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Analysis
Bitcoin
Analysis
While major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum face headwinds, XRP has demonstrated notable resilience, consistently trading above the psychologically significant $2.00 level in December 2025. This relative strength is underpinned by a confluence of fundamental developments: surging institutional investment via regulated ETFs, a conditional banking license for Ripple, and advancing crypto legislation in Washington. Despite some technical pressure, the foundational landscape for the asset has improved markedly.
A significant catalyst for the sector is progressing legislation. Senators Gillibrand and Lummis have announced they will introduce the full draft of a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework this week, with hearings and a potential vote to follow. Market strategist Crypto Tice described this as “the biggest opportunity the US has ever had for nationwide crypto regulation.” Clear rules are seen as a potential unlock for substantial institutional capital. Historical precedent supports this optimism; when a draft of this bill passed the House of Representatives in July 2025, XRP’s price surged by nearly 15 percent.
In a landmark decision for a crypto-native company, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has granted Ripple a conditional charter to operate as a federally supervised bank. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse called the approval a “massive step forward.”
Analysts anticipate the charter will open new avenues for XRP in cross-border payments and institutional solutions. The move particularly benefits Ripple’s proprietary stablecoin, RLUSD, which will now operate under both federal and state-level oversight.
Since their launch, U.S.-listed spot XRP ETFs have recorded net inflows approaching $975 million, supported by an impressive streak of 19 consecutive days of positive flows. In the week ending December 12 alone, $87.5 million entered these regulated investment vehicles.
Steven McClurg, CEO of Canary Fund, noted that despite launching later, XRP ETFs now hold more assets under management than their Solana ETF counterparts. This suggests a clear institutional preference for XRP within regulated investment frameworks. Franklin and Bitwise dominate the landscape, attracting the bulk of daily inflows.
On-chain data reveals substantial accumulation by large holders, often referred to as “whales.” Wallets holding over one billion XRP increased their collective balance from 25.36 billion to 25.42 billion tokens between December 9 and 14. Furthermore, addresses holding between 100 million and one billion XRP reversed a prior selling trend, adding approximately 70 million tokens to their holdings. In total, these two key cohorts accumulated roughly 130 million XRP, equivalent to about $265 million.
Trading volume remained 12% above the weekly average, further indicating institutional activity. Technically, however, XRP faces resistance, currently trading below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages at $2.22 and $2.45, respectively.
Hex Trust has launched wXRP, a 1:1 backed representation of XRP designed for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. The token is tradable on Ethereum, Solana, Optimism, and HyperEVM networks, launching with over $100 million in deposited value.
This development allows institutional participants to utilize XRP across various DeFi protocols—for swaps, liquidity provision, or as collateral—without relying on unregulated third-party bridging services.
Several factors could temper the current positive momentum. An interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan on December 19, coupled with signals for further moves in 2026, could unwind Yen carry trades and spark market volatility. Additionally, adverse MSCI decisions regarding crypto treasury companies or Senate resistance to the market structure bill may dampen sentiment. A reversal in the ETF inflow trend would also be viewed negatively.
From a technical perspective, the $2.00 level remains critical support. A sustained breakout above $2.06 could pave the way for a move toward $2.20 and potentially $2.35. Conversely, a break below $1.985 might trigger selling pressure toward the mid-$1.90 range.
The Ethereum market is currently a theater of heightened tension and conflicting signals. As the price struggles to hold crucial support levels following recent pullbacks, even the largest holders are feeling the strain. This environment of significant liquidations and bearish sentiment exists in stark opposition to the network’s strengthening fundamentals. Investors are left to ponder whether the present volatility represents a buying opportunity or a precursor to further declines.
Contrary to the prevailing nervousness, a clear trend of institutional accumulation is emerging. Ethereum spot ETFs recorded a notable shift last week, attracting net inflows exceeding $250 million and reversing a previous pattern of outflows. Asset management giant BlackRock was identified as a prominent buyer in this movement. Market observers interpret this activity as evidence that professional investors are leveraging current price levels to establish long-term positions, betting on an eventual market stabilization.
The recent price action has been particularly punishing in the derivatives sector, placing even major players under severe pressure. According to an analysis from Arkham Intelligence, one large-scale investor, or “whale,” established a massive long position valued at $537 million with an entry point around $3,175. The subsequent market weakness pushed this position into unrealized loss territory, underscoring the extreme risks present in the current trading climate.
This strain is quantified in market-wide liquidation data. Within a single 24-hour period, forced liquidations on Ethereum totaled over $120 million. The elevated volatility, which on an annualized 30-day basis stands above 56%, continues to rapidly flush out highly leveraged bets. The overall market mood is captured by the “Fear and Greed Index,” which has fallen to a reading of 26, indicating pronounced fear among participants.
