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Bitcoin treasury company Strategy hasn’t announced any new BTC buy this week, but it has made an expansion to its recently-created USD reserve.

Strategy’s USD Reserve Now Stands At $2.19 Billion

As announced by Strategy co-founder and chairman Michael Saylor in an X post, the company has increased its US Dollar (USD) reserve by $748 million. Strategy first created the USD Reserve at the start of December, allocating $1.44 billion to it.

During the announcement of the reserve, Saylor noted, “we believe it will better position us to navigate short-term market volatility while delivering on our vision of being the world’s leading issuer of Digital Credit.” The reserve’s existence didn’t mean that the firm paused Bitcoin acquisitions, as it made a purchase alongside the establishment of the USD reserve itself and on the two Mondays that followed.

The Bitcoin purchase that came alongside the announcement was relatively small, but the two in the following weeks were some of the biggest of the year, each adding nearly $1 billion in tokens to the company’s treasury.

The latest addition to the USD reserve, however, has come without a BTC purchase from Strategy. According to the filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the firm funded the expansion using sales of its MSTR at-the-market (ATM) stock offering.

Strategy’s USD reserve now holds around $2.19 billion, while its Bitcoin treasury is unchanged from last week’s figure of 671,268 BTC (worth $60.24 billion at the current exchange rate).

Just like how BTC buys from Strategy usually precede a Sunday X post from Saylor with an image of the company’s portfolio tracker, the same tradition appears to be forming for USD reserve expansions as well.

Before the initial announcement, Saylor made the portfolio tracker post with the caption: “What if we start adding green dots?” The chairman usually uses “orange dots” when referring to BTC, so this immediately hinted that something new was brewing.

“Green dots” turned out to be additions to the USD reserve. The Sunday post before the latest purchase also used the same terminology, as Saylor said, “Green Dots ₿eget Orange Dots.”

Strategy continues to be by far the biggest Bitcoin treasury company in the world, as data from BitcoinTreasuries.net shows.

Strategy isn’t the only cryptocurrency treasury firm that has made an announcement on Monday. Bitmine has also shared a new press release with an update for its Ethereum holdings.

Originally a mining-focused company, Bitmine pivoted to an ETH treasury strategy in mid-2025. Since then, the firm has been an active buyer of the cryptocurrency and has established itself as the largest digital asset corporate holder behind Strategy.

Bitmine added 98,852 ETH (around $300.75 million) during the past week and now holds 4,066,062 ETH ($12.37 billion), equivalent to 3.37% of the asset’s total supply in circulation. “We are making rapid progress towards the ‘alchemy of 5%’ and we are already seeing the synergies borne from our substantial ETH holdings,” said Tom Lee, Bitmine chairman.

BTC Price

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is floating around $89,700, up almost 4% in the last seven weeks.

Hong Kong is reportedly exploring new rules that would allow insurance companies to invest in cryptocurrencies and the infrastructure sector as part of its efforts to become a leading hub for digital assets and support broader economic development.

Hong Kong Eyes Crypto Investments For Insurers

On Monday, Bloomberg reported that the Hong Kong Insurance Authority has proposed a set of new rules that could channel insurance capital into digital assets, including cryptocurrencies and stablecoins.

Hong Kong financial authorities have been actively working to develop a comprehensive framework that supports the expansion of the digital assets industry, part of its strategy to become a leading crypto hub in the world.

According to the December 4 presentation reviewed by Bloomberg, the insurance regulator would impose a 100% risk charge on crypto assets, requiring insurers to hold reserves equal to the value of their crypto investments.

Meanwhile, stablecoin investments would be approached differently under the new proposal, with risk charges based on the fiat currency the Hong Kong-regulated token is pegged to.

The Insurance Authority proposal, which could still change in the coming months, will reportedly be open for public consultation from February through April 2026, followed by legislative submissions.

The regulator told Bloomberg that it initiated the review of the risk-based capital regime this year with the main goal of supporting the insurance industry and broader economic development.

Notably, the insurance authority website states that there were 158 authorized insurers in Hong Kong as of June 2025. Moreover, the total gross premiums of the Hong Kong insurance industry were HK$635 billion, worth approximately $82 billion, in 2024.

“We are at the stage of gauging industry feedback and will also put the proposals for public consultation in due course,” a spokesperson for the regulator told the news media outlet.

The proposed insurer framework also addresses new infrastructure rules as the city seeks new growth. The regulator is reportedly planning capital incentives for investments in Hong Kong or on the mainland, as well as for projects listed or issued in the financial hub.

HK’s Stablecoin Landscape

As Bloomberg noted, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is expected to grant the first batch of stablecoin issuer licenses at the start of 2026. However, some industry players believe that the regulator’s timeline could be delayed.

As reported by Bitcoinist, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and other top financial regulators recently affirmed that stablecoins do not qualify as legal tender in the mainland, as they don’t meet regulatory requirements and risk of being used for illegal activities.

Following the pronouncement, multiple analysts suggested that the PBOC’s recent declarations not only sank hopes that Beijing might have softened its stance on cryptocurrencies but also would affect Hong Kong’s efforts to become a hub for the stablecoin industry.

Earlier this year, the HKMA enacted the Stablecoins Ordinance, which directs any individual or entity seeking to issue a fiat-referenced stablecoin (FRS) in Hong Kong, or any Hong Kong Dollar-pegged token, to obtain a license from the regulator.

Multiple companies have applied for the license, with more than 30 applications filed this year, according to local news outlets. The list of applicants includes logistics technology firm Reitar Logtech and the overseas arm of Chinese mainland financial technology giant Ant Group.

According to the founding director of the Law, Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Lab at the University of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Law, Brian Tang, Beijing’s stance means that applicants for Hong Kong’s stablecoin licenses would need to reconsider if the application submitted to the HKMA touches mainland China issuers and users.

A spokesperson stated that the HKMA was reviewing the applications and aimed to begin with a reduced number of licenses. However, they noted that even if Hong Kong proceeds with the original approval schedule, projects that involve the yuan or mainland Chinese institutions would likely be delayed.

In the midst of a transforming crypto landscape in the US following the return of President Donald Trump to the White House, top Wall Street institutions are increasingly seeking to provide investors with opportunities in the digital asset market. 

In line with this growing trend, Bloomberg reported on Monday that JPMorgan — led by the Bitcoin-sceptical CEO, Jamie Dimon — is now considering introducing cryptocurrency trading for institutional clients.

JPMorgan’s Potential Crypto Move

Sources familiar with the bank’s plans revealed that JPMorgan’s markets division is evaluating potential products and services to enhance its presence in the cryptocurrency sector. 

Notably, this exploration could encompass both spot and derivatives trading, although concrete details remain under wraps as discussions are still in preliminary stages.

