Given the strength of the aforementioned support area and the bullish crude oil sentiment seen today across the commodity markets, WTI crude oil can be expected to rise further to the next round resistance level 60.00 (top of the previous correction ii).   WTI crude oil reversed from strong support area Likely to rise to resistance level 60.00 WTI crude oil recently reversed up with the daily Bullish Engulfing from the strong support area between the strong long-term support level 55.20 (which has been reversing the price from April, as can be seen from the daily WTI crude oil chart below), the support level 55.20 (which stopped wave 1 in the middle of October) and the lower daily Bollinger Band. The upward reversal from this support area stopped the previous short-term upward impulse wave (i) from the start of December. Given the strength of the aforementioned support area and the bullish crude oil sentiment seen today across the commodity markets, WTI crude oil can be expected to rise further to the next round resistance level 60.00 (top of the previous correction ii). [caption id="attachment_179246" align="alignnone" width="800"] WTI Technical Analysis Report[/caption] The subject matter and the content of this article are solely the views of the author. FinanceFeeds does not bear any legal responsibility for the content of this article and they do not reflect the viewpoint of FinanceFeeds or its editorial staff. The information does not constitute advice or a recommendation on any course of action and does not take into account your personal circumstances, financial situation, or individual needs. We strongly recommend you seek independent professional advice or conduct your own independent research before acting upon any information contained in this article.    

Metaplanet has taken a bold step to attract global institutional capital by announcing plans to issue dividend-paying preferred shares. The move is designed to provide traditional investors, particularly large asset managers, pension funds, and family offices, with an equity vehicle that combines exposure to Bitcoin’s upside with income features typically expected in traditional financial instruments. After years of positioning itself at the intersection of digital assets and institutional finance, Metaplanet’s latest strategic initiative reflects a maturing story that crypto-oriented firms can no longer rely solely on token exposure or passive holdings for survival. Metaplanet’s New Equity Framework Designed for Institutional Appeal Metaplanet’s announcement centers on the planned issuance of preferred stock, a class of shares that typically grants holders priority over common shareholders in dividend distribution and liquidation events. Preferred stock is especially attractive to institutions that value predictable cash flows, stable governance rights, and clarity of claim in capital structure hierarchies. These are qualities that many traditional investors view as preconditions for allocating significant capital. By embedding dividend features into its equity base, Metaplanet is signaling that it intends to offer investors something closer to a yield-oriented financial product than a pure Bitcoin investment vehicle.  However, the exact dividend policy, including payout ratios, frequency, and yield thresholds, has not been finalized, but public statements suggest that the company is targeting a model that would be sustainable across Bitcoin price cycles rather than tied to short-term price action. Metaplanet Shows That Dividend Equity and Bitcoin Are Becoming Fashionable Metaplanet’s initiative arrives at a time when the broader investment space is struggling with low yields, macro uncertainty, and structural shifts in inflation expectations. Bonds have offered historically compressed yields, equities have traded at elevated valuations, and alternative asset allocations have expanded to include private credit, infrastructure, and real assets. In this context, Bitcoin’s potential to return significant gains has tempted institutional investors, but its volatility has often kept retail investors away. Dividend paying preferred shares may help overcome this hesitation by combining potential upside with income discipline. Institutions hesitant to hold raw Bitcoin due to custody concerns, risk limits, or regulatory constraints might find an equity instrument with dividend features by proxy more acceptable. Furthermore, by structuring returns around equity dividends rather than direct token payouts, Metaplanet may be aiming to sidestep certain regulatory ambiguities that have dogged crypto products. Equity dividends are a well-established construct in global capital markets, offering clear disclosure and reporting frameworks that institutions and auditors already understand. This contrasts with yield-bearing crypto products that may trigger scrutiny under different securities, commodities, or banking statutes. However, dividend commitments hinge on consistent earnings or yield streams, which is historically rare in Bitcoin-focused companies. Metaplanet will need to demonstrate structural plans and sustainable economics under different market conditions for it to successfully reshape how yield and equity interplay.

Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has uncovered a sophisticated infostealer named Stealka that poses a significant threat to cryptocurrency users. First detected in November 2025, the malware disguises itself as game modifications and pirated software, spreading through trusted platforms including GitHub, SourceForge, and Google Sites. The malware masquerades as cheats and modifications for popular games like Roblox and Grand Theft Auto V, as well as cracked versions of legitimate software such as Microsoft Visio. Attackers have created professional-looking fake websites to distribute the malware, making it difficult for users to identify the threat without robust security measures. How Stealka Operates The malware's primary focus is on browsers built using Chromium and Gecko engines, putting more than 100 different browsers at risk. This includes widely used browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge, Brave, and Yandex Browser. Stealka extracts autofill data including sign-in credentials, addresses, and payment card details from these browsers. This is similar to ModStealer malware discovered in September. It specifically targets settings and databases of browser extensions, focusing on crypto wallets, password managers, and two-factor authentication services. Among the 80 cryptocurrency wallets targeted are major platforms including Binance, Coinbase, MetaMask, Crypto.com, SafePal, Trust Wallet, Phantom, Ton, Nexus, and Exodus. Stealka searches for highly sensitive information including encrypted private keys, seed phrase data, wallet file paths, and encryption parameters. This stolen data could potentially allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to digital assets and drain cryptocurrency wallets. The malware also targets standalone cryptocurrency wallet applications, accessing configuration files that contain critical security information. Beyond cryptocurrency-related targets, Stealka compromises messaging applications like Discord and Telegram, email clients, gaming platforms, password management applications, and VPN services. This broad targeting approach enables cybercriminals to potentially hijack accounts and gather intelligence for further attacks. Kaspersky researcher Artem Ushkov noted that most users targeted by Stealka are based in Russia, though attacks have also been detected in Turkey, Brazil, Germany, and India. Attackers have also been found using compromised accounts on legitimate gaming mod sites to spread the malware further, creating a cycle where hijacked credentials become tools for additional infections. Protection and Impact The malware's potential for causing financial damage is considerable, however, Kaspersky reports that all detected instances were blocked by their security solutions. There is currently no confirmed evidence of significant cryptocurrency theft resulting from Stealka infections. To protect against Stealka and similar threats, Kaspersky recommends several critical measures. Users should avoid downloading pirated software, unofficial game modifications, and cheats from unverified sources, as these remain primary distribution vectors for such malware. Deploying reliable antivirus software with real-time scanning capabilities is essential. Users should minimize storing sensitive information like passwords and payment details directly in browsers, instead using dedicated password management applications. Two-factor authentication should be enabled on all accounts, with backup codes stored securely outside of browsers or plain text files. Kaspersky also advises users to exercise caution about which browser extensions they install and to download software only from official, verified sources.

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) has welcomed State Street as the first bank to become a clearing member, marking a significant development for central clearing in the securities lending market. Under the arrangement, OCC will provide central counterparty clearing and settlement through its Stock Loan Program for State Street’s Prime Services platform. The Prime Services offering delivers integrated, custody-based securities lending solutions to institutional investors. By joining OCC as a clearing member, State Street gains access to centrally cleared securities lending, reducing counterparty risk while improving capital efficiency for both the bank and its clients. The move reflects a broader shift within securities finance toward centrally cleared models, particularly as regulatory capital requirements and balance-sheet efficiency continue to shape how large institutions structure lending and financing services. Capital Efficiency and Risk Reduction Drive Adoption According to OCC, its qualifying central counterparty status provides clearing members with approximately 95% risk-weighted asset savings compared with uncleared securities lending activity. OCC also guarantees transactions it clears, mitigating counterparty credit risk and simplifying post-trade processes for participants. “State Street's decision to be our first bank clearing member is a significant milestone for both OCC and the marketplace,” said Oberon Knapp, Managing Director of Strategy and Head of Securities Finance at OCC. “Our qualifying central counterparty status provides our members with approximately 95% risk-weighted asset savings compared to uncleared lending activity, and our guarantee helps mitigate counterparty credit risk.” Knapp added that expanded membership remains a strategic priority for OCC, enabling a broader range of market participants to benefit from the capital efficiency, operational simplicity and risk reduction associated with central clearing. Takeaway: State Street’s admission as OCC’s first bank clearing member signals growing institutional demand for centrally cleared securities lending to enhance capital efficiency and reduce counterparty risk. Strengthening Prime Services and the Securities Finance Ecosystem State Street said the clearing membership aligns with the strategic evolution of its Prime Services business. By integrating OCC clearing into its custody-based model, the bank aims to strengthen balance-sheet efficiency while expanding access to securities lending opportunities for clients. “As a market leader with our Prime Services business, becoming an OCC clearing member was a strategic milestone reflecting the growing importance of central clearing in the securities finance landscape,” said Brendan Eccles, global head of Prime Services at State Street. “This relationship strengthens our capital efficiency within our custody-based Prime Services model while providing our clients with greater access to securities lending opportunities.” OCC currently operates two principal securities lending programs: the Stock Loan/Hedge Program, where trades are executed bilaterally, and the Market Loan Program, which supports anonymous execution through a loan market. In both models, OCC acts as principal counterparty, guaranteeing the obligations of lenders and borrowers and reinforcing its role at the centre of the global securities lending infrastructure.  

