH and USDT as initial assets. For many investors, that timing is more attractive than chasing late stage meme moves.
Phase 6 Progress and Rising Participation
Phase 6 of MUTM is nearly complete, with less than 1% of the allocation remaining. Around 820M tokens have been sold out of the 1.82B allocated for this stage. This reflects steady demand rather than a sudden spike. As phases advance, the token price increases step by step, which changes the risk profile for new participants.
The project also runs a 24 hour leaderboard that rewards the top daily contributor with $500 in MUTM. This system encourages consistent participation and visibility. Card payments are available, which lowers friction for users who prefer not to rely only on crypto transfers. These elements help broaden access beyond experienced traders.
Security is another point often raised in comparisons. Mutuum Finance holds a CertiK token scan score of 90 out of 100. In addition, Halborn Security is conducting an independent audit of the lending and borrowing contracts. The code is finalized and under formal analysis. A $50k bug bounty is also in place to encourage the discovery of vulnerabilities.
For many investors, these steps reduce uncertainty. Meme coins rarely go through such processes because they do not rely on complex smart contracts. DeFi platforms must meet a higher standard to attract long term users and liquidity. This difference is one reason some PEPE holders are now exploring utility focused alternatives.
Why Some PEPE Investors Are Rotating Capital
Market observers note that capital rotation is common after large meme runs. Once upside slows, investors look for the next asymmetric setup. MUTM appeals to that mindset because it combines early stage pricing with visible progress. The approach is different from betting on another viral wave. It is about positioning before utility goes live.
With V1 approaching, supply tightening in Phase 6, and infrastructure already built, Mutuum Finance sits at a point where expectations can start to shift. For some PEPE investors, that profile feels closer to the early days they benefited from, but with a stronger focus on fundamentals.
The comparison between Pepecoin and Mutuum Finance highlights a broader market pattern. Meme coins can deliver fast gains, but utility driven projects often attract sustained interest once hype fades. PEPE’s early surge is now part of its history. MUTM is still writing its early chapters.
Disclaimer: Cryptographic World information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, financial advice. We do not make any warranties regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of this information. All investments involve risk, and past performance does not guarantee future results. We recommend consulting a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

PEPE trades near critical support as selling pressure fades. Indicators hint at stabilization and a possible bullish reversal if key levels break.
The PEPE price shows it drifting in a range with lower highs and lower lows after failing to hold key resistance around $0.00000405, signaling a short-term bearish bias. The move from the swing high to the recent swing low near $0.0000039 represents a decline of approximately 3%, reflecting increased seller control. At the time of writing, PEPE is trading at $0.000003954, suggesting a 1.59% decline in the last 24 hours.

PEPE Tests Key Support, Setting Up Potential Bullish Reversal
The PEPE/USDT 3-day chart shows the price currently testing the lower boundary of a well-defined descending channel around the $0.00000399 level, which coincides with a critical support zone ranging roughly from $0.00000330 to $0.00000440. Historically, the market has respected this support multiple times, bouncing off it after sustained downward pressure, indicating that buyers are stepping in at these levels. The repeated defense of this zone suggests accumulation, which could set the stage for a potential reversal after prolonged selling pressure.

According to analyst Butterfly, the price action implies building bullish momentum as it consolidates near the support boundary. If PEPE holds above $0.00000399 and breaks out of the descending channel, the chart indicates a strong probability of a sharp upward move, potentially targeting the channel’s upper boundary and higher resistance levels around $0.00000200. This setup reflects a classic “pressure buildup at support” scenario, where the market could accelerate upward once sellers are exhausted and buyers gain control.
PEPE Holds Support as Bearish Momentum Fades
On the 1-day PEPE/USD chart, the broader trend remains bearish to neutral, with price continuing to move sideways after a prolonged downtrend. PEPE is trading around the $0.00000398–$0.00000400 region, showing limited upside momentum and lower highs over recent weeks.
Immediate support is located near $0.00000390, which aligns with recent daily lows and has prevented deeper pullbacks. A stronger support zone sits slightly lower around $0.00000370–$0.00000380, where buyers previously stepped in. On the upside, resistance is capped near $0.00000415–$0.00000420, followed by a more significant resistance zone around $0.00000450, where selling pressure has consistently emerged and rejected price advances.

