Из жизни альткоинов

Компании, хранящие на своих балансах эфир, в ноябре выкупили с рынка всего 370 000 монет — это на 81,3% ниже пикового значения августа (1,97 млн), сообщили аналитики компании Bitwise.

Группа крупнейших европейских банков, в рамках совместной инициативы нидерландской компании Qivalis, планирует запустить в 2026 году регулируемый стейблкоин, привязанный к евро.

Рост первой криптовалюты ограничивают продажи ранних и долгосрочных держателей биткоина, поскольку криптоактив продолжает находиться под давлением, заявили аналитики Coinbase Institutional.

В Великобритании принят закон, согласно которому цифровые активы будут считаться собственностью. Лорд-спикер Джон Макфолл (John McFall) объявил в Палате лордов, что эта законодательная инициатива получила одобрение короля Карла III.

Аналитик и представитель рынка предсказаний Kalshi под ником StarPlatinum заявил, что кошельки создателя Биткоина Сатоси Накамото не лишены уязвимостей, особенно на фоне постепенного развития квантовых технологий.

Бывший председатель Комиссии по ценным бумагам и биржам США (SEC) Гэри Генслер (Gary Gensler) заявил, что любой криптоактив, кроме биткоина, крайне спекулятивен, поэтому инвестировать в цифровые активы очень рискованно.

Заместитель руководителя администрации президента РФ Максим Орешкин считает, что майнинг сделал цифровые активы «скрытым экспортом» России, поэтому операции с ними нужно учитывать в платежном балансе страны.

The President of Poland has vetoed a controversial bill that aimed to set strict rules on the crypto assets market, following multiple concerns of a startup exodus, “overregulation” of the sector, and stifling market innovation.

Poland’s President Vetoes Divisive Crypto Bill

On Monday, Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki refused to sign a crypto market legislation over concerns that it could pose a real threat to the freedoms of Poles, the stability of the state, and market innovation.

In an official statement, the president’s office announced Nawrocki’s decision to veto the Crypto-Asset Market Act, introduced in June, to prevent “overregulation” and abuse of the “legal mess” proposed by the Polish government.

As reported by Bitcoinist, Poland’s crypto community previously raised concerns about the legislation in September, noting that the bill exceeded the European Union (EU)’s minimum regulatory requirements and could drive small businesses and startups abroad.

Notably, the bill’s text required all Crypto Asset Service Providers to obtain a license from the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) to operate in the market. It also proposed heavy fines and potential prison time for participants who breached the law.

Rafal Leśkiewicz, Press Secretary of the President, listed on X three main reasons for Nawrocki’s decision to reject the bill. He asserted that the legislation risks power abuse and overreach, as some provisions allow the government to shut down websites of companies offering crypto services “with a single click.”

“This is unacceptable. Most European Union countries use a simple list of warnings that protects consumers without blocking entire websites,” he noted.

In addition, the regulation’s size and lack of transparency risked overregulation, noting that countries like the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary implemented concise and comprehensive frameworks. Meanwhile, Poland’s text surpasses the one-hundred-page mark.

He argued that “Overregulation is a straight path to driving companies abroad—to the Czech Republic, Lithuania, or Malta—instead of creating conditions for them to earn money and pay taxes in Poland.”

Lastly, the Press Secretary listed the amount of supervisory fees as an issue, affirming that the government set them at a level that would have prevented small businesses and startups from developing, favoring foreign corporations and banks. To him, “this is a reversal of logic, killing the competitive market and posing a serious threat to innovation.”

Community Praises The ‘Necessary Decision’

Leśkiewicz emphasized that regulation is necessary, but added that it must oversee the market in a way that’s “reasonable, proportionate, and safe” for users, rather than overreaching and potentially harming the Polish economy.

“The government had two years to prepare a bill in line with the European MiCA regulation on the crypto-asset market in the European Union. Instead, it produced a legal mess that hurts Poles and Polish companies,” he asserted. “The decision to veto was necessary and was made responsibly. The president will defend the economic security of Poles.”

Polish economist Krzysztof Piech praised the president’s decision to veto the crypto bill, affirming that it was “a very bad law” that “violated the Polish Constitution and was contrary to the EU regulation it was supposed to implement in Poland.”

Piech also refuted claims that Poland will become a “paradise” for criminals and fraudsters, who will “be grateful” to President Nawrocki for “a crypto market without state supervision.”

