Coinbase starts onboarding users again in India, plans for fiat on-ramp next year https://t.co/5VDDkOkV8W ...

Group 1 - The current state of the crypto industry is described as pivotal and dangerous, with signals indicating a potential major crisis due to a lack of new decentralized applications (dApps) being developed [1] - There is a significant decline in builders seeking smart contract audits, which is a standard procedure before launching dApps, indicating a stagnation in new projects [1] - Investors are primarily focused on short-term profit opportunities, such as memecoins and over-leveraged trading, rather than supporting utility applications that require more time and effort to develop [2][3] Group 2 - The lack of encouragement and funding for utility applications forces blockchain-savvy founders into difficult positions, as only projects with the potential for massive short-term returns attract investment [2] - The industry's focus on profit-chasing is overshadowing discussions about genuine blockchain use cases, leading to confusion among retail investors who are misled by the current trends [3] - Industry leaders are perpetuating this focus on profit rather than advocating for the broader benefits of blockchain technology, such as improving societal efficiency and transparency [4]

Ethereum price fusaka. Photo by BeInCrypto Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin is promoting a new mechanism to mitigate sudden spikes in transaction costs on the network. His latest proposal outlines a trustless, on-chain prediction market designed to help users secure future gas prices and manage volatility rather than react to it. Buterin Backs Ethereum Gas Pricing Market On December 6, Buterin argued that Ethereum needs a market-based signal for future demand for block space. The structure would tra ...

Core Insights - XRP is currently up 5% in 2025 but has recently experienced a significant decline, trading close to $2, which is a 40% drop from its 52-week high [1][7] - The launch of new spot XRP ETFs has created optimism among investors, providing institutional access to XRP [2] - Nearly $1 billion has already flowed into XRP, indicating strong interest from investors looking to diversify their crypto portfolios [3] Price Projections - Analysts have set ambitious price targets for XRP, with estimates ranging from $10 to as high as $100, suggesting potential returns of 5-fold to 50-fold [4][7] - Standard Chartered predicts XRP could reach $12.50 by the end of 2028, indicating long-term growth potential [4] Investment Considerations - Despite the potential for high returns, XRP is not currently recommended as a top investment compared to other stocks identified by analysts [6]

Another week, another crypto Asia roundup. In this week’s update, we will focus on key developments in the crypto Asia landscape, with a keen emphasis on India, Japan, and South Korea. These four markets never seem to sleep and always have something going on. Here are the biggest headlines from this past week. Crypto Asia Win: Bitget To Expand Investment Platform In India Post 2026 FIU Approval Bitget is all in on India and, as such, wants to expand beyond being just an exchange platform to offer wider ...

Digital asset treasury companies that rushed to copy Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin strategy are now hemorrhaging shareholder value, with median stock prices down 43% year to date, even as the broader market climbs higher, as per Bloomberg. Source: Bloomberg More than 100 publicly traded companies transformed themselves into cryptocurrency-holding vehicles in the first half of 2025, borrowing billions to buy digital tokens while their stock prices initially soared past the value of the underlying assets they p ...

Core Viewpoint - Ethereum is projected to reach a price of $9,000 by 2026, according to Tom Lee of Fundstrat, despite its current price of $3,200 after a significant drop from its all-time high of $4,954 in August [1][2]. Group 1: Reasons for Optimism - Ethereum has shown remarkable performance since its launch in July 2015, with an increase of over 100,000%, making it the second-largest cryptocurrency after Bitcoin [2][3]. - The strong global developer base and "technical resilience" of Ethereum are key factors driving its potential growth [3]. - Ethereum is a leading Layer-1 blockchain, particularly dominant in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the total value locked (TVL) in DeFi [6]. Group 2: Institutional Adoption and Asset Tokenization - The next growth phase for Ethereum is expected to be driven by institutional adoption, with Wall Street banks and financial institutions increasingly utilizing the Ethereum blockchain [7]. - Real-world asset (RWA) tokenization is anticipated to enhance efficiency and liquidity, compelling major financial players to adopt Ethereum for blockchain finance [8]. - Notable companies like BlackRock and Robinhood are already exploring asset tokenization, indicating a trend towards mainstream acceptance [9]. Group 3: Reasons for Skepticism - Tom Lee's position as chairman of Bitmine Immersion Technologies, which holds Ethereum, may create a conflict of interest regarding his optimistic price predictions [11][13]. - There is a possibility that Ethereum could drop to $2,500 before potentially rising to $9,000, highlighting the inherent volatility in the cryptocurrency market [14]. - Current online prediction markets suggest only a 3% chance of Ethereum reaching $5,000 this year and a mere 1% chance of hitting $9,000, indicating cautious sentiment among investors [16].

Capital velocity* on @ethereum is at an all-time high.* Measured as stablecoin transfer volume. https://t.co/QxH7QjszMW ...

Group 1 - Coinbase Institutional suggests that crypto markets may experience a recovery in December due to improving liquidity and favorable macroeconomic conditions for risk assets like bitcoin (BTC) [1] - The likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate cut next week is a central driver, with probabilities now at 93% on Polymarket and 86% on CME's FedWatch [1] - Coinbase's internal M2 index indicates improving liquidity conditions, supporting the prediction of a rebound following a weak November [2] Group 2 - Additional factors that could support a rally include the anticipated bursting of the AI bubble and a weaker U.S. dollar [2] - Bitcoin has shown some recovery from its lowest levels, influenced by institutional developments such as Vanguard's crypto ETF policy reversal and Bank of America's approval for wealth advisers to recommend up to 4% portfolio allocations in crypto [3]

Core Insights - Bitcoin has climbed back above $93,000, reaching its highest level in two weeks, although it has faced challenges since its all-time high in October, with regulatory factors being a key concern heading into the new year [1] Group 1: Regulatory Developments - The Clarity Act, which has passed the House, aims to establish a true market structure for crypto in the U.S., providing clarity and certainty for digital assets [3] - The Senate is expected to vote on the Clarity Act soon, which is essential for completing the regulatory framework for the crypto industry [2][3] - The passage of the Clarity Act would define which assets are subject to U.S. securities laws, addressing concerns regarding leverage and other issues [9] Group 2: Adoption of Stablecoins - Traditional financial institutions, including banks, are recognizing the potential of stablecoins to transform the financial services industry, leading to greater adoption and efficiency [5] - The recent passage of the Genius Act has prompted banks to explore stablecoins, indicating a shift towards innovation in financial transactions [4] Group 3: Market Dynamics and Leverage - The influence of leverage players on Bitcoin remains significant, and Coinbase is adapting to this evolving market by providing access to Bitcoin for millions [7][8] - The introduction of new options for consumers to participate in the Bitcoin market necessitates new standards and safeguards [8] Group 4: Institutional Engagement - Vanguard's decision to allow crypto ETFs on its platform signals a growing acceptance of crypto as an asset class, reflecting a shift in perspective among initial skeptics [10][11] Group 5: Transparency and Compliance - Coinbase's transparency report revealed a nearly 20% increase in government information requests, with over half coming from outside the U.S., indicating a global trend in law enforcement's interest in digital assets [12][14] - The report highlights the importance of lawful processes while maintaining customer privacy, as the demand for compliance with legal requests grows [15] Group 6: Metrics for Crypto Adoption - The focus on the use of digital assets and blockchain networks to solve real-world problems is becoming more prominent, beyond just price metrics [17][18] - The acceleration of adoption in various applications, such as DeFi for credit and alternative payment methods, is a key area of interest for the industry [18]