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  • Silk Road crypto activity resurfaces as dormant Bitcoin wallets move again

    Silk Road crypto activity resurfaces as dormant Bitcoin wallets move again

    Silk Road crypto activity resurfaces as dormant Bitcoin wallets move again

    • Silk Road-tagged wallets sent $3.14 million in Bitcoin across 176 transfers this week.
    • The transactions are the most significant Silk Road-linked activity in five years.
    • The wallets sent funds to a new address beginning with bc1qn.

    Silk Road-linked cryptocurrency activity has resurfaced, drawing attention to long-quiet Bitcoin wallets connected to the darknet marketplace.

    The movement comes less than a year after US President Donald Trump granted a full pardon to Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht.

    While the pardon focused global attention on Ulbricht’s legal case, blockchain analysts are now tracking renewed activity that marks the highest level of transfers in years.

    The latest movement, recorded on Tuesday, is raising fresh questions about dormant coin reserves linked to the marketplace and how much Bitcoin remains undiscovered or untouched across older blockchain addresses.

    Silk Road wallets show renewed Bitcoin flows

    Silk Road-tagged wallets transferred about $3.14 million worth of Bitcoin BTC $92,626, according to Arkham. The activity involved 176 transactions, making it the most significant movement from these addresses in five years.

    Earlier this year, the same wallets carried out only three small test transactions, suggesting that substantial activity had been paused.

    The transfers this week were sent to an unknown cryptocurrency wallet with the address prefix bc1qn.

    The primary Silk Road-associated wallets still hold about $38.4 million in Bitcoin.

    The newly created address holds only the transferred $3.14 million.

    Pardon puts focus back on historic Silk Road funds

    Interest in the wallets has intensified since January, when Trump issued a full pardon to Ulbricht.

    Before the pardon, Ulbricht had been serving a double life sentence without parole for creating and operating Silk Road, which allowed anonymous trading of illicit goods using Bitcoin.

    The pardon also sparked new activity around the Free Ross campaign.

    Supporters have contributed about $270,000 in Bitcoin donations since the announcement, based on on-chain data.

    Unseized Bitcoin linked to Ulbricht gains attention

    Alongside the renewed transfers, discussions have shifted to older cryptocurrency holdings believed to be connected to Ulbricht but never seized by authorities.

    The US government previously confiscated at least $3.36 billion in Bitcoin from Silk Road, marking one of the largest recoveries in the history of digital asset enforcement.

    Yet blockchain analysts tracking historical movements have identified additional reserves that remain untouched.

    Coinbase exchange director Conor Grogan highlighted that 430 BTC, worth about $47 million, has not moved for more than 13 years.

    These tokens are held in wallets thought to be linked to Ulbricht.

    Dormant Bitcoin wallets remain a focal point

    Another Silk Road-tagged wallet likely controlled by Ulbricht contains about $8.3 million in Bitcoin.

    This wallet has seen only three small test transactions over the past 10 months and has otherwise remained inactive for 14 years, according to Arkham.

    The transfers observed this week have therefore shifted attention back to dormant Bitcoin reserves that could hold substantial amounts.

    Experts monitoring historical blockchain activity note that movements involving older darknet-linked wallets often prompt speculation about ownership, recovery efforts, or changes in operational control.

    The recent activity does not clarify why these wallets began moving again or who controls the receiving address.

    However, the timing, extended periods of inactivity, and historical significance of the addresses have made the transfers notable within the crypto community.

    As blockchain analysis tools improve and more historical data becomes searchable, renewed activity from legacy darknet sources continues to shape conversations about unseized assets and the long-term movement patterns of early Bitcoin holdings.

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  • Plume token gains 8% as Coinbase adds trading support

    Plume token gains 8% as Coinbase adds trading support

    PLUME Token

    • Coinbase has listed Plume, an EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain for tokenizing real-world assets.
    • PLUME rose 8% as Bitcoin (BTC) oscillated between $90,000 and $92,000 amid lack of significant momentum. 
    • Other altcoins, including Hype (HYPE) and Cronos (CRO), are trading higher despite overall caution.

    The cryptocurrency market remains cautious despite notable gains for tokens such as Plume (PLUME), which has climbed 8% following Coinbase’s listing.

