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Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin has quietly redirected part of his growing on-chain privacy activity toward the encrypted-messaging space, donating a total of 256 ETH to SimpleX Chat and Session via the Railgun privacy protocol.

Onchain analytics firm Arkham first flagged the move, noting “VITALIK JUST SENT $2.9M $ETH TO RAILGUN. Vitalik holds over $700 MILLION of ETH, and just sent $2.9M into Railgun. What is he cooking?”

VITALIK JUST SENT $2.9M $ETH TO RAILGUN

Vitalik holds over $700 MILLION of ETH, and just sent $2.9M into Railgun.

What is he cooking? pic.twitter.com/2HvDFRDqi2

— Arkham (@arkham) November 26, 2025

Buterin Backs SimpleX And Session

Shortly after, Buterin confirmed the donations from his vitalik.eth account and framed them explicitly as a bet on the next frontier of privacy: permissionless and metadata-hardened messaging. “Encrypted messaging, like @signalapp, is critical for preserving our digital privacy,” he wrote. “Two important next steps for the space are (i) permissionless account creation and (ii) metadata privacy.” He then named Session and SimpleX as “two messaging apps pushing these directions forward.”

Buterin specified that he had “donated 128 ETH to each” project, providing their official websites for anyone wishing to “follow on,” and then pivoted from philanthropy to adoption: “But also, actually download and use them!”

The transactions to SimpleX and Session were executed via Railgun, a zero-knowledge privacy system on Ethereum that obscures the sender, recipient, token type and amount when interacting with smart contracts and DeFi protocols.

While Buterin has used Railgun and other privacy-preserving systems repeatedly over the past two years, he has often explained that such transfers typically represent “some donation to a charitable, non-profit, or other project,” rather than personal cash-outs.The latest pattern fits that narrative: funds routed into Railgun and then out to privacy-focused infrastructure and applications, this time in the messaging domain.

In his post, Buterin positions encrypted messengers as a crucial layer in the broader privacy stack alongside financial anonymity. He explicitly ties the importance of Signal-style end-to-end encryption to new requirements that go beyond content secrecy: “permissionless account creation” and “metadata privacy.” The first is about removing reliance on centralized, real-world identifiers such as phone numbers or email addresses in order to create an account. The second targets the far less visible but equally revealing exhaust of digital communication: who talks to whom, when, and from where.

Why The  Ethereum Founder Supports Both Projects

Both SimpleX and Session are trying to address those problems in ways that diverge sharply from the mainstream model of phone-number-based, cloud-synced messengers. SimpleX’s own documentation emphasizes “complete privacy of your identity, profile, contacts and metadata,” stressing that the platform “has no identifiers assigned to the users – not even random numbers.”

Instead, users establish connections via QR codes or links, and communication routing is designed so that the service itself cannot reconstruct the social graph. Session, originally forked from Signal but rebuilt around onion routing and decentralized service nodes, is pushing a similar line: no phone numbers, Tor-like network-level obfuscation, and attention to metadata minimization.

Buterin is clear that his endorsement is not a claim that these apps are already finished products. “Neither of the two are perfect pieces of software, they have a way to go to get to truly optimal user experience and security,” he cautioned. He then sketched the core engineering problems that still need to be solved if “strong metadata privacy” is to coexist with the kind of convenience users now expect from mainstream messengers.

“Strong metadata privacy requires decentralization, decentralization is hard, users expecting multi-device support makes everything harder,” he wrote. He also flagged Sybil and denial-of-service resistance as a still-open design space: developers must harden “both in the message routing network and on the user side (without forcing phone number dependence).”

The latest donations also underline how Buterin increasingly uses his personal holdings to nudge the ecosystem toward specific priorities: privacy-preserving DeFi, open-source infrastructure, and now, metadata-resistant communication tools. In this case, he explicitly calls for more developer attention: “These problems need more eyes on them. I wish all teams working on these important problems best of luck.”

At press time, Ethereum (ETH) traded at $3,007.

Bitcoin has climbed back above the $90,000 mark, recovering sharply after last week’s slump to near-$80,000. The world’s largest crypto surged as much as 4% in 24 hours, briefly touching $91,200, boosted by renewed market optimism, improving liquidity, and growing expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut in December.

Related Reading: The 250% Price Surge That Will Send Bitcoin To $300,000

However, despite the rebound, analysts warn that the latest upswing may remain structurally fragile.

Risk Appetite Returns as BTC Leads Market Rebound

After weeks of volatility, Bitcoin’s latest rise mirrors a broader recovery across the crypto market. A wave of buying pushed Ethereum back above $3,000, while major altcoins, including XRP, BNB, Solana, Cardano, Tron, and Dogecoin, logged gains of over 4%.

Market analysts attribute the rally largely to improving macro sentiment. Traders are now pricing in an 85% chance of a Fed rate cut, up from just 44% a week earlier. Lower interest rates typically boost demand for risk assets, including crypto.

Additionally, a massive 1.8 million BTC withdrawal from exchanges overnight sparked speculation of increased institutional accumulation.

Regardless, caution lingers. The crypto Fear & Greed Index sits deep in “Extreme Fear,” and despite rising prices, market conviction remains thin. As CoinSwitch noted, BTC’s jump was fueled partly by a short squeeze, not purely organic demand.

Analysts Warn of Resistance Ahead

Even with the recent improvement, several analysts believe Bitcoin’s upside remains limited in the near term. Resistance between $92,000 and $95,000 is expected to be a key test for bulls.

Ed Engel of Compass Point notes that BTC’s rebound from the $82,000 Real Market Average suggests early signs of capitulation but not a confirmed bottom.

Whale wallets holding 10–10,000 BTC have continued reducing their holdings for six straight weeks, an ongoing bearish indicator. Meanwhile, institutional desks are reportedly trimming exposure into year-end, adding more supply to the market.

Some traders expect Bitcoin to retest $82,000 or even dip below $80,000 if momentum fades. Others believe a strong break above $95,000, supported by retail demand, could renew bullish structure and open the path toward fresh highs.

A Market at a Crossroads

Despite improved liquidity and rebounding prices, Bitcoin’s recovery remains fragile. Sentiment is mixed, leveraged positions are still unwinding, and macro data continues to send conflicting signals. For now, BTC appears stuck between growing optimism and persistent skepticism.

Related Reading: Crypto Asset Reporting Framework Advances: US Treasury Aims For Global Compliance By 2027

The next major catalyst, whether from the Federal Reserve, institutional flows, or renewed retail appetite, will likely determine whether Bitcoin’s climb is the start of a sustainable uptrend or just another relief rally.

Cover image from ChatGPT, BTCUSD on Tradingview

The crypto market is facing a wave of misinterpretation as Coinbase’s large-scale wallet rebalancing, which began on November 22, 2025, continues to distort major on-chain indicators. Many dashboards now display what appears to be an unprecedented $68 billion Long-Term Holder (LTH) “sell” spike — but according to analysts, this is not real distribution. Instead, it’s the direct result of Coinbase transferring coins internally as part of its routine wallet restructuring process.

This distinction is critical. Several prominent analysts and market commentators have highlighted massive outflows, huge shifts in LTH supply, and unusual wallet movements, yet many have failed to mention the underlying cause: Coinbase’s internal reshuffling. Without this context, market participants might wrongly conclude that long-term holders are panic-selling at scale, reinforcing fear during an already fragile market environment.

These rebalancing events have happened before, but the size of Coinbase’s holdings means even normal internal operations can trigger dramatic spikes in on-chain metrics such as LTH Net Position Change, Exchange Netflow, and Spent Output Age Bands.

Coinbase Internal Transfers Distorted Key On-Chain Metrics

According to detailed analysis by Axel Adler, Coinbase’s internal migration of approximately 800,000 BTC created one of the largest distortions in on-chain data ever recorded — without a single coin being sold.

The exchange executed 286 transactions totaling 798,636 BTC, moving funds from legacy P2PKH (Pay-to-Public-Key-Hash) addresses to modern P2WPKH (SegWit) addresses. This technical reorganization produced an artificial $68 billion “realized profit” spike, misleading many market observers into interpreting it as massive long-term holder distribution.

This large UTXO migration disrupted several major on-chain indicators. LTH and STH Supply metrics were temporarily skewed, showing a sharp drop in Long-Term Holder supply and a rise in Short-Term Holder supply — a pattern typically associated with heavy “smart money” selling. In reality, no distribution occurred; Coinbase simply restructured its internal wallets.