The RSI is at 40.24, reinforcing the lack of strong momentum in either direction. Meanwhile, the MACD remains below the zero line, with the signal and MACD lines close together, indicating subdued bearish momentum and a potential early stabilization phase. The histogram is shallow and slightly improving, hinting that downside pressure is fading, but a clear bullish signal would require a MACD crossover and expansion above zero to confirm trend reversal strength.
Disclaimer: Cryptographic World information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, financial advice. We do not make any warranties regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of this information. All investments involve risk, and past performance does not guarantee future results. We recommend consulting a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Cryptocurrency markets limped along on Monday, barely budging as traders sat on their hands awaiting the record options expiry later...
Quick overview
•Cryptocurrency markets are stagnant as traders await a significant options expiry later this week, with total market capitalization at $3.07 trillion.
•Bitcoin and Ethereum experienced slight declines, with Bitcoin down 0.7% to $88,088 and Ethereum down 1% to $2,987.
•Market sentiment remains negative, indicated by a Crypto Fear & Greed Index score of 24, reflecting extreme fear among investors.
•Global macroeconomic pressures and seasonal trading patterns are contributing to low liquidity and limited price movements in the crypto market.
Cryptocurrency markets limped along on Monday, barely budging as traders sat on their hands awaiting the record options expiry later this week. The total crypto market capitalisation crept down a tick to $3.07 trillion. Bitcoin took a tiny 0.7% tumble to $88,088, while Ethereum dropped a whole 1% to $2,987. Some of the other coins to keep an eye on were Chainlink, which slipped 0.6% to $12.49, and Sui, which lost 0.4% to $1.45. Meanwhile, smaller altcoins like Zcash, Monero, and Ethena were taking a real beating, with declines of over 5%.

Market sentiment is still a long way from looking healthy. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index slipped slightly to 24, which remains a clear signal that people are in extreme fear.
Options Expiry Makes Price Fluctuations a Little More Complicated
Everyone’s keeping a close eye on what’s being called a historic options expiry on December 26, with a whopping $27-$28.5 billion worth of Bitcoin and Ethereum contracts set to expire on Deribit – a big chunk of which is just in Bitcoin, at $23.6 billion, with Ethereum making up about $3.8 billion.
Even as implied volatility rises, the prices of Bitcoin and Ethereum are stuck because the market is heavily weighted toward these major strike prices. And with so many people sitting on their hands for now, awaiting clearer market direction after options expiry, there’s not much going on at the moment.
Low Liquidity And Macro Pressure
Seasonal factors are making things more difficult right now. December is often a quiet month for trading as funds get their books in order. And as for Bitcoin, it’s still down around 28-30% from its high back in October, near $125,000.
And things aren’t looking great when it comes to global macro-economic conditions either:
The Bank of Japan raised interest rates to 0.75%, which doesn’t help risk assets.
People are piling into safe havens like gold and silver, which have both hit all-time highs.
US equities are also feeling the pinch, as investors are getting a bit worried about the valuations of some of the tech stocks driving the whole AI thing.
In the short term, I’d expect Bitcoin to consolidate, with any big moves likely to wait until options expiry passes. In the meantime, though, traders should be prepared for some pretty choppy trading, and any downward moves will likely be pretty limited – unless those liquidations really start to kick in.
#USCryptoStakingTaxReview

Key Points
•Dogwifhat has plunged 92% from its March 2024 peak and fallen out of the top 100 cryptocurrencies.
•The anonymous developers behind this project vanished without a trace, leaving no organization to guide the coin's future.
•Meme coins live and die by community momentum, and Dogwifhat's momentum stalled out quickly.
Dogwifhat (CRYPTO: WIF) used to be hot.
Once upon a time, at the end of March 2024, the meme coin had a $4.68 billion total market value. And why not, right? The coin has a cute mascot (a Shiba Inu dog wearing a knitted hat), the coin is based on the high-speed Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) blockchain network, and investors even collect a modest yield on some crypto-trading platforms.
However, those qualities don't make Dogwifhat a good investment. As of Dec. 19, 2025, the coin has plunged 92% below last year's lofty peak. Formerly ranked among the 30 largest cryptocurrencies by market cap, Dogwifhat isn't even on the top-100 list anymore. It's only the fifth-largest crypto with an adorable dog mascot.
And I'm afraid that's just the beginning of a long price drop.
This meme coin was built on pure vibes
Dogwifhat was never expected to actually do anything. An anonymous group of developers launched it for giggles, then disappeared from the scene. There is no organization backing this coin, only a loose community of coin holders speculating about its potential price gains in social media channels.
Nobody is building Dogwifhat-based blockchain apps. No one is funding projects in this short-lived and waning ecosystem. The Solana technology behind it could have made Dogwifhat a contender with low-cost transactions settling at the drop of a knitted hat, but the community isn't organized enough to make it happen.
When Dogecoin looks like the safer bet
I can't believe I'm saying this, but Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) would be a more reasonable investment than Dogwifhat. Choose your Shiba Inus wisely.
Look, I'm not about to buy a ton of Dogecoin or recommend that you do. I've never owned a single Dogecoin, and probably never will. That's still just another meme coin with no real-world utility to speak of.
But at least Dogecoin has reached a massive scale with the help of celebrity posts online. A $22 billion market cap and a large community of supporters are enough to keep the larger dog-coin culturally relevant -- at least for a while.
Dogecoin has social media stars like Elon Musk and Mark Cuban posting Shiba Inu memes to millions of followers. Dogwifhat has a similar dog with a knitted hat. That's about it.
You can actually use Dogecoin for tipping content creators and small transactions. Some retailers and e-tailers (so many tails!) even accept it via a couple of crypto-based payment services.
WIF gets used for watching your portfolio shrink. And while Dogecoin's anonymous founder stepped away years ago, the community kept building. Dogwifhat's mystery developers vanished entirely, and so did any hope of organized development.
When your meme coin makes Dogecoin look like a blue chip investment by comparison, it might be time to rethink your strategy. In other words, please don't buy Dogwifhat coins. You can find hat-wearing dogs for free with a basic web search (or in your favorite social media network), anyway.

