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The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) — the bureau responsible for regulating and supervising all national banks — has announced that US financial institutions may hold crypto assets to cover blockchain network fees.

National Banks Allowed To Manage Crypto 

In a letter released on Tuesday, the OCC stated that banks are permitted to pay network fees to facilitate activities involving digital assets, provided the banks can foresee a legitimate need for holding these currencies. 

The letter, which was signed by the Senior Deputy Comptroller and the Chief Counsel of the regulatory agency, states that a bank’s proposal to manage crypto assets on its balance sheet for the purpose of settling network fees is acceptable under current regulations.

Additionally, the OCC confirmed that national banks can hold digital assets as a principal asset for testing platforms related to crypto activities, whether these systems are developed in-house or sourced from third-party services. 

Banks To Trade Stablecoins For Payment Processing

The regulator acknowledged that requiring banks to rely on external parties for crypto assets could increase operational costs and risks, potentially deterring thorough testing of their systems.

Furthermore, national banks may borrow securities from custody customers that are ineligible for purchase for their own accounts. This permits banks to lend these securities to third parties without exposing themselves to credit risk from the customers.

The guidelines also indicate that banks are allowed to buy, sell, and issue stablecoins to facilitate payments. If a bank already possesses the operational capacity to manage the purchase, sale, and custody of digital assets in conjunction with other permissible activities, minimal additional operational hurdles are anticipated for acquiring, holding, and utilizing crypto to address network fees.

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

According to viral posts circulating on social media, a dramatic Bitcoin forecast is drawing attention this week. Bitcoin is trading around $93,700, down about 26% from its October peak of $126,200.

Reports have disclosed a November drop that brought a 15% correction earlier in the month. Short bursts above $96,000 have already faded, and at one point the price slipped below $93,000.

Bold Prediction From A High IQ Claimant

YoungHoon Kim, who has publicly claimed an IQ of 276, says Bitcoin will hit $220,000 within 45 days. Based on reports, that would mean roughly a 130% gain from current levels.

His forecast was shared in a short clip on X, where he offered no technical charts or on-chain evidence to support the jump. He did, however, pledge to donate 100% of any profits he makes from the rally to “build churches for Jesus Christ in every nation,” a motive he cited alongside his bullish view.

As World’s Highest IQ Record Holder, I expect #BITCOIN is going to $220,000 in the next 45 days.

I will use 100% of my Bitcoin profits to build churches for Jesus Christ in every nation.

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” (Luke 1:37) https://t.co/1zVoeuxk5C pic.twitter.com/eY7RcAjx0p

— YoungHoon Kim, IQ 276 (@yhbryankimiq) November 16, 2025

Market Moves And Sentiment

Price action has been choppy. There was a quick rise to about $96,000 that failed to hold, then a retreat below $94,000. Several tries to break and stay above $100,000 have not stuck, and trader confidence has slipped.

Based on reports, some market watchers point to panic selling by short-term holders and position rotation among “OG”, or longer-term holders as drivers of this volatility.

Institutional buying and long-term holders are still present in the market, and their activity provides liquidity that some believe will support prices over time.

How This Fits Other Forecasts

Other bullish calls are being cited alongside Kim’s prediction. Fundstrat’s Tom Lee has maintained a year-end target range of $200K-$250K. A technician known as Egrag Crypto has also highlighted a $220,000 level in past commentary.

Reports show these targets overlap, but the methods behind them differ, and the timing is not always tied to the same drivers.

Technical And Practical Hurdles

Reaching $220,000 within weeks would require Bitcoin to reclaim price zones that have flipped from support into resistance.

That means buying pressure would need to outpace selling across multiple price levels. No single indicator guarantees such a sharp move, and the short-term past performance demonstrates how quickly sentiment can shift.

Featured image from The Effective Church Group, chart from TradingView

With the market struggling to regain bullish traction, Solana continues to trend downward, now hovering around the $130 price level. During this sharp pullback in SOL’s price, there has been a notable selling spree among investors, which seems to have migrated to those held in treasury reserves.

Ongoing Sell-Off Extends Into Solana Treasuries

After closing on a negative note on Monday, Solana’s ongoing bearish performance has expanded into another day. At the same time, a surprising shift in institutional sentiment and action has emerged concerning the thriving SOL treasuries narrative.

As the market wanes, one of Solana’s key treasury-backed companies has started to dump portions of its SOL holdings. OxNobler, a DeFi researcher and crypto investor, shared this change in sentiment, which is stirring fresh debate regarding the altcoin’s outlook in the short term.

Forward Industries, the largest SOL treasury company in the sector, is currently carrying out this renewed selling activity. The move comes at a time when Solana has been experiencing increased institutional attention and strong on-chain activity, making the decision to sell unexpected and should be closely monitored.

According to the researcher, Forward Industries has begun selling its over 6.8 million SOL holdings valued at a staggering $1.65 billion. OxNobler highlighted that the leading treasury company acquired SOL just 2 months ago. However, the firm is now selling off its holdings at a massive loss as the price of SOL keeps dropping.