    As Plume’s upward trajectory stands out amid a generally cautious market landscape, investors have also noted price movements for Zcash, Ondo, and Cronos, among others.

    Meanwhile, major cryptocurrencies are showing mixed performances, with Bitcoin poised near $90,000.

    Coinbase lists Plume (PLUME)

    Coinbase, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, has announced the launch of spot trading for Plume (PLUME) and Jupiter (JUPITER).

    The listings go live on December 9, 2025.

    Per the exchange, the opening of the PLUME-USD and JUPITER-USD trading pairs is scheduled for 9 AM PT or later.

    This will be contingent on the pairs meeting liquidity conditions and availability in supported regions.

    Coinbase’s listing has bolstered Plume and highlights the US crypto exchange behemoth’s commitment to expanding its offerings to include innovative blockchain projects.

    Plume’s focus is on RWA tokenization, while Jupiter is a leading Solana-based DEX aggregator.

    Availability via Coinbase could help attract significant trading interest for PLUME and JUP.

    Notably, it’s likely to enhance the tokens’ liquidity and accessibility for institutional and retail investors alike.

    PLUME price jumps 8% on listing news; Can bulls go higher?

    As noted, the news of Coinbase’s support propelled PLUME’s price by 8% to above $0.022.

    Gains for the token came as the broader crypto market held its breath amid Bitcoin’s flirting with the $90,000 mark.

    BTC has swung around $90k and $92k on low-volume moves, while altcoins have remained largely subdued.

    As the Fear & Greed Index hangs at 22 and indicates extreme Fear, Ethereum, BNB, XRP, and Solana have also touched key support areas.

    Despite this slight bearish sentiment, PLUME’s rally aligns with other top movers.

    This includes ONDO’s rise as news of the SEC ending its probe filtered through.

    Bittensor (TAO) is also eyeing gains ahead of its halving while privacy coins Zcash and Dash continue to record winnings.

    For PLUME, the critical question is whether bulls can sustain this momentum.

    The immediate outlook requires that the token maintains support above $0.020 to pave the way for further gains.

    However, a drop below this mark might signal a shift to bearish trading.

    PLUME hit its all-time low of $0.018 on October 11, 2025.

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  • Crypto ETFs diverge: Bitcoin suffers $60M outflows; ETH, SOL, XRP funds in green

    Crypto ETFs diverge: Bitcoin suffers $60M outflows; ETH, SOL, XRP funds in green

    Crypto ETFs updates

    • BTC ETFs recorded $60.48M withdrawals on December 8.
    • Ethereum funds extended their latest momentum with $35.49M inflows.
    • XRP and Solana ETFs ended yesterday with gains amid prevailing demand.

    The digital tokens space remains choppy ahead of the December 10 Federal Reserve decision on interest rates.

    Crypto exchange-traded funds, which have become vital in gauging institutional appetite in these risk assets, confirm the current uncertainty.

    Bitcoin ETFs suffer outflows despite IBIT’s gains

    Interest around BTC ETFs remained negative yesterday, with the products recording net outflows amounting to $60.48 million (SoSoValue data).

    The significant withdrawals came as investors reacted to the weekend’s sluggish performance across the crypto landscape.

    Bitcoin failed to break $92,000 again, currently trading at $90,150.

    However, Monday was not gloomy for all BTC ETF issuers.

    BlackRock proved its resilience and dominance as its IBIT attracted $28.76 million in inflows.

    While funds like Graycale’s GBT (-44.03M) and Fidelity’s FBTC (-39.44M) saw substantial withdrawals on December 8, IBIT’s steadiness indicates that profit taking, not a shift in interest, likely triggered the mixed flows into Bitcoin.

    Ethereum ETFs flip positive

    While Bitcoin bled on December 8, Ethereum exchange-traded funds turned positive with $35.5 million inflows.

    Notably, the funds recorded substantial exits in the previous two sessions, on December 4 (-41.5M) and December 5 (-75.2M).

    Indeed, Ethereum has been on the investor radar lately following its Fusaka upgrade, which targets enhanced speed, scalability, and lower costs for Ether-based Layer 2 platforms.