Naughty or nice — call them whatever you want, but one thing is clear: memecoins dominated headlines in 2024.
These tokens, mainly built on the Solana blockchain, skyrocketed to wild valuations in record time. However, the hype was short-lived in 2025.
Within months, most of these coins crashed hard, with many losing over 90% of their value and fading from public interest.
But as this week wraps up, a surprising shift seems to play out. Several so-called “dead” Solana memecoins are flashing signs of life, with double-digit gains rekindling hope among early believers.
In this analysis, CCN spotlights three Solana memecoins that once made headlines for their parabolic runs — and are now staging an unexpected comeback. We explore what’s fueling the renewed bullish momentum and what could lie ahead for these cryptos.
Moo Deng (MOODENG)
Leading the charge is Moo Deng, a Solana memecoin inspired by a Thai baby hippopotamus, which has posted one of the biggest price jumps of the week. In November 2024, MOODENG’s market cap skyrocketed above $600 million, a threshold many memecoin struggled to hit.
However, earlier this month, the same market cap plummeted below $40 million, with MOODENG’s price hitting $0.037.
However, within the last seven days, MOODENG’s price has increased by over 200%, reaching $0.13.
According to CCN’s findings, the surge happened after demand for Solana memecoins increased as SOL’s price retested $170. From a technical perspective, the daily chart shows that the Moo Deng price increase helped it break out of a descending triangle.
The surge also saw the Relative Strength Index (RSI) rise to 88.79, indicating bullish momentum. Yet, the memecoin seems to be overbought.
Despite the fact that the green line of the Supertrend indicator is below the price, suggesting strong support. Should this remain the same, MOODENG’s price might hit $0.17 in the short term.

On the contrary, if profit-taking rises, the memecoin might pull back. In that case, it could experience a correction below $0.10
Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT)
PNUT, another animal-themed memecoin on Solana, has also delivered an impressive performance this week. Once boasting a market cap of nearly $2 billion in late 2024, the token is making headlines again following an 80% seven-day rally that pushed its market value up to $315 million.
This resurgence was fueled by a dramatic spike in trading volume, which has surged past $800 million, a level not seen in months.
If this upward momentum in volume persists alongside price growth, PNUT’s market capitalization could climb even further in the short term.
Since February, the Solana memecoin traded between $0.12 and $0.26. But after the recent price increase, PNUT surged past that ceiling.
At press time, the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) has risen to 0.20, indicating intense buying pressure. The Money Flow index (MFI) followed a similar path, reinforcing the bullish bias.

Should this trend continue, PNUT’s price might climb toward $0.47. However, if the memecoin sees an increase in selling pressure, this trend might change and the value could drop below $0.24.
Goatseus Maximus (GOAT)
Last on the list of Solana memecoins that have seen intense recovery is the AI-themed memecoin GOAT. As of this writing, GOAT is down 91% from its all-time high.
But this week, the market value climbed nearly 50% while trading at $0.12. The 4-hour chart shows that GOAT experienced this rally after breaking out of a falling wedge.
Amid the hike, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) has risen to the positive region. This indicates bullish momentum.

If this trend continues, GOAT’s price might rally to the highest point of the wick at $0.13.
Conversely, if profit-taking around GOAT increases, the memecoin could experience a pullback toward $0.089.