The impetus for these efforts appears to be rising client interest, particularly in light of recent regulatory changes surrounding digital assets in the US. As these regulatory frameworks become more defined, JPMorgan aims to assess the demand for specific products while also evaluating the associated risks and opportunities.

Bloomberg’s report underscores that while JPMorgan has maintained an active role in blockchain initiatives, a move into crypto trading would mark a significant shift. 

Trump’s administration has appointed regulatory officials friendly to the crypto industry in both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). 

Furthermore, the country’s first stablecoin bill has passed under the GENIUS Act. However, the anticipated crypto market structure bill (CLARITY Act) is not expected to be passed this year, despite bipartisan negotiations, as it is scheduled for January markups. 

JPMorgan’s move also comes as, earlier this month, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued a new guidance permitting national banks to act as intermediaries in crypto transactions.

Dimon’s Turnaround

For JPMorgan and its CEO, which once saw the market’s leading cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, as a mere “pet rock,” this strategic pivot signifies a broader adaptation to the evolving investment landscape. 

Dimon’s recent comments suggest a more pragmatic approach. He acknowledged individuals’ rights to invest in Bitcoin, stating, “I defend your right to buy Bitcoin. Go at it,” during an investor conference held in May.

JPMorgan has been proactive in exploring digital asset opportunities, including their recent facilitation of the creation, distribution, and settlement of a short-term bond for Galaxy Digital Holdings LP on the Solana (SOL) blockchain. 

Scott Lucas, who heads the Markets Digital Assets division at JPMorgan, expressed confidence in the growing demand for such innovation, indicating plans to expand the bank’s role in this area. “In the first half of next year, we intend to build on this momentum,” Lucas noted.

Bitcoin was trading at $89,508 at the time of writing, up 1.5% over the previous 24 hours and 7 days. While trading in a limited range, BTC still has a 29% difference between current trading prices and all-time highs set earlier this year, around $126,000.

Featured image from Reuters, chart from TradingView.com 

Data shows the transaction volume of USDT and USDC on Tron is now more than 10 times the transfer volume of the entire XRP network.

Tron Stablecoin Volume Is Significantly Higher Than XRP Activity

In a new post on X, Glassnode lead research analyst CryptoVizArt.₿ has discussed how stablecoin settlement on the Tron network compares against the transaction activity of XRP. Stablecoins are digital assets that have their value pegged to a fiat currency. The vast majority of this space is currently dominated by two tokens tied to the US dollar: USDT and USDC.

These cryptocurrencies are available on several blockchains, with a major one being Tron. Below is the chart shared by CryptoVizArt.₿ that shows the trend in the 90-day simple moving average (SMA) of the combined transfer volume of USDT and USDC on the network over the last few years.

As displayed in the graph, USDT and USDC have seen their Tron volume follow a rapid uptrend during the last year, suggesting that users have increasingly been using the network for stablecoin settlements.

The 90-day SMA value of the metric is currently sitting at $24.2 billion. In the same chart, the analyst has also attached the data for the transfer volume of the XRP blockchain and from its graph, it’s apparent that the network’s transaction activity pales in comparison to the stablecoin settlement that occurs on Tron.

More specifically, XRP observes just $2.2 billion in transfers every day, a tenth of the Tron stablecoin transactions. “This reinforces Tron’s role as a core settlement layer for stablecoin liquidity,” noted CryptoVizArt.₿.

Glassnode’s official X handle has also made a post about how stablecoins compare against the major cryptocurrencies in terms of the metric.

As is apparent in the above chart, USDC is currently the most dominant asset in transaction activity out of the major assets with a volume of $124 billion. Bitcoin is second at $81 billion, while USDT is third at $68 billion.

Among the rest, Solana and Ethereum both beat XRP to the fourth and fifth spots with transaction volumes of $9.6 billion and $7.9 billion, respectively. BNB is just behind XRP at $1.6 billion.

The top two stablecoins combined are pulling $192 billion in transaction activity every day, which is almost twice the transfer volume that the top five non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies are witnessing. “Stablecoins have become the primary liquidity rails, while native asset transfers remain comparatively subdued,” said Glassnode.

XRP Price

At the time of writing, XRP is trading around $1.93, down nearly 2% over the last week.

Bitcoin is once again attempting to reclaim the $90,000 level, as bulls cautiously rebuild a recovery narrative after weeks of volatility and heavy selling pressure. While sentiment remains fragile and many investors are still positioned defensively, recent price stabilization has opened the door for a short-term upside scenario. Rather than relying on optimism alone, analysts are increasingly pointing to structural indicators that suggest the balance of risk may be shifting.

According to a report by on-chain analyst Axel Adler, Bitcoin’s current setup shows tactical upside potential when viewed through the combined lens of market regime indicators and derivatives liquidation dynamics.

Adler highlights that Bitcoin’s Regime Score has recently transitioned into the +15 to +30 zone, a range that has historically delivered positive average returns. This zone represents an early recovery phase, where downside momentum has faded but euphoria has not yet returned, often creating favorable conditions for asymmetric upside.

At the same time, derivatives data show a clear dominance of short liquidations, meaning that recent price moves have forced bearish positions to close. This creates mechanical buying pressure, which can amplify upward moves even in the absence of strong spot demand. Together, these signals suggest that Bitcoin’s current attempt to reclaim $90,000 is not purely speculative but supported by an improving internal market structure.

Regime Score and Liquidations Point to Tactical Upside

Adler explains that Bitcoin’s composite Regime Score aggregates multiple market dimensions into a single framework, including taker imbalance, open interest pressure, funding rates, ETF flows, exchange flows, and price trend.

The result is a unified indicator ranging from −100 to +100, designed to capture shifts in market structure rather than short-term noise. Currently, the Regime Score stands at +16.3, placing Bitcoin in the upper part of the neutral zone, defined between +15 and +30.

Backtesting data for 2025 shows that this specific subzone has historically delivered average returns of around +3.8% over a 30-day horizon. This contrasts sharply with the −15 to 0 zone, where expected returns were negative, averaging -1.5% over seven days. Importantly, the indicator has recently rebounded from a bearish extreme, after dropping to −27 just a week ago, signaling a structural recovery rather than a random bounce.

Adler highlights a critical nuance: transitions into the formal bull regime above +30 have historically coincided with local tops, often followed by negative short-term returns. This makes the current +15–30 range more attractive for tactical positioning, while aggressive accumulation above +30 may carry elevated risk.

This view is reinforced by derivatives data. The long/short liquidation dominance oscillator has turned negative at −11%, indicating a surge in forced short closures, while its 30-day average remains positive. With long liquidation dominance at just 44%, short liquidations are clearly prevailing, providing additional mechanical fuel for upside.

Bitcoin Tests Key Support as Volatility Compresses

Bitcoin is currently trading around the $90,000 area after a sharp corrective move from recent highs, and the chart highlights a market at an important inflection point. Following the breakdown from the $105,000–$110,000 range, BTC experienced a swift decline that pushed the price below the short- and medium-term moving averages.