    Moreover, the inflows indicate that investors are viewing Ethereum as a legitimate token for portfolio diversification beyond Bitcoin.

    Indeed, the second-largest crypto by value is experiencing renewed interest from institutional participants.

    For example, BlackRock is seeking the SEC’s authorization for a new staked Ether trust ETF – the ETHB.

    The proposed product differs from BlackRock’s popular ETHA trust in that the staking Ether trust will track Ethereum’s performance and include incentives gained from the trust’s staked Ether.

    ETH is trading at $3,124 after gaining more than 10% the past seven days.

    Solana ETFs see steady demand

    Solana spot products closed the previous day with $1.2 million inflows.

    While the figure remains modest, it reflects consistent demand for SOL ETFs.

    Monday’s inflows have extended their winning streak to three days, demonstrating appetite for these products despite broader turmoil.

    Solana exchange-traded funds have attracted roughly $639 million since their late October debut.

    Meanwhile, SOL price is hovering at $133, down 2% the past 24 hours.

    XRP ETFs steal the show

    Ripple’s crypto asset stood out on December 8, with a net inflow of $38.04 million, eclipsing peers for the day.

    Grayscale led as its GXRP drew over $810K in fresh capital on Monday.

    Also, Canary, Bitwise, and Franklin’s XRP exchange-traded funds recorded notable daily gains.

    Regulatory clarity and XRP’s unique utility in cross-border transactions have elevated the altcoin’s appeal among institutional investors.

    Nevertheless, the December 8 ETF performance sends a clear message.

    Investors are now diversifying into other cryptos beyond Bitcoin.

    Altcoin ETFs are gaining traction for their added advantages, as the crypto industry gains increased acceptance in mainstream finance.

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  • Argentina moves to reshape crypto rules as banks prepare for Bitcoin services

    Argentina moves to reshape crypto rules as banks prepare for Bitcoin services

    Argentina moves to reshape crypto rules as banks prepare for Bitcoin services

    • A new framework would allow trading, custody, and approved coins.
    • Banks must follow strict KYC, AML, and CNV regulations.
    • High inflation has pushed people toward Bitcoin and stablecoins.

    Argentina is preparing for a major shift in how its financial system treats digital assets, with regulators working on a plan that could allow banks to offer Bitcoin and other crypto services for the first time in three years.

    The move marks a notable shift for a country where crypto has become a day-to-day tool for people trying to manage inflation, and it signals a wider effort to bring informal crypto activity into regulated channels.

    The change remains under review, but internal planning shows that Argentina wants its banking system to play a formal role in crypto access, custody, and compliance.

    Banks and crypto rules evolve

    Argentina’s central bank, the Banco Central de la República Argentina, has restricted banks from handling crypto since May 2022.

    The regulation was designed to contain financial risks and prevent money-laundering activity during a period of economic instability.

    The policy now sits at the centre of a broader reassessment of how digital assets fit into a financial system that is struggling with persistent inflation and rising demand for stable alternatives.

    Since December 2023, the arrival of President Javier Milei has reshaped the conversation.

    His administration has promoted financial freedom, arguing that people should be able to choose different forms of money, including Bitcoin.

    This shift has influenced how regulators approach the current ban and has accelerated work on a new framework.

    New framework plans grow

    Reports indicate that the central bank is developing a system that would permit banks to integrate crypto into their services.

    The plan includes trading access, custody options, and a list of approved coins, limited to assets such as BTC, ETH, USDC, USDT, and XRP.

    Banks would need to comply with strict rules under the CNV, follow enhanced KYC and AML procedures, and operate crypto activities through legally separate units with additional capital, security, and liquidity requirements.

    The approach represents a transition from prohibition to controlled participation.

    Argentina would be one of the first inflation-hit economies to regulate crypto within mainstream banking rather than leaving it to informal platforms.

    The change also aims to reduce regulatory gaps and improve transparency across transactions that citizens already rely on to protect their savings.

    Inflation pressures fuel demand

    Crypto adoption has grown rapidly in Argentina over the past three years as households look for ways to preserve value.

