This article summarizes cryptocurrency news as of December 30, 2025, focusing on the latest updates on Bitcoin, Ethereum upgrades, Dogecoin trends, real-time cryptocurrency prices, and price forecasts. Major Web3 events today include:
- 30-Day Trading Volume Surges 1200%: Tokenized Silver SLVon Becomes a New Focus in RWA Sector
As the precious metals market continues to heat up, tokenized silver is experiencing explosive growth on-chain. Data shows that Ondo Finance’s tokenized silver product SLVon has seen a significant increase in trading volume and user base over the past 30 days, making it one of the most watched projects in the recent real-world assets (RWA) sector.
According to RWA.xyz statistics, SLVon’s trading volume in the past month has risen to approximately $117 million, a growth of over 1200% compared to previous levels. During the same period, its total on-chain asset value increased by about 156%, approaching $18 million. This change is highly consistent with the rise in spot silver prices, indicating that the market is gaining silver price exposure through on-chain methods.
From a user structure perspective, the number of SLVon holders has also grown rapidly. Over the past 30 days, the number of SLVon wallet addresses increased by more than 340%, surpassing 1,000 by the end of December. This trend shows that more investors are choosing tokenized silver assets over traditional exchange-traded products for more flexible investment and settlement experiences.
In terms of product structure, SLVon offers economic exposure similar to iShares Silver Trust but supports minting and redemption via blockchain. Currently, SLVon’s main supply remains on the Ethereum network, but usage on BNB Chain is rising, indicating increasing accessibility in a multi-chain ecosystem.
The rising activity of SLVon also resonates with the fundamentals of silver. Due to supply tightness and growing industrial demand from solar energy, electric vehicles, and data centers, silver prices surged significantly in December. Driven by this, SLVon’s net asset value increased by nearly 39% during the same period, further stimulating short-term trading and medium- to long-term allocation interest.
From a macro perspective, SLVon’s performance reflects the overall expansion of tokenized real-world assets. Data from RWA.xyz shows that by the end of December, the total on-chain RWA market size approached $19.36 billion. Besides private credit and tokenized US Treasuries, tokenized commodities are gradually becoming important supplements.
Market analysts believe that as commodity price volatility intensifies and on-chain settlement operates 24/7, tokenized silver assets like SLVon may continue to be key observations in the RWA field before 2026.
- XRP ETF Continues Seven Weeks of Net Inflows Near $1.24 Billion, Next Target for XRP Price $3?
After months of downward pressure, XRP’s price has recently entered a clear consolidation phase. The downtrend formed since late July has not been completely broken, but repeated buy orders around $1.8 indicate selling momentum is gradually weakening. The price stabilizing rather than further declining is a key signal in the current XRP market structure.
A significant change comes from the capital side. XRP ETF funds have achieved net inflows for the seventh consecutive week, with a stable weekly increase of about $64 million, continuously changing the market supply-demand structure. Unlike short-term speculation, this structural capital leans toward long-term allocation, resulting in the gradual absorption of circulating supply and reducing the probability of rapid price drops. As of now, the XRP ETF management assets are close to $1.24 billion, which explains why XRP can hold key support levels amid macro volatility.
Notably, the inflow of funds has not immediately driven prices higher, indicating that the new demand is mainly used to absorb selling pressure rather than chase higher prices. This “accumulation” pattern often appears during the transition from a downtrend to stabilization. Standard Chartered previously predicted that XRP could rise about 330% by 2026, based on increased ETF participation and clearer regulation, rather than short-term sentiment.
Technically, XRP remains within a downtrend channel since July, but recent retracements have touched the lower boundary at $1.8. Historically, this zone is more prone to momentum decay than accelerated decline. MACD indicators are beginning to recover upward, and prices are maintained above demand zones, showing buyers are trying to build higher lows.
If the $1.8 support remains effective, XRP could move toward the supply zone above the channel, with a next target around $3. Conversely, a decisive break below $1.8 would invalidate the current stabilization structure and reopen downside risks.