What Triggered the First Weekly Outflow in a Month? Global crypto investment products recorded $952 million in net outflows last week, ending a four-week streak of inflows and posting the largest monthly decline so far this year. The pullback followed delays surrounding the U.S. Clarity Act, a bill designed to define oversight and classification rules for digital assets, according to data from CoinShares. The setback reversed three consecutive weeks of positive flows into exchange-traded products offered by major issuers including BlackRock, Bitwise, Ark 21Shares, and Grayscale. CoinShares Head of Research James Butterfill linked the reversal to renewed regulatory uncertainty in the United States, where progress on the legislation has been pushed into early 2026. The Clarity Act had been expected to advance before year-end. Instead, U.S. crypto czar David Sacks confirmed that the bill’s markup is now scheduled for January. That delay has kept open questions around asset classification, exchange oversight, and issuer obligations—factors that appear to have weighed heavily on near-term positioning. Investor Takeaway Regulatory timing still matters for institutional crypto flows. Delays in Washington translated quickly into selling across U.S.-listed products. Why Were Outflows Concentrated Almost Entirely in the U.S.? Nearly all of last week’s selling pressure came from the United States, which accounted for $990 million of the total outflows. In contrast, Canada and Germany recorded modest inflows of $46.2 million and $15.6 million, respectively, suggesting more stable sentiment outside U.S. markets despite the global drawdown. The divergence points to a structural difference in investor behavior. U.S. exchange-traded products remain more sensitive to regulatory signals, given their reliance on domestic policy clarity and the role of U.S. institutions in driving demand. Outside the U.S., flows appeared more insulated from the legislative pause. CoinShares described the episode as an adverse reaction to stalled policy progress rather than a broad risk-off move. Prices across major assets showed limited downside during the week, indicating that the selling pressure was concentrated in investment vehicles rather than spot markets. Which Assets Saw the Largest Impact? Ethereum products absorbed the bulk of the outflows, with $555 million exiting last week—the largest decline among all tracked assets. CoinShares noted that Ethereum stands at the center of U.S. debates over asset categorization and market structure, leaving it especially exposed to regulatory ambiguity. Despite the setback, Ethereum inflows year to date remain well above last year’s levels, totaling $12.7 billion compared with $5.3 billion over the same period in 2024. That contrast suggests that longer-term demand has not reversed, even as short-term sentiment cooled. Bitcoin products also saw notable redemptions, with $460 million in outflows. While Bitcoin remains the largest recipient of institutional capital this cycle, year-to-date inflows of $27.2 billion trail the $41.6 billion recorded during the 2024 period, pointing to softer demand from the U.S. institutional cohort that powered last year’s rally. Were There Any Pockets of Strength? Not all assets saw capital exit. Solana attracted $48.5 million in inflows, while XRP drew $62.9 million, extending a recent pattern in which both tokens have picked up selective support even as flagship products faced selling pressure. The contrast highlights a more selective allocation environment, where investors appear willing to rotate into assets showing relative strength rather than reduce crypto exposure across the board. It also reflects growing dispersion within the market as regulatory uncertainty affects assets differently. Investor Takeaway Flows are no longer moving in unison. Capital is rotating within crypto rather than exiting entirely, with Solana and XRP drawing interest amid broader outflows. What Does This Mean for the Rest of the Year? CoinShares now expects 2025 inflows to fall short of last year’s record. “As a result, it now appears highly unlikely that ETPs will exceed last year’s inflows, with total assets under management standing at US$46.7bn compared with US$48.7bn in 2024,” Butterfill wrote. Market pricing has remained relatively steady despite the fund outflows. Bitcoin gained nearly 2% over the week and trades around $89,700, while Ethereum held near $3,000 with little change. That resilience suggests the pullback reflects positioning and policy risk rather than a shift in broader market conviction. For crypto investment products, attention now turns to early 2026, when U.S. lawmakers are expected to revisit the Clarity Act. Until then, flows may remain sensitive to policy headlines, with U.S.-listed products carrying the highest exposure to regulatory timing risk.

dxFeed has launched a limited-time holiday promotion aimed at making premium market data more accessible to non-professional traders as the year draws to a close. Running from December 15 through January 4, the offer provides discounts of up to 25% or more on selected dxFeed market data subscriptions and bundles for the first month. The initiative is designed to lower the barrier to entry for traders seeking high-quality, low-latency market data during a period traditionally associated with higher market participation and strategy planning for the year ahead. The promotion applies to a range of dxFeed’s most widely used data products across multiple supported trading platforms. By limiting the offer to non-professional traders and the first subscription month, dxFeed positions the promotion as an introductory opportunity rather than a long-term pricing shift, allowing users to evaluate its data services before standard pricing resumes. How the Discounted Access Works Across Platforms The holiday offer is available exclusively to non-professional traders and applies only to selected subscriptions and bundles during the first month. To activate the discount, users must visit get.dxfeed.com, select their preferred trading platform, and subscribe to one of the eligible data packages. Supported platforms include ATAS, Exocharts, Medved Trader, MotiveWave, NinjaTrader, Optimus Flow, Option Trader’s Assistant, Overcharts, Quantower, Tickblaze, and Deepcharts. After the promotional month concludes, subscriptions automatically revert to standard pricing unless cancelled. dxFeed highlighted that ATAS users gain access to exclusive new offerings as part of the promotion, making it particularly attractive for order flow and market depth traders. Featured data feeds include the US Equities Ultimate Bundle, NYSE Arca Book with NBBO, Cboe EDGX Market Depth with NBBO, and Nasdaq TotalView with NBBO. Takeaway: dxFeed’s holiday promotion reflects growing demand from retail and active traders for professional-grade market data, offered through flexible, platform-integrated subscription models. Positioning Market Data for the New Trading Year The promotion also extends to Deepcharts users, who can focus on dxFeed’s US Futures and US Equities data. The company noted that the offer comes as Deepcharts enters a new phase, giving traders an opportunity to pair advanced visualisation tools with dxFeed’s established market coverage. “Whether you're refining your strategy or exploring new markets, dxFeed's reliable, low-latency data helps you trade with confidence as the year comes to a close,” the company said, framing the promotion as both a year-end incentive and a stepping stone into the new trading year. dxFeed closed the announcement by thanking its users and partners for their continued trust, adding: “May your trades be smart, your data precise, and your decisions well-informed as we head into the new year.” The campaign reinforces dxFeed’s broader strategy of expanding access to institutional-quality data while maintaining its focus on reliability, compliance, and support.  