Following this move to sell, speculations are whether this action is a strategic repositioning in the face of market volatility or a standard treasury rebalance. Such a sale from institutional investors is likely to inject a new layer of complexity into Solana’s narrative and its price trajectory in the weeks ahead.

A Hub For Seasoned Crypto Engineers

While large corporations may be dumping SOL, Vibhu, the mid-tier manager at the Solana Foundation, advocates buying the leading altcoin, predicting it could rise to the $1,000 price mark. The manager’s conviction is fueled by the network’s growing recognition and adoption by developers.

According to Vibhu, SOL is the epicenter of the most gifted network engineers, DeFi and consumer founders, and creatives in the cryptocurrency space. In addition, the only decentralized, scaled network that covers consumer goods, institutional products, and everything in between is Solana.

Vibhu calms that SOL has the best integration with onramps, exchanges, neobanks, and brokerages aside from Ethereum and Bitcoin. Unlike ETH and BTC, the network’s strategic value is based on driving unchain usage and revenues, a narrative that registers with everyday investors.

This year has been remarkable for SOL, achieving multiple milestones, which is expected to be more obvious in the upcoming months and years. Presently, Solana is half the age of Ethereum, but has the same or higher level of mindshare across the board; in other words, the slope is steeper. “There are product categories in which Solana is currently behind, and it will not remain that way forever,” Vibhu stated.

MicroStrategy, a publicly traded business intelligence company, is facing new heat as world-class economist Peter Schiff unleashes a blistering takedown of the firm’s all-in Bitcoin (BTC) bet. As the price of Bitcoin slides below key levels, Schiff has warned that MicroStrategy’s model cannot sustain itself, arguing that a critical flaw could push the company into a “death spiral.” His claims have sparked a fierce debate within the crypto community, with many outrightly dismissing his perspective as exaggerated, while others closely monitor the market as pressure intensifies. 

MicroStrategy To Face Bitcoin-Fueled Death Spiral

Schiff’s latest criticism centers on MicroStrategy’s use of preferred shares to accumulate additional Bitcoin. He argues that the company’s business model only works if income-oriented funds buy into high-yield preferred shares, yet he insists the promised yields are simply a fantasy. 

According to him, once institutional buyers realize that the returns cannot be paid out, they will exit the investment, preventing MicroStrategy from issuing more shares. In his view, this could trigger a death spiral he believes is already unfolding. 

Notably, Schiff’s warning was met with immediate frustration from crypto community members who argued that MicroStrategy does not depend on preferred shares for survival. The commenter dismissed the possibility of a death spiral, insisting that the shares are merely a tool for expanding the business intelligence company’s Bitcoin stash and are not tied to operational stability. 

Schiff fired back, saying that without the ability to produce Bitcoin yield, MicroStrategy has nothing valuable to offer investors. His remarks came at a tense moment in the market. The price of Bitcoin had fallen toward $90,000 while gold hovered near all-time highs at $4,000, reinforcing the global economist’s long-held belief that gold is superior to BTC. 

Adding more fire, he stressed that the leading cryptocurrency had crashed 40% from its record highs and pointed out that the drop looks even worse when compared to gold, which has been performing fairly well. Moreover, with the MSTR stock down more than 50% over the past six months, the timing of his verbal attack on MicroStrategy couldn’t be more perfect for the skeptic. 

MicroStrategy Faces Trouble As Stock Falls Below BTC

Co-founder of EasyA, Don Kwok has highlighted a major risk with MicroStrategy’s stock trading below Net Asset Value (NAV). This means that the company’s market cap is lower than the value of its Bitcoin holdings. Historically, no treasury company has stayed below NAV for long without consequences.

Kwok explained that MicroStrategy’s business model works only if MSTR trades at a premium NAV. When it falls below, issuing new shares dilutes shareholder exposure because the company gives away more ownership that it receives in Bitcoin. He warned that if the stock continues to decline, it could lead to further losses, potentially increasing market volatility.

Crypto exchange Binance has announced that BlackRock’s tokenized fund, BUIDL, will now be accepted as collateral on the platform. This comes as the tokenized fund expands to the BNB chain, a move welcomed by the exchange’s former CEO, Changpeng Zhao. 

What The Binance Partnership With BlackRock’s BUIDL Means

Binance has partnered with BlackRock’s BUIDL to expand its collateral offerings for institutional off-exchange settlement services, Binance Banking Triparty, and MirrorRSV. The exchange has now added support for BUIDL, which is a tokenized short-term U.S. Treasury fund. The exchange explained that its Banking Triparty is a custodial solution designed for institutions that separates asset custody from trading execution. 

With this, users can trade on the crypto platform by pledging fiat or fiat-equivalent collateral such as BlackRock’s BUIDL, which a regulated third-party banking partner will hold. Meanwhile, the crypto exchange also explained that MirrorRSV is an off-exchange custody solution provided by Ceffu, its institutional crypto custody partner. 

MirrorRSV allows users to trade on Binance while the assets remain in segregated cold wallets and can be verified on-chain. The exchange noted that this gives institutions enhanced transparency and auditability while retaining access to the exchange’s liquidity. This move is expected to boost institutional crypto adoption, as these options are meant to provide easy access to the crypto space. 

