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Crypto markets often repeat the same behavior in different cycles. Large projects grow, mature, and slow. At the same time, new protocols begin building quietly before broader attention arrives. Analysts often look for these early transition moments, when fundamentals improve faster than price reflects. This is why comparisons to early AAVE and early XRP are starting to appear again. Both assets delivered their strongest growth when they were still small, utility was forming, and market expectations were low. Today, a new DeFi crypto is being discussed in similar terms. That project is Mutuum Finance. Ripple (XRP) Ripple remains one of the largest cryptocurrencies in the market. Its market cap is still above $30B, placing it among the most established digital assets. XRP’s early years were defined by rapid price expansion, strong narratives, and wide exchange adoption. Many early holders benefited from that phase. However, market size changes behavior. XRP now faces repeated resistance around the $3 level. Each attempt to move higher requires very large capital inflows. Liquidity is deep, but upside is capped compared to smaller assets. Because of this, many analysts describe XRP’s near term outlook as limited. Price models into 2026 often suggest moderate upside rather than explosive growth. This does not make XRP weak, but it does change its role. It is now seen more as a mature asset than a high growth crypto. Aave (AAVE) Aave is one of the most respected DeFi protocols in the market. Its market cap remains in the multi billion dollar range. Early AAVE investors saw massive gains when lending was still new and DeFi adoption was accelerating. That early surge came when Aave was building its core lending utility and attracting users before becoming a dominant platform. Today, AAVE is far past that stage. Growth is stable, but price expansion is slower. Resistance zones have formed as valuation has increased. For AAVE to deliver another major breakout, it would require a new wave of users or a major shift in market structure. Because of this, some investors are no longer looking at AAVE for early stage growth. Instead, they are searching for a new crypto that resembles AAVE before it became large. Mutuum Finance (MUTM) Mutuum Finance is an Ethereum based DeFi crypto focused on lending and borrowing. The protocol allows users to supply assets to earn yield while borrowers access liquidity by locking collateral. This creates a cycle of usage tied to real demand. What makes MUTM stand out in comparisons is timing. The token is currently priced at $0.04 and has progressed through multiple early distribution phases. Since Phase 1, MUTM has recorded a 300% increase. Phase 6 is now over 99%, and allocation continues to tighten. Over $19.4M has been raised, and the holder base has grown to more than 18,600 wallets. The total supply is capped at 4B tokens, with 45.5% or 1.82B tokens allocated to early distribution. A large portion of this allocation is already distributed. Presale data is often overlooked, but analysts see it as crucial for trust. It shows how demand developed over time, how supply was released, and how participation expanded. In MUTM’s case, growth has been steady rather than sudden, which often signals accumulation instead of short term speculation. V1 is approaching , according to official project updates. This matters because it marks the shift from preparation to live usage, a stage where many DeFi protocols see changes in valuation behavior. How MUTM’s Mechanics Create Contrast One key difference lies in mtTokens. When users supply assets to Mutuum Finance, they receive mtTokens that grow in value as interest accrues. These tokens are designed to encourage holding and long term participation. They are not built for fast trading. The protocol will also use a buy and distribute model. A portion of protocol revenue is used to buy MUTM from the market and redistribute it to mtToken holders. This links token demand directly to usage, not hype. Oracles play a role as well. Accurate price feeds are essential for lending protocols. They support fair liquidations and predictable borrowing terms. This reduces risk and supports stable growth over time. In contrast, XRP does not have built in mechanisms that tie token demand to protocol revenue. AAVE does, but at a much larger scale where growth is slower. MUTM sits between these two stages, early enough to grow but structured enough to manage risk. Analysts who compare these assets often point to this difference. MUTM resembles early AAVE in structure, but with a smaller valuation profile. Compared to XRP, it does not require massive liquidity to move. Stablecoin and Layer 2 Plans and Why They Matter Mutuum Finance also plans to introduce a stablecoin backed by borrower interest. This could expand usage by offering a predictable asset within the ecosystem. Stable assets often increase daily activity in lending protocols. Layer 2 expansion is another important factor. Lower fees and faster transactions make lending more accessible. This can increase participation and reduce friction for users. Together, these elements matter because they prepare the protocol for scale. Many early DeFi projects struggled because they grew before infrastructure was ready. MUTM is building these layers first. Why Analysts See a Familiar Setup When analysts reference early AAVE or early XRP, they are not suggesting identical outcomes. They are highlighting similar stages in the lifecycle. Small market cap, expanding participation, defined utility, and approaching activation. With Phase 6 active, V1 approaching, and usage mechanics already defined, Mutuum Finance is entering the part of the cycle where expectations often shift. This is why some describe it as a top crypto to watch or a new crypto with asymmetric potential. Whether MUTM delivers a 750% move will depend on adoption and execution. What is clear is why it is now being compared to earlier growth phases of AAVE and XRP, rather than their current forms. For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below: Website: https://www.mutuum.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance Disclaimer: This is a sponsored press release and is for informational purposes only. It does not reflect the views of Crypto Daily, nor is it intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice.

