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A recent report by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), titled “The Coin Laundry,” has unveiled evidence of criminal activities conducted through major cryptocurrency exchanges, aimed at evading global regulatory scrutiny. 

The investigation alleges that money launderers, linked to drug trafficking, Southeast Asian scam centers, and North Korean hackers, have been leveraging major exchanges to facilitate their illicit operations.

Crypto Money Laundering Operations Linked To Huione Group

The ICIJ’s analysis highlights that, as recently as July 2025, the Huione Group, a Cambodian financial entity flagged by US authorities as a “primary money laundering concern,” transferred approximately $1 million worth of Tether’s USDT stablecoin daily to accounts at Binance.

This flow amounted to over $408 million from Huione to Binance customer accounts between July 2024 and July 2025. Notably, these transactions allegedly occurred while Huione was under the supervision of two court-appointed monitors, established as part of Binance’s plea deal with US regulators in November 2023.

The report goes on to reveal that at least $226 million also shifted into accounts at OKX, another major crypto exchange, during the five months following OKX’s guilty plea in February for operating an unlicensed money transmitter. 

ICIJ’s report also explores a network of cash desks and courier services that operate in cities such as Hong Kong, Toronto, London, and Istanbul, allowing individuals to anonymously convert cryptocurrency outside the view of financial authorities. These locations have emerged as largely unregulated hotspots for laundering money.

In a separate investigation, ICIJ examined an alleged pyramid scheme orchestrated by Vladimir Okhotnikov, who is accused of misappropriating at least $340 million from investors between 2020 and 2022 through a fraudulent investment platform. 

Insufficient Regulatory Oversight?  

The report highlighted that these illicit transactions often traverse anonymous digital wallets and tools like “swappers,” which enable users to automatically exchange cryptocurrencies without identity verification, complicating law enforcement efforts to trace illicit activities.

A dozen former compliance employees from major exchanges, including OKX and Binance, reported to ICIJ that they struggle to keep pace with “increasingly sophisticated criminals.”

Regulators around the world are responsible for ensuring that cryptocurrency firms comply with anti-money laundering laws. However, the report asserts that the current landscape is characterized by “fragmented enforcement,” resulting in “insufficient oversight,” according to the ICIJ.

According to ICIJ’s findings, authorities have imposed at least $5.8 billion in fines and penalties against cryptocurrency exchanges. Meanwhile, consumer and business losses from crypto-related crimes are escalating. 

In the United States alone, the FBI estimates that Americans lost approximately $9.3 billion to crypto crimes in 2024, a 67% increase from the previous year.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

An undercover investigation revealed that both registered and unregistered crypto platforms in Canada have exploited the country’s regulatory loopholes and facilitated violations of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules.

Canada’s Crypto-Cash Service Compliance Concerns

On Monday, CBC News shared a joint investigation with Radio-Canada, the Toronto Star, and La Presse, as part of a global reporting effort named The Coin Laundry from the Washington-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

Reporters unveiled that multiple exchanges in Canada and offshore are reportedly evading local financial laws by offering crypto-to-cash services without proper registration or ID verification.

According to the news media outlet, the country’s long-standing problem with illicit funds in the traditional financial system, along with a lack of strong regulations and enforcement in the crypto sector, has opened “new frontiers for laundering and illicit finance.”

The investigation found that companies both registered and unregistered with Canada’s national watchdog, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), have facilitated transactions that violate AML rules.

In Toronto, a FINTRAC-registered company handed $1,900 in cash to an undercover reporter after receiving a 2,000 USDT deposit to a Ukraine-based crypto exchange, 001k. The employee only verified the serial number of a $5 bill to confirm it was the correct recipient for the transaction.

Meanwhile, two overseas platforms, including 001k, contacted by another undercover journalist, also proposed to deliver up to $1 million in cash to a location in Montreal in exchange for crypto, but never asked for any personal information or ID.

Under Canada’s AML law, it is illegal for a money transfer business to remit more than $1,000 to someone without registration of the recipient’s personal information and ID verification. Moreover, it is illegal for unregistered exchanges to do business with Canadians.

“One web directory lists more than 20 services for converting crypto into cash in cities across the country, from Halifax to Vancouver, none of them registered with FINTRAC. Contacted anonymously by reporters for the Toronto Star, a handful of the Toronto-based services said they wouldn’t ask for any ID,” CBC News added.

Richard Sanders, a crypto-to-cash network investigator, affirmed that “If you have this way to move money with absolutely zero checks on it, you’re facilitating an unlimited amount of crime.”

Nick Smart, Crystal Intelligence’s Chief Intelligence Officer, noted the “absolutely staggering” amount of money being pushed through crypto-to-cash services, highlighting the $2.5 billion processed in Hong Kong in 2024 alone.

FINTRAC Faces Regulatory Challenges

The Canadian watchdog did not answer the reporters’ questions about the undercover transactions or whether it was aware of the crypto-to-cash illicit services available in the country.

However, it said in a statement that “FINTRAC is prepared to take strong action as necessary so that businesses take their responsibilities seriously,” adding that it “can include administrative monetary penalties and referrals of any non-compliance to law enforcement.”

Notably, FINTRAC imposed a $126 million fine on Vancouver-based digital assets trading platform Cryptomus in October for breaching multiple federal AML and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) laws. Additionally, it is developing a comprehensive framework that aligns with global crypto regulations.

As reported by Bitcoinist, Canada’s 2025 federal budget unveiled plans to establish stablecoin-related regulations seeking to boost consumer confidence and modernize the country’s payment ecosystem.

Nonetheless, Joseph Iuso, executive director of the Canadian Money Services Business Association, told CBC News that FINTRAC faces challenges in overseeing these illicit transactions. According to Iuso, the financial watchdog doesn’t have enough resources to supervise properly the over 2,600 registered money-service businesses.

As a result, it also doesn’t have the capacity to track and act against unregistered platforms that illicitly offer services. “There’s just tons,” Iuso affirmed. “They’re all trying to circumvent the regulations. And, unfortunately, how do you police that?” he concluded.

Aave Labs, the developer behind the decentralized cryptocurrency lending platform Aave (AAVE), announced on Monday its intentions to launch a new app on Apple’s App Store.

Aave Labs Introduces Savings-Style App

According to a report from Fortune, this new product is designed to function similarly to a traditional savings account, but with higher yields than those offered by traditional finance banks. 

Users can earn a minimum interest rate of 5% on their deposits, which can be funded through bank accounts or debit cards. The app will utilize stablecoins alongside the Aave protocol to offer these financial services.

Aave has established itself as a key player in the decentralized finance (DeFi) and crypto lending sectors, boasting over $3.23 trillion in cumulative deposits, nearly $1 trillion in total originated loan volume and $ billion in total interest paid, according to the platform’s website. 

While DeFi protocols often provide users with higher interest rates compared to conventional banking, they also carry heightened risks, such as the potential for hacks and the absence of government backing. 

However, Stani Kulechov, the founder and CEO of Aave Labs, assured users of the protocol’s safety. He pointed out that Aave has never encountered an exploit in its five-year history, emphasizing the dual layers of security related to both the market economics and the software code, which has been audited by multiple companies.

Traditional Financial Giants Adopting Crypto

The forthcoming launch of the Aave app arrives at a time when the gap between traditional financial institutions and crypto-native firms is closing. Major players like BlackRock are adopting Bitcoin (BTC) through the exchange-traded fund (ETF) sector. 