Binance also announced that BlackRock’s BUIDL will launch on the BNB Chain, further enhancing access and interoperability across on-chain applications. The tokenized fund is already supported on the Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, and Aptos networks. The fund is also available on Ethereum layer-2 networks such as Polygon, Arbitrum, and Optimism. 

Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao commented on BlackRock BUIDL’s partnership with Binance and its launch on BNB. He welcomed BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, to the crypto platform and the BNB Chain, noting that BlackRock manages $13 trillion in assets under management (AUM), making the deal a major one for crypto. Notably, Franklin Templeton, which has $1.53 trillion in AUM, also recently launched its tokenization platform, BENJI, on BNB. 

Features Of The BUIDL Integration

Binance stated that through the BlackRock BUIDL integration, its institutional users can now hold the tokenized fund off-exchange with Ceffu and Binance’s regulated, third-party banking partners. That way, they will be able to earn yield on their collateral while also trading on the crypto exchange. The crypto exchange added that this move will effectively address user needs, enable confident scaling of allocations, and ensure regulatory compliance. 

BlackRock’s BUIDL joins other supported yield-bearing assets on Binance, which include USYC and cUSDO, which were integrated earlier this year. Crypto pundit Coachty noted that the partnership is TradFi-crypto convergence in real time. He added that BUIDL is becoming the go-to institutional asset in the tokenization boom and that the flow of capital into on-chain RWAs is only getting started.

Quick Facts:

• The Dogecoin vs Bitcoin debate underscores a clash between long-term stability and high-risk, community-led speculation.
• Retail traders continue to hunt for low-cap tokens capable of delivering explosive growth reminiscent of Dogecoin’s early cycles.
• Stealing the spotlight from both $BTC and $DOGE, Maxi Doge introduces a utility-backed model built on competitive trading events and collective rewards.

The long-running Dogecoin vs Bitcoin conversation has always split the crypto world into two distinct camps.

For years, investors have weighed the differences between these philosophies, comparing Bitcoin’s slow-and-steady resilience with Dogecoin’s capacity for dramatic upside.

Bitcoin sits atop the market as digital gold: scarce, secure, and designed for long-term value preservation.

Dogecoin, created as a joke, evolved into a symbol of internet culture, fueled by community enthusiasm and viral momentum.

This rivalry reflects a deeper tension within the market.

• Bitcoin offers stability, but its price point feels out of reach for smaller traders looking for monumental gains.
• Dogecoin once filled that void, as its early cycles delivered extraordinary returns. But its current size makes massive surges increasingly difficult.

Recently, Bitcoin just gave the market a scary signal, a ‘Death Cross’ (where the 50-day moving average dips below the 200-day one). This hasn’t happened since 2021, and historically, it puts some serious pressure on the whole crypto space.

Dogecoin ($DOGE) saw a quick spike to $0.162, but then late-session selling basically wiped out those gains. The big takeaway? $DOGE is still super sensitive to whatever Bitcoin is doing.

Traders are constantly scanning the horizon for the next crypto to explode: something culturally strong and priced low enough to deliver those once-in-a-cycle gains.

That search has brought attention to new entrants that blend the excitement of early meme coins with modern utility.

One of the most talked-about contenders, Maxi Doge ($MAXI), is shaping its identity around a “1000x leverage” mindset, pulling from high-adrenaline trading culture and layering it with community rewards.

It marks a shift in the meme coin landscape, moving away from simple jokes and toward fully built ecosystems designed for ambitious participants.

Maxi Doge Forges a New High-Leverage Trading Culture

Maxi Doge ($MAXI) is Doge’s bulky cousin, meant to represent the strength needed to thrive in a volatile market. His mantra, ‘never skip leg day, never skip a pump,’ speaks to traders who see the market as a place to sharpen both financial instincts and discipline.

Retail traders often struggle to match the confidence and capital of whales; Maxi Doge addresses that gap by cultivating a collective identity, backed by competitions and incentives that reward conviction.

Maxi Doge also intentionally leans into the high-risk, high-reward mentality that defines leverage trading. Its ‘Leverage King Culture’ serves as the backbone of its brand, as a framework through which the entire project operates.

The core philosophy of lift, trade, repeat mirrors the discipline required in fitness and in trading, creating a thematic bridge between the two worlds.

In other words, the project brilliantly turns individual ambition into a coordinated movement, which makes it one of the best meme coins to buy now.

This approach is clearly striking a chord. Maxi Doge’s presale has already surpassed $4 million, indicating strong early belief in its mission.

Visit the Maxi Doge ($MAXI) presale for a closer look at the project.

Could $MAXI be the Next Meme Coin to Explode?

This fusion of meme-driven branding and engagement tools positions Maxi Doge as a fresh force in the Dogecoin vs Bitcoin conversation. It maintains the fun and virality of a meme coin while adding structure, incentives, and community tools.

As part of boosting engagement, Maxi Doge will organize holder-exclusive trading competitions with real rewards, complete with leaderboards that encourage participation and growth.