    With inflation reaching 1,427% in 2023 and still rising more than 2% each month, people have turned to Bitcoin and dollar-linked stablecoins to manage daily expenses, store money, and avoid exposure to the peso’s depreciation.

    Regulators now want this activity to operate under formal safeguards.

    Allowing banks to support crypto services would offer a safer environment, limit the use of unregulated exchanges, and help authorities strengthen financial monitoring.

    It would also create a more structured relationship between digital assets and traditional banks during a period of economic stress.

    Timeline points to 2026

    Although approval is not final, experts suggest that the updated rules could be ready around April 2026. Work on the technical structure is already underway.

    If the proposal moves forward, Argentina could become a key example of how a country facing extreme inflation integrates crypto into conventional financial channels.

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  • Internet Computer (ICP) crashes to $3.50 as AI hype fades and market pressure mounts

    Internet Computer (ICP) crashes to $3.50 as AI hype fades and market pressure mounts

    An Image Showing ICP Token

    • Internet Computer (ICP) price has dropped 6% in the past 24 hours to under $3.50.
    • Recently, the altcoin pumped from lows of $2.80 to above $9.62.
    • Overall market weakness could see ICP price tank further, although an uptick for Bitcoin will boost altcoins.

    The Internet Computer (ICP) token has endured a sharp downturn in the past month, culminating in a 24-hour dip of over 6% as the price broke below $3.50.

    Losses for Internet Computer come amid a 29% decrease in trading volume, suggesting bulls could benefit from reduced selling pressure.

    However, with ICP briefly rallying on hype around AI integrations like the Caffeine platform, only to reverse course, it may yet allow bears to strengthen the upper hand.

    Internet Computer price slips to $3.50

    The ICP project, launched by the DFINITY Foundation, is one of the top artificial intelligence-related coins.

    DFINITY aims to revolutionize the internet by enabling fully on-chain applications, from decentralized finance to AI-driven services, without reliance on traditional cloud providers.

    In early November, the DFINITY Foundation unveiled an update for its AI platform Caffeine DeAI.

    The news saw the price of ICP surge sharply, with bulls eventually hitting highs of $9.62 on Nov. 8, 2025.

    ICP Price Chart
    Internet Computer price chart by TradingView

    The uptick aligned with market cheer for an update that pushed the narrative of the Internet Computer as a key AI cloud engine.

    As well as allowing users to create and deploy apps easily, Caffeine features an App Market and supports monetization.

    DFINITY said Caffeine will help drive network usage and transition ICP to a deflationary asset, among other features.

    However, the token’s price has tumbled since that November peak and hit $3.50 on December 5, 2025. That’s a 64% dump in the past month and reflects broader market pressure.

    What could catalyze short-term losses for ICP?

    Market analysts have attributed the sell-off pressure across crypto to a confluence of factors.

    As well as macroeconomic headwinds, FUD around Tether and Strategy (MSTR) has dampened risk appetite for Bitcoin (BTC) and the speculative assets across altcoins.

    These same aspects apply to ICP and the dip to $3.50, with intraday revisits of lower levels, strengthening the fragile outlook.

    Adding to this is the overall sentiment around token dumps if BTC price tanks.

    Recently, when Bitcoin dipped to near $80,000, the Internet Computer token plummeted from above $5 to below $4.2.

    Price currently hovers around $3.51 as Bitcoin flirts with support near $90,500. If momentum escapes bulls further, sellers could eye the all-time lows of $1.98 reached in October 2025.

    On the flipside, the altcoin could benefit from network upgrades and adoption trends.

    This, amid a resurgence in AI tokens and tokenized Bitcoin demand, may help buyers. A shift in sentiment as the macro environment improves will be crucial to bulls.

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  • CoinDCX data reveals India’s rising appetite for diversified digital assets

    CoinDCX data reveals India’s rising appetite for diversified digital assets

    CoinDCX data reveals India’s rising appetite for diversified digital assets

    • CoinDCX users now hold an average of five tokens, up from two to three previously.
    • Women investors doubled year on year with broader diversification trends.
    • Millennials remain the dominant user base as the average age rises to 32.

    Indian crypto investors are showing a stronger preference for diversified digital asset portfolios, marking an early shift toward more deliberate and long-term allocation behaviour.