Stripe has integrated stablecoins into its offerings, and JPMorgan Chase has been actively developing blockchain solutions. In response, crypto firms are increasingly focusing on attracting mainstream customers. 

The US crypto exchange Kraken, for example, has newly introduced its own payments app, while various others are working to create bank-like products using stablecoins.

Kulechov remarked, “Typically, DeFi has been accessible to very savvy, professional users. The next step for DeFi is to bring more direct access for consumers.” 

Kulechov, a figure in the DeFi movement since launching the protocol in 2020, has expanded the company’s offerings to include a crypto wallet, a decentralized stablecoin, and a protocol for social media.

In October, the firm made headlines by acquiring the stablecoin company Stable Finance for an undisclosed amount. Kulechov noted that the acquisition also enhanced their consumer-focused experience, allowing the team to move more swiftly and improve their product offerings.

While the broader crypto market continues its downtrend, the price of AAVE saw a 2% uptick following the announcement. At the time of writing, it was trading at $171.87 per token. 

Featured image from The Seattle Times, chart from TradingView.com

Bitcoin is struggling to hold above the $95,000 level as fear spreads across the market, with traders uncertain whether the recent correction marks the beginning of a broader downtrend or just a temporary shakeout. The leading cryptocurrency has been under sustained selling pressure, wiping out months of bullish momentum and pushing sentiment toward extreme caution.

Analysts remain divided on the next move. Some argue that Bitcoin could be entering the early stages of a bear market, pointing to weakening momentum and growing short-term losses among holders. Others, however, believe that this consolidation phase is setting the stage for a major recovery, with potential for a surge beyond all-time highs once market sentiment stabilizes.

Despite the volatility, on-chain data offers a glimmer of strength. Bitcoin is still trading above the ETF Realized Price, according to CryptoQuant. This means that, on average, ETF investors remain in profit — a sign that institutional demand remains resilient even amid retail fear.

ETF Investors Remain in Profit Despite Market Fear

According to top analyst Maartunn, Bitcoin’s ETF Realized Price — the average cost basis of all spot Bitcoin ETF holders — currently stands at $86,680. Despite the recent wave of volatility and fear-driven selling, Bitcoin is still trading roughly 9% above this critical level, suggesting that most ETF investors remain in profit.

This metric serves as an important gauge of institutional sentiment. The fact that Bitcoin continues to trade above ETF investors’ cost basis indicates that institutional demand remains resilient, even as retail sentiment turns bearish. Historically, when Bitcoin holds above key realized price levels during corrections, it signals underlying strength and reduces the likelihood of a prolonged bear phase.

Moreover, ETF inflows have remained stable, showing that long-term holders are not panic-selling despite price weakness. These investors tend to view market dips as opportunities to accumulate rather than liquidate positions — a stark contrast to short-term traders who often react emotionally to volatility.

If Bitcoin can sustain its position above the ETF Realized Price, it would reinforce this structural support and could serve as the launchpad for a recovery once broader market sentiment shifts from fear to cautious optimism.

Bitcoin Finds Support Amid Heightened Market Fear

The weekly Bitcoin chart shows the cryptocurrency hovering just above $95,000, attempting to stabilize after weeks of consistent selling pressure. This marks the first time since May that BTC has revisited this zone, which now acts as a crucial support level both technically and psychologically. The decline from the recent highs near $120,000 has been sharp, reflecting a shift in sentiment as fear and uncertainty dominate the market.

The 50-week moving average currently sits near $94,000, and Bitcoin’s ability to remain above it could define the next market phase. Historically, this moving average has been a reliable support line during mid-cycle corrections, often signaling accumulation zones rather than the start of prolonged bear markets. Meanwhile, the 200-week moving average — a long-term structural floor — remains far below near $70,000, highlighting that Bitcoin’s macro trend remains intact.

Volume data also suggests a potential capitulation phase, with recent sell pressure accompanied by rising trading activity, indicating stronger hands may be absorbing weak supply. If Bitcoin holds this range, a rebound toward $100,000–$105,000 could follow. However, losing $95K would expose the market to further downside, potentially testing lower supports before stability returns.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

Bitcoin’s drop back into the mid-$90,000s has reignited the debate: is this the start of a true bear market, or a sharp reset inside an ongoing uptrend? Analysts are converging on the same battleground levels but differ on what they imply.

Has The Bitcoin Bear Market Arrived?

Macro swing-trader “The Great Mattsby” (@matthughes13) argues that, structurally, Bitcoin is still tracking a familiar pattern. He reminds followers that: “Back in 2024, BTC consolidated for 7 months in the $70k-$50k zone before breaking out.”

Using monthly Fibonacci retracements from the March 2024 high to the November 2022 low, he notes that Bitcoin previously tagged the 0.618 retracement at $51,518, “even wicked below, then bounced.” On a fresh set of fibs drawn from the October 2025 top to the August 2024 low, that same key level now sits at $96,975. Price is currently trading slightly below it, similar to the 2024 wick.

With two weeks left in November, Mattsby stresses that the close matters more than the intramonth volatility: “If BTC holds this $96-$97k zone for a monthly candle close in November, this could mirror last year’s setup: a couple more months retesting this zone, then a run to new all-time highs would be possible.”

On the weekly timeframe, however, market analyst Rekt Capital is less comfortable with the latest breakdown. For him, the 50-week exponential moving average has been a core “bullish structure” of this cycle. He writes: “Bear Markets confirm when the bullish structures that supported continued bullish momentum start to fail.”

His chart shows the current weekly candle pushing decisively below the 50-week EMA, which has previously acted as support. He sees “a high probability the Weekly Candle Closes below the 50-week EMA,” adding that the reaction in the coming weeks will be “macro trend-defining.”

The key question, in his view: “Can BTC produce enough upside in the coming weeks to invalidate this Weekly Close below the 50 EMA and reclaim the EMA as support?”

What Bitcoin On-Chain Data Says

On-chain data sends a different signal. Analyst Frank (@FrankAFetter) shared Checkonchain’s Short-Term Holder MVRV chart, which tracks the profitability of recent buyers relative to their cost basis with standard-deviation bands. Bitcoin’s latest flush has driven the metric to the lower, negative-one-standard-deviation band, a zone previously tagged near $49,000 and $74,000 before meaningful bounces.

Frank’s approach is straightforward: “I’m a buyer of standard deviation moves to the downside; they don’t come often, but they tend to be excellent opportunities.”

Is The CryptoQuant CEO Right Again?

CryptoQuant founder Ki Young Ju focuses on who is selling this dip. He characterizes the move as internal rotation among long-term players rather than broad distribution: “This dip is just long-term holders rotating among themselves. Old Bitcoiners are selling to tradfi players, who will also hold for the long run.”

He recalls that his earlier top call was driven by “OG whales … dumping hard,” but argues that the landscape has shifted: “ETFs, MSTR, and other new channels kept injecting fresh liquidity. Onchain inflows are still strong. This dip is basically OG whales dragging the market.”

Looking ahead, he points to “sovereign funds, pension funds, multi-asset funds, and corporate treasuries” as building even larger, persistent liquidity channels and concludes: “The cycle theory is dead until these liquidity channels stop running.” Notably, Ki Young Ju correctly predicted in March this year that Bitcoin could see a “6–12 months of bearish or sideways price action.”