The economist asserted that the government’s version of the bill “did not provide for any assistance to victims of fraudsters,” adding that, “as of July 1, 2026, the entire Polish market will be regulated and supervised — even without any legislation. After all, we are in the EU.”

Рыночная капитализация акций Strategy (MSTR) упала на 51% по сравнению с пиковым значением начала второго полугодия и остается ниже стоимости корпоративных резервов биткоинов, несмотря на частичное восстановление до $156.

Камбоджийская платформа Huione Guarantee, дочерняя компания Huione Group и эскроу-сервис для криптовалютных сделок в Юго-Восточной Азии, закрыла все филиалы в Пномпене и приостановила вывод средств до 5 января 2026 года.

Grayscale Research has gone against the grain, rejecting Bitcoin’s popular 4-year cycle thesis and saying new highs could be possible next year.

Grayscale Research Doesn’t Believe A Prolonged Bitcoin Decline Is Coming Yet

In a new report, Grayscale Research has discussed what the latest pullback in the market could mean for Bitcoin. This drawdown, which began in early October and lasted until two-thirds of the way into November, resulted in a price decrease of about 32% from peak to trough.

While the scale of the drop hasn’t been small, Grayscale has noted that it has still been close to the historical average for bull market drawdowns. “Since Bitcoin’s price bottomed in November 2022, it has declined at least 10% nine times,” said the crypto asset manager’s research arm. “It has been a bumpy ride, but not atypical for a Bitcoin bull market.”

2026 will mark four years since the 2022 bear market. Among BTC traders, there is a popular idea that the cryptocurrency’s price cycles run over a length of roughly four years. According to this thesis, the next year could see the asset go down, as it has now enjoyed three years of appreciation.

The 4-year cycle thesis originates from the fact that Bitcoin Halving events are spaced apart by approximately four years. During such an event, BTC’s block subsidy, a fixed reward that miners receive for adding the next block to the chain, is slashed in half.

As the block subsidy is the only way to mint more of the cryptocurrency, Halvings have a direct effect on its supply growth. This scarcity effect of the Halving is what has made many in the community believe that the event sits in the center of bullish phases.

Historically, Bitcoin has seen large drawdowns about every four years, which has strengthened the belief in the idea of a cycle being four years in length. Grayscale doesn’t think that the current cycle will go the same way, however. “Although the outlook is uncertain, we believe the four-year cycle thesis will prove to be incorrect, and that Bitcoin’s price will potentially make new highs next year,” explained the report. Grayscale Research has given three reasons for this expectation.

The first is the fact that the latest BTC cycle hasn’t seen any phase of parabolic price increase, as the below chart highlights.

The second is that Bitcoin has seen a shift this cycle, with instruments like exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and digital asset treasuries (DATs) bringing in fresh capital. Before, BTC relied on inflows through retail exchanges.

Lastly, Grayscale has pointed out that the macro market backdrop is still looking favorable for cryptocurrencies; the potential for lower interest rates and continued progress on bipartisan digital asset legislation could drive institutional investment.

BTC Price

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is floating around $87,000, unchanged from one week ago.

The U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is preparing to publish its first formal proposal outlining how stablecoin issuers will operate under the GENIUS Act, according to acting chairman Travis Hill.

The rulemaking package is expected to be submitted to the House Financial Services Committee before the end of December, marking a major step toward implementing the country’s new federal stablecoin framework.

FDIC Nears First Draft of GENIUS Act Stablecoin Rules

The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act (GENIUS Act), signed into law in July, created a multi-agency oversight system for payment stablecoins.

Under the law, only licensed issuers are allowed to offer stablecoins to U.S. users, with oversight divided between the FDIC, Federal Reserve, Treasury, and other regulators.

Hill said the FDIC has been developing application procedures and prudential standards that will apply to stablecoin-issuing subsidiaries of FDIC-supervised institutions.

These standards include capital requirements, liquidity expectations, and reserve asset diversification rules designed to ensure issuers can meet redemptions during periods of stress.

The agency also expects to release a separate proposal early next year detailing the financial and operational requirements stablecoin issuers must meet once approved.

Regulators Outline Broader Digital-Asset Responsibilities

Hill noted that the FDIC has taken a cautious but constructive approach toward banks exploring digital-asset services, ensuring activities remain “safe and sound.” Part of the agency’s ongoing work includes responding to recommendations from the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets.