    CoinDCX’s annual report, released on Thursday, suggests that the country’s retail investor base is gradually moving away from the idea that crypto is synonymous with Bitcoin, signalling broader maturity in market participation in 2025.

    This trend reflects a market becoming more confident, curious, and willing to explore varied opportunities across the expanding digital ecosystem.

    The exchange found that the average user now holds around five tokens, compared with two to three in 2022.

    This steady expansion of holdings indicates a growing awareness of portfolio construction and a willingness to explore different parts of the crypto market beyond the most established assets.

    Layer-1 tokens lead activity

    CoinDCX reported that layer-1 assets accounted for 43.3% of portfolio volumes.

    Bitcoin, priced at $93,133, held a 26.5% share of allocations. Memecoins made up 11.8% of user portfolios, showing that speculative interest remains a part of broader diversification trends.

    According to the exchange, Indian traders have become increasingly comfortable navigating different digital asset categories as adoption widens across the country.

    The report noted that crypto is emerging as a natural extension of the financial products already familiar to many users.

    Millennials dominate participation

    The platform’s user base is ageing upward, with the average trader now 32 years old. Millennials continue to make up the majority of users, outpacing Gen Z in adoption, though younger traders remain active.

    Gen Z users, aged 18 to 24, tend to favour emerging narratives such as layer-2 ecosystems, memecoins, and non-fungible tokens. Their behaviour reflects a greater appetite for thematic or speculative sectors.

    CoinDCX also saw its number of women investors double year on year. These users are diversifying beyond Bitcoin and Ether, priced at $3,183, into tokens such as Solana at $143.04 and Sui at $1.67.

    Founded in 2018 and backed by Coinbase, CoinDCX is one of India’s largest crypto exchanges with more than 20 million registered users. It remains a key gateway for retail access to digital assets.

    India shows wide but shallow adoption

    CoinDCX noted that India continues to lead in early indicators of digital asset awareness, including mobile-first trading behaviour and high engagement across educational content on the platform.

    These signals reflect strong nationwide interest in crypto as a financial category.

    However, the exchange found that deeper, research-driven participation remains limited. Many users enter the market through popular assets or trending narratives rather than sustained ecosystem involvement.

    As a result, the platform characterised India’s adoption as “wide” but not yet “deep”.

    CoinDCX said the country is still in the early stages of its digital asset journey, leaving significant room for education, innovation, and long-term growth as user sophistication develops.

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  • TAO surges past $300 ahead of first halving, fueling bullish outlook for Bittensor

    TAO surges past $300 ahead of first halving, fueling bullish outlook for Bittensor

    Bittensor TAO Halvening

    • Bittensor price jumped to above $300 as bulls showed signs of recovery.
    • TAO was bullish ahead of the AI token’s first network halving.
    • Gains for Bittensor come as Wall Street also flips bullish on the AI narrative.

    Bittensor (TAO) traded green on the day on December 4, 2025, with sentiment bullish as the altcoin breached the $300 threshold.

    This surge, occurring just days before the network’s historic halving event, could allow bulls to target recent highs.

    Growing confidence in Bittensor’s role as a pioneering platform in decentralized AI and in machine learning incentives has TAO as one of the altcoins traders are watching.

    Bittensor price jumps above $300

    The cryptocurrency market has witnessed a notable uptick in the past 24 hours.

    While bears continue to maraud amid potential profit-taking spikes, bulls are showing strength.

    A flurry of activity surrounding Bittensor, a blockchain protocol that decentralizes AI model training and inference through a competitive subnet ecosystem, points to TAO price’s likely short term rally.

    Bittensor Chart
    Bittensor price chart by TradingView

    In this case, TAO’s surge above $300 represents a pivotal moment. The altcoin surged to above $314 on Dec. 4 before paring some of the gains.

    Significantly, Bittensor price dramatically jumped from around $300 on October 11, 2025, to hit $500 on November 2.

    The rally in a little over three weeks nonetheless fizzled, and the TAO price is down about 28% in the past month.

    The token’s correction came amid broader market jitters.

    Bittensor and AI sector forecasts

    Bittensor is a top AI-related coin by market cap, ahead of NEAR Protocol, Internet Computer, and RENDER.