In short, the technical picture has clearly weakened, with the 50-week EMA and the $96,000–$97,000 monthly Fibonacci zone now acting as critical lines in the sand. If Bitcoin can reclaim the weekly EMA and secure a monthly close above that 0.618 retracement, the case for this being a deep but standard consolidation remains credible.

A sustained failure at these levels, by contrast, would lend significant weight to the bear-market argument. For now, the verdict hinges on how the next few weekly and monthly candles close, not on the intraday noise.

At press time, BTC traded at $93,938.

Bitcoin continues to trade below the $100,000 mark, struggling to find direction amid growing indecision and persistent selling pressure. After briefly dipping toward $95,000, the market is attempting to hold this key support level as sentiment remains fragile. Traders and investors are closely watching whether Bitcoin can stabilize here or if further downside is imminent.

According to top analyst Darkfost, the situation has become increasingly challenging for short-term holders (STHs) — those who acquired Bitcoin within the past few months. Their average cost basis now sits near $110,500, meaning that the majority of this cohort has been underwater for about a month. This signals widespread unrealized losses among newer market participants, often a precursor to emotional or panic-driven selling.

For context, during the March correction, short-term holders faced similar conditions for roughly two months before the market eventually recovered. Whether history will repeat itself remains to be seen, but the prolonged pressure on STHs is contributing to heightened volatility. As whales and long-term investors remain more stable, market resilience will likely depend on how this reactive segment behaves around the $95K–$100K range in the coming days.

Short-Term Holders Show Signs of Capitulation as Losses Mount

Short-term holders (STHs) are facing intense stress as selling pressure accelerates across the market. The STH Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR) on a 30-day moving average has remained below 1, currently sitting at 0.993, which means that on average, STHs are realizing losses of around 7% when they move their coins. Historically, this type of behavior has coincided with the final stage of market corrections, as weak hands capitulate and stronger players quietly accumulate.

Darkfost notes that STHs are particularly reactive to price swings, often exiting positions in panic once losses deepen. This has been evident in recent weeks — on November 15, over 65,000 BTC were sent to exchanges at a loss, creating an estimated $6 billion in sell pressure. Earlier in the month, realized losses peaked at $812 million on November 9, confirming sustained capitulation activity.

Despite the negative sentiment, this dynamic has historically signaled market exhaustion rather than continuation. Each spike in realized losses throughout this cycle has marked the end of a correction, suggesting that while the current environment remains volatile, Bitcoin could be approaching the late stages of this downturn before rebounding.

Bitcoin Attempts to Stabilize Near $95K After Steep Sell-Off

Bitcoin’s recent price action shows a clear attempt to stabilize near $95,000 following a sharp decline that pushed it below the psychological $100,000 level. The chart illustrates that BTC has broken below both its 50-day and 100-day moving averages, signaling that short-term momentum remains bearish. However, the price is now finding temporary support around the $93,000–$95,000 zone — an area that coincides with prior consolidation in May and June.

The selling pressure that dominated last week has started to ease, as indicated by the slightly lower volume on recent candles. This suggests that sellers may be getting exhausted after a significant drawdown. Still, bulls are struggling to regain control, and a decisive close above $100,000 would be needed to reestablish confidence.

If the $95K level fails to hold, the next potential support sits near $90,000, aligning with the 200-day moving average — a historically critical line separating bullish from bearish phases. On the upside, reclaiming the 100K–105K zone could trigger renewed momentum toward $110K. For now, Bitcoin remains in a consolidation phase, with investors watching closely to see whether this area becomes a bottoming zone or the prelude to a deeper correction.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

US President Donald Trump granted a pardon in late October to Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the founder of Binance, touching off a fresh round of questions about whether business deals and political favors were linked to the clemency.

The move has split opinion: some lawmakers call for probes, while CZ’s legal team insists the pardon was lawful and not for sale.

Binance And The Trump-Linked Venture

According to reporting, Binance played a role in supporting a crypto company tied to the Trump family, World Liberty Financial, as that venture rolled out a stablecoin called USD1.

Reports say Binance engineers helped build parts of the project and that a major investor agreed to put roughly $2 billion into the venture, with some payments reportedly arranged in USD1 tokens.

DL News reports that CZ’s lawyer Teresa Goody Guillen denied any ‘pay-to-play’ arrangement behind President Trump’s October pardon of Changpeng Zhao, telling the Pomp Podcast there was no deal. She also refuted media claims that ties among Binance, World Liberty Financial and the… pic.twitter.com/lLq52dt6fF

— Ashir (@roomchanger2) November 17, 2025

CZ’s past conviction has sharpened scrutiny. He pleaded guilty in 2023 to charges tied to failures in stopping illicit use of the exchange.

He served four months behind bars before later receiving the presidential pardon in October. Those facts have been widely reported and are cited by critics who argue the timing and business ties merit a closer look.

Lawyer’s Denial On The Pomp Podcast

CZ’s attorney, Teresa Goody Guillén, has publicly rejected claims that the pardon was tied to any “pay-to-play” arrangement.

Based on reports of her Pomp Podcast appearance, she described the allegations as a “pile up of a lot of false statements” and said she has seen no proof that the pardon was traded for cash or crypto.

Guillén also challenged characterizations that World Liberty Financial is simply “the Trump family’s company.”

 

Binance itself has pushed back. Company statements and reporting attribute the large USD1-related investment decision to an investor group rather than to Binance directly, and Binance leaders have denied negotiating a pardon in exchange for business support.

That denial has not ended calls from some lawmakers for fuller transparency about meetings, agreements, and transfers tied to the USD1 rollout.

Lawmakers And Watchdogs Respond

Based on congressional comments and news coverage, critics including some senators have urged investigations to determine whether the pardon followed improper influence or conflicts of interest.

They point to the scale of the reported $2 billion deal and to meetings between business figures and Trump associates as reasons to seek documents and sworn testimony.

At the same time, defenders of the pardon argue the legal case against CZ was narrow, limited to compliance failures rather than fraud.

Featured image from Getty Images, chart from TradingView

Fresh on-chain data reveal that 121 billion Shiba Inu (SHIB) coins were moved from crypto exchanges in 24 hours, extending a series of large withdrawals recorded throughout this month. The movement occurs at a time when the SHIB price is struggling, which may indicate that holders are either preparing for long-term storage or anticipating a major shift in the market. 

Where 121 Billion SHIB Are Headed As Prices Fall

CryptoQuant has revealed that approximately 121,256,104,299 SHIB exited crypto exchanges on November 15. This latest transfer continues a pattern that has defined the entire month. Earlier, on November 14, over 234.7 billion tokens were withdrawn from exchanges, marking one of the largest single-day outflows in recent months. Four days later, another 84.7 billion was left, followed by an additional 195.9 billion on November 11. Altogether, these transfers account for well over 600 billion SHIB being moved into cold storage in just over two weeks. 

This movement could be an indication of shifting sentiment among SHIB holders who may be positioning for long-term custody as market volatility rises and prices decline. November’s transfers reflect a clear accumulation pattern despite the downturn in SHIB’s price, suggesting that investors are buying the dip. 