Crypto presales used to feel messy. Big promises. Little clarity. That changed once the broader market sobered up. In 2025, Bitcoin moved back into focus as spot Bitcoin ETFs crossed $50 billion in cumulative inflows, a signal that capital is no longer chasing every headline. When money behaves this way, it looks for structure, not noise. That shift explains why attention is moving toward platforms built around AI, payments, trading tools, and Bitcoin scalability. These themes are shaping what many analysts now describe as the top trending crypto of 2025. This article looks at five projects frequently discussed among the best crypto presales including IPO Genie ($IPO); not because they’re loud, but because they reflect where crypto development is actually heading next. Quick Snapshot: 5 Presales Worth Knowing About Before diving deeper, here’s the high-level view: IPO Genie: AI-powered access to private-market style opportunities BlockchainFX: A unified trading platform vision Nexchain: An AI-native Layer-1 blockchain Remittix: A crypto-to-fiat payments ecosystem Bitcoin Hyper: A Bitcoin Layer-2 focused on speed and usability Together, these projects show why conversations around the best crypto presales have shifted away from speculation and toward functionality. Why These Presales Are Getting Attention Right Now The pattern is clear. AI is no longer a buzzword; it’s becoming infrastructure. Payments are moving from theory to everyday use. Bitcoin is expanding through Layer-2s without changing its core. Investors want access, not complexity. These forces are increasingly shaping what many see as the best crypto heading to 2026. Each project below fits directly into that transition. 5 Best Crypto Presales to Watch Right Now 1. IPO Genie ($IPO): The Private Market Elevator If traditional investing is a locked building, IPO Genie isn’t knocking on the door; it’s installing the elevator. While most presales fight for attention in public markets, IPO Genie is aiming somewhere more deliberate. The project is built around a simple belief: access matters more than speed, and opportunity matters more than noise. Instead of emphasizing rapid trading or short-term price action, IPO Genie focuses on opening up private-market style opportunities. AI is used to surface, organize, and structure deal flow so users aren’t left guessing or chasing trends. The experience is designed to feel closer to private investing than public speculation. That distinction matters. IPO Genie isn’t framed like a casino. It’s framed like an access layer. As capital becomes more selective, projects that combine AI with structured access tend to stand out. That’s why analysts looking past short-term cycles continue to include IPO Genie among the best crypto presales worth understanding early. How the $IPO Token Fits Unlocks tiered access to platform opportunities Enables governance and ecosystem participation Functions as a utility key rather than a passive asset This is a “hold to unlock” model, not “buy and hope.” IPO Genie feels less like buying a ticket and more like being handed a key. 2. BlockchainFX ($BFX): The Trading Control Panel BlockchainFX wants to be the control room, not another screen. The project is built around a reality many traders already know: the hardest part of trading often isn’t strategy; it’s setup. Too many platforms. Too many logins. Too much friction. BlockchainFX envisions a single environment where users can interact with crypto and traditional assets without constantly switching tools. It’s not trying to reinvent trading. It’s trying to simplify it. That focus on consolidation is exactly why it’s being watched. Why BlockchainFX Is Being Watched Appeals to traders who value efficiency Reduces friction without adding complexity Built around a long-term platform vision Token Utility Staking and participation incentives Supports activity within the platform ecosystem Nexchain ($NEX): The Digital Bedrock Nexchain aims to be the foundation, not the storefront. Positioned as an AI-native Layer-1 blockchain, Nexchain is built with AI in mind from the start rather than added later. The emphasis isn’t on flashy applications. It’s on the groundwork that allows ecosystems to scale. Performance, developer tooling, and long-term usability sit at the center of the design. This is infrastructure thinking, not trend chasing. Why Nexchain Matters Targets builders and long-term ecosystems Aligns with the AI-blockchain convergence Focuses on scalability and automation Token Utility Network gas Staking and ecosystem incentives Remittix ($RTX): The Financial Bridge Remittix focuses on payments. The goal is straightforward: make moving money across borders easier using crypto while still delivering real-world results. The emphasis is on usability, not charts or speculation. It’s designed to reduce friction in everyday financial movement, not to gamify it. Why Remittix Is On Watchlists Targets practical payment challenges Focuses on global use cases Fits cleanly into the PayFi narrative Token Utility Powers participation and incentives Supports the payment ecosystem Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER): The Fast Lane for Bitcoin Bitcoin Hyper builds on top of Bitcoin while leaving Bitcoin itself unchanged. As a Layer-2 solution, the project focuses on making BTC faster, cheaper, and more flexible without altering the base layer. New activity happens where speed and usability matter, while Bitcoin remains the foundation. This approach appeals to long-term Bitcoin participants who want expansion without compromise. Why Bitcoin Hyper Is Gaining Interest Bitcoin Layer-2s are becoming a core narrative Improves usability without weakening Bitcoin’s core Aligns with long-term BTC adoption Token Utility Staking and governance Gas and network activity Comparison Table: How These Presales Differ Project Core Focus Primary Use Case Token Role IPO Genie AI + Private Access Deal discovery & access Access tiers, governance BlockchainFX Trading Platform Unified trading Staking, incentives Nexchain AI Layer-1 Blockchain infrastructure Gas, staking Remittix Payments Crypto-to-fiat transfers Network utility Bitcoin Hyper Bitcoin L2 BTC scalability Gas, governance Wrap Up Each project represents a different direction in crypto’s evolution. BlockchainFX focuses on simplifying trading. Nexchain builds foundational infrastructure. Remittix addresses real-world payments.  Bitcoin Hyper expands Bitcoin’s usability through Layer-2 design. IPO Genie stands slightly apart by focusing on access itself, which is why it continues to draw attention in discussions around the best crypto presales heading into the next cycle. Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency investments involve risk, and readers should conduct their own research before making any decisions.

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has been alleged to have supported the flow of hundreds of millions of dollars in suspicious transactions that continued flowing through its platform even after a $4.3 billion U.S. criminal settlement in late 2023. According to an investigation by the Financial Times, the report, which is based on leaked internal files and transaction histories, raises fresh questions about Binance’s compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions obligations despite its high-profile plea deal and ongoing oversight commitments. The files examined by the FT detail a network of accounts flagged for malicious behaviors, including links to terror financing, implausible login patterns, and repeated identity verification failures, that continued to trade significant volumes on Binance long after the exchange agreed to strengthen its compliance framework. Binance has denied knowingly facilitating illicit conduct, but the findings add to ongoing scrutiny of its risk controls and the broader challenge regulators face in policing global digital finance. Investor Takeaway Despite its $4.3 billion U.S. settlement, the exchange’s operations may still face regulatory hurdles, signaling caution for stakeholders in Binance-linked assets. Leaked Binance Data Suggest Continued Red Flag Activity Despite Plea Commitments The Financial Times report shows internal Binance data covering thousands of transactions tied to at least 13 suspicious accounts, collectively moving approximately $1.7 billion from 2021 through parts of 2025. Roughly $144 million in activity occurred after the exchange’s November 2023 plea agreement.  These accounts exhibited multiple classic compliance red flags, such as improbable login patterns from geographically distant locations within hours of each other, failed or insufficient identity verification, and large passthrough movements of crypto into and out of the accounts.  One such account, linked to a resident of a Venezuelan hillside community, reportedly received over $177 million in crypto over two years, changing associated bank payment details hundreds of times in a relatively short span. Experts called many of the account behaviors the kind of patterns that would typically trigger action at regulated banks or financial institutions, including freezes, deeper investigations, or alerts. However, these accounts continued to operate for extended periods on Binance.  The Binance plea agreement with U.S. authorities in November 2023 was one of the largest penalties ever imposed in financial regulation, and it required the exchange to improve AML controls, transaction monitoring, sanctions enforcement, and customer due diligence. It also included provisions for independent compliance monitors to assess progress. But the FT’s examination suggests that those enhancements may not have fully prevented suspicious flows from persisting.  Investor Takeaway Even with strengthened AML and monitoring measures, Binance’s data suggests enforcement gaps may remain, warranting careful scrutiny. Binance’s Denial Raises Questions About Compliance Enforcement Binance has responded to the reports by restating that it has “strict compliance controls” and a “zero-tolerance approach to illicit activity” and that it maintains systems designed to flag and investigate suspicious transactions in line with regulatory requirements.  Still, critics argue that allowing such accounts to continue trading after their plea deal undermines confidence in the exchange’s reforms and raises questions about how effective the settlement’s compliance upgrades have been in practice.

What Is the Whale Doing in Bitcoin and Ethereum? A major crypto investor has increased bearish exposure across Bitcoin and Ethereum, adding to signs that confidence in the recent market rebound remains thin. On-chain data shows a whale wallet, identified as 0x94d3, sharply reduced spot Bitcoin exposure before rotating into large leveraged short positions. According to data tracked by Lookonchain, the wallet sold 255 BTC last Friday for roughly $21.77 million, at an average price near $85,378 per coin. The move was followed almost immediately by the opening of leveraged downside positions, suggesting the trader expected prices to stall or reverse rather than extend higher. The shift highlights how some large players continue to treat recent price strength as tactical rather than the start of a sustained trend. Instead of trimming risk after entering shorts, the wallet added to them as prices moved sideways. Investor Takeaway Large wallets increasing leverage on the short side often reflect conviction rather than hedging. That does not guarantee direction, but it raises the stakes around key support levels. How Large Are These Short Positions? On Friday, the wallet opened 10× leveraged short positions in both Bitcoin and Ethereum. The initial Bitcoin short totaled 876.27 BTC, carrying a notional value of roughly $76.3 million at the time. In parallel, the trader shorted 372.78 ETH, worth about $1.1 million. Rather than reducing exposure as the market stabilized, the whale added again on Monday. An additional 486.49 BTC and 343.01 ETH were placed on the short side, bringing total exposure to 1,362.76 BTC and 715.79 ETH. At current prices, the combined Bitcoin short is valued near $120.4 million, while the Ethereum short totals about $2.15 million. The scale makes this one of the larger visible directional bets currently tracked on-chain. What Do the Position Metrics Reveal? Entry and liquidation levels show the positions are already under some pressure. The Bitcoin short carries an average entry around $87,324, with liquidation estimated close to $101,910. With Bitcoin trading near $88,361, the position is sitting on an unrealized loss of about $1.4 million. Ethereum tells a similar story. The ETH short was entered near $2,920, while liquidation sits far higher. At a market price close to $3,001, the unrealized loss stands near $58,000. While modest relative to the notional size, it shows the trader has tolerated early drawdowns rather than closing out. That willingness to absorb losses suggests the positions are intended as directional bets rather than short-term scalps. The risk profile also leaves room for volatility, especially if prices move quickly toward recent highs. Is the Broader Market Showing Weakness? The timing of the whale’s activity coincides with a market that has struggled to regain momentum following a steep October downturn. Prices have recovered from recent lows, but the rebound has lacked strong follow-through. Technical traders point to Bitcoin hovering near its point of control, a level where most recent trading volume has clustered. Failure to push decisively above prior highs has kept downside scenarios in play, particularly if broader risk sentiment weakens. Momentum indicators have also raised caution. Bearish divergences on commonly watched oscillators suggest upside strength may be fading, increasing the chance of renewed tests of lower support zones. Investor Takeaway When large traders lean bearish while prices stall near high-volume levels, volatility often follows. Direction tends to resolve once key support or resistance breaks. How Does This Compare With Broader Forecasts? The cautious stance aligns with a wider range of institutional outlooks. Recent research from Citigroup outlined a broad distribution of potential outcomes for Bitcoin over the coming year, reflecting how uncertain the current setup remains. In a downside case, the bank sees room for Bitcoin to fall toward the high-$70,000 area. At the other end of the range, a bullish scenario points to prices well above current levels. The spread between those outcomes underlines how sensitive the market remains to liquidity conditions, macro signals, and investor positioning. For now, the whale’s growing short exposure adds another data point to a market caught between recovery hopes and lingering downside risk. Whether the bet pays off will likely depend on how Bitcoin and Ethereum behave around key support levels in the days ahead.