The distortion also affected LTH Realized Profit/Loss models, which reflected tens of billions in phantom gains, and HODL Waves, where UTXO ages were “reset,” suggesting long-term holders had suddenly spent old coins. Even Coin Days Destroyed (CDD) showed a significant spike, mimicking an “old coin awakening,” though the activity was entirely internal.

These disruptions highlight how exchange operations can temporarily break the reliability of on-chain metrics, requiring careful interpretation from analysts and investors.

Total Market Rebounds but Remains Under Critical Pressure

The Total Crypto Market Cap chart shows a sharp rebound after tagging the $2.88T zone, a level that aligns closely with the 100-week moving average (green), acting as a key structural support in previous cycles. This bounce has pushed total valuation back above the $3T mark, but the broader trend remains fragile after weeks of heavy selling across majors like BTC and ETH.

Price structure highlights a clear breakdown from the $3.6T–$3.8T consolidation zone, followed by a fast, impulsive decline—mirroring the speed of corrections seen during 2021 and mid-2022. Despite the latest recovery candle, the market remains below the 50-week moving average (blue), signaling that buyers must regain momentum quickly to avoid deeper downside toward the 200-week moving average near $2T.

Volume has surged on recent sell-offs, showing widespread forced selling and capitulation behavior—a pattern consistent with cycle mid-reset phases. The rebound, however, shows reduced sell volume, suggesting exhaustion from bearish participants. To confirm strength, total market cap must reclaim the $3.25T–$3.3T area, which currently acts as the first major resistance.

Failure to break above this zone risks further consolidation or a retest of the $2.8T support. For now, the market shows early signs of stabilization, but broader recovery depends on Bitcoin’s ability to sustain its own rebound and restore confidence across altcoins.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

Australia is accelerating its push into digital finance with the introduction of the Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025, a comprehensive regulatory overhaul designed to strengthen crypto custody standards, improve investor protection, and unlock an estimated $24 billion in annual economic value.

The bill establishes the country’s first comprehensive framework for digital asset platforms and crypto custodians, positioning Australia as one of the most proactive jurisdictions in the global race for crypto regulation.

A New Licensing Regime to Protect Consumers

The cornerstone of the legislation is a requirement for crypto exchanges and custody providers to obtain an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL).

This brings them under the supervision of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), a major structural shift for an industry that previously operated in a fragmented regulatory space.

Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino emphasized that Australia must “keep pace” with financial innovation. The bill specifically targets firms holding customer crypto, rather than blockchain technology itself, addressing a widespread concern that companies can currently store unlimited digital assets for clients without adequate safeguards.

To close this gap, the bill introduces two new regulated categories:

• Digital asset platforms
• Tokenized custody platforms

Both will be subject to strict standards for transactions, settlements, asset storage, and mandatory disclosure of risks and fees.

Balancing Innovation With Oversight

While the legislation imposes tough standards, it also aims to support responsible growth in the digital asset sector. Companies handling less than A$10 million in annual transactions or participating in crypto only as an incidental activity will be exempt from licensing.

Industry response has been broadly positive, with firms like Crypto.com and DECA calling the bill a long-awaited step that provides regulatory clarity without stifling innovation. A phased rollout, a 12-month preparation period followed by a six-month transition window, gives platforms time to meet the new requirements.

ASIC’s recent crackdown on scams underscores the urgency. Since mid-2023, the regulator has removed over 14,000 phishing and scam sites, approximately 20% of which were related to cryptocurrency.

A Transformational Step for Australia’s Digital Finance Future

Treasurer Jim Chalmers noted that digital assets, from cryptocurrencies to tokenized real-world assets, represent a significant economic opportunity. Research cited by the government suggests that the reforms could help unlock up to $24 billion annually in productivity and efficiencies across the financial sector.

However, industry experts warn that coordination across ASIC, AUSTRAC, and the ATO will be essential. The bill’s success will depend on whether the final regulatory framework is both enforceable and flexible enough to adapt to rapid innovation in tokenization and blockchain services.

As the bill moves through Parliament, with easy passage expected in the House, the key question is whether crossbench support in the Senate will solidify Australia’s position as a global leader in secure, innovation-friendly crypto regulation.

Cover image from ChatGPT, BTCUSD on Tradingview

Bitcoin has finally broken above the $90,000 mark after days of struggling to reclaim this key psychological level. The move comes during a period of sharp volatility and persistent selling pressure that continues to dominate market sentiment.

Analysts remain divided, but a growing number are calling for the official start of a bear market as BTC trades nearly 30% below its all-time high and fails to establish a convincing recovery structure. Fear remains elevated, and confidence among both retail and institutional investors is weakening.

Adding to the uncertainty, new data from Arkham reveals that SpaceX transferred out another 1,163 BTC—worth approximately $105.23 million—just a few hours ago. The transfer appears to have been routed to Coinbase Prime, suggesting a potential custody shift by the company. Such large movements often spark concern in the market, as they may signal repositioning, selling preparation, or treasury adjustments by major corporate holders.

While Bitcoin’s push above $90K provides temporary relief, it does little to change the broader narrative: the market remains under pressure, liquidity is thinning, and macro-driven uncertainty continues to shape price action. The coming sessions will determine whether BTC can build momentum or slip back into deeper correction territory.

SpaceX’s Bitcoin Movements Add New Layer of Market Uncertainty

According to data from Arkham, SpaceX currently holds 6,095.45 BTC, valued at roughly $550 million at today’s prices. This substantial treasury position places the company among the larger corporate Bitcoin holders, and its recent on-chain activity has quickly drawn attention across the market.

The latest transfer—1,163 BTC moved just hours ago—marks a meaningful shift in activity for SpaceX, especially considering the company has been largely inactive in terms of BTC movements for months.

Arkham reports that this is SpaceX’s first notable transaction since October 29, when the company transferred 281 BTC to a new wallet address. While the motives behind these transfers remain unknown, traders typically monitor such moves closely, as large corporate holders can influence market sentiment.

Transfers to Coinbase Prime—as suspected in the latest movement—often suggest custody adjustments, treasury restructuring, or preparations for strategic repositioning.

For now, there is no clear indication that SpaceX is reducing its Bitcoin exposure. However, the renewed on-chain activity comes at a sensitive moment for the market, which is struggling with selling pressure, fear, and broad speculation about an emerging bear phase.

As long as major smart-money entities remain active, Bitcoin’s short-term direction may continue to experience heightened volatility.

Attempted Recovery but Still Under Pressure

Bitcoin is showing signs of recovery after plunging to new local lows last week, with the price now pushing back above $91,000. The chart shows a sharp bounce from the sub-$82,000 zone, which acted as a temporary support during the capitulation phase. However, despite this rebound, BTC remains below all major moving averages—the 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day—which reinforces the broader bearish structure.

The recent upswing reflects short-term relief rather than a confirmed trend reversal. Volume spiked heavily during the sell-off, indicating forced liquidations and panic selling. But the current bounce is happening on lighter volume, suggesting that buyers are cautious and not yet committing with strong conviction.

Structurally, Bitcoin must reclaim the $95,000–$98,000 zone, where the 50-day and 100-day moving averages converge.

This area represents the first major resistance cluster and will determine whether the market is transitioning into a recovery or simply forming a lower high before another leg down. Failure to break above this band could invite renewed selling pressure.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

Upbit, one of South Korea’s largest crypto exchanges, reported a major loss after a Solana-network hot wallet was emptied early on November 27, 2025.

According to reports, about 54 billion Korean won — roughly $36–37 million — was taken in what the company called an “abnormal withdrawal” detected at 04:42 KST.

Upbit Suspends Solana Services

According to the exchange, deposits and withdrawals for assets on the Solana chain were halted immediately after the breach was found.

Company engineers moved remaining Solana holdings into cold storage to limit further access. Some tokens were later frozen on-chain while investigators traced transfers.

Reports have disclosed that about 12 billion won (around $8–9 million) in LAYER tokens has been frozen so far.

