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An address presumed to belong to Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin has sold 55,000 KNC and 1.05 billion MUZZ, acquiring 12,150 USDC and 1.89 ETH (worth approximately $5,640), according to Onchain-Lenz.

A cryptocurrency trader has lost nearly $50 million in USDT after falling victim to an address poisoning attack, BeInCrypto reported. The scam involved an attacker inserting a spoofed address with similar starting and ending characters into the trader's transaction history following a small test transfer of $50. The victim then copied the fraudulent address and mistakenly sent $49,999,950 to the attacker. The stolen USDT was immediately swapped for 16,680 ETH and transferred to the privacy mixer Tornado Cash. The victim has since offered a $1 million white-hat bounty for the return of the assets and has warned of legal action. Address poisoning is a scam where attackers use vanity address generators to create wallet addresses that mimic the first and last few characters of a user's actual address, tricking them into sending funds to the wrong destination.

Cryptocurrency research firm Presto Research has forecast a Bitcoin (BTC) price of $160,000 by 2026, noting a market shift through 2025 away from speculation and toward institution-friendly infrastructure and regulatory-compliant products. The firm's report also projected that the market for tokenized real-world assets (RWA) and stablecoins will approach $490 billion by the end of 2026. The Bitcoin price target incorporates a 30% discount to account for risks associated with quantum computing. Additionally, Presto Research anticipates that assets in privacy-focused DeFi, or Confidential DeFi, will exceed $10 billion, driven by increased regulation and institutional demand.

According to Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, BlackRock's spot Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) has recorded approximately $25 billion in net inflows in 2025, placing it sixth among all ETFs for capital attraction. IBIT is the only fund among the top ETFs to maintain strong inflows despite posting a negative annual return. Balchunas described this as a very positive long-term signal, suggesting that investor conviction is more important than short-term price. He emphasized that if the fund can attract $25 billion during a down year, its potential in a good year is even greater. Meanwhile, the limited price reaction of BTC to these ETF purchases has been attributed to market maturation, profit-taking by existing holders, and the use of options strategies.

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes has withdrawn 1.22 million ENA, worth approximately $257,000, from Binance, Onchain-Lenz reported.

Bitmine (BMNR) will hold a shareholder meeting in Las Vegas on Jan. 15, 2026, according to PR Newswire. The agenda includes the election of eight directors for the next term, the approval of an amendment to the articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized common shares, the approval of the 2025 incentive plan, and a special performance-based compensation agreement for the chairman.

Odds on crypto prediction markets favor Kevin Hassett, Chairman of the White House National Economic Council (NEC), to be the next Federal Reserve Chair. On the platform Polymarket, the probability of his appointment is currently 55%, while on Kalshi, it stands at 52%. The speculation follows a statement from President Trump that he is considering both Hassett and former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh for the top central bank post.

A major Hyperliquid (HYPE) investor, identified by the wallet address beginning with 0x72b23, has accumulated 490,000 HYPE worth $12.1 million over the past 14 days. This same investor had previously acquired 580,000 HYPE, valued at approximately $14.4 million, between July and October of this year. Following that period, the investor transferred 323,000 HYPE, worth around $8 million, to the Hyperliquid platform before resuming the recent accumulation.

Bitmine (BMNR) has reached 66% of its target to accumulate 5% of the total Ethereum (ETH) supply, Cointelegraph reported on X. Data shows the company now holds 3.97 million ETH, representing approximately 3.28% of the total supply.

U.S. market research firm Fundstrat has projected in a private report that a significant market correction could occur in the first half of 2026, with BTC potentially falling to a range of $60,000 to $65,000, Cointelegraph reported. The document, believed to be authored by Sean Farrell, Fundstrat's Head of Digital Asset Strategy, also predicts ETH could drop to between $1,800 and $2,000, while SOL could fall to a range of $50 to $75. The report has not been released through Fundstrat's official channels, and multiple crypto firms, including Wu Blockchain, have stated that it was distributed only to select private clients.

An anonymous whale or institutional address withdrew 202,077 ZEC, valued at $88.28 million, from Binance earlier today, AmberCN reported. According to CoinMarketCap, ZEC is currently trading at $447.7, marking a 12.23% increase.

Bitcoin cloud mining firm Bitdeer announced on its official X account that it mined 144.1 BTC this week. During the same period, the company sold 141.5 BTC, leaving it with net holdings of 1996.7 BTC as of Dec. 19.

U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs experienced net outflows of $75.44 million on Dec. 19, marking the seventh consecutive trading day of net outflows, according to data compiled by TraderT. The entire outflow for the day came from BlackRock's ETHA, while all other spot ETH ETFs reported zero net flows.

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded a total net outflow of $158.41 million on Dec. 19, marking the second consecutive day of withdrawals, according to data compiled by TraderT. The outflows were primarily driven by BlackRock's IBIT, which saw $173.74 million exit the fund. In contrast, Fidelity's FBTC was the only fund to record an inflow, attracting $15.33 million. All other ETFs reported no net flows for the day.

Bitcoin is solidifying its position as a global reserve asset as it becomes integrated into the portfolios of traditional financial institutions and nations, Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao said at the 2025 Hong Kong Bitcoin Asia conference, Wu Blockchain reported. He argued that participation from countries and corporations creates a virtuous cycle of increased capital inflow, regulatory clarity, and greater public awareness. Zhao noted that as institutional capital enters the market through crypto ETFs and Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) companies, market capitalization expands, leading to reduced volatility. He described DAT companies as having a more flexible structure than ETFs, offering a pathway for traditional stock market investors to gain indirect crypto exposure. Zhao also observed that the U.S. policy stance is changing faster than expected, with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) recently suggesting it may permit Americans to use overseas exchanges. He concluded that the U.S. is now entering a phase of establishing the baseline for global digital asset regulation.