Introduction: a year defined by volatility and transition The global financial landscape of 2025 was shaped by extreme volatility, geopolitical tension, and deep structural uncertainty. While a full-scale crisis was narrowly avoided, the year was marked by profound capital reallocation and shifting investor behaviour, forcing markets to adapt under sustained pressure. Equity markets told a paradoxical story. Major global indices pushed to fresh all-time highs, driven largely by continued enthusiasm around artificial intelligence and mega-cap technology leaders. NVIDIA and its peers reached valuations exceeding the combined GDP of entire continents. Yet beneath these record highs, investor anxiety remained elevated. Concerns surrounding sovereign debt sustainability in the United States, United Kingdom, France and Japan intensified, alongside fears of asset valuation bubbles, sticky inflation, and rising political polarisation. In response, capital flowed simultaneously into risk assets and traditional safe havens—an unusual combination that defined the year’s underlying tension. The key takeaways from 2025 Best-performing major currency: Swiss franc (CHF) Best-performing currency (top 20): Russian rouble Best-performing commodity: Silver Worst-performing major currency: U.S. dollar (USD) Worst-performing currency (top 20): Turkish lira Worst-performing commodity: Sugar Worst-performing top-5 cryptocurrency: Dogecoin The three defining market stories of 2025 1. The U.S. dollar loses its safe-haven crown Historically, global uncertainty has driven investors toward the U.S. dollar. In 2025, however, the United States itself became a primary source of instability. Aggressive trade protectionism under the Trump administration reignited global trade tensions, while fiscal uncertainty escalated following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which added trillions to the national debt. Structural deficits became entrenched, raising doubts about long-term fiscal sustainability. As confidence eroded, foreign investors aggressively hedged dollar exposure through FX swaps, options, and forwards. At its weakest point, the dollar fell more than 10% during the year and is on track to finish 2025 as the worst-performing major currency. In contrast, the Swiss franc surged over 14% against the dollar, benefiting from Switzerland’s neutrality, disciplined fiscal framework, and reputation as a financial safe haven. [caption id="attachment_179215" align="aligncenter" width="961"] Top 20 currencies performance in 2025 (y-t-d, as of Dec. 21, 2025)[/caption] 2. Precious metals dominate amid de-dollarisation Geopolitical instability extended far beyond U.S. policy. Prolonged conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, rising tensions in Southeast Asia and South America, and the growing risk of sovereign asset confiscation eroded trust in fiat-centric financial systems. In response, capital migrated aggressively into hard assets. Gold, silver and platinum emerged as the year’s standout performers, cementing 2025 as the year of precious metals. Central banks played a pivotal role. According to the World Gold Council, central banks purchased 634 tonnes of gold in the first three quarters of the year alone, with full-year purchases projected to approach 1,000 tonnes. This relentless accumulation established a durable price floor and reinforced gold’s role as a sanction-resistant reserve asset. Silver outperformed even gold, gaining more than 130% and reaching highs near $66 per ounce. Its rally was driven by constrained supply, surging industrial demand, and legislative developments in U.S. states such as Florida and Texas, where precious metals gained transactional recognition. [caption id="attachment_179213" align="aligncenter" width="961"] Top 20 commodities performance in 2025 (y-t-d, as of Dec. 21, 2025)[/caption] Monetary policy also contributed. As inflation moderated, major central banks—including the BoC, BoE, and ECB—initiated synchronized rate cuts, lowering the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets. The Federal Reserve followed with three 25bp cuts in the final months of the year, while the Bank of Japan stood alone in hiking rates, albeit from extremely low levels. CENTRAL  BANK RATE  (DEC., 2024) CHANGE  in RATE (bps) RATE  (DEC., 2025) Bank of Canada 3.25% -100 2.25% Bank of England 4.75% -100 3.75% European Central Bank 3.15%* -100 2.15% Federal Reserve  4.25%–4.50% -75 3.50–3.75% Reserve Bank of Australia 4.35% -75 3.60% Bank of Japan 0.25% +50 0.75% *refinancing rate 3. Crypto matures—but volatility remains Cryptocurrency markets displayed signs of maturity in 2025, balancing institutional adoption against macro uncertainty. Bitcoin surpassed $100,000 early in the year on regulatory optimism and briefly touched $123,000 before retreating in a broader risk-off correction. Despite strong ETF inflows and clearer regulatory frameworks—such as the GENIUS Act aimed at stablecoin oversight—Bitcoin ended the year down roughly 6%, lagging far behind gold’s performance. This divergence highlighted crypto’s evolving role: increasingly institutional, yet still sensitive to liquidity cycles and speculative sentiment. Concerns also emerged that the AI-driven equity boom may be approaching a corrective phase. With global AI spending exceeding $400 billion, cracks began to appear in tech-heavy indices, raising fears of spillover effects into digital asset markets. [caption id="attachment_179214" align="aligncenter" width="961"] Top 20 commodities performance in 2025 (y-t-d, as of Dec. 21, 2025)[/caption] Conclusion: a precursor to structural change Viewed in hindsight, 2025 may be remembered less for any single market shock and more as a transition year. The erosion of the U.S. dollar’s safe-haven status, the historic surge in precious metals, and the cautious maturation of crypto markets point toward deeper structural realignment. Capital flows in 2025 reflected a growing demand for non-counterparty stability at a time when traditional financial anchors appeared increasingly fragile. Whether the rush into gold and silver proves temporary or marks the early stages of a new monetary paradigm will be one of the defining questions for 2026. What is clear is that the forces shaping global markets are shifting. Investors, traders, and policymakers alike will need to navigate an environment where old assumptions no longer hold—and adaptability becomes the most valuable asset of all. Octa is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 61 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.  The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including improving educational infrastructure and funding short-notice relief projects to support local communities. Since its foundation, Octa has won more than 100 awards, including the 'Most Reliable Broker Global 2024' award from Global Forex Awards and the 'Best Mobile Trading Platform 2024' award from Global Brand Magazine. 

Vancouver, Canada, British Columbia, December 22nd, 2025, FinanceWire Seamless payment solutions that enhance the gaming experience  Payop, a global payment service provider, has introduced a renewed brand positioning and visual identity, with a strategic emphasis on the gaming ecosystem. The updated direction reflects a focus on delivering seamless and integrated payment solutions tailored to the online gaming environment. A Streamlined Approach to Payment Integration Payop introduces a player-focused product philosophy that prioritizes seamless user experiences across its suite of solutions. From real-time deposits for in-game transactions to efficient merchant payouts and uninterrupted subscription services, Payop’s infrastructure is designed to support fluid and reliable digital payment processes. Key features include: Fast checkout that integrates seamlessly into the gaming flow Player-centric services built to reduce friction, boost trust, and keep players immersed in the game Adaptive fraud filters that block suspicious activity while keeping genuine players moving smoothly Global coverage for merchants reaching gamers across borders High-converting payment solutions selection built around the preferences and behaviours of today’s gamers New visual identity The refreshed visual identity introduces a bold, joyful look that reflects the energy of gameplay. From bright gradients and dynamic 3D visuals to an interface built for clarity and speed, the new design mirrors the seamless payment experience Payop provides behind the scenes. Supporting Merchants with Optimized Payment Infrastructure Payop provides game developers, studios, and digital commerce platforms with a payment solution tailored to the dynamics of player-centric ecosystems. In addition to its technical infrastructure, Payop offers integrated risk controls and performance optimization features designed to align with the operational needs of digital merchants. Payop CEO, Anastasia Semenkova, adds: “We have developed a Pay by Bank channel powered by Open Banking technology. Our solution delivers exceptional performance and strong retention rates, and payers really appreciate it. The new brand strategy will enable us to introduce this innovative payment method to a much broader audience.” About Payop Payop provides seamless global payment solutions tailored to the gaming industry. With coverage in over 170 countries and more than 500 payment methods, Payop helps developers and platforms offer seamless, secure, and joyful transactions – so gamers can stay in the zone, and merchants can stay focused on what matters most. Contact PR Manager Anna Sternichuk Payop sales@payop.com

FXOpen offers spreads from 0.0 pips and commissions from $1.50 per lot (additional fees may apply). Enjoy trading on MT4, MT5, TickTrader or TradingView trading platforms! The FXOpen App is a dedicated mobile application designed to give traders full control of their accounts anytime, anywhere. This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.  

