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Quick Facts:

• The market puts the odds of another rate cut at 87% as the next Fed meeting is set for December 10, one week from now.
• Another rate cut could turn investors to risk-based assets like Bitcoin, which would result in a crypto pump across the board.
• Bitcoin Hyper introduces a Bitcoin Layer 2 with SVM integration, promising faster-than-Solana performance, ultra-low fees, and a Rust-based SDK for builders.
• The $HYPER presale raised over $28.8M so far and targets a release date between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026.

With markets now openly betting on Federal Reserve rate cuts and a softer dollar in 2025, crypto investors are back to asking the same question: how do you position for the next leg of Bitcoin’s cycle without simply stacking more spot $BTC and hoping for a 2x?

The next rate cut should come on December 10, with the market putting the odds of a favorable decision at 87% now. A successful cut would make crypto appealing to investors again, which could put an end to the current bear market.

Lower yields and fresh liquidity typically push capital out the risk curve.

Historically, Bitcoin leads that move, but the outsized returns tend to emerge in narratives that sit around $BTC rather than in $BTC itself – think exchanges in 2017, DeFi in 2020, or Ethereum scaling in 2021. This time, the infrastructure gap is obvious: Bitcoin is still slow, expensive, and hard to build on.

That’s the opening Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is trying to exploit.

Instead of asking you to rotate away from $BTC, it pitches a way to keep Bitcoin at the center of your thesis while getting leverage to a much higher growth curve. Its angle is simple: turn Bitcoin into a fast, smart-contract powerhouse and let the liquidity follow.

For you, that means a way to play the next Bitcoin uptrend with more upside than spot alone.

If the ‘Bitcoin Layer 2’ meme becomes the next dominant narrative, projects that actually make $BTC programmable at Solana-like speeds are positioned to capture significant attention, developer mindshare, and, ultimately, capital flows.

You can read more about what Bitcoin Hyper is right here.

Bitcoin Hyper Aims To Turn $BTC Into A High-Speed Smart-Contract Chain

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) delivers a Bitcoin Layer 2 designed around speed, low-cost execution, and developer-friendly smart contracts, without abandoning Bitcoin as the settlement root.

Instead of just scaling payments, it focuses on giving you Solana-style performance while keeping $BTC at the center of value transfer and collateral.

At the core is SVM integration, letting developers deploy familiar Solana-style smart contracts while tapping into Bitcoin’s trust and brand. The result, in plain terms: sub-second transaction speed, negligible fees, and a user experience where swaps, lending, gaming, and NFTs in $BTC no longer feel clunky or dated.

For users, that translates into high-speed payments in wrapped $BTC, low-fee DeFi, and NFT or gaming dApps that don’t grind to a halt when things get busy.

For builders, the Rust-based SDK and API aim to make it easy to spin up DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, and on-chain games where the base asset is Bitcoin, not an alt.

$HYPER is available today on the official presale page.

Can $HYPER Ride The Next Bitcoin Leg Higher?

$HYPER already raised over $28.88M in presale, following sustained investor participation and growing confidence in Bitcoin Hyper’s value proposition.

Based on the current trend, we expect the token to experience a post-launch boom, followed by a period of stabilization before the next leg-up.

Our price prediction for $HYPER suggests a potential target of $0.20 in 2026 and a $1.50 one for 2030, once the project reaches its developmental milestones. In terms of profit, think ROIs of 1,396% and 11,123% respectively.

This type of performance would recommend $HYPER as the best crypto to buy today, given the presale price of $0.013365.

If you believe the next liquidity wave will reward infrastructure that makes Bitcoin faster, cheaper, and more programmable, Bitcoin Hyper is a pure-play bet on that thesis rather than a vague ecosystem token.

You’re not just betting on $BTC going up; you’re betting on $BTC finally becoming usable as DeFi collateral, gaming currency, and high-speed payment rail.

If that isn’t incentive enough, maybe $HYPER’s long-term market potential is and the earlier you buy, the higher the potential gains. Which, given the presale’s projected end date between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026, adds a strong flavor or urgency.

