Category: NEWS

  • Strategy ramps up capital mix shift as Bitcoin-focused funding model expands

    Strategy ramps up capital mix shift as Bitcoin-focused funding model expands

    Strategy ramps up capital mix shift as Bitcoin-focused funding model expands

    • The company used common equity, preferred equity, and convertible debt this year.
    • Preferred equity became a major part of the 2025 structure.
    • Structured offerings included STRF, STRC, STRE, STRK, and STRD.

    Strategy has entered 2025 with a funding approach that looks markedly different from its previous cycle, using a wider mix of securities to accelerate its capital inflows.

    The company confirmed that it has raised $20.8 billion year-to-date in 2025.

    The pace brings Strategy close to its entire 2024 total despite being recorded within a shorter period.

    The latest breakdown signals how the firm’s financing activity is now tightly linked to its position in the corporate Bitcoin market, where it remains one of the largest holders globally.

    New mix

    Company data showed that Strategy raised $20.8 billion so far this year through a combination of common equity, preferred equity, and convertible debt.

    The largest component was $11.9 billion in common equity, followed by $6.9 billion in preferred equity and $2.0 billion in convertible debt.

    The preferred equity portion marks a notable shift for Strategy.

    In 2024, the company relied on common equity and convertible debt, raising $16.3 billion and $6.2 billion, respectively.

    The absence of preferred equity at scale in the previous cycle makes the new mix stand out as a structural change rather than a one-off adjustment.

    The company also detailed activity across structured offerings.

    These included $1.18 billion in STRF, $2.68 billion in STRC, $0.71 billion in STRE, $1.25 billion in STRK, and $1.07 billion in STRD.

    Each of these securities contributed to the overall capital formation that pushed the year’s total to $21 billion.

    Capital strategy

    The broader mix in 2025 indicates that Strategy is increasing its reliance on varied securities to support its plans linked to digital assets.

    Previous company statements have described Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset, and the firm continues to align its fundraising operations with this approach.

    Industry tracking data shows that Strategy holds one of the largest corporate Bitcoin positions worldwide.

    This has drawn institutional participation into its offerings, as noted by the company.

    The expansion of preferred equity and the continued use of convertible debt point to a funding structure designed to maintain access to capital while supporting the company’s cryptocurrency allocation strategy.

    Although the company did not reference specific future goals in the latest update, the steady pace of fundraising and the widened mix suggest a model that can scale alongside digital asset accumulation.

    The company’s method offers flexibility in market conditions, allowing it to tap investors through different instruments depending on demand.

    Momentum

    Figures showed that Strategy’s 2025 capital raising is approaching its 2024 total of $22.6 billion.

    The rapid accumulation implies that if the current level continues, Strategy may exceed last year’s amount by year-end.

    The pace adds further weight to the shift in how the firm uses capital markets to manage its treasury positioning and broader financial structure.

    Investors have continued to participate across the company’s offerings as Strategy builds on its role in the Bitcoin market.

    With the capital raised this year coming from a wider range of instruments, the company has positioned itself to keep drawing institutional demand while supporting its ongoing cryptocurrency acquisition strategy.

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  • Aerodrome Finance locks 609K AERO tokens in strategic buyback

    Aerodrome Finance locks 609K AERO tokens in strategic buyback

    Aerodrome Finance locks 609K AERO tokens in a strategic buyback

    • The project confirmed acquiring and locking 609,000 tokens today.
    • Its total buyback for November surpasses 3 million AERO.
    • The altcoin’s performance mirrors broader market downsides.

    While uncertainty engulfed the overall crypto landscape, Aerodrome Finance has showcased its dedication to supporting and strengthening its native AERO.

    The project has taken it to X to announce a significant buyback of 609,000 AERO tokens.

    Meanwhile, this repurchase is part of Aerodrome’s programmatic strategy to react to fluctuating market conditions without compromising the altcoin’s tokenomics.