Finding a crypto presale that actually makes sense in 2025 feels harder than ever. New projects launch every week. CoinMarketCap data shows hundreds of new tokens entering the market each month, many labeled as “AI.” Yet most never explain what that AI actually does, or why the token needs to exist. At the same time, the broader market is becoming more selective. As of December 19, Bitcoin is holding near $87,000, even as macro uncertainty and ETF outflows dominate headlines. Analysts have noted this as a sign that capital is rotating toward utility and infrastructure, not noise. That shift is changing how people talk about best presale coins. It is no longer about who shouts the loudest. It is about who looks built to last. That is why IPO Genie ($IPO) keeps entering the conversation. Why AI Tokens Are Getting a Reality Check in 2025 A year ago, just adding “AI” to a token name was enough. Today, it is not. After a volatile market cycle, investors are more careful. According to Reuters, capital has been rotating toward projects that focus on infrastructure and risk management, not just narratives. So the question people are asking now is simple. What is the AI actually doing? That is where IPO Genie starts to separate itself in discussions around best presale coins. Its AI is not there to generate buzz. It is there to filter information. That difference matters more than it sounds. What Is IPO Genie ($IPO) Actually Selling to the Market? At its core, IPO Genie positions itself as an AI-powered platform for accessing vetted private-market opportunities. Think about how most people hear about startups. Usually, it is after they are already public. The early access is locked behind funds, connections, and long lockups. IPO Genie compares itself directly to that system. It highlights: Low minimums, sometimes as low as $10 Flexibility instead of multi-year lockups Then comes the token utility. The project states that $IPO powers the ecosystem through: Staking rewards Governance rights Tier unlocks Early deal access Lower fees It is built to be used. Not just held. That framing is why many people tracking best presale coins heading into 2026 are paying attention. Why Private Market Access Keeps Pulling Attention Back to Crypto Why does private market access keep showing up in crypto conversations? Because most of the value creation happens before companies go public. According to PwC, global investment money is expected to pass $200 trillion by 2030, with private markets taking the lead as more people gain access. Tokenization changes the shape of that problem. Not by promising profits. But by opening doors that were previously locked. IPO Genie is built around that idea. It is not creating demand for private markets. It is responding to demand that already exists. That is an important distinction when evaluating top trending crypto of 2025 narratives. AI That Filters Deals Instead of Selling Dreams If a project claims AI, there is one question that matters. AI doing what, exactly? IPO Genie describes its system, called Sentient Signal Agents, as a way to monitor: Startup traction Financial signals Market sentiment Think of it less like a crystal ball and more like a filter. Instead of asking users to trust vibes, the AI helps narrow the field. It surfaces signals. It highlights risk. It provides context. In a cautious market, that feels useful. Especially compared to AI tokens that exist mostly as branding exercises. Early Signals Analysts Watch Before Any Listings Happen Before tokens list anywhere, analysts look at behavior. Not price. Not hype. Behavior. For IPO Genie, that includes: Governance participation Staking activity Community engagement tied to utility This kind of activity has historically mattered more than follower counts. Early ecosystems like Solana and Arbitrum showed similar patterns. Not identical outcomes, but similar behavior. People were participating, not just speculating. That is why IPO Genie keeps appearing in conversations around best presale coins, even without bold predictions attached. Security, Audits, and Why Infrastructure Now Matters More Than Ever In 2025, infrastructure is part of the story. IPO Genie highlights: CertiK audits Fireblocks custody Chainlink-verified data These names do not guarantee success. But they do lower certain risks. According to Chainlink Labs, projects using verifiable data feeds tend to score higher in institutional trust assessments. That is one reason IPO Genie feels more deliberate than many early-stage presales. The Access Model Fueling IPO Genie’s Fast Rise Most presales sell a roadmap. IPO Genie sells something closer to a membership. IPO Genie is built around a tiered access model that treats token holding like membership, not speculation. The Bronze tier ($2,500) acts as the entry point, giving holders access to core deals and basic staking rewards. Silver ($12,000) increases involvement with priority allocations and enhanced staking returns.  The Gold tier ($55,000) opens early deal access, guarantees allocations, and adds voting rights, allowing holders to influence decisions rather than just participate. At the top, Platinum ($110,000) provides unrestricted access to all deals, anytime allocations, and built-in investment insurance. The structure is designed to reward commitment, where deeper participation comes from higher engagement, not short-term trading. Here is how the access tiers are framed:This structure changes how people think about the token. Instead of watching charts, holders think about access. Like a pass instead of a lottery ticket. Some presales shout for attention. Others quietly build doors and hand out keys. IPO Genie feels closer to the second. Take a closer look at how $IPO is structured and decide if it fits your approach. After the Misfits Boxing Dubai Event, the Story Shifted The Misfits Boxing Dubai event is over. The fight happened. The results are in. What matters now is what came after. IPO Genie’s role as an official sponsor placed it in a real-world setting, outside crypto-native circles. It was visible. It was accountable. It showed up. Following the conclusion of the event, that sponsorship extended IPO Genie’s presence beyond presale mechanics into a global cultural moment shaped by reactions and post-fight attention. Add that to institutional-grade security, and the positioning feels intentional. Why IPO Genie Is Being Described as Better Positioned, Not Just Louder In this market, being loud does not mean being strong. Projects that stand out now usually share a few traits: Clear utility Real-world relevance Thought-out infrastructure IPO Genie combines: AI-assisted deal screening Access-based token utility Security-first design Visible brand exposure That combination explains why it keeps coming up in discussions around best presale coins, without needing exaggerated claims. Final Take IPO Genie is not selling shortcuts. It is a selling structure. AI as a filter, not a promise. Access as a feature, not a slogan. A token that exists for a reason. Right now, IPO Genie ($IPO) is live in Stage 23, priced at $0.00010790, while presale allocations continue to move quickly.  This is the phase that rarely lasts. Once it is gone, it is gone for good. For readers tracking best presale coins and trying to avoid the familiar regret of arriving late, this feels like the narrow window before attention fully catches up. Join The IPO Genie Presale Today:   Official website Telegram Twitter (X)  Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments involve risk, and readers should conduct their own research before investing.

Do you back a $400M-plus crypto giant still waiting to launch, or a sub-$0.001 project aiming to open trillion-dollar markets? That single question defines how many investors are thinking about 2025. The market has matured. Bigger funding numbers no longer guarantee better outcomes. What matters now is early access, real-world utility, and timing. This crypto analysis looks at two very different paths forward. One is about scale and infrastructure (BlockDAG $BDAG). The other is about access and intelligence (IPO GENIE $IPO). Both have strong followings, but they represent opposite styles of opportunity. BlockDAG Explained Simply: Big Vision, Big Expectations BlockDAG is designed to solve a familiar blockchain challenge: speed. Instead of processing blocks one by one, it uses a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) structure. This allows multiple blocks to be confirmed at the same time. In simple terms, the goal is faster transactions and higher throughput without sacrificing security. That vision has attracted massive attention. Public reports suggest BlockDAG’s presale has reached the $430M+ range, placing it among the largest raises in the current cycle.  What investors are choosing BDAG: A successful mainnet launch Exchange listings post-presale A growing ecosystem of apps and miners This crypto analysis shows why large raises are powerful. They fund development, partnerships, and marketing. At the same time, expectations rise with scale, making execution timing a key factor to watch. IPO Genie Explained Simply: Investing Before the IPO, Not After Imagine buying early Uber; not the stock, but access to the deal itself. That’s the simplest way to understand IPO Genie. IPO Genie is built around tokenized access to private startups and pre-IPO companies. Instead of waiting for a company to go public, users can participate earlier through blockchain-based structures. AI plays a central role. Its “Sentient Signal Agents” scan data, performance metrics, and market signals to surface promising opportunities early. The $IPO token works as an access key, unlocking participation, governance, and staking benefits. The project has raised over $3M in just this short time and is currently in Stage 23, with 1 $IPO = $0.00010790, placing it firmly in early-entry territory. Momentum has been steady, but the structure remains easy for newcomers to understand. 4. Quick Snapshot: IPO Genie vs BlockDAG (2025 Comparison) Below is a fast comparison for readers who want clarity at a glance. This snapshot helps explain why many analysts view IPO Genie as an asymmetric early-cycle opportunity. That perspective often appears in forward-looking crypto analysis pieces focused on access-based platforms. Feature IPO Genie ($IPO) BlockDAG (BDAG) Core Focus Private-market access + AI Layer-1 blockchain infrastructure Entry Price ~$0.00010790 (Stage 23) Higher late-stage presale pricing Utility Before Listings Yes (deal access, staking, governance) Limited (network not live) Market Opportunity $3T–$10T private markets Competes with other L1s AI Integration Predictive deal discovery Not core Community Role DAO-driven participation Miner + holder focused Time-to-Value Immediate Post-mainnet dependent Upside Profile Asymmetric, early-stage Moderate, expectation-driven IPO Genie is like finding the trailhead before the crowd reaches the mountain. If early access matters to you, exploring IPO Genie’s presale now can provide clarity before the path fills up. How IPO Genie Could Outshine BlockDAG in 2025 Access Beats Architecture in This Market Cycle Infrastructure projects are vital, but they take time. Networks must launch, attract developers, and grow users before value fully shows up. IPO Genie takes a different route. It delivers value immediately by opening access to private-market opportunities from the presale stage. Token holders participate early instead of waiting for an ecosystem to mature. In fast-moving markets, early access often matters more than perfect architecture. IPO Genie is built around that reality. AI That Predicts, Not Just Automates Many projects mention AI, but IPO Genie focuses on prediction rather than automation. Its Sentient Signal Agents analyze startup data, funding activity, and market signals to surface opportunities early. This approach stands out in crypto analysis because timing usually determines who benefits most. Being early to the right opportunity often matters more than building the fastest chain. Private Markets: Where Real Wealth Is Still Created Private markets remain one of the most powerful engines of value creation. According to CB Insights, a significant share of growth for leading companies happens before they ever reach public markets. Companies like Uber, Airbnb, and Stripe all experienced massive valuation expansion while still private: Uber grew from early-stage funding to a $70B valuation before IPO Airbnb reached over $30B privately Stripe remains private today at valuations exceeding $91.5B IPO Genie positions users at that earliest value layer by enabling tokenized participation in private-market opportunities. For many investors, this narrative resonates more strongly than technical benchmarks like transaction speed or block confirmation times. Timing Advantage: Why IPO Genie’s Current Stage Matters Timing plays a major role in crypto outcomes. Projects at an earlier stage often carry more uncertainty, but they also offer significantly more upside if adoption grows. IPO Genie is still in presale, currently priced at $0.00010790 per $IPO in Stage 23. At this level, most investors are discovering the project before exchange listings and mainstream exposure. That early positioning is what many look for when targeting high-growth opportunities. BlockDAG, by comparison, is already trading at a much higher presale valuation. Recent reports place BDAG’s presale price around $0.0106, reflecting its large fundraising totals and later-stage positioning. Much of its future performance now depends on successful delivery and long-term network adoption. This crypto analysis highlights a simple principle: returns are often strongest when access is early and the narrative is still forming, rather than after expectations are already priced in. Momentum Signals: Community, Demand, and Visibility Momentum isn’t just price action. It’s participation and presence. IPO Genie has emphasized DAO voting, behavior-based staking, and active community involvement, rewarding users who engage rather than simply hold. There is also a clear cultural signal forming right now. IPO Genie is an official sponsor of the Misfits Boxing Dubai event, headlined by Andrew Tate vs. Chase DeMoor, a matchup that has already generated millions of impressions across social platforms as fight night approaches. With the event just hours away, tension is high, online debate is nonstop, and attention is locked on Dubai. Misfits Boxing has turned this bout into a global moment, with fans tracking every update, clip, and appearance leading into the ring walk. Why does this matter? Misfits Boxing attracts a young, global, and highly online audience that overlaps naturally with crypto culture. The sponsorship connects finance with real-world entertainment and attention Visibility during major events often comes before wider recognition and adoption. When community engagement and cultural relevance move together, analysts take notice. That blend of momentum, participation, and visibility is exactly what tends to show up in forward-looking crypto analysis. Why IPO Genie Aligns Better With 2025’s Winning Narratives Several narratives are shaping the year ahead: AI converging with finance Tokenized real-world and private assets Demand for transparent, compliant access IPO Genie sits at the intersection of these trends. BlockDAG competes in a crowded Layer-1 landscape where differentiation is incremental. This positioning explains why IPO Genie is increasingly mentioned among the top trending crypto of 2025 in early market discussions. Final Verdict BlockDAG represents ambition, capital strength, and long-term infrastructure development. IPO Genie represents early access, AI-driven discovery, and asymmetric timing. This final crypto analysis suggests that investors prioritizing early positioning, utility, and narrative alignment may see IPO Genie as better positioned to outshine in 2025. Looking ahead, platforms opening access before public markets may also influence what becomes the best crypto of 2026 as adoption deepens. Think of IPO Genie as boarding the train while it’s still at the station, not after it’s full. For readers exploring early-stage opportunities with real-world relevance, IPO Genie is worth a closer look before the doors close. Join the IPO Genie presale today:   Official website Telegram Twitter (X)  Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Always conduct your own research and consult a qualified professional before investing.