Disclaimer: Cryptographic World information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, financial advice. We do not make any warranties regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of this information. All investments involve risk, and past performance does not guarantee future results. We recommend consulting a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Key Takeaways
•WIF's price has surged over 180% in the last 30 days, breaking past $1.20 for the first time since January
•Its realized price remains at $1.30, suggesting accumulation and a potential uptrend continuation.
•The trading volume has rebounded to nearly $1 billion, strengthening the bullish thesis after a brief dip.
•The CMF has climbed to 0.25, and the Supertrend indicator remains bullish, implying that WIF could rally to $2
Formerly written off, Solana-based memecoin dogwifhat (WIF) has returned with explosive price action. In the past 30 days, the WIF crypto price has increased by 180%, and has surged past $1 for the first time since Jan. 31.
WIF trades around $1.20, making it the second-best-performing crypto within 24 hours. Despite the massive increase, the memecoin appears not ready to let go of the rally.
Instead, on-chain analysis and the technical outlook show that it could be ready to take another significant step up. Here is why.
WIF Still Undervalued
To assess WIF’s potential in the coming days, CCN examined its realized price. Also known as the on-chain cost basis, this metric represents the average price at which all circulating coins last moved.
Typically, a rising realized price indicates that coins are being accumulated at higher values. On the other hand, a decline suggests buyers are entering at lower prices.
According to data from Glassnode, WIF’s current price is around $1.18, while its realized price stands at $1.30 — a notable drop from over $2 months ago.
This divergence, where realized price falls and market price rises, indicates fresh accumulation at lower costs and hints at growing bullish momentum. Historically, WIF hits a local top when the price exceeds the realized price.

Hence, if this trend continues, it could support further upside for WIF in the short term.
Memecoin Barking Loud Again
Beyond this, data from Santiment shows that WIF's volume has spiked. Earlier today, the volume dropped below $500 million.
But within a few hours, it has inched closer to $1 billion. From a trading point of view, the decline in volume alongside the rising price initially indicated that the uptrend was weakening.
The market value might keep soaring since the volume is back up, and the WIF crypto price has yet to retrace.

WIF Price Analysis: More Gains Ahead
Looking at the daily chart, WIF broke out after the memecoin surged past the upper trendline of the symmetrical triangle. At the same time, CCN observed that the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) rose to 0.25.
The CMF breaking above the zero signal line indicates rising buying pressure. If this continues, WIF's price might climb higher than the resistance at $1.26.
Like the CMF, the Supertrend supports an extended rally, particularly because the green line is below the price. As long as the red line of the indicator does not rise above WIF, the value might hit $2 at the 0.618 golden ratio.

On the contrary, if the memecoin gets extremely overbought and selling pressure rises, this prediction might not pass. In that scenario, WIF's price might decline below $0.75 in the short term.

Grayscale is stating, quite bluntly, that while cryptocurrency is not as early as it once was, it is still incredibly small in comparison to its potential.

Currently, tokenized assets make up about 0.1% of the world’s bond and equity markets. In Grayscale’s base case, that number does not increase at all; instead, it explodes, possibly increasing 1,000 times by 2030, as infrastructure develops and regulations cease to function as a constant brake.
Market is changing
The capitalization of the digital asset market has already moved from being solely focused on Bitcoin to a more expansive multi-sector market, where non-Bitcoin assets are gradually gaining market share. Instead of growing in a straightforward dominance-rotation loop, Bitcoin and other crypto sectors now grow in parallel on a log scale. That, in and of itself, challenges the conventional four-year cycle theory.

Two pillars support Grayscale’s thesis. Macro pressure first. The U.S. government’s debt-to-GDP ratio is rising to levels that have historically been linked to currency devaluation risk. Scarce, programmatic assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum are monetary alternatives in that context, not just riskier assets. For that reasoning to be valid, persistent fiscal drift is sufficient; hyperinflation is not.
Regulation is main barrier
The second is regulation. In 2026, Grayscale anticipates the enactment of bipartisan U.S. legislation pertaining to the structure of the cryptocurrency market. Price action is not as important as that. On-chain issuance, regulated trading of digital asset securities and institutional participation at scale are all made possible by clear regulations. ETFs were the first step. Step two is broader market plumbing.
Where does the growth really end up? According to Grayscale, the main beneficiaries of tokenization and on-chain finance are smart-contract platforms like Ethereum, BNB, Solana and Avalanche. Beneath it all is Chainlink, which serves as middleware to enable the use of real-world data on public blockchains.
Importantly, Grayscale contends that the clean four-year cycle might come to an end in 2026. The growth of exchange-traded products, the maturation of institutional allocation procedures and the direct integration of on-chain assets into traditional finance all contribute to slower, more stable and structurally biased upward capital flows.