Go to the presale page and buy your $HYPER today.

This isn’t financial advice. DYOR before investing.

Authored by Bogdan Patru, Bitcoinist: https://bitcoinist.com/best-crypto-to-buy-before-fed-rate-cuts

Bank of America is the latest traditional institution to warm up to Bitcoin, with its investment strategists set to cover four ETFs starting in January.

Bank of America To Begin Endorsing Crypto Exposure

As reported by Yahoo Finance, Bank of America will start recommending its clients a 1% to 4% portfolio allocation to digital assets. Until now, the bank’s wealth advisors couldn’t endorse crypto exposure and clients had to request access to digital asset products if they wanted them in their portfolio.

With this move, Bank of America advisors can begin recommending digital asset exposure to clients across the bank’s Merrill, Bank of America Private Bank, and Merrill Edge Platforms. “Our guidance emphasizes regulated vehicles, thoughtful allocation, and a clear understanding of both the opportunities and risks,” said Chris Hyzy, chief investment officer at Bank of America Private Bank.

Investment strategists will initially cover four Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) starting January 5. ETFs are investment vehicles that allow traders to invest into an underlying asset without having to directly own it. Since they trade on traditional platforms and are regulated, institutional entities prefer to invest through them.

The four spot Bitcoin ETFs Bank of America will be focusing on include Bitwise’s BITB, BlackRock’s IBIT, Fidelity’s FBTC, and Grayscale’s BTC.

Bank of America is one of the largest financial institutions in the world, ranking only second behind JPMorgan Chase in market cap and placing sixth largest in terms of total assets. It’s designated as a global systemically important bank (G-SIB) by the Financial Stability Board (FSB), meaning it’s so entrenched in world economy that instability related to it could have widespread consequences.

Even an institution of its size no longer being able to ignore Bitcoin showcases just how far digital asset adoption in traditional finance has come. “This update reflects growing client demand for access to digital assets,” noted Nancy Fahmy, head of Bank of America’s investment solutions group.

The news arrives just a day after Vanguard Group, one of the largest asset managers in the world, opened its doors to crypto ETFs and mutual funds.

Morgan Stanley, another G-SIB, broadened access to crypto exposure for its clients back in October. The financial services institution’s global investment committee suggested 2% to 4% allocation in digital assets.

Bank of America’s recommendation of 1% to 4% is quite similar. “The lower end of this range may be more appropriate for those with a conservative risk profile, while the higher end may suit investors with greater tolerance for overall portfolio risk,” added Hyzy.

Bitcoin Price

Bitcoin has already recovered from its Monday blow as its price has returned to $92,100.

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

Poland’s President Vetoes Divisive Crypto Bill

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Community Praises The ‘Necessary Decision’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BTC Price

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

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

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

FDIC Nears First Draft of GENIUS Act Stablecoin Rules

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

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

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

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

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

Regulators Outline Broader Digital-Asset Responsibilities

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

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

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

Treasury Continues Public Consultation Process

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

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

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

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

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

Cover image from ChatGPT, BTCUSD chart from Tradingview

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

Bitcoin’s Tendency To Recover

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

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

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

The Targets That Could Materialize

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

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

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

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

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

Old Coins Start Moving as Macro Fear Collides With Policy Shifts

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

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

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

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

Bitcoin Struggles to Recover as Daily Trend Remains Firmly Bearish

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

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

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

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

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

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

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

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

Prediction Contracts Move On-Chain

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

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

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

Will the Move Capture Liquidity and Challenge Polymarket?