NEW: UPBIT DISCLOSES ~$37M HACK ON SOLANA NETWORK – “TO PREVENT ANY DAMAGE TO MEMBER ASSETS, THE ENTIRE AMOUNT WILL BE COVERED BY UPBIT’S HOLDINGS. WE WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE THAT THIS WILL NOT AFFECT MEMBER ASSETS”

SOURCE: https://t.co/LaGePSDOj4 pic.twitter.com/JRQzOFX2ot

— DEGEN NEWS (@DegenerateNews) November 27, 2025

A Broad Range Of Tokens Appears Affected

Based on reports from blockchain trackers and media outlets, the stolen assets included SOL and USDC along with many Solana-ecosystem tokens.

Stolen tickers reportedly include ACS, BONK, RAY, JUP, PYTH, ORCA, JTO, LAYER, RENDER, MOODENG, and TRUMP, among others.

The list is long, and tracking continues as some tokens move through multiple wallets. At this stage, several of the addresses holding the funds are under active monitoring.

Upbit(@Official_Upbit) has been hacked — 54B KRW (~36.8M USD) in assets on #Solana have been transferred to unknown wallets.https://t.co/plbmBz2G4Nhttps://t.co/YOHoqDVfqa pic.twitter.com/DM5BxSTtXA

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) November 27, 2025

Exchange Operator Pledges Coverage

Dunamu, Upbit’s parent company, has said the exchange will cover the full loss from its own reserves so that customer balances will not be reduced.

According to the company, this decision was made to protect users while the technical and forensic reviews are under way.

A security review of the deposit and withdrawal systems has been launched, and outside experts are reported to be assisting with the investigation.

Past Incidents And Timing Raise Questions

Reports note the timing was awkward: the breach came just after a high-profile corporate announcement involving Naver Financial on November 26, 2025.

Upbit is not new to major hacks; a 2019 attack cost the platform a large amount of ETH. Hot wallets, which are connected to the internet, remain a known weak point for centralized exchanges. That risk was exposed again here.

On-Chain Tracking And Recovery Hopes

Blockchain analysts are following the trail of transfers and identifying the wallets that received funds. Some tokens can be frozen if their issuers or governing authorities cooperate, which is how the reported LAYER freeze was achieved.

Still, many assets may be hard to recover, and legal routes can be slow. It was reported that the exchange attempted to freeze what it could while moving other assets offline.

What This Means For Users And Market Confidence

For now, Upbit users have been assured their funds are safe because the operator pledged to absorb the loss.

Market reaction could include temporary liquidity issues for certain Solana tokens listed on the platform while services remain limited.

Featured image from Pixabay, chart from TradingView

The XRP price has reentered the spotlight after a crypto analyst released a powerful message, announcing that the altcoin is stepping into a “brand new beginning.” The analyst predicts that XRP could hit $8 from its current price, just above $2. His bullish projection signals an upcoming shift in market sentiment, which has been uncertain, and sets the tone for what could be a new bullish phase for XRP.

XRP Price Analyst Says A New Phase Is Beginning

A wave of excitement has spread across the market after ‘The Bearable Bull,’ an anonymous crypto analyst with over 382,000 followers, outlined a new chapter for the XRP price while revealing his identity. The analyst issued a bold prediction on X, declaring that XRP could be preparing for a decisive move that could shed its prolonged downtrend and potentially propel it toward its next significant milestone around $8. With the cryptocurrency currently trading at $2.2, a surge to this target would represent a staggering 263.4% increase. 

While his $8 projection is ambitious given XRP’s recent market performance and low price, he frames it as a natural progression in a generational wealth cycle that is nearing its end for token holders. He also described this moment as the start of a new chapter for himself as he anticipates a significant shift in XRP’s trajectory. 

The Bearable Bull explained that he has spent the past seven years building multiple successful crypto businesses while remaining completely anonymous. According to him, privacy was not just a preference but a strategy that allowed him to grow without pressure or public judgment. He said anonymity protected him from the challenges that come with fame, especially from a young age. It helped him avoid distractions that often accompany sudden wealth transformations in the crypto industry. 

In his statement on X, the analyst revealed that his ability to make an impact while remaining anonymous has reached its limit. He stated that the time has come to step into the public eye to deliver his message on a much wider scale. He also disclosed a readiness to begin openly engaging with crypto community members he has influenced from behind the curtain for years.

Expert Debunks $100 Price Forecast

Taking a more conservative stance on the numerous ambiguous XRP predictions, crypto YouTuber and analyst Zach Humphries has addressed community expectations regarding extreme price targets. He argues that forecasts calling for XRP to reach $100 before year-end are mathematically unrealistic given current market conditions. 

With the overall crypto market valuation sitting near $3 trillion and less than 40 days left in 2025, Humphries notes that a $100 price would require the cryptocurrency to reach a $6 trillion market capitalization—a level that far exceeds the combined market value of all major cryptocurrencies.

Despite dismissing the near-term $100 projection, the analyst maintains a long-term bullish stance. His analysis suggests that $100 is not impossible; however, it would take considerable time for the altcoin to reach that valuation. 

A sharp sell-off has pushed the Bitcoin price into a steep correction, and one of Wall Street’s most influential macro strategists says investors should welcome it. Fidelity’s Global Macro Director, Jurrien Timmer, frames the latest Bitcoin crash as a necessary purge for overheated risk assets—clearing out leverage, cooling speculation, and restoring market discipline. The billion-dollar wealth manager describes the downturn as a structural reset that ultimately reinforces Bitcoin’s long-term investment profile.

Bitcoin Price Crash Signals A Healthier Market Reset

Bitcoin has shed 11.8% over the past two weeks, and while that might trigger headlines of panic, according to Timmer, a closer look reveals a healthier market adjustment at work. In a recent post on X, he frames this ongoing Bitcoin price decline as a necessary correction rather than a crisis.

He points to a broad spectrum of speculative assets—including meme stocks, SPACs, unprofitable tech companies, recent IPOs, and equities highly sensitive to Bitcoin price—showing the same pattern: rapid gains through Q3 2025, followed by a synchronized pullback. Within this context, Bitcoin is simply adjusting its position, moving lower on the performance scale as the market sheds excess speculation.

Timmer frames this decline as an orderly unwinding of overextended leverage rather than a collapse in market structure. His chart shows stretched valuations normalizing, risk exposure being reassessed, and the broader capital stack recalibrating after months of momentum-driven activity. These shifts remove structural distortions, strengthen market integrity, and restore disciplined capital allocation—foundations for long-term stability.

The chart also highlights how the correction separates speculative noise from true fundamentals. As speculative excess retreats, Bitcoin’s price trajectory aligns more closely with adoption and real-world utility. Weakness in Bitcoin-sensitive equities reinforces this shift: the market is refining expectations, not abandoning the asset. Timmer presents this pullback as less a setback and more a course correction that positions Bitcoin for sustainable growth.

Correction Highlights Market Discipline

Even as the Bitcoin price drops to the lower end of the sector-return chart—well behind gold miners, equities, and thematic baskets—Timmer argues that its long-term network trajectory remains intact. The chart he posted shows a pattern consistent with past drawdowns that cleared excess leverage, slowed rapid inflows, and pulled the asset back toward its adoption curve.

He notes that while other sectors surged and unwound sharply through 2025, Bitcoin’s path stayed more disciplined. For Timmer, this is the key distinction: corrections act as rebalancing events, resetting supply and demand and flushing out fast-money activity.

In his framing, the crash is not a breakdown but a sanitation cycle—a broad risk repricing that removes speculative noise and restores order across overheated markets. Rather than a crisis, it becomes a detox that reinforces Bitcoin’s structural foundation and sets the stage for its next phase of maturation.

Nasdaq’s options venue is moving to put BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) in the same risk tier as the largest, most liquid ETFs in traditional markets, with a new proposal to multiply the ceiling on IBIT options positions to 1 million contracts.

According to a rule filing submitted to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nasdaq ISE is seeking to raise position and exercise limits for IBIT options from 250,000 contracts to 1,000,000 contracts. In parallel, the exchange wants to remove position limits entirely for physically settled FLEX IBIT options, a bespoke, institution-focused segment of the market.

Why This Is A Major News For Bitcoin

The request comes only months after IBIT options limits were raised from 25,000 to 250,000 contracts. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas noted on X that “they just raised the limit to 250,000 (from 25,000) in July,” adding that “IBIT is now the biggest bitcoin options market in the world by open interest.”

The speed of that progression – 25,000 to 250,000 to a proposed 1,000,000 – is being read as an indication that institutional demand for IBIT options is already pressing against the existing cap. As one commenter put it, the exchanges “only raise limits when demand is genuinely straining the system,” and moving to 1 million “means IBIT options trading has grown so much that the current ceiling is constraining institutional strategies.”

