Approximately 37,000 Bitcoin options contracts with a notional value of $3.4 billion expire on December 5, with a put/call ratio of 0.94 indicating balanced positioning between bulls and bears. Ethereum options worth $667 million also expire the same day, bringing total cryptocurrency options expiry to approximately $4 billion. Max pain for Bitcoin is estimated at $91,000, while the highest open interest concentration sits at the $100,000 strike price.

The International Monetary Fund published a 56-page report Thursday warning that foreign currency-denominated stablecoins pose risks to national monetary sovereignty. The analysis highlights how dollar-pegged tokens enable instant digital dollar access via smartphones, bypassing traditional banking systems. The IMF cautioned that widespread stablecoin adoption could weaken central banks' ability to manage domestic liquidity and interest rates, particularly once these digital assets become embedded in payments and savings patterns.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink said sovereign wealth funds purchased Bitcoin during its recent decline below $90,000. Speaking at the New York Times DealBook Summit on December 4, 2025, Fink said these state-backed investors bought incrementally at $120,000 and $100,000, then increased purchases when Bitcoin fell into the $80,000 range. He said these institutions are building long-term positions rather than trading.

China's central bank escalated its crackdown on digital assets by explicitly designating stablecoins as illegal on November 28. The People's Bank of China convened a multi-agency meeting with financial, judicial, and cybersecurity officials to address rising virtual currency activity. Authorities singled out Tether (USDT) and Circle's USDC, stating they lack customer identification and anti-money laundering safeguards required under the country's 2021 cryptocurrency ban.

Bitcoin recovered above $90,000 after falling to $88,000 earlier this week. The rebound was accompanied by positive shifts in derivatives markets and increased spot demand from U.S. investors, data show. A key futures market indicator reached 56.5, approaching the 60 threshold that would confirm sustained bullish conditions.

Security researchers at Ledger have identified a permanent vulnerability in MediaTek's Dimensity 7300 chip affecting multiple Android devices, including the Solana Seeker. The flaw exists in the chip's boot ROM and cannot be fixed through software updates. Attackers could exploit the vulnerability through electromagnetic fault injection to gain complete device control, according to the research team.

Ethereum has experienced three consecutive days of short position liquidations as whale investors deploy significant capital into the market. Notable transactions include a $10 million DAI purchase and a $29 million position by Machi Big Brother. Spot market participants have injected approximately $47 million into ETH purchases, indicating renewed confidence following an extended period below $3,200.

U.S. senators introduced bipartisan legislation Thursday to block export licenses for Nvidia's H200 and Blackwell AI chips to China for 30 months. The Secure and Feasible Exports Chips Act would direct the commerce secretary to deny approvals for these advanced processors, which power large-scale AI models and data centers. The move comes amid White House deliberations on chip export policy and concerns over China's AI development capabilities.