Overall, XRP is at a critical stage transitioning from a long-term downtrend to stable accumulation. Continued ETF fund inflows, repeated demand zone confirmations, and improving technical momentum lay a foundation for gradual price recovery, but a trend reversal requires further confirmation.
- RWA Fixed Income Market Haven Completes Seed Round at $30 Million Valuation, Candaq and Others Participate
RWA fixed income market Haven announced the completion of a seed round at a $300 million valuation, with investors including Candaq, Apus Capital, ZC Capital, and BlockPulse Digital Asset Management.
Haven aims to build a transparent and programmable on-chain RWA fixed income marketplace by bringing traditional low-volatility, predictable-yield assets onto blockchain, establishing fixed income as a foundational layer of on-chain finance. Currently, Haven has launched US Treasury products, supporting users to access on-chain treasury yields using USDT, USDC, and USD1.
- Institutions Copy Bitcoin Options Strategies to Altcoin Markets, Trading Volume Reaches Billions Annually
As the crypto market matures, institutional investors’ risk management tools are evolving. Digital asset derivatives trading firm STS Digital pointed out that more institutions are systematically applying mature Bitcoin options strategies to other cryptocurrencies and altcoins to hedge price volatility and generate additional yields.
Maxime Seiler, co-founder and CEO of STS Digital, said their clients include token project teams, foundations, large holders, and asset managers managing risk before liquidity events. These participants are migrating classic Bitcoin options strategies such as covered calls, put selling, and long calls to a broader crypto asset space.
Mechanically, options give buyers the right to buy or sell assets at a set price in the future, while sellers earn premiums to bear price fluctuation risks. For long-term holders of spot assets, selling covered calls is a common operation to earn stable options income without reducing holdings. Since early 2020, such covered call strategies have been key tools for institutions managing Bitcoin positions.
Now, this model is being replicated in the altcoin market. Seiler noted that after the sharp decline of altcoins on October 10 and the automatic deleveraging triggered by exchanges, institutions are paying more attention to expressing risk exposure via options. Compared to high-leverage spot or futures trading, options are more controllable in extreme volatility environments.
Besides covered calls, institutions widely use put selling to generate income, buy puts for downside protection, and buy calls to participate in potential rebounds with limited risk. These strategies are becoming vital for altcoin risk management and yield enhancement.
As a regulated digital asset trading platform, STS Digital offers options, spot, and structured product quotes for over 400 cryptocurrencies, settling billions of dollars in altcoin options trading annually. Seiler expects the trend of expanding Bitcoin options strategies to other tokens will continue in the coming years, with options becoming a core tool for institutions to manage crypto exposure, especially during market consolidations and low volatility phases.
- Media: Alan Tam’s Son Tam Xiaofeng Serves as Senior Software Engineer at Web3 Company, Previously Responsible for NFT Game CryptoKitties
According to Lianhe Zaobao, 75-year-old “Music Industry Principal” Alan Tam’s son Tam Xiaofeng (Howard) has recently excelled in the tech field of cryptocurrencies. He now works as a senior software engineer at a Web3 startup, focusing on developing digital wallets and cryptographic protocols. Tam Xiaofeng previously managed the world’s first Ethereum-based NFT game “CryptoKitties” at Canadian game company Axiom Zen, which at launch accounted for over 16% of Ethereum network transaction volume.
- Grayscale: Store of Value Demand and Clearer Regulations Will Drive Crypto Bull Market, Bitcoin Could Hit New High in First Half of 2026
On December 30, Grayscale’s research department released a 2026 crypto market outlook report, stating that store-of-value demand and clearer regulation are driving the next bull market in cryptocurrencies in 2026. Rising government debt, ongoing fiscal deficits, and concerns over fiat currency devaluation are prompting investors to look beyond traditional assets. Meanwhile, Grayscale expects that after delays caused by political deadlock and government shutdowns, the US crypto market structure bill will gain bipartisan support and make progress in early 2026. Although the bill failed to pass in 2025, momentum has resumed, and both parties show interest in establishing clearer federal rules for digital assets. Therefore, Grayscale predicts valuations will rise in 2026, ending the so-called “four-year cycle.” Bitcoin prices are likely to reach a new all-time high in the first half of the year.