ProCap CIO Jeff Park framed the move as overdue, saying “IBIT options is finally getting the treatment it deserves,” and highlighting that Nasdaq has filed “to increase options limit to 1 MILLION (from 25k a year ago). Institutional vol is finally here.”

At last, IBIT options is finally getting the treatment it deserves—

Nasdaq just filed to increase options limit to 1 MILLION (from 25k a year ago)

Institutional vol is finally here

Happy Thanksgiving https://t.co/vqH75rUTSf pic.twitter.com/MpCHxHMW8q

— Jeff Park (@dgt10011) November 26, 2025

On-chain and derivatives analyst James Van Straten emphasized two points: the size of the proposed jump and the treatment of FLEX contracts. “One million contracts and removing limits on physically settled FLEX IBIT options, matching major commodity ETFs like GLD,” he wrote.

In his view, the result is that “Bitcoin liquidity [is] about to get even deeper,” to the point that “70% corrections will be a thing of the past.” When challenged on whether that would also dampen upside, he replied that it “depends on the liquidity size that enters the market,” underscoring that flows, not just structure, determine price dynamics.

Market commentator Adam Livingston described the filing as “INCREDIBLY BULLISH NEWS FOR BITCOIN,” arguing that “Nasdaq just moved IBIT (BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF) into the same regulatory class as the largest, most liquid equities on Earth.”

He highlighted that the change represents “40× MORE ROOM for institutional derivatives exposure” compared to the original 25,000-contract cap and framed it as the moment “from ‘ETF adoption phase’ to derivatives market phase.” In his words, “Bitcoin just got promoted to Mega-Cap Status,” with the rule filing justifying IBIT’s treatment based on its market cap, liquidity and trading frequency alongside the biggest ETFs.

Structurally, the proposal would deepen the on-exchange derivatives stack built around Bitcoin. A 1 million contract limit broadens the space for hedging, income strategies and structured products, while unlimited physically settled FLEX options give large institutions more room to run customized exposures on a regulated venue instead of shifting overflow into opaque OTC markets.

However, higher limits are not inherently directional. The same capacity that enables larger hedges and call overlays also allows larger outright short or volatility-based positions. Around key macro dates or crypto-specific events, bigger books and more leverage can cut both ways for realized volatility.

For now, the change remains a proposal. The SEC must still review and decide whether to approve, modify, or reject Nasdaq ISE’s request. Until then, IBIT options stay capped at 250,000 contracts, and the “1 million era” of IBIT remains a forward-looking scenario rather than a fait accompli.

At press time, BTC traded at $91,700.

A crypto analyst known as NoLimit has shared a set of long-range price targets for several major cryptocurrencies, projecting where he believes they could peak by 2029. His list covers Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, Dogecoin, Cardano, Monero, Sui, BNB, and Kaspa. 

These numbers were not presented as technical analyses or chart-based forecasts. Instead, they are expectations for how the market may grow over the next few years.

XRP, Solana, And Dogecoin Dominate The Analyst’s Targets

Among all the assets listed, the most surprising projections center on XRP at $10, Solana at $600, and Dogecoin at $0.75. His full list includes other major cryptocurrencies too, giving a broader context to his outlook: Bitcoin at $190,000; Ethereum at $4,800; Cardano at $1.10; Monero at $750; Sui at $25; BNB at $1,800; and Kaspa at $0.50.

These numbers project a significant expansion in market capitalization and adoption over the next four years. NoLimit did not explain how he arrived at these targets or provide any structured reasoning. He shared them as peak expectations, not as chart-based predictions.

The XRP target is especially interesting, as reaching $10 would push its price action more than 350% from the current level. Although this might be too exaggerated due to the inflows needed, it aligns with technical predictions from other analysts who are also projecting XRP to break above double digits in the near future.

Solana’s prediction is also notable, as it places the cryptocurrency at a price range about 320% from its current price and well above its current all-time high of $293. 

Dogecoin’s outlook is different. Although the analyst’s $0.75 target for 2029 is almost a five-fold increase from its current price, it is only slightly above its all-time high of $0.7316. This means the meme coin is not expected to establish a significantly higher record anytime soon.

Other Cryptocurrencies In The Analyst’s Scope

The analyst’s full projection list spans other major coins with mixed expectations. Bitcoin is projected to reach $190,000, which implies a 120% rise from current levels around $86,000. 

Ethereum, on the other hand, was projected to be trading at $4,800 in 2029. This is a 1.6-fold increase from today’s $3,000 range, but it doesn’t put Ethereum above the $4,946 all-time high, which it set earlier this year. If the price targets come true exactly as stated, Ethereum at $4,800 and XRP at $10, then XRP would overtake Ethereum as the leading altcoin.

Projections for altcoins like Cardano, Monero, Sui, BNB, and Kaspa vary, but all suggest significant upside from present values.

The state of the market is currently really mediocre. This month, there has been pressure on the larger cryptocurrency market, with several large market-cap coins exhibiting little bullish movement. However, most cryptocurrencies have begun to move with gradual recovery over the past 48 hours, as Bitcoin regains momentum while most altcoins continue to trail behind in their rebound.

Even though the price of Ethereum has been steadily declining over the past few weeks, the leading blockchain is now experiencing a surge in adoption. Currently, the number of transactions per second processed on the network has increased significantly, reaching unprecedented levels.

New Throughput Record For The Ethereum Network

In a highly volatile cryptocurrency landscape, the Ethereum network has just reached a new milestone in terms of usage and adoption. On-chain data shows that more transactions are now being carried out on the leading blockchain, indicating renewed interest in the ETH ecosystem.

The Ethereum network has surged to a new all-time high in Transaction Per Second (TPS) as shared by Joseph Young on the social media platform X. The new TPS peak suggests that the ecosystem is shifting into a higher gear, where demand for smart contracts, rollups, and L2s all come together to form a single upward push.

According to the data, over 31,083 transactions are now being processed on the blockchain in one second. Young expects this TPS to expand further in the short term due to upcoming ETH updates such as Fusaka Upgrade, Peerdas, ZKetherum, Blob scaling, EIP-7928, and ZK. These crucial updates are proving latency reduction.

Furthermore, Young stated that ethereal is scaling with an exponential curve. For a brief period, Ethereum seemed nearly weightless, sharper, leaner, and more equipped to handle whatever the upcoming surge in on-chain activity could require.

Ethereum’s transactions have also grown exponentially in the daily time frame, hinting at fresh demand and revived conviction. Leon Waidmann, the head of research at On-Chain Foundation, delved into the ETH Transaction count, revealing that approximately 30.69 million transactions across the Ethereum Mainnet and Layer 2s are processed in a single day.

Waidmann highlighted that the chart has witnessed a multi-month uptrend with the metric showing no signs of slowing down. This points to the rise in daily activity, which is up more than 5x since Q1, and consistent demand from PayFi, AI agents, and Decentralized Finance (DeFi).

All of these cement ETH as the fastest scaling ecosystem in the entire crypto sector. A spike of this magnitude is noticeable in ETH’s on-chain environment, indicating that something deeper may be awakening.

A Decline In ETH’s Transaction Costs

While transactions are spiking on the Ethereum network, its transaction cost appears to have collapsed sharply. In a post by Waidmann, the average transaction cost of Layer 1 was $0.17 per token transfer. Meanwhile, Layer 2’s average cost was $0.0007 per token transfer.

With such low cost, the network is currently functioning cheaply at a scale, and transfers worth fractions of a cent are cleared by most optimistic rollups. However, zkEVM L2s like zkSync Era and Linea continue to be highly expensive compared to their optimistic peers.

The launch of XRP exchange-traded funds has quickly turned into one of the strongest openings the crypto ETF market has seen this year. Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley publicly celebrated the early success of his firm’s product, pointing to a surge in investor interest that has driven inflows to nine figures in a couple of days. 

His comments come at a time when total XRP ETF inflows across the industry are climbing, whereas Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs are finding it difficult to maintain the same level of demand they had in the past.

Bitwise XRP ETF Draws $18 Million In A Single Day

The Bitwise Spot XRP ETF started trading on November 20 after going live based on the new fast-track SEC guidelines for launching ETFs. Since then, the ETF has witnessed consistent days of inflows. Horsley revealed that the Bitwise XRP ETF recently recorded roughly $18 million of inflows in one trading session. This huge amount is one of the fund’s strongest days yet and demonstrates that institutional investors are taking active positions rather than waiting on the sidelines. 