Zug, Switzerland, December 19th, 2025, FinanceWire Ethereum’s market is one of the most competitive corners of DeFi, and it has virtually no "meme"-driven trading activity. This makes it easier to measure the more organic market volumes, where low fees and the trading of core assets such as ETH, BTC (wrapped), and stablecoins are predominant. This week, Curve Finance delivered one of the clearest signals that it stands among the top players in this scene. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Top Ethereum DEXs by fees (30-day view, DeFiLlama)[/caption] According to DeFiLlama’s data, Curve now ranks among the top Ethereum DEXs in terms of fees metrics over the past 30 days, overtaking other long-standing leaders in the space. One thing that is particularly notable here is how much the scale has shifted. Around this time last year, Curve accounted for roughly 1.6% of all DEX fees charged on Ethereum. Today, its share stands at about 44%, marking the most significant overturn in fee dominance that DeFi has seen in 2025. These figures highlight rising trader activity and fees paid by users on Curve. But it should be noted that this is not a reflection of profit or yield distributed among liquidity providers or the protocol itself. There are several factors that drove this growth. Trading activity around Curve’s native crvUSD stablecoin has increased sharply, pushing volumes higher and reinforcing the protocol’s position as a core venue for on-chain stablecoin liquidity. By trading volume (24H), crvUSD has moved into the top 5 stablecoins, superseded only by major leaders like USDT and USDC. This reflects its rapid adoption and growing role in on-chain liquidity. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Top stablecoins by trading volume (24H) (CryptoRank.io)[/caption] At the same time, integration with Yield Basis has concentrated the largest on-chain Bitcoin liquidity in DeFi on Curve, with the protocol now hosting three of the deepest on-chain BTC liquidity pools used by Yield Basis protocol. The pools rank at the very top by both TVL and depth, well ahead of BTC pools on other DEXs. Here’s how Michael Egorov, founder of Curve Finance, has commented on this shift: “DeFi users are increasingly prioritising sustainable revenue models over short-term speculation. We’re seeing a clear move away from hype-driven trading and towards protocols with transparent economics and real yield. This change in long-term behaviour is reshaping where liquidity and volume ultimately settle.” About Curve Finance Curve Finance is one of the largest DeFi protocols, specializing in stablecoin trading with minimal fees and slippage. Launched in 2020, it has grown into a full ecosystem with liquidity pools, lending markets, its own stablecoin (crvUSD), and DAO governance, becoming a key infrastructure layer for Ethereum and other EVM networks. Contact Curve Finance press@curve.finance

What Has SoFi Launched—and Why Is It Different? SoFi has issued a US dollar-backed stablecoin on a public, permissionless blockchain, becoming the first nationally chartered US bank to do so. The token, called SoFiUSD, is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., the federally regulated banking arm of SoFi Technologies, and is fully reserved with cash backing on a one-to-one basis. The company describes SoFiUSD as infrastructure rather than a retail-facing crypto product. It is designed to support settlement and payments across banks, fintechs, card networks, merchants, and enterprise platforms that want faster fund movement without stepping outside a regulated banking framework. Unlike earlier stablecoins issued by non-bank entities, SoFiUSD is redeemable at par and issued directly by an insured depository institution. That distinction places reserve management, redemption, and oversight under existing US banking supervision rather than bespoke crypto arrangements. Investor Takeaway SoFiUSD brings stablecoin issuance inside the US banking system. That lowers counterparty risk for institutions that want onchain settlement without relying on non-bank issuers. Is This a Payments Rail Rather Than a Consumer Token? SoFi is framing SoFiUSD as a settlement layer, not a speculative asset. By issuing on a public blockchain, the bank says counterparties can move funds at any time, with near-instant finality and low transaction costs. This setup removes the constraints of banking hours and reduces reliance on correspondent networks for cross-border activity. According to the company, SoFiUSD can support crypto trading settlement, card network clearing, merchant payments, business-to-business transfers, and remittances. It is also expected to sit at the core of SoFi Pay, the firm’s payments and remittance product. In overseas markets where local currencies face frequent swings, SoFi expects the stablecoin to function as a dollar-denominated stored-value balance tied to debit cards or secured credit accounts. The structure allows users to access a stable unit of account while staying within a regulated bank perimeter. Why Does the Regulatory Backdrop Matter Now? The launch follows recent progress toward a clearer US framework for payment stablecoins, especially those issued by insured banks. After years of uncertainty, regulators and lawmakers in 2025 have clarified that banks may issue fully reserved stablecoins under supervisory oversight, subject to capital, liquidity, and operational rules. That clarity has shifted stablecoin development away from offshore structures and toward regulated issuers. For SoFi, combining a national bank charter with public-blockchain issuance allows it to offer onchain settlement without the legal ambiguity that surrounded earlier crypto efforts. The timing also matters for competition. Until now, public-blockchain stablecoins have largely been issued by non-banks. SoFiUSD introduces a model where a federally supervised bank issues and redeems tokens directly, without intermediaries or consortium wrappers. How Does This Fit With SoFi’s Crypto History? SoFi’s move reflects a reset rather than a sudden embrace of crypto. After receiving its bank charter in 2022, the firm reduced crypto services under regulatory pressure and later exited direct offerings, migrating users to external platforms. That retreat was widely seen as a response to unresolved supervisory questions. In late 2025, SoFi returned to crypto by allowing members to trade and hold nearly 30 digital assets directly within its app, becoming the first national bank to do so. SoFiUSD extends that return, but with a different focus. Instead of trading volume or yield, the emphasis is settlement, payments, and liquidity flow. This approach aligns with areas where banks already play a central role, rather than competing with crypto-native firms on speculation. What Did Management Say About the Rationale? Anthony Noto, CEO of SoFi, framed the stablecoin as a response to operational friction in payments. “Companies today struggle with slow settlement, fragmented providers, and unverified reserve models,” Noto said. “SoFi is helping address these gaps by combining our regulatory strength as a national bank with transparent, fully reserved on-chain technology to provide a safer and more efficient way for partners to move funds.” Investor Takeaway If other banks follow, stablecoins could become part of standard interbank settlement rather than a parallel crypto system dominated by non-bank issuers. What Comes Next for Bank-Issued Stablecoins? SoFi has not yet disclosed which blockchain SoFiUSD runs on or how often reserve attestations will be published—details that institutions and regulators will watch closely. Those choices will shape adoption and trust among counterparties. Still, the launch highlights a shift in how banks view stablecoins. Rather than treating them as external threats, banks are beginning to use them as tools for moving dollars more efficiently. If SoFiUSD gains traction, it may offer a blueprint for how regulated banks participate directly in public-blockchain payments without abandoning existing oversight structures.