While exchanges have seen billions of tokens exit recently, the last two days saw a reversal in flow direction. CryptoQuant data shows that 59.8 billion SHIB returned to exchanges on November 16, followed by another 36.7 billion at the time of writing. This brings the total inflow to over 96.5 billion, partially offsetting the 121 billion tokens removed on November 15. Such inflows typically indicate profit-taking or short-term repositioning, creating uncertainty about whether holders plan to re-enter the market or respond to further price volatility. 

Shiba Inu Records Year-Long Price Drop

The broader trend of shrinking exchange reserves coincides with a significant decline in SHIB’s valuation. CoinMarketCap reports that Shiba Inu is down more than 63% this year, reflecting a persistent bearish pressure. Over the past week alone, the meme coin has declined by approximately 10% and remains in negative territory, trading at around $0.000009. Notably, this downward momentum has continued to weigh on market sentiment.

Crypto analyst Jack noted that, amidst the decline in exchange reserves and rising burn rates, buyers are stepping in at every price dip to accumulate SHIB tokens. He says these developments are creating the perfect recipe for a supply shock, which could set the stage for a potential recovery.

Jack emphasized that Shiba Inu is still holding a key demand zone, with momentum indicators like the Relative Strength Index (RSI) starting to show strength. If these conditions persist and momentum kicks in, he believes that SHIB may finally break out of its current range. He points to $0.000010, $0.000011, and $0.000013 as the next resistance levels and bullish targets. 

Data reveals a majority of the Ethereum treasury companies are trading below mNAV, showcasing the effect of the latest price crash.

Ethereum Treasury Firms Are Looking Unhealthy

In a new thread on X, Capriole Investments founder Charles Edwards has discussed some metrics related to Ethereum treasury companies. A treasury firm refers to a public corporation that has adopted a digital asset like Bitcoin or Ethereum as its reserve strategy.

The idea was popularized by Michael Saylor’s Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), which pivoted to being a BTC treasury firm back in 2020. Since then, the company has grown into by far the largest corporate digital asset holder, with a whopping $47.54 billion invested.

Earlier, companies were looking at only the number one cryptocurrency as a viable reserve asset, but this year, there has been a rise in holders of ETH, the coin ranked just behind BTC.

The Ethereum treasury frenzy peaked in August, but since then, the growth rate attached to them has witnessed a slowdown, as the chart below shared by Edwards shows.

From the graph, it’s clear that the rate of change for Ethereum treasuries is positive even after the slowdown, suggesting that companies remain in net accumulation. This has meant that, despite the outflows that the spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have witnessed recently, institutional buying still remains above the cryptocurrency’s supply growth, although only just.

While corporate accumulation continues, the ETH treasury business model may not be working for a lot of the firms. As the analyst has pointed out, the majority of companies have an mNAV value less than 1.

mNAV, standing for Multiple of Net Asset Value, is a metric that compares the market cap of a treasury firm against the total value of its reserve assets. The indicator being below the 1 mark naturally implies the firm’s valuation is less than its treasury’s worth.

About 64.3% of all Ethereum treasury firms currently fall into this zone. “That means the treasury company picture is a lot more unhealthy for ETH than Bitcoin,” explained Edwards.

Clearly, ETH treasuries are coming under pressure, so are any of them reacting by selling? Data suggests not many, as the net buy/sell ratio related to them still remains strong.

That said, while almost all Ethereum corporate holders are still net buyers, the buy/sell ratio has started to show a decline as the asset’s price has experienced its recent bearish shift.

ETH Price

Ethereum plunged toward $3,000 on Sunday, but the coin has since seen a small jump back to $3,200.

According to comments from longtime researcher and computer scientist Nick Szabo, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are trust-minimized, not trustless, and that difference matters for how states and private actors can push back.

Szabo warned that while the layer one of a strong trust-minimized system can endure many kinds of interference, legal routes remain a meaningful vulnerability.

He said financial rules are one set of risks the ecosystem has learned to handle, helped by developers and an expanding legal profession focused on crypto, but that laws tied to arbitrary data create a much wider and less predictable attack surface.

Trust Minimized Not Trustless

Szabo told readers that the technical design reduces the need to trust single parties, yet it does not eliminate the need for trust entirely.

According to his view, losing the phrase “trustless” and using “trust-minimized” is important because it points to real limits. Developers must keep the protocol informed by careful choices.

Anarcho-capitalism is a wonderfully abstract ideal that can inspire innovation. It helped inspire me to help invent cryptocurrency.

But real-world cryptocurrencies are not trustless — they are trust-minimized. Each cryptocurrency has a legal attack surface, representing the…

— Nick Szabo (@NickSzabo4) November 16, 2025

Lawyers have become part of the defense too, he said, and that legal work has made financial law attacks manageable in many cases.

The claim is not that Bitcoin is fragile; it is that the threats are not only technical — they are real, legal, and those threats change with new laws and court decisions.

Regulators Face Practical Limits

Not everyone agrees. One critic, Chris Seedor, who runs a Bitcoin seed storage company called Seedor, pushed back and called some legal fears “boogeymen.”

Based on reports of his remarks, Seedor argued that states can try to use law to stop tools and protocols, but history shows limits.

Respectfully, I think you’re giving too much weight to speculative legal boogeymen.

Bitcoin’s resilience was never about predicting every possible domain of law – it was about minimizing technical points where coercion can bite. If regulators could shut down general-purpose data…

— Coinjoined Chris (@coinjoined) November 16, 2025

He pointed to PGP and Tor as two technologies that have been unpopular with some regulators yet remain available. His point: when code lacks central points of control, courts and agencies have less practical leverage to fully shut it down.

Arguments From Different Angles

The debate is partly about emphasis. Szabo focuses on open legal questions and new kinds of laws that could be used to target content or arbitrary data placed on-chain. Seedor highlights how technical design can remove the lever points that make enforcement easy.

Both are talking about the same problem from different directions: one looks at the legal map and sees many untested routes; the other looks at past enforcement and sees that states rarely win against widely distributed protocols.

Featured image from Yagi Studio/Flavio Coelho/Getty Images, chart from TradingView

A new projection shared by X Finance Bull on the social media platform X has added new momentum to one of the boldest claims in the XRP community: the idea that XRP could eventually overtake Bitcoin. 

His post frames the current moment as the setup for the most explosive move of the decade for the altcoin. The chart he shared outlines a sequence of developments, from institutional adoption to major financial events in the US, that gradually lift the price of the altcoin higher until it reaches the point where it could challenge Bitcoin’s position as the number one cryptocurrency.

Institutional Adoption, XRP Spot ETF Approval, Trump’s $20 Trillion Market Expansion

X Finance Bull’s outlook does not pin XRP to a specific price level, but it lays out a roadmap for how its value could climb as a series of events unfold. In his view, the move starts once financial institutions begin announcing that they are using the Ledger, creating the first noticeable lift in XRP’s trajectory as more real-world activity settles on the network.

The next phase in the projection shows the asset entering a sharper rally once XRP Spot ETFs are approved. At that point, the chart suggests a burst of momentum as regulated products open the door for larger sums of capital to enter the market.

After this comes an even bigger inflection point: President Donald Trump’s proposed $20 trillion investment into new financial markets. In the projection, that level of capital deployment pushes the altcoin much higher, ushering in a stage where “trillions start to flow” and the curve steepens dramatically. The final catalyst is described as the moment Bitcoin maxis begin rotating into XRP, completing the sequence.