One area receiving particular attention is tokenized deposits, digital representations of bank deposits issued on blockchain networks. Hill confirmed that new guidance is being drafted to clarify how these instruments fit within existing banking rules, reflecting growing industry interest in tokenization for payments and settlement.

Other regulators are advancing their own responsibilities under the GENIUS Act. Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman stated that the central bank is collaborating with banking agencies to establish capital, liquidity, and diversification standards for stablecoin issuers.

Treasury Continues Public Consultation Process

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has also played a central role in implementing the GENIUS Act.

In September, it released an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public feedback on its stablecoin oversight approach. The comment period, which ran through early November, invited input from industry participants, academics, and consumer groups.

The Treasury stated that the consultation aims to strike a balance between innovation and financial stability concerns. Public submissions will help build the final proposals, which will govern non-bank stablecoin issuers and related digital asset activities.

Related Reading: Crypto Crackdown: House GOP Discovers 30 Firms Debanked In Operation Chokepoint 2.0

With the FDIC’s first proposal now nearing completion, federal agencies are entering the next phase of what is expected to be a multi-month rulemaking process. Once draft rules are released, they will undergo public review before final guidelines are adopted and phased in across the stablecoin market.

Cover image from ChatGPT, BTCUSD chart from Tradingview

The consensus is leaning heavily toward the Bitcoin price heading into another drawn-out bear market after hitting its $126,000 all-time high back in October. However, some analysts have shared that this will not happen in a straight line. But rather, there will be short relief rallies that send the price higher before moving into the next phase of the bear market. One of these analysts is TradingShot, who has shared what they refer to as ‘realistic’ price targets that the Bitcoin price can still hit before slipping fully into the bear market.

Bitcoin’s Tendency To Recover

TradingShot’s analysis does not go against the idea of a bear market, but rather points to the fact that Bitcoin is yet to enter a new Bull Cycle. The analysis focuses on the sell-offs that the cryptocurrency has suffered since hitting its all-time high, pushing it into a bearish leg. The analyst draws similarities between the current market structure and what was seen in the market decline between January 20 and April 7, showing that they are both part of a “Channel Up” formation.

Another interesting fact about the current trend is the fact that, just like the January-April trend, it has also completed a 1-Day MACD Bullish Cross. This was a formation that led to a brief recovery back in March, and the same could be the case this time around.

Such a rally, the analyst explains, is known as a counter-trend rally, and another one could be underway. If this is the case, then the Bitcoin price could be gearing up to retest the Lower Highs trendline, putting the contact points at significantly higher price levels than Bitcoin is currently trending at.

The Targets That Could Materialize

In the event that this Bitcoin price counter-trend rally does play out, TradingShot outlines two major targets that the cryptocurrency could hit. The first of these lies at $95,850, which coincides with the 0.382 Fibonacci level. This level is the rejection point for the April 2025 rally, making it an important play.

Above this first target lies the second and final target of $106,450. This target, interestingly, lies outside of the Lower Highs trendline, but remains a viable option. It would occur in a situation where the Bitcoin price makes contact with the 1D MA200. The analyst explains that “This is where the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement level is, which was also Target 2 for the April fractal and where the second consolidation took place.”

Bitcoin has fallen back below the $90,000 level after another wave of selling pressure and leveraged long liquidations, signaling that the market remains firmly on the defensive. Each attempt to stabilize has failed, with sellers quickly overwhelming buyers and forcing price into lower ranges. Fear and uncertainty continue to dominate sentiment, and traders increasingly prepare for the possibility of a deeper continuation of the downtrend as volatility accelerates.

Amid this weakness, a new signal has started to attract the attention of analysts. According to Maartunn, one of the market’s most respected on-chain researchers, old coins are waking up again. Dormant Bitcoin—specifically coins held for 3 to 5 years—has begun to move on-chain in noticeable spikes. Historically, this type of activity often reflects structural shifts in holder behavior, appearing during periods of stress, capitulation, or preparation for major market pivots.

While the direction of these moves is not always immediately clear, rising activity among long-dormant coins adds another layer of complexity to an already fragile market. As Bitcoin continues to struggle below $90K, the behavior of these older coins could help determine whether the current decline deepens—or sets the stage for a larger transition ahead.