    Aerodrome has completed buybacks of more than 3 million AERO this month, reflecting the team’s commitment to boosting investor confidence and token stability. The official X post read:

    The Aerodrome Public Goods Fund has acquired and locked 609K AERO as part of its programmatic market-aware buyback, bringing total buybacks this month to 3M+.

    Notably, the project’s Public Goods Fund oversees AERO’s buybacks and has been monitoring the alt’s performance while strategically accumulating and locking native assets to reduce supply and potentially boost demand.

    Such an approach remains crucial to stabilize price actions and ensure investor confidence as digital assets see increased fluctuations.

    Inside Aerodrome’s buybacks, so far

    The latest purchase brings total buybacks for November to over 3 million AERO coins, reflecting a significant step toward strengthening the asset’s market status.

    Moreover, the Public Goods Fund has accumulated and locked over 150 million tokens since its debut, leveraging initiatives like Relay programs, Flight School, and the PGF itself.

    These programs aim to reduce supply pressure on AERO while rewarding loyal holders.

    The predictable supply reduction guarantees a resilient ecosystem even during heightened volatility.

    Market players often interpret such buybacks as an indicator of the team’s confidence in the project.

    Aerodrome hits fresh volume milestone

    The project followed the buyback announcement with another post reflecting impressive user activity.

    Notably, Aerodrome has topped $200 billion in trading volume this year – an approximately three-times increase year-to-date.

    Such a volume demonstrates Aerodrome’s rapid growth and increasing influence in the blockchain sector.

    With strategic buybacks and ecosystem initiatives, Aerodrome is establishing itself as a serious player within the DeFi space.

    Understanding Aerodrome Finance

    Aerodrome Finance is a decentralized exchange and automated market maker (AMM) that serves as the primary liquidity on Coinbase’s Base project.

    It facilitates streamlined token swaps by ensuring adequate liquidity.

    AERO price outlook

    Native AERO saw a brief rebound following the latest updates.

    The cryptocurrency is trading at $0.7070, with a slight 1.47% uptick on the daily chart.

    The surging trading volume reflects revived interest in the AMM.

    Nevertheless, AERO has underperformed in recent sessions as sellers dominated the crypto landscape.

    It lost nearly 25% of its value in the last 30 days.



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  • Bitcoin under pressure as ETF outflows and margin liquidations drive sharp selloff

    Bitcoin under pressure as ETF outflows and margin liquidations drive sharp selloff

    Bitcoin under pressure

    • Bitcoin ETF outflows and shrinking liquidity intensified the recent BTC price decline.
    • Margin liquidations accelerated the selloff as key support levels broke.
    • Correlation with tech stocks added pressure amid broader risk-off sentiment.

    Bitcoin price has come under intense pressure in recent weeks, with the market enduring a deep pullback fueled by weakening demand, heavy ETF outflows, and a wave of forced liquidations.

    The downturn has erased months of gains and pushed traders to question whether the latest slide marks a temporary setback or the start of a deeper cycle reset.

    ETF outflows add fuel to the decline

    Bitcoin’s slide has been sharp and persistent since its early October peak above $126,000.

    Since the October peak, the cryptocurrency has shed almost $800 billion in value, sinking to levels last seen in the spring.

    ETFs, once a stabilising force for Bitcoin (BTC), are now driving additional weakness.

    BlackRock’s IBIT ETF, which previously absorbed sell-offs, has posted its largest monthly redemption on record, with $520 million leaving the fund.

    This reversal marks a shift in institutional sentiment and has become a major source of downward pressure.

    A recent NYDIG research highlights how ETF outflows, shrinking stablecoin supplies, and changing corporate treasury strategies are eroding the demand engine that supported Bitcoin earlier this year.

    Greg Cipolaro of NYDIG describes the current cycle as a “negative feedback loop,” in which factors that once boosted the market are now accelerating the downturn.

    This shift has placed Bitcoin under sustained selling pressure at a time when broader risk appetite is also weakening.

    A key part of this shift can be seen in the stablecoin market, where supplies have declined for the first time in months, with some tokens losing significant value after liquidation events.