The CEO emphasized gratitude to those allocating capital to Bitwise’s product, describing the inflow strength as a sign of confidence in both XRP as an asset and Bitwise as a manager. “Grateful to investors entrusting Bitwise to steward their asset,” he said.

The timing of these inflows also shows the bullish momentum across XRP ETFs, with multiple issuers reporting consistent interest since regulatory approval. This is interesting, considering the spot price of the altcoin has been going through a not-so-favorable period in November.

$135 Million In Three Days

According to Horsley, the Bitwise XRP ETF has now attracted approximately $135 million in inflows over its first three days of trading. This pace places it among the fastest-growing altcoin ETFs launched in the United States, although still behind early-stage numbers associated with Bitcoin or Ethereum products.

These inflow numbers show the pent-up demand for institutional-grade exposure to the cryptocurrency. In addition to Bitwise, industry-wide XRP ETF data shows that the new products collectively brought in about $164 million on Monday, October 24. In total, the four US-based ETFs have witnessed $643.92 million in inflows since launch, with no day of outflow yet to be recorded. 

The strong early adoption contrasts sharply with the hesitation seen among some heavyweight ETF issuers. Firms like BlackRock and FIdelity are yet to launch their own version of a Spot XRP ETF, leaving the current wave of inflows to be dominated by Bitwise, Grayscale, and Franklin Templeton. Their absence has not stopped the momentum flowing into XRP, though it has kept the scale of inflows below what it could become once the larger issuers eventually join the field.

Crypto trader James Wynn, who famously lost $100 million in realized profits, has predicted a new Bitcoin price crash. Wynn notably called for a crash just before the flagship dropped below $100,000 earlier this month, reaching new lows in the process. 

Famous Trader Predicts Bitcoin Crash To $67,000

In an X post, James Wynn predicted that the Bitcoin price could crash to $67,000, stating that he expects it to happen by the end of the week or possibly during the weekend. He added that a drop to this level makes the most sense at this point, as there is “lovely” support and buy pressure in that zone. 

Wynn made this prediction while referencing an X post he made about a Bitcoin price crash, which he rightly predicted. Last month, he predicted that BTC could drop by 32% to $77,000. He noted back then that the flagship crypto had many of these crashes in previous cycles and that Bitcoin was coming off a 650% rally. 

However, Wynn’s latest Bitcoin price prediction remains uncertain for now, as the flagship crypto appears to be rebounding from its lows of $81,000 last week. BTC yesterday reclaimed the psychological $90,000 level, with a potential rally to $100,000 in sight. Bitcoin has bounced amid optimism of a Fed rate cut, and with the Fed set to end quantitative tightening (QT) by December 1. 

Notably, BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes had predicted that $80,000 would mark the bottom for Bitcoin price, noting that liquidity was improving. He also alluded to the increase in bank lending this month, which he indicated may also be contributing to the improvement in market liquidity. 

BTC Could Rally To As High As $115,000

In an X post, crypto analyst Colin predicted that the Bitcoin price could rally to between $100,000 and $115,000 as part of this market recovery. This came as he declared that BTC will experience a continued relief rally, coinciding with the SPX’s next breakout. He added that the SPX will make new all-time highs (ATHs) but that the flagship crypto probably won’t.  

Meanwhile, Colin warned that this relief rally for the Bitcoin price is a second chance to get out before the remaining bear market capitulation. The crypto analyst claimed there is an 80% chance BTC is already in a bear market, while a 20% chance it will make new all-time highs. This came as he expressed doubts over the current price action, noting that there are a lot of overhead resistances for BTC. 

At the time of writing, the BTC price is trading at around $91,200, up over 4% in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Quick Facts:

• UAE’s new banking decree could funnel institutional and retail flow toward regulated wallets and chains, boosting utility‑driven altcoins over pure memes.
• Bringing crypto into the tradfi space could catapult projects like Best Wallet, whose $17.6M presale is 23 hours away from completion, into the mainstream.
• PEPENODE’s ($PEPENODE) mine‑to‑earn memecoin model offers gamified engagement that regulated platforms can adapt for compliant, retail‑friendly rewards ecosystems.
• Avalanche’s ($AVAX) high‑throughput, low‑fee subnets give enterprises and regulators a flexible base for tokenized assets and regulated DeFi experimentation.

The UAE just fired a starting gun for regulated crypto.

A new banking decree, approved in September but made public only recently, brings crypto, DeFi, stablecoins, and tokenized assets directly under the Central Bank’s purview, replacing gray areas with licensing rules, capital requirements, and real enforcement.

That is exactly what large institutions and sovereign wealth funds have been waiting for.

Instead of fragmented oversight, you now have a single, powerful regulator setting standards on custody, disclosures, and risk. Tough licensing and heavy fines will drive out shady offshore venues, but make life easier for serious builders who want predictable rules and long-term business in the Gulf.

For altcoins, this shift is huge. Projects that take compliance seriously, offer real utility, and can serve banks, fintechs, or consumer apps in the Middle East are best placed to benefit.

Think non‑custodial wallets with strong security, compliant DeFi rails, and scalable base layers that enterprises can actually integrate.

Below are three altcoins positioned for this new regime: Best Wallet Token ($BEST) as a next‑gen compliant gateway for users, PEPENODE ($PEPENODE) as a gamified mine‑to‑earn play, and Avalanche ($AVAX) as a high‑throughput Layer‑1 already courting institutional and enterprise adoption.

1. Best Wallet Presale ($BEST) – The Next Gen Crypto Wallet

If the UAE becomes a regulated crypto hub, users and banks will need wallets that feel like fintech apps but behave like self‑custody. Best Wallet fills that gap with a non-custodial, no-KYC mobile wallet built around institutional-grade security and a utility token that powers its ecosystem.

Best Wallet is one of the first fully integrated Fireblocks MPC-CMP wallets designed for retail. Multi‑party computation replaces seed phrases with distributed key shares, removing a single point of failure.

Additionally, users can create custom multi-wallet portfolios, manage thousands of assets across 330 DEXs and 30 bridges, and interact with dApps through an interface designed to feel more like banking than Web3 tinkering.

The Best Wallet Token ($BEST) presale has raised over $17.6M, with the token priced at $0.026005, and it’s nearing completion. With less than 24 hours left on the clock, $BEST is almost out of the presale.

$BEST holders are set to receive reduced fees across the Best Wallet ecosystem, improved APYs via a staking aggregator, and access to exclusive iGaming and presale deals.

For a future where Gulf regulators push volume toward compliant front‑ends, Best Wallet is making a clear bet: become the easiest, safest, most feature‑rich retail wallet that can still tick institutional‑grade boxes.

Given the project’s utility proposition and investor support during the presale, our price prediction for $BEST places the token at $0.62 in 2026, yielding an ROI of 2,284%. Possibly higher if Best Wallet sees mainstream adoption.

From a purely technical perspective, $BEST could rank as one of the best altcoins to buy in 2026 and beyond.

If you want to join the hype train, read our guide on how to buy $BEST before the presale ends.

Join the $BEST presale today.

2. PEPENODE ($PEPENODE) – Gamified Mine‑To‑Earn Memecoin

Not every winner in a regulated hub will be pure infrastructure. PEPENODE ($PEPENODE) takes meme culture and wraps it in a structured mine‑to‑earn model that can plug into compliant ecosystems as a gamified user‑onboarding layer.

Instead of traditional staking, users engage with a virtual mining system that simulates node operations to earn rewards.

The project calls itself the world’s first mine‑to‑earn memecoin. Under the hood, a tiered node system determines reward rates, with higher tiers granting better yields and status.

A gamified dashboard tracks mining performance, node upgrades, and community achievements, turning participation into an always‑on engagement loop rather than passive speculation.

That leaves room for upside if the mine-to-earn mechanic gains traction and the exchange lists the token once the broader memecoin market rotates back into risk-on mode.

In a UAE context, projects like PEPENODE could be interesting for regulated platforms that want to offer retail‑friendly, fun products while still operating within clear licensing lines.

The virtual mining system is fully digital, with no physical hardware, which simplifies compliance and makes it easy to integrate with mobile-first interfaces.