Another major component is the staking program. Holders can lock up $MAXI to earn attractive passive income, currently at 76% APY.

And at the center of Maxi Doge’s sustainable meme coin model is the Maxi Fund – a treasury dedicated to maintaining liquidity, supporting partnerships, and fueling marketing campaigns.

Together, these features present a compelling alternative for traders navigating the Dogecoin vs Bitcoin divide. So it wouldn’t be surprising to see $MAXI explode, as explained in our price forecasts for 2025, 2026, and 2030.

Built on the Ethereum network, Maxi Doge uses an ERC-20 smart contract for supply management and reward distribution. For detailed presale instructions, read our ‘How to Buy Maxi Doge’ guide.

Since $MAXI has successfully passed smart contract audits by Coinsult and Solidproof, it significantly reduces the typical early-stage risks of code exploits or scam-related vulnerabilities.

Join the $MAXI presale today for $0.0002685. But hurry, as a price increase is looming.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please conduct your own research before investing in any cryptocurrency.

Authored by Bogdan Patru for Bitcoinist — https://bitcoinist.com/dogecoin-vs-bitcoin-maxi-doge-presale-challenger

I dati rivelano che la maggior parte delle aziende con tesoreria in Ethereum stanno attualmente scambiando al di sotto del loro mNAV, a dimostrazione dell’impatto dell’ultimo crollo del prezzo. Ma cerchiamo di comprendere al meglio la situazione. Tanto per cominciare il termine mNAV sta per “Multiple of Net Asset Value”, ed è un rapporto che confronta il valore dell’azienda sul mercato con il valore delle criptovalute che possiede. Quando un’azienda ha un mNAV maggiore di uno significa sostanzialmente che questa vale più delle sue riserve in crypto, e che gli investitori vedono un modello di business sostenibile e promettente.

Le Aziende con Tesoreria in Ethereum Sono in Difficoltà

In un nuovo thread su X, Charles Edwards, fondatore di Capriole Investments, ha discusso alcune metriche relative alle aziende che detengono Ethereum in tesoreria. Una “treasury firm” è una società quotata che ha adottato un asset digitale come Bitcoin o Ethereum come strategia di riserva.

L’idea è stata resa popolare dalla strategia di Michael Saylor (ex MicroStrategy), che nel 2020 ha scelto di diventare una società con riserva in BTC. Da allora, è cresciuta fino a diventare di gran lunga il più grande detentore aziendale di asset digitali, con un investimento enorme di 47,54 miliardi di dollari.

In passato, le aziende vedevano solo Bitcoin come un asset di riserva praticabile, ma quest’anno si è registrato un aumento dei detentori di ETH, la criptovaluta al secondo posto per capitalizzazione.

La “frenesia” delle aziende verso Ethereum ha raggiunto il picco in agosto, ma da allora il ritmo di crescita ha mostrato un rallentamento, come evidenziato dal grafico condiviso da Edwards.

Acquisti Istituzionali di Ethereum

Dal grafico è chiaro che il tasso di variazione delle tesorerie ETH resta positivo nonostante il rallentamento, suggerendo che le aziende continuano ad accumulare. Ciò significa che, nonostante i recenti deflussi dagli ETF spot, gli acquisti istituzionali restano superiori – anche se di poco – alla crescita dell’offerta della criptovaluta.

Il Modello di Business delle Tesorerie ETH Non Sta Funzionando per Molte Aziende

Come sottolinea l’analista, la maggior parte delle aziende ha un valore mNAV inferiore a 1. Come abbiamo già spiegato, il mNAV è una metrica che confronta la capitalizzazione di mercato di un’azienda con il valore totale dei suoi asset di riserva. Un valore inferiore a 1 implica che la valutazione della società è inferiore al valore delle sue riserve.

Attualmente, circa il 64,3% delle aziende con tesoreria in Ethereum si trova in questa condizione, ergo il mercato non crede molto nella sostenibilità di queste società. Una sostenibilità resa sempre più precaria in una condizione di difficoltà di ETH.

Edwards spiega:

“Ciò significa che il quadro delle aziende con tesoreria in ETH è molto più debole rispetto a quello di Bitcoin.”

Chiaramente, le tesorerie ETH stanno affrontando pressioni. Ma qualcuna sta vendendo? I dati suggeriscono che la maggior parte non lo sta facendo, poiché il rapporto netto acquisti/vendite rimane solido.

Sebbene quasi tutti i detentori corporate di Ethereum siano ancora acquirenti netti, il rapporto buy/sell ha iniziato a scendere mentre il prezzo dell’asset sta vivendo un periodo ribassista. Attualmente ETH è scambiato per circa 3.000 dollari, in un mese ha perso circa il 21% del proprio valore.

Quick Facts:

• 1️⃣ Kazakhstan is clarifying its crypto rules, creating a friendlier environment for regulated mining and digital-asset activity.
• 2️⃣Crypto assets can now circulate across Kazakhstan, no longer restricted to the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC).
• 3️⃣ PEPENODE introduces a hardware-free mine-to-earn structure that lets users access mining-style rewards through virtual nodes instead of rigs, making the experience accessible to retail users priced out of traditional mining

The regulatory environment in the Central Asian crypto mining hub, Kazakhstan, is shifting from a grey area to an increasingly structured one. Recent reforms give clearer legal footing for digital-asset mining, exchange activity, and tokens.