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

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

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

Solana Expands Multi-Chain Prediction Economy

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

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

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

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

Cover image from ChatGPT, SOLUSD chart from Tradingview

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

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

Franklin Templeton Expands Into A Wider Multi-Asset ETF

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

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

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

Dogecoin Steps Into New Phase Of Institutional Exposure

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bitmine Expands Its Massive Ethereum Position

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

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

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

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

ETH Tests Weekly Support as Trend Weakens

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

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

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

Featured image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

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

What The Draft Will Cover

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

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

Market Reaction And Immediate Impact

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

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

Stablecoin: How The Law Got Here

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

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

Public Comment Period

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

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

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

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

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

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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

Bitcoin Price Crash To Threaten Tether USDT Stability 

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

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

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

Analyst Fires Back Against Hayes’ USDT Claims

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

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

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

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

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

An Explosive uptick In XRP Ledger’s Activity

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

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

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

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

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

Open Interest Suffers A Steep Decline

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

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

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

Concerns have emerged over whether Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto’s 1 million BTC fortune could be hacked. Crypto analyst Camol claims that advanced quantum computing could eventually crack Nakatomo’s wallet, draining it entirely. The analyst’s argument has sparked heated debate across the crypto community, with many critics dismissing the claims as unfounded and misleading. 

Will Quantum Computing Crack Nakamoto’s Bitcoin?

In an X post released on Monday, December 1, Camol predicted that Nakamoto’s BTC wallet will be drained within the next 10 years as quantum computing power advances exponentially. He called this rapid, annual double acceleration Neven’s Law, warning that the Bitcoin creator’s over $131 billion BTC stash could eventually be exposed to unprecedented risks and hacks. 

Camol’s argument focuses on Bitcoin’s secp256k1 elliptic curve and ECDSA signatures, which are used to secure wallets. He claims that these could eventually be reversed using Shor’s Algorithm, a quantum algorithm that, in theory, can break elliptic curve cryptography once sufficiently powerful quantum hardware exists. The analyst warns that if such a technology becomes viable, it could compromise the security of even the most well-protected Bitcoin holdings—in this case, Nakamoto’s. 

In his post, Camol also stated that Satoshi’s 1 million BTC fortune could face additional vulnerability because the wallet address is protected by a 160-bit hash that has never been exposed through spending activity. He claims that a powerful quantum attack could crack the hash and reveal the public key, eventually uncovering the private key through multiple attempts. The analyst also pointed out that sophisticated bad actors, such as state-sponsored groups and wealthy cybercriminals, could access Nakamoto’s BTC wallet. 

Experts And AI Dismiss BTC Quantum Hacking Claims

Crypto analyst @level941 on X sharply rebuked Camol’s claims, emphasizing that Satoshi’s BTC holdings are fundamentally more secure than most coins in circulation. He surmised that because Satoshi’s BTC is stored in early P2PKH addresses, the public keys will remain hidden and the wallet will stay locked unless the Bitcoin creator manually removes his coins. 

@level941 called Camol’s statements “false” and “incorrect,” noting that Quantum computers can only break RSA or ECC systems when the public key is known. This means that Satoshi’s BTC is protected by a 160-bit RIPED160 hash that quantum machines cannot brute force in any foreseeable timeline. 

The analyst also argued that if the Bitcoin network ever migrated to a quantum-safe signature scheme, Satoshi’s unmoved coins would become permanently locked rather than hacked or drained. Independent analysis from advanced AI systems further rejects Camol’s quantum-hacking narrative as scientifically unsupported. 

According to reports, present-day quantum computers have fewer than 1,000 noisy qubits, far short of the millions of error-corrected qubits required to break Bitcoin’s cryptography. AI systems also highlight that there is no evidence suggesting that a Bitcoin-breaking quantum machine will appear within ten years. It also revealed that Neven’s Law, which Camol referenced, is no longer considered a reliable predictor of long-term growth in quantum computing. In conclusion, the odds of Nakamoto’s BTC fortune being hacked are extremely low for at least the next few decades. 

Crypto pundit Rob Cunningham has outlined a scenario where Ripple could achieve a $7 trillion valuation based on the XRP price. The crypto firm is notably the largest XRP holder, which is why a significant surge in the altcoin’s price could increase the company’s valuation. 

Ripple Could Hit A $7 Trillion Valuation With An XRP Price Of $250

In an X post, Cunningham predicted that Ripple could hit a $7 trillion valuation if the XRP price were to rally to $250.  Specifically, the pundit outlined a scenario where the company’s XRP position could account for $4.25 trillion of its valuation. He claimed that Ripple owned 17 billion XRP, which would amount to $4.25 trillion at $250 per XRP, the projected price. 