From a numbers perspective, the $PEPENODE presale has already raised over $2.2M, with $PEPENODE currently priced at $0.0011685.

Our price prediction for $PEPENODE, considering the project’s scope and ambitions, hints at a potential $0.0072 in 2026 for an ROI of 516%. By 2030, the token could be valued at $0.0244 or higher, yielding a return rate of 1,988%.

If you trust the process, read our guide on how to buy $PEPENODE and get your nodes early.

Secure your $PEPENODE allocation now.

3. Avalanche ($AVAX) – High‑Throughput Layer‑1 For Regulated DeFi

If regulators are serious about tokenized assets, payments, and on-chain capital markets, they need base layers that can handle high volumes without incurring eye-watering fees.

 ($AVAX) fits that bill as a high‑performance Layer‑1 designed for fast, low‑cost transactions and customizable subnets that can be fine‑tuned for specific regulatory regimes.

Avalanche’s subnet architecture enables enterprises or even regulators to spin up application-specific blockchains with their own validator sets, KYC rules, and fee structures.

Banks experimenting with tokenized deposits or real-world assets in the UAE could, in theory, deploy a subnet with built-in compliance while still settling into the main Avalanche ecosystem for security and liquidity.

Recent upgrades have pushed costs down and throughput up, with the network processing around 20M transactions in a single day while maintaining low fees and near‑instant finality.

That kind of performance matters if you’re talking about retail payments, high‑frequency trading, or large‑scale stablecoin usage under a central‑bank‑supervised framework.

Avalanche also continues to court institutional and enterprise partners.

A January 2025 partnership with Aethir integrated AI-focused projects into a $100 million ecosystem fund, emphasizing cloud computing and enterprise-grade use cases.

$AVAX currently sits at $14.93 and it’s on a 7% push over the past 24 hours, with a market cap of $6.4B and a volume of $488M+.

You can buy $AVAX today on Binance.

Recap: With the UAE’s central bank now overseeing crypto and tokenized assets, compliant infrastructure is set to matter more than hype. Best Wallet Token ($BEST), PEPENODE ($PEPENODE) and Avalanche ($AVAX) each target different parts of this stack, but Best Wallet’s MPC‑secured, feature‑rich mobile wallet looks especially aligned with a regulated Middle East crypto hub.

This isn’t financial advice. DYOR before investing.

Authored by Bogdan Patru, Bitcoinist: https://bitcoinist.com/best-altcoins-to-buy-uae-banking-decree-unites-crypto-defi.

Over the past week, Bitcoin has been struggling to undergo another major rally. The ongoing downward trend has hampered several crucial on-chain metrics, as they begin to turn highly negative once again, painting a highly volatile market state.

A Sign Of Fading Strength In The Bitcoin Market

Bitcoin’s on-chain metrics are starting to decline alongside the ongoing pullback in the price of BTC. In a sudden shift, Bitcoin’s once-confident stride has taken on a softer, more cautious pace as the leading cryptocurrency asset experienced a notable drop in the key Sharpe Ratio metric.

Alphractal, an advanced investment and on-chain data analytics platform, reported this drop in the metric, which signals a less efficient market in the short term. The drop in Sharpe Ratio is the kind of shift that does not scream, but rustles.

For those tracking the market through a professional lens, Alphractal highlighted that the drop in the annualized Sharpe Ratio is an important signal to gauge the next possible market direction. BTC’s Sharpe Ratio is a metric that measures risk-adjusted performance, which is essentially how much return BTC is generating for each unit of volatility.

According to the on-chain data platform, a drop in this major indicator suggests that the market has lost its efficiency, aligning with the current state of the market. Several key factors have been outlined by the platform to be responsible for this decline in the Sharpe Ratio metric.

The first factor is the spike in volatility after a sequence of rapid sell-offs from big and small investors. Presently, half of the 12-month accumulated returns on BTC positions have been cleared. Furthermore, a rise in systematic risk is weakening the quality of the trend, and aggressive movements from whales and leveraged traders have increased uncertainty in the market.

Historic Data Points To More Bearish Period

Based on past scenarios, this recent drop could trigger more volatility in the market. Alphractal highlighted that the same signal was observed in 2019, at the peak of 2021, and during the 2022 capitulation, all of which led to more challenging periods in the short to medium term.

This is a typical indication of Bitcoin entering prolonged sideways phases when the Sharpe Ratio experiences a decline. During the period, BTC faces additional corrections, and the flagship asset takes longer to regain trend efficiency. However, there is a good story underneath this current trend. 

Once risk is repriced and the market reorganizes, Alphractal noted that significant bull cycles have always followed these resets. In the short term, this signal appears to be bearish, while in the long term, it continues to be a natural part of building new cycles. At the time of writing, the price of Bitcoin was trading at $91,388, indicating a more than 4% increase in the past day.

Quick Facts:

• Nasdaq’s plan for a one million contract limit on BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF options signals deeper institutional derivatives flow into $BTC over time.
• Expanded Bitcoin options capacity has historically coincided with stronger volatility regimes, often driving capital into higher‑beta meme and narrative coins.
• PEPENODE proposes a virtual mining meme coin ecosystem where tiered nodes and gamified rewards target boring mining models and weak early user incentives.

The Nasdaq just made a massive move.

It set a 1M-contract limit on BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) options.

This is Nasdaq clearing the runway for some serious heavy hitters. By cranking up the limits this aggressively, they are basically rolling out the red carpet for macro funds, volatility desks, and the big-money structured product guys to pile into Bitcoin like never before.

The change officially puts $BTC on the map as a legit institutional playground, not just a side-show for spot traders. Sure, bigger capacity means deeper order books, which is great, but the real story is the leverage.

This scale allows the big funds to run complex strategies, like basis trades, that dump a ton of persistent gamma flows into the market. Historically, when you get that much one-sided action in the derivatives market, it acts like rocket fuel.

X analysts quickly pounced on the news, some highlighted that $IBIT is now the largest $BTC options market in the world by open interest (OI). Whilst others broke down what the action means, citing it as bullish Bitcoin news.

Now we could start to see traders start rotating their profits out of ‘safe’ $BTC bets and go hunting for asymmetric gains in the wilder corners of the market. The money flows down the risk curve, first into leveraged perps, and then straight into meme coins and narrative plays.

Basically, Nasdaq is building the pipes for a massive leverage influx, and the rest of the market is getting ready for the inevitable alt season speculation that follows. Projects like PEPENODE ($PEPENODE) could really stand to gain due to their unique offerings. PEPENODE: Catching the Wave with a ‘Mine-to-Earn’ Twist

With all that capital likely looking for the next big thing outside of Bitcoin, PEPENODE ($PEPENODE) is stepping up to catch the rotation.

It’s pitched as the world’s first ‘mine-to-earn’ meme coin. The idea is pretty clever: while most meme coins are just about community hype and vibes, $PEPENODE is trying to ground that speculation in a gamified system that feels like crypto mining, but without the headache.

The project is built around a Virtual Mining System. Forget about buying expensive ASIC rigs, dealing with insane electricity bills, or setting up cooling fans in your garage. Instead, you just hop onto a slick, gamified dashboard where you can buy and customize ‘Miner Nodes.’

You can upgrade these digital facilities to boost your stats, which directly pumps your yield. It’s a smart pivot because it takes the usually dry, technical world of DeFi yield farming and turns it into an addictive management game.

By mashing up meme culture with sticky gameplay mechanics, PEPENODE is trying to solve the classic farm and dump problem. You aren’t just staking tokens; you’re building a virtual empire.

Plus, active players earn rewards not just in $PEPENODE, but also in other blue-chip memes like PEPE and Fartcoin. It creates a loop where playing the game actually feeds demand for the token.

Already want in? We’ve got you covered in our ‘How to Buy PEPENODE’ guide. $PEPENODE: It’s All About the Numbers

The gameplay sounds fun, but let’s talk numbers specifically regarding the $PEPENODE token, which is the engine running this whole thing. It’s the currency you need for staking, rewards, and governance, and right now, the presale is seeing some serious action.

Smart money seems to be positioning itself ahead of the Token Generation Event (TGE). The presale has already raked in over $2.2M, and costing only $0.0011685, it’s one of the best low-cap coins.

This entry point is basically the early bird special before all the fancy node utilities and gameplay features actually go live. This pre-activation phase is a golden chance for you to front-run the narrative before the rest of the market catches on to the whole mine-to-earn trend.