    Growth has included the project’s positioning as the marketplace for machine intelligence.

    It’s where validators and miners earn TAO rewards for contributing computational resources and novel AI models. Prices have often spiked amid key AI developments, and that reflects amid latest outlook.

    Wall Street giants point out that the AI boom that catapulted Nvidia and other stocks higher is not a bubble.

    Noting that the sector could yet explode, BlackRock and Bank of America analysts have forecast a fresh supercycle. Key drivers of this include real corporate investments, major earnings, and productivity gains.

    AI is not driven by the irrational exuberance that underpinned the dot-com bubble in the 2000s, the analysts noted.

    The TAO price could rally amid the anticipated AI narrative resurgence.

    What’s Bittensor’s upcoming halvening?

    Bittensor’s inaugural halving, which is about 10 days away as of writing, is about network tokenomics. It mirrors Bitcoin’s supply-reduction strategy, but tailored to AI incentives.

    Currently, the network emits approximately 7,200 TAO tokens daily to reward participants in its proof-of-intelligence consensus.

    However, the halving will cut the emissions to 3,600 TAO. Bittensor has a total supply of 21 million TAO, and the halving, like in BTC’s case, ensures long-term scarcity as adoption grows.

    The halving could thus catalyze price discovery. BTC jumped following its 2024 halving, and TAO bulls are likely to eye a return to $500.

    Notably, the coin’s all-time high of $795.6 was reached in April 2024.

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  • BTC staking platform Babylon teams up with Aave for Bitcoin-backed DeFi insurance

    BTC staking platform Babylon teams up with Aave for Bitcoin-backed DeFi insurance

    Babylon teams up with Aave for Bitcoin-backed DeFi insurance

    • Babylon and Aave partner to enable native BTC as collateral for DeFi lending.
    • BTC can now back decentralised insurance pools, earning yield if unused.
    • Users retain full control of their Bitcoin while accessing DeFi liquidity.

    In a groundbreaking move for the decentralised finance (DeFi) ecosystem, Bitcoin staking platform Babylon has announced a partnership with Aave, one of the largest decentralised lending protocols.

    The collaboration aims to allow Bitcoin (BTC) holders to use their native, unwrapped BTC as collateral for lending and to participate in a pioneering DeFi insurance model.

    This will reshape how Bitcoin interacts with DeFi, unlocking liquidity while maintaining the security that Bitcoin users expect.

    Native Bitcoin collateral comes to DeFi

    Traditionally, using Bitcoin in DeFi required wrapping it into a tokenised version such as WBTC, which introduced custodial risk and extra steps. Babylon’s partnership with Aave eliminates this barrier by enabling users to deposit their native BTC directly as collateral.

    Through Babylon’s trustless Bitcoin Vaults, BTC can be locked in a time-locked contract on its own blockchain and recognised by Aave’s hub-and-spoke lending architecture.

    This allows users to borrow stablecoins or other crypto assets while keeping full control of their Bitcoin keys.

    The move is expected to significantly expand BTC liquidity in DeFi. Currently, even the largest wrapped Bitcoin initiatives account for less than 1% of Bitcoin’s total market cap.

    Babylon’s own staking product secures over 56,000 BTC, demonstrating strong demand for productive uses of Bitcoin.

    By unlocking native BTC for lending, the partnership could bring a substantial portion of the dormant Bitcoin supply into productive DeFi applications, potentially transforming lending markets.

    DeFi insurance backed by Bitcoin

    Beyond lending, Babylon is preparing to extend its vaults into the insurance sector, a development that could redefine how DeFi protocols manage risk.

    The proposed model allows BTC holders to deposit their Bitcoin into decentralised insurance pools.

    These pools would serve as coverage against protocol hacks and other failures. Depositors earn yield if no claims occur, while the pool provides liquidity for payouts in the event of a validated exploit.

    This approach turns Bitcoin into a foundational asset for DeFi risk management, offering a new avenue for yield generation while safeguarding the ecosystem.

    Babylon co-founder David Tse told CoinDesk that the insurance initiative is still in development, with an official announcement expected in January 2026.

