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Heightened volatility continues to hamper Bitcoin’s price, which is currently hovering around the $86,000 threshold after falling from its all-time high. During this prolonged period of bearish price action, there has been an increase in long bets among investors, especially large holders, also known as whales.

Whale Dominates Bitcoin Long Positions

While the price of Bitcoin struggles to gain upward traction once again, an interesting divergence has been observed among BTC whales and retail investors. Specifically, the BTC derivatives market is showing a startling imbalance where retail traders are either wary or outright suspicious, and whales are stocking up on long bets at one of the most aggressive levels witnessed this cycle.

Joao Wedson, a market expert and the founder of Alphractal, shared this development on the social media platform X after examining the key Bitcoin Whale Vs. Retail Delta metric. Presently, an intriguing picture of market psychology is being painted by this growing gap between large holders and small investors.

Following the research, the expert found that whale investors are heavily positioned in long bets in comparison with retail holders for the first time in the history of BTC. This implies that institutional-sized wallets are exhibiting a strong commitment toward a possible significant upside move as retail continues to hedge, de-risk, or stay on the sidelines.

Another interesting part of this divergence between the two cohorts is the potential of a local bottom in BTC’s price. Wedson highlighted that whenever these levels reached this high in the past, it usually led to local bottoms, suggesting that a flip in Bitcoin’s current price trend might be on the horizon.

However, this could also result in the liquidation of large positions. In the meantime, speculations are whether retail is once again missing the signal before the next major swing or if the whales are early.

BTC 100+ Whale Wallets On The Rise

BTC whales are not only loading up on the flagship crypto asset via long bets. A recent report from Santiment, a leading market intelligence and on-chain data analytics platform, reveals a growing BTC accumulation trend on-chain among the cohort. Whales returning to the market hints at increased conviction in Bitcoin and its long-term prospects.

This renewed buying spree is evidenced by the ongoing rise of whale wallet addresses containing at least 100 BTC. Santiment highlighted that the number of the cohort has experienced a +0.47% increase since November 11, as 91 new wallets emerged within the time frame. 

Bitcoin whales may be rising, but this has not been the case for small or retail investors, particularly wallet addresses holding 0.1 BTC or more. During the same time frame, the group has decreased in numbers, signaling an impending capitulation among retailers. However, according to Santiment, retail capitulation will generally play out well for cryptocurrency prices in the long run.

Kevin Hassett has surged ahead in the race to become the next Federal Reserve Chair, as the crypto market watches closely. Hasset emerged as President Donald Trump’s preferred candidate while the administration accelerates its search ahead of a planned Christmas announcement.

With Jerome Powell’s term ending in May 2026, the stakes for markets, especially crypto, are enormous.

Hassett Leads the Pack as Trump Eyes Aggressive Rate Cuts

Multiple reports from Bloomberg, Reuters, and other outlets confirm that Hassett, the current director of the White House National Economic Council, has become the clear frontrunner among five finalists vetted by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Others still in contention include Kevin Warsh, Christopher Waller, Michelle Bowman and BlackRock executive Rick Rieder. But it is Hassett’s alignment with Trump’s preference for faster and deeper interest-rate cuts that has put him in pole position.

In recent interviews, Hassett said he would cut rates “right now” based on current economic data, a sharp contrast to Powell’s more cautious approach. Prediction platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket now show Hassett with roughly 55%–57% odds of being nominated, well ahead of his rivals.

Crypto Ties Raise Questions, and Fuel Market Optimism

Hassett’s candidacy is drawing extraordinary attention from the digital asset world. Earlier this year, he disclosed holding more than $1 million in Coinbase stock, along with receiving over $50,000 for serving on Coinbase’s Academic and Regulatory Advisory Council.

He also chaired the White House’s digital asset working group, crafting key crypto-policy recommendations, including stablecoin regulation, taxation guidelines and elements of the administration’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve proposal.

These ties have sparked questions about potential conflicts of interest, given the Fed’s oversight of banking exposure to crypto and stablecoin frameworks.

Yet many industry analysts view his ascent as a major bullish catalyst. Bitwise strategist Juan Leon said a Hassett-led Fed would be “strongly supportive of digital assets,” citing his dovish monetary stance and direct industry experience.

Markets Brace for a Potentially Transformative Fed Shift

Trump’s dissatisfaction with Powell, combined with internal divisions over inflation, labor data and the pace of easing, has only intensified speculation. The Fed has already delivered two cuts this fall, with markets widely expecting a third in December.

If nominated and confirmed, Hassett would usher in one of the most crypto-friendly and pro-growth Federal Reserve leaderships in modern history.

With the announcement expected before Christmas, both Wall Street and the crypto markets are watching closely for what could be a defining moment for monetary policy and digital asset regulation.