A recent amendments bill vastly expands the range of options for crypto miners and users within the country. Essentially, Kazakhstan is giving a green light to crypto mining and moving the crypto industry a bit more into the limelight.

The new law:

• Expands circulation
• Allows mining by both individuals and entities
• Permits mined crypto to be traded on more exchanges

Kazakhstan’s move also sends a signal to the rest of the world. As jurisdictions like Kazakhstan upgrade their frameworks, projects that lean on real-world utility or scalable models (rather than pure hype) may benefit.

Against that backdrop enters PEPENODE ($PEPENODE), a meme-coin presale combining gamified ‘mining’ mechanics with virtual nodes, built on the premise of lowering entry-barriers for everyday miners.

PEPENODE ($PEPENODE) – Meme-Coin Momentum with Innovative Mine-to-Earn Mechanism

PepeNode proposes a novel ‘mine-to-earn’ structure: rather than acquiring expensive rigs or relying on intense energy consumption, users purchase virtual mining nodes inside a gamified dashboard. The node upgrades, leaderboard mechanics, and reward system aim to replicate mining engagement minus the hardware burden.

In addition to generating earnings in $PEPENODE itself, the mine-to-earn play includes rewards in market-leading meme coins, such as $PEPE and $FARTCOIN.

Presale highlights include:

• $0.0011546 token price
• $2.1M presale raise
• 596% staking rewards during the presale
• 210B token supply

With low-barrier access to a mining-style experience, a catchy meme narrative, and early-stage entry with presale pricing, PEPENODE brings all the benefits of mining to the meme coin sector, but without the real-world costs of intensive equipment.

Kazakhstan, PEPENODE Usher in New Mining Era

Mining barriers, including cost, hardware, and electricity, have pushed many retail users out of traditional crypto mining. That forces them to new frontiers, like Kazakhstan, or to innovative models where participation can be virtualised or abstracted. That’s precisely where $PEPENODE comes in.

In the meantime, there’s another trend emerging. Meme coins have matured beyond pure jokes. Projects integrating game-mechanics, community engagement, and reward loops are earning more serious attention.

That trend supports our PEPENODE price prediction, which shows $PEPENODE climbing from its current price to $0.0072 by the end of 2026. That represents 523% gains if you bought at today’s $0.0011546 token price.

Our prediction highlights the potential for the project to fit in perfectly with growing regulatory clarity (as in Kazakhstan). The trend signals that some jurisdictions are moving from the ‘wild west’ to more structured regimes.

That creates both headwinds, with more oversight, and opportunities; legitimate mining and regulated frameworks. For participants, that means paying attention not just to token mechanics but to jurisdiction, compliance, and roadmap fulfilment.

Any positive regulatory narrative tends to bolster confidence. Kazakhstan’s evolving crypto laws and mining-friendly yet regulated posture provide a contextual tailwind for mining-adjacent concepts.

Within an increasingly pro-mining context, don’t miss $PEPENODE’s mine-to-earn opportunity.

Please remember to do your own research. This article is for information purposes only.

Authored by Bogdan Patru for Bitcoinist — https://bitcoinist.com/kazakhstan-expands-crypto-mining-framework-setting-up-pepenode

The entire cryptocurrency market is experiencing one of the largest bloodbaths ever, with the price of Bitcoin now dangerously trading close to the $90,000 mark, a level last seen in April 2025. Amid this sharp correction, a renewed buying pressure has been spotted in the market as investors flock in, reaching unprecedented levels.

Record Buying Activity Among Bitcoin Investors

Even with Bitcoin’s price being heavily bearish, the flagship crypto asset is exhibiting an unusual shift in market dynamics that is drawing notable attention in the sector. A report shared by CryptoQuant, a leading on-chain data analytics platform, states that BTC has witnessed the largest wave of accumulation, which is unfolding in the middle of an ongoing selloff. 

Prices have been declining and short-term sentiment has tipped unfavorably, but a strong undercurrent of strategic buying has formed beneath the surface. In the Quick-take post, MorenoDV, a market expert and author, highlighted that strong hands are absorbing supply at a pace that leads to price tops. However, the price of BTC is still showing bottom-like action. 

Historically, Bitcoin’s price experiences a rally that leads to the formation of local tops whenever demand from wallet addresses keeping their coins, particularly long-term holders or price-insensitive owners, increases sharply. These holders seem to absorb circulating supply, create a supply squeeze in the market, and start a brief rally. It is worth noting that once their demand subsides, prices typically decline.

However, the ongoing trend is moving away from past patterns. There has been a surge in demand from these permanent holders from 159,000 BTC to 345,000 BTC since October 6, marking the largest accumulation in recent market cycles. Meanwhile, BTC’s price is declining sharply, rather than rallying.