The blue and green moving averages have rolled over, confirming a loss of upside momentum and signaling a shift toward a more defensive market structure.

However, price is now stabilizing just above the psychologically critical $88,000–$90,000 zone, which has acted as a reaction level over recent sessions. This area aligns closely with prior consolidation and represents a short-term support cluster where buyers are attempting to regain control. Notably, selling pressure appears to be moderating, as the most aggressive downside move has already occurred, and recent candles suggest consolidation rather than continuation.

The red long-term moving average remains well below the current price, indicating that Bitcoin is still structurally above its broader trend support. This reduces immediate downside risk, unless the $88,000 region fails decisively. Volume has also tapered off compared to the sell-off peak, suggesting that panic-driven liquidation may be subsiding.

In this context, Bitcoin appears to be transitioning from an impulsive downside into a stabilization phase. A sustained hold above $90,000 would strengthen the case for a relief rally, while a breakdown below support would reopen the door to deeper retracements.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

According to reports, a new round of debate over quantum computers and Bitcoin has pushed technical questions into market talk.

Some investors say the threat is close enough to affect price. Charles Edwards, founder of Capriole, warned that Bitcoin could fall below $50,000 by 2028 if the network is not made quantum-ready.

Developers Urge Caution

Jameson Lopp, a Bitcoin Core developer and co-founder of custody firm Casa, has argued that migration to post-quantum cryptography will not be quick.

Lopp told followers on X that while quantum machines are not an immediate danger, moving the protocol and users’ funds to new signature schemes could “easily take five to 10 years.”

He agreed with Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream, who has also said the threat is not near-term but should be watched.

No, quantum computers won’t break Bitcoin in the near future. We’ll keep observing their evolution.

Yet, making thoughtful changes to the protocol (and an unprecedented migration of funds) could easily take 5 to 10 years.

We should hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

— Jameson Lopp (@lopp) December 21, 2025

Community Split Over Timing

Reports have disclosed a widening gap in how the community views the timeline. Some venture capitalists and investment firms say quantum risk is imminent and should be priced now.

On the other side, long-time Bitcoin advocates question the urgency. Pierre Rochard argued that quantum-resistant fixes can be paid for by non-profits or VC funding, and he suggested an attack would be so costly it would require government-level support.

Samson Mow, CEO of JAN3, pushed back with a plainspoken line about current machines, saying they “can’t factor the number 21 — not 21 million — 21,” to make a point about how far current quantum hardware still is from breaking Bitcoin’s cryptography. Andreas M. Antonopoulos has also weighed in, noting that upgrades are possible ahead of any real threat.

What Upgrading Bitcoin Means

Changing Bitcoin’s cryptography is not the same as updating ordinary software. According to developers, the distributed nature of the network, the variety of wallet software in use, and the many holders who do not actively manage keys make a broad migration difficult.

BIP 360, a proposal that would add a quantum-ready signature method for BTC, has been pushed by some figures. Charles Edwards has called for node operators to enforce BIP 360 to speed adoption, while others say enforcement and coordination would be tricky and could take years.

Calls For Protocol Change

Market watchers should note the difference between theory and proof. The technical camp says there is time to plan and roll out changes carefully. The investment camp warns that market confidence could wobble if measures are not taken quickly.

Calls for action include funding research, testing signature replacements, and building migration tools that exchanges and wallets can use. The debate has become public because price concerns make the matter of practical interest, not just academic.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Ethereum is currently trading above the $3,000 level, offering a surface-level sense of stability after weeks of volatility. However, beneath this price resilience, market sentiment remains decisively bearish. Many analysts are openly calling for lower levels in the coming months, citing weakening momentum, macro uncertainty, and persistent selling pressure across risk assets. Extreme fear dominates positioning, with investors showing little conviction that the recent recovery can evolve into a sustained uptrend.

This pessimistic backdrop makes recent institutional-linked activity stand out. Amid widespread caution, data suggests that Bitmine—an entity associated with Fundstrat’s co-founder Tom Lee—has increased its exposure to Ethereum.

Bitmine is a digital asset mining and investment vehicle focused on long-term participation in blockchain infrastructure, combining mining operations with strategic accumulation of major crypto assets. Rather than trading short-term price swings, entities like Bitmine typically operate with a multi-year horizon, emphasizing network fundamentals and asymmetric upside.

The contrast is notable. While retail and short-term participants remain defensive, longer-term capital appears willing to step in during periods of fear. Historically, such divergence between sentiment and positioning has often emerged near transitional phases in the market cycle.

Bitmine Expands Ethereum Exposure Amid Market Fear

On-chain data from Arkham confirms that Bitmine has added another 13,412 ETH to its holdings, an acquisition valued at approximately $40.61 million at current market prices. The purchase comes at a time when Ethereum sentiment remains deeply bearish, reinforcing the contrast between short-term market fear and long-term capital positioning.

Following this latest accumulation, Bitmine’s total Ethereum holdings now stand at roughly 3.769 million ETH, with an estimated market value of around $11.45 billion. This places Bitmine among the largest known Ethereum holders globally, highlighting the scale and conviction behind its strategy.

Such positioning is not consistent with short-term speculation. Instead, it reflects a deliberate approach centered on long-duration exposure to Ethereum’s network value and future role within the digital asset ecosystem.

Bitmine’s accumulation behavior suggests confidence in Ethereum’s long-term fundamentals despite near-term volatility and widespread pessimism. Historically, large-scale purchases during periods of extreme fear have often occurred when prices trade below perceived intrinsic value.

While this activity does not eliminate the risk of further downside in the coming months, it signals that structurally patient capital continues to deploy. The growing divergence between bearish sentiment and aggressive accumulation underscores a market environment where positioning, rather than headlines, may offer clearer insight into longer-term expectations.

Some investors are using current pessimism as an opportunity to build exposure, reinforcing the idea that fear-driven environments can also attract structurally patient buyers.

Ethereum Price Struggles to Rebuild Bullish Structure

Ethereum is currently trading just above the $3,000 level, attempting to stabilize after a prolonged corrective phase. The chart shows that ETH remains below its key medium-term moving averages, with the 50-day and 100-day MAs still acting as dynamic resistance overhead. Each recent attempt to push higher has been met with selling pressure, highlighting the market’s difficulty in reclaiming bullish momentum.

Structurally, the price action since the October peak reflects a clear sequence of lower highs and lower lows, confirming that ETH is still operating within a bearish trend on the daily timeframe. Although the recent bounce from the $2,800–$2,900 zone suggests the presence of demand, volume remains muted compared to earlier expansion phases, indicating a lack of conviction from buyers. This supports the view that the current move is corrective rather than the start of a new impulsive rally.