Cover image from ChatGPT, BTCUSD chart from Tradingview

CME Group has confirmed through its official communications on X that spot-quoted futures for XRP and Solana will go live on December 15, subject to regulatory approval. 

The message was simple but clear, and these crypto heavyweights might see new institutional products hitting the market soon. The announcement quickly led to attention across the crypto market, given CME’s position as the leading venue for institutional-grade derivatives.

Understanding Spot-Quoted Futures For XRP And Solana

The crypto market is beginning to regain some upward momentum after several weeks of persistent declines. Prices have struggled since the start of November, yet the industry has continued moving forward in important areas. 

This trend is especially due to the launch of Spot XRP ETFs and Spot Solana ETFs in the US, with issuers like VanEck, Bitwise, Fidelity, and Franklin Templeton all introducing altcoin-based products that are now competing for institutional attention.

The recent update by the CME Group shows that there are still many important crypto products to be launched. The introduction of XRP and Solana into CME’s expanding list of futures offerings arrives at a time when demand from professional investors is widening beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. 

Institutions have been searching for regulated pathways to participate in major altcoins, and CME’s timeline suggests that both crypto assets are about to enter into a new layer of market infrastructure comparable to Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Spot-quoted futures are designed to follow the live prices seen in the spot market rather than using an index or blended reference rate. CME has structured these contracts to be smaller and easier to access, with the group noting that “good things come in small packages.”

Why This Launch Matters For Institutional Access

CME’s move demonstrates that institutional interest in altcoins has reached a new level. Providing spot-quoted contracts creates a simpler, more direct way for large investors to trade these assets without confronting the operational risks of holding them outright.

CME also disclosed earlier in the year that it plans to introduce full 24/7 trading by early 2026. This step was aimed at matching the continuous pace of the crypto market, rather than waiting for traditional market windows.

In terms of price action, both cryptocurrencies are starting to look good. XRP is now back trading above $2.20, while Solana has reclaimed $140. 

It’s important to note that the new Spot-Quoted XRP and SOL futures are still waiting for approval. As December 15 approaches, many altcoin traders will be watching for regulatory clearance. Once approved, XRP and Solana could experience a noticeable change in institutional interaction, and this will undoubtedly contribute positively to price action before the end of the year.

In a notable step forward, Cardano (ADA) has achieved yet another major milestone that cements its growing position in the broadening world of digital finance. Despite ongoing waning price performance, the leading altcoin is persistently viewed as a reliable asset in next-gen financial infrastructure, as evidenced by its recent confirmation as ISO 20022 Compliant.

CoinMarketCap Confirms Cardano as ISO 20022 Compliant

Amid increased recognition of crypto assets in the financial sector, Cardano continues to make its presence known. A recent report from Mintern, the Chief Meme Officer (CMO) at Minswap, shows that Cardano has just secured a major boost in terms of credibility. 

According to the report from Mintern, the altcoin has officially appeared on CoinMarketCap’s ISO 20022-compliant list. ISO 20022 is a global messaging standard used by banks and Traditional Financial institutions for payments and financial transactions.

The notable milestone now places ADA among a select group of digital assets that align with the global financial messaging standard of ISO 20022. This is more than just a cosmetic label for Cardano and the network’s ecosystem. 

Mintern highlighted that ADA’s inception into the ISO 20022-compliant category on CoinMarketCap is a big signal for Traditional Finance (TradFi) integration. Furthermore, it represents growing awareness of the network’s technological excellence and its potential contribution to the upcoming generation of interoperable, regulated financial infrastructure. 

Cardano’s inclusion could be a turning point in its development from a research-driven blockchain to a potential backbone for international digital finance. As established institutions move faster toward ISO-driven modernization, the leading altcoin is at the forefront of the change, bridging the gap between the cryptocurrency and financial sectors.

The chart shows that Cardano is the second-largest by market capitalization behind XRP. Other assets included in the list are Chainlink (LINK), Stellar (XLM), Hedera (HBAR), Algorand (ALGO), and XDC Network (XDC).

Why The ISO 20022 Standard Is Relevant To ADA

Cardano’s compliance with the ISO 20022 messaging standard could be beneficial to the asset. Mauro Andreoli, an ambassador and attorney of the Buenos Aires Bar Association, has outlined why this standard is relevant to the ADA.

As banks, payment systems, and fintechs migrate to ISO 20022, this standardized message layer will become increasingly important. This is where Cardano steps in, which intends to act as serious infrastructure for public services and real-world finance, and not just as a speculative asset.

For ADA, the significant topic of discussion is not whether the asset is an ISO 20022 coin. Rather, how Cardano-based protocols, bridges, and products can interact with the broader financial system by reliably speaking this language.

In the midst of the growing adoption of the ISO 20022 by traditional finance, governments and institutions’ choice of blockchain must comply with that requirement. Meanwhile, Cardano is well-positioned to accomplish this because of its architecture, focus on rigor, and robust technical community.