    In addition, digital asset treasuries, once active Bitcoin buyers, are pulling back as they reduce liabilities through asset sales or share buybacks.

    These moves have contributed to a steady drain of liquidity across the crypto sector.

    Bitcoin price outlook

    From a technical standpoint, Bitcoin has plunged into oversold territory and printed a hammer candle, hinting at a potential swing low.

    Eyes are now on $88,500, which capped rallies earlier in the year and briefly halted last week’s selloff.

    A sustained break above it could create conditions for a short-term recovery, with targets near $94,000 and $95,000.

    However, that setup faces stiff resistance from broader market sentiment.

    Bitcoin’s tight relationship with risk assets adds another layer of complexity.

    The correlation between Bitcoin and Nasdaq 100 futures has climbed to unusually high levels, reaching near 0.96.

    When tech stocks fall, Bitcoin tends to follow, and recent turbulence tied to concerns over an AI bubble has weighed heavily on both markets.

    Bitcoin dominance has also slipped to multi-month lows, signalling that capital is drifting away from BTC and into either safer assets or high-risk alternatives.

    The market is also seeing increased volatility from margin liquidations.

    Leveraged positions, especially in perpetual futures, have magnified the recent moves.

    As Bitcoin fell below $87,000, more than $900 million in positions were wiped out, with longs taking most of the damage.

    Notably, liquidation cascades have become a recurring theme, deepening each leg lower.

    Furthermore, oscillating indicators, including the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), remain bearish, hinting that previous bounces have been sold into quickly.

    Bitcoin price analysis
    Bitcoin price analysis | Source: TradingView

    A drop below recent lows could open the door to a retest of the $76,000 region, where Bitcoin (BTC) stabilised during an earlier market shock linked to tariff fears.

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  • OKB price dips 20% as OKB Boost contract glitch drains entire reward pool

    OKB price dips 20% as OKB Boost contract glitch drains entire reward pool

    OKB price dips 20% as OKB Boost contract glitch drains an entire reward pool

    • The malfunction allowed 32 wallets to claim 623M PYBOBO within 4 seconds.
    • The event emptied nearly all the 625M reward pool almost instantly.
    • The glitch coincides with OKB’s price underperformance.

    The virtual currency sector recorded another sell-off on Friday as Bitcoin lost 10% in the past 24 hours to press time’s $81,865.

    The global crypto market cap stands at $2.81 trillion after a 10% decline over the last day.

    Amidst the broader bloodbath, OKX’s native token suffered the most as the downside coincided with OKX facing new scrutiny after an unexpected contract glitch in its recent Boost reward campaign.

    A planned distribution of PYBOBO coins ended up with nearly all the pool drained within four minutes, and it wasn’t the massive demand as earlier thought.

    OKX’s token underperformed the overall cryptocurrency market in the past 24 hours.

    It dipped from $115 to $94 during this writing, and over 18% dip on its daily price chart.

    OKB experienced intensified selling pressure as the news of contract malfunctioning spread.

    A 4-second glitch empties 99.68% of incentives

    On-chain stats show that 32 addresses claimed 623 million PYBOBO coins, wiping nearly all the 625 million allocated for the distribution event.

    The most striking thing is that the entire sweep took only four seconds, catching the team and participants unaware.

    Notably, a multifunction within the OKX Boost claim contract seems to have permitted abnormal, rapid claims, allowing a few addresses to receive far more PYBOBO tokens than initially planned.

    OKLink identified a particular wallet that claimed 37.847 million tokens, worth roughly $18,600.

    Nevertheless, what’s striking is how fast the pool evaporated, with 99.68% of rewards gone by the time the ream noticed the glitch.

    The event’s nature indicates an unintended move that propelled distributions well beyond their specified limits.

    OKX Wallets halts claiming amid investigations

    The team acknowledged the issue immediately after the reports emerged and confirmed delaying PYBOBO claiming until after resolving the contract issuer.

    The temporary pause aims to prevent further potential damage as the project conducts a review.

    The team has promised to publish more updates as they investigate the matter.