The European Central Bank (ECB) has officially finished the heavy lifting on its digital euro project, signaling that the technical foundation is ready. Speaking at the final press conference of 2025, President Christine Lagarde confirmed that the bank has concluded its preparatory phase, effectively handing the baton to European lawmakers to decide if—and how—the currency will become a reality. Importantly, the ECB stressed that completing the preparatory work does not amount to a final decision to issue a digital euro, which remains a political choice. Handing Over the Reins to Lawmakers The shift marks a major turning point for the project, moving it out of the central bank’s labs and into the political arena. Over the last two years, the ECB has been busy designing the architecture, selecting technology providers, and drafting a “rulebook” to ensure the digital currency would work seamlessly across all 20 eurozone countries. Now, the project’s future depends on the European Parliament and the European Council passing the necessary legislation. That process builds on a legislative proposal first submitted by the European Commission in 2023, which lays out the legal basis, safeguards, and limits for a potential digital euro. President Lagarde used a down-to-earth metaphor to describe the current status, emphasizing that while the central bank has built the system, it lacks the legal authority to flip the switch. “We have done our work, we have carried the water,” Lagarde told reporters. “It is now for the European Council and certainly later on for the European Parliament to identify whether the Commission proposal is satisfactory and how it can be transformed into a piece of legislation.” Building a Digital Safety Net The ECB isn’t just looking to modernize for the sake of it; officials see the digital euro as a way to protect Europe’s financial independence. With more people moving away from physical cash, there is a growing concern that European payments are becoming too dependent on non-European private companies. The digital euro is being designed to act as a digital anchor, offering a public alternative that works just like cash but in a digital wallet. ECB officials have repeatedly emphasized that the digital euro would coexist with physical cash and commercial bank money, not replace them. Privacy has also emerged as a central political issue. The ECB says the system would allow cash-like privacy for offline payments, while still complying with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing rules for online transactions. If lawmakers can agree on the rules by the end of 2026, the project will move into a pilot phase where real people can start testing it. The current goal is to have the digital euro ready for the public by 2029. The push comes amid growing competition from U.S.-based card networks, Big Tech payment platforms, and dollar-backed stablecoins, which ECB officials view as a strategic risk to Europe’s monetary sovereignty. However, parts of the banking sector have raised concerns that a poorly designed digital euro could lead to deposit outflows from commercial banks, a risk lawmakers are expected to address through holding limits and design safeguards. It’s meant to be a backup that keeps the economy stable, even during technical outages or cyberattacks, ensuring that everyone in Europe always has a reliable way to pay.

The past few years have forced markets to operate without a stable baseline. The post-pandemic surge in liquidity gave way to the steepest tightening cycle in decades, and then to a stop-start recalibration as inflation cooled unevenly and growth refused to break cleanly in either direction. Investors and traders have been navigating a world where geopolitics, supply chains, fiscal expansion, and technology shocks have all competed with central banks for control of the narrative. By 2025, the easy phase of the cycle had largely ended. Equities stayed resilient, but leadership became more conditional on earnings delivery and balance sheet durability. At the same time, debt burdens and policy uncertainty helped re-legitimise real assets as strategic hedges, while the AI boom created both genuine productivity potential and a constant valuation stress test with each reporting season. Looking toward 2026, the expectations are shifting from “what will the Fed do?” to “what will actually work?” Markets are likely to remain constructive, but less forgiving: returns may still be there, yet they could come with more dispersion across sectors, more sensitivity to policy repricing, and more volatility around crowded themes such as AI, mega-cap concentration, and safe-haven demand. To explore what that means in practice, this feature brings together perspectives from market analysts, trading technology executives, and industry veterans. Central to the outlook are insights from: Joshua Mahony, Chief Market Analyst of Rostro Group's retail brokerage brand Scope Markets, on macro drivers, currencies, and commodities; Elina Pedersen, CEO of Your Bourse, on global markets and the evolving realities of the trading industry; and Drew Niv, CEO of TraderTools, on how broker and prop firm models are adapting to tighter conditions. Their views are complemented by voices from crypto, regulation, and institutional finance, including Coinbase UK CEO Keith Grose, ThetaRay COO Moshe Siman-Tov, Uplinq co-founder Pat Reily, and veteran FX trader Vince Stanzione. Rates, The Dollar, And Precious Metals Back In Focus [caption id="attachment_178889" align="alignleft" width="150"] Joshua Mahony, Chief Market Analyst at Scope Markets[/caption] Scope Markets' Joshua Mahony believes monetary policy will once again dominate market behaviour in 2026, particularly through its impact on the dollar and bond markets. “2026 will see traders refocus on the dollar once again, with the new Fed Chair likely to push for a fresh bout of easing in a bid to lift economic growth under Donald Trump. One of the core drivers of price action within the FX space involves the respective moves within bond markets, and thus the dollar could get hit if we see a shift in pricing for additional cuts beyond the three currently priced by markets. Talk of the Fed’s ‘terminal rate’ will undoubtedly become increasingly prominent as we weigh up exactly where the FOMC opt to halt their easing process. Given the repeated votes for a 50bp cut from Trump’s appointee Stephen Miran, it is more than likely that his pick for the Chair will similarly push for a fresh bout of monetary easing in H2 2026.” He also sees precious metals remaining structurally supported after an exceptional 2025. “2025 has been an incredibly profitable one for holders of precious metals, with gold and silver ending up as two of the best-performing assets after a particularly strong second half of the year. The decision on when to take your profits and run will always remain one of the more difficult elements of investing, but some of the core drivers behind this strength look unlikely to shift anytime soon. AI valuation concerns continue to drive haven demand. The ever-rising wall of debt faced across the globe will continue to rise, with currency devaluation and fiscal stability concerns likely to drive demand for non-fiat assets.” Mahony argues that geopolitics has further reinforced gold’s appeal. “Meanwhile, the European decision to freeze Russian assets will undoubtedly ensure we see plenty of demand for untraceable non-fiat investments such as gold. JP Morgan predicts a $5,000 year-end target for 2026, and while it is difficult to pin an exact number on any market, another 20% gain next year seems very plausible given the 60% and 27% rise over the past two years. Just expect volatility, and be aware that any sharp selloff in equities will invariably see precious metals suffer a similar fate as has been the case for any previous market selloffs.” Takeaway: Mahony’s outlook frames 2026 as a year where easing expectations, bond repricing and geopolitical risk reinforce demand for real assets, even as higher volatility becomes part of the cost of holding them. Equities, AI Discipline, And A Less Forgiving Market [caption id="attachment_133363" align="alignleft" width="150"] Elina Pedersen, Chief Executive Officer of Your Bourse[/caption] Elina Pedersen, Chief Executive Officer of Your Bourse, expects equities to extend gains in 2026, but only for companies that can deliver measurable results. “Markets enter 2026 with momentum, but the tone has changed. This is no longer a broad rally driven by valuation expansion. Equities should still move higher, likely delivering low to mid-teen returns globally. Results will depend much more on earnings delivery than sentiment.” She argues that artificial intelligence remains central to market leadership, but the tolerance for unfocused spending is fading. “AI remains the main force shaping market leadership. The investment cycle continues, but it is becoming more selective. Investors are rewarding companies that turn AI investment into real productivity and revenue, while penalising those that simply spend. This is helping leadership broaden beyond pure technology into sectors such as utilities, health care, and financials, particularly where demand is linked to power usage, infrastructure and efficiency gains.” Pedersen also points to a more balanced global opportunity set. “The US remains the core market, supported by strong corporate profitability and deep capital markets. That said, opportunities outside the US are improving. Europe is emerging from several years of weak growth, helped by rate cuts and fiscal investment. China, especially its technology sector, offers asymmetric potential. Valuations remain low, liquidity is improving, and earnings are recovering, despite ongoing geopolitical risk.” Takeaway: Pedersen sees 2026 as a stock picker’s market, where AI remains a powerful theme but success depends on execution, profitability, and discipline rather than spending alone. Trading Models, Crypto Infrastructure, And Regulation Catch Up [caption id="attachment_178890" align="alignleft" width="150"] Drew Niv, Chief Executive Officer of TraderTools[/caption] TraderTools CEO Drew Niv believes the contraction in the prop trading sector is setting the stage for a more sustainable phase. "Prop firms will evolve and mature as the sector has shrunk from the 2024 peak due to unsustainable business models.  This will mean more sustainable payout rules, and continued migration to prop as a lead source for brokers, not a standalone business." He also sees brokers increasingly following prop firms by offering multiple platforms, while artificial intelligence lowers the barrier to strategy creation.  "AI will come in strong into the CFD sector, enabling more people to easily create EAs, easily port them from platform to platform, helping [more brokers do what prop firms have done successfully], but most importantly, create more complex multimedia layered systems that aren't one-dimensional like EAs and now don't require a dedicated coding team." Beyond brokerage, structural shifts are accelerating across financial markets. Coinbase UK CEO Keith Grose argues that market infrastructure itself is changing. “The clearest signal about where we’re heading in 2026 is that the next generation of the internet is being built on-chain. Markets are becoming programmable, exchanges are being redesigned around fairness and liquidity, and DeFi is evolving into real financial infrastructure. And at the frontier, AI systems are beginning to rely on blockchains for identity, trust, and settlement - a shift that will define the next decade of the cryptoeconomy.” In Europe, regulation is becoming a forcing function for AI adoption. ThetaRay COO Moshe Siman-Tov expects 2026 to be decisive. “Europe in 2026 will resemble the period leading up to Y2K, with institutions racing to modernize foundational AML systems ahead of a hard regulatory deadline. While the unified AML rulebook is already in place, its most demanding requirements come into force in 2027, and traditional rules-based approaches will not scale to meet them.” On the macro-financial side, Uplinq co-founder Pat Reily expects lower rates to reshape credit markets and expose weaker AI narratives. “The Fed Reserve will reduce interest rates by 1.75% by the end of 2026… Slapping a little AI on something may fool some of the venture capital and broader community, but only for a little while.” Finally, veteran FX trader Vince Stanzione remains constructive on metals amid all the change. “The gold and silver bull market, even with pullbacks, remains intact.” Takeaway: Across trading, crypto, and regulation, 2026 appears set to reward firms and investors who invest early in robust infrastructure, credible AI, and compliance-ready systems—while exposing weak models built for a very different market regime.