Coinbase Ventures has outlined a roadmap for where it expects the next wave of crypto value creation in 2026, centering on real-world asset perpetuals, specialized exchanges, “next-gen DeFi,” and the convergence of crypto with AI and robotics. The firm presents the document as an answer to the recurring founder question: “What should I build next?” and says it is “actively looking for the right teams to invest behind in these categories.”

The team argues that 2025 quietly reset crypto’s foundations. They highlight “stablecoin infrastructure reshaping payments,” cross-chain proofs collapsing settlement times “that once took days,” and new DEX models that enabled “markets for everything onchain.” Regardless of current price action, Coinbase Ventures writes: “We are as bullish as ever about what’s next.”

Major Crypto Trends For 2026

The first major theme is real-world asset derivatives. Kinji Steimetz argues that “RWA perpetuals” are emerging as the fastest way to bring offchain assets onchain, describing perpetuals as “crypto’s most proven trading product” and “a structurally faster and more flexible path than tokenization.”

Because perpetuals do not require custody of an underlying, Coinbase Ventures expects “the perpification of everything,” with “markets [forming] around virtually anything,” from private companies to economic data prints. Steimetz also links this to macro integration, noting that as crypto traders become more sophisticated, they will seek onchain exposure to “oil, inflation breakevens, credit spreads, and volatility.”

A second cluster focuses on market structure and trading interfaces. On Solana, Steimetz points to “Prop-AMMs” where resting liquidity is only executed via aggregators, insulating LPs from “predatory flow.” This “prop-driven approach,” the blog argues, could “meaningfully advance market structure innovation ahead of base-layer improvements” and is not limited to Solana spot markets.

In parallel, Coinbase Ventures sees prediction markets as “one of the leading consumer crypto applications,” but still hampered by fragmentation reminiscent of early DeFi. Jonathan King expects “prediction market aggregators” to become the “dominant interface layer,” consolidating more than $600 million in liquidity and providing an Axiom-like terminal for event contracts. He imagines trading terminals with “advanced order types, filters / charts, multi-venue routing and position tracking, cross-venue arbitrage insights, and more.”

Under “Next-gen DeFi,” the firm highlights three fronts: composable perp markets, unsecured credit, and privacy. Perpetual futures, it argues, are evolving from isolated venues into building blocks for capital-efficient systems where users can “simultaneously hedge, earn, and leverage without sacrificing liquidity.” Coinbase Ventures notes that perp DEX volumes have reached roughly $1.4 trillion per month and grown about 300% year-on-year, and expects 2026 to see deeper integrations with lending protocols so collateral can earn yield while backing leveraged positions.

On credit, King calls unsecured, credit-based money markets “DeFi’s next frontier,” pointing to $1.3 trillion in revolving, unsecured US credit lines as the addressable opportunity. The blog envisions models that blend onchain reputation with offchain data to unlock “unsecured lending at scale,” while warning that the core challenge is “designing sustainable risk models that scale.” If that can be achieved, Coinbase Ventures argues that DeFi becomes “genuine financial infrastructure that can outcompete traditional banking rails.”

Privacy is framed as a prerequisite for institutional and mainstream adoption. Ethan Oak notes that institutions and professional traders “cannot trade if they constantly leak their strategies,” and that ordinary users do not want “their entire financial history” exposed onchain. The team sees growing developer energy around privacy-preserving assets such as Zcash, private orderbooks and borrow-lend protocols, and “dedicated blockchains for payments touting privacy as a raison d’etre.” They highlight advanced cryptography – “ZKPs, FHE, MPC, TEEs” – as tools to let blockchains “maintain their verifiability while reducing user’s public exposure to bad actors.”

The final category connects crypto with AI and robotics. On robotics, Steimetz points to a shortage of “fine-grained physical interaction data such as grip, pressure, or multi-object manipulation,” and suggests that incentivized data-collection schemes inspired by DePIN “could offer a viable framework” for scaling these datasets.

On identity, Hoolie Tejwani warns that we are “approaching the tipping point where everything you see on an internet connected digital screen will be disassociated and indistinguishable from human provenance vs. AI generated.” Coinbase Ventures argues that “a combination of biometrics, cryptographic signing, and open source developer standards” will be crucial to any “proof of humanity” solution, noting that Worldcoin has been “ahead of the curve” but stressing they “would love to support multiple approaches.”

Finally, King describes AI for smart-contract development as nearing its “GitHub Copilot moment,” predicting that AI agents will let “non-technical founders [launch] onchain businesses in hours, not months,” by handling “smart contract code generation, security reviews, and continuous monitoring.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Coinbase Ventures says it is “energized by the builders taking big swings and pushing the onchain economy forward,” but concedes that “the most exciting projects often come from places no one expects,” leaving the door open for theses that have yet to be written.

At press time, the total crypto market cap stood at $2.96 trillion.