Galaxy Digital Inc.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GLXY" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="GLXY" data-exchange="NASDAQ" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:&nbsp;GLXY)</a>&nbsp;CEO&nbsp;Mike Novogratz urged shifting the debate on wealth and income taxes from the state and local to federal levels on Monday.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Federal Debate Impacting Taxation</h2>



In an X post, the billionaire business tycoon weighed in on the growing debate about wealth inequality and the idea of taxing the super-rich, stating, &#8220;This isn't going to just go away.&#8221;



&#8220;While Governors and Mayors seem to be driving the noise right now, this really needs to be a federal debate,&#8221; Novogratz argued. 



The New York City-based cryptocurrency mogul argued that most taxation occurs at the Federal level and that Americans are more likely to move from one state to another to avoid higher taxes than they are to leave the country entirely.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">With wealth and income inequality being what it is, we can expect lots of noise around wealth taxes, higher taxes, transaction taxes — you name it. While Governors and Mayors seem to be driving the noise right now, this really needs to be a federal debate. Most taxation…&mdash; Mike Novogratz (@novogratz) <a href="https://twitter.com/novogratz/status/2005747751309676797?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



In 2025, the federal government collected $5.23 trillion in revenue, according to data from the Treasury Department. The primary source of revenue was individual income taxes.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/12/49602941/trumps-anti-robinhood-policies-undermine-gdp-gains-for-most-americans-says-economist-justin-wolfers-warns-the-figure-could-get-revised" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Anti-Robinhood&#8217; Policies Undermine GDP Gains For Most Americans, Says Economist Justin Wolfers: Warns The Figure &#8216;Could Get Revised&#8217;</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Will California&#8217;s Wealth Tax Drive Talent Away?</h2>



Novogratz&#8217;s remarks come in the wake of a proposed California wealth tax that has sparked controversy. Venture capitalist&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/12/49601419/chamath-palihapitiya-warns-california-wealth-tax-could-crush-startup-founders-it-will-kill-entrepreneurship-in-california">Chamath Palihapitiya</a>&nbsp;has warned that the tax could potentially force young startup founders into financial ruin, stating that it could &#8220;kill entrepreneurship in California.&#8221;



On the other hand, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/12/49601281/ro-khanna-defends-billionaire-tax-says-critics-are-glossing-over-silicon-valley-history-as-peter-thiel-others-threaten-to-leave">defended the billionaire tax</a>, despite threats from some of the state's wealthiest residents to leave if the tax is implemented. 



Known as the 2026 Billionaire Tax Act, it seeks to impose a one-time 5% levy on the net worth of billionaires living in the state, aimed at raising $100 billion to fund essential services.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Growing Wealth Gap</h2>



A November report from Oxfam showed the<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/11/48647114/elon-musk-mark-zuckerberg-and-other-top-us-billionaires-add-698-billion-amid-soaring-inequality-could-trumps-policies-create-first-trillionaire"> top 0.1% households now control almost a quarter of the U.S. stock market&#8217;s value</a>, while the bottom half of households hold barely 1%.



Moreover, households in the top 0.1% now hold 12.6% of U.S. assets, a record high since the Federal Reserve began tracking wealth in 1989



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/12/49603091/alexis-ohanian-says-taxing-unrealized-gains-isnt-the-answer-to-growing-wealth-gap-reddit-co-founder-slams-californias-proposed-billionaire-tax">Alexis Ohanian Says Taxing Unrealized Gains Isn&#8217;t The Answer To Growing Wealth Gap, Reddit Co-Founder Slams California&#8217;s Proposed Billionaire Tax</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo Courtesy: New Africa on Shutterstock.com<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>

Mike Novogratz Calls For Federal Debate On Wealth Inequality Amid California Tax Controversy: Crypto Mogul Says 'This Isn't Going To Just Go Away'

Despite China conducting live-fire military drills near Taiwan, cryptocurrency bettors see only a low probability of Beijing imposing a blockade on the self-ruled island in the near future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Taiwan Blockade Odds Remain Low</h2>



Odds that China imposes an aerial or naval blockade on Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, by June 2026 are now just <a href="https://polymarket.com/event/will-china-blockade-taiwan-by-june-30?tid=1767065779366">10%</a> on Polymarket, down from 17% a month earlier and an all-time high of 24% on Oct. 18



According to the contract&#8217;s rules, a blockade occurs when foreign commercial traffic to or from Taiwan&#8217;s main ports or airports is restricted by threat or use of force, but not military or naval exercises or drills.



Meanwhile, the probability that Beijing will invade Taiwan by the end of 2026 stood at <a href="https://polymarket.com/event/will-china-invade-taiwan-before-2027?tid=1767065805283">12%,</a> with over $2 million wagered on the outcome at the time of writing.



See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44621245/gold-backed-cryptos-match-yellow-metals-highs-following-trumps-liberation-day-shock"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/12/49601969/elon-musk-warns-china-restricting-silver-exports-is-not-good">Elon Musk Warns China Restricting Silver Exports Is &#8216;Not Good&#8217;</a>



Polymarket, based on Polygon <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="POL" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/POL-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">POL</a>)</a>, has faced criticism in the past for launching betting events that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41110897/ethereum-creator-vitalik-buterin-bats-for-polymarkets-model-amid-concerns-over-betting-on-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aim to profit from conflicts and wars</a>. 



The prediction market is making a staggered comeback in the U.S. market and is getting rolled out to those on the waitlist.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why China&#8217;s Military Drills Signal Rising Tensions</h2>



The odds come as China launched 10 hours of live-firing exercises around Taiwan on Tuesday, aimed at rehearsing a blockade of the sovereign island, reported Reuters.



The drills come nearly two weeks after the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/12/49470640/us-approves-11-billion-arms-sale-to-taiwan-amid-china-tensions">State Department approved a $11.15 billion arms sale</a> to Taiwan, including artillery systems, anti-tank missiles, and&nbsp;spare parts for helicopters and&nbsp;anti-ship missiles.



China deemed the move a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/12/49501004/china-condemns-11-billion-us-arms-deal-to-taiwan-as-gross-violation-of-one-china-principle-warns-against-crossing-first-red-line"> &#8220;gross violation&#8221; of the one-China principle</a> and of agreements between Washington and Beijing.



Earlier this month, President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;signed the&nbsp;Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act, a move that was met with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/12/49178663/trump-signs-taiwan-assurance-implementation-act-prompting-praise-from-taipei-objection-from-beijing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">praise from Taipei&nbsp;</a>and objections from Beijing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The US-China-Taiwan Tango</h2>



Beijing asserts that there is only one sovereign China and sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland. 



Although the U.S. does not have a mutual defense treaty with Taiwan and is not legally required to defend it, the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act commits Washington to provide Taiwan with the defense equipment and services needed to help the island maintain adequate self-defense capabilities.