Cunningham noted that this trillion-dollar valuation for Ripple, based on an XRP price surge to $250, would make the company 6.6x times more valuable than Visa and 8.6x times more valuable than Mastercard. $4.25 trillion also represents 3.6% of the world’s GDP, which stands at $117 trillion. 

Based on an XRP price of $250, the pundit noted that the total XRP market value would be $15 trillion. Ripple’s 17 billion XRP holdings represent 28% of the circulating supply. Meanwhile, Cunningham listed other factors that could drive the firm to a $7 trillion valuation, including the passage of the CLARITY Act. 

Other Factors That Would Contribute To A $7 Trillion Valuation

In addition to the XRP price surge to $250 and the CLARITY Act, Cunningham listed the Treasury’s approval of Ripple’s business as another factor. The pundit explained that the Treasury approval would mean that XRP and XRP Ledger (XRPL) would get global regulatory clarity as a core infrastructure layer for the new monetary system. 

He also outlined a scenario where RLUSD and XRP become the default U.S. dollar rails globally, which would also contribute to Ripple’s projected $7 trillion valuation. The pundit noted that RLUSD already has a $1 billion market cap with $95 billion in payment volume and is growing. Cunningham also indicated that the XRP price could easily rally to $250, as this scenario positions XRP for a global settlement role rather than just another crypto asset. 

The pundit also gave a “conservative” equity value of $1.3 trillion to $2.7 trillion for the payment firm. He noted that markets could apply a 60% to 80% discount to the $4.25 valuation, given an XRP price surge to $250 due to the high concentration in a single asset. 

Cunningham also alluded to the political risk, as if Ripple’s payment system becomes the default settlement rail, governments may want a say in their operations. He also outlined possible capital controls, windfall taxes, or forced restructurings as other factors that could reduce Ripple’s projected $7 trillion valuation.

With the crypto market turning increasingly bearish, Bitcoin’s price has experienced another pullback, bringing it closer to the $80,000 mark once again. Along with the current drop in price, BTC’s derivatives market is showcasing bearish performance, suffering one of its steepest declines of the ongoing cycle.

Mass Derivative Unwind For Bitcoin

In a volatile landscape, Bitcoin’s Open Interest (OI) has contracted sharply as though the speculative framework supporting the market were suddenly removed. This steep drop in open interest comes after a sudden pullback in the price of BTC, causing it to lose the previously reclaimed $91,000 mark.

A report from Darkfost, a market expert and author at CryptoQuant, shows that the open interest has been sliced in half, indicating a drastic shift in investors’ sentiment and behavior. With a massive portion of leverage being evaporated, the market now stands unusually silent, while it prepares for its next decisive trigger.

Darkfost highlighted that Bitcoin leveraged positions continue to get liquidated or are being intentionally closed. Despite the recent drop in BTC’s price, this period of uncertainty is not bolstering traders’ enthusiasm to increase their exposure to risk.

Currently, the market is exhibiting a risk-off attitude, a trend that is understandable given the current state of the crypto environment. As a result, the open interest of BTC has cleared a whopping $20 billion. Data shared by the expert shows that the key metric fell from 47.5 billion BTC to 28.35 billion BTC between October 6 and December, indicating a drop of half during the period. 

According to the expert, this is the worst flush in both the current cycle and the history of Bitcoin since the availability of the derivatives market. “I continue to say that the derivatives market has a major impact on Bitcoin and is the number one driver,” Darkfost stated.

BTC Percentage Loss Hits Historic Level

As the Bitcoin price continues to pull back, short-term BTC holders are feeling the weight of the waning action. These holders, also referred to as retail investors, have realized substantial losses from their positions. 

Darkfost’s research is based solely on the spot market. His objective is to identify a very particular group of investors who speculate over the short term. With a realized price of $113,692, BTC holders between 1 month and 3 months are now experiencing the largest percentage loss in the ongoing market cycle. 