    The incident sent ripples across the OKX ecosystem. OKB testified to that with its overwhelming selling pressure.

    OKB price outlook

    OKX’s token  hit a daily low of $94 after losing the $100 psychological mark.

    It has dropped from a daily high of $115, losing over 18% of its value in the past 24 hours.

    OKB has seen its daily trading volume surge 100%, signaling increased speculative activity.

    The digital coin would likely slump further before regaining a dependable footing as sellers thrive in the current financial landscape.



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  • Japan stimulus shakes global markets as yen sinks and crypto demand rises

    Japan stimulus shakes global markets as yen sinks and crypto demand rises

    Japan stimulus shakes global markets as yen sinks and crypto demand rises

    • Japan’s 40-year bond yield rose to 3.774% on Thursday.
    • Five-year CDS spreads reached 21.73 basis points on 20 November.
    • GDP contracted in Q3 2025 and inflation reached 3% in October.

    Japan’s new stimulus package is setting off sharp reactions across global markets, with the yen sliding to its weakest point against the US dollar since January 2025 and long-term bond yields rising to record levels.

    The cabinet approved a 21.3 trillion yen package on Friday, the largest since the COVID-19 period, and the announcement immediately shifted expectations in currency, bond, and crypto markets.

    The scale of the support and the pressure on Japan’s finances are now pushing investors to reconsider how they assess global risk, particularly as liquidity conditions evolve.

    Economic reset

    The package focuses on easing price pressures, supporting growth, and strengthening defence and diplomatic capacity.

    Local government grants and energy subsidies form a key part of the plan, and households are expected to receive around 7,000 yen in benefits over three months.

    The government also aims to lift defence spending to 2% of GDP by 2027.

    The supplementary budget is expected to pass before the end of the year, although the ruling coalition currently holds only 231 of 465 Lower House seats.

    The support comes during a period of weakening growth.

    Japan’s GDP fell 0.4% in the third quarter of 2025, equal to a 1.8% annualised contraction.

    Inflation has remained above the Bank of Japan’s 2% target for 43 months and reached 3% in October 2025.

    Policymakers expect the new measures to lift real GDP by 24 trillion yen and generate a total economic impact near 265 billion dollars.

    Rising market pressure

    The fiscal boost has intensified concerns about long-term debt sustainability and market stress.

    Five-year credit default swaps on Japanese government bonds reached 21.73 basis points on 20 November, the highest level in six months.

    The country’s 40-year bond yield rose to 3.697% immediately after the announcement and climbed further to 3.774% on Thursday.

    Every 100-basis-point increase in yields raises annual government financing costs by about 2.8 trillion yen, which has drawn attention to the strain on public finances over time.

    Nikkei reports lingering caution about the continued use of fiscal stimulus beyond emergencies, adding another layer to investor concerns.

    This debate has become more relevant as the yield curve shifts and Japan’s borrowing costs rise.

    These movements are also important for the 20 trillion dollar yen-carry trade. Investors typically borrow yen at low rates and invest in higher-yielding markets overseas.

    A mix of higher yields and sudden currency moves can force unwinding.

    Historical data show a 0.55 correlation between yen-carry trade reversals and S&P 500 declines, which adds another source of volatility.

    Yen reaction

    The yen dropped sharply after the stimulus announcement, prompting speculation about future currency stability and the potential for intervention.

    October exports rose 3.6% year on year, but the increase was not enough to ease concerns about broader economic pressure.

    The scale of fiscal support and the persistence of inflation have become central factors in how global markets interpret Japan’s next steps.

    Crypto shift

    These conditions are feeding directly into crypto markets.

    A weaker yen tends to drive Japanese investors toward alternative assets, including Bitcoin, especially during periods of rising liquidity.

    Experts have noted that Japan’s decision adds to a global environment that already includes potential US Federal Reserve easing, Treasury cash movements, and continued liquidity support from China.

    Together, these factors are creating conditions that could lift crypto demand into 2026.

    At the same time, higher long-term yields pose a risk.