Photo Courtesy: Tom Wang on Shutterstock.com



Read Next:&nbsp;



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/Opinion/25/12/49607183/move-over-hong-kong-young-beijing-exchange-becomes-china-new-ipo-hub">Move over, Hong Kong. Young Beijing Exchange Becomes China&#8217;s New IPO Hub</a></li>
</ul>

Will China Attack Taiwan In 2026? Crypto Bettors Are Not Convinced Even As Beijing Conducts Military Drills

Economist Peter Schiff said in an interview aired Monday that people will lose faith and dump their Bitcoin <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> once Michael Saylor ceases his buying spree for Strategy Inc. <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="MSTR" data-exchange="NASDAQ" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSTR" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSTR">MSTR</a>)</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saylor&#8217;s Buying Spree Shapes Bitcoin&#8217;s Future?</h2>



Speaking to cryptocurrency influencer Kyle Chassé, Schiff argued that Bitcoin&#8217;s rise has been fueled primarily by Strategy&#8217;s continuous accumulation.



&#8220;Basically, he&#8217;s [Saylor] the reason that Bitcoin is as high as it is,&#8221; Schiff said. &#8220;He is a huge factor, and it&#8217;s not just Strategy&#8217;s buying of Bitcoin that has fueled it, but because people know that he&#8217;s going to keep buying Bitcoin.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The Stealth Collapse<a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PeterSchiff</a> says the crash already happened and we just measured it in the wrong units. On paper, we are rich, but it is a total illusion. Measured in gold, the S&amp;P 500 is down 70% since 2000. The dollar is just a mask for a rotting foundation. Full… <a href="https://t.co/wraBu1SLOc">pic.twitter.com/wraBu1SLOc</a>&mdash; Kyle Chassé &#x1f438; (@Kylechasse) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kylechasse/status/2005756964891156488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Schiff believes that once Saylor stops purchasing Bitcoin, the market&#8217;s trust in the cryptocurrency could falter.



&#8220;At some point, he&#8217;s going to run out of firepower, and he&#8217;s probably very close to having to stop buying Bitcoin and then the key is going to be when does he has to start selling it because that&#8217;s going to happen,&#8221; the Bitcoin skeptic theorized.



He speculated that Strategy offloading its BTC could trigger a selling spree among other investors.



Strategy didn&#8217;t immediately return Benzinga&#8217;s request for comment.



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49610162/how-the-clarity-act-could-boost-stablecoin-adoption-in-2026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How The CLARITY Act Could Boost Stablecoin Adoption In 2026 &#8211; Benzinga</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Can Strategy Survive A Major Market Dip?</h2>



Schiff&#8217;s remarks come even as the Michael Saylor-led company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49615237/strategy-buys-1229-btc-at-88000-but-peter-schiff-isnt-impressed">reported buying 1,229 BTC for $108.8 million</a>, bringing its total holdings to 672,497 BTC, acquired for $50.44 billion.



Strategy&#8217;s market valuation stands at $48 billion, while its Bitcoin holdings are valued at a little over $58 billion. This means that the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value, or NAV.



Moreover, the stock has more than halved in value in the last three months, significantly underperforming Bitcoin itself.&nbsp;



Saylor, meanwhile, has defended the company's business model. He stated that as long as Bitcoin increases by1.25% annually, Strategy can maintain its dividend payments indefinitely and boost shareholder value. He also claimed that the company is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/11/48969065/michael-saylor-says-strategy-will-continue-to-create-shareholder-value-as-long-as-bitcoin-grows-by-this-much-annually" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8220;engineered&#8221; to endure&nbsp;an 80 to 90% drawdown</a>&nbsp;and continue operating.



He, however, admitted that the company is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49138684/strategy-launches-1-44-billion-usd-reserve-to-power-its-bitcoin-reactor">open to selling a small portion of its Bitcoin</a> in the best interest of shareholders.



Price Action: At the time of writing, BTC was exchanging hands at $87,113.88, down 2.30% in the last 24 hours, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data from Benzinga Pro</a>.



Strategy shares fell 0.25% in after-hours trading to $154.99. The stock closed 2.15% lower at $155.39&nbsp;during Monday&#8217;s regular trading session.



The stock maintains a weaker price trend over the short, medium and long terms. How does it compare with&nbsp;Bitmine Immersion Technologies Inc. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BMNR" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BMNR" data-exchange="NYSE" rel="noopener">(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BMNR">BMNR</a>)</a> and other cryptocurrency treasury stocks? Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings</a>&nbsp;to find out.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="971" height="187" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29211926/image-504.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234862" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29211926/image-504.png 971w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29211926/image-504-300x58.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29211926/image-504-768x148.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 971px) 100vw, 971px" /></a></figure>



Read Next:&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/bitcoin-price-prediction-oct-14">Bitcoin (BTC) Price Predictions: 2025, 2026, 2030</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.



Photo by Momentum studio via Shutterstock<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>

Peter Schiff Says Bitcoin Is As High As It Is Due To Michael Saylor, But Predicts Strategy Chair Will 'Run Out Of Firepower' Eventually

Cryptocurrencies, the stock market, and commodities, including gold and silver, struggled on Monday ahead of the release of the Federal Reserve&#8217;s meeting minutes.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Cryptocurrency</th><th>Gains +/-</th><th>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td><td>-1.03%</td><td>$87,054.88</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>-1.13%</td><td>$2,926.76</td></tr><tr><td>XRP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>-1.27%</td><td>$1.84</td></tr><tr><td>Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>-2.82%</td><td>$122.87</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>-1.76%</td><td>$0.1225</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bitcoin Gets Rejected At $90,000</h2>



Bitcoin surged beyond $90,000, only to reverse and fall back to $86,000 in the early trading hours. Trading volume for the apex cryptocurrency jumped 187% over the last 24 hours, indicating high liquidity and trader interest.



Ethereum&#8217;s rally beyond $3,000 was also halted, as the second-largest cryptocurrency dipped and subsequently consolidated in the $2,900 range. Trading volume more than doubled in the 24-hour period. XRP and Dogecoin also recorded noticeable drops.



Shares of cryptocurrency-linked stocks Strategy Inc. <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="MSTR" data-exchange="NASDAQ" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSTR" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSTR">MSTR</a>)</a> and Coinbase Global Inc. <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="COIN" data-exchange="NASDAQ" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/COIN" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/COIN">COIN</a>)</a> closed down 2.15% and 1.32%, respectively, during the regular trading session.



Benzinga Edge delivers real-time stock alerts, trade ideas, and professional investing tools to help you navigate the market. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/edge/">Find out more about MSTR and COIN here.</a>



Over $270 million was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, <a href="https://www.coinglass.com/LongShortRatio">according </a>to Coinglass, with roughly $160 million in bullish long bets wiped out.



Interestingly, Bitcoin's open interest rose 0.52% in the last 24 hours. A drop in the spot price combined with a rise in its open interest in futures or options typically indicates a bearish trend or short build-up.



The "Extreme Fear" sentiment continued to dominate the market, <a href="https://alternative.me/crypto/fear-and-greed-index/#google_vignette">according</a> to the Crypto Fear and Greed Index.



Top Gainers (24 Hours)&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency (Market Cap&gt;$100 M)</td><td>Gains +/-</td><td>Price (Recorded at 8:30 p.m. ET)</td></tr><tr><td>0x Protocol (ZRX )&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+31.03%</td><td>&nbsp; &nbsp; $0.1652</td></tr><tr><td>Pieverse (PIEVERSE )&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+23.35%</td><td>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $0.6302</td></tr><tr><td>RaveDAO (RAVE )&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td>+16.40%</td><td>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $0.4442</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $2.95 trillion, marking a decline of 1% in the last 24 hours.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Stocks Fall Alongside Gold, Silver</h2>



Stocks kicked off the final trading week of 2025 on a down note. The Dow Jones Industrial Average retreated 249.04 points, or 0.51%, to end at 48,461.93. The S&amp;P 500 fell 0.35% to settle at 6,905.74, while the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite declined 0.50% to finish the day at 23,474.35.