    Testing for the integrated BTC lending and insurance products is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with a broader rollout planned around April of the same year.

    The combination of Babylon’s secure vault design and Aave’s extensive liquidity network creates a framework that prioritises both safety and usability, a balance often missing in cross-chain and custodial solutions.

    Transforming Bitcoin’s role in DeFi

    This partnership addresses longstanding challenges in Bitcoin DeFi adoption.

    By removing the need for wrapped assets and custodial intermediaries, it reduces systemic risk while enabling Bitcoin holders to put their capital to work more efficiently.

    Users can participate in lending and insurance activities without relinquishing control of their Bitcoin, aligning with the core principles of security and decentralisation that have long defined the Bitcoin network.

    Experts in the space view this collaboration as a potential catalyst for broader adoption of BTC in decentralised applications.

    Unlocking even a small fraction of Bitcoin’s supply for lending and insurance could significantly deepen liquidity and reshape market dynamics.

    For the average user, it translates into safer, more streamlined, and more productive ways to generate yield from their holdings.

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  • Glassnode report reveals Bitcoin’s growing stability amid ETF activity and RWA expansion

    Glassnode report reveals Bitcoin’s growing stability amid ETF activity and RWA expansion

    Glassnode report reveals Bitcoin’s growing stability amid ETF activity and RWA expansion

    • Bitcoin’s 2025 cycle shows rising institutional flows, lower volatility, and deeper liquidity.
    • Tokenized real-world assets surge to $24 billion, boosting institutional adoption and on-chain activity.
    • ETFs reshape Bitcoin liquidity as stablecoins remain key rails in a more mature digital asset market.

    Bitcoin’s latest cycle is developing under a very different market structure, with data from Glassnode and Fasanara Capital pointing to deeper institutional participation, rapid growth in tokenized real-world assets, and a notable drop in volatility.

    Their Q4 Digital Assets Report highlights how Bitcoin’s behaviour has shifted as regulated investment channels expand, and liquidity becomes more stable across spot, derivatives, and on-chain markets.

    The findings show how ETF flows, settlement activity, and broader adoption of tokenised instruments are shaping a more mature phase in the digital asset ecosystem.

    These structural changes are defining how capital moves through Bitcoin in 2025.

    Institutional flows reshape the cycle

    The report estimated that Bitcoin has absorbed around $732 billion in new capital during this cycle.

    This has occurred alongside a clear decline in one-year realised volatility, which has fallen by nearly half.

    Glassnode linked this trend to increased depth across major markets and a larger share of trading driven by institutional strategies.

    Glassnode also reported that Bitcoin settled approximately $6.9 trillion over the past 90 days.

    This puts Bitcoin in a range comparable to payment networks such as Visa and Mastercard.

    Even with more trading moving into ETF and brokerage channels, the report found that Bitcoin and stablecoins still dominate value transfer on public blockchains.

    ETF channels deepen liquidity

    ETF-linked demand has reshaped how investment enters and exits Bitcoin.

    Instead of relying mainly on on-chain movement or exchange activity, a greater share of flows now passes through regulated investment vehicles.

    According to the report, this shift has encouraged smoother liquidity conditions and fewer sharp price changes in spot markets.

    Traditional market makers and arbitrage firms have increased their presence due to ETF participation.

    Their involvement has tightened spreads and reduced disruption during periods of heightened selling pressure.

    This development reflects a broader alignment between digital asset markets and established financial infrastructure.

    Tokenized RWAs accelerate

    Tokenized real-world assets have expanded from $7 billion to $24 billion within one year.

    Glassnode stated that this rise reflects stronger institutional demand, including interest from pension funds, hedge funds, and corporations that want on-chain exposure to familiar financial instruments.

    Tokenized funds have gained momentum as asset managers test new distribution models and investors seek simplified access to traditional assets.

    Platforms involved in tokenised RWAs have strengthened custody, settlement, and compliance systems.

    This foundation has encouraged consistent inflows throughout 2025, supporting a growing segment of the market that links traditional assets with blockchain settlement rails.

    Stablecoin role strengthens

    Glassnode described the market structure as larger and more stable than in previous cycles.

    The data indicated deeper liquidity across spot, derivatives, and on-chain channels, which has contributed to a more measured trading environment.