From a support perspective, the $2,900 area is now critical. A sustained loss of this level would expose ETH to a deeper retracement toward the $2,600–$2,700 region, where prior consolidation occurred. On the upside, bulls would need a decisive daily close above the descending moving averages near $3,300 to invalidate the bearish structure.

Overall, the chart points to consolidation under resistance rather than trend reversal. Until ETH reclaims key moving averages with expanding volume, price action suggests ongoing distribution and elevated risk of further downside.

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

Kaspersky has warned that a new infostealer called “Stealka” is being spread through bogus video game mods and cracked software, putting crypto users and gamers at risk.

The malware was identified in November 2025 and is delivered as what looks like harmless game add-ons or utility cracks. Systems running Windows are the main target.

Attackers Hide Malware In Mods

Reports have disclosed that Stealka is disguised as cheats, mods and cracks for popular titles, with fake packages posted to places users normally trust. Files have been seen on GitHub, SourceForge, Softpedia and Google Sites, which helps the downloads look legitimate.

In some cases, the malware was packaged as a Roblox mod or as a cracked copy of Microsoft Visio. According to Kaspersky, the campaign uses convincing websites and may employ automated tools to create professional pages that trick people into clicking download links.

Data And Wallets Targeted

Once run, Stealka searches for browser data, saved passwords and crypto wallet information. Based on reports, it targets more than 115 browser extensions tied to wallets, password managers and two-factor apps.

Extensions for MetaMask, Binance Wallet, Coinbase and other popular wallets are among those at risk. Private keys, seed phrases and wallet file paths can be exposed on an infected machine, and stored browser cards and autofill entries are also collected.

Victims’ accounts can be taken over using the stolen credentials, and that access can then be used to push further malicious links to friends or followers.

How The Threat Spreads And Where It’s Seen

Kaspersky’s telemetry shows initial detections in Russia, with additional cases reported in Turkey, Brazil, Germany and India.

Distribution methods vary. Sometimes a single download bundle carries Stealka; other times it is paired with cryptominer code so infected computers also mine cryptocurrency for the attackers.

Files hosted on trusted developer portals make it harder for users to spot danger, and the malware’s wide reach means standard precautions can still be bypassed if users ignore basic safety steps.

Recommendations For Users

According to cybersecurity advisories, avoid unofficial or pirated software and only download mods from verified, trusted creators. Use a reputable antivirus product and keep it updated.

Password managers are recommended over saving credentials in browsers, and two-factor authentication should be enabled for crypto accounts when available.

Keep Windows and applications patched, and check that a downloaded file’s checksum or digital signature matches the developer’s published value before running installers.

Featured image from Kaspersky, chart from TradingView

XRP has spent the past few weeks on a downtrend after a bullish cycle earlier in the year, and this has left traders divided between caution and anticipation. However, as the year draws to a close, the interest in the altcoin is gradually changing from short-term volatility to what the new year could bring. 

Interestingly, technical insights using the Relative Strength Index suggest that the current price action may be setting the stage for the token to shine in 2026, even if the market is not quite ready to reveal its hand just yet.

RSI Signals Point To A Completed Dip

One of the arguments supporting a bullish outlook comes from the 3-day Relative Strength Index highlighted by Dark Defender. According to the analyst, the RSI has already dropped into a zone that is known to indicate completed price corrections for XRP. This is because similar RSI conditions in 2024 were highlighted by periods before its price action returned decisively to the upside.

The chart accompanying his analysis shows XRP stabilizing near a horizontal support region, and this fits with the RSI flattening near oversold territory. According to the analyst, this type of structure suggests exhaustion on the sell side, even if price action continues to trade sideways in the next couple of days.

Speaking of stabilizing near a support region, XRP is currently trading around the $1.86 to $1.90 price range, which aligns closely with the 1.618 Fibonacci extension highlighted on the chart at approximately $1.8815. This support level aligns with a projection using the Elliott Wave Theory, and this contributes to the notion that the XRP price will rebound to the upside any time soon.

Building The Base For A Surge

In addition to the RSI momentum indicator, XRP’s price structure on the chart analyzed by Dark Defender supports the idea that the cryptocurrency is forming a base. The visual Elliott Wave count on the 3-day timeframe shows that the recent decline fits within a corrective sequence on sub-impulse wave 5. Interestingly, this sub-wave is an extension of a fourth impulse wave that traces its origin as far back as early 2025. 

According to the Elliott Wave theory, this fourth impulse wave is expected to be followed by an impulsive Wave 5 that resolves to the upside. The projected impulse path on the chart shows how a confirmed breakout from this structure could push XRP into a massive rally. The price target in this case is around the 2.618 Fibonacci extension, which is marked at $5.85.

Dark Defender also linked this technical setup to timing, pointing out that the period around Christmas and the New Year could coincide with improving sentiment, and XRP will shine after the holidays. He also pointed to upcoming scarcity as another factor, which might be referring to the projected longer-term implications of Spot XRP ETFs.

Bitcoin might be stumbling into a very seasonal setup, not because Santa is real, but because positioning and one of those composite “regime” dashboards are flashing the kind of “bullish, but not sweaty” signal traders love to cling to in late December.

CryptoQuant analyst Axel Adler Jr. put it bluntly on X on Monday: “BTC is entering a window for a Santa rally: the Regime Score is bullish but not overheated. Short liquidations are reinforcing the asymmetry in favor of buyers.” That’s the headline claim. The longer version is basically: the market is in a zone that has historically had decent forward returns, and the derivatives plumbing is currently doing that annoying-but-useful thing where it mechanically pushes price higher when shorts get forced out.

Will Bitcoin See A ‘Santa Rally’ This Year?

In his Monday Substack post, Adler framed it as a tactical setup rather than some grand, end-of-year prophecy. “The BTC market is in the upper part of the Regime Score neutral zone, which has historically shown positive expected returns,” he wrote. Then he tightened the screw: “The current liquidation structure in the futures market indicates a predominance of short position closures, creating additional mechanical pressure in favor of buyers.”

So what’s this Regime Score thing, exactly? Adler describes it as a composite indicator that “combines taker imbalance, OI pressure, funding, ETF flows, exchange flows, and price trend into a single scale from −100 to +100.” The number matters less than the band it sits in. Right now, he says the score “stands at +16.3, corresponding to the upper part of the neutral zone (+15 to +30).”

And that particular subzone is doing the heavy lifting in his argument. “Backtesting for 2025 shows this subzone historically delivered average returns of +3.8% over 30 days,” Adler wrote, contrasting it with the weaker ranges below. He also pointed out that, “unlike the −15 to 0 subzone where expected returns were negative (−1.5% over 7d),” the +15 to +30 band tended to be a more forgiving place to put on risk.