Taken together, these stages: institutional adoption of the Ledger, Spot ETF approval, massive US market investment, and a wave of capital shifting from Bitcoin, form the backbone of the analyst’s argument that the altcoin could rise to the point where it flips Bitcoin and becomes the market’s leading crypto asset.

The $20 Trillion Blueprint Behind The Predicted Surge

In another post, the analyst explained what he believes Trump’s $20 trillion investment is really pointing toward. He said Trump’s promise to “build something unbelievable” is part of a new financial system built on tokenized money and real-time settlement rails, which is why Congress is suddenly fast-tracking crypto and stablecoin legislation.

According to the analyst, the asset suited for this system must be American-made, already in discussions with US lawmakers, connected to major institutions, backed by escrow, and capable of handling massive liquidity. His conclusion is that the asset with these characteristics is not Bitcoin; it is XRP.

Based on this blueprint, the analyst claims that a $20 trillion injection would not send the token to $5 or even $10, but to $357. At the time of writing, the token is trading at $2.28. The first US-based spot XRP ETF has already gone live, and early inflow numbers are encouraging.

Peter Schiff, a long-time gold investor and vocal critic of Bitcoin, on Sunday called Strategy Inc.’s Bitcoin-only approach “a fraud” and publicly challenged Michael Saylor to a live debate at Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai this December.

Schiff said the firm’s recent profits are mostly tied to the market price of Bitcoin and warned that the company’s financial structure could fail if investor sentiment turns.

Schiff’s Core Charge

According to Schiff, Strategy’s reported gains are largely unrealized and the company’s financing plan is risky.

He openly slammed the company, saying, “MSTR’s whole business approach is a fraud. No matter how Bitcoin performs, I expect MSTR to eventually face bankruptcy.”

MSTR’s entire business model is a fraud. Saylor and I will both be speaking at Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai in early December. I challenge @saylor to debate this proposition with me. Regardless of what happens to Bitcoin, I believe $MSTR will eventually go bankrupt. Let’s go!

— Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) November 16, 2025

He pointed to the company’s third-quarter results — net income of $2.8 billion and diluted EPS of $8.42 — as examples of earnings that, he says, come from mark-to-market increases in Bitcoin rather than steady business operations.

Schiff said that preferred shares marketed as high-yield may never produce the promised returns and that this could trigger heavy selling by yield funds.

Strategy’s own report shows it held about 640,808 BTC as of late October, at a total cost around $47.44 billion and an implied cost per coin near $74,032.

MSTR’s business model relies on income-oriented funds buying its “high-yield” preferred shares. But those published yields will never actually be paid. Once fund managers realize this they’ll dump the preferreds & $MSTR won’t be able to issue any more, setting off a death spiral.

— Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) November 16, 2025

The company reported a 26% BTC Yield for the year-to-date and said it had realized close to $13 billion in BTC gains in 2025 so far.

Those figures help explain why the firm posted strong accounting profits even while its core software business generates modest revenue.

Debate Call Draws Attention

The challenge from Schiff is timed to overlap with Saylor’s speaking schedule at the Dubai conference, turning what might have been routine appearances into a potential public showdown.

Market watchers say a debate would be watched closely by investors, regulators and other corporate issuers who have been weighing Bitcoin exposure.

Some analysts say the strategy, while risky, gives investors a way to gain leveraged exposure to Bitcoin through a public company.

Others agree with Schiff that the accounting treatment and financing choices expose shareholders to sudden shifts.

Saylor and Strategy did not immediately accept or decline the debate invitation in public comments.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

The conversation around XRP price hitting $1,000 often gets trapped in the familiar narrative of retail-driven cycles and short-term speculation. Market analyst Barri C challenges this perspective, arguing that conventional benchmarks fail to capture the token’s true potential. According to him, assessing XRP solely through the lens of retail investors and four-year cycles overlooks the unprecedented scenario of institutional adoption and real-world utility. 

Retail Thinking Limits Perception Of XRP Price Potential

In a post shared on X, Barri C emphasizes that skepticism about a $1,000 XRP is rooted in a retail investor mindset. Historically, the crypto market has been driven by retail cycles, often following a four-year boom-and-bust pattern, as seen with Bitcoin’s surges in 2017 and 2021. These cycles focus on short-term speculative gains rather than long-term systemic value.

He points out that “all we have ever seen is retail investing and a four-year cycle,” highlighting that analysts are applying familiar frameworks to an unprecedented situation: XRP’s adoption by banks and financial institutions worldwide.

Retail speculation may generate price volatility, but as the analyst explains, it does not reflect how a cryptocurrency behaves when embedded in global financial infrastructure. Barri C argues that this oversight limits understanding of XRP’s full potential. If mass adoption and enterprise utilization continue, reaching $1,000 and potentially far beyond, becomes a realistic outcome, contrary to the conclusions drawn from retail-focused analysis.

Utility, Partnerships, And Institutional Integration Driving The Value

Beyond retail cycles, XRP’s long-term value is increasingly shaped by its real-world utility, strategic partnerships, and deepening integration with institutional finance. Ripple’s partnerships with DBS Group and Franklin Templeton allow trading and lending of tokenized money market funds on the XRP Ledger, demonstrating enterprise-grade use that could help drive the XRP price action.

Building on this foundation, Ripple’s $200 million acquisition of Rail significantly strengthens its institutional infrastructure. Rail’s stablecoin payment systems, virtual accounts, and automated settlement capabilities, when combined with the RLUSD stablecoin framework, position XRP as a central component of high-volume financial networks.

The impact of these developments is further amplified through Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) network. Deployed across more than 300 financial institutions in 45 jurisdictions, ODL leverages XRP, enabling real-time settlement and optimizing capital efficiency. These operational advantages, coupled with Ripple’s strategic expansions into the Middle East and Africa, underscore XRP’s growing role in facilitating practical utility that could scale its value.

Finally, Ripple’s pursuit of a US national bank charter and a Federal Reserve Master Account highlights its commitment to embedding the altcoin into traditional financial systems. Together, these initiatives illustrate that XRP’s future valuation may be driven by adoption, infrastructure scaling, and institutional integration rather than short-term retail sentiment. According to Barri C, closely tracking XRP’s developments provides the clearest insight into how the XRP price could realistically reach—and potentially exceed—the $1,000 milestone.

Ethereum’s price continues to witness heightened volatility due to the bearish conditions of the broader cryptocurrency market, causing the altcoin’s value to drop to the $3,000 mark, a level not seen in months. While ETH’s price has fallen sharply, the network’s real economy has displayed significant growth faster than ETH’s market value.

ETH Market Slow, But Real Economy Is Expanding

The growth of Ethereum’s on-chain economy is significantly faster than the movement of its native asset price. Overall, the Ethereum network has quietly entered a phase of significant real-world growth, as evidenced by soaring transaction revenues, surging stablecoin settlement volumes, and an accelerating ecosystem of decentralized apps.

This growing disparity between price and real economy was shared by Milk Road, a market expert on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). According to the market expert, the real economy of the underlying network has experienced a 3x growth faster than the price of ETH.

Data shared by Milk Road shows that the supply of stablecoins available on the Ethereum blockchain is up by 65.5x. Such a substantial growth implies that money only moves where activity is taking place, which is the clearest signal of actual demand in the broader crypto sector.

Meanwhile, Milk Road highlighted that ETH’s fully diluted market cap has increased by 21.6x over the same period. The discrepancy between Ethereum’s core economic activity and its market value raises the possibility that investors are underestimating the network’s actual strength, which might lead to a realignment.

