Author: James Wilson
Visa unveiled new survey data highlighting the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency on consumer spending, marking a generational shift in shopping behavior this holiday season. Summary Visa’s survey shows nearly 50% of U.S. shoppers are using AI tools for holiday shopping. Gen Z is outpacing other generations in digital-first shopping behaviors, including using digital wallets. As shoppers embrace new technologies, concerns about transparency, security, and online scams remain, with 61% preferring human customer service and 66% worried about potential online scams this season. According to the survey, nearly half of U.S. shoppers are now using AI tools…
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has authorized national banks to intermediate crypto transactions through riskless principal trades, according to new guidance released by the agency. Summary The OCC authorized national banks to facilitate cryptocurrency transactions through riskless principal trades. This allows them to intermediate fully offsetting digital asset purchases and sales without taking market risk. The guidance comes amid broader 2025 policy shifts as U.S. banking regulators roll back earlier restrictions. The OCC published Interpretive Letter 1188 on December 9, formally permitting national banks to participate in transactions where they briefly purchase digital assets from one customer…
Circle stock showed signs of potential decline as a technical indicator signaled a sell opportunity, according to market analyst Ali Martinez, despite recent positive business developments for the stablecoin issuer. Summary Circle shares saw a decline after hitting a sell signal on the TD Sequential indicator; the stock erased earlier gains this year. Despite market fluctuations, Circle has expanded its regulatory presence, securing Financial Services Permission in the UAE to operate as a money services provider. Circle has also launched USDCx, a stablecoin with enhanced privacy features through a partnership with Aleo blockchain, and partnered with Bybit to boost global…
Two major Wall Street financial institutions have adjusted their Bitcoin price forecasts as institutional participation patterns shift, according to recent analyst reports. Summary Standard Chartered has lowered its near-term Bitcoin price forecast due to declining corporate treasury participation. Bernstein has revised its Bitcoin forecast upwards for the end of 2026 and beyond. Both institutions remain broadly positive on Bitcoin despite recent declines and ETF outflows. Standard Chartered has reduced its near-term Bitcoin projections while maintaining a positive long-term outlook, citing declining corporate treasury participation and slower exchange-traded fund inflows. The bank now expects Bitcoin to reach a lower level by…
Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only. As stablecoin oversight tightens, SolStaking’s automated payouts and insured custody draw investors seeking steady income. The United States is entering a major regulatory shift. The FDIC is finalizing its first proposal under the GENIUS Act, a new federal framework that will govern how stablecoin issuers operate nationwide. The draft — expected to reach Congress soon — outlines capital standards, liquidity rules, and reserve diversification requirements that issuers must follow. For the industry, this represents progress. For investors, it introduces…
Aster token price forms a clear double-bottom pattern at high-time-frame support, raising expectations of a potential rebound toward the $1.06–$1.09 resistance zone. Summary Buying interest is returning as Aster stabilizes at a crucial price level. Recent trading behavior hints at momentum gradually shifting upward. A breakout above near-term resistance could attract renewed market attention. Aster (ASTR) token price is showing early signs of a potential bullish reversal as price action develops a clear double-bottom structure around a major high-time-frame support level. After weeks of selling pressure, the token is stabilizing at a region where historical reactions have generated strong upside…
XRP price continues to compress inside a tightening triangle pattern, increasing the probability of a major breakout as price approaches the apex between key support and resistance levels. Summary XRP’s trading range is tightening, hinting that a major move is approaching. Market attention is building as price hovers near a crucial decision point. A surge in trading activity could determine whether XRP trends higher or breaks lower. XRP (XRP) price is showing one of its clearest structural patterns in months as price compresses into a multi-week symmetrical triangle. With higher lows forming beneath lower highs, the asset is now coiling…
Chainlink price has stalled in the past few days, even as its key fundamental metrics have improved. Summary Chainlink price has formed bullish patterns on the daily chart. Whales have continued to accumulate the LINK tokens. The supply of Chainlink tokens in exchanges has plunged. Chainlink (LINK) token was trading at $13.70, up modestly from the November low of $11.556. This price is well below the August high of $27.80. Nansen data shows that whale investors have continued to accumulate the LINK token in the past few weeks. They now hold 3.9 million tokens, up from last month’s low of…
DeFi TVL rebounds near $140b as perp DEXs, spot volumes, and stablecoin flows jump, but hacks and regulation keep sentiment fragile. Summary DeFi TVL has rebounded to around $140b after a sharp drop from near $170b, still a small slice of multi-trillion crypto market cap. Perp and spot DEXs, led by Hyperliquid and a few rivals, now clear hundreds of billions in volume, outpacing many smaller CEXs. Stablecoin and TVL growth concentrate in blue-chip protocols like AAVE and Uniswap, while sentiment stays fragile amid hacks and regulatory risk. DeFi is expanding again. TVL is rising. Volatility stays high. The sector…
Bitcoin perpetual futures open interest has stayed below 310K BTC since October’s liquidation, signaling muted leverage and weaker speculative activity. Summary Glassnode data show BTC perpetual futures open interest has failed to recover above roughly 310K BTC since an October leverage reset. Funding rates have trended lower, highlighting fading leveraged long conviction and traders’ reluctance to pay a premium for upside exposure. The “ghost town” in perpetuals suggests a quieter, de-risked derivatives backdrop that can dampen volatility versus prior stages of the cycle. Bitcoin’s (BTC) perpetual futures market has experienced a significant decline in speculative activity, with Open Interest remaining…