It’s also worth noting how quickly the tape can flip, because his own charting suggests it already did. Adler says the indicator “has emerged from a recent bearish phase (score dropped to −27 a week ago) and is showing recovery.” That’s the kind of detail traders latch onto: not just where you are, but how fast you got there.

But here’s the funny part — the “most bullish” zone, in his backtest, wasn’t actually bullish for forward returns. He flags that “transition into the formal Bull regime (+30 and above) historically coincided with local tops” and that it “delivered negative average returns of −3.3% over 7 days.” In other words, if you wait for the indicator to scream “bull market,” you might be buying the exact moment everyone else is already leaning the same way.

Which is why Adler ends up with a pretty trader-ish conclusion: the current band might be the sweet spot because it’s optimistic without being euphoric.

“This means the current +15–30 zone may be optimal for tactical positions, while aggressive accumulation upon breaking +30 carries elevated risk,” he wrote.

Then there’s the derivatives side — the part that can turn a calm-looking market into a sudden wick up (or down) just because leverage is sitting in the wrong place. Adler’s liquidation dominance oscillator is currently negative, which he reads as a short liquidation skew. “The oscillator’s current value has dropped into negative territory (−11%), while the 30-day moving average remains positive (+10%). This divergence points to a recent surge in forced short position closures,” he wrote.

He doubles down with a second stat: “Long Liquidation Dominance stands at 44%, below the 50% baseline, confirming the predominance of short liquidations.” Put simply: more shorts are getting forced out than longs are getting wiped, and those forced closes are buys.

And his takeaway is basically: this is tactical fuel. “The predominance of short liquidations creates tactical fuel for upside,” Adler wrote, adding that the setup “reinforces the positive signal from Regime Score: the market has not only entered a zone with historically positive expected returns but is also receiving additional support from derivatives structure.”

Still, this is Bitcoin, and these setups don’t last forever. Adler even lays out what would invalidate it, in pretty plain language. “A return of Regime Score below zero accompanied by a reversal of the liquidation oscillator into positive territory (rising long liquidations) would signal exhaustion of the current impulse,” he wrote. Translation: if longs start being the ones getting punished, that “asymmetry” flips.

For now, he’s calling it a “bullish neutrality” moment. Not full-blown melt-up territory, not the kind of reading that screams “local top” either. Just a window where, if the market wants to drift higher into year-end, the positioning doesn’t look like it’s going to fight it.

At press time, Bitcoin traded at $89,864.

XRP may be setting up for a major breakout as technical indicators flash a familiar bullish signal. A crypto analyst has identified a developing Double Bottom pattern, suggesting that the cryptocurrency’s downtrend may be ending. Although the price performance over the past months has been muted and slow, now trading about 50% below its all-time high, analysts still believe that the altcoin is primed for a sharp upside move to $2.5. 

XRP Double Bottom To Fuel Surge To $2.5

Crypto market analyst Niels has indicated that XRP is showing signs of a potential bullish turnaround, which could trigger a price surge to $2.5. In his X post, he presented a fresh technical analysis, highlighting a Double Bottom formation beginning to take shape on the chart. The chart also shows that the price has reacted strongly twice from the same demand area, reinforcing the Double Bottom setup. 

Notably, the Double Bottom is emerging after months of sustained downside pressure, during which the altcoin remained firmly locked in a bearish structure. The decline initially kept its consolidation around $2. However, it recently pushed the token as low as $1.8 before price action stabilized and recovered modestly above $1.9. 

In his analysis, Neils also highlighted that momentum indicators are starting to align with a possible trend reversal for the token.  According to him, XRP’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) has already bottomed out, suggesting that selling pressure may be exhausted. He also observed that price action is showing encouraging signs, which often precedes a stronger upside move when supported by market momentum.

Niels further explained that the altcoin recently dipped below a key support zone before quickly reclaiming it, forming a fakeout. With momentum improving and support holding, the analyst predicts that it could soon rally toward the $2.3 to $2.5 range over the next few weeks if market conditions remain favorable. 

XRP Shows Signs Of Strength Despite Ongoing Downtrend

In a separate analysis, crypto market expert Broke Doomer highlighted that XRP remains in a downward trend but is showing signs of resilience. He noted that support levels continue to hold strong with buyers stepping in at each level, preventing a steeper decline.

Doomer also stated that seller momentum is weakening as the token maintains a strong low, suggesting that any upside shift could happen quickly. Given its growing strength and steady price recovery, the analyst has predicted that the cryptocurrency could first target a reclaim of $2.20 before moving toward $2.60. 

His chart also points to a higher target for XRP if it can cross $2.6, forecasting a potential rise back toward $3. If this happens, it would represent a roughly 56% increase from its price of $1.92 at the time of writing. 

As the year draws to a rapid close, the lawsuit between Ripple Labs and the United States (US) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) stands as one of the most consequential and closely watched legal battles in crypto history. Long before its official resolution, the case dominated the space, consistently making top headlines with each new filing, ruling, courtroom development, and update. Ripple and the SEC went head to head to determine whether XRP should be classified as a security under US law. For XRP investors, the lawsuit’s verdict served as a long-awaited reprieve after years of regulatory uncertainty and  suppressed price action in XRP.  

Ripple Vs SEC Lawsuit Recap For XRP Investors

After years of uncertainty, the long-running dispute between Ripple and the US SEC officially concluded in 2025. The case has been a defining moment for cryptocurrency regulation in the United States and has significantly influenced XRP investors worldwide. 

The lawsuit began on December 20, when the SEC accused Ripple of selling XRP as an unregistered security. The crypto payments company, however, argued that XRP is a digital asset, not a security under US law. Fast forward to 2023, Judge Analisa Torres from the Southern District of New York delivered a mixed ruling, finding that XRP sold on public exchanges did not constitute securities transactions, earning Ripple a partial victory. 

Although the ruling provided some level of clarity, it left unresolved questions that continued to affect XRP’s trading and adoption. Following the court’s decision, Ripple was ordered to pay a civil penalty of roughly $125 million in 2024 for institutional sales of XRP. An injunction was also imposed, restricting the company from engaging in similar activities in the future. The penalty was far below the nearly $2 billion fees initially sought by the SEC.  

In early 2025, both parties filed appeals and cross-appeals. The SEC challenged the exemption for public exchange sales, while Ripple contested the injunction’s restrictions. The dispute took a decisive turn when Ripple and the regulator jointly requested the Manhattan District Court to dissolve the injunction and release the $125 million civil penalty held in escrow. 

Under the agreement, only $50 million will be paid to the SEC, with the remaining funds returned to Ripple. The court approved this arrangement, formally resolving the nearly 5-year case and eliminating years of regulatory uncertainty and slow growth in XRP. 