Bitcoin's price is struggling as investors increasingly prefer safe-haven assets in response to sluggish U.S. employment figures and slowing economic growth, according to an analysis by Cointelegraph. The report explains that strong demand for U.S. Treasuries and a decreased likelihood of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut are prompting investors to seek safer options, thereby reducing interest in Bitcoin. Cointelegraph also noted that Japan's economic recession and the poor U.S. jobs data are contributing to the downward pressure on the cryptocurrency.

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes argued that the altcoin season has already begun, and traders who claim otherwise simply failed to hold the right assets as their prices rose, Cointelegraph reported. In a recent interview, Hayes stated that many traders mistakenly expect the season to unfold as it has in the past. He explained that the market has entered a new phase where different types of assets are surging. Hayes reiterated that those who deny the existence of an altcoin season are merely the ones who did not participate in the recent rallies.

Three anonymous Bitcoin whale wallets have withdrawn a total of 2,509.2 BTC, valued at $221 million, from FalconX over the past 13 hours. On-chain analyst EmberCN noted that this activity could signal that whales or institutions have begun buying on price dips. EmberCN explained that each of the three wallets withdrew an identical amount of 836.4 BTC, worth approximately $73.58 million, from FalconX. The analyst suggested that the pattern of withdrawing the same amount every four hours makes it highly likely the wallets belong to a single owner.

Crypto hedge funds are experiencing their worst year since the 2022 bear market, also known as the "crypto winter," Bloomberg reported. Despite expectations that 2024 would mark a mainstream breakthrough for the asset class—driven by a clearer regulatory environment, favorable White House policies, and billions in institutional capital—the market has proven challenging even for professional investors. Funds focused on directional trading have posted a negative 2.5% return year-to-date, their poorest showing since 2022. Strategies centered on altcoins fared even worse, with returns of approximately negative 23%. In contrast, market-neutral funds performed well, achieving returns of around 14.4%. The report suggests that the influx of institutional capital has weakened the competitive edge of hedge funds, while a sharp market drop on Oct. 10 exposed structural vulnerabilities. In response, many funds are shifting toward risk management by reducing altcoin exposure and strengthening their focus on DeFi and yield-generating strategies.

The possibility remains for Bitcoin to reach a new all-time high next year, according to a new forecast. In its annual prediction report, Galaxy Research, the research arm of U.S. digital asset firm Galaxy Digital, stated that Bitcoin could reach $250,000 by the end of 2027, Cointelegraph reported. While acknowledging some uncertainty in making the prediction, the report maintained that the potential for a new peak next year is still valid. The report also projected that stablecoin transaction volume will surpass that of the U.S. Automated Clearing House (ACH) system by 2026. Galaxy Research noted that stablecoin volume has already exceeded that of major credit card networks like Visa and is at half the level of ACH transactions. The report added that the Genius Act, set to be implemented in early 2026, will contribute to the expanded use of stablecoins.

U.S. digital asset manager Grayscale stated on X that the tokenized asset market has the potential to grow approximately 1,000 times its current size by 2030. The firm noted that tokenized assets today account for just 0.01% of the global stock and bond markets. However, Grayscale explained that the market will expand as blockchain infrastructure matures and a clear regulatory environment is established. This shift could drive meaningful activity on networks such as Ethereum (ETH), BNB Chain (BNB), Solana (SOL), and Avalanche (AVAX), while also affecting key middleware like Chainlink (LINK).

An analysis of XRP's daily Bollinger Bands indicates a pessimistic outlook, making a recovery to the $2 level by the end of the year unlikely, according to U.Today. The report notes that on the XRP/USDT daily chart, the price remains below the middle line of the Bollinger Bands, suggesting a lack of the capital inflow needed for a significant rally. While it is too early to confirm a complete downtrend, the analysis concludes that a return to $2 this year is improbable. For a bullish reversal, XRP must reclaim the middle line, currently at approximately $2.0189. If the daily candle closes below this level, it is expected to become a strong technical resistance.

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes has stated that while altcoins are currently ailing and will take time to recover, now is the time for investors who understand capital preservation and exchange mechanics to seek out opportunities. In an essay published on Dec. 20, he argued that even in a battered market, there are valuable assets to be found at low prices. Hayes added that Bitcoin could experience a sharp recovery once the market recognizes that the U.S. Federal Reserve's Reserve Management Purchases (RMP) plan is effectively a form of quantitative easing. He also identified Ethena (ENA) as his most preferred altcoin, noting that he has invested in the project through his family office, Maelstrom.

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index rose four points from the previous day to 20, according to data provider Alternative. Despite the slight improvement in investor sentiment, the market remains in the "Extreme Fear" stage. The index, which measures market sentiment on a scale of 0 (Extreme Fear) to 100 (Extreme Greed), is calculated based on volatility (25%), trading volume (25%), social media mentions (15%), surveys (15%), Bitcoin's market cap dominance (10%), and Google search volume (10%).

Veteran U.S. trader Peter Brandt has predicted that the passage of the U.S. crypto market structure bill, the CLARITY Act, by Congress next January would have a minimal impact on the price of Bitcoin. In an interview with Cointelegraph, Brandt stated that while the legislation is a necessary measure, it is not an event that would redefine Bitcoin's value. He acknowledged the bill is positive as it would bring greater clarity to the regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. However, he suggested its passage might only slightly mitigate bearish outlooks and is unlikely to serve as a complete bullish catalyst. Brandt previously predicted in October that BTC could fall to $60,000, comparing its price action to the soybean market of the 1970s.