Two highly Potential Outcomes Following The Massive Demand

Presently, strong hands are gathering an enormous amount of BTC, but the market as a whole is in a state of extreme fear and uncertainty, with billions of dollars in unrealized losses. When demand from those investors who never sell increases swiftly during a downward trend, it often paves the way for one of two high-probability outcomes.

The first scenario pointed out by the expert is a meaningful rally. This rally is set to be driven by robust supply absorption that eventually allows these investors to distribute into renewed retail adoption. A key trend to note is that smart money is buying panic-selling at a discount. Thus, a powerful rally is likely as supply dries up when retail finally capitulates.

Moving on, the second scenario is a final leg down, where prices wash out market appetite leftovers prior to the formation of a more durable trend. MorenoDV noted that the price has much more downside ahead, and this accumulation might be capturing falling knives. 

If BTC’s downtrend persists, accumulation appetite could entirely be destroyed, causing even seasoned holders to reconsider. Whether the first or second scenario plays out, MorenoDV stated that the signal remains the same. Long-term capital is massively returning while short-term holders’ sentiment is capitulating. 

This divergence rarely lasts long, but it usually resolves with force once it does. After the examination, MorenoDV declares that this is one of those situations where staying data-driven typically matters most, and not sentiment-driven.

Quick Facts:

• The market is seeing a major institutional rotation as long-term Bitcoin holders sell to new institutional players like traditional finance funds and ETFs.
• Institutional buying is driving the demand for a faster Bitcoin execution layer, proving the “old cycle theory” is obsolete due to strong new liquidity.
• Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is a Layer 2 built using SVM technology to give Bitcoin sub-second transactions and low gas fees for dApps and utility.
• Bitcoin maintains its role as the secure base layer, while Bitcoin Hyper transforms it from a ‘store of value’ to a high-speed playground for DeFi and general use.

For years, Bitcoin has been the heavyweight champ of security but the slowest runner on the track. Everyone trusted it, everyone bought it, but nobody could pretend it was fast.

Meme coins? Impossible. Cheap transactions? Forget it. dApps? Developers laughed and walked away. And with Bitcoin’s tiny throughput and poor scalability, the chain was basically a digital gold bar that sat still and looked pretty.

Now the market is shifting. Institutions are buying Bitcoin in size, and even OG Bitcoiners are cashing out to them. That alone shows Bitcoin is far from dead.

The current dip is a perfect illustration of this changing market structure. CryptoQuant founder and CEO, Ki Young Ju, posted on X that the selling is merely a rotation from original long-term holders to new institutional players like traditional finance funds and ETFs, with strong liquidity inflows from these new channels signaling that the old cycle theory is obsolete.

Bitcoin has simply reached the point where the next evolution needs more speed, more utility, and more tech than the base chain can offer. And that is exactly where Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) steps in.

With this new crypto project, the old chain feels like it just got a full makeover. A proper facelift. Bitcoin Hyper arrives as a Layer 2 built on the SVM, one of the fastest blockchain engines in the world.

Suddenly, Bitcoin unlocks sub-second transactions and tiny gas fees.

Developers, builders, and degens finally get what they always wanted but never had: high-speed action on Bitcoin itself.

Bitcoin is no longer limited to being a store of value. Payments feel instant again. Apps can live on-chain instead of being pushed elsewhere. Bitcoin stays as the trusted, solid base layer, while Bitcoin Hyper becomes the playground where everything actually happens.

And it is built for builders, for degens, and for the culture. Tooling, support, and incentives are all baked in, with enough raw speed to make the entire crypto world blink twice.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) – Bridging Bitcoin’s Past to a High-Speed ​​Future

Bitcoin earned its reputation by being the safest and most trusted base layer in crypto. It locks in value, keeps the chain secure, and does not break. But that strength came with a price.

Bitcoin never had the speed or flexibility needed for modern applications. Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) changes that by building a modular Layer 2 on top of Bitcoin’s settlement layer.

Bitcoin stays the rock. $HYPER becomes the engine.

Execution moves off-chain, using the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), where transactions fire almost instantly and cost next to nothing.

The SVM is the key that unlocks all of this. Developers can use Rust and build smart contracts that actually feel modern. We go into further detail in our ‘What is Bitcoin Hyper‘ guide.

Suddenly, Bitcoin can support DeFi, lending, trading platforms, and even complex on-chain products that were never possible before.

Movement between layers stays smooth thanks to a built-in Canonical Bridge that lets $BTC flow into Hyper’s ecosystem with no hassle.

This architecture gives users everything they were missing: fast payments, cheap transfers, NFT marketplaces, gaming, and real room for builders.

Instead of watching other chains run ahead, Bitcoin finally gets its own high-speed playground. Bitcoin Hyper takes Bitcoin’s secure past and connects it to the kind of future people have been asking for.

Join the $HYPER presale today.

Why Buy $HYPER Now

Investors see a clear trend. Institutional money is pouring into Bitcoin after ETF approvals, but the base chain still cannot support modern financial tools.

That gap created demand for a real execution layer. Bitcoin Hyper fills that gap with speed, cheap transactions, and cross-chain features that Bitcoin always needed.