How the Ripple-SEC Case Impacted XRP Investors

For years, the Ripple-SEC legal dispute had caused sharp price fluctuations, slow growth, and limited exchange listings for XRP. Many investors held back from buying or selling the token due to regulatory risks. As a result, the XRP price remained suppressed around $0.5 for an extended period,  even as other cryptocurrencies reached new ATHs. 

After the court’s ruling in 2024, the XRP price exploded, rising from $0.5 to over $2 in November. The official resolution of the case also boosted investor sentiment, contributing to the cryptocurrency’s price surge above $3 in 2025. Although XRP has since dropped from these levels, its trading volume and adoption continue to benefit from the regulatory clarity.

Despite several attempts at an upward move, the price of Bitcoin has continued to fluctuate below the $90,000 pivotal level over the past week. With the ongoing bearish price performance extending, a significant portion of long-term BTC investors have yet to witness a profit condition that would be considered truly compelling.

Long-Term Bitcoin Holders Still Waiting for Stronger Gains

Bitcoin’s waning price action appears to be testing the resolve of long-term BTC holders, who are usually classified as the market’s most patient and conviction-driven investors. CW, a market expert and data analyst, reports that these key investors are still struggling to record substantial profits from their positions, which is likely to affect supply dynamics and mold on-chain behavior. 

The lingering profit gap indicates that conviction among long-term investors remains strong, but the next decisive stage is still to come. Long-term BTC holders failing to see satisfactory profit yet is due to the flagship asset’s price being confined beneath the $100,000 price mark after falling from its all-time high. Such a situation raises significant concerns about whether the market has already reached a mature bullish phase or if a more crucial surge is still required to reward those who have persevered over several cycles. 

According to the data analyst, the cohort still holds a whopping 13.6 million BTC valued at a jaw-dropping $1.2 trillion at the current price of the asset. CW stated that the current holding level of the group is comparable to the maximum holding level from the last Bitcoin market cycle.

These investors may be resilient during bearish price action, but a rebound will flip their behavior. CW noted that the cohort will transfer their holdings to short-term BTC holders when the asset shifts toward an upside direction again. 

During such a scenario, the analyst claims that the peak of the ongoing market cycle will probably coincide with the peak of greed. Looking at the chart from CW, it seems like there has not been a real rally in this cycle.

On-Chain Activity Slows Down, Creating A Calm Situation

Presently, the Bitcoin market has entered a critical phase as the BTC Cumulative Volume Delta (CVD) Indicator reveals a calm situation. BTC’s CVD indicator is a key metric that measures the aggressive purchasing versus selling pressure, which currently tells that neither side is dominating.

This calm situation is mainly driven by BTC whale investors or large holders, who are taking a break. The flatlining CVD indicator points to a period of consolidation during which liquidity is stabilizing, traders are pulling back, and the next big move is subtly developing beneath the surface.

BTC’s price is likely to continue its downward trend unless the activity of the cohort shifts, because only when they start moving again will something happen. In the meantime, CW highlighted that a selling wall is forming at the $94,000 price mark, which also represents the next crucial resistance level.

Solana is set to flip Ethereum in revenue numbers for the first time ever. Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko commented on this development, highlighting the gap between both networks while also questioning how they could sustain this trend. 

Solana On Course To Flip Ethereum In Yearly Revenue

In an X post, the Solana treasury company DeFi Development Corporation (DFDV) revealed that SOL is on course to surpass ETH in annual revenue for the first time. The company stated that this is not just a milestone but “instead a regime shift.” DFDV added that SOL stands as the revenue chain, where the decentralized applications (dApps) of tomorrow will live, scale, and breathe. 

The accompanying chart shows that SOL has recorded annual revenue of $1.4 billion year-to-date (YTD), while the Ethereum network has recorded $522 million. As DFDV noted, this marks a significant shift, given that ETH surpassed SOL in previous years. In 2024, Ethereum recorded an annual revenue of $2.5 billion, while SOL recorded $1.42 billion. 

Notably, Ethereum’s revenue is down around 90% in 5 years, while Solana’s revenue has increased around 5,000% in the same period. DeFiLlama data shows that dApps such as Pump.fun, Axiom, Meteroa, Jupiter, and Phantom have actively contributed to the revenue recorded on SOL. Meanwhile, the network has also generated base fees paid by users. 

Commenting on this milestone, Solana’s co-founder stated that it has been a “crazy year” and noted that whether open permissionless protocols can actually grow and maintain revenue remains an open question. Yakovenko further remarked that he believes the entire crypto market cap will continue to grow and, eventually, will have to be split by revenue. 

He also stated that Solana and Ethereum’s only shot at this is in the execution layer. Yakovenko explained that providing the best execution layer will mean global decentralized, low-latency, and high-throughput censorship resistance. 

“SOL Is Dying”

Amid Solana’s revenue milestone over Ethereum, DeFi maxi Scribbler has declared that Solana is dying. In an X post, he noted that over 30 million people were trading on the network each month between November last year and February this year. However, since then, the network has struggled to average 1 million traders monthly.  

This is likely due to the slowdown in meme coin trading on the SOL network, which gained it a lot of traction last year and at the start of this year, when U.S. President Donald Trump launched his meme coin, TRUMP. However, crypto commentator Marty doesn’t believe that this is the end for Solana, stating that equity traders and stablecoin users will replace the meme coin traders. 

Notably, Galaxy Digital and Forward Industries have tokenized their stocks on SOL, while the network is also seeing increasing activity in stablecoin transactions. Visa just recently announced plans to begin USDC stablecoin settlements on Solana for U.S. banks.

Canary Capital CEO Steven McClurg says the investor mix showing up in XRP ETFs is broader and more institutional than the market tends to assume, with interest coming from pension funds and insurance allocators who prefer a regulated, brokerage-native wrapper over the operational burden of spot.

“Usually when you launch a new ETF that hasn’t been in the market before, it’s usually retail adoption that happens first. So we’ve seen a lot of impact from the retail audience in the first week or two. And then we started getting calls from pension funds and insurance companies globally,” McClurg revealed.

He added: “And that’s the second market segment that we market to at Canary. But we’re seeing a lot of interest there. XRP is truly an asset that most of Wall Street and most of the global capital markets get. It’s easy to understand. It’s the rails for the financial system. So, of course, they’re very interested. But those are the two segments that we’ve seen a lot of interest from.”

Why XRP ETFs Are So Successful

McClurg made the comments in a Wealthion podcast interview with CoinFund President Chris Perkins, discussing Canary’s strategy in crypto ETFs and why single-asset products like XRP can pull demand from both US and international channels. The throughline was familiar to anyone who has watched ETFs reshape other markets: access and execution matter, and they often matter more than ideology.

“A lot of our clients are retail,” McClurg said, estimating “probably 20 to 30%” of flows are coming from retail channels based on visible brokerage activity. The larger share, he added, is currently coming from faster trading-oriented capital. “It’s probably about 70% — I don’t want to call it institutional, but it’s probably 70% fast money at the moment.”