The on-chain data backs this up, too. We’ve seen whale wallets scoop up large chunks as high as $94.1K worth of $PEPENODE recently. That’s a strong signal that some big wallets are betting on upside that goes beyond your typical meme coin pump.

Our experts see the same. In our PEPENODE price prediction, where EOY predictions for 2026 see $PEPENODE potentially reading $0.0072. That would be an ROI of 516% if you invested at today’s price.

These guys are likely wagering that if institutional flows send the market higher, gamified projects like this will outperform static coins. If you’re looking for a high-beta play, it might be time to check out the $PEPENODE presale.

With dynamic staking rewards of 586% it’s time to check out $PEPENODE.

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/nasdaq-bitcoin-options-limit-pepenode-mine-to-earn-presale

Ripple has secured a key regulatory win in the Gulf as Abu Dhabi’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) has recognized Ripple USD (RLUSD) as an “Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token,” effectively greenlisting the USD-backed stablecoin for use within Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).

Ripple Adds Another Middle East Win

The designation means RLUSD can now be used by FSRA-licensed “Authorised Persons” for applicable regulated activities inside ADGM, including its use as lending collateral. Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, highlighted the significance in a post on X, calling the approval “another milestone for Ripple here in the Middle East” and noting that “RLUSD is now approved for use as lending collateral within @ADGlobalMarket.” He added that 2025 had brought “awesome momentum for Ripple in the Middle East” and said he “can’t wait to keep building on these solid foundations as we head into 2026.”

The move slots RLUSD into ADGM’s dedicated framework for fiat-referenced tokens (FRTs), under which only assets granted “Accepted” status may be used by regulated firms for key activities such as custody, dealing and operating venues. For RLUSD, this shifts it from being merely technically usable to being explicitly permitted under one of the most structured digital asset regimes in the region.

Jack McDonald, Senior Vice President of Stablecoins, framed the approval as a validation of the product’s institutional positioning. “The FSRA’s recognition of RLUSD as a Fiat-Referenced Token reinforces our commitment to regulatory compliance and trust – two non-negotiables when it comes to institutional finance,” he said. With “a market capitalization of over $1 billion and growing adoption in core financial uses like collateral and payments,” McDonald argued, RLUSD is “quickly becoming a go-to USD stablecoin for major institutions.”

RLUSD is issued under a New York Department of Financial Services Limited Purpose Trust Company Charter and, according to the company, has grown to more than $1.2 billion in market capitalization since launching in late 2024. The company emphasises 1:1 USD backing in high-quality liquid assets, strict reserve segregation, third-party attestations and clear redemption rights, aiming squarely at regulatory and institutional expectations rather than retail speculation.

From ADGM’s side, the move is also being presented as a proof point for Abu Dhabi’s regulatory architecture. “We congratulate Ripple on achieving this important milestone,” said Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer at ADGM. He pointed to ADGM’s “robust regulatory framework, designed to support the sustainable growth of innovative firms and ensure the highest international standards of governance and compliance,” and argued that Abu Dhabi’s focus on “innovation, transparency, and trust positions Abu Dhabi as a leading hub for the next generation of financial services and digital finance.”

The RLUSD recognition adds to Ripple’s rapidly expanding Middle East footprint. In the UAE, the stablecoin has also been cleared in Dubai’s DIFC through the DFSA’s recognised token regime, while in the broader region Ripple has announced a new strategic partnership in Bahrain and onboarded Absa Bank as its first custody client in Africa. RLUSD is being integrated across Ripple’s own stack – including Ripple Payments, Ripple Custody and Ripple Prime – to function as a settlement and collateral asset for cross-border payments, institutional trading and capital markets.

At press time, XRP traded at $2.20.

Nonostante il prezzo di Bitcoin sia crollato sotto i 90.000$ la scorsa settimana, scivolando pericolosamente verso gli 80.000$, sembra che il sentiment rialzista (bullish) non sia stato completamente intaccato.

Ora che BTC viene scambiato nuovamente a “cinque cifre”, le speranze di rivedere presto i 100.000$ rimangono alte. Ma c’è chi va oltre: un noto analista crypto prevede che l’asset digitale leader per capitalizzazione di mercato potrebbe essere in rotta per toccare addirittura i 300.000$.

Bitcoin ha ancora spazio per correre (Non è la fine del ciclo)

L’analista Coinskid ha condiviso un grafico su X (ex Twitter) che suggerisce una tesi audace: molti esperti si starebbero sbagliando su dove ci troviamo esattamente nel ciclo di mercato di Bitcoin. Invece di essere alla fine della Bull Run, l’analista crede che la corsa sia ancora nelle sue fasi iniziali.

Questa prospettiva si basa sull’Analisi delle Onde (Wave Analysis). Secondo Coinskid, il trend attuale rappresenta solo l’Onda 2. Se fossimo davvero alla fine del ciclo, il prezzo di Bitcoin avrebbe già dovuto completare l’Onda 5. Tuttavia, l’analista contesta questa visione, sottolineando che il trend delle onde non è nemmeno a metà strada.

La spiegazione tecnica è intrigante: l’asset digitale si trova in una “correzione di Onda 2” da oltre un anno. Ciò significherebbe che l’attuale fase correttiva sarà probabilmente di breve durata, pronta a lasciare spazio ai “tori” per riprendere il controllo e spingere il prezzo verso nuovi massimi.

Il Pattern “Cup and Handle” più grande della storia

A supporto della tesi rialzista, Coinskid ha evidenziato che Bitcoin sta formando uno dei pattern Cup and Handle (Tazza con Manico) più grandi della storia. Con il prezzo che sta tenendo più o meno la “neckline” (linea del collo), i compratori potrebbero riprendere rapidamente il controllo della criptovaluta.

In questo scenario, Bitcoin sarebbe destinato a riconquistare i 100.000$ con l’arrivo del nuovo anno. Mentre l’onda correttiva ABC si esaurisce, il grafico dell’analista mostra che il rimbalzo dalla fine dell’Onda C porterebbe a un breakout del 250%, proiettando il prezzo fino a quota 300.000$.

Attenzione agli Orsi: Il livello da non perdere

Sebbene la maggior parte dell’analisi punti al rialzo, Coinskid avverte che tutto dipende da un supporto cruciale: Bitcoin deve tenere il minimo registrato ad Aprile 2025, ovvero i 74.000$.

Se il prezzo dovesse scendere sotto questo livello, l’intera struttura rialzista verrebbe invalidata.

Non mancano visioni più pessimiste: alcuni analisti prevedono che Bitcoin possa scendere fino a 50.000$, con alcuni che si aspettano addirittura un movimento verso l’area dei 40.000$ prima di un vero rimbalzo. Tuttavia, il consenso generale rimane che Bitcoin, nel lungo termine, sia ancora in un trend positivo.

Quick Facts:

• Cardano’s ~6% open interest rise, $0.50 retest target, and ongoing upgrades show leveraged traders aligning with long‑term fundamental growth.
• Network upgrades and scalability changes continue to build the case for Cardano as a long‑term smart contract platform.
• Together, Bitcoin Hyper, Best Wallet Token, and Cardano offer a mix of early‑stage upside, UX infrastructure, and large‑cap smart contract exposure.

Cardano derivatives traders are getting busy again.

Open interest is climbing about 6% as $ADA pushes toward a potential $0.50 retest. This tells you this isn’t just spot buyers’ dollar‑cost averaging, but leveraged money is positioning for a possible continuation move rather than a dead cat bounce.

That matters because derivatives positioning often front‑runs the spot price. When open interest rises alongside price and funding stays healthy, it usually signals bigger players are willing to back the trend with size, not fade it.

With $ADA still trading below its previous cycle highs, that setup naturally attracts ‘crypto value’ hunters.

At the same time, Cardano’s fundamentals aren’t standing still. DeFi TVL, real‑world asset experiments, and enterprise‑focused pilots are slowly turning a once‑theoretical ecosystem into something more revenue‑driven.

Network upgrades like Hydra and upcoming scalability changes continue to build the case for Cardano as a long‑term smart contract platform.

If you’re scanning for the best crypto to buy now, though, it rarely makes sense to bet on a single narrative.