    If yen-carry trades unwind quickly, institutions may be forced to sell assets, including Bitcoin, to meet liquidity needs.

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  • Nillion (NIL) price crashes 50% after unauthorized market-maker sell-off

    Nillion (NIL) price crashes 50% after unauthorized market-maker sell-off

    Nillion Price Crash

    • Nillion price fell more than 50% as altcoins battled sell-off pressure.
    • The team has accused a market maker of dumping the platform’s native token.
    • Despite the price dump, the team has initiated a token buyback using treasury funds.

    The price of Nillion (NIL), a token associated with a private computing network that champions data privacy, has crashed sharply over the past 24 hours.

    As cryptocurrencies tanked amid macro jitters, the small-cap token’s price plunged from above $0.21 to under $0.10. Sellers touched lows of $0.0.086.

    NIL’s brutal 50% crash was accompanied by a staggering 680% jump in daily volume. A panicked market saw Nillion price dumping, and accelerated on Wednesday as  nearly $200 million in sell-side volume brutalized buyers. 

    But why such aggressive selling for the native token of the private computing network?

    NIL price crashes by over 50%: what happened?

    On November 20, 2025, the Nillion team released a statement on X.

    According to the platform, the sharp drop that saw NIL suffer a bloodbath happened as a market maker sold huge chunks of the token.

    This sale was allegedly authorized. The post did not name the entity in question.

    However, it alleged the partner switched off communication both as they sold and after the price-impacting event. 

    “If you were surprised by yesterday’s price action, you’re not alone,” the team noted. “Our entire team was confused until we realized what happened: a market maker sold NIL tokens without legal authorization from the Nillion Association. Then, refusing to respond to any team communications during the flash sale and hours following.”

    To help mitigate the impact, Nillion said it has deployed treasury funds to buy back tokens.

    Meanwhile, collaboration with exchanges has helped freeze accounts and wallets tied to the dumping. The project is also taking legal action.

    Nillion price outlook

    NIL ranks as one of the biggest losers across the crypto market in the past 24 hours, with current declines over the period at 36% at the time of writing.

    After the initial price dump to lows of $0.086, NIL bulls attempted a swift bounce.

    However, the brief gains faded at $0.14. Price is up 37% from that intraday low, but the recovery has stalled, and NIL hovers just above $0.118.

    Nillion Price Chart
    NIL price chart by CoinMarketCap

    Price has traded above this mark for much of the day, and technically, it appears buyers are exhausted.

    Sentiment is down, and the path of least resistance could be lower. Overall, downbeat sentiment for most altcoins suggests NIL may break below $0.10 again.

    Nillion price reached an all-time high of $0.95 in March 2025, which means current price levels are more than 87% off that peak. The token traded above $0.24 earlier in the week and above $0.33 in October.

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  • Bitcoin just hit a critical point: analysts split between $85K crash and $250K surge

    Bitcoin just hit a critical point: analysts split between $85K crash and $250K surge

    Bitcoin price just hit a critical point

    • Bitcoin trades near $92K amid mixed signals from ETFs and tech markets.
    • Hoskinson and Saylor predict a strong BTC rebound despite recent losses.
    • ETF outflows and macro risks could, however, push BTC toward $85K support.

    While Bitcoin price has recovered from the low of $88,540 hit on November 19, the question is whether it will hit a higher high than the $93,403 registered on November 18.

    Some analysts believe BTC is preparing for a deeper slide, while others insist a powerful rebound is already forming beneath the surface.

    At press time, BTC price was around $92,237 and already showing signs of exhaustion, which would spell doom since it formed a lower low on November 19, which is a bearish sign.

    Bullish calls grow despite the slide

    At $92,237, Bitcoin (BTC) is reeling from a bruising stretch that has erased more than $33,000 from its value in under two months.

    Notably, today’s uptick follows a pause in ETF outflows and a rebound in tech stocks, driven by Nvidia’s stronger-than-expected earnings.

    While the market remains on edge as macro uncertainty and shifting liquidity conditions continue to pressure risk assets, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson remains one of the strongest voices calling for a major rebound.