For the past two weeks, this group of investors has been holding average unrealized losses between 20% and 25%. During his cycle, these phases have been linked with the creation of a bottom. This is because the cohort often has to decide between two behaviors: selling or holding.

In the event that a large portion of these traders are capitulating, this is typically the moment when the opportunity to accumulate BTC becomes more interesting, as observed in recent weeks. However, this setup becomes valid if the bullish trend remains intact in the long term, which Darkfost expresses trust in for the meantime.

Elon Musk, CEO di Tesla e SpaceX, ha riacceso il dibattito su Bitcoin dopo un recente post in cui ha affermato che la criptovaluta è «basata sull’energia» e che l’energia, a differenza della moneta tradizionale, «non può essere falsificata». Il commento, pubblicato su X, ha attirato rapidamente l’attenzione di investitori, analisti e figure politiche.

Il messaggio è arrivato mentre i mercati erano già in movimento: al momento del post Bitcoin oscillava intorno agli 86.500$, con un sentiment piuttosto instabile. I media crypto hanno registrato in poche ore una raffica di reazioni, sia da parte di trader sia di osservatori istituzionali. Alcuni hanno interpretato le parole di Musk come un possibile supporto alla narrativa di BTC come strumento di protezione dall’inflazione.

Bitcoin come “moneta energetica”

Nella sostanza, Musk lega il valore di Bitcoin al processo di mining: per coniare nuovi BTC e proteggere la rete, i miner devono consumare energia reale. Secondo lui, questo legame con una risorsa fisica renderebbe Bitcoin più difficile da manipolare rispetto alla moneta fiat, che può essere creata a discrezione delle banche centrali.

Out now @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/dQVLniUgWA

— Nikhil Kamath (@nikhilkamathcio) November 30, 2025

In un estratto dell’intervista con Nikhil Kamath, diffuso di recente online, Musk ribadisce questa idea, presentando l’energia utilizzata dal mining non come un difetto, ma come un elemento che genera scarsità e affidabilità. Diverse testate specializzate hanno analizzato il concetto, mettendolo a confronto con le critiche passate dello stesso Musk sull’impatto ambientale del mining.

Reazioni di mercato e riflessi politici

La risposta non si è fatta attendere. Da un lato, i sostenitori di Bitcoin hanno accolto il commento come una conferma della solidità di BTC. Dall’altro, alcuni regolatori e osservatori più prudenti hanno invitato a non leggere le parole di Musk come un segnale strutturale.

In parallelo, altre notizie hanno alimentato la discussione: varie fonti hanno riportato che SpaceX avrebbe movimentato quasi 270 milioni di dollari in Bitcoin, un’operazione che alcuni trader ritengono potenzialmente significativa per la dinamica di mercato. Nel complesso, il post di Musk rischia comunque di influenzare il sentiment degli investitori, almeno nel breve periodo.

L’argomento energetico: cosa implica davvero?

Il punto centrale del ragionamento è semplice: l’energia non può essere creata dal nulla, mentre la valuta tradizionale può essere emessa in quantità maggiori dagli Stati. Questa idea risuona soprattutto tra coloro che temono che l’aumento della spesa pubblica, unito all’espansione dell’AI e delle tecnologie ad alta intensità energetica, possa mettere sotto pressione il sistema monetario attuale.

I critici ribattono però che l’energia impiegata per minare Bitcoin è consumata e non si trasforma in un bene fisico come l’oro, che accumula valore. Il prezzo di BTC, secondo loro, continua a dipendere principalmente da domanda, aspettative di mercato e percezione di utilità, più che dal semplice costo energetico.

Tra passato e presente: un cambio di tono

Il nuovo commento di Musk rappresenta un cambio di tono rispetto al 2021, quando Tesla sospese i pagamenti in Bitcoin proprio per via dell’alto impatto energetico del mining. Negli anni successivi il settore è cambiato in parte: alcuni operatori hanno aumentato l’uso di fonti rinnovabili, mentre altri continuano a dipendere da combustibili fossili.