Why Doesn’t JPMorgan See a $1 Trillion Stablecoin Market? JPMorgan analysts say the stablecoin market is unlikely to reach trillion-dollar levels over the next few years, arguing that growth remains closely tied to crypto trading activity rather than mainstream payments. In a report published Wednesday, the bank projected total stablecoin market capitalization at roughly $500 billion to $600 billion by 2028—well below more bullish forecasts circulating in the market. The stablecoin universe has expanded rapidly this year, growing by about $100 billion to exceed $300 billion in total supply. But JPMorgan says that expansion reinforces, rather than challenges, its existing view. Growth remains concentrated in the two largest coins. Tether’s USDT increased supply by about $48 billion this year, while Circle’s USDC added roughly $34 billion, accounting for most of the market’s net growth. According to the analysts, led by managing director Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou, this pattern shows that stablecoins continue to scale alongside crypto market cycles instead of breaking out into an independent growth path driven by payments adoption. Investor Takeaway JPMorgan’s base case ties stablecoin growth to crypto trading demand, not global payments. That caps long-term market size far below trillion-dollar projections. What Is Actually Driving Stablecoin Demand Today? The report reiterates JPMorgan’s long-held view that stablecoin demand is still anchored inside the crypto ecosystem. Most usage comes from stablecoins acting as cash or collateral for derivatives trading, decentralized lending and borrowing, and balance-sheet liquidity for crypto-native firms such as venture funds and market makers. Derivatives activity remains a key factor. This year alone, derivatives exchanges increased their stablecoin balances by about $20 billion, fueled by a surge in perpetual futures trading. The analysts describe this activity as the primary engine behind stablecoin issuance, outweighing growth from retail payments or remittances. As a result, JPMorgan expects stablecoin supply to continue rising in line with overall crypto market capitalization rather than outpacing it. “The stablecoin universe is likely to continue to grow over the coming years broadly in line with the overall crypto market cap,” the analysts wrote, projecting a ceiling of $500 billion–$600 billion by 2028. That estimate contrasts sharply with other forecasts. Citi analysts have suggested stablecoins could reach $1.9 trillion by 2030 under a base scenario, or up to $4 trillion in a more aggressive case. Standard Chartered has projected a $2 trillion market by 2028. JPMorgan has previously described those figures as overly optimistic. Does Payments Adoption Actually Require More Stablecoins? While stablecoins are increasingly used in payments, the analysts caution against assuming that broader usage automatically demands a much larger supply. Instead, they focus on velocity—the rate at which stablecoins circulate—as the more relevant metric. “As payment adoption increases, on-chain activity and velocity will likely rise, reducing the need for a large stock of stablecoin holdings,” the analysts wrote. They pointed to USDT’s annual velocity on Ethereum, which sits around 50. At that rate, even if stablecoins handled about 5% of global cross-border payments—roughly $10 trillion annually—the required outstanding supply would be only about $200 billion. This dynamic, JPMorgan argues, weakens the case for exponential supply growth driven by payments alone. Faster turnover means the same pool of stablecoins can support much higher transaction volumes without requiring massive issuance. Investor Takeaway Payments growth boosts transaction volume, not necessarily supply. High velocity limits how large the stablecoin stock needs to be. How Do Tokenized Deposits and CBDCs Change the Equation? The analysts also highlighted growing competition from tokenized bank deposits and central bank digital currency projects. Unlike stablecoins, tokenized deposits remain inside the regulated banking system and are backed by traditional deposits, often with deposit insurance. JPMorgan itself launched a U.S. dollar deposit token last month through its blockchain unit Kinexys. The product, JPM Coin (ticker JPMD), runs on Base, Coinbase’s Ethereum layer-2 network, and targets institutional clients seeking onchain settlement without stepping outside bank balance sheets. “JPM Coin provides JPMorgan’s institutional clients with the option to make onchain native digital payments, which serve as a digital representation of a bank deposit on public blockchain,” the bank said at the time. The analysts noted that regulators generally favor non-transferable designs for such tokens to limit run risk and preserve what they call the “singleness of money.” They also pointed to initiatives such as SWIFT’s blockchain payment trials and central bank projects like the digital euro and digital yuan as additional pressure points. These alternatives could absorb institutional demand for digital settlement while keeping it within regulated frameworks, reducing reliance on privately issued stablecoins. What’s the Bottom Line for Stablecoins? JPMorgan’s conclusion is straightforward: stablecoins will keep growing, but mostly as a function of crypto market expansion rather than a payments-driven revolution. Even wider use in settlement and commerce does not, in the bank’s view, require a dramatic increase in outstanding supply. “In all, we continue to anticipate stablecoin growth broadly in line with the overall crypto market universe,” the analysts wrote. As banks roll out tokenized deposits and central banks advance digital currency projects, stablecoins may face more competition precisely where many expect them to grow fastest.

Binance is exploring a strategic return to the United States market through recapitalization of its American subsidiary and partnerships with major financial institutions, Bloomberg reported. The crypto exchange is considering plans to reduce founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao's controlling stake in Binance.US, according to people familiar with the matter. State regulators have long viewed Zhao's majority ownership as a primary barrier to the company's expansion in key American markets. The discussions remain preliminary, but such a restructuring would fundamentally change Binance's approach to U.S. operations. The Path from Crisis to Comeback Binance's troubles began with a November 2023 settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice that included $4.3 billion in penalties. Zhao pleaded guilty to violating anti-money laundering laws, stepped down as CEO, and served four months in prison in 2024. The consequences were severe. Binance.US market share dropped from about 22% in early 2023 to under 1% by mid-year. Several states revoked operating licenses and banking partners cut ties, leaving the platform with limited functionality. The situation shifted in October 2025 when President Trump pardoned Zhao, removing a legal barrier to his involvement. Since then, Zhao has spoken publicly about helping establish the United States as a cryptocurrency hub. The company is also pursuing relationships with established American institutions. Binance has been in talks with BlackRock about expanded collaboration and potential new products. The exchange has also strengthened ties with World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency venture associated with the Trump family. These partnerships are part of a broader effort to rebuild credibility and navigate the regulatory landscape. Challenges Ahead Still, Binance faces significant obstacles. The exchange lacks regulatory approvals in major states, including New York. Competitors like Coinbase have strengthened their market positions during Binance's absence and built stronger regulatory relationships. Any comeback would require navigating state-by-state licensing while facing scrutiny from regulators concerned about the company's past compliance issues. Company insiders feel pressure to act quickly, viewing potential Democratic gains in future elections as a threat to current favorable conditions, according to sources. The recapitalization's success depends on convincing regulators that Binance has made genuine structural changes. That remains the key challenge as talks continue. Binance has so far made genuine structural changes. Under new CEO Richard Teng, a former financial regulator from Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, the company has worked to rebuild its reputation. Despite its U.S. struggles, Binance remains the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, maintaining around 50% of global spot market share and reaching $1.17 trillion in trading volume in 2025. The platform has to approximately 300 million users in the past year. Whether that global dominance can translate into a successful U.S. return remains the central question as discussions continue.