Buyers are getting early access to the ecosystem that will run everything on $HYPER.

With over $27.8M raised, the market already showed strong belief in the Layer 2 future of Bitcoin.

Institutions are now looking for scale, smart contracts, and real utility on top of Bitcoin. Bitcoin Hyper delivers all of that while letting Bitcoin remain the trusted, secure base layer underneath. Want in but not sure how? Check out our ‘How to Buy Bitcoin Hyper‘ guide.

If Bitcoin is leveling up, $HYPER is the ticket that gets you inside the upgrade.

Bitcoin Hyper brings Bitcoin into the high-speed era. Fast payments, cheap transactions, DeFi, meme coins, and full cross-chain movement all live under one system.

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Remember, this is not intended as financial advic,e and you should always do your own research before investing. 

Authored by Bogdan Patru, Bitcoinist — https://bitcoinist.com/institutions-buying-bitcoin-fuel-demand-for-bitcoin-hyper-l2

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November 18, 2025 • 10:00 UTC

Bitcoin’s recent plunge below $90,000 has shaken the market, erasing its 2025 gains and stirring ‘extreme fear’ among investors.

This sharp decline, driven by a ‘death cross’ and stalled ETF inflows, has left many wondering about the future of cryptocurrencies. With Bitcoin facing significant resistance and market sentiment at its lowest since 2022, top altcoins like Ether and Solana have followed suit in losses.

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November 18, 2025 • 10:00 UTC

As Solana ETFs from Fidelity and Canary Marinade launch today, the crypto market is buzzing with renewed interest in Solana. Despite recent volatility, including a 9% dip, $SOL’s price has rebounded by over 3% recently, with increasing trading volumes signaling growing investor confidence.

The launch of Fidelity’s Solana ETF ($FSOL) and Canary Marinade’s ($SOLC) marks a significant step forward in making Solana more accessible to mainstream investors.

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Authored by Ben Wallis, Bitcoinist – https://bitcoinist.com/best-meme-coins-live-news-today-november-18-2025

Crypto privacy coins have become the front-runners of the market recently, rallying even when Bitcoin and other altcoins have been on the decline. As the privacy narrative continues to run, there have been obvious winners and some that are yet to move in accordance. So, here is a list of some of the most popular privacy cryptocurrencies that could be on their way upward as investors rush to take advantage of this new narrative.

ZCash (ZEC) Leads Recovery For Crypto Privacy Coins

ZCash (ZEC) has moved up rapidly recently to become the foremost crypto privacy coin by market cap. The network, which is focused on providing privacy and anonymity for crypto users, saw the price of its native ZEC token rise by more than 40x in one month.

ZCash (ZEC) has become one of the foremost cryptocurrencies because it provides total anonymity for crypto users. This means that transactions on the network are untraceable, and users can keep their transaction history completely secret by using ZCash.

Even after rising to more than $700, expectations are that the price will continue to rally, with calls for $1,000 becoming louder on social media platforms. Currently, ZCash’s market cap is above $11 billion, putting it ahead of the likes of Litecoin (LTC).

Monero (XMR) Loses Privacy Coins Lead

Interestingly, Monero (XMR) is known as the OG privacy coin and was the first to go ‘mainstream’ when it comes to the crypto industry. It gradually became synonymous with hiding crypto transactions, and this drew a different kind of attention to the cryptocurrency.

Governments began paying attention as rumors circulated that bad actors were using Monero (XMR) to move their illicit cryptocurrencies, earning bans from various governments. This led to the delisting of Monero (XMR) from exchanges such as Binance and Kraken.

As a result of the crackdown, the Monero (XMR) price has struggled to keep up with the market. Data from CoinMarketCap puts it as the third-largest privacy coin, losing its top spot to the likes of ZCash (ZEC) and Litecoin (LTC).

Litecoin (LTC) Could Be Gearing Up For A Bounce

Out of the top 3 privacy coins listed on CoinMarketCap, the Litecoin price has performed the worst. In the last month, the ZEC price has risen by over 200%, Monero has rallied more than 35%, while Litecoin (LTC) has shown less than 10% gains for the same time period.

Given this, it is likely that attention will turn to Litecoin next as investors jump out of the likes of ZEC with their gains. Such a movement could put the Litecoin price above $150,000 in the short term if there is a breakout with momentum.

 

The much-anticipated crypto Market Structure Bill, designed to enhance clarity in the digital asset landscape in the United States, is reportedly preparing for markup sessions in early December. 

Crypto Sector Anticipates Detailed Review Before Thanksgiving

In a recent report by Eleanor Terret from Crypto In America, Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman expressed his commitment to this timeline, noting that the government shutdown had postponed his initial plans to proceed with markups earlier this week. 

Currently, there is an effort to have draft bills prepared within both the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Senate Banking Committee ahead of the markups.

Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott, who had aimed for a Banking bill markup by the end of September, has yet to announce a date for his committee. 

The text related to this bill has not been released since it shifted to a bipartisan initiative following recent reconciliatory roundtables conducted on Capitol Hill. It remains uncertain whether the draft will be made public before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Terret asserted that if the Banking Committee delays its release, the crypto industry will have ample material to examine over the holiday season, particularly the Senate Agriculture draft. 

