TRON DAO announced a LayerZero-powered bridge that connects TRX directly to Coinbase’s Base network, giving the token new access to DeFi protocols and liquidity on the L2. TRX is still trading around $0.28 in a tight range below the $0.29–$0.305 resistance area, with weak money flow and no clear bullish breakout yet.

In December, Ethereum's network growth surged, with daily new wallet creation approaching 200,000 on multiple occasions while ETH's price stayed locked between $2,800 and $3,300. On-chain indicators suggest expanding user adoption and fading fear among long-term holders, yet the market continues to consolidate in a low-volatility range. This combination points to a potential higher-low structure forming, which could lay the groundwork for a future breakout if demand keeps rising.

XRP spot ETFs have grown to more than $1.14 billion in assets with no recorded outflow days, yet XRP's price continues to form lower highs and lows. On-chain data attributed to CryptoQuant shows large XRP holders repeatedly moving sizeable amounts to Binance, adding sustained sell pressure that ETF demand has not offset. Key technical support now sits around $1.82–$1.87, with a deeper zone near $1.50–$1.66 if heavy inflows from whales persist.

On Thursday, Bitcoin fell into the $85K area after being rejected again at a multi‑month descending trendline near $90K. Price momentum remains fragile, but CryptoQuant's on‑chain data shows sustained negative netflows on Binance in December, with several –2,000 to –4,000 BTC outflow spikes. This combination of weak technicals and persistent exchange withdrawals points to short‑term downside risk alongside potential longer‑term accumulation.

According to Chainalysis, North Korea-linked hackers stole $2.02 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, lifting their cumulative haul to $6.75 billion. The report finds that even as the number of attacks fell, DPRK groups shifted to fewer, larger and more strategic heists, supported by faster laundering cycles and growing threats to institutions and retail wallets.

Forward Industries has tokenized its SEC-registered FWDI shares on Solana via Superstate’s Opening Bell platform, making them usable as collateral in decentralized finance. Ex-US shareholders can move their NASDAQ-listed equity into allowlisted Solana wallets and post it on Kamino to borrow stablecoins while retaining exposure to the underlying stock.

On 17 December, the Federal Reserve revoked its restrictive 2023 policy on "novel activities" and introduced a new framework for digital-asset innovation. The updated guidance adopts a "same activity, same risks, same regulation" approach, giving both insured and uninsured state member banks a formal pathway to offer services such as crypto custody, tokenization, and stablecoin integrations under strict risk-management standards.

Bitcoin briefly pushed toward $90,000, triggering a cluster of short liquidations around $89,500 to $90,500 before price quickly reversed below $87,000. With major long-liquidation pools concentrated between $84,000 and $80,000 and momentum indicators weakening, downside liquidity now appears more significant than resistance overhead.

Bitwise Asset Management's 2026 outlook predicts U.S.-listed crypto ETFs could collectively buy more than 100% of newly issued BTC, ETH, and SOL in 2026. It cites flow trends since spot ETF launches in 2024 and activity on 16 December, when volumes stayed high despite net outflows, as evidence of persistent institutional demand.