Bitcoin AI Generated News

Headline: Despite a rough year for prices, Solana led on-chain usage in 2025 — and that has the market divided As 2025 closes, crypto markets tell two different stories. Price performance: ETH outpaced SOL - Major top-cap tokens finished the year with negative returns. Among the top five, Solana (SOL) was the weakest performer, plunging more than 30% year‑on‑year, while Ethereum (ETH) fell about 6% over the same period. That means SOL’s decline was roughly five times greater than ETH’s, wiping about 25% off the SOL/ETH ratio (source: TradingView, SOL/ETH). - In short: on price alone, 2025 was an Ethereum year. On‑chain activity: Solana dominated usage - But prices don’t tell the whole story. According to Artemis CEO Jon Ma and Artemis Terminal data, Solana emerged as the most-used chain in 2025 by several raw usage metrics: - Monthly Active Users (MAU): 98 million - Total Transactions: 34 billion - Trading Volume: $1.6 trillion+ - Network revenue: highest among chains - These numbers ignited a heated debate: adoption and “pure usage” metrics point decisively to Solana, showing that heavy on-chain activity can diverge from market performance. Ethereum still leads in foundational on‑chain fundamentals - While Solana won on usage, Ethereum continued to hold stronger positions in core metrics critical for DeFi and long-term ecosystem depth. Per Jon Ma’s post, Solana’s rankings included: - 3rd in Total Transfer Volume - 2nd in TVL (Total Value Locked) - 2nd in Developer Activity - 3rd in Stablecoin Supply - These are the metrics that matter for market depth, DeFi rails, security of liquidity, and sustained developer engagement — areas where Ethereum remains advantaged. What it means for 2026 - The split between “pure usage” (Solana) and foundational strengths (Ethereum) helps explain why the community is divided. Solana’s activity dominance is notable and meaningful; however, many of the metrics where SOL lags are crucial for long-term DeFi dominance and institutional confidence. - Given Ethereum’s edge in those fundamentals, a scenario where SOL sustainably outperforms ETH across 2026 looks unlikely to many observers — though market swings and evolving on-chain product mixes could alter that view. Takeaway - 2025 demonstrated a clear divergence: Solana led on raw network usage, but Ethereum kept the stronger structural foothold. Investors and builders will be watching whether Solana can translate heavy user and transaction volumes into the deeper liquidity, developer momentum, and protocol-level value that underpin lasting market outperformance. Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not investment advice. Trading cryptocurrencies carries high risk; do your own research before making any decisions. Source: TradingView (SOL/ETH); Artemis Terminal / Jon Ma. © 2025 AMBCrypto. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: Fed quietly restarts “money printing”; Heritage economist warns inflation could return — what crypto traders should watch The Federal Reserve quietly resumed securities purchases this week, a move that’s stirring fresh inflation fears and adding another variable for crypto markets already watching dollar dynamics and de-dollarization trends. What happened — the facts - The Fed announced Wednesday it will resume buying Treasury securities, marking a reversal from its quantitative tightening (QT) program that began in June 2022. - The central bank said purchases will “remain elevated for a few months” before being “significantly reduced,” citing strains in overnight funding markets. - The program will start with purchases of $40 billion in Treasury bills. - The resumption of balance-sheet expansion coincided with the Fed’s third rate cut of 2025: the FOMC lowered its policy rate by 25 basis points to 3.50–3.75% — the lowest level in nearly three years. Since September 2024, the Fed has cut rates by a cumulative 1.75 percentage points. - The rate decision was approved 9–3, signaling some division among policymakers. Chair Jerome Powell said, “We are well positioned to wait and see how the economy evolves,” suggesting a possible pause in further cuts. - Fed officials’ projections currently show only one additional rate cut penciled in for next year. Why Heritage Foundation economist E.J. Antoni is alarmed - Antoni called the balance-sheet move “money printing” and warned on Newsmax that expanding the Fed’s balance sheet will put upward pressure on prices next year, potentially reversing gains from regulatory reforms. - He criticized Chair Powell’s timing and record, arguing the Fed has delayed policy action in the past (citing 2019 emergency cuts and post-COVID timing errors) and called for new leadership. How the Fed is “printing money” (and why it matters) - When the Fed buys government securities, it creates bank reserves and expands its balance sheet — increasing the digital money supply rather than printing physical currency (actual banknotes are issued by the Treasury’s Bureau of Engraving and Printing). - That increase in reserves can be inflationary if it translates into higher spending and credit growth — a key part of Antoni’s warning. Implications for crypto markets - Inflation risk and a potentially weaker dollar often fuel narratives that support crypto as a hedge or alternative store of value; renewed Fed balance-sheet expansion could reinforce those narratives. - Conversely, rate cuts can encourage risk-on flows that lift speculative assets, including crypto — but they also reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets, complicating the picture. - Geopolitical and macro trends matter too: moves toward de-dollarization among BRICS and other global shifts could compound dollar pressure over time, an angle crypto traders watch closely. What to watch next - Size and duration of the Treasury-bill purchases and how “elevated” the Fed keeps purchases. - Economic data: inflation readings, payrolls and other labor-market signals that could change Fed calculus. - FOMC dissent patterns and any public comments from officials that signal a shift in balance-sheet strategy. - Dollar strength, real yields, and flows into crypto and gold as markets price policy and inflation risk. Bottom line The Fed’s quiet restart of securities purchases has put money-supply and inflation risks back on the table at a time of falling policy rates and geopolitical currency debates. For crypto market participants, that combination heightens macro uncertainty — potentially bolstering demand for non-dollar and inflation-sensitive assets, but also feeding volatility as traders reprice policy expectations. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Phantom launches on-chain debit card to U.S. users — virtual card works with Apple Pay and Google Pay Phantom Wallet has begun rolling out Phantom Cash, a prepaid Visa debit card that lets U.S. users spend an on-chain stablecoin balance directly via Apple Pay and Google Pay. The company confirmed the phased rollout on Dec. 15 via X, saying early access is being granted through its waitlist and will expand throughout the week. International availability is planned for a later date. How it works - The card draws from a Phantom Cash balance backed by CASH, a U.S. dollar–pegged stablecoin on Solana. - At checkout, Phantom converts the on-chain stablecoin into dollars at the point of sale — so users don’t need to manually sell crypto or preload a separate fiat balance. - Users receive a virtual card at launch that can be added to Apple Pay and Google Pay; physical cards are expected in a future stage. Requirements and partners - Access requires identity verification (KYC). Completing KYC also unlocks other Phantom Cash features such as direct bank transfers and seamless on- and off-ramps. - Phantom is careful to note it is not a bank. The prepaid Visa is issued by Lead Bank and managed by Bridge Ventures. Fees may apply depending on usage. Product strategy and context The debit card is part of Phantom’s broader push to evolve from a pure wallet into a lightweight money app. This year the team introduced a dedicated Cash tab for gasless peer-to-peer transfers and instant stablecoin conversions tied to Phantom usernames, and has been layering prediction markets, stablecoin payments, and yield products into the app. Phantom now claims more than 15 million monthly active users across Solana, Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Sui. That scale places the company squarely in a competitive market where other wallets and exchanges already offer crypto-linked cards — but Phantom’s selling point is keeping funds on-chain until the moment of purchase. Rollout and outlook For now, access is limited to U.S. waitlist users. Phantom has urged patience as the phased release continues. If adoption grows, Phantom Cash could become one of the wallet’s highest-visibility features and a real-world test of consumer comfort with spending stablecoins in everyday payments. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

iRobot, maker of the Roomba, has filed a pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware as Shenzhen PICEA Robotics moves to take control of the company and wipe out more than $260 million of debt. Key facts - Date and market reaction: iRobot filed for Chapter 11 on December 15, 2025. Shares plunged more than 82% in premarket trading that day. - Deal mechanics: Under a Restructuring Support Agreement with secured lender/manufacturer Shenzhen PICEA Robotics and Santrum Hong Kong, PICEA will acquire 100% of iRobot’s equity through a court-supervised process. The deal cancels roughly $190 million from a 2023 loan plus about $74 million owed under the manufacturing agreement. - Valuation slide: Market data show iRobot’s value has fallen from $3.56 billion in 2021 to about $140 million today. - Timeline and finances: iRobot began a pre-packaged Chapter 11 in the District of Delaware and expects to complete the restructuring by February 2026. Court filings list estimated assets between $100 million and $500 million and liabilities in the same range. - Operations and employees: iRobot said operations will continue uninterrupted — app services, customer programs, global partnerships, supply-chain ties and product support should remain intact. The company employs 274 people and is headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts. Background and business pressures Founded in 1990 by three MIT roboticists and best known for launching the Roomba in 2002, iRobot generated about $682 million in revenue in 2024. The company has faced growing pressure from lower-cost Chinese competitors such as Ecovacs Robotics, forcing price cuts and investment in product upgrades. Trade-policy headwinds also hit margins: U.S. tariffs imposed a 46% levy on imports from Vietnam (where iRobot manufactures many U.S.-bound vacuums) added roughly $23 million in costs in 2025, according to the company. Other notable context - Amazon’s prior proposed $1.4 billion acquisition of iRobot was terminated after a European competition probe. - Market share: iRobot has retained roughly 42% of the U.S. robotic vacuum market and about 65% of Japan’s market, per industry data. Why crypto investors and the broader markets should care - Distressed tech exits can reshape supplier and OEM relationships that feed into tokenized supply-chain products and hardware-backed asset plays. - Pre-packaged bankruptcies that transfer equity to creditors (here, a manufacturer) highlight how capital-stack priorities play out — a useful precedent for tokenized debt or equity structures that aim to protect operational continuity while restructuring claims. - Ongoing operations and the stated intent to pay creditors and suppliers in full under the plan could limit short-term disruption to partners, but equity holders will see dilution or elimination — an outcome digital-asset holders of tokenized shares would want to monitor closely. What to watch next - Court timeline and final approval in Delaware (targeted completion by Feb 2026). - Any changes to supply agreements or manufacturing footprints under PICEA ownership. - Treatment of creditors and how remaining liabilities are settled — signals for similar restructurings in hardware and supply-chain exposed firms. - Market reaction in related hardware and robotics equities and any spillover to tokenized asset sectors tied to manufacturing or IoT hardware. This restructuring marks a steep fall from iRobot’s earlier peak but is structured to keep the business running while shifting control to its primary manufacturer — a resolution that preserves operations even as equity holders are effectively wiped out. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Prysm developers have published a post-mortem revealing that a month-old testnet bug was behind an Ethereum node validation problem that disrupted the network on Dec. 4, shortly before the Fusaka upgrade. What happened - According to Ethereum developer Terence Tsao, Prysm nodes hit “resource exhaustion” while processing attestations from nodes that were out of sync. Instead of continuing from the current head state, affected Prysm clients regenerated prior states from scratch, replaying past epoch blocks and recomputing expensive state transitions. That unexpected workload caused a sharp degradation in performance. - The bug had existed on testnets for about a month prior to the incident but had not been triggered there. This underlines that testnets catch many issues but aren’t a perfect guarantee against mainnet outages. Network impact and cost - The disruption persisted for more than 42 epochs. During that window the network experienced an 18.5% missed slot rate and validator participation fell to roughly 75%. - Prysm’s problems led to an estimated loss of about 382 ETH in attestation rewards for validators. Response and mitigation - Node operators were advised to deploy a temporary mitigation while Prysm developers prepared and released a patch. - The post-mortem notes the incident could have been far worse had it hit Ethereum’s largest consensus client. Prysm is the second-largest Ethereum client with a 17.6% market share, per ClientDiversity. Why client diversity matters - The episode reignites concerns about client centralization and finality risk. Lighthouse — currently holding roughly 52.6% client share (down from about 56% at the time of the incident) — sits uncomfortably close to the two-thirds threshold where a single client bug could, in theory, help finalize an invalid chain. - The event echoes past finality scares: in May 2023, not long after the Shanghai upgrade, Ethereum briefly experienced lost finality for several periods before recovering, a reminder that the protocol can face temporary instability even as it remains resilient in the long run. Takeaway - The Prysm incident highlights how subtle testnet bugs can escape detection until they interact with mainnet conditions, and it underscores the continuing importance of client diversity, vigilant testing, and rapid coordination among node operators and client teams to limit damage when problems do occur. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: Macro strategist Luke Gromen turns cautious on Bitcoin, warns $40K risk in 2026 Macro analyst Luke Gromen — long a proponent of the “debasement trade” that favors scarce assets over fiat — has shifted to a near‑term bearish view on Bitcoin, saying a drop into the $40,000 range in 2026 is possible. Speaking on the RiskReversal podcast, Gromen said that while he still believes governments will erode real debt values over time (a thesis that benefits gold, commodities and Bitcoin), the market’s current price action and narratives make Bitcoin more vulnerable than other stores of value. Gromen pointed to several warning signs: Bitcoin’s failure to make fresh highs relative to gold, recent breaks of key moving averages, and rising chatter about quantum‑computing risk. “Basically everything but gold and the dollar are likely to get waylaid,” he said, arguing that gold and certain equities are better expressing the debasement trade right now. For investors, he recommended tactically reducing Bitcoin exposure even as he remains structurally bullish on fiat debasement over the long run. The commentary lands amid broader macro and technology concerns that have dented crypto sentiment: questions over whether Bitcoin can sustain post‑ETF gains, weaker U.S. labor and consumer data, AI‑sector uncertainty, and growing discussion of quantum computing as a medium‑term risk — even if most cryptographers still view practical attacks on Bitcoin’s cryptography as distant. The pushback was swift among Bitcoin‑focused analysts. Some dismissed Gromen’s short‑term bear case as driven more by social media narratives than by fundamentals, arguing that citing broken moving averages or lagging performance versus gold is a common way to sell into weakness rather than to identify a true market top. Onchain analyst Checkmate said much of his evidence appeared to come from X chatter, while Troy Cross of the Bitcoin Policy Institute described the call as a trade on the perception of quantum risk, not the actual cryptographic threat. Market flows paint a more mixed picture. After meaningful outflows in November, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs returned to modest net inflows in December, and the broader debasement thesis Gromen helped popularize still underpins many longer‑term bullish cases for BTC alongside gold. Bottom line: Gromen’s shift reads less like a renunciation of Bitcoin’s role in a fiat‑weakening scenario and more like a tactical warning — a reminder that even macro‑sympathetic investors may trim Bitcoin exposure when charts, narratives and perceived risks converge against it. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

A Bitcoin investor lost his entire retirement nest egg after falling for a “pig butchering” scam — despite repeated warnings from his advisory firm, according to Terence Michael, an adviser and author with The Bitcoin Adviser. Michael posted on X that an unidentified client moved his Bitcoin to an individual who posed as a trader promising to double the holdings. The scammer also claimed to be a woman romantically interested in the investor — a hallmark tactic of pig butchering schemes, which focus on emotional manipulation rather than technical hacks. Michael said he placed “numerous phone calls” and sent a “string of text messages” trying to stop the client, but the investor went ahead anyway. The adviser received a “devastating text message” while out to dinner confirming the client had “lost it all.” The investor — recently divorced — not only transferred his retirement Bitcoin but also purchased a plane ticket to meet the fake romantic partner. After the funds were sent, the attacker admitted the photos used in the relationship were fabricated using artificial intelligence, Michael said. Why pig butchering is so dangerous - These scams groom victims into willingly sending funds by building trust and romance, then promising outsized returns or other incentives. - They are not the result of a hack; victims are persuaded to transfer assets themselves. - According to blockchain security firm Cyvers, grooming periods last one to two weeks in 35% of cases and extend up to three months in 10% of incidents. The broader toll - Pig butchering scams cost the crypto industry an estimated $5.5 billion in 2024 across roughly 200,000 individual cases. - Chainalysis has warned that these schemes are becoming a national security concern; Andrew Fierman, head of national security intelligence at Chainalysis, warned on a November 2025 podcast that victims are often targeted again after being scammed. - In June, the U.S. Department of Justice announced seizures of more than $225 million in crypto connected to pig butchering operations. What this episode underscores is how social engineering and AI-augmented deception are evolving risks for crypto holders. Advisors can warn and counsel, but ultimately investors can still be persuaded to act against better judgment. Quick reminders for readers: be highly skeptical of anyone promising guaranteed returns, verify identities independently, never rush transfers under emotional pressure, and consult trusted advisors or law enforcement if you suspect a scam. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Bhutan has signed a multi-year memorandum of understanding with Cumberland — the digital-asset arm of Chicago trading firm DRW — to help build digital-asset infrastructure in Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC). The agreement, announced by the special administrative region and shared with Cointelegraph, is framed around Bhutan’s long-term, sustainability-first approach to crypto. Highlights of the MoU - Cumberland will support GMC’s Bitcoin reserve management and establish a local presence, including hiring and training local talent. - The firm will send subject-matter experts to help develop an onshore digital-asset workforce. - Parties will explore building a national crypto ecosystem: modern financial frameworks, sustainable mining and AI compute, yield generation, and stablecoin infrastructure. - Green Digital — a GMC-linked company focused on renewable-energy-powered computing — will lead the initiative and align digital-asset projects with Bhutan’s sustainability and economic diversification goals. Why this matters Gelephu Mindfulness City is a special administrative region designed to attract global talent while emphasizing technology, sustainability and mindful development. For Cumberland — one of the largest institutional liquidity providers in crypto markets and DRW’s digital-asset unit active since 2014 — the MoU opens a pathway to work with a sovereign partner that is explicitly prioritizing environmental and governance values. Bhutan’s crypto track record Bhutan already stands out among nations for integrating crypto into national strategy rather than treating it as speculative or purely financial innovation. The Himalayan kingdom: - Uses surplus hydropower for sovereign Bitcoin mining and has accumulated a national Bitcoin reserve. - Has incorporated digital assets into GMC’s strategic reserves and enabled crypto payments in tourism and merchant services. - Launched TER, a sovereign-backed digital token linked to physical gold. A note on scope The agreement is a memorandum of understanding — it lays out areas of cooperation but is not a binding commitment to specific deployments. That means the projects described remain exploratory until formal contracts and implementations follow. Commenting on the deal, DRW founder Donald R. Wilson said: “Bhutan’s clarity of vision and emphasis on sustainable development make it a natural partner for responsible and forward-looking innovation. We are honored to support Bhutan as it builds the foundations of a modern digital economy.” Taken together, the MoU and Bhutan’s prior moves reinforce the country’s emerging role as a rare example of a state treating Bitcoin, stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure as long-term economic tools tightly coupled with sustainability goals. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: Blockchain sleuth warns traders after rapper Soulja Boy–backed memecoin lands on Base Blockchain investigator ZachXBT is urging caution after a new Soulja Boy–branded memecoin drew attention on social media this weekend. The warning followed a public post by Jesse Pollak, a co‑founder of Coinbase’s Base network, who shared what he described as a receipt showing a $1,500 purchase of Ether that he then used to buy the token. “Why give SouljaBoy the platform to scam new people,” ZachXBT wrote on X, pointing readers to a April 2023 research thread that cataloged multiple crypto projects the rapper previously promoted. In that thread, ZachXBT listed six tokens tied to Soulja Boy that either turned out to be rug pulls or were abandoned shortly after endorsement — including RapDoge, Orion, The Life Token, Flokinomics and SafeMars. (In crypto slang, a “rug pull” is when developers abruptly abandon a project and withdraw investors’ funds.) ZachXBT also documented Soulja Boy’s 2021 on‑chain activity in NFTs, noting the rapper minted at least nine collections that were later deleted, removed from OpenSea, or failed to deliver promised “utility.” Citing a leaked influencer price list, the investigator estimated Soulja Boy earned roughly $730,000 from promotions during the 2021 bull run, charging about $12,000 per Instagram post and $10,000 per post on X. The new token — listed as SOULJABOY on Base — has so far attracted limited interest. Since launching on Friday, it registered an approximately $85,000 market capitalization and 331 holders, according to Base app data. Soulja Boy responded on X, saying he’s “learned a lot since then” and takes “full responsibility for his lack of due diligence.” “At the time, I was doing paid promos without understanding the crypto/NFT space the way I do now,” he wrote. The rapper’s crypto ties have faced earlier scrutiny: in February 2022 Soulja Boy and several other high‑profile figures were named in a class‑action lawsuit alleging participation in a pump‑and‑dump scheme tied to SafeMoon. The suit alleged the token’s operators misled investors and ran behavior the plaintiffs compared to Ponzi schemes. Why it matters: celebrity endorsements can drive quick interest and rapid price moves in micro‑cap tokens, but history and on‑chain evidence compiled by independent researchers show a heightened risk of projects that are hyped heavily by influencers — especially where promoters have been paid and projects lack transparent teams or clear utility. Traders should do their own research, verify token fundamentals and consider the elevated risks around celebrity-backed memecoins. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

A new DeFi play is bringing real-world asset tokenization into the heart of sports finance — starting with soccer’s chronic cash-flow problem. Chiliz, the blockchain project best known for fan tokens, announced Monday that its Decentral protocol will let clubs convert future receivables (think broadcast and commercial rights) into on-chain collateral to raise stablecoin liquidity. The announcement, shared with CoinDesk, outlines a system where clubs and sports organizations can tap immediate capital by tokenizing expected revenues, while investors provide funding to decentralized pools. How it works - Clubs upload future receivables such as media contracts onto the protocol as tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). - Those tokenized claims back lending pools that issue liquidity in USDC stablecoin. - Investors deposit capital into the decentralized pools in exchange for yield, and clubs receive faster access to cash without going through banks or specialized funds that often carry high fees and heavy administration. Chiliz will seed Decentral with an initial $1 million liquidity pool in USDC, featuring a 90-day lock-up and an anticipated 12% APY, the release says. Why it matters Many clubs — especially those outside football’s financial elite — sit on long-term, valuable contracts but still face day-to-day funding shortfalls. By turning future revenues into on-chain RWAs, the model aims to speed settlement, increase transparency and open access to a global base of capital. Tokenization lets traditional assets be represented as blockchain tokens that can be bought, sold and traded, broadening where and how financing can be obtained. “This reflects SportFi’s shift from concept to practical utility,” Chiliz founder Alex Dreyfus said, framing the move as a step toward using blockchain infrastructure to finance the core mechanics of the sports economy. Context and caveats Chiliz has been a major force in SportFi, primarily through fan tokens that let supporters speculate on a team’s fortunes while unlocking exclusive rewards. Decentral’s receivables-tokenization is a more direct application of blockchain to core sports finance. As with any RWA project, legal, operational and counterparty risks — such as enforceability of on-chain claims to off-chain cash flows — will be key considerations for clubs and investors. If successful, the Decentral model could offer a new liquidity channel for sports organizations and an alternative yield opportunity for crypto investors, further blurring the line between traditional finance and decentralized markets. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: Can MANTRA rebound after a turbulent migration? OM crash, OKX accusations and a roadmap to L2 Mantra’s transition from an ERC-20 governance token (OM) to a native Layer-1 token (MANTRA) is meant to be a growth pivot — but the project is currently mired in controversy that has wrecked the token’s price and split the team and exchange OKX. What happened - Reports say OM crashed by more than 99% in April. More recently, OM plunged again — dropping over 80% after OKX froze certain Mantra-related accounts and liquidated a portion of the token supply, an action the exchange said became necessary after what it characterized as price manipulation. - OKX alleges that some parties borrowed “significant amounts of USDT” and used OM as collateral to artificially inflate its price. The exchange’s statement also flagged “unusually large quantities of OM” controlled by a small group and said its risk team had to intervene when prices slipped, sparking aggressive selling across platforms. - That narrative has escalated into a public blame game between the Mantra team and OKX. The exchange called the team’s counterclaims a “misleading narrative,” while Mantra CEO JP Mullin denied any litigation between the protocol and OKX, saying the dispute is between the exchange and “other larger traders/investors of OM.” Voices from the market - Some community members questioned OKX’s motives. X user Park Yong asked why OKX didn’t simply delist OM if it considered the token a scam, suggesting the intervention might be related to OKX’s own exposure rather than pure user protection. - The public spat has compounded investor uncertainty and sentiment in derivatives markets. CoinGlass data shows overwhelmingly bearish positioning in OM futures at press time. Market performance and project fundamentals - OM rallied sharply in late 2024 into February 2025, posting gains of roughly 600% during that run. That momentum was partly erased in early 2025, and the subsequent exchange intervention contributed to the steep sell-offs. - As of press time OM was trading around $0.07 (TradingView). The chain is not standing still amid the controversy: Mantra has been building new offerings, including a stablecoin called MantraUSD, and still counts over 36,000 OM holders ahead of the token migration. The migration timeline - Mantra plans to migrate OM into a full Layer 1 (L2) and convert the ERC-20 governance token OM to MANTRA. The migration is scheduled to be finalized by January 15, 2026. OKX has said it contacted the Mantra team to facilitate conversion of OM holdings; the Mantra CEO denies any direct legal proceedings between the protocol and OKX. Outlook - With technical product development continuing and a substantial holder base, Mantra still has on-chain building blocks in place. But reputation damage, exchange actions and lingering questions around token distribution and alleged market manipulation will complicate recovery. Whether the migration to MANTRA and new product launches will be enough to restore trust — and the token price — remains an open question. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Cryptocurrency trading carries high risk; do your own research before making any decisions. © 2025 AMBCrypto Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: TRON Pops on Revolut Tie-Up but Technicals Warn — Traders Should Stay Cautious TRON (TRX) showed surprising short-term strength this week, but analysts urge caution before buying into the move. On December 14, while Bitcoin slid about 3.2%, TRX climbed roughly 4.5 in just over 24 hours — a relative outperformance backed by a 45% jump in daily trading volume, per CoinMarketCap. Fundamental catalyst: Revolut partnership On December 11, TRON DAO announced a partnership with fintech giant Revolut. With roughly 65 million users, Revolut’s choice to integrate TRON infrastructure is a notable vote of confidence in the network’s capacity — and it may have helped fuel recent inflows. Whether that news drives sustained price gains remains an open question. Technical picture: weekly structure still bearish Despite the short-term pop, the weekly chart remains structurally bearish. TRX broke the September higher-low near $0.30, and the next meaningful support sits around $0.259 if the price retests lower levels. Momentum indicators add to the downside warning: the MACD produced a bearish crossover in September and has stayed below zero, implying the recent pullback could evolve into a prolonged downtrend. That said, the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) is above +0.05 on the weekly frame, signaling sizeable capital inflows and buying pressure — a conflicting signal that suggests buyers are returning but the larger trend is still tilted toward bears. Lower timeframe shows short-term lift, but structure unchanged On the 4-hour chart the structure remains bearish as well. To flip that short-term structure bullish, TRX needs to reclaim and sustain moves above $0.282. Recent on-chain flows and momentum indicators have picked up — CMF and the MACD on the H4 chart reflect increased buying pressure — so a bounce is plausible. Likely scenarios and key levels - A bounce toward the Fibonacci retracement cluster at $0.283–$0.286 could break the H4 bearish structure, but AMBCrypto expects such a move may be short-lived and vulnerable to retracement. - The $0.283–$0.286 area would likely be a selling opportunity for traders, with a broader supply zone extending up to $0.29. - If buyers push TRX decisively above $0.29, the bearish thesis would be undermined. - If the rally fails, swing traders can target local support levels near $0.27 and $0.259 to take profits. Bottom line TRX’s recent outperformance and the Revolut partnership are bullish developments, but the multi-timeframe structure still leans bearish. Short-term bounces are possible, yet traders should manage risk and watch the $0.282–$0.29 range for signs of rejection or a breakout. Disclaimer This article is informational and reflects the author’s opinion. It is not financial, investment, or trading advice. Cryptocurrency trading carries high risk — do your own research before making decisions. © 2025 AMBCrypto Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