In commodities news, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/market-summary/25/12/49615188/silver-tumbles-8-society-pass-shares-spike-higher">silver fell roughly 10%</a> after reaching record highs of over $80 per ounce earlier in the day. Similarly. Gold pulled back more than 4% from its record high of $4,550 per ounce



Meanwhile, investors await the Federal Reserve&#8217;s December meeting minutes, due Tuesday, for clues on future monetary policy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Green Signal For Bitcoin?</h2>



Michaël van de Poppe, a widely followed cryptocurrency commentator, noticed a bullish divergence between Bitcoin and gold.



"Gold comes down, Bitcoin consolidates and this starts to look better," Van De Poppe stated. "On top of that, given that this is a valid bullish divergence, it implies that Bitcoin is likely to outperform Gold in the coming period."



&#8220;The big rotation is on the horizon,&#8221; the analyst added.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Massive bullish divergence on the daily timeframe for BTCUSD vs. Gold. Gold comes down, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> consolidates and this starts to look better. On top of that, given that this is a valid bullish divergence, it implies that Bitcoin is likely to outperform Gold in the coming… <a href="https://t.co/cX2Vgn9NO1">pic.twitter.com/cX2Vgn9NO1</a>&mdash; Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoMichNL/status/2005655044419424679?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Darkfrost from CryptoQuant&#8217;s on-chain analytics team <a href="https://cryptoquant.com/insights/quicktake/69527987fa4ae503d90af9b0-END-OF-LTH-DISTRIBUTION">noted </a>that long-term Bitcoin holders have eased their selling to the extent that their supply is now growing once more, even as short-term holders keep accumulating BTC.



"Historically, such shifts have often preceded the formation of consolidation phases or even bullish recoveries, depending on how the broader trend evolves," the analyst said.



Read Next:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49602277/michael-saylor-once-mirrored-warren-buffett-and-dr-doom-while-predicting-bitcoins-days-are-numbered-it-was-a-big-mistake">Michael Saylor Once Mirrored Warren Buffett And &#8216;Dr Doom&#8217; While Predicting Bitcoin&#8217;s &#8216;Days Are Numbered&#8217; — It Was A &#8216;Big Mistake&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Photo Courtesy: KateStock on Shutterstock.com

Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Fall Alongside Silver: Analyst Forecasts BTC Outperforming Gold Amid 'Massive Bullish Divergence'

XRP <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="XRP" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/XRP-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>)</a> has fallen about 15% over the past month, raising concerns that the token could break lower support levels despite <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49429726/xrp-etfs-cross-1b-milestone-but-xrp-is-still-down-13-since-launch">strong institutional inflows</a>.



What Happened: Crypto chart analyst Ali Martinez <a href="https://x.com/alicharts/status/2005659666265894985">said</a> XRP faces growing downside risk as on-chain activity weakens and selling pressure increases. 



Daily active addresses have declined from roughly 46,000 to about 38,500, signaling fading user engagement. 



At the same time, whales have sold more than 40 million XRP in recent weeks.



Martinez warned that if XRP loses support at $1.77, the next major downside target could be around $0.80.



However, not all indicators are bearish. 



Analyst and trader Cryptoinsightuk <a href="https://x.com/Cryptoinsightuk/status/2005616043256152150">noted</a> that XRP's weekly stochastic RSI has hit zero five times since the 2022 bear market low. 



Each occurrence was followed by a relief rally, and in about half of those cases, it marked a cycle low.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49606582/bitcoin-rejected-at-90000-as-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-tread-water">Bitcoin Rejected At $90,000 As Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Tread Water</a>



Why It Matters: Despite technical weakness, institutional interest in XRP remains strong. 



Crypto trader Niels <a href="https://x.com/Web3Niels/status/2005661594404167765">highlighted</a> that XRP has attracted $3.314 billion in institutional inflows in 2025, including $70.2 million last week, the highest among major crypto assets.



CoinShares <a href="https://researchblog.coinshares.com/volume-266-digital-asset-fund-flows-weekly-report-844947b453fe">data</a> shows XRP investment products recorded $70.2 million in inflows for the week ended Dec. 27, bringing month-to-date inflows to $424.8 million. 



By comparison, Bitcoin saw $25 million in outflows, while Ethereum recorded $241 million in outflows over the same period.



Cryptoinsightuk <a href="https://x.com/Cryptoinsightuk/status/2005688356227952765">added</a> that he remains heavily allocated to XRP, citing its prolonged consolidation relative to other altcoins, a breakout from an eight-year downtrend, and its ability to hold former seven-year resistance as support.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49595775/xrp-crashes-48-from-july-high-did-ripple-spend-2-7b-in-vain-in-2025">XRP Crashes 48% From July High: Did Ripple Spend $2.7B In Vain In 2025?</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Is XRP At Risk Of Dropping To $0.80?

Bitcoin hovered around $87,000 on Monday, with major cryptocurrencies struggling to regain momentum before the end of 2025.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Cryptocurrency</td><td>Ticker</td><td>Price</td></tr><tr><td>Bitcoin</td><td><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a></td><td>$87,465.55</td></tr><tr><td>Ethereum</td><td><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ETH" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="ETH" data-exchange="CRYPTO">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</a></td><td>$2,931.15</td></tr><tr><td>Solana</td><td><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SOL" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="SOL" data-exchange="CRYPTO">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)</a></td><td>$123.23</td></tr><tr><td>XRP</td><td><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/XRP" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="XRP" data-exchange="CRYPTO">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>)</a></td><td>$1.85</td></tr><tr><td>Dogecoin</td><td><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DOGE" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="DOGE" data-exchange="CRYPTO">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</a></td><td>$0.1231</td></tr><tr><td>Shiba Inu</td><td><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SHIB" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="SHIB" data-exchange="CRYPTO">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>)</a></td><td>$0.057258</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Notable Statistics:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Coinglass data shows 95,540 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $296.70 million.       </li>



<li>In the past 24 hours, top gainers include Audiera, Midnight and Canton.</li>
</ul>



Notable Developments:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49608345/bitcoin-ethereum-go-sideways-all-december-why-is-the-market-so-slow">Bitcoin, Ethereum Go Sideways All December: Why Is The Market So Slow?</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49617005/bitmine-grabs-44463-eth-but-23-could-be-on-the-cards-soon-for-bmnr-stock">Bitmine Grabs 44,463 ETH But $23 Could Be On The Cards Soon For BMNR Stock</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49615237/strategy-buys-1229-btc-at-88000-but-peter-schiff-isnt-impressed">Strategy Buys 1,229 BTC At $88,000, But Peter Schiff Isn&#8217;t Impressed</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49611707/bitcoin-stuck-below-90000-is-even-a-dead-cat-bounce-too-much-to-ask">Bitcoin Stuck Below $90,000: Is Even A Dead Cat Bounce Too Much To Ask?</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49610162/how-the-clarity-act-could-boost-stablecoin-adoption-in-2026">How The CLARITY Act Could Boost Stablecoin Adoption In 2026</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/12/49613154/senator-bought-up-to-1-6-million-in-bitcoin-etf-shares-in-2025-heres-the-potential-conflict-of-interest">Senator Bought Up To $1.6 Million In Bitcoin ETF Shares In 2025 — Here&#8217;s The Potential Conflict Of Interest</a></li>
</ul>



Trader Notes: Ted Pillows <a href="https://x.com/TedPillows/status/2005694553429332477">noted</a> that long-term Bitcoin holders have paused selling for the first time since July 2025, a shift that reduces supply pressure and increases the odds of a short-term relief rally.