- Pioneer Users Surpass 60 Million, Pi Network to Unlock 134 Million Pi Coins in January 2026
As user base continues to grow, Pi Network is preparing for a new key milestone. According to community disclosures, Pi Network plans a large-scale token unlock in January 2026, releasing about 134 million PI tokens, far exceeding the approximately 8.7 million unlocked at the end of last December. Meanwhile, the number of pioneer users registered on Pi Network has surpassed 60 million, seen as an important milestone for network size and activity.
Many supporters believe that rapid user growth helps the ecosystem absorb the increased token supply. Community views suggest that the large pioneer user base has prevented significant disruptions or systemic issues during previous unlocks, providing confidence for larger-scale unlocks later.
The December unlock is widely viewed as a “stress test.” Community feedback indicates the ecosystem remained relatively stable after the new supply entered. However, since Pi Network is still in a controlled circulation environment, the price discovery mechanism and external liquidity for PI tokens remain limited, making market reactions hard to quantify.
It is noteworthy that this unlock occurs as Pi Network transitions toward an open mainnet. This phase is seen as a crucial step from closed testing to broader on-chain activity. The development team emphasizes steady progress rather than releasing large liquidity all at once. Analysts note that whether the unlock exerts pressure depends not only on quantity but also on actual use cases, trading channels, and user behavior.
The upcoming January unlock, due to its larger scale, has sparked new discussions. Compared to December, the amount of PI tokens released this time is significantly higher. Community managers say that a predictable, transparent issuance schedule helps reduce uncertainty and allows the ecosystem to gradually adapt to supply changes. However, some caution that without support from major exchanges and clear pricing mechanisms, large-scale unlocks could still test market confidence.
Community focus also shifts to ecosystem development. Recently, some users found new test tokens in wallets, hinting that Pi applications, DApps, and DEX environments are still under ongoing testing. Although the core team has not released a complete unlock roadmap, multiple sources emphasize prioritizing practicality and long-term growth. As Pi Network enters 2026, this token unlock may become a key indicator of ecosystem maturity.
- Ripple CTO Rarely Comments: Publicly Recognizes Midnight, Collaboration Potential with Cardano Amplified 100 Times
Ripple CTO David “JoelKatz” Schwartz recently publicly acknowledged Cardano’s privacy sidechain project Midnight, sparking market attention on potential collaboration between Cardano and Ripple ecosystems. This statement is seen as a significant signal in the cross-chain camp, especially amid accelerating tokenization of real-world assets (RWA).
Midnight is a privacy-oriented sidechain launched by Cardano. Since its native token NIGHT went live in early December last year, it has maintained a relatively low profile. However, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has repeatedly emphasized Midnight’s strategic role in future Web3 infrastructure, gradually making it a market focus. Hoskinson believes that under the trend of expanding RWA tokenization, Midnight and XRP can support a scale far beyond traditional finance, potentially reaching 100 times.
The direct trigger was a discussion by an XRP community supporter on social media, citing Hoskinson’s views and comparing the progress of Midnight, XRP, and traditional institutions in tokenization. In the discussion, some community members directly called on Schwartz to comment on Midnight. Surprisingly, Ripple CTO responded within about 1 minute, saying: “I hereby recognize the Midnight project.” This brief but clear statement is seen as Ripple’s top leadership’s first positive affirmation of Midnight’s potential.
Soon after, Hoskinson also joined the interaction, responding casually and further igniting enthusiasm in the Cardano and XRP communities. The public exchange is interpreted as a sign of easing or even potential collaboration between the two ecosystems. Previously, Hoskinson stated that Midnight could become a privacy layer for XRP’s DeFi ecosystem, a concept now revisited due to Ripple CTO’s recognition.
From an industry perspective, Cardano’s privacy computing capabilities and XRP’s advantages in cross-border payments and institutional adoption indeed have complementary space. Even US prominent crypto lawyer John E. Deaton commented that the interaction between the two tech leaders symbolizes rationality and cooperation, signaling a positive step forward for the crypto industry.