Even so, McClurg’s view is that the stable end state for products like an XRP ETF is the advisor and allocator channel that already lives inside the ETF ecosystem. “ETFs are going to be probably primarily used by financial advisors,” he said. “Because they’re simple, they’re clean, they can hold them in their accounts, they can explain it.”

For crypto, he argued, the problem is not subtle.“Most of retail is trading crypto on an exchange and they’re getting charged massive fees,” he said. “We’re talking $100 a trade. Plus the spread.”

His point was not that ETFs are free, but that the ETF wrapper can compress costs and friction, particularly for investors who do not want to operate in exchange-native workflows. “When you think about an ETF… you’ve already won by buying an ETF when you’re talking about pennies spread… and then you’re only paying a 1% management fee,” he said.

McClurg also addressed a factor that tends to drive ETF flows in crypto regardless of narrative: basis. He argued the spot/futures spread can act as a lever for ETF demand, and by extension a source of incremental spot pressure when the trade is attractive.

“The basis trade is really what’s driving crypto ETFs at the moment,” he said, adding that outflows in bitcoin spot ETFs have, at times, coincided with the collapse of that spread. For XRP specifically, he suggested the dynamic has been supportive since launch.

“We’ve benefited from launching XRP,” he said, “because there’s a great basis trade there.” He went further, claiming the product has seen consistent net buying even as broader markets softened.

McClurg also highlighted the success of all spot XRP ETFs in the US. “Ever since the launch, even at a down market, there’s not been a single day of outflows,” McClurg said.

At press time, XRP traded at $1.92.

On Sunday, the Ethereum price retested the $3,000 mark after trading below the level for the past few days due to a volatile market environment. ETH’s price may be gradually regaining upside momentum, but other aspects are still experiencing downward pressure, such as the Open Interest (OI).

Sharp Drop In Ethereum Open Interest

In the current volatile state of the cryptocurrency landscape, the Ethereum derivatives market is signaling a key indicator. This crucial signal is coming from the ETH Open interest, which has witnessed a significant pullback in the past few months. According to the research from the advanced investment and on-chain data analytics platform Alphractal, the metric has dropped by half or 50% since August this year. 

A significant drop in this metric is a clear indication that trader positioning and risk appetite have shifted notably. Following a period of high leverage and aggressive speculation, the sharp collapse indicates that positions are being unwound, exposure is being decreased, and momentum is cooling across futures markets.

Alphractal highlighted that the Ethereum open interest is valued at roughly half of what it was in August 2025, suggesting a drastic decline in market risk. Such a move points to institutions and large whale holders who have closed leveraged ETH positions. The exiting of positions by big investors shows that they are reducing exposure and speculative pressure.

ETH’s open interest has also fallen sharply on cryptocurrency exchanges. After examining the Ethereum Open Interest distribution by exchange, Alphractal unveiled a 31% decline to $7.64 billion on the world’s largest exchange, Binance.

On Gateio, open interest is at $3.72 billion, indicating a 15% decrease, while HTX (formerly known as House) has fallen by 12.65% to $3.12 million. Furthermore, Bybit has $2.53 billion with a 10.25% drop, HyperLiquid has $2.51 billion with a 10.18%, and Bitget has $1.79 billion with a 7.25% decline.

With exchanges’ open interest dropping, this tells a compelling story of the current market structure. This outlines robust deleveraging across the Ethereum market and a lower probability of explosive moves in the short term. 

Typically, an atmosphere that is more cautious and protective implies stages of consolidation or preparation for the next trend leg. However, deep declines in open interest have historically frequently preceded significant structural changes, either a healthier reversal or a downward continuation with less leverage.

ETH Withdrawals From Crypto Exchanges Have Spiked

Ethereum’s open interest drop comes at a time of a massive drop in ETH supply on crypto exchanges. Currently, ETH withdrawals have reached their lowest levels since 2016, reflecting growing trader caution and dampened short-term sell pressure. 

As more ETH is taken out of exchanges and placed in long-term holding locations, the liquid supply keeps decreasing. While the supply decrease bolsters ETH’s volatility, it also encourages price pressure to rise.

Over the last few years, Cardano has fallen into the background when it comes to decentralized finance (DeFi) participation as the likes of Solana and XRP ramped up. Solana triggered the meme coin wave that swept the market for two years, and XRP continued to push into institutional adoption with deals and partnerships, as well as regulatory compliance, while Cardano lagged behind. That is, until recently, that an anticipated launch changed the tide in favor of Cardano.

The Midnight (NIGHT) Token Launch That Changed Everything

Earlier this month, a new token rocked the crypto sphere as the Midnight (NIGHT) went live with its airdrop. At first, the token looked to be off to a slow start, crashing by over 90% from its launch $1.81 all-time high to reach below $0.025. This had made widespread news as airdrop claimers rushed to dump their tokens.

However, what seemed like a dead drop has begun to change, with the Midnight (NIGHT) token moving fast and taking the Cardano network along for the ride. As Bitcoinist reported, the token launch had essentially reignited interest in the Cardano blockchain, leading to over 122,000 transactions containing NIGHT tokens.

Midnight, which is a side chain of the Cardano network, focuses on investor privacy, leveraging the recent privacy narrative that has taken hold in the crypto market. With a large number of airdrop claimers having collected their tokens, and presumably sold, the token has begun to recover.

On Sunday, market reports showed that Midnight (NIGHT) was one of the best-performing altcoins in the market, rising over 30% in a 24-hour period. On the weekly chart, it showed a 44% increase, as its market cap rose above $1.5 billion again. However, that is not the thing that caught the Cardano founder’s eye.

Cardano Founder Trolls XRP And Solana With Midnight (NIGHT)

With the Midnight (NIGHT) token price soaring, there was a major spike in its trading volume, enough to catch the attention of Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson. Stakepool had taken to X (formerly Twitter) to share with the community that the Midnight (NIGHT) token had secured more trading volume than Solana and XRP combined.

Responding to this post, the Cardano founder pointed out that Midnight (NIGHT) was a native token of the blockchain and has managed more trading volume than both XRP and Solana combined. This is backed by data from CoinMarketCap, which shows Midnight (NIGHT) with a daily trading volume of over $6 billion, compared to $2.4 billion for XRP and $2.078 billion for Solana in the same time period.

However, Cardan itself continues to struggle, with $405 million in daily trading volume for the same time period. XRP and Solana are the 5th and 7th-largest cryptocurrencies in the market, with Cardano at 10th place, and Midnight (NIGHT) at 46th position.

According to a post shared on X by Keith Grossman, president of crypto payments firm MoonPay, finance is heading toward an onchain future that could unfold over several years.

The view comes as large banks and asset managers begin product tokenization, a move that once seemed extreme but is now being treated as a practical step by major institutions.