The cryptocurrency pullback shows little sign of stopping as Bitcoin struggles to hold the $90,000 mark. On Dec. 15, 2025, BTC slipped to about $89,000, and altcoins are feeling the drag — including Solana (SOL). Where Solana stands now - Short-term moves: CoinGecko data shows SOL down 0.2% over the past 24 hours and 2.1% over the last week, while 14-day charts actually show a 3.9% gain, suggesting some recent buying pressure. - Medium- and longer-term pain: SOL is off about 7.4% over the past month and nearly 40% since December 2024. - Price action: SOL appears to be consolidating in a $130–$140 band. Why SOL is stuck Solana is largely moving in Bitcoin’s wake — meaning SOL’s upside is limited while BTC remains tepid. Analysts point to broader macro uncertainty and the fading prospect of an early-2026 interest-rate cut as headwinds for risk assets. Some capital is rotating into traditional safe havens: notably, silver hit a new all-time high last Friday, underscoring a partial flight from crypto risk. Near-term outlook CoinCodex’s analysts expect further consolidation, forecasting SOL to hover around $131 through Dec. 21, 2025. That outlook lines up with the current $130–$140 trading band and the mixed short- vs. medium-term indicators. Longer-term perspective Despite the current drawdown, Solana’s track record shows resilience. After plunging below $9 following the FTX collapse in 2022, SOL later reached multiple all-time highs. While recovery depends heavily on a broader market rebound — led by Bitcoin and macro tailwinds — there remains a reasonable chance SOL regains momentum once the bear phase ends. Bottom line In the near term, SOL looks rangebound and vulnerable to further BTC weakness. But its historical ability to rebound suggests investors who view the cycle through a longer lens may see opportunity if market conditions improve. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Phantom has begun rolling out its long-teased crypto debit card in the U.S., letting users spend on-chain stablecoins via Apple Pay and Google Pay — a major move as the wallet pushes to become an everyday money app. In a Dec. 15 post on X, Phantom announced that early access to Phantom Cash, its prepaid Visa debit card, is now being distributed to U.S. users on a phased waitlist. The launch is currently U.S.-only, with international expansion planned later, and access will continue to open throughout the week. How it works - The Phantom Cash card is a prepaid Visa that draws from a Phantom Cash balance backed by the U.S. dollar–pegged stablecoin CASH on Solana. - At launch users get a virtual card that can be added to Apple Pay and Google Pay for contactless purchases; physical cards are expected later. - When you pay, Phantom converts your on-chain CASH into dollars at the point of sale — so there’s no need to manually sell crypto or preload a fiat balance. The process aims to feel like a conventional debit card while keeping funds on-chain until purchase. Requirements, partners and fees - Card access requires identity verification. Completing KYC also unlocks extra Phantom Cash features, including direct bank transfers and smoother on-/off-ramps. - Phantom clarifies it is not a bank: the prepaid Visa is issued by Lead Bank and managed by Bridge Ventures, and fees may apply depending on usage. Why this matters The card marks a strategic step in Phantom’s evolution from a wallet focused on swaps and token storage to a broader financial hub. Earlier this year Phantom launched a dedicated Cash tab with gasless peer-to-peer transfers and instant stablecoin conversions via Phantom usernames. It has also been adding prediction markets, stablecoin payments and yield products — features designed to keep users inside the app for more than just trading. Competition and outlook With more than 15 million monthly active users across Solana, Ethereum, Bitcoin and Sui, Phantom is entering an increasingly crowded space: several wallets and exchanges already offer crypto-linked cards. Phantom’s differentiator is that funds remain on-chain until the moment of purchase, preserving crypto-native flows while enabling real-world spending. Access is limited for now, and the company has asked waitlisted users to be patient as the rollout expands. If adoption scales, the Phantom Cash card could become one of the wallet’s most visible consumer-facing features and a real-world test of everyday stablecoin use. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Spanish and Danish police have dismantled a cross-border criminal network accused of abducting and killing a man for access to his cryptocurrency holdings — a brutal example of rising “wrench attacks” that target crypto holders in the real world. The investigation began in April after a woman in Málaga reported that she and her partner had been ambushed in nearby Mijas by three or four masked assailants armed with handguns. According to police statements, the couple were forced into a vehicle and taken to a residence where the attackers tried to extract access to their crypto wallets. The female victim was released around midnight; the male victim was later found dead in a wooded area, with a gunshot wound and other signs of violence. Police say the man had been shot in the leg while trying to flee. Spanish authorities arrested five suspects and, working with Danish law enforcement, coordinated charges against four additional individuals. Danish police confirmed two of those charged were already serving prison terms for similar crimes. As part of the probe, Spanish officers executed six raids in Madrid and Málaga, seizing an assortment of items tied to the case: two handguns (one real, one imitation), a baton, blood-stained clothing, mobile phones, documents, and biological evidence. Law enforcement described the perpetrators as part of a cross-border organization that uses violent methods to steal digital assets — a pattern that mirrors an industry-wide shift from online thefts to physical coercion. These “wrench attacks” — where attackers physically force victims to hand over passwords, seed phrases, or hardware devices — have gained increased attention as crypto adoption grows. Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis warns that violent, crypto-related attacks are trending sharply upward. Their report projects that such attacks could reach record levels in 2025; as of July, 35 violent attacks had been recorded worldwide, putting the year on pace to surpass the previous peak seen in 2021. Chainalysis also found that more than $2.17 billion has been stolen from cryptocurrency services so far this year — already exceeding the total for 2024 — and nearly one-quarter of those losses stem from attacks on personal wallets. Criminals are increasingly targeting high-value, retail-held wallets, especially in regions where crypto use is expanding. Chainalysis data highlight the Asia-Pacific region as a major hotspot: it ranks second globally for Bitcoin theft and third for Ether theft, with countries including Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and the Philippines reporting a rise in violent incidents — some with severe outcomes. The Spanish–Danish operation underscores both the international reach of organized crypto crime and the growing physical risks faced by holders of significant digital-asset wallets. Authorities say the case remains under investigation as they continue to pursue additional suspects and evidence. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Memecoins aren’t dead — they’ve just hit a rough patch and will come back in a different form, MoonPay president Keith A. Grossman argues. Far from a fad, Grossman says the core innovation of memecoins was demonstrating how easily and cheaply attention can be tokenized on blockchains — potentially democratizing the attention economy — even if the initial wave failed to return value to everyday participants. Grossman likens pundits’ declarations of memecoin “death” to early predictions that social media was finished after first-generation platforms stumbled in the 2000s. In both cases, he suggests, the idea was sound but the first implementations concentrated value in centralized hands and didn’t benefit communities. A later, better-executed wave could revive the concept. What happened: boom, then bust - 2024 boom: Memecoins were among the best-performing crypto sectors and the top narrative for crypto investors, according to CoinGecko. - 2025 crash: The memecoin market collapsed in Q1 2025 after several high-profile token failures and sharp drawdowns described by many as rug pulls. Criticism that memecoins and other social tokens had no intrinsic value accelerated investor flight. - High-profile examples: - A memecoin tied to U.S. President Donald Trump launched ahead of the January 2025 inauguration, peaking around $75 before plunging more than 90% to roughly $5.42, per CoinMarketCap. - Argentine President Javier Milei publicly backed a social token called Libra in February; the token later crashed, leaving an estimated 86% of LIBRA holders with realized losses of $1,000 or more. LIBRA had reached a peak market cap of about $107 million and was widely labeled a rug pull. The fallout prompted a government probe, investor lawsuits and calls for impeachment. Scrutiny has also hit other high-profile memecoins and launches — for example, transparency questions around token distributions (such as allegations that 30% of PEPE’s genesis supply was bundled) continue to fuel skepticism. What’s next Grossman’s take: the underlying thesis — that attention is a tokenizable asset — remains valid. The challenge is building token economies that return real value to participants rather than letting rewards be captured by centralized intermediaries. If that happens, memecoins (or their evolved descendants) could re-emerge — this time with more sustainable structures and clearer value propositions. Bottom line: 2024’s memecoin surge showed the potential; 2025’s collapses exposed structural flaws. Whether memecoins recover will depend on better token economics, greater transparency and mechanisms that actually distribute attention-derived value to communities. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Security group SEAL warns of a wave of wallet “drainers” being slipped onto crypto sites by exploiting a recently disclosed React vulnerability. What happened - On Dec. 3 the React team published a patch after white-hat researcher Lachlan Davidson disclosed an unauthenticated remote code execution flaw (CVE-2025-55182) that could let attackers inject and run arbitrary front-end code. - Cybersecurity nonprofit Security Alliance (SEAL) says threat actors have been using that hole to quietly add wallet-draining scripts to legitimate crypto websites — prompting a “big uptick” in malicious payloads being uploaded to compromised sites. How the attacks work - Injected scripts present fake pop-ups or reward prompts that trick users into signing transactions. Once a user signs, funds are transferred to attacker-controlled addresses. - SEAL also reports affected sites may suddenly be flagged as phishing pages, which can block legitimate projects until the issue is resolved. Immediate steps for site operators (SEAL’s advice) - Patch now: upgrade React packages tied to React Server Components — specifically react-server-dom-webpack, react-server-dom-parcel, react-server-dom-turbopack — to the fixed versions released Dec. 3. - Scan hosts for indicators of CVE-2025-55182 exploitation and for unfamiliar assets being loaded by your front end. - Look for obfuscated JavaScript, unknown CDNs or hosts, and scripts injected into page builds or served assets. - Verify signature prompts display the correct recipient address before asking users to sign any transaction. - If your project is blocked as a phishing page, review and clean your front-end code before requesting a warning removal. Who is and isn’t affected - Apps that use React Server Components or the affected bundler plugins need to patch. If your React code does not use a server, or you don’t use a bundler/plugin that supports React Server Components, you’re likely not affected. Quick tips for users - Don’t sign unexpected pop-ups or approve unfamiliar transactions. - When a wallet prompts for a signature, always confirm the recipient address and transaction details. - Use hardware wallets and browser wallet protections where possible. Why this matters for crypto Front-end compromises are a high-risk vector for on-chain theft because they exploit legitimate sites users trust. The combination of a high-impact RCE in a widely used library plus automated injection campaigns can lead to rapid, large-scale losses if not addressed quickly. Stay safe: site operators should prioritize the React patch and a thorough front-end audit; users should be vigilant about signing requests and verify recipient addresses. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Sei Network’s token is quietly coiling at the bottom of its range as on-chain activity and derivatives volume surge — a classic setup for a sharp move once volatility returns. Price action and risk - On the 4‑hour chart SEI remains pinned to the lower portion of its broader trading range, repeatedly capped beneath the EMA ribbon (a cluster of short‑term exponential moving averages). That inability to reclaim short‑term trend control keeps downside risk elevated. If support fails, the next obvious target sits around the weak low near $0.1216. (Source: TradingView) On‑chain and DEX activity tells a different story - Despite muted price movement, user activity is rising fast. DEX volume for SEI topped $400 million in just two weeks, signaling more transactions and participation at these lower prices. (Source: DefiLlama) - This divergence — strong on‑chain engagement while price compresses — often indicates accumulation and positioning ahead of volatility rather than simple distribution. Derivatives traders are loading up - Perpetual futures volume exploded, rising roughly 19,527% over the past 90 days, a dramatic uptick that points to aggressive forward exposure even as spot remains contained under the EMA ribbon. (Source: X) - Historically, such a sharp increase in perp activity during compression phases has tended to precede a directional resolution rather than prolonged sideways drift. What to watch next - Structurally, SEI is coiled between defined risk and mapped upside. A breakdown beneath $0.1216 would expose the weak low and likely invite further selling. Conversely, reclaiming the EMA ribbon would shift momentum in bulls’ favor. - A decisive breakout from the current range would refocus attention on the $0.18–$0.20 supply band. Clearing $0.20 cleanly is the key near‑term hurdle; if momentum follows, some analysts project a substantially larger extension — even as high as the $1.50 area in an extended move — though that would require sustained follow‑through and broader market support. (Source: X; chart comparisons noting a base formation similar to BNB’s pre‑2024 expansion.) Bottom line - SEI’s quiet consolidation is accompanied by loud on‑chain and derivatives signals. Traders should watch price’s relationship to the EMA ribbon and the $0.20 zone for clues about the next directional leg, while keeping the $0.1216 level as the critical downside guard. Disclaimer: This article is informational only and is not investment advice. Cryptocurrency trading carries high risk — always do your own research before making financial decisions. © 2025 AMBCrypto. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Headline: Can MANTRA recover? Token migration, exchange freeze and a public blame game leave OM holders in limbo Summary Mantra’s native ERC‑20 token OM has been at the center of a public standoff between the project and major exchange OKX after the token’s price collapsed. With a planned migration that will convert OM into a new MANTRA token (finalized by January 15, 2026), investors are left wondering whether the chain can move beyond the controversy and regain momentum. What happened - In April OM experienced a catastrophic collapse — reported declines of more than 99% — and the fallout sparked a heated dispute between Mantra’s team and OKX. - OKX accused parties linked to the project of borrowing “significant amounts of USDT” and using OM as collateral to artificially inflate price. The exchange says its risk team froze accounts and liquidated a portion of OM after a modest price move, which precipitated broader selling across platforms. OKX also raised questions about “where those unusually large quantities of OM originated” and why a small group controlled a large share of supply. (Source: X) - Mantra pushed back, calling OKX’s portrayal a “misleading narrative.” CEO JP Mullin denied any ongoing litigation between MANTRA or himself and OKX, saying the dispute “is between them and other larger traders/investors of OM.” (Source: X) Market context and token metrics - OM enjoyed a dramatic late‑2024 rally that extended into February 2025, posting roughly a 600% gain at its peak. The token later shed gains amid market headwinds and plunged more than 80% after OKX froze accounts and alleged manipulation. - At time of writing OM trades near $0.07 and sentiment in the futures market is heavily bearish, per CoinGlass. - Despite the turmoil, more than 36,000 addresses still hold OM ahead of the migration. The migration and product roadmap - Mantra is transitioning its token and network: OM (ERC‑20) will be converted into MANTRA as the protocol moves off Ethereum and toward its own chain architecture. The migration is scheduled to be completed by January 15, 2026. - OKX reached out to Mantra about assisting with conversions for OM balances on the exchange. OKX claimed legal steps were in motion related to the situation; Mantra’s leadership denied such litigation with the exchange. - Separately, the chain has continued product development, including plans for a stablecoin called MantraUSD — signaling the team is still building despite the headline risk. Community reaction and questions - Some community members have publicly questioned OKX’s motives. One critic asked why the exchange didn’t simply delist OM and allow withdrawals if it believed the token was a scam, suggesting the issue could involve internal exposure once migration timelines became relevant. - With accusations flying on both sides, holders face uncertainty: will migration and product progress restore trust, or will the exchange conflict and supply‑concentration concerns weigh on the token’s recovery? Bottom line Mantra’s migration to MANTRA is a clear roadmap milestone that could reset the project’s narrative, but lingering allegations of market manipulation, account freezes and public disputes with OKX complicate the path forward. The token’s low price and bearish futures sentiment reflect investor wariness; whether adoption, new products like MantraUSD, and a clean migration can rebuild confidence remains to be seen. Disclaimer This report is informational and not financial advice. Crypto investing carries high risk; do your own research before trading. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

Tether’s bid to buy Juventus knocked back by Agnelli family’s Exor Tether’s attempt to take control of Italian giants Juventus has been firmly rejected by the club’s long-time owners. Exor — the Agnelli family holding company that has controlled Juventus for more than a century — said its board “unanimously rejected an unsolicited proposal submitted by Tether” to acquire all outstanding shares of the publicly traded club. What was offered - According to Reuters, Tether submitted a binding, all-cash proposal valuing Juventus at just over €1 billion, offering €2.66 per share. The company said it would make a public offer for remaining shares at the same price if Exor agreed. - Juventus’ market capitalization stood at €944.49 million after Friday’s close, with the stock trading at €2.19. Exor’s response and refusal - Exor reaffirmed “it has no intention of selling any of its shares in Juventus to a third party, including but not restricted to El Salvador‑based Tether.” - In a video on the club site, Exor CEO John Elkann stressed the family’s ties: “Juventus has been a part of my family for 102 years... Juventus, our history and our values are not for sale.” - Exor said the Agnelli family remains “fully committed to the Club” and will support Juventus’ new management in executing its strategy on and off the field. Tether’s pitch and recent activity - Tether told Exor it was prepared to invest €1 billion to support Juventus’ development if the deal completed. CEO Paolo Ardoino is quoted saying Juventus “has always been part of my life” and that Tether is in “strong financial health” with a long-term capital horizon. - The stablecoin issuer — best known for USDT — has been expanding beyond core crypto business lines. It first bought a stake in Juventus in February and increased that stake to over 10% by April. - Tether has also increased its influence at the club via governance: shareholders approved Tether’s nomination of Francesco Garino to the Juventus board last month, though another Tether nominee, deputy investment chief Zachary Lyons, was not appointed. What this means - The move highlighted growing interest from large crypto firms in traditional sports assets and the strategic value of football clubs for branding and broader business diversification. - Exor’s categorical rejection preserves the Agnelli family’s long-held control of Juventus for now, while Tether’s minority stake and board presence leave it a continuing player in the club’s affairs. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news