Old Coins Start Moving as Macro Fear Collides With Policy Shifts

Maartunn highlights a notable rise in activity from 3–5 year-old Bitcoin, a cohort that typically remains dormant unless underlying conditions begin to shift. The Spent Output Age Bands show a sharp increase, jumping from 2,030 BTC earlier today to 3,475 BTC now. These spikes rarely happen randomly. Maartunn believes that “something’s stirring beneath the surface,” suggesting that long-term holders may be reacting to mounting market stress—or positioning ahead of a potential macro inflection.

This awakening of older coins comes at a moment filled with conflicting signals. Fear around Tether’s reserves has resurfaced, sparking concerns over liquidity stability across exchanges. At the same time, renewed headlines about a supposed China Bitcoin ban have circulated again, despite offering no new policy information. These narratives have added yet another layer of anxiety to an already fragile market.

Yet the macro backdrop also contains reasons for cautious optimism. The Federal Reserve is expected to bring its quantitative tightening (QT) program to an end, and markets are increasingly pricing in a potential interest rate cut this December. Such shifts historically improve liquidity conditions and support risk assets.

As long-term coins begin to move and macro forces pull in opposite directions, Bitcoin enters a complex environment—one that could precede either deeper volatility or the early stages of a larger transition.

Bitcoin Struggles to Recover as Daily Trend Remains Firmly Bearish

Bitcoin’s 1-day chart continues to reveal a market trapped in a strong downtrend, with price failing to reclaim the key moving averages that define higher-timeframe momentum. After breaking down from the $115,000 region, BTC plunged directly through the 50 SMA, 100 SMA, and 200 SMA, creating a steep momentum shift that sellers still control.

The current price action around $86,000–$88,000 shows hesitation and a lack of follow-through from bulls, even after several attempts to rebound.

The 50 and 100 SMAs both slope sharply downward, confirming a bearish trend structure. Meanwhile, the 200 SMA has flattened and now sits far above price, highlighting just how aggressive and extended the selloff has been. BTC continues to print lower highs and lower lows, a clear signal that the market has not yet found a stable bottom.

Volume spikes on major red candles suggest a mix of forced liquidations and panic-driven exits, while green candles remain smaller and less convincing. The lack of strong buy volume shows that investors remain cautious despite the magnitude of the correction.

If Bitcoin fails to break back above $92,000–$95,000, the market risks another leg lower. The next major supports sit between $80,000 and $78,000, levels that align with previous consolidation zones. For now, the bears still control the daily trend.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

Kalshi has taken a major step in restructuring how prediction markets operate by moving its event contracts onto the Solana blockchain.

The transition brings U.S.-regulated prediction markets directly into decentralized finance, positioning the platform to compete more closely with its on-chain rival, Polymarket, while targeting deeper liquidity and broader user access.

Prediction Contracts Move On-Chain

Kalshi’s event markets now operate as Solana-based SPL tokens rather than entries on a centralized exchange. Through an integration with Solana protocols DFlow and Jupiter, users can trade “yes” and “no” positions via crypto wallets, tap automated liquidity, and settle outcomes through on-chain logic.

The shift enables contracts to be traded, borrowed, lent, or used as collateral within DeFi systems. Kalshi is supporting developer participation with a $2 million grants program and a new Builder Codes system that rewards teams for driving trading volume through custom applications.

Executives describe tokenization as the platform’s long-term strategy, arguing that on-chain access offers speed, transparency, and programmability while preserving Kalshi’s CFTC-regulated framework. The hybrid model links decentralized liquidity with an off-chain matching engine.

Will the Move Capture Liquidity and Challenge Polymarket?

Prediction-market activity has surged in 2025, with sector-wide volume nearing $28 billion by late October. November saw Kalshi record $5.8 billion in trading, while Polymarket handled $3.7 billion following rulings that reopened U.S. access.

Liqudity has become the core competitive factor. By issuing markets as standard Solana tokens, Kalshi expects automated market makers, trading bots, and cross-protocol liquidity systems to tighten spreads and improve pricing accuracy.

Enhanced privacy is another draw, with tokenized markets offering wallet-based trading rather than identity-verified accounts. Industry analysts note that the move puts Kalshi in direct competition with Polymarket’s fully on-chain model.

Solana Expands Multi-Chain Prediction Economy

Kalshi believes Solana is the first step toward a broader on-chain architecture. The company plans to add EVM-compatible networks and deeper integrations with DeFi protocols to build a multi-chain forecasting ecosystem.