What this means is that the blockchain’s economic engine scaled far beyond its valuation for nearly 5 years. However, the expert noted that the difference between the supply of stablecoins and the completely diluted market cap won’t remain this large indefinitely if price ultimately catches up to activity, as it always does.

Fundamentals Remain Strong Amid Ethereum’s Weak Sentiment

Ethereum is still showcasing on-chain strength, hitting new milestones even in the ongoing market volatility. Leon Waidmann, the head of research at On-chain Foundation, disclosed that while prices are down, the blockchain-powered dollar economy recently reached a new all-time high.

For the first time ever, the overall value of all stablecoins that are secured on-chain pushed past $300 billion. Meanwhile, ETH layer 1 singlehandedly accumulates over $170 billion of the total supply, reflecting its growing adoption and rising dominance. Overall, sentiment around ETH, particularly towards its price action, may be weak, but its fundamentals remain robust.

In another X post, Waidmann stated that crypto players continue to declare that ETH is dead, while the blockchain keeps acting in the opposite direction. The network’s block space usage has been climbing nearly nonstop for the past 10 years. 

Presently, the blockspace consumption has hit a new all-time high in 2025. According to Waidmann, this is beyond mere hype; it is driven by real economic activity settling on a global trust layer like Ethereum, as evidenced by the continuous growth of its fundamentals.

Negli ultimi anni Bitcoin si è consolidato come uno degli asset più redditizi e più discussi, attirando un numero crescente di investitori istituzionali. Nel 2025 l’interesse da parte di grandi fondi e università è aumentato in modo evidente — e uno degli esempi più sorprendenti arriva proprio da Harvard, considerata da molti la principale università al mondo.

All’inizio di agosto, l’ateneo aveva comunicato di possedere circa 117 milioni di dollari in quote dell’ETF spot su Bitcoin di BlackRock, un investimento significativo già di per sé. Ma gli ultimi documenti finanziari mostrano un’espansione ancora più marcata: nel terzo trimestre, l’esposizione dell’università a BTC è quasi triplicata.

L’ETF di BlackRock diventa l’investimento principale di Harvard

L’ultimo report 13F depositato dall’università rivela che, al 30 settembre, Harvard deteneva 6,8 milioni di azioni dell’iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) di BlackRock, per un valore complessivo di circa 443 milioni di dollari.

Questa mossa si inserisce in una strategia di allocazione più ampia, che ha visto aumentare anche le partecipazioni nel fondo SPDR Gold Trust (GLD), ora pari a oltre 661.000 azioni per un valore di circa 235 milioni di dollari nel terzo trimestre del 2025.

Rispetto ai 1,9 milioni di titoli IBIT dichiarati alla fine di giugno, l’aumento è impressionante: +257%. Ad oggi, l’ETF di BlackRock rappresenta la singola voce più pesante tra tutte le partecipazioni ufficiali dell’ateneo.

Nonostante il peso dell’investimento sia relativamente contenuto rispetto all’immenso endowment di Harvard — circa 57 miliardi di dollari — la cifra è comunque sufficiente a posizionare l’università al 16° posto tra i maggiori detentori dell’ETF. Un segnale che rafforza ulteriormente l’immagine di Bitcoin come asset di riserva sempre più accettato dalle grandi istituzioni.

Come ha osservato l’analista ETF di Bloomberg Eric Balchunas:

È molto raro che un fondo universitario investa in un ETF, specialmente realtà come Harvard o Yale. Questo è il miglior riconoscimento che un ETF possa ottenere. Detto ciò, mezzo miliardo rappresenta solo l’1% del loro patrimonio totale. Ma è comunque abbastanza per renderli uno dei maggiori holder di IBIT.

BlackRock registra la giornata con i deflussi più elevati

Nonostante l’interesse di alcune istituzioni, gli ETF Bitcoin statunitensi stanno vivendo settimane sottotono. Nell’ultima settimana i fondi hanno cumulato deflussi netti per circa 1,1 miliardi di dollari.

Il protagonista è proprio l’iShares Bitcoin Trust di BlackRock, che ha registrato tre giorni consecutivi di uscite. Secondo i dati di SoSoValue, soltanto nella giornata di venerdì 14 novembre sono stati ritirati 463,1 milioni di dollari.

Nonostante ciò, IBIT rimane l’ETF spot su Bitcoin più grande sul mercato, con asset gestiti vicini ai 75 miliardi di dollari.

Quick Facts:

• Franklin Templeton’s EZRP and Bitwise’s XRP ETF arrive this week, signaling that institutional demand for major altcoins remains in place despite volatility.
• Nine XRP ETFs landing between November 18 and 25 could push XRP toward long-term allocation status rather than short-term speculation.
• With more than $27.78M raised and clear Layer 2 utility, Bitcoin Hyper offers higher-beta exposure to the same adoption trend that ETFs are reinforcing.

Franklin Templeton is launching its XRP ETF, EZRP, on November 18th on the CBOE.

It’s the first in a tight cluster of new XRP funds arriving on the market. Analysts expect Franklin Templeton’s EZRP to compete with Canary’s XRPC, which grabbed the early advantage but does not have Franklin Templeton’s reach or distribution power.

Bitwise will follow with its own XRP ETF on November 20, setting up a real-time check on institutional appetite for the asset.

This rollout is happening while crypto prices remain shaky. $BTC recently dropped from its $126K high to below $100K after heavy derivatives unwinding and security worries.

Yet major asset managers continue to broaden their lineups, from single-asset XRP products to multi-coin index funds. That split between falling prices and rising product launches sends a message:

Big firms still see long-term value in crypto, even when sentiment flips.

For XRP, nine spot ETFs are expected to be launched between November 18th and 25th, giving mainstream investors direct exposure for the first time. If the inflows come in as expected, these funds may create steady buy-side demand that could soften volatility over time.

EZRP, for example, benefits from Franklin Templeton’s large balance sheet and adviser network, a combination that may allow it to overtake smaller issuers.

Clearly, crypto infrastructure keeps moving forward even when markets look messy. The same pattern is playing out on the Bitcoin side.

One of the most closely tracked projects in the niche is Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER), a Bitcoin Layer 2 presale aiming to turn idle $BTC into something more usable.

With over $27.78M raised, a presale price near $0.013285, and staking rewards around 41% APY, $HYPER sits in a different risk bracket than ETFs but draws from the same adoption story.

Bitcoin Hyper Brings Speed, Scalability, and Programmability to the Bitcoin Network

As XRP gains its first wave of spot ETFs, the parallel for Bitcoin is not more wrappers. It is the infrastructure that upgrades what $BTC can actually do. For investors open to higher volatility, this is the category where Bitcoin Hyper stands out.

Bitcoin Hyper uses Solana’s Virtual Machine for execution, while settling and securing everything back to the Bitcoin base chain.

Users lock $BTC on-chain through a canonical bridge, receive a wrapped version on the Layer 2, and then move it quickly and cheaply through payments, DeFi, NFTs, and consumer apps.

Combining SVM throughput with Bitcoin security gives the native crypto $HYPER a clear functional purpose. That explains why the Bitcoin Hyper token presale has climbed above $27.78M, despite choppy conditions.