Bitcoin’s price action in recent days has been characterized by tight consolidation and fading momentum. After recovering from a dip toward the $85,000 area last week, Bitcoin has spent most of the time trading between roughly $87,500 and $89,000, struggling to build a sustained move in either direction.
This ongoing indecision has led to technical commentary from a crypto analyst known as DrBullZeus, who noted that Bitcoin is currently trapped inside a clearly defined range and may need a decisive breakout before the next directional move becomes clear.
Bitcoin Continues To Respect A Well-Defined Range.
According to the analysis, Bitcoin is still trading inside a clearly established range, repeatedly bouncing between the same support and resistance zones. These zones are highlighted in the 1-hour candlestick timeframe chart below, which shows the Bitcoin price oscillating between a lower support area around the mid-$87,000 region and an upper resistance band just below $90,000.
Related Reading: Crypto Founder Reveals What Will Drive Bitcoin Price To $200,000 In 2026.
Multiple daily candlesticks have tested both zones without producing sustained follow-through, and this strengthens the idea that neither bulls nor bears currently have full control. Short-term breakouts have quickly stalled, and pullbacks have failed to develop into deeper corrections. This type of price behavior suggests equilibrium, where buyers step in near support, and sellers defend resistance to keep the price volatility contained.
Important Levels That Could Define The Next Major Move
According to the technical analysis, Bitcoin’s next direction depends on how the price reacts around two clearly defined levels. The resistance zone just below $90,000 is the main hurdle on the upside.
According to the technical analysis, Bitcoin’s next direction depends on how the price reacts around two clearly defined levels. The resistance zone just below $90,000 is the main hurdle on the upside.
A clean break and sustained hold above this area would mean that buyers are finally gaining control and allow for a push to the $92,000 level highlighted on the chart. Recent attempts to move higher have stalled at this zone, which is why a decisive breakout would likely attract fresh momentum and shift short-term sentiment from range trading to bullish.
On the downside, support in the $87,000 range is still acting as a buffer against deeper losses. As long as this level holds, the range structure between support and resistance will stay intact. However, a clear loss of this support would change the short-term sentiment from range trading to bearish very quickly. This, in turn, will expose Bitcoin to a move back toward the $85,000 area, where price previously found strong demand in early December.
At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $89,690, up by 1.1% in the past 24 hours. The latest price action has been shaped by a rebound from an intraday low near $87,655, a level that closely aligns with the support zone highlighted in the technical analysis and reinforces its importance in the current market structure.
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Bitcoin’s price has spent recent sessions grinding sideways after failing to reclaim higher resistance levels, trading within a narrow range and frustrating both bullish and bearish Bitcoin investors. The lack of follow-through has intensified market debate, with macroeconomic headlines driving sharp sentiment swings. Amid the uncertainty, a crypto analyst has pushed back against the prevailing noise, arguing that Bitcoin’s price action is telling a far clearer story than narratives suggest.
Bitcoin’s Price Action Exposes The Limits Of Narrative-Based Trading.
In a recent post on X, the analyst asserts that Bitcoin’s recent performance highlights a disconnect between market headlines and actual trading behavior. After pulling back from recent highs, Bitcoin has stabilized in the $70,000–$90,000 range, repeatedly defending key support levels rather than accelerating lower. Despite widespread attention to inflation reports, central bank commentary, and macroeconomic uncertainty, this steady behavior suggests that the market is responding to price movements rather than external narratives.
The analyst emphasized that Bitcoin is following a clear technical structure, confined within an ascending channel, which has guided price behavior over recent sessions. Attempts to push the price below support have repeatedly failed, demonstrating that selling pressure lacks the strength to disrupt the broader trend. Because market sentiment typically lags price, panic-driven headlines and bearish projections often exaggerate perceived weakness. In this context, sideways movement represents a natural pause, allowing the market to rebalance positions without indicating a reversal.
This range-bound behavior, the analyst explains, reflects measured control rather than disorder. After recent volatility, the stabilization of Bitcoin’s price highlights disciplined accumulation and cautious positioning among market participants. Consolidation within the channel forms part of a functional market rhythm, helping the trend digest prior moves while preserving structural integrity. As long as support holds, he argues, the ascending framework remains valid, reinforcing the broader bullish trend.
Chart Insights For Bitcoin Investors Amid Sideways Trading.
With a chart posted alongside his statement, the analyst describes Bitcoin’s recent price action as a corrective consolidation. He notes that after those losses, price has stabilized, reflecting a balance between buyers and sellers. Bulls are hoping for a rebound, bears are anticipating a breakdown, and the price movement shows both sides testing each other.
He adds that upward moves remain capped below previous support levels, while higher lows indicate corrective positioning rather than renewed strength. The analyst explicitly states that his price target remains 96k, as long as Bitcoin holds the ascending channel structure. This target frames his bullish outlook despite the ongoing consolidation, showing that he expects the trend to continue within the defined structure rather than reversing.
He emphasizes that phases like this often precede more decisive moves: a breakdown of the channel could signal renewed downside, while a sustained break above the upper boundary would be needed to challenge the prevailing trend. Until such developments occur, he stresses that investors should focus on structure rather than short-term noise.