    During CNBC’s Squawk Box show on Tuesday, Hoskinson argued that Bitcoin’s recent losses reflect broader macro distortions, including tariff tensions, recession risks, and uneven regulatory signals.

    Hoskinson believes these forces will ease in the coming months.

    He expects BTC to recover sharply and potentially hit $250,000 within the next year, projecting that institutional adoption and large-scale tokenisation will redefine market cycles.

    Michael Saylor shares a similar level of confidence, viewing the current downturn as typical of Bitcoin’s long-term behaviour.

    The MicroStrategy executive says the company is built to withstand extreme drawdowns, calling his position “indestructible” in a recent interview with Fox Business.

    Notably, Saylor has continued to buy BTC even as volatility increases, reinforcing his view that deep corrections are part of the broader path toward higher valuations.

    ETF activity has also become a pivotal factor.

    The BlackRock Bitcoin ETF posted a record $523 million daily loss on November 18 following a streak of outflows across the spot Bitcoin ETF landscape.

    Total Bitcoin Spot ETF Net Inflow
    Total Bitcoin Spot ETF Net Inflow | Source: Coinglass

    The Bitcoin ETFs outflow seems to have stabilised, with IBIT seeing $60M worth of inflows on November 19.

    Analysts warn that sustained inflows will be essential if Bitcoin hopes to avoid a retest of this week’s lows.

    Bearish risks still loom

    Not all signals point upward. Some traders see a real chance BTC could break below key support levels near $90,000.

    If the market fails to hold this support, prediction platforms indicate rising expectations of a drop toward $87,000.

    ETF outflows totalling more than $3 billion this month highlight lingering caution, and many retail participants remain hesitant after weeks of drawdowns.

    Macro conditions remain complicated.

    Expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts have faded, while recession concerns are resurfacing due to weak jobs data and ongoing trade friction.

    These pressures have limited upside momentum even as Nvidia’s tech rally briefly boosted risk appetite.

    Despite the uncertainty, Bitcoin continues to trade like a high-beta asset tied closely to broader market sentiment, and the next few days may determine whether buyers regain control or whether sellers will test new lows.



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  • Bitcoin slides below $90K as crypto correction becomes one of the worst since 2017

    Bitcoin slides below $90K as crypto correction becomes one of the worst since 2017

    Bitcoin sinks below $90K as a sharp 43-day selloff wipes out 2025 gains, driven by liquidations, ETF outflows, and rising fear.

    • Bitcoin plunges below $90K, erasing all gains for 2025.
    • ETF outflows and leverage-driven liquidations deepen the selloff.
    • Sentiment hits “Extreme Fear” as crypto markets shed over $1T.

    Bitcoin crashed below $90,000 on Wednesday, marking a devastating 28% decline from its early October peak above $126,000.

    The plunge has erased all of crypto’s 2025 gains and pushed the largest cryptocurrency into bear market territory.

    Ethereum tumbled 6% to below $3,000, while the broader crypto market saw roughly $1.2 trillion in value evaporate over recent weeks.

    Analysts say this 43-day drawdown now ranks among the steepest corrections since 2017, with forced liquidations and ETF outflows accelerating the selloff.

    The unwind feels sudden, given that Bitcoin looked unstoppable just six weeks ago.​

    What makes this collapse particularly brutal is how thoroughly it dismantles the bull narrative. Trump was supposed to be the “crypto president.”

    The spot Bitcoin ETF was supposed to unlock institutional buying. Instead, Bitcoin is negative for 2025, down 2% after climbing as high as +35% in October.

    Investors who chased breakouts above $120,000 are now underwater. That kind of momentum reversal breeds panic and forces margin calls.​

    The liquidation cascade: Why leverage turned this into a bloodbath

    The mechanics of the crash tell you everything. K33 Research’s Vetle Lunde noted that “steady outflows from ETFs have also added fuel to the selloff.”