Overall, Ripple CTO’s recognition of Midnight not only boosts Midnight’s market attention but also opens new imagination space for future collaboration between Cardano and XRP in RWA, DeFi, and cross-chain privacy. As 2025 approaches, this potential alliance may become an important ongoing narrative in the crypto market.
- Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Rises to 148.2 T! Competition Among Miners Heats Up in 2025, Network Security Advances
After the last difficulty adjustment of 2025, Bitcoin mining difficulty officially reached 148.2 T, marking the year’s closing level. Compared to 109.8 T recorded on January 1, 2025, the annual difficulty has increased by about 35%, indicating that Bitcoin network security and miner competition have continued to strengthen over the year.
Mining difficulty measures the computational effort required for miners to find new blocks. The Bitcoin protocol adjusts difficulty approximately every two weeks to keep average block time around 10 minutes, not directly tied to price or hash rate changes. Rising difficulty usually means more hash power participating in network maintenance, and hardware and energy costs for miners also increase.
Data shows that the peak difficulty in 2025 occurred on November 11, reaching 156 T; the lowest in the past three months was in late October at 146.7 T. The current difficulty level, though about 5% below the November peak, remains significantly higher than at the start of the year, reflecting ongoing deployment of more efficient new-generation mining machines.
Forward-looking data predicts the next difficulty adjustment will occur around January 8, potentially raising difficulty to about 149.3 T. This expectation is an important reference for assessing Bitcoin’s hash rate trend and miner confidence.
In 2025, Bitcoin price and mining difficulty show a clear correlation. When difficulty hit a yearly high in November, Bitcoin prices also rose temporarily; prior to that, when Bitcoin hit record prices, network difficulty was about 146.7 T. Currently, Bitcoin price is still about 4% below the start of the year, but difficulty continues to climb, showing miners’ continued participation post-halving.
Overall, the persistent upward trend in Bitcoin mining difficulty in 2025 reflects increased mining competition and further consolidates Bitcoin’s network security, providing important reference for long-term bullishness on Bitcoin mining prospects and hash rate ecosystem.
- Dragonfly Partner Predicts 2026 Crypto Market: Bitcoin Could Surge to $150,000, Regulation and Stablecoins Key Variables
As 2025 nears its end, market focus shifts to 2026 crypto trends. Dragonfly managing partner Haseeb Qureshi recently published a comprehensive analysis on Bitcoin, Ethereum, DeFi, stablecoins, and regulation, sparking industry-wide attention.
Haseeb Qureshi believes 2026 will be a highly uncertain but opportunity-rich year, with the market possibly experiencing strong rallies or phases of decline. His most notable forecast is that Bitcoin could reach $150,000 by the end of 2026, setting a new all-time high. This prediction contrasts with some bearish views and further fuels discussions on Bitcoin’s long-term value.
On public chains, Haseeb Qureshi favors Ethereum and Solana’s overall performance in 2026, considering them still core beneficiaries of blockchain infrastructure. He is cautiously optimistic about emerging projects like Tempo, Arc, and the growth of Robinhood-related chains. Notably, he expects tech giants like Google, Meta, and Apple to launch crypto wallets, and blockchain solutions such as Avalanche, OP Stack, Orbit, and ZK Stack may be adopted by Fortune 100 companies for building their own blockchains.
In DeFi, he predicts significant consolidation among perpetual swap decentralized exchanges, with three major platforms dominating. The trading volume of equity-based perpetual contracts may grow rapidly, possibly accounting for over 20% of total DeFi perpetual trading. However, he warns that despite regulatory tightening, DeFi-related hacking and security incidents could remain high in 2026.
Stablecoins are seen as a major growth driver in 2026. Qureshi forecasts overall stablecoin market size to grow by 60%, with USDT still dominant but its market share possibly dropping to 55%. Meanwhile, the adoption of stablecoin-backed credit cards could surpass expectations, with growth potential reaching 1000%, becoming an important gateway connecting crypto and real-world payments.