    Reduced volatility has become a defining feature of the cycle, shaped by institutional trading strategies that tend to use steady allocation models.

    Stablecoins continue to serve as key connectors between traditional and digital financial systems.

    The report stated that stablecoin settlement demand remains substantial across centralised and decentralised platforms.

    Glassnode characterised the dual-rail system created by stablecoins and traditional infrastructure as a permanent part of the ecosystem, supporting both institutional flows and retail trading activity.

    Analysts referenced in the report expect institutional participation to expand as tokenised funds gain broader acceptance.

    Glassnode presented this phase as a turning point marked by heavier institutional flows, rising tokenisation, and reduced volatility.

    These factors suggest that Bitcoin and the wider digital asset sector are moving into a more structurally mature environment in 2025.

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  • Vanguard reverses course, opens door to Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana ETFs

    Vanguard reverses course, opens door to Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana ETFs

    Vanguard opens door to Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana ETFs

    • Vanguard now allows clients to trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana ETFs.
    • XRP ETFs have seen $756M inflows in 11 days, with no outflows recorded.
    • Goldman and other firms are boosting crypto exposure alongside Vanguard.

    In a dramatic shift that signals growing acceptance of digital assets by mainstream finance, Vanguard has opened its brokerage platform to regulated crypto ETFs.

    Starting this week, US investors can access exchange-traded funds tied to Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana, marking a major reversal from the firm’s long-held resistance to cryptocurrency.

    Notably, the move comes amid surging client demand and increasing institutional interest in digital assets, reshaping Vanguard’s traditional investment philosophy.

    Vanguard finally embraces crypto

    For years, Vanguard maintained a cautious stance toward cryptocurrencies, with former CEO Tim Buckley publicly dismissing BTC and other digital assets as too speculative and unsuitable for long-term portfolios.

    The firm consistently refused to offer crypto ETFs, emphasising stability and low-risk investments for retirement-focused clients.

    However, leadership changes paved the way for a rethink.

    Salim Ramji, formerly the global head of ETFs at BlackRock, assumed the CEO role and gradually steered Vanguard toward regulated crypto offerings.

    While the firm still will not create its own crypto ETFs or mutual funds, it now supports third-party products that meet regulatory standards, providing clients with access to digital assets while maintaining compliance.

    The platform expansion enables more than 50 million US brokerage clients to trade crypto ETFs alongside other non-core assets like gold.

    This could significantly increase market participation, with some predicting near-term price boosts in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).

    Vanguard’s inclusion of XRP ETFs

    Among the new offerings, XRP-based ETFs have generated particular excitement.

    In just 11 trading days, spot XRP ETFs have recorded net inflows exceeding $756 million, with total assets under management reaching $723 million.

    Remarkably, there have been no outflows, and major inflow events include $243 million during Canary Capital’s launch, $164 million tied to Grayscale and Franklin Templeton ETFs, and $89.65 million in the most recent session.

    This rapid accumulation is reducing the liquid XRP supply on exchanges, potentially creating a supply shock that could influence pricing.

    Mainstream finance accelerates crypto adoption

    Vanguard’s pivot reflects a broader trend among traditional financial institutions embracing crypto.

    Goldman Sachs, for example, is deepening its exposure through a $2 billion acquisition of Innovator Capital Management, which issues defined-outcome ETFs, including Bitcoin-linked structured funds.

    The bank has rapidly increased its holdings in Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, totalling billions in assets, while also developing infrastructure for tokenised financial products.

    Industry observers view these moves as part of a gradual yet significant integration of digital assets into mainstream portfolios, indicating that regulated, institutionally backed crypto investment is shifting from a niche to a standard.

    The implications of Vanguard’s decision extend beyond immediate market activity.

    By allowing access to regulated crypto ETFs, the firm is providing a channel for both retail and institutional investors to participate in digital asset markets within a familiar, compliant framework.

    This could draw additional inflows, potentially reshaping liquidity dynamics and market sentiment across Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana.

    For Vanguard, the shift represents not only a strategic response to client demand but also an acknowledgement that digital assets have become a permanent fixture in the global financial landscape.

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