    US spot Bitcoin ETFs shed nearly $2.3 billion over five consecutive sessions. That’s redemptions from big institutions that are simply walking away. When the largest buyers start selling, smaller traders follow in a herd stampede.​

    The real damage comes from leverage. The government shutdown eliminated key economic data, creating a data vacuum.

    Without employment numbers and inflation prints, the Fed’s December rate-cut decision became genuinely uncertain. Suddenly, the “rate cuts will save crypto” thesis evaporated.

    Leveraged long positions got liquidated in cascading forced sales. When Bitcoin swept below the average cost basis of spot Bitcoin ETFs, algorithmic selling kicked in.​

    Sentiment has completely inverted. The Crypto Fear and Greed Index remains pinned at “Extreme Fear,” the lowest it has been.

    Retail investors who bought near $125,000 are watching unrealized losses mount. Long-term holders haven’t capitulated yet, but the on-chain data is starting to show cracks.​

    Where does Bitcoin bottom? Analysts map out ugly scenarios

    Lunde’s base-case scenario puts support between $84,000 and $86,000, but that’s if this correction mirrors recent downturns.

    If it gets worse, if it mirrors the two deepest corrections in the past two years, Bitcoin could revisit April’s lows near $74,000, where MicroStrategy’s average entry sits.​

    The truly bearish case opens the door to an 80% drawdown from recent highs. That would put Bitcoin in the $20,000–$25,000 zone, but analysts say that needs a full credit crisis to materialize.

    Right now, stocks are holding up. Risk assets aren’t in freefall. That limits how low crypto can go without broader carnage.​

    For now, Bitcoin is stuck between competing forces. Long-term holders are accumulating at these levels. Institutions aren’t panicking enough to dump entirely.

    But neither are they buying aggressively. Without a macro catalyst, a Fed pivot, tariff relief, or genuine AI-driven productivity gains, Bitcoin likely stays volatile and sloppy until early 2026.

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  • Bitcoin ATMs appear in Nairobi malls as Kenya’s new crypto law faces early compliance test

    Bitcoin ATMs appear in Nairobi malls as Kenya’s new crypto law faces early compliance test

    Bitcoin ATMs appear in Nairobi malls as Kenya’s new crypto law faces early compliance test

    • They appeared soon after the Virtual Assets Service Providers Act of 2025 took effect.
    • CoinATMradar currently lists two Bitcoin ATMs in Kenya.
    • The Central Bank of Kenya and the Capital Markets Authority say no VASP is licensed yet.

    Bitcoin ATMs have surfaced across major shopping malls in Nairobi, only days after Kenya activated its first comprehensive crypto law, creating an unexpected test for regulators who have not yet authorised any crypto provider to operate.

    The machines, branded Bankless Bitcoin, appeared beside traditional bank kiosks and offered cash to crypto services to shoppers.

    Their arrival coincides with the early phase of Kenya’s Virtual Assets Service Providers Act of 2025, which came into effect on 4 November and set the first formal rules for crypto businesses.

    Gaps in licensing

    Local outlet Capital News confirmed that multiple malls in Nairobi had new machines installed, expanding beyond earlier attempts to introduce crypto ATMs in Kenya.

    In 2018, The East African reported that BitClub deployed Bitcoin ATMs in the city, although the machines never reached mainstream retail spaces and adoption remained limited.

    Kenya currently has two reported Bitcoin ATMs, making the latest installations notable for their placement in high-traffic commercial environments.

    Regulators signal caution

    The new law assigns oversight responsibilities to two regulators. The Central Bank of Kenya will handle payment and custody functions, while the Capital Markets Authority will regulate investment and trading activity.

    However, the regulations required to begin licensing crypto firms have not yet been issued.

    In a joint notice released on Tuesday, the Central Bank of Kenya and the Capital Markets Authority stated that they have not licensed any VASP to operate in or from Kenya under the new Act.

    They also warned that companies claiming authorisation are doing so without approval.

    The National Treasury is developing the regulatory framework that will decide when licensing can begin, placing operators in a temporary environment where the law exists but permissions do not.