Away from the price volatility, the Ethereum ecosystem demonstrates considerable technical strength. Widespread adoption of Layer-2 scaling solutions has driven transaction fees to multi-year lows, significantly enhancing the blockchain’s appeal as a settlement layer. In a parallel development fostering traditional finance integration, the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) granted conditional approval for several crypto service providers, including Ripple and Circle, to operate as crypto-centric banks.
The immediate future appears decisive for Ethereum’s directional trend. If bullish forces can successfully defend the psychologically significant $3,000 level and harness the buying power reflected in ETF flows, a foundation for recovery could be established. However, should the current selling pressure persist, market attention is likely to shift toward the next major support zone near $2,800.
The precious metal continues its relentless upward trajectory, with bulls firmly in control. Demonstrating their strength at the close of the trading week, gold finished at a fresh 52-week peak. As investors celebrate current gains, market strategists at Goldman Sachs are already projecting a far more ambitious target. Could this be the early phase of a historic rally?
The rally receives substantial fundamental validation from one of Wall Street’s most influential institutions. Analysts at Goldman Sachs have reaffirmed their bullish outlook, suggesting the current price represents only a waypoint, not a destination. Their forecast sets a price target of $4,900 per ounce by the end of 2026.
This projection is anchored by two primary catalysts. First is the anticipation of continued declines in interest rates, which enhances the appeal of non-yielding assets like gold. Second is the sustained, robust demand from global central banks actively diversifying their currency reserves.
From a chart perspective, gold’s condition appears exceptionally constructive. The price is trading firmly above its 20-day simple moving average (SMA), which currently provides significant support near $4,170. Market observers interpret the week’s closing at its highest point as a clear indicator of persistent buying interest. Gains in four of the last five daily trading sessions further underscore the dominance of buyers in the current market.
Key data from the week:
* Record Pursuit: Friday’s closing price hit the exact 52-week high of $4,329.80.
* Continued Momentum: A weekly gain of 2.42% solidifies the prevailing trend.
* Long-Term View: Goldman Sachs analysts see potential for a rise to $4,900.
Gold’s role as a strategic reserve asset was recently highlighted by a significant discovery in China’s Liaoning province. The largest gold deposit identified since 1949, estimated at 1,444 tonnes with a market value exceeding €160 billion, was reported. While extraction will take years and not impact short-term supply, the discovery reinforces gold’s status as a monetary anchor.
Concurrently, initiatives challenging the US dollar’s dominance are gaining traction. The BRICS alliance is advancing plans for a new digital trading currency backed by gold. These structural evolutions within the global financial system provide additional motivation for investors to seek the safety of the precious metal. The trend’s breadth is further evidenced by silver’s performance; the metal often seen as gold’s sibling surged over 6% recently, confirming strength across the sector.
The convergence of a technical breakout to new highs and fundamental support from institutional buying sends a powerful message. With the market showing no signs of overheating—the Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits at a neutral-to-bullish 57.7—the rally faces few immediate obstacles. A decisive move above the psychologically significant $4,400 level would likely bring the long-term targets outlined by Goldman Sachs sharply into focus.
The world’s leading cryptocurrency is navigating turbulent waters. Having retreated from its October peak, Bitcoin has now slipped below the psychologically significant $90,000 threshold this week, marking a decline of approximately 28%. This downturn is being driven by a confluence of factors: a restrictive monetary policy stance, rising global interest rate anxieties, and a concurrent slump in technology stocks.
Investment flows into Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have been highly volatile in recent sessions, reflecting market uncertainty:
* On December 12, inflows totaled $49.1 million.
* The previous day, December 11, saw outflows of $77.5 million.
* December 10 recorded a substantial influx of $223.5 million.
* On December 9, inflows amounted to $151.9 million.
A critical point of concern lies in the cost basis of institutional ETF investors, which averages around $80,000. With current prices, roughly 38% of all ETF holdings—equivalent to about 600,000 BTC—are now underwater. The cushion protecting the market from this aggregate breakeven level has shrunk to just 12%, a figure well below the historical average buffer of 28%.
Market expectations have been upended by the latest communications from the U.S. Federal Reserve. While Chair Jerome Powell delivered a widely anticipated 25-basis-point rate cut, he simultaneously signaled a potential pause until January 2026. The central bank’s updated projections now point to only two additional rate reductions next year, down from three previously forecast.
This unexpectedly cautious posture is weighing heavily on digital assets. Bitcoin’s correlation with the Nasdaq 100 has surged to over 0.72, reaching a notably high level. The asset has shown a tendency to move in lockstep with technology equities, declining whenever they face pressure. In the wake of the Fed’s announcement, the Bitcoin Bull Score Index—a significant on-chain metric—plummeted to zero.