Additional partnerships, including earlier collaborations with Zero Hash and stablecoin custody support from Coinbase, reflect an effort to streamline global accessibility.

With its valuation recently rising to $11 billion after a major funding round, the company is signaling confidence that tokenized prediction markets will become a standard format for forecasting and derivatives tied to real-world events.

As prediction markets evolve toward decentralized models, Kalshi’s Solana rollout marks a turning point in how regulated platforms interact with crypto liquidity and sets the stage for intensified competition across the sector.

Cover image from ChatGPT, SOLUSD chart from Tradingview

Franklin Templeton has taken a significant step that is already drawing attention across the crypto market. The asset-management giant has filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to broaden its Franklin Crypto Index ETF, confirming that Dogecoin will officially be added beginning December 1. 

The expansion shifts Franklin Templeton’s product from a Bitcoin- and Ethereum-focused offering into a more diversified crypto basket that gives investors access to a broader range of digital assets through a single instrument. This comes just a few days after Franklin Templeton launched its Spot XRP fund.

Franklin Templeton Expands Into A Wider Multi-Asset ETF

The success of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs has encouraged major institutions to look beyond the top two cryptocurrencies and build products that cover a wider range of well-known digital assets. Franklin Templeton’s latest move follows that trend by reshaping its Franklin Crypto Index ETF into a more expansive portfolio that includes several leading altcoins, Dogecoin among them.

The revised structure takes effect on December 1 and shifts the ETF to a design that reflects the broader market rather than a two-asset concentration. Franklin Templeton acknowledged this change through an announcement on X, presenting an updated token lineup that now spans everything from large market-cap cryptocurrencies like Cardano, Solana, and XRP. 

Even within that group, Dogecoin stands out, stepping further away from its reputation as a meme-based cryptocurrency and moving into a more institutionally recognized role.

Dogecoin Steps Into New Phase Of Institutional Exposure

Dogecoin’s inclusion in Franklin Templeton’s expanded ETF comes at a moment when the token is already experiencing increased attention from traditional finance. The first batch of Spot Dogecoin ETFs has only recently entered the market, and this is a milestone that would have been unthinkable a few years ago. 

Grayscale was the first major issuer out of the gate with its GDOG product, followed shortly after by Bitwise, which launched its own Dogecoin ETF at the request of its community. 

Early trading activity for these funds has been modest compared to the spectacular debuts once seen with Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, but it is still too early to tell, as the market might still be determining how much institutional interest exists for a meme-origin asset wrapped in a regulated structure.

Several other issuers have filings in progress and are preparing for their own Dogecoin products to go live. Some are positioning themselves carefully to see how the first batch of ETFs performs. According to Bloomberg Senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, there are likely about 100 crypto-based ETFs waiting to be launched in the next six months.

Ethereum has fallen below the $2,800 mark after a sharp and sudden decline, deepening market anxiety and raising fresh questions about whether a broader bearish phase may be emerging. The drop has undermined bullish momentum, with buyers struggling to defend key support levels as selling pressure accelerates across both spot and derivatives markets.

Sentiment has deteriorated quickly, and several analysts are beginning to openly discuss the possibility of a sustained bear market if ETH fails to stabilize soon.

Yet amid the growing panic, a notable counter-signal continues to attract attention: Bitmine’s ongoing accumulation. Despite ETH’s decline, the firm has repeatedly added to its holdings, purchasing thousands of ETH over the past several weeks. Bitmine’s persistent buying behavior suggests that at least some large players still view the current correction as an opportunity rather than a risk.

For investors searching for signs of resilience, Bitmine’s actions have become a point of cautious optimism. While the macro structure remains fragile and the downtrend intact, steady accumulation from an institutional buyer provides a potential anchor of support — and raises the possibility that a rebound could form once selling pressure exhausts.

Bitmine Expands Its Massive Ethereum Position

According to on-chain data from Arkham, shared by Lookonchain, Bitmine has continued its aggressive accumulation strategy, purchasing an additional 7,080 ETH—worth approximately $19.8 million—just a few hours ago.

This latest buy adds to a series of repeated inflows over the past several weeks, reinforcing the firm’s conviction even as Ethereum trades near multi-month lows. Bitmine’s willingness to keep adding during periods of heightened volatility has become one of the most notable accumulation trends in the market.