Crypto pundit BarriC has explained why an XRP rally to $1,000 is possible, even though it could mean the altcoin would have a market cap of almost $100 trillion. The pundit also raised the possibility of XRP rallying to as high as $50,000, which he described as “absolutely possible.”
Why XRP Could Rally To $1,000
In an X post, BarriC stated that XRP will have to become extremely expensive so that it can be fractionalized and allocated to every bank and financial institution globally. He noted that this will be the case if every bank and financial institution around the world adopts and utilizes the altcoin.
In line with this, BarriC declared that this is why a $1,000, $10,000, and $50,000 price tag is “absolutely possible” for XRP. The pundit has continued to reiterate that XRP can hit the $1,000 price target despite how ambitious it sounds, considering what the altcoin’s market cap will be.
In another X post, he stated that the altcoin could still close out this year at $100 and hit $1,000 early next year. The pundit admitted that quite a few things would have to happen simultaneously, but that anything is possible in crypto. It is worth noting that finance expert Dr. Camila Stevenson recently echoed BarriC’s sentiment that XRP needs to be expensive to be easily adopted by banks for larger volumes.
Meanwhile, BarriC is confident that the XRP adoption among banks is already happening. He recently noted that Swiss bank AMINA plans to start utilizing Ripple payments and, by association, XRP. The pundit also alluded to the fact that Ripple is on course to become a Trust bank after the OCC granted it a conditional approval.
Other Potential Catalysts For Higher Price
Crypto pundit X Finance Bull highlighted a Trump stimulus and XRP ETFs as catalysts that could drive the XRP price higher. He noted that 20% to 28% of U.S. adults now own crypto, equating to 50 to 65 million people with wallets and market impact. The pundit then raised the scenario in which a small percentage of the proposed $2,000 stimulus check flows into XRP.
X Finance Bull declared that this will create billions in demand, hitting an already rising market. The pundit also mentioned that the infrastructure is in place as XRP ETFs keep launching and banks are onboarding. He added that liquidity finds utility, which is why he is confident that a significant amount of global liquidity could flow into the XRP ecosystem, sparking higher prices for the altcoin.
At the time of writing, the XRP price is trading at around $1.92, up in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

A screenshot attributed to Fundstrat Research is stirring debate over whether Tom Lee’s firm is projecting a sharp first-half 2026 correction in crypto markets—despite Lee’s recent public bullishness on Ethereum.
Wu Blockchain shared the image via X, describing it as an internal client note titled “2026 Crypto Outlook: Near-Term Headwinds, Second-Half Upside,” timestamped Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at 7:34 p.m. ET.
Fundstrat’s Bearish Call Vs. Tom Lee’s Bull Case
The document is credited to Sean Farrell, Fundstrat’s head of digital asset strategy, and includes a base-case scenario calling for a “meaningful drawdown in 1H 2026,” with target ranges of bitcoin at $60,000–$65,000, ether at $1,800–$2,000, and solana at $50–$75. The note adds that those levels would represent “attractive opportunities into year-end,” and that if the view is wrong, the preference is still to “play defense” until strength is confirmed.
The ETH range is what set the market chatter off. Ether is trading around the $3,000 area, making $1,800 a material downside scenario if taken at face value.
The controversy, such as it is, comes from the proximity to Lee’s own messaging. At Binance Blockchain Week, Lee said ethereum at roughly $3,000 looked “severely undervalued,” a stance that reads very differently than a research framework explicitly mapping a potential move to the high-$1,000s. Over the past few weeks, Lee even publicly shared his predictions that ETH could reach $20,000 next year and $62,000 over the next several years.
Farrell responded directly on X on Dec. 20, arguing the framing of “internal conflict” misunderstands how Fundstrat operates. The firm, he said, houses several analysts with independent processes, each designed for different client objectives and time horizons.
Lee’s work, Farrell wrote, is aimed at large institutions that might allocate 1%–5% to BTC and ETH and is structured around longer-term macro and “secular” trends. Farrell’s research, by contrast, is positioned for investors with heavier crypto exposure—he referenced portfolios with ~20%+ allocations—where active risk management and rebalancing matter more than maintaining a single long-duration thesis through volatility.
That distinction is central to interpreting the leaked-style targets. Farrell’s public explanation wasn’t “we are bearish,” but rather “we are cautious in the near term.” He said markets appear priced for “near-perfection” while risks remain elevated—citing government shutdown dynamics, trade volatility, uncertainty around AI capex, and a Federal Reserve chair transition, alongside tight high-yield spreads and low cross-asset volatility.