However, notable sections in this proposal have been left blank, specifically regarding the regulation of decentralized finance (DeFi), and other legislative language remains bracketed, indicating unresolved issues among lawmakers.

Year-End Pressures

Digital Chamber CEO Cody Carbone remarked on the need for collaboration between the two committees, stating, “Right now it’s being done in somewhat of a siloed format.” 

He anticipates that the Senate Agriculture Committee will continue to gather feedback from the industry and progress in filling in the blank sections over the next few weeks.

Carbone also highlighted that the Banking Committee is likely to take the initiative on DeFi regulations, which predominantly fall within its jurisdiction. This aspect of the legislation, which has garnered significant interest and will likely undergo substantial scrutiny, has not yet been disclosed.

If both committees can finalize their respective drafts for markup next month, the subsequent step would involve merging these documents into a singular piece of legislation for a full Senate vote. 

However, the urgency of the situation is amplified by the approaching holiday season and the year-end deadlines, with expectations that the voting process and potential enactment of the market structure bill could push into next year’s session. 

As Carbone pointed out, “We’re running out of time, not just in the calendar year, but in this Congress.” Despite these challenges, optimism remains within the industry. 

Paul Grewal, Chief Legal Officer of crypto exchange Coinbase, recognized the importance of resolving key details but expressed confidence that the bill would ultimately progress. 

“I know some people fret over the details that remain to be resolved,” he stated. “But I think we’re going to get it done, even if it feels like there are still some important obstacles that remain.”

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

Strategy has just revealed its latest Bitcoin buy, its largest in a while and an indication that the price crash hasn’t scared away the BTC hoarder.

Strategy Has Acquired Another 8,178 Bitcoin

In a new post on X, Strategy Chairman Michael Saylor has announced the latest BTC acquisition made by the company. As is usually the case, the Monday announcement was preceded by a Sunday post with the company’s Bitcoin portfolio tracker, this time with the caption “₿ig Week.”

Saylor had also been doing other teasing for this purchase, like writing on Friday, “We bought bitcoin every day this week.” And indeed, the buy has turned out to be a big one.

In total, Strategy has added 8,178 tokens to its holdings with this purchase, spending $835.6 million. According to the filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the acquisition was funded alongside $136.1 million in sales of the company’s STRF, STRC, and STRK at-the-market (ATM) stock offerings.

Strategy has been a consistent buyer of BTC in recent months, but lately, the firm was only making small purchases, making it look like its accumulation was slowing down. The latest buy, however, has broken the pattern.

It’s the largest Bitcoin acquisition that the company has completed since July 29th, when it made a monster purchase of 21,021 BTC for $2.46 billion. Back then, market conditions were completely different, with BTC having hit fresh highs just earlier that month.

The latest purchase, on the other hand, has come while the market has been facing significant bearish momentum, making it an especially bold one. So far, though, the bet hasn’t worked out, as BTC has only continued to slide lower.

The new $835 million round of accumulation occurred in the period between November 10th and 16th, and involved an average coin price of $102,171. BTC’s current value is down more than 8.5% compared to this mark.

Following the acquisition, Strategy owns a total of 649,870 BTC, with a cost basis of $48.37 billion. At the moment, the company’s treasury is worth $60.6 billion, putting it in a profit of 25%. Thus, while Bitcoin may have been going down, the firm still has room to absorb further downside.

Strategy isn’t the only large market participant that has ramped up buying recently. As analyst James Van Straten has pointed out in an X post, the large holders have been showing a slowdown in distribution.

The indicator cited by the analyst is Glassnode’s Accumulation Trend Score, which tells us whether buying or selling is dominant among Bitcoin investors. From the above chart, it’s apparent that this metric has been close to 1 for the 100 to 1,000 BTC investors recently, a sign that the so-called “sharks” have been participating in strong accumulation.

The “whales,” holders lying in the 1,000 to 10,000 BTC range, have shown more mixed behavior, but the latest trend has been that of neutrality. The 10,000+ BTC holders, often called “mega whales,” are also showing a neutral behavior right now, but in their case, the neutrality marks a shift: these investors had been in a phase of distribution since August.

BTC Price

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is floating around $92,700, down more than 12% over the last seven days.

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

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

Crypto Money Laundering Operations Linked To Huione Group

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

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

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

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

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

Insufficient Regulatory Oversight?  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Canada’s Crypto-Cash Service Compliance Concerns

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FINTRAC Faces Regulatory Challenges

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aave Labs Introduces Savings-Style App

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

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

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

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

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

Traditional Financial Giants Adopting Crypto

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ETF Investors Remain in Profit Despite Market Fear

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

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

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

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

Bitcoin Finds Support Amid Heightened Market Fear

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

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

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

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

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

Has The Bitcoin Bear Market Arrived?

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Bitcoin On-Chain Data Says

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

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

Is The CryptoQuant CEO Right Again?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Short-Term Holders Show Signs of Capitulation as Losses Mount

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com