With this purchase, Bitmine’s total Ethereum holdings have climbed to roughly 3.43 million ETH, now valued at around $9.6 billion at current prices. This positions the firm as one of the largest known institutional holders of ETH, and its continued accumulation stands in sharp contrast to the broader atmosphere of fear and defensive positioning. While many traders are reducing exposure amid Ethereum’s sharp decline, Bitmine appears to be doubling down.

Such behavior from a major entity often signals longer-term confidence in Ethereum’s fundamentals, regardless of short-term price action. For investors, Bitmine’s expanding position has created a counter-narrative to prevailing bearish sentiment, suggesting that deeper-pocketed players may be preparing for a recovery once the market finishes resetting.

ETH Tests Weekly Support as Trend Weakens

Ethereum’s weekly chart shows a significant loss of momentum, with price breaking below the 50 SMA and now sitting directly on top of the 100 SMA near the $2,750–$2,800 region. This zone has historically served as an important structural support during prior corrections, making the current interaction a critical moment for the broader trend. The sharp rejection from the $4,500 level marks one of ETH’s steepest weekly declines since 2022, highlighting the intensity of the current sell-off.

The 50 SMA has begun to curl downward, signaling early signs of medium-term trend weakness. Meanwhile, the 100 SMA is flattening, acting as the last dynamic support before the 200 SMA at $2,450, which represents the true long-term floor. A clean weekly close below the 100 SMA would open the door to a deeper retracement toward that level.

Volume has increased during the recent decline, reflecting forced selling and derivatives-driven liquidations rather than orderly profit-taking. Despite this, the long lower wicks forming near $2,700 suggest buyers are still attempting to defend the area.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

According to prepared testimony from Acting FDIC Chair Travis Hill, the agency expects to publish a proposed rule that lays out how stablecoin issuers will apply for federal oversight before the end of December 2025.

What The Draft Will Cover

Based on reports, the initial proposal will focus on the “application framework” — the paperwork, disclosures and standards firms must meet to seek approval as regulated stablecoin issuers.

The proposal is not the final set of bank-level rules; it will outline the process, while a second proposal that spells out capital, liquidity and reserve requirements is slated for early next year.

Market Reaction And Immediate Impact

Reports have disclosed that the GENIUS Act, the law behind this process, named the FDIC as a lead regulator for bank-related stablecoins and set deadlines for implementing agencies to act.

The move is expected to provide clearer guidance for firms that want to issue USD-pegged coins under federal supervision. Some firms could alter their timelines or pause launches until the rules are final.

Stablecoin: How The Law Got Here

The GENIUS Act was passed by Congress in mid-2025 and signed into law by US President Donald Trump on July 18, 2025. The Senate approved the bill by a 68–30 vote and the House backed it 308–122.

The statute lays out which agencies do what, and it requires a sequence of rulemakings, such as capital and liquidity standards, that regulators must implement.

Public Comment Period

Officials say the FDIC’s first proposed rule will be followed by a public comment period, giving industry groups, banks and nonbank firms a chance to respond.

After that, prudential measures aimed at FDIC-supervised issuers — the rules that set minimum capital cushions and reserve asset standards — will be proposed early next year.

Analysts and industry observers will be watching closely to see whether the FDIC limits its oversight mainly to bank-sponsored stablecoins or seeks a broader scope.

They will also pay attention to how strict the capital and liquidity requirements will be when the rules are proposed in early 2026.

Coordination with other regulatory agencies will be another key focus, since the GENIUS Act assigns responsibilities across several federal regulators.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Tether, the issuer of USDT, has long been considered one of the most stable assets in the crypto market, but a recent report suggests that a crash in the Bitcoin price could jeopardize the stablecoin’s solvency. Arthur Hayes, co-founder and CIO of BitMEX, has revealed that a portion of USDT’s reserves is allocated to BTC, potentially exposing it to heightened market volatility. 

Bitcoin Price Crash To Threaten Tether USDT Stability 

In a recent report shared on X earlier this week, Hayes outlined market risks that could have a devastating impact on Tether’s USDT. The BitMEX founder explained that the stablecoin issuer has been executing a large-scale interest rate trade, likely betting on a Federal Reserve (FED) rate cut. 

He stated that the stablecoin issuer has accumulated significant positions in Bitcoin and gold to hedge against falling interest income. As a result, Hayes has warned that if Tether’s positions in both gold and Bitcoin were to decline by roughly 30%, it could wipe out its entire equity, theoretically putting USDT at risk of insolvency. 