Il dibattito, oggi, intreccia fattori tecnologici, economici e geopolitici, ed è improbabile che si chiuda rapidamente. Ma l’intervento di Musk conferma una cosa: il tema dell’energia resta uno degli assi portanti nella discussione globale su Bitcoin — e continuerà a influenzare sia la narrativa sia le scelte degli investitori.

Kalshi has switched on tokenized versions of its event contracts on Solana, making its first explicit play to court the same crypto-native traders who have funneled billions of dollars into rival prediction platform Polymarket.

Instead of holding positions solely as traditional off-chain contracts on Kalshi’s regulated venue, users can now buy and sell tokenized representations of those wagers on Solana. The economic exposure is identical, but the wrapper is crypto-native: the bet becomes a transferable token on a public blockchain.

Solana Lands Kalshi’s First Fully Tokenized Event Markets

“The tokenized versions of the contracts work the same way as the regular ones found previously on Kalshi’s platform,” the company told CNBC. The key difference is market structure. By trading the tokens rather than the contracts themselves, users can operate with greater pseudonymity and more flexibility in how they custody and move positions, putting Kalshi “on par with Polymarket, which allows users to trade directly on-chain.”

Support for these tokenized wagers is already live on Solana. Decentralized finance protocols DFlow and Jupiter are onboarding as institutional conduits, effectively bridging Kalshi’s off-chain orderbook into Solana’s liquidity. That link is designed to let crypto-native traders discover, route and size positions through the DeFi stack while Kalshi continues to run its core matching and settlement infrastructure in a regulated environment.

The timing coincides with a sharp upswing in prediction market activity. Combined trading volume in prediction markets reached almost $28 billion through October 2025, with a weekly record of $2.3 billion in the week of October 20, according to data cited from Crypto.com’s research arm. Kalshi’s thesis is that the next leg of growth will be driven by the digital asset market, which it pegs at roughly $3 trillion and heavily populated by traders already comfortable with on-chain risk.

“There’s a lot of power users in crypto,” said John Wang, Kalshi’s head of crypto. “This is about tapping into the billions of dollars of liquidity that crypto has, and then also enabling developers to build third party front ends that utilize Kalshi’s liquidity.”

Founded in 2018, Kalshi was the first exchange to roll out federally regulated event contracts on US congressional races for American traders in late 2024, following a years-long legal battle with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Since then, it has expanded to roughly 3,500 markets, raised more than $300 million at a $5 billion valuation, and grown its footprint to over 140 countries, according to the company.

That regulatory and capital advantage is being tested as Polymarket moves to relaunch in the US and other competitors scale. Kalshi’s leadership is effectively betting that deeper liquidity is the decisive differentiator — and that crypto traders are the marginal source of that liquidity.

Digital asset holders tend to trade prediction markets at higher volumes than non-crypto users, Wang said, arguing that their funds can meaningfully thicken orderbooks and sharpen pricing across Kalshi’s markets. “If you have a market with no liquidity, then you don’t really have a market,” he said. “People can’t really trade size or get the prices that they want.”

At press time, Solana (SOL) traded at $126.86.

According to on-chain tracking, BitMine added 23,773 Ether over three days as the market softened. The buying included 7,080 ETH for close to $20 million on Monday and 16,693 ETH for roughly $50 million on Saturday. Based on reports, those two transactions together pushed the firm’s recent outlay to nearly $70 million.

BitMine Steps Up Accumulation

The purchases follow a larger wave of buying from last week, when Bitwise moved 96,800 ETH for roughly $273 million. Reports have disclosed that BitMine now holds about 3.7 million Ether at an average cost of $3,008 per coin.

That puts the treasury in the red at current prices, but management appears focused on long-term targets: the firm says it is about 60% of the way toward a plan to control 5% of Ether’s supply.

The scale of that aim is unusual. Few corporate treasuries aim for a single-asset share that large. Market watchers see the moves as a clear bet that Ether will be worth substantially more over time, even if the present valuation shows paper losses. The strategy is heavy accumulation during weakness, not trading around price swings.