Regulatory Signals Push Institutions Forward

Based on reports cited by Grossman, progress has accelerated because rules are becoming clearer. Legislative efforts, regulatory guidance, bank involvement and accounting standards are starting to line up.

That combination reduces uncertainty, which is often what slows large pools of capital. BlackRock has already launched tokenized funds, while Franklin Templeton is running tokenized money market funds on public blockchains.

Those actions suggest that tokenization is no longer confined to pilot labs or internal trials. It is being used with real assets and real clients.

Bank of America recently said that banks are heading toward a multi-year, onchain future. A few years ago, that would have sounded radical. Today, it sounds inevitable.

20+ years ago, I began my career in media and saw firsthand what happens when an analog industry collides with…

— Keith A. Grossman (@KeithGrossman) December 21, 2025

Tokenization: Big Players Making Their Presence Felt

Banks are also taking part. Citi, Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase have all been linked to onchain settlement tests, tokenized deposits and near real-time asset transfers.

These projects focus on reducing friction in back-end processes that have existed for decades. Settlement that once took days could be shortened to minutes if shared ledgers are used. That change alone alters how risk, liquidity and cost are managed across markets.

Grossman framed the moment as similar to earlier shifts in other industries. He pointed to how legacy media struggled when distribution moved online more than 20 years ago.

At the time, many firms tried to protect old revenue streams instead of adapting. Some survived by changing early. Others lost influence as new platforms took control.

Tokenization: Old Revenue Lines Face Pressure

In finance, the pressure point sits in areas such as reconciliation, clearing, settlement and custody. These roles have long supported steady margins, partly because they depend on complex and slow systems.

Reports have disclosed that software and shared protocols can now handle much of that work. As a result, some services may become cheaper and less profitable over time.

That does not mean banks disappear. According to Grossman’s view, they remain central players, much like they did after ATMs reduced teller roles or when voice-over-internet systems cut long-distance call costs for telecom firms.

The institutions stayed, but their shape changed. The same pattern is expected here. Banks may rely more on software, fewer manual steps and new forms of infrastructure control.

Tokenization is moving faster than expected, according to MoonPay president Keith Grossman. Banks and asset managers are testing tokenized funds and onchain settlement, signaling that what was once experimental is now becoming practical.

The lenders and other big players are among the firms pushing the shift, showing the trend is already under way.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Bitcoin mining may be providing incremental support to the Russian ruble, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina said, while cautioning that the effect is difficult to measure because much of the sector still operates in a legal and reporting gray zone.

Bitcoin Mining May Support The Ruble

Responding to a question at a press conference, Nabiullina said it is “probably difficult to quantify” mining’s influence “because a significant part of mining is still in a gray area.” Still, she added that mining is “indeed one of the additional factors contributing to the strong ruble exchange rate.”

As Russian business news portal for RBC reported, her remarks come as Russian officials increasingly frame mining and crypto flows as macro-relevant, not just a niche tech or energy story. Earlier, Maxim Oreshkin, deputy head of the presidential administration, said ruble forecasts have been thrown off by the underestimation of financial flows tied to mining and cryptocurrency. In his view, the sector has effectively become a new export item that can influence the currency market, in part because it moves outside standard channels and therefore stays statistically “invisible.”

Nabiullina did not endorse a direct, one-to-one link between ruble strength and a sudden surge in mining. She stressed that mining did not appear in 2025, so it would be incorrect to attribute the ruble’s strengthening specifically to a sharp rise in mining activity this year. “This mining did not appear this year, so it is impossible to link the strengthening of the exchange rate specifically to the fact that it has somehow grown sharply,” she said. “There is probably some increase. Nevertheless, mining is indeed one of the additional factors contributing to the strong ruble exchange rate.”

Crypto Legislation Is Coming?

The central bank’s emphasis on measurement and legality is also tied to its broader push to “whiten” Russia’s Bitcoin and crypto market — bringing activity into a more formal framework where it can be monitored, constrained, and accounted for. Last week, first deputy chairman Vladimir Chistyukhin said it is now fundamentally important to “legalize” the cryptocurrency sector and called for laws governing crypto transactions to be adopted as soon as possible, including strict restrictions and prohibitions.

In parallel, the central bank is discussing rules for crypto trading with the Finance Ministry, Rosfinmonitoring, and other agencies. Under the approach described, crypto transactions would be conducted primarily through existing market participants operating under existing licenses, rather than through informal venues or bespoke structures.

Meanwhile, Anatoly Aksakov, the chairman of the State Duma Committee on Financial Markets, clarified last week that cryptocurrencies “will never” function as money inside Russia or in global trade.

For crypto markets, the significance is not that Russia has officially “blamed” or “credited” mining for the ruble’s moves. It is that senior policymakers are increasingly treating mining-linked flows as an input into currency-market dynamics — while pushing for regulatory plumbing that would make those flows easier to see, categorize, and control.

At press time, Bitcoin traded at $88,927.

Lawmakers in the US have put forward a discussion draft that would ease tax reporting for small stablecoin payments and let some crypto earners delay taxes on staking and mining rewards.

According to reports, the plan was circulated by Representatives Max Miller (R-Ohio) and Steven Horsford (D-Nev.). The proposal aims to clear up rules that many say are confusing for everyday users and small businesses.

Stablecoin Safe Harbor For Small Payments

Based on reports, the draft would create a safe harbor for regulated dollar-pegged stablecoins when they are used like cash. Under the plan, capital gains on stablecoin transactions under $200 would be exempt from tax.

That $200 threshold is meant to stop everyday buys — coffee, tips, small fees — from triggering tax paperwork and capital gains calculations. The exemption would only apply to stablecoins issued by a permitted issuer and that keep a stable peg to the USD.

A Deferral Option For Staking And Mining Rewards

Reports have disclosed another major change: taxpayers could elect to defer taxes on staking and mining rewards. Instead of being taxed the moment rewards are received, a taxpayer could choose to defer recognition for up to five years.

After that period ends the rewards would be taxed as ordinary income at fair market value. The choice would be voluntary, and some taxpayers might still face tax when they sell or convert assets later.

Mark-To-Market And Wash Sale Provisions Also Included

The draft does more than just touch stablecoins and staking. It would apply wash sale rules to digital assets, which limits the ability to claim artificial losses by quickly repurchasing the same token.

It also creates a path to elect mark-to-market accounting for certain traders, which would treat their holdings as sold at year-end for tax calculations. These moves are meant to align crypto tax practice closer to other parts of the tax code and to reduce gaps the IRS says exist.

A Draft, Not Yet A Bill

Lawmakers described the text as a discussion draft and have been talking with stakeholders and committees. The measure has not been formally introduced as a bill, and changes could come as it moves through the House Ways and Means Committee. If enacted, the framework is written to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Featured image from Chainalysis, chart from TradingView