Since stablecoins are typically backed by the US dollar, the crypto founder has stated that a severe drop in Tether’s reserve value could trigger panic amongst USDT holders and crypto exchanges. In such a scenario, they might demand immediate insight into the stablecoin issuer’s balance sheet to gauge solvency risk. Hayes has also suggested that the mainstream media could further amplify the concerns, creating widespread market alarm.  

Analyst Fires Back Against Hayes’ USDT Claims

Following Hayes’ statements on X, Tether’s USDT has come under scrutiny, with crypto analysts debating the resilience of its reserves. A former Citi Research lead, Joseph Ayoub, challenged Hayes’ claims, arguing that even if Bitcoin and gold prices were to crash 30%, a USDT insolvency remains highly unlikely. 

He highlighted that the BitMEX co-founder had missed three key points in his post. Ayoub noted that Tether’s publicly disclosed assets do not represent the entirety of its corporate holdings. According to him, when Tether issues USDT, it maintains a separate equity balance sheet that is not publicly reported. The reserve numbers that are eventually disclosed are intended to show how USDT is backed. At the same time, the company maintains a balance sheet for equity investments, mining operations, corporate reserves, possibly more Bitcoin, and the rest distributed as dividends to shareholders.

Ayoub also described Tether’s core operations as highly profitable and efficient. He stated that the company holds over $100 billion in interest-yielding treasuries, generating roughly $10 billion in liquid profit annually while operating a relatively small team. The former Citi research lead estimated that the stablecoin issuer’s equity is likely valued at between $50 billion and $100 billion, providing it with a substantial cushion against losses in its crypto and gold holdings. 

Finally, Ayoub disclosed that Tether operates like traditional banks, maintaining only 5-10% of deposits in liquid assets, while the remaining 85% are held in longer-term investments. He also noted that the stablecoin issuer is significantly better collateralized than banks, adding that with their ability to print money, bankruptcy is virtually impossible.

XRP may be holding above the $2 price mark for a brief period, but the leading altcoin is still facing heightened bearish pressures at that level due to a broader market pullback on Monday. Even with the ongoing downward trend in price, XRP is still experiencing robust engagement as evidenced by the massive surge in activity on the XRP Ledger.

An Explosive uptick In XRP Ledger’s Activity

Prices are constantly dwindling along with the entire crypto market, but the XRP Ledger is seeing sharp engagement within the bearish period. After months of quiet and reduced adoption, the Ledger has roared back to life, recording one of its strongest growth waves yet.

Arthur, a community member and official partner of the BingX cryptocurrency exchange, shared this surge in activity on the social media platform X. This isn’t a mild rise; it’s a growth wave with significant weight behind it, the kind that indicates an expanding utility rather than fleeting speculation.

Furthermore, the sharp growth in activity suggests that more investors are choosing to conduct their day-to-day XRP operations on the Ledger, reflecting a renewed conviction in the network. The Ledger’s current activity spike is centered around the rise in Account Set transactions to a point not seen in years.

After navigating through XRPL metrics, the expert revealed that more than 40,000 Account Set transactions were carried out on the Ledger, marking its highest level in years. Such a massive wave of transactions to a new peak suggests that the Ledger may be speeding into its next phase in a market where many chains find it difficult to sustain momentum.

At the same time, there was also a surge in Automated Market Maker (AMM) bids just after November 23 concluded, indicating that preparations are taking place on the network. With Ripple’s stablecoin RLUSD approvals, AMM rollout, and the onboarding of institutional investors at an accelerated rate, it simply implies that the Ledger is picking up pace. 

Open Interest Suffers A Steep Decline

While the price of XRP has pulled back, the decline appears to be heavily impacting investors’ sentiment toward the altcoin. Its derivatives market has significantly lost its weight in a single and steep decline as Open Interest (OI) experiences a sharp drop.

In a report from Glassnode, a leading on-chain data analytics platform, the token’s futures open interest fell from 1.7 billion XRP in early October to 0.7 billion XRP by the end of November. This figure represents a more than 59% flush out from October to November alone.

The funding rates have also followed suit, recording a drop from 0.001% to 0.001% in the 7-day Simple Moving Average (SMA). A combination of the drop in open interest and funding rates marks a structural pause in the altcoin’s speculators’ appetite to bet heavily on an upward direction. At the time of writing, the altcoin was trading at $2.02 after falling by over 1% in the last 24 hours.