Trader CryptoUB <a href="https://x.com/CryptoUB/status/2005654496639394163">said</a> a brief dip toward $85,700 would not be unhealthy. 



Bitcoin has stalled in the $88,000–$90,000 range without a breakout and has not swept nearby lows for liquidity in some time. 



A controlled move lower could clear liquidity and set up a stronger continuation higher.



Entrepreneur and Bitcoin investor Lark Davis <a href="https://x.com/LarkDavis/status/2005514085627253120">highlighted</a> that Bitcoin has never closed a post-halving year in the red. Currently, BTC is down about 3% from its yearly open near $93,400. 



The key question is whether Bitcoin can reclaim that level in the final days of the year and preserve the historical streak.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49616686/bitcoin-2026-price-predictions-whos-bullish-whos-bearish-and-why">Bitcoin 2026 Price Predictions: Who&#8217;s Bullish, Who&#8217;s Bearish, And Why?</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Trade Sideways Into The Last Days Of 2025

Bitmine Immersion Technologies <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BMNR" data-exchange="NYSE" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BMNR" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BMNR">BMNR</a>)</a> acquired 44,463 Ethereum <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="ETH" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ETH-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</a> over the past week, pushing total holdings to 4.11 million tokens worth $12.1 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49544009/bitmine-adds-98852-eth-but-bmnr-stock-is-just-2-away-from-disaster">billion at current prices</a>.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bitmine Now Owns 3.41% Of Ethereum Supply</h3>



The crypto treasury company now holds 3.41% of ETH&#8217;s circulating supply of 120.7 million tokens, marking two-thirds of the way to its stated goal of acquiring 5% of the entire Ethereum network.



Total crypto and cash holdings <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/bitmine-immersion-bmnr-announces-eth-holdings-reach-4-11-million-tokens-and-total-crypto-and-total-cash-holdings-of-13-2-billion-302650024.html">reached</a> $13.2 billion as of Dec. 28, including 4,110,525 ETH, 192 BTC, $23 million in Eightco Holdings <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="ORBS" data-exchange="NASDAQ" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ORBS" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ORBS">ORBS</a>)</a>, and $1 billion in cash.



&#8220;Bitmine added 44,463 ETH in the past week, as we continue to be the largest &#8216;fresh money&#8217; buyer of ETH in the World,&#8221; said Chairman Tom Lee of Fundstrat.&nbsp;



&#8220;Year-end tax-loss related selling is pushing down crypto and crypto equity prices,&#8221; he added.



Lee noted the effect tends to be greatest from December 26-30, and Bitmine is navigating markets with this in mind.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Staking Could Generate $374M Annually</h3>



Bitmine has 408,627 ETH currently staked and is working toward launching MAVAN (Made in America Validator Network) in Q1 2026.



At scale with full staking, using the 2.81% composite Ethereum staking rate, this could generate $374 million annually, or more than $1 million per day.



The staking solution could shift Bitmine from a passive treasury to an income-generating infrastructure company with $360-480 million in annual staking income.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chart Shows Descending Triangle Breakdown Risk</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="717" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29125308/image-503-1024x717.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234438" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29125308/image-503-1024x717.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29125308/image-503-300x210.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29125308/image-503-768x538.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29125308/image-503.png 1316w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



BMNR Technical Analysis By TradingView



BMNR is exhibiting a descending triangle pattern with a converging apex near $31.



The Supertrend indicator at $36.78 and SAR at $35.62 are both acting as immediate overhead resistance.&nbsp;



Price is trading below all EMAs, confirming bearish momentum.



Immediate support sits at $27.96 (recent low). A decisive break below this level on volume would confirm bearish continuation toward the pattern target of $23-$25.



Conversely, a breakout above $36.78 with strong volume would negate the pattern and signal potential reversal, targeting the $43-45 zone initially.



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49615237/strategy-buys-1229-btc-at-88000-but-peter-schiff-isnt-impressed">Strategy Buys 1,229 BTC At $88,000, But Peter Schiff Isn&#8217;t Impressed</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Bitmine Grabs 44,463 ETH But $23 Could Be On The Cards Soon For BMNR Stock

Bitcoin <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> 2026 price forecasts skew bullish but span an unusually wide range, reflecting diminished confidence in precise targets after widespread forecast <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/bitcoin-price-prediction-oct-14">misses in 2025.</a>



What Happened: Major institutions and industry leaders, including Tom Lee, JPMorgan, Standard Chartered, Bernstein, Citi, Grayscale, Bitwise, and executives from Ripple and Solana largely expect Bitcoin to set new highs in 2026.



 Wu Blockchain <a href="https://wublock.substack.com/p/a-panorama-of-2026-bitcoin-price?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;triedRedirect=true">highlighted</a> that the common drivers cited are institutional allocation, spot ETF inflows, regulatory clarity, and looser monetary conditions.



Most optimistic forecasts cluster between $150,000 and $200,000, with more aggressive scenarios reaching $250,000.



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Tom Lee maintains a $200,000–$250,000 range by end-2026, emphasizing small but meaningful institutional allocations. He recommends allocating only 1%–5% to BTC and ETH.</li>



<li>Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse forecasts $180,000, while JPMorgan estimates a theoretical fair value near $170,000.</li>



<li>JPMorgan analysts argue that BTC's implied fair value is close to $170,000, leaving upside over the "next 6–12 months."</li>



<li>Standard Chartered has cut its outlook, now targeting roughly $150,000 in 2026.</li>
</ul>



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49606582/bitcoin-rejected-at-90000-as-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-tread-water">Bitcoin Rejected At $90,000 As Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Tread Water</a>



Moderate Or Range-Bound Views



VanEck and Barclays see 2026 as a consolidation or transitional year, with Bitcoin digesting prior gains amid weak retail participation and limited near-term catalysts.



VanEck predicts that Bitcoin in 2026 is more likely to enter a "consolidation" phase — neither an explosive rally nor a crash, but rather range-bound movement that digests prior volatility.



Barclays noted that the crypto market in 2026 could be flat or even skew weaker, with trading activity and investor enthusiasm struggling to rebound meaningfully.



Bearish Downside Scenarios



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>CryptoQuant points to slowing institutional demand and and falling risk appetite in derivatives markets for its targets between $70,000 and $56,000.</li>



<li>If Bitcoin were to draw down around 80% from an all-time high, it could fall toward roughly $25,000, Peter Brandt warns.</li>



<li>Bloomberg's Mike McGlone offers the most bearish perspective, warning Bitcoin could fall toward $10,000 under deflationary macro conditions.</li>
</ul>



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49608345/bitcoin-ethereum-go-sideways-all-december-why-is-the-market-so-slow">Bitcoin, Ethereum Go Sideways All December: Why Is The Market So Slow?</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Bitcoin 2026 Price Predictions: Who's Bullish, Who's Bearish, And Why?