It seems that Tom Lee(@fundstrat)’s #Bitmine just bought another 7,080 $ETH($19.8M) 2 hours ago.https://t.co/yZbTCFm9GT pic.twitter.com/JHb3WYDa0a

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) December 2, 2025

Tom Lee’s Targets Shift Again

Meanwhile, Tom Lee, who chairs BitMine, has stepped back from earlier, bolder forecasts for Bitcoin. He previously expected Bitcoin to reach $250,000 by the end of 2025. In recent public comments he first softened that call and then said on CNBC that Bitcoin could reach a new all-time high by the end of January. Lee tied that outcome to a recovery in equities, which he said he expects.

Grayscale Research Counterpoints Cycle Fears

Grayscale Research released analysis pushing back against the idea that Bitcoin must follow the usual four-year halving cycle. The firm suggested BTC could make new highs in 2026 and urged investors to view large pullbacks as part of normal market swings.

Pricing data shows Bitcoin fell about 30% from its October peak through most of November, hitting roughly $84,000 briefly before edging back to about $86,909 as of early Tuesday, according to price feeds.

Why These Moves Matter Now

Large, coordinated buying by treasury firms can shift market psychology. When groups with deep pockets step in, some traders see it as a sign of conviction. At the same time, these entities can take months or years to reach break-even if prices stay below their average purchase levels. That dynamic makes markets more sensitive to both supply concentration and the pace of future buying.

BitMine’s on-chain activity will likely draw more attention if additional large transfers appear. Shifts in the firm’s average cost per ETH may also become a talking point, along with any new remarks from Tom Lee about his updated timeline. Analysts are already examining whether Grayscale’s stance on the halving cycle gains support from other major market participants.

Featured image from BIS Safety Software, chart from TradingView

Quick Facts:

• Bitnomial is launching the first CFTC-regulated US spot exchange, moving crypto assets under federal oversight rather than fragmented state rules.
• This shift toward regulated infrastructure is expected to improve market integrity and attract institutional capital to projects with genuine utility.
• Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is a new Layer 2 raising significant capital to bring Solana-grade speed and DeFi capabilities to the Bitcoin network.
• PEPENODE ($PEPENODE) and Pudgy Penguins ($PENGU) offer distinct value propositions through gamified mine-to-earn mechanics and established Web3 IP branding.

Bitnomial is getting ready to launch the first CFTC-regulated spot crypto market in the US, and honestly, this is way more than just another news headline.

The filing details updates to company rules that will allow spot trading, but don’t impact compliance standards.

It’s the clearest sign yet that crypto is finally ‘growing up.’ We are seeing digital assets starting to play by the same federal rules as traditional commodities and FX, rather than dealing with that messy, fragmented state-by-state patchwork we’re used to.

For everyday investors, this is a big deal. A venue supervised by the CFTC means we finally get clearer rules on safety, surveillance, and market integrity.

• Safety First: Tighter guardrails make big institutions feel safe enough to enter the market.
• Better Trading: Institutional money deepens the order books, which usually leads to better price discovery for everyone.

When regulated money enters the picture, projects with actual utility tend to separate themselves from the speculative noise. You can already see this shift happening: smart capital is flowing into real infrastructure, established brands, and new token models rather than anonymous, copy-paste meme forks.

In a market that is maturing this fast, the best cryptos to buy now are the projects that can plug directly into this regulated environment while still offering upside.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER), PEPENODE ($PEPENODE), and Pudgy Penguins ($PENGU) are three examples that are well-positioned for this shift. 1. Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER): The Upgrade Bitcoin Has Been Waiting For

Think of Bitnomial as upgrading the rails we trade on. Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is upgrading the engine of Bitcoin itself. Bitcoin Hyper solves $BTC’s well-known limitations by introducing a radical new architecture: it’s a Bitcoin Layer-2 powered by the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM).

Instead of trying to force Bitcoin to do things it wasn’t built for, Bitcoin Hyper uses a modular approach:

• The Fortress: Bitcoin Layer 1 remains the ultimate settlement and security layer.
• The Speedster: A real-time SVM Layer 2 handles the execution.