He also highlighted mixed flow conditions. In Farrell’s telling, long-term ETF demand could improve as wirehouses onboard, but near-term pressures persist from “OG selling,” miners, fund redemptions, and even the possibility of an MSCI MicroStrategy delisting—an item that stood out because it suggests the risk lens extends beyond spot crypto into the crypto-equity complex that has become a key liquidity and sentiment barometer.

Farrell’s stated base case: “an early-year bounce followed by another 1H drawdown, creating a more attractive opportunity into year-end.If I’m wrong, I’d rather wait for confirmation (trend breaks, flows, momentum, or a clear catalyst). Crypto is reflexive, and for my objective, patience matters in no-man’s land.”
The thread ends on a point many readers missed in the initial screenshot-driven outrage cycle: Farrell still expects BTC and ETH to “challenge new ATHs by year-end,” describing a shorter, shallower bear that could compress the traditional four-year cycle narrative. “For those who tuned into the outlook: I still expect BTC and ETH to challenge new ATHs by year-end, effectively ending the traditional four-year cycle with a shorter, shallower bear,” he wrote via X.
At press time, Ethereum traded at $3,043.

Charles Hoskinson sees Bitcoin hitting $250K as Fed cuts, tech adoption, and global turmoil converge.
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson is betting on Bitcoin, which he believes could hit $250,000 at the end of 2025 or early 2026.
In an interview on the "Beyond the Valley" podcast, the blockchain baron listed a confluence of clearer regulations in the U.S., big tech companies adopting stablecoins, and a potential pivot by the Federal Reserve as reasons behind the crypto market's next leg up.
He said, “Once the Fed lowers interest rates, you'll have a lot of fast, cheap money, and then it'll pour into crypto,"
His remarks also reflect heightened geopolitical uncertainty and a temporary pause on new U.S. tariffs unveiled by President Donald Trump. Bitcoin, which recently fell below $77,000, recovered to above $82,000 on April 9.
At the time of writing, Bitcoin sits at $81,586.33, up by over 6% in the last 24 hours.
Hoskinson also added the so-called Magnificent 7—Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, etc—will use stablecoins to make payment processing global. He feels crypto provides an alternative that is not as centralized in a time when traditional systems are under strain from tariff wars and trade disruption.
"Your only option for globalization is crypto," he stated, noting that treaties and global institutions are failing to keep up.
Is Hoskinson's prediction realistic?
Bitcoin's 10-year Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) has been on a steady decline, well below the 200% mark, down from over 400% in earlier years, according to Bitbo.
Though explosive growth is still possible in today's market, particularly in light of renewed inflows from institutional investors, history suggests that any jump would require particularly favorable conditions—rendering Hoskinson's prediction optimistic, if not impossible—especially with the asset's growing adoption.
According to a report published in January 2025, global crypto ownership increased by 13% year-over-year in 2024, growing from 580 million users at the end of 2023 to 659 million by December 2024.

ARK Invest CEO sees a good year ahead, but crypto has a new challenge to face.
Cathie Wood believes markets may be underestimating just how different 2026 could look.
In a recent video on Dec. 21, Wood explained that investors have already absorbed multiple shocks in 2025, including tariff turmoil, a government shutdown, and persistently hawkish Federal Reserve rhetoric. Despite this, asset prices have held up better than expected.
However, before the crypto market reaps the benefits of 2026, it needs to cross a major stress test in the coming days.
Cathie Wood predicts 'Goldilocks' year ahead
Wood argued that the resilience shown by assets is setting the stage for a potential "Goldilocks year," where growth accelerates even as inflation falls sharply.

Wood has suggested that inflation could drop to zero or even turn negative if key components, such as oil prices and rents, continue to decline.
It is a classic macro reset thesis where growth is strong without inflationary pressure. Historically, this combination has been highly supportive of risk assets following prolonged tightening cycles.
Back in early 2019, the Federal Reserve pivoted after the aggressive tightening cycle between 2015 and 2018, signaling an end to rate hikes as inflation softened and growth slowed but did not collapse.