Strategy Inc. <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="MSTR" data-exchange="NASDAQ" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSTR" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSTR">MSTR</a>)</a> has acquired another 1,229 BTC for $108.8 million at an average price of $88,568 per Bitcoin <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> as Peter Schiff slammed the company&#8217;s five-year buying spree as a 3% <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/strategy-stock-price-prediction">annual return disaster</a>.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Strategy Resumes Buying After $2.2 Billion Cash Raise</h3>



The largest publicly traded Bitcoin holder purchased the coins last week through the sale of $108.8 million in Class A common stock, <a href="https://x.com/saylor/status/2005625390283497952?s=20">according</a> to an SEC filing on Monday



Total holdings increased to 672,497 BTC, acquired for $50.44 billion, representing an average purchase price of $74,997 per Bitcoin.



The company achieved a BTC Yield of 23.2% year-to-date in 2025.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Schiff Destroys The Math On Returns</h3>



&#8220;Strategy has been buying Bitcoin for five years. With an average cost of 75K, the company has a &#8216;paper profit&#8217; of just 16%. That&#8217;s an average annual return of just over 3%,&#8221; Schiff <a href="https://x.com/PeterSchiff/status/2005631054867267889?s=20">posted</a> on X.



MSTR would have been much better off had Saylor bought just about any other asset instead of Bitcoin, he added.



Schiff also went after Strategy&#8217;s preferred stock <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/11/48933222/schiff-warns-of-microstrategys-death-spiral-says-dividends-can-just-disappear">playbook</a> last month, calling it a trap for investors.



&#8220;Dividends are only paid if MSTR decides to declare a dividend,&#8221; Schiff warned. &#8220;Undeclared dividends don&#8217;t accumulate. They are lost forever.&#8221;



He predicted fund managers will eventually &#8220;dump the preferreds&#8221; once they realize dividends will never actually be paid, collapsing Strategy&#8217;s entire capital-raising machine.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Valuation Disconnect Is Brutal</h3>



Strategy&#8217;s market value sits at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49254212/why-is-strategys-mstr-now-worth-less-than-the-bitcoin-it-owns">approximately</a> $45 billion, but its BTC holdings are worth around $59-60 billion—a massive discount reflecting investor concerns about leverage, dilution, and Bitcoin&#8217;s 30% drop since Oct. 10.



MSTR stock has fallen 50% since Oct. 10, significantly underperforming Bitcoin itself. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chart Shows MSTR In Absolute Freefall</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="717" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29114333/image-502-1024x717.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234321" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29114333/image-502-1024x717.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29114333/image-502-300x210.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29114333/image-502-768x538.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29114333/image-502.png 1316w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



MSTR Price Action By TradingView



The devastation is visible on the chart—a collapse from nearly $500 in July to current levels represents a loss of over 68%.



The Supertrend indicator flipped bearish at $187.86 and has been acting as heavy resistance, while the SAR indicator at $179.77 confirms the downtrend is firmly in place.



MSTR has been making lower lows consistently with barely any meaningful bounces, showing complete lack of buyer interest.&nbsp;



All EMA's are pointing downward with price well beneath them.



There&#8217;s currently no clear support level holding except recent low of $153.70.



The stock desperately needs to reclaim $180-$190 to even hint at stabilization, but until Bitcoin itself finds a floor, MSTR will likely continue bleeding as institutional and retail investors head for the exits.



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/12/49612098/why-is-eightco-holdings-orbs-stock-surging-today">Why Is Eightco Holdings (ORBS) Stock Surging Today?</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Strategy Buys 1,229 BTC At $88,000, But Peter Schiff Isn't Impressed

Veteran economist Peter Schiff on Monday urged investors to sell Bitcoin <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> on Monday as BTC briefly spiked above $90,000, while silver crashed 13% from an all-time high of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/12/49143775/markets-today-wall-street-monday-recap-silver-bitcoin-strategy-michael-saylor-selloff-bloodbath">$84 to $73 per ounce</a>.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Schiff Doubles Down On Bitcoin Bear Case</h3>



&#8220;Bitcoin is back above $90K. Another opportunity to sell,&#8221; Schiff <a href="https://x.com/PeterSchiff/status/2005503013138710653">posted</a> on X early Monday morning, continuing his decade-long skepticism of the digital asset.



When a user suggested that Bitcoin and gold represent the same macro trade, Schiff pushed back forcefully.



&#8220;Actually they are the opposite trade,&#8221; he wrote, emphasizing that the correlation between gold and Bitcoin is negative.



On Dec. 26, he wrote: &#8220;Merry Christmas, HODLers. Santa gave you guys a Christmas gift after all—a Bitcoin rally to sell into.&#8221;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Silver&#8217;s Wild Ride From Record High To Collapse</h3>



Silver&#8217;s sharp pullback meanwhile came as profit-taking accelerated following the historic rally. 



The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) implemented its second margin requirement hike in two weeks—raising the initial margin for March 2026 silver futures contracts to approximately $25,000, up from $20,000 earlier this month.



Despite Monday&#8217;s sharp decline, the precious metal has still rallied approximately 166% year-to-date.&nbsp;



Silver&#8217;s market capitalization briefly surpassed Nvidia to become the second most valuable asset in the world behind gold.



Chinese investment demand remained strong, with premiums for spot silver in Shanghai rising above $8 an ounce over London prices—the biggest spread on record.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="717" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29104709/image-501-1024x717.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234237" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29104709/image-501-1024x717.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29104709/image-501-300x210.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29104709/image-501-768x538.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/29104709/image-501.png 1316w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



BTC Price Analysis By TradingView



Bitcoin has been in a sustained downtrend since peaking near $108,000 in mid-November. 



The price recently broke below the critical $90,000 psychological level and hasn&#8217;t been able to reclaim it.



The Supertrend indicator has flipped bearish at $95,121, acting as overhead resistance.&nbsp;



The next major support zone sits around $84,000-$85,000, and if that breaks, traders could see a flush toward $80,000.



For any bullish reversal, BTC would need to reclaim $92,000 and then the $95,000-$97,000 zone to change the bearish momentum.



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/12/49612098/why-is-eightco-holdings-orbs-stock-surging-today">Why Is Eightco Holdings (ORBS) Stock Surging Today?</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Peter Schiff Says 'Sell' And Bitcoin Duly Crashes—But Not As Hard As Silver

Senator David McCormick (R-Pa.) has been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/03/44194484/congressman-on-digital-assets-subcommittee-buys-bitcoin-etf-before-trumps-strategic-reserve-announcement">actively buying up shares</a> of a Bitcoin ETF in 2025. The purchases come alongside limited trading activity in stocks and options, but could raise concerns about a conflict of interest given his committee assignments.



Here's a look at the latest purchases.



Senator Goes Bitcoin Shopping Again



McCormick disclosed buying shares of the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BITB" data-exchange="NYSE" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BITB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(NYSE:</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BITB" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> BITB)</a> during Thanksgiving week, according to the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/members/david-mccormick" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Government Trades page.</a>



According to the disclosure, McCormick purchased the following:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Nov. 26: Buy $50,000 to $100,000 BITB</li>



<li>Nov. 28: Buy $50,000 to $100,000 BITB</li>
</ul>



The senator also bought and sold multiple municipal securities, as reported on the latest disclosure.