On regulation, he believes the US “Clarity Act” may be enacted in 2026, providing clearer regulatory frameworks. If Democrats regain control of Congress, crypto projects related to Trump might face stricter scrutiny. Overall, he sees 2026 as a year of simultaneous evolution in prices, applications, and regulation, with volatility and opportunities coexisting.
- Metaplanet Q4 Invests About $450 Million to Buy 4,279 BTC, BTC Yield Reaches 568% Yearly
Simon Gerovich, CEO of Japan-listed Metaplanet, disclosed on X that the company purchased 4,279 Bitcoin at a total cost of about 69.855 billion yen (roughly $450 million) by the end of Q4 2025, with an average price of about 16.33 million yen per BTC. This move further solidifies Metaplanet’s image as a representative of Asian corporate Bitcoin strategic holdings.
Data shows that from 2025 to date, Metaplanet’s Bitcoin investment yield has reached an astonishing 568.2%, significantly outperforming traditional assets and highlighting the leverage effect of corporate Bitcoin reserves during bull markets. As of December 30, 2025, the company holds a total of 35,102 BTC, with a total purchase cost of about 559.726 billion yen, and an average holding price of approximately 15.95 million yen per BTC.
In the context of global corporations increasingly including Bitcoin on their balance sheets, Metaplanet’s large-scale accumulation is seen as an important signal of institutional bullishness on Bitcoin’s long-term value. As long-tail keywords like corporate reserves, company-held Bitcoin, and institutional BTC allocation continue to rise, Metaplanet’s strategy may further reinforce market recognition of Bitcoin as “digital gold.”
- Lighter Airdrop: LIT Token Officially Launches, 25% Supply Distributed to Community Users
The Ethereum-based Layer-2 decentralized perpetual contract exchange Lighter officially launched its native token Lighter Infrastructure Token (LIT), airdropping 25% of the total supply to the community. This move quickly attracted DeFi market attention and marked a new phase of token-driven ecosystem development.
According to an official Lighter announcement on December 30, 2025, 50% of the total LIT supply is allocated to the ecosystem, with the remaining 50% split between the team and early investors. Of the ecosystem allocation, 25% has been airdropped to users during TGE via S1 and S2 points mechanisms, with the remaining 25% reserved for future seasons, ecosystem collaborations, and long-term protocol development.
Note that although some users have received the LIT airdrop, the token is not yet tradable. The team and investors hold 50% of the tokens, with the team owning 26% and investors 24%, all with a one-year lock-up period, followed by a three-year linear unlock, which helps mitigate short-term market pressure.
Functionally, LIT is not just a governance token but a core asset across Lighter’s infrastructure. It can be staked, used for layered execution and validation, ensuring fairness and accuracy in perpetual contract trading. LIT also serves as a vehicle for market data, price verification, and fee incentives, encouraging users to provide verifiable trading and risk management data to improve capital efficiency and execution quality.
Lighter states that all value created by the protocol and its products will flow back to LIT holders. The project is developed in the US, issued directly by a C-type company, and operates the protocol at near cost, emphasizing transparency and sustainability.
The LIT launch follows Lighter’s $68 million funding round completed in November, with a post-money valuation of $1.5 billion. According to DefiLama, Lighter’s TVL reached a record high of $1.456 billion in mid-December. Overall, the LIT airdrop and token launch enhance Lighter’s DeFi infrastructure and add new focus to the Layer-2 perpetual contract sector.
- Tokenized US Treasury Fund BUIDL Surpasses $1 Billion in Dividends, Over $2 Billion in Scale, Becomes Largest Tokenized Government Bond Fund
BlackRock’s tokenized money market fund BUIDL has reached an important milestone. According to data from tokenization firm Securitize, since its launch in March 2024, BUIDL has distributed approximately $100 million in dividends to investors, and its assets under management have surpassed $2 billion, making it one of the largest tokenized cash and government bond products on the market.