A trusted sequencer batches transactions and anchors them back to Bitcoin. The result? You get the impenetrable security of Bitcoin with the sub-second speed and fractions-of-a-penny fees of Solana. Want a full breakdown? Check out our ‘What is Bitcoin Hyper’ guide.

This design attacks Bitcoin’s legacy limitations head-on.

• DeFi on Bitcoin: Finally, you can deploy swaps, lending, and staking primitives directly on Bitcoin rails.
• Speed: Route high-speed payments in wrapped $BTC without waiting 10 minutes for a block.
• Dev Tools: It uses Rust SDKs (the same language Solana uses), meaning developers don’t have to learn a new language to build dApps.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is the fuel behind this juggernaut. The market isn’t just watching; it’s buying in. The $HYPER presale has already swept up over $28.8M, with tokens priced at roughly $0.013365 and 40% staking rewards.

Get your $HYPER today. 2. PEPENODE ($PEPENODE): Turning Memes into a Strategy Game

PEPENODE ($PEPENODE) is at the intersection of memes and mining economics, and the world’s first mine-to-earn meme coin. If traditional memes are about ‘buy and pray,’ PEPENODE is about ‘play and stack.’

Forget about loud ASICs or burning up your GPU; PEPENODE swaps physical mining for a gamified dashboard. You run nodes in a virtual environment, managing your setup to accrue rewards over time.

It offers that satisfying ‘proof-of-work’ feeling of earning your tokens daily, but without the electricity bill or the hardware arms race.

And you can get rewards in more than just the native $PEPENODE. Popular coins like $PEPE and $FARTCOIN are up for grabs for top performers.

Investors are clearly hungry for a meme project that offers more than just a funny picture. The presale has already pulled in over $2.24M, with tokens sitting at $0.0011731. This capital flow suggests people are willing to back novel mechanics.

Already want in? Check out our ‘How to Buy PEPENODE’ guide.

In a regulated market where pure speculation might get harder, PEPENODE’s defense is deep user engagement. The mine-to-earn system creates a sticky loop that keeps you coming back to check your nodes, rather than just checking the chart.

If you believe that community-driven, interactive economies have more staying power than attention-only tokens, this is the play.

If you don’t want to miss out on 578% annual staking rewards; stake your $PEPENODE today. 3. Pudgy Penguins ($PENGU): A Masterclass in Web3 Branding

Pudgy Penguins ($PENGU) is the cultural play. Starting as a blue-chip NFT collection, it has successfully morphed into a full-blown Web3 IP brand.

$PENGU is the Solana-based native token that powers this entire ecosystem, with an 88.8B supply and a heavy focus on community distribution.

$PENGU sits right at the center of everything: access to Pudgy World experiences, integrations across the Abstract Network’s gaming stack, and gated merchandise. This gives $PENGU a completely different profile than single-app tokens or isolated NFT coins because it’s backed by a brand that actually exists in the real world.

Culturally, the brand has serious reach. You can find Pudgy Penguins toys on the shelves of major retailers, and it’s drawn massive institutional attention.

Recently, $PENGU rallied over 60% just because Coinbase adopted a Pudgy Penguins NFT as its profile picture, which shows exactly how tightly price tracks with brand visibility.

In a market shaped by regulated venues like Bitnomial, recognizable IP feels safer to traditional capital than anonymous DeFi experiments. If you want exposure to a Web3 brand that already resonates with non-crypto audiences, Pudgy Penguins and the $PENGU token are worth a serious look.

You can get your $PENGU on top exchanges like Binance.

Recap: As Bitnomial readies the first CFTC‑regulated US spot crypto exchange, projects with real infrastructure, innovative distribution, and strong brands like Bitcoin Hyper, PEPENODE, and Pudgy Penguins look best positioned to surge.

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

Authored by Ben Wallis, Bitcoinist – https://bitcoinist.com/best-crypto-to-buy-as-bitnomial-launches-first-regulated-US-spot-exchange/