McCormick&#8217;s<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/11/49116450/senator-buys-bitcoin-etfs-before-thanksgiving-2025-purchases-now-over-500k"> disclosures in 2025 </a>have mostly included municipal securities and Bitcoin ETFs. Here&#8217;s a look at the senator&#8217;s purchases of BITB this year:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Nov. 25: $15,000 to $50,000</li>



<li>Nov. 24: $50,000 to $100,000</li>



<li>April 9: $15,000 to $50,000</li>



<li>April 7: $15,000 to $50,000</li>



<li>April 3: $15,000 to $50,000</li>



<li>April 2: $15,000 to $50,000</li>



<li>March 31: $15,000 to $50,000</li>



<li>March 27: $50,000 to $100,000</li>



<li>March 25: $50,000 to $100,000</li>



<li>March 24: $15,000 to $50,000</li>



<li>March 20: $50,000 to $100,000</li>



<li>March 13: $15,000 to $50,000</li>



<li>March 11: $15,000 to $50,000</li>



<li>March 10: $50,000 to $100,000</li>



<li>March 5: $15,000 to $50,000</li>



<li>March 3: $50,000 to $100,000</li>



<li>Feb. 28: $15,000 to $50,000</li>



<li>Feb. 27: $50,000 to $100,000</li>



<li>Feb. 26: $15,000 to $50,000</li>



<li>Feb. 25: $50,000 to $100,000</li>
</ul>



In total, McCormick has now purchased at least $680,000 in shares of the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF in 2025, with the potential of up to $1.6 million in shares purchased during the year.



The latest purchases on Nov. 26 and Nov. 28 were made while Bitcoin <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> traded between $86,316.90 to $92,969.09. Bitcoin trades at $87,252.99 at the time of writing.



Bitcoin is down 6.2% year-to-date in 2025, while the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF is down 10.0% year-to-date in 2025. Many of McCormick's purchases of the Bitcoin ETF came with Bitcoin trading between $80,000 and $90,000. By avoiding purchases in the months of May through October, McCormick didn't buy shares of the Bitcoin ETF when the leading cryptocurrency was trading for more than $100,000.



Did You Know?



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Congress Is Making Huge Investments. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades?utm_source=BZprocontent122925">Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold With Our Easy-to-Use Tool</a></li>
</ul>



McCormick&#8217;s Crypto History



The senator has been perceived as being friendly to the cryptocurrency sector, which prompted an endorsement from a key crypto figure in his 2024 Senate race.



McCormick,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/23/09/34807903/he-ran-bridgewater-associates-now-hes-running-for-senate-in-pennsylvania-again" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the former CEO&nbsp;</a>of the hedge fund&nbsp;Bridgewater Associates, narrowly won a Senate seat in the 2024 election. During his Senate campaign, McCormick&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41420792/coinbase-ceo-brian-armstrong-supports-republican-dave-mccormick-for-pennsylvania-senate-se" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">was endorsed by</a>&nbsp;Coinbase Global&nbsp;CEO&nbsp;Brian Armstrong&nbsp;for his pro-crypto support.



&#8220;If you live in Pennsylvania, you should vote for Dave McCormick. He is the better candidate on crypto (among many other credentials,&#8221; Armstrong said at the time.



A senator buying Bitcoin ETFs could signal support for the leading cryptocurrency. The purchase and timing could also draw red flags and continue&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/politics/25/02/43663526/elon-musk-questions-congress-members-wealth-where-did-they-get-all-the-money" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the hot debate&nbsp;</a>over whether members of Congress should be able to profit off the buying and selling of stocks, options and cryptocurrencies.



On the day of McCormick&#8217;s first ETF purchase (Feb. 25), he was part of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets&#8217;s first hearing.



&#8220;2025 is the year for digital assets. Blockchain and digital assets offer Pennsylvania and America a chance to lead the next wave of innovation, enhancing our national security and our economy. Proud to be a member of the inaugural Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets,&#8221; McCormick&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SenMcCormickPA/status/1894897925907448082?tblci=GiCtrMjkhkkXUac9sfmjN2bNcyj616mxOCU8UoBS9S7ZMyCN1Vco2MfOv77xl4QDMO-ISg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tweeted</a>.



McCormick&#8217;s involvement in the Subcommittee on Digital Assets and his heavy trading in a Bitcoin ETF will likely invite scrutiny ahead of a potential Bitcoin Strategic Reserve.



Read Next: 



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42860759/10-best-stock-traders-in-congress-in-2024-where-do-nancy-pelosi-pete-sessions-susan-collins-marjorie-taylor-greene-rank">Top 10 Stock Traders In Congress For 2024: How Nancy Pelosi, Pete Sessions, Susan Collins, Marjorie Taylor Greene Rank</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock

Senator Bought Up To $1.6 Million In Bitcoin ETF Shares In 2025 — Here's The Potential Conflict Of Interest

Bitcoin's <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> briefly spiked above $90,000 on Monday morning, only to pull back to around $87,000, raising questions about whether a short-term <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/Opinion/25/12/49547795/bitcoin-in-2026-bullish-and-bearish-price-targets">rebound is realistic</a>.



What Happened: Crypto chart analyst Ali Martinez <a href="https://x.com/alicharts/status/2005221898460766481?s=46">said</a> Bitcoin could see a short-term bounce driven by extreme fear and oversold conditions, likening the setup to a classic "dead cat bounce" after a prolonged decline.



However, broader on-chain signals remain weak. 



Net capital flows have turned negative for the first time in nearly two years, falling below –$4.5 billion, while Bitcoin ETFs have recorded nearly $1 billion in outflows over the past two weeks, pointing to reduced institutional exposure.



Martinez warned that any near-term rally is likely being fuelled by leverage rather than spot demand, increasing the risk of trapping late buyers and setting the stage for another leg lower.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49606582/bitcoin-rejected-at-90000-as-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-tread-water">Bitcoin Rejected At $90,000 As Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Tread Water</a>



Why It Matters: Martinez <a href="https://x.com/alicharts/status/2005490961963688066">noted</a> that on the four-hour chart, Bitcoin is consolidating within a triangle pattern, suggesting a potential 15% move in either direction. 



Separately, Bitcoin network activity has dropped 42.6% since 2021, underscoring its shift from a peer-to-peer payment system toward a store-of-value narrative.



The Kobeissi Letter <a href="https://x.com/KobeissiLetter/status/2005642782090973692">highlighted</a> that Bitcoin dropping $3,000 drop in just six hours was triggered by the liquidation of roughly $100 million in leveraged long positions shortly after prices touched $90,000.



Meanwhile, trader Jelle <a href="https://x.com/CryptoJelleNL/status/2005527259843801375">compared</a> Bitcoin's current structure to prior local bottoms, characterized by sideways price action above key support, bullish divergence on the three-day chart, and a bullish three-day MACD crossover—raising the question of whether Bitcoin is preparing to reclaim lost ground.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49608345/bitcoin-ethereum-go-sideways-all-december-why-is-the-market-so-slow">Bitcoin, Ethereum Go Sideways All December: Why Is The Market So Slow?</a></li>
</ul>

Bitcoin Stuck Below $90,000: Is Even A Dead Cat Bounce Too Much To Ask?