Compounding the pressure, the Bank of Japan is generating additional headwinds. Plans are underway for the Japanese central bank to lift interest rates to 75 basis points, which would represent the highest level in three decades. This policy shift carries direct implications for cryptocurrency markets: rising Japanese financing costs are forcing hedge funds to unwind carry-trade positions. Historically, a strengthening yen has correlated with declining Bitcoin valuations.
The yen is currently trading near 156 against the U.S. dollar. Any further appreciation of the Japanese currency could trigger additional selling pressure across crypto assets.
From a technical perspective, conditions remain tense. A sustained break below $89,000 would bring the $80,000 region—the foundational cost level for institutional buyers—into sharp focus. The next substantial support zone is identified between $65,000 and $70,000, where approximately 15.2% of institutional capital is concentrated.
On-chain analytics reveal that 55% of the Bitcoin supply remains in a profitable state. For context, during the 2022 bear market, this figure fell to just 31%. However, market sentiment indicators are flashing warning signs. The Fear & Greed Index has collapsed to 23 out of 100, signaling extreme fear among participants. Furthermore, long-term holders divested more than 400,000 coins in November that they had held for over a decade.
The path forward for Bitcoin hinges on whether it can reclaim the $90,000 zone or if the current correction deepens. The evolving stance of the Federal Reserve and the trajectory of ETF inflows will be decisive factors in the coming weeks.
The price of gold is once again approaching its all-time high following a week of significant activity. This upward movement is being fueled by a combination of factors: a notable surge in futures market activity and a spectacular rally in the silver market. The key question for investors is the sustainability of this bullish trend.
A primary catalyst for gold’s current strength originates in the US futures market. The total number of open futures contracts, known as Open Interest, has risen substantially to 462,572 contracts—an increase of 7.5 percent. Technical analysts view rising prices accompanied by growing Open Interest as a confirmation of a healthy uptrend, indicating the influx of fresh capital.
Concurrently, robust physical demand is providing underlying support. For the December delivery month, requests stand at 28,437 contracts, equivalent to approximately 88 tonnes of gold. At the same time, COMEX warehouse inventories have declined by roughly 350,000 ounces. This pairing of heightened demand with falling stockpiles points to a tangible tightening in the physical market segment.
Monetary policy from the US Federal Reserve is offering additional tailwinds. During the week ending December 11, the central bank implemented its third interest rate cut of the year. Lower benchmark rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, enhancing its appeal compared to interest-bearing securities such as bonds.
Major financial institutions are already setting their sights on 2026. Goldman Sachs has reaffirmed a price target of $4,900 per troy ounce by the end of 2026. A core part of their thesis is that gold ETFs currently represent a mere 0.17 percent of US investment portfolios. Analysts see substantial room for growth should institutional fund allocations to this sector increase.
ING also anticipates the bull market to continue, forecasting an average gold price of $4,325 for 2026. The bank’s experts cite structural drivers including geopolitical tensions and the strategic accumulation of gold reserves by central banks. For instance, the value of Russia’s gold holdings has grown by $112 billion over a twelve-month period.
Beyond gold’s own dynamics, silver is injecting further momentum into the precious metals complex. This week, the metal decisively broke through the $60 mark for the first time, setting a new record high at $62.89. Since the start of the year, its performance has exceeded 120 percent.
This powerful advance is drawing increased attention and capital to the entire precious metals sector. Market observers interpret silver’s breakout above $60 and its historical relationship with oil as signals that institutional investors are broadly accepting these higher price levels—a sentiment that indirectly benefits gold.
Gold concluded the trading week firmly in positive territory, with the spot price settling at $4,329.80 per ounce on Friday. This places it at its highest level in the past twelve months, precisely at its 52-week peak. The weekly gain amounts to 2.42 percent, while the 30-day increase stands at 3.06 percent.
From a technical standpoint, the market exhibits a solid upward trajectory:
With the RSI reading slightly below 60, the current advance does not appear overheated. The moderate volatility level suggests the climb has been orderly rather than driven by panic.
The market’s ability to consolidate above the $4,250 zone is being interpreted as a sign of underlying strength. Recent pullbacks have been fully recovered, keeping the area around the record high in clear focus. Chart analysis suggests that a sustained break above the $4,380 region would open up technical targets around $4,440.
As long as key support levels—notably the area around the short-term moving average (SMA20) and the recent intermediate low well above $4,000—remain intact, the bullish setup prevails. The market is thus entering a phase where a decisive breakout to a new record or a renewed period of consolidation will likely determine the next directional move.