Clearly, crypto infrastructure keeps moving forward even when markets look messy. The same pattern is playing out on the Bitcoin side, making $HYPER one of the best cryptos to buy now.

The token currently sells for about $0.013285. The staged presale model increases the price over time, rewarding early buyers and providing the team with predictable funding for development and liquidity.

The Presale Frenzy Continues

Early participants can lock tokens for projected yields of 41% APY, helping secure the network once the mainnet is live and encouraging longer holding periods.

Our Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) projection places a possible 2025 high near $0.32 and a 2030 peak around $1.5, assuming strong exchange listings and dApp growth.

Nothing is assured, yet even the conservative side of that range would comfortably outpace what most ETF investors typically expect from high-cap crypto exposure.

That contrast explains the interest. The project continues to draw steady interest from whales, including a whale purchase worth $502K last Wednesday, even as the wider market cools. Read our How to Buy Bitcoin Hyper guide for detailed instructions on joining the presale.

From the current presale level of $0.013285, the 2025 forecast range of $0.15 to $0.32 would translate to roughly 11.3x on the lower end and around 24.1x at the top.

XRP ETFs are structured for institutions seeking straightforward exposure.

Bitcoin Hyper gives retail and early-stage investors a chance to position themselves in the infrastructure layer that could make Bitcoin more useful in the next wave of adoption.

Join the Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) presale before it’s too late.

Disclaimer: This article is not financial advice. Crypto assets are volatile and risky. Always research independently before allocating capital.

Authored by Bogdan Patru for Bitcoinist – https://bitcoinist.com/xrp-etf-franklin-templeton-launch-bitcoin-hyper-presale

Dogecoin (DOGE) is entering a decisive phase that could see its price explode to record highs. Based on the meme coin’s recent price action, one analyst encourages traders to position early, while another warns that an important structural level must be held to preserve DOGE’s broader bullish outlook. Both perspectives highlight the pressures and possibilities the meme coin faces as it navigates its ongoing downward trend.

Analyst Tells Traders To Position For Dogecoin

Technical analyst and engineer Waleed Ahmed has urged traders to get positioned for Dogecoin, hinting that the meme coin may be far closer to a major reversal than many expect. He shared a monthly DOGE/BTC chart on X social media showing the price hovering just above a long-standing accumulation band.

Ahmed’s chart highlights a broad consolidation range that stretches back to early 2021, with the DOGE/BTC price at the time of analysis sitting at $0.00000169, near the lower boundary of that structure. Despite the recent market drawdown, the price has not broken below the multi-year floor, making this region a potentially critical zone for long-term positioning.

Above this key range lies a major upside target between $0.000012 and $0.000014, highlighted by Ahmed, which aligns with the high that the DOGE/BTC price reached during its strongest historical move. With DOGE/BTC still trading around $0.00000169 at the time of writing, achieving the projected target would require a gain of over 610%. 

While this surge is substantial, it underscores the magnitude of the DOGE/BTC growth opportunity. It also explains why the analyst is encouraging traders to position themselves now, ahead of the anticipated rally. Ahmed has warned that traders shouldn’t take the current DOGE/BTC price as a joke. He remains bullish on the meme coin despite ongoing volatility and market declines that have pushed its price down to $0.16.  

Dogecoin Faces Key Technical Threat Into The Next Level 

In a separate analysis, experts highlight a looming threat that could compromise Dogecoin’s bullish outlook. According to crypto analyst Rekt Capital, Dogecoin is battling to preserve its multi-year diagonal uptrend. His chart shows a rising trendline close to a horizontal support level of around $0.159, which has guided DOGE’s price recovery since mid-2023.

Recently, the meme coin’s price dipped below this trendline on the monthly timeframe, raising concern that momentum is weakening heading into December. With the monthly candle now sitting just underneath, Dogecoin risks confirming a breakdown if it fails to reclaim the trendline. 

This structure has acted as a dynamic support area for DOGE’s price for over two years, making it a critical level to watch on the macro chart. Essentially, Rekt Capital’s analysis suggests that if Dogecoin loses the multi-year trendline, it would threaten its broader bullish structure, which has kept its macro upside potential toward $0.3 alive. 

Crypto analyst Chad has revealed two scenarios that could unfold for XRP amid the recent crypto market downtrend. The analyst also stated that XRP investors would win, regardless of which scenario played out. 

Two Scenarios That Could Play Out For XRP At The Moment

In an X post, Chad stated that there are two options, with the first being that the XRP price stays the same as today, and then the ETFs buy the entire circulation supply in exactly one year. Meanwhile, the second option is that the XRP price rises dramatically, and the acquisition of XRP declines because the altcoin becomes more expensive to buy. 

The crypto analyst declared that XRP holders will win either way. He indicated that the XRP price would surge drastically if ETFs were to accumulate significantly. Notably, the first ‘33 Act XRP ETF just launched last week and has recorded significant net inflows. SoSo Value data shows that the Canary XRP fund took in $245 million on the first day and $243 million on the second day of trading. 

Meanwhile, other pending XRP ETFs are expected to launch soon. The first among them is Franklin Templeton, which is likely to launch this week after earlier filing an updated S-1, which removed the delay amendment. Bitwise and 21Shares could also launch this week, following a similar move. 

As Chad suggested, these XRP ETFs are bullish for the XRP price, considering the amount of fresh capital that could flow into the altcoin’s ecosystem through these funds. Institutional investors have already shown huge interest in XRP, as evidenced by the fact that Canary’s fund has had the best launch this year in terms of trading volume and inflows. 

Analyst Shares ETFs Impact Launch Model

In another X post, Chad shared the XRP ETFs launch impact model, showing how high the XRP price could reach thanks to these funds. The model showed that 20 ETFs seeded at $45 million each, with a total inflow of $900 million, would absorb 1.5% of the altcoin’s supply and could spark an XRP price surge to between $10 and $17 within 30 days. Meanwhile, the price could rally to between $13 and $24 within 60 days based on the model. 

Chad also revealed how the XRP ETFs could spark a supply shock for XRP. He noted that the OTC desks will initially run cover for the ETFs, but they will inevitably have to buy on public exchanges at some point. The analyst revealed that the XRP supply on exchanges is 2.8 billion, an amount that he expects the ETFs should be able to buy up. 

At the time of writing, the XRP price is trading at around $2.25, up in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Quick Facts:

• The recent 24% Bitcoin crash was a structural ‘reset’ and a ‘massive liquidation’ of speculative debt, not a fundamental market failure.
• Institutional commitment is strong, shown by BlackRock and Fidelity logging huge buy-ins even as the market price fell.
• Best crypto to buy now before the bull run includes $PEPENODE, $HYPER, and $PENGU.

Let’s be honest, the final quarter of 2025 has felt pretty brutal.

At some point, we’ve seen Bitcoin ($BTC) prices crash by over 24% in just a few weeks (from around $125K to around $95K), throwing the whole market into a deep state of ‘Extreme Fear.’

While some people are pointing out this is the ‘worst Q4 since 2019,’ it still doesn’t mean you should be losing sleep. Let’s break down exactly why not so you can sleep a little easier.

This massive drop isn’t a structural collapse; it’s a giant, necessary flush-out. Some analysts are calling it a ‘massive liquidation’ or a ‘mid-cycle reset.’ Basically, the market got over-leveraged with speculators using borrowed money, and this crash was the system hitting the reset button to clean out all that shaky speculation.