White House Crypto Czar David Sacks has confirmed the Senate will mark up the CLARITY Act in January 2026 as stablecoins look to emerge as a significant new buyer for U.S. debt in 2026.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">January Markup Confirmed After 43-Day Shutdown Delay</h3>



Sacks announced December 18 that Senate leaders &#8220;confirmed that a markup for Clarity is coming in January.&#8221;&nbsp;



The CLARITY Act, which <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/25/07/46480331/the-us-just-took-a-big-step-toward-crypto-regulation-heres-what-the-clarity-act-actually-says">passed</a> the House 294-134 in July, finally moved to Senate committee review after a 43-day government shutdown delayed progress through fall.



Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott (R-SC) and Agriculture Chair John Boozman locked in dates for the markup. 



The urgency around crypto legislation ties directly to US debt dynamics.&nbsp;



The GENIUS Act signed by Trump in July 2025 requires 1:1 backing with US Treasuries or cash, creating structural demand for short-term government debt.&nbsp;



Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/08/47200772/scott-bessent-says-genius-act-essential-to-secure-us-leadership-in-digital-assets-says-it-will-boost-dollar-access-for-billions">says</a> this will &#8220;expand dollar access for billions across the globe.&#8221;



The numbers are massive. The stablecoin market cap sits at $234 billion today. 



Standard Chartered <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/Opinion/25/12/49462119/why-wall-street-cares-about-stablecoins-more-than-most-crypto-tokens">forecasts</a> $2 trillion by 2028. Bernstein <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/09/47553551/stablecoins-could-reach-4-trillion-market-cap-by-2030-bernstein">projects</a> $4 trillion by 2035. Coinbase Global Inc. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/COIN" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="COIN" data-exchange="NASDAQ" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/COIN">COIN</a>)</a> estimates $1.2 trillion by the end of 2028 in a conservative scenario.



Circle <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CRCL" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="CRCL" data-exchange="NASDAQ" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CRCL">CRCL</a>)</a> holds $20 billion in Treasury bills—43% of its reserves <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/Opinion/25/12/49462119/why-wall-street-cares-about-stablecoins-more-than-most-crypto-tokens">while</a> Tether holds $125 billion in US Treasuries. 



If the industry hits $2 trillion, stablecoin issuers could become the fifth-largest holder of U.S. debt, potentially surpassing China and Japan who&#8217;ve cut Treasury positions from 34% to 23% of total holdings over the past decade.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Debt Crisis Makes Stablecoins Essential</h3>



As of December 3, 2025, <a href="https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/republicans/2025/12/national-debt-hits-38-40-trillion-increased-2-23-trillion-year-over-year-6-12-billion-per-day">total</a> gross national debt hit $38.40 trillion—up $2.23 trillion year-over-year.&nbsp;



The US will hit $39 trillion by approximately March 6, 2026 if current trends continue.



Interest costs are projected to hit $14 trillion over the next decade versus $4 trillion over the past decade.



Banks aren&#8217;t waiting for final passage to move.&nbsp;



The OCC issued Interpretative Letter 1188 in December, blessing banks to execute riskless principal crypto transactions.&nbsp;



JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co, Visa Inc, Mastercard Inc, and PayPal Holdings Inc. are already building stablecoin infrastructure.



Additionally, JPMorgan plans to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49598641/in-january-jamie-dimon-said-bitcoin-is-a-ponzi-but-look-at-jpmorgans-crypto-moves-now">accept</a> Bitcoin <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> and Ethereum <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ETH-USD" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="ETH" data-exchange="CRYPTO" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</a> as collateral, initially through ETF-based exposures.&nbsp;



The FDIC proposed application processes for GENIUS Act-compliant stablecoin issuers in December 2025, streamlining entry for banks and fintechs.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Political Timeline</h3>



Despite the January markup confirmation, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/Opinion/25/12/49430271/cryptos-2026-playbook-what-web3-founders-expect-from-regulators-wall-street-and-the-next-market-cycle">significant</a> obstacles remain.&nbsp;



2026 midterm elections loom large. All 435 House seats and 33 Senate seats are up for election.&nbsp;



Bipartisan legislation traditionally stalls in election years as lawmakers focus on their races.



Three sticking points remain unresolved:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Yield-bearing stablecoins: Banking groups argue loopholes let stablecoins compete unfairly with traditional savings products.</li>



<li>DeFi regulation: Dispute over whether strict rules criminalize code development or lax rules create AML loopholes.</li>



<li>Custody standards: Trump family involvement in World Liberty Financial (CRYPTO: WLFI) and the TRUMP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TRUMP</a>) meme coin creates conflict concerns.</li>
</ul>

How The CLARITY Act Could Boost Stablecoin Adoption In 2026

Bitcoin <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> and Ethereum <a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="ETH" data-exchange="CRYPTO" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ETH-USD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</a> prices remained largely stagnant in December, even as derivatives activity and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49416951/bitcoins-decline-is-bear-market-evidence-not-a-dip-10x-research">leverage quietly increased.</a>



What Happened: Data from on-chain data provider CryptoQuant <a href="https://x.com/cryptoquant_com/status/2005547585122312343?s=46">shows</a> that instead of capitulating amid falling volumes and elevated fear, traders added leverage. 



Combined Bitcoin and Ethereum futures open interest rose about 7%, or roughly $2 billion to $3 billion, during December, even as BTC hovered near $88,000 and the Fear &amp; Greed Index fell to 27.



Over the past week alone, an additional $450 million in leverage entered the market, signaling that traders are positioning for a rebound rather than reducing risk. 



Funding rates stayed positive, leverage was not flushed out, and major exchanges showed continued accumulation — conditions that typically do not align with a definitive market bottom.



At the same time, whale behaviour diverged. 



Larger holders reduced exposure, suggesting professional money stepped back while retail traders increased leverage. 



This points to conviction without confirmation and a market that has yet to reach full capitulation.



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49606582/bitcoin-rejected-at-90000-as-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-tread-water">Bitcoin Rejected At $90,000 As Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Tread Water</a>



Why It Matters: CryptoQuant also <a href="https://x.com/cryptoquant_com/status/2003813348769411198">highlighted</a> a sharp decline in Bitcoin whale inflows to Binance, which fell about 50% in December, from roughly $7.88 billion to $3.86 billion. 



This slowdown suggests reduced near-term selling pressure, a constructive signal for short-term price stability.



However, sporadic large inflows persist. Notable spikes included $466 million from wallets holding 100–10,000 BTC and more than $435 million from the 1,000–10,000 BTC cohort, underscoring that whales still have the ability to drive sudden volatility.



Overall, while selling pressure from large holders has eased, leverage remains elevated and sentiment fragile, leaving the market vulnerable to sharp moves in either direction.



Read Next:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/12/49604244/bitcoins-on-chain-activity-slump-leads-analyst-to-claim-apex-cryptos-shift-from-p2p-cash-to-store-of-value">Bitcoin&#8217;s On-Chain Activity Slump Leads Analyst To Claim Apex Crypto&#8217;s Shift From P2P Cash To Store Of Value</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Bitcoin, Ethereum Go Sideways All December: Why Is The Market So Slow?

Something fundamental has shifted in wealth management over the past year. Walk into any advisory firm today and you&#8217;ll hear the same story: clients aren&#8217;t asking if they should own crypto anymore. They&#8217;re asking why their advisor hasn&#8217;t brought it up yet.