BUIDL mainly invests in short-term US Treasuries, repurchase agreements, and cash equivalents, positioning itself as a regulated money market fund rather than a traditional stablecoin. The fund’s shares exist as blockchain tokens, settled and distributed on a public blockchain. Initially deployed on Ethereum, it has expanded to multiple blockchain ecosystems as demand for on-chain dollar yields grows.
The $100 million cumulative dividends are seen as a key signal of successful on-chain integration of institutional-grade financial assets. Compared to stablecoins, tokenized money market funds offer compliant, transparent, and real-yield dollar exposure, becoming an important supplement to stablecoins.
Over the past year, tokenized government bonds and cash products have grown rapidly, but regulators remain attentive to risks such as on-chain settlement finality, liquidity assumptions, and stability in extreme market conditions. Nonetheless, BUIDL has become the first tokenized government bond fund to pay out $100 million in dividends.
Currently, BUIDL’s applications extend beyond passive income. Its tokens are integrated into the crypto financial system, serving as the underlying asset for stablecoin USDtb, and used in on-chain trading, financing, and collateralization. This structure links traditional short-term interest markets with expanding on-chain financial infrastructure, seen as a key bridge for institutional capital entering tokenized finance.
- XRP News Today: Standard Chartered Bullish on XRP, Target Price $8, Potential 330% Rise by 2026
Standard Chartered has become the latest major international financial institution to explicitly favor XRP. According to its latest research forecast, XRP could rise to $8 by 2026, representing a potential increase of up to 330% from current levels of about $1.86. This outlook quickly attracted market attention and reignited discussions on XRP’s long-term value.
Geoffrey Kendrick, head of global digital asset research at Standard Chartered, stated that the core logic for bullish XRP is its ecosystem and institutional demand expanding in tandem. The sustained interest in spot XRP ETFs in the US is seen as a key driver. Since November last year, several well-known asset managers, including Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, and Canary Capital, have launched XRP-related investment products, reducing custody and compliance risks for institutions directly holding crypto assets.
Data shows that as of December 29, these XRP investment products have attracted about $1.15 billion, indicating increasing institutional capital entering the space. This trend is also considered a key basis for Standard Chartered’s upward revision of XRP’s medium- and long-term price expectations.
Fundamentally, XRP remains focused on cross-border payments and settlement, leveraging the XRP Ledger. Compared to traditional SWIFT, XRPL offers faster transactions and lower costs. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has said that within five years, XRP could handle 14% of global SWIFT total payments. Even if this goal is only partially achieved, it could significantly boost XRP’s actual demand as a bridge asset.
However, the market is not uniformly bullish. Veteran trader Peter Brandt recently pointed out that XRP’s weekly chart may have formed a double top, often a trend reversal signal, warning of a risk of falling below $1.00. This reminds investors to remain cautious and monitor technical changes alongside macro positives.
Besides ETFs, institutional participation is also reflected in derivatives markets. CME Group launched XRP futures based on spot prices in mid-December, providing more efficient allocation channels for institutions. Meanwhile, XRP’s attention in tokenization and DeFi is rising. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson recently said Ripple and its network have already surpassed traditional finance in tokenization scale.
Overall, Standard Chartered’s optimistic XRP forecast reflects the combined effect of institutional adoption, payment applications, and infrastructure upgrades. But amid frequent large price swings, XRP’s medium- and long-term trend still depends on real-world application deployment and market sentiment balance.
- Yi Lihua: Federal Reserve Will Gradually Easing Liquidity with Increasing Intensity, Companies Have Sufficient Funds to Leverage and Buy on Dips
Liquid Capital founder Jack Yi (易理华) posted on X that: “The Federal Reserve will gradually ease liquidity, and the intensity will increase, which is the second time after the pandemic. The first was the massive easing during the March 12 pandemic, leading to a big bull market. This round is also easing, and with institutions locking in Bitcoin and ETH, the structure of chips has changed. Once prices rise, short squeeze is inevitable. Short sellers are organizing armies to attack me, trying to influence public sentiment, but it’s futile. The company has sufficient funds to leverage and buy on dips. Shorts will close early with small losses, then close later with big losses, and the short alliance has already disintegrated.”