Bitcoin’s scalability gap is opening the door for new Bitcoin Layer 2s, while user‑friendly infrastructure like next‑gen wallets remains underbuilt. That’s where Bitcoin Hyper, Best Wallet Token, and Cardano line up as three very different, but complementary, plays. 1. Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER): First SVM-Powered Bitcoin Layer-2

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is the Bitcoin Layer-2 to integrate the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), aiming to deliver execution that’s even faster than Solana while settling back to Bitcoin. In practice, that means sub‑second smart‑contract performance on an SVM L2 secured by Bitcoin’s battle‑tested base layer.

The architecture is modular: Bitcoin L1 handles settlement and security, while a real‑time SVM Layer 2 manages execution through a single sequencer that regularly anchors state to L1.

Bitcoin Hyper uses a Canonical Bridge to move $BTC in and out. But what does all this mean? Put simply, it changes $BTC from a store of value to a true powerhouse capable of competing with other chains like Ethereum. For a full project outline, check out our ‘What is Bitcoin Hyper’ guide.

For you, the value prop is simple: high‑speed payments in wrapped BTC with low fees, plus DeFi primitives like swaps, lending, staking, and even NFT and gaming dApps via Rust SDKs and APIs.

Smart money is moving. Whales have bought in considerable bulk, with the highest transaction reaching $500K.

The $HYPER presale is already substantial, having raised over $28.5M and offering dynamic staking rewards currently sitting at 40%. Token holders also get governance rights and lower gas fees.

Join the $HYPER presale today for $0.013335. 2. Best Wallet Token ($BEST): Everything All in One Place

Best Wallet Token ($BEST) is a pure UX and distribution play. Part of the Best Wallet team that aims to capture 40% of the global crypto wallet market share by the end of 2026, the whole ecosystem wants to be the easiest, safest, and most feature‑rich wallet in the space.

Utilizing Fireblocks MPC‑CMP security to give you peace of mind, Best Wallet brings you one interface to manage multiple chains, portfolios, and strategies without touching raw seed phrases or juggling dozens of apps.

On the growth side, the ‘Upcoming Tokens’ portal is designed as a vetted presale and early‑opportunity hub, with its DEX aggregator, 300 DEXs, and 30 cross‑chain bridges. That positions $BEST as a utility token at the center of swaps, fee discounts, and potential reward structures.

$BEST holders also benefit from reduced transaction fees, higher staking rewards, and a voice in the project’s future through community governance.

The numbers already show traction. The presale has raised over $17.6M, with tokens currently at $0.026005. You’ll have to get in quick, though, as the presale ends in a little over a day. Want in? Check out our ‘How to Buy Best Wallet Token’ guide.

If you’re bullish on wallets as the main onboarding layer for the next wave of users, Best Wallet offers direct exposure to that thesis.

Buy your $BEST now while there’s still time. 3. Cardano ($ADA): Rising Open Interest Meets Real Network Upgrades

Cardano ($ADA) sits in a very different bucket: a large-cap, research-driven proof-of-stake chain where derivative metrics are now aligning with multi-year fundamentals.

With open interest climbing around 6% and $ADA eyeing a possible $0.50 retest, leveraged traders clearly expect more than a short squeeze or relief rally.

On the technical side, Cardano’s roadmap continues to shift from theory to implementation. The Plomin Hard Fork is set to deepen on‑chain governance, making protocol upgrades more decentralized and systematic.

Scalability efforts like Hydra and Leios target higher throughput and lower fees, giving dApps more headroom as usage grows without sacrificing security.

Cardano’s team and ecosystem have also invested heavily in enterprise and real‑world adoption. From identity and supply‑chain pilots to partnerships in emerging markets, the chain is positioning itself as a compliant‑friendly infrastructure.

Recognition is following. $ADA’s mention in the newly announced U.S. Crypto Strategic Reserve in March 2025 gave it a notable legitimacy boost, especially for conservative allocators.

Get Cardano ($ADA) on top exchanges like Binance.

Recap: Cardano’s 6% open interest jump and potential $0.50 retest highlight how derivatives and fundamentals can align, but infrastructure is where the next leg of value may emerge. Bitcoin Hyper, Best Wallet Token, and Cardano each target different pain points.

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-bitcoin-hyper-best-wallet-cardano/

Quick Facts:

• Bitcoin miner margin compression alongside a Dynamic NVT ‘value zone’ historically points to late-stage stress before spot-led recovery phases.
• Capriole Investments revealed that the production cost for Bitcoin is now at $83,873, while electricity costs start at $67,099.
• Competing Bitcoin Layer 2s are experimenting with rollups, sidechains, and state channels, but differ widely in security assumptions, developer tooling, and liquidity strategies.
• Bitcoin Hyper uses an SVM-powered Layer 2 to bring high-speed smart contracts and low-fee DeFi to $BTC holders for a faster, cheaper, and more scalable $BTC ecosystem.

Bitcoin’s on-chain picture looks strangely bullish for a market that still feels heavy.

Miner margins are scraping cycle lows, forcing weaker operators to capitulate or power down rigs.

Capriole Investments highlights that the production cost for Bitcoin sits at $83,873, with an additional $67,099 in electricity costs as a baseline layer.

That combination often precedes one more sharp shakeout – miners get squeezed, leveraged longs get cleared – before spot demand reclaims control and drives the next leg up.

This is where Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) enters the conversation.

It taps Bitcoin’s brand and security, but pushes execution into a Solana-style environment, using an SVM-powered Layer 2 that targets higher throughput and lower latency than Solana itself. In other words, it aims to turn idle $BTC conviction into usable, programmable liquidity.

For investors positioning ahead of a potential $BTC expansion phase, that matters.

If capital rotates from miners’ balance sheets and sidelined stablecoins into Bitcoin-native DeFi, an L2 that actually makes $BTC fast, scalable, and composable could see outsized flows.

You can buy $HYPER on the official presale page today.

Bitcoin’s Stress Signals And The Race To Fix Its UX

When miner margins sit near cycle lows while price holds a broad range, it usually means hash rate and difficulty are still high, but revenues aren’t keeping up.

Historically, that has lined up with late-stage downtrends or mid-cycle resets where weak hands exit and stronger miners consolidate capacity before the next spot-led advance. In shorter words, this data supports a potential $BTC dive below the $80K mark.

Arthur Hayes subscribes to the same idea, suggesting that the earliest we can see a $BTC bull is 2026.

On the scalability front, Bitcoin’s base layer hasn’t changed its priorities: security and decentralization first, UX second.

Solutions have emerged to patch that gap – Lightning Network for peer-to-peer payments, stacks-based smart contract layers, rollup-style experiments on sidechains – each with trade-offs in liquidity, programmability, or security assumptions.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is positioning itself as the latest entrant in this Bitcoin L2 arms race, but with a very different execution stack.

Buy your $HYPER before the presale ends.

How Bitcoin Hyper Aims to Turn $BTC into a High-Speed DeFi Asset

Instead of reinventing a VM from scratch, Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) integrates the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM) into a modular Bitcoin Layer 2.

Settlement and security anchor to Bitcoin L1, while real-time execution happens on an SVM-powered L2 that targets sub-second confirmation and throughput in the Solana class, but tuned for $BTC-centric use cases.

For you as a user or builder, the practical impact is straightforward. Wrapped $BTC can move through DeFi primitives – DEXs, lending markets, staking protocols – with the responsiveness you’d expect from Solana, not a 10-minute blockchain.

NFTs, gaming, and other high-interaction dApps can use Rust SDKs and APIs while still marketing themselves as ‘Bitcoin-native,’ thanks to the settlement layer beneath.

That narrative seems to be resonating.

$HYPER’s presale has raised over $28.5M, with a price of $0.013335, suggesting investors are willing to pay for upside exposure to a faster, programmable Bitcoin stack rather than just spot $BTC appreciation.

The token’s long-term potential rests on Bitcoin Hyper’s utility proposition and market support.

Our price prediction for $HYPER considers a potential target of $0.20 for 2026 and $1.50 or higher by 2030. Based on today’s presale price, these numbers translate into ROIs of 1,399% and 11,148% respectively.

The project targets a release window between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026, so there’s not much time left. Read our guide on how to buy $HYPER while the presale is still up.

Buy $HYPER today on the official presale page.

This isn’t financial advice. DYOR and manage risks wisely before investing.

Authored by Bogdan Patru, Bitcoinist: https://bitcoinist.com/bearish-bitcoin-mining-data-prompts-bitcoin-hyper-rally