This restored investor confidence and triggered a broad risk-on shift across global markets. Equities rallied, volatility declined, and liquidity conditions improved, creating fertile ground for speculative and alternative assets.
Bitcoin reacted strongly. After bottoming near $3,100 in December 2018, it rallied to almost $13,800 by June 2019.
If inflation breaks decisively lower while economic growth holds, markets are likely to price that shift in quickly and aggressively. That is the signal Wood says she is watching most closely.
Crypto to experience major volatility
However, crypto markets face a major near-term stress test before any Goldilocks narrative can take hold.
The market is bracing for the expiry of roughly $27 billion in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) options on Deribit on Dec. 26.
Large expiries often act as volatility catalysts once dealer hedging rolls off, potentially triggering sharp moves in either direction.
Bullish traders point to technical chart structures that could open the door to a rebound. For instance, Bernstein predicted $200,000 can be the next best price target by 2027.
Bears, meanwhile, warn that weakening spot demand could push prices lower if key support levels fail.
Standard Chartered halved its 2026 Bitcoin forecast to $150,000 from $300,000.
Wood, who has been a long-time Bitcoin bull, also revised her predictions in November. She said that her firm has now lowered its 2030 bull case from $1.5 million to $1.2 million. This was due to the growing popularity of stablecoins and the market performance of gold.
Bitcoin is currently facing a real downturn that began on Oct. 10. Since then, it has seen its price swing in a range between $82,000 and $94,000. At the time of reporting, Bitcoin was trading at $89,979.26, up 2.6% in the past 24 hours.
Wood’s Goldilocks outlook for 2026 provides a bullish long-term macro backdrop, but crypto markets must first navigate it.

On-chain data has confirmed a large distribution from some of Bitcoin’s largest holders. Wallets holding between 10,000 and 100,000 BTC have collectively reduced their positions by 36,500 BTC since the beginning of December.
Bitcoin Whales Distribute 36,500 BTC Amid Market Chop
The total value of the moved or sold Bitcoin is approximately $3.37 billion. This large-scale movement coincides with a period of renewed market volatility, with Bitcoin trading in a choppy range between $85,000 and $94,000 throughout the month. At the time of writing, BTC is trading at $89,646.

This cohort’s selling pressure has increased by over 130% in the first half of December alone. The distribution from whales has been cited as a contributing factor to Bitcoin’s inability to break and hold higher price levels, despite some positive institutional signs like a recent resurgence in spot Bitcoin ETF inflows.
Trader’s Perspective and Future Outlook
The divestment by this specific whale cohort is a key sign for trading desks. While accumulation is noted among smaller tiers of holders (sharks, with 100-1,000 BTC), the selling pressure from the 10k-100k BTC cohort often precedes large price declines or extended consolidation. This is not retail profit-taking. It’s a methodical, large-scale distribution from long-term players.
Desks are now closely monitoring exchange inflow data. A spike in inflows would confirm these movements are preparatory to selling on the open market, rather than internal wallet management or OTC deals, increasing the probability of a test of lower support levels around the $80,400 mark.

A man’s bid to reduce his sentence for using crypto to launder $68,000 for a voice phishing gang has failed spectacularly — with an appeals court sending him to jail.
The unnamed man, aged in his 30s, was sentenced to four years of probation by a district court in 2024, the South Korean newspaper Kyeonggi Shinmun reported.
The same court also sentenced him to two and a half years in jail, but eventually suspended the sentence for four years.
A probationary period means he would need to check in with a probation officer on a regular basis. Under suspension, if he were to commit another crime during that time, he would be sent to prison.
Unhappy with this verdict, the man appealed to the Suwon High Court in the hope of reducing his sentence.
That backfired, Instead of cutting his sentence, the court reversed the suspension order and jailed the man for four years.
The appeals court ruled that the defendant was “not merely a participant” in the voice phishing ring, but said he’d “played a key role” and that it couldn’t accept the district court’s decision to suspend the sentence.
Criminal may strike again
The man worked with a South Korean voice phishing ring, converting victims’ funds into an unnamed cryptocurrency before sending them to an address in China, prosecutors told the court.
The ring’s members posed as public prosecutors and called victims to warn them that criminals had stolen their identities and opened bank accounts in their names.
They then warned victims that their assets were at risk, advising them to withdraw their funds and send them to “safe” bank accounts.
These accounts, however, were under the ring’s control, and they were emptied as soon as they received the victims’ money.
The defendant’s legal team told the court he had agreed to compensate the victims for their losses.

The court was unimpressed, noting that the man was a repeat offender with prior links to voice phishing scams.

“The court has seen evidence that the defendant referred to himself as ‘a person in charge.’ He received daily reports on the ring’s operations and played a key role in the voice phishing crimes,” said the judge.
“He gave orders to other members of the organisation.”
The judge said it had no choice but to issue “a severe punishment commensurate with the defendant’s degree of involvement.”
The court concluded that the man had clearly not learned from his prior mistakes.
“Even though he was fully aware of the illegality and social harm of his actions, he reoffended,” the judge concluded. “As such, there is a high possibility he will commit further crimes of this nature.”
Under South Korean law, the man retains the right to appeal to the Supreme Court, which has the power to extend his sentence if it rejects his appeal.
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