The resistance many financial advisors have maintained has become nearly impossible to justify as 2026 arrives. The landscape has changed dramatically, and pretending otherwise might cost advisors more than just uncomfortable conversations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Clients Are Actually Doing</h2>



Here&#8217;s what should keep advisors up at night. Throughout 2025, crypto ownership among retail investors reached levels that can no longer be dismissed as a fringe phenomenon. Younger investors in particular have embraced digital assets, with many treating Bitcoin <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> and other cryptocurrencies as permanent portfolio fixtures rather than speculative trades.



The real issue isn&#8217;t simply that clients own crypto. It&#8217;s that they&#8217;re buying it elsewhere. A significant portion of advisory clients maintain cryptocurrency positions at exchanges like Coinbase Global Inc. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/COIN" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="COIN" data-exchange="NASDAQ" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/COIN">COIN</a>)</a> and other platforms, completely outside their advisor&#8217;s view. These held away assets create blind spots in what should be comprehensive financial planning.



When clients hold substantial wealth in accounts their advisor can&#8217;t see, that&#8217;s more than an operational inconvenience. It&#8217;s a relationship problem. Advisors can&#8217;t properly assess risk exposure, coordinate tax strategies, or ensure portfolios remain aligned with client goals when major asset holdings exist off the books.



The shift among advisors themselves reveals where the industry is heading. Throughout 2025, roughly one in five advisors integrated crypto into client portfolios, double the rate from just two years earlier. Among those who took the plunge in 2025, nearly all have indicated plans to maintain or expand their crypto allocations going forward.



The 2024 election accelerated this momentum considerably. The outcome signaled a shift toward friendlier regulatory treatment of digital assets, giving hesitant advisors confidence that the compliance landscape would improve. Throughout 2025, that prediction largely bore out as federal frameworks emerged and custody rules gained clarity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Changed To Make This Possible</h2>



For years, advisors had a ready excuse. Regulation was unclear, custody was messy, and compliance departments shut down every crypto conversation before it started. That world doesn&#8217;t exist anymore.



President Trump signed the<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/07/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-signs-genius-act-into-law/" rel="nofollow"> GENIUS Act</a> in July 2025, giving the country its first real federal framework for stablecoins. The law requires full dollar backing and creates actual supervision standards. No more regulatory gray zone.



The SEC followed up in December with guidance on how broker dealers can hold crypto securities. State trust companies got approval to serve as qualified custodians. The compliance barriers that let advisors say &#8220;our hands are tied&#8221; have mostly disappeared.



Product infrastructure evolved just as fast. BlackRock Inc. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BLK" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BLK" data-exchange="NYSE" rel="noopener">(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BLK">BLK</a>)</a> launched its Bitcoin ETF, iShares Bitcoin Trust <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/IBIT" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="IBIT" data-exchange="NASDAQ" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/IBIT">IBIT</a>)</a>, and the fund hit $70 billion in record time, getting there faster than any ETF in history. The fund now controls more than 3% of all Bitcoin <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> in existence.



What&#8217;s remarkable about IBIT isn&#8217;t just the asset growth. Throughout 2025, investors poured $25 billion into the fund even as Bitcoin itself posted negative returns for the year. That&#8217;s not hot money chasing momentum. That&#8217;s conviction buying, and it demonstrated that institutional appetite for crypto exposure has matured beyond speculative fervor.



When BlackRock named its Bitcoin ETF as one of three core investment themes for 2025, alongside Treasuries and big tech stocks, it sent an unmistakable message to the industry. The world&#8217;s biggest asset manager had declared that Bitcoin exposure represents mainstream portfolio construction, not fringe speculation. As we close out 2025, that positioning has held firm despite market volatility.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why 2026 Becomes The Year Everything Changes</h2>



The last piece of the puzzle is wirehouse adoption. Bank of America Corp. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BAC" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BAC" data-exchange="NYSE" rel="noopener">(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BAC">BAC</a>)</a>, JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/JPM" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="JPM" data-exchange="NYSE" rel="noopener">(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/JPM">JPM</a>)</a>, and Wells Fargo &amp; Company <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WFC" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="WFC" data-exchange="NYSE" rel="noopener">(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WFC">WFC</a>)</a> together manage over $1 trillion. Sources suggest these firms are actively working on adding Bitcoin to their approved investment lists.



When these giants approve crypto allocations, the game changes completely. Wirehouses move slowly and deliberately, running every decision through layers of compliance review. But when they approve something, it sends a signal to thousands of smaller advisory firms that the coast is clear. Analysts project that RIA crypto allocations could more than double in 2026 once wirehouses give the green light.



The internal dynamics shifted throughout 2025 as well. Research this month shows that nearly a quarter of Chief Compliance Officers at RIA firms personally own crypto, and 26% expect their firms to offer it to clients within the next two years. When the compliance gatekeepers are personally invested, approval becomes a matter of when, not if.



Most advisors recommending crypto today stick to modest allocations between 1% and 5% of portfolios. That range lets clients participate without taking on portfolio breaking risk, balancing fiduciary duty with client demand.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Business Case For Getting Ahead Of This</h2>



Demographics are working against advisors who drag their feet. Younger clients view crypto competence as table stakes, not a specialty service. They don&#8217;t understand why their advisor can&#8217;t help them with assets they&#8217;re managing at Coinbase Global Inc. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/COIN" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="COIN" data-exchange="NASDAQ" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/COIN">COIN</a>)</a>, which serves 120 million people worldwide.



Ric Edelman, who started the Digital Assets Council, went from recommending tiny crypto allocations a few years ago to suggesting portfolios hold between 10% and 40% by mid 2025. That&#8217;s aggressive, sure, but it shows how fast expert opinion is moving.



The operational barriers have collapsed too. Modern portfolio software from companies like Orion and Envestnet handles crypto reporting as easily as mutual funds. Tax reporting has standardized. The administrative burden that once justified saying no has evaporated.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Advisors Should Do Right Now</h2>



Setting up the compliance framework takes time. Advisors need to understand custody rules, pick qualified custodians with strong security, and document their fiduciary process. Waiting until everyone else is already offering crypto means playing catch up when clients are already shopping around.



Education matters just as much as compliance. Clients expect advisors to explain the actual investment case for Bitcoin <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BTC-USD" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="BTC" data-exchange="CRYPTO" rel="noopener">(CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> as an inflation hedge or Ethereum&#8217;s yield generation, not just process paperwork. Building that knowledge base now creates competitive advantage before the rush starts.



The crypto conversation should look like any other investment discussion. What are the client&#8217;s goals? What&#8217;s their risk tolerance? How does this fit into their overall plan? Some clients see Bitcoin as diversification. Others want technology exposure. The advisor&#8217;s job is matching the allocation to the individual situation, not applying cookie cutter recommendations.



As 2026 approaches, advisors face a straightforward choice. The regulatory framework exists. Products are available. Institutional players have validated the asset class. Clients want access. Advisors who build thoughtful crypto capabilities now will strengthen client relationships and competitive positioning. Those who wait will spend 2026 explaining to clients why the comprehensive financial plan they thought they had somehow excluded a major asset class the client already owned elsewhere.



Benzinga Disclaimer: This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga&#8217;s reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.

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