    This creates a visible gap. Bitcoin ATMs are entering public spaces even as regulators tell the public that no provider has met the requirements laid out in the law.

    The contrast places pressure on authorities to clarify enforcement and could shape how crypto firms approach compliance in the near term.

    Informal use grows

    The spread of Bitcoin ATMs into high end malls highlights Kenya’s evolving crypto landscape.

    Capital News reported that Bitcoin usage has long been active in lower income neighbourhoods such as Kibera, where residents use BTC as a form of banking in areas with limited access to formal financial services.

    People have relied on crypto to store value without extensive documentation or traditional banking infrastructure.

    The shift from informal areas to upscale malls suggests that consumer interest is expanding even while regulatory conditions remain unsettled.

    The coexistence of visible infrastructure and incomplete licensing rules places Kenya at an early crossroads as it moves from a largely informal crypto market to a regulated one.

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  • Starknet nosedives 20% amid broader crypto crash: is STRK done plummeting?

    Starknet nosedives 20% amid broader crypto crash: is STRK done plummeting?

    Starknet Price Bearish

    • Starknet price dropped sharply as top cryptocurrencies tumbled to key support levels.
    • On November 18, 2025, STRK plunged nearly 20% to touch lows of $0.17. 
    • STRK plunged as Bitcoin dropped to lows of $89,500.

    Starknet’s native token took a sharp hit as cryptocurrencies bled on Monday, November 17, 2025, with bears extending the dip to Tuesday as STRK plunged nearly 20% to lows of $0.17. 

    At the time of writing, Starknet traded 14% down in 24 hours at around $0.19. The decline contrasted with gains for Internet Computer, Hyperliquid, and others.

    Notably, the altcoin mirrored losses for Zcash, the top privacy coin by market cap, which was also seeing notable profit taking.

    Starknet nosedived 20% amid a broader crypto crash

    As the crypto market entered freefall on November 17, Starknet price plummeted.

    Triggered by a number of factors, including macro jitters and geopolitical tensions, amplified selling pressure across major assets cascaded into altcoins.

    For instance, Bitcoin, the bellwether of the market, shed more than 4% to drop to a low of $89,500.

    The move saw the global market cap fall to $3.13 trillion. Trading volume rose 45% on Nov. 18 to over $247 billion, with the Ethereum price falling to lows of $3,000.

    XRP, BNB, and Solana all recorded significant drops, pushing liquidations to above $1 billion globally.  

    Starknet, which rose amid recent privacy coin gains, followed suit.

    The zero-knowledge proofs-powered layer 2 solution saw its STRK token fall from highs of $0.22 to $0.17. Nosediving 20% allowed bears to erase much of the token’s recent 50% rally.

    As the chart below shows, Starknet price recently notched four straight green daily candles as price touched  high of $0.24. Following Monday’s dip, weekly gains are currently down to about 22%.

    Starknet Price Chart
    Starknet price chart by TradingView

    Is STRK done plummeting?

    Market observers note that while Starknet’s TVL (total value locked) remains robust at over $340 million, the token’s correlation with Bitcoin, left it exposed to the flagship coin’s volatility.

    The timing couldn’t be worse for Starknet. 

    Just this week, the project announced a multi-million dollar program aimed at Bitcoin staking. The milestone aims to bridge the Ethereum and Bitcoin ecosystems through Starknet’s BTCFi offering. 

    As the crypto market dusts off some of the sell-off pressure, finding a floor near the $0.16-$0.17 mark could be crucial for bulls.

    If this happens, STRK could eye $0.24 and potentially one year highs above $0.78. The main target in the short term remains the psychological $1 level.

    The platform’s Bitcoin integration positions it uniquely for cross-chain growth. Bitcoin DeFi growth, especially as Ethereum’s upgrades enhance layer-2 efficiency, adds to the bullish outlook.

    However, in the short term, risks such as a prolonged Bitcoin bear market could allow sellers to seek more pain.

    Bulls saw STRK price fall to an all-time low under $0.04 on October 10, 2025. Current prices nevertheless hover about 305% up since.

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