Look beneath the hood, and the long-term outlook is stronger than ever.

First, institutional money isn’t leaving. Commitment from the big guns is unshakable. US spot Bitcoin ETFs have attracted around $58.85B in cumulative net inflows. We’ve seen BlackRock and Fidelity logging huge buy-ins while the price was falling. This is smart money quietly accumulating from scared retail sellers.

Secondly, insane price targets still stand as major financial players aren’t backing off their bullish calls. Institutions like Bitwise and VanEck are still holding firm to aggressive crypto projections, expecting Bitcoin to climb into the $180,000 to $200,000 range next year.

So, while the charts look scary right now, the consensus among investors is that this ‘Extreme Fear’ is actually laying the most solid foundation yet for a record-breaking 2026.

If this pans out, then it begs the question, which are the best crypto to buy before the next bull run? Our top picks, PEPENODE ($PEPENODE), Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER), and Pudgy Penguins ($PENGU) all offer something different that could pique interest and see potential big returns.

1. PEPENODE ($PEPENODE): The Meme Coin That Pays You to Play

PEPENODE ($PEPENODE) is rewriting the meme coin playbook by introducing a sustainable, utility-driven ecosystem built around a ‘Mine-to-Earn’ mechanism. The project transforms the viral appeal of the Pepe theme into an engaging and interactive asset.

$PEPENODE provides a clear purpose for holding its token: gamified yield. You can use your $PEPENODE to build and manage a virtual mining operation within a user-friendly, browser-based interface.

You buy and upgrade digital ‘Miner Nodes,’ simulating a real-world mining rig, which in generates crypto rewards. This ensures that community engagement directly translates into sustained token utility and demand.

Want in already? Check out our ‘How to buy PEPENODE’ guide.

The system is designed to incentivize long-term participation and investment in the ecosystem’s infrastructure. With top players potentially earning rewards in $PEPE and $FARTCOIN as well as $PEPENODE.

It’s no wonder the project’s raised over $2.1M. The presale also offers an impressive 597% APY for those who plan on HODLing.

Buy $PEPENODE today for $0.00115.

2. Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER): Unlocking Bitcoin’s Superpowers with Solana Speed

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is positioning itself as the ultimate scaling solution, combining the ironclad security of the Bitcoin mainnet with the blazing performance of the Solana ecosystem.

As a new Layer-2 network, $HYPER aims to solve Bitcoin’s limitations (namely the slow transaction speeds and high fees) to finally unlock its potential for decentralized applications (dApps) and DeFi.

The technical innovation lies in its use of a customized Solana Virtual Machine (SVM). It enables parallel processing and sub-second finality, providing thousands of transactions per second (TPS) and low gas fees.

You can lock your $BTC on the main chain via a Canonical Bridge, minting a 1:1 wrapped equivalent on the Bitcoin Hyper Layer-2, allowing you to participate in high-volume trading and use onboarded dApps, which could include anything from yield farming protocols to NFT markets.

Security is maintained through ZK-Rollup technology, bundling and verifying transactions before settling the cryptographic proofs back onto the Bitcoin main chain. If you want more details, check out our ‘What is Bitcoin Hyper’ guide.

This blend of Bitcoin’s trustworthiness and Solana’s efficiency promises to transform $BTC from a mere store of value into a fully programmable asset.

With a project raise of nearly $28M and staking rewards of 41%, the presale has attracted a lot of attention from those seeking early-stage opportunities.

Get $HYPER today for just $0.013285.

3. Pudgy Penguins ($PENGU): The Web3 Brand That Conquered Mainstream Retail

Pudgy Penguins ($PENGU) is pioneering the bridge between Web3 collectibles and global consumer culture.

It achieved critical mass with its expansion into physical toys, stocking the shelves of major retailers like Walgreens. This move brings the brand’s positive ethos and unique characters to millions outside the crypto ecosystem, creating a genuine flywheel effect.

The $PENGU token acts as the lifeblood of this expanding universe, providing utility across several dimensions. Holders gain governance rights, allowing them to vote on the brand’s direction and partnerships.

Furthermore, the token is integral to in-app purchases, game rewards (especially within the brand’s game, ‘Pudgy Party’), and NFT-linked perks.

With ongoing development focused on multi-chain expansion (supporting Solana and Ethereum) and a long-term goal that includes a potential IPO, $PENGU is positioned as a sophisticated token economy backed by a proven cultural IP.

Find $PENGU on Binance.

Recap: The worst performing Q4 for Bitcoin since 2019 may not be a bad thing, and is seen as a necessary drop before the next big bull run. Considering this potential forecast, the best crypto to buy ahead of time includes $PEPENODE, $HYPER, and $PENGU.

Remember, this is not intended as financial advice, and you should always do your own research before making any investments.

Authored by Ben Wallis, Bitcoinist – https://bitcoinist.com/best-crypto-to-buy-as-bitcoin-weakest-q4-precedes-mega-bullrun/

After losing the key $100,000 price mark due to a sharp pullback last week, the price of Bitcoin is now changing hands between $95,000 and $95,100. Despite the magnitude of the current drawdown in price, it is still below the level of the preceding major corrections.

Ongoing Bitcoin Pullback Still Behind Previous Drawdown

Bitcoin has been in a downward trend since it reached its all-time high of around $126,000. While investors and traders closely monitoring the charts may perceive the most recent decline in Bitcoin’s price as severe and significant, on-chain data reveals a completely different picture regarding the development. 

In a post on the X platform, Darkfost, a market expert and author, revealed that the drawdown of the ongoing correction reached about 23% as of Sunday. However, the current pullback still sits slightly below the magnitude of the previous major downturn despite increased volatility and growing panic throughout the market.

Since such a level of corrections is often seen in each market cycle, Darkfost stated that there is nothing unusual about this large pullback so far. As indicated on the Bitcoin Drawdown metric, the previous corrections, particularly the last two, reached 26% and 28%, respectively. These corrections occurred in September 2024 and May 2025.

Darkfost has also examined the supply of BTC in profit to determine the impact of the current correction on the market. After analyzing the Bitcoin Percent Supply in Profit metric, the expert found that this ongoing pullback is having the biggest effect on the market, even though it is not the largest. Meanwhile, this pressure is mostly felt by short-term BTC holders. 

Data shows that the percentage of supply in profit has recently fallen to 68% following a sharp pullback to $93,000, marking its lowest level observed within the recent drawdown. It is worth noting that the last time the market felt this much impact from a pullback was in October 2023, just after the bear market. As on-chain data and BTC’s price draw closer to critical levels, Darkfost has urged investors to monitor the trend in the coming few weeks in order to determine the next market direction.

Short-Term BTC Holders Are Panicking Again

Presently, a strong feeling of fear and uncertainty has been observed among BTC short-term holders. Darkfost highlighted that the market is experiencing the biggest panic move from these key investors since the last all-time high of $126,000.

This negative action is indicative of the recent movement of thousands of BTC by these investors into centralized exchanges, probably to sell them off. During the weekend, short-term holders sent more than 65,000 BTC to crypto exchanges at a loss.

The massive portion of BTC that has moved to centralized exchanges is a clear indication of capitulation among the cohort, who appear to be losing confidence and are choosing to exit the market to minimize their losses. Should this amount of coins be sold, this will lead to billions of dollars leaving the market, which would ultimately trigger more decline in Bitcoin’s price.