APT has support at $1.56 and resistance at $1.63, per CoinDesk technical models.

BitcoinWorld Bitcoin Whale Deposits to Binance Halve: A Hopeful Signal for Easing Sell Pressure Has the intense selling pressure on Bitcoin finally started to ease? A striking new trend suggests it might. Recent data reveals a dramatic shift: Bitcoin whale deposits to major exchange Binance were cut in half during December. This significant slowdown in large-scale investor movements could be the hopeful signal the market has been waiting for, hinting at a potential period of stabilization for BTC. What Do the Bitcoin Whale Deposit Numbers Actually Show? CryptoQuant analyst Darkpost provided a clear snapshot of the change. In a detailed market analysis, they noted that monthly Bitcoin whale deposits to Binance plummeted from a staggering $7.88 billion to $3.86 billion. This 50% reduction is not just a minor fluctuation; it’s a substantial decline in the volume of BTC being moved by large holders onto a platform where it is typically sold. Think of these deposits as a gauge of potential selling supply. When whales move coins to an exchange, it often precedes a sale. Therefore, a sharp drop in these inflows suggests there is less BTC waiting in the exchange’s queue to hit the market. This directly translates to reduced immediate sell pressure. Why Is This Slowdown in Whale Activity So Significant? For months, the crypto market has watched whale movements with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. Large transactions can cause sharp price volatility. The current trend, however, points toward calmer waters. The analyst explained that this slowdown indicates a corresponding decrease in the supply of BTC poised for sale. This development is crucial for several reasons: Market Sentiment: It suggests large investors may be adopting a ‘hold’ strategy rather than a ‘sell’ strategy. Price Stability: With fewer massive sell orders looming, the market has more room to find a stable footing. Reduced Volatility: Fewer large, unexpected deposits mean fewer triggers for sudden price dips. Should We Still Be Cautious About Bitcoin Whale Movements? While the overall trend is positive, the analysis offers a note of caution. Darkpost pointed out that whales holding between 100 and 10,000 BTC still deposited a notable $466 million worth of Bitcoin in December. This means the possibility of large-scale movements remains on the table. However, the key takeaway is one of proportion and trend. The analyst concluded that while significant deposits can still trigger volatility, the current, broader trend of reduced inflows is relatively favorable for the market in the short term . In the world of crypto analysis, fewer coins moving from cold wallets to hot exchanges is generally interpreted as a bullish, or at least stabilizing, signal. What Does This Mean for the Average Bitcoin Investor? For everyday investors, this shift in Bitcoin whale deposits is an important piece of the puzzle. It doesn’t guarantee a price surge, but it does suggest one major source of downward pressure may be lessening. This can create a more predictable environment. Consider these actionable insights: Monitor the Trend: Watch if this reduction in exchange inflows continues into the new year. Context is Key: Combine this data with other metrics like trading volume and macroeconomic factors. Avoid Reactionary Moves: This is a positive signal, not a surefire prediction. Maintain a disciplined investment strategy. A Hopeful Horizon for Bitcoin’s Market Stability The halving of Bitcoin whale deposits to Binance is a compelling development. It paints a picture of large holders potentially settling in, which could allow the market to breathe and build a stronger foundation. While the specter of whale sales will always exist, the current data provides a hopeful glimpse of easing sell pressure and the potential for a more stable period ahead for Bitcoin. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q: What are Bitcoin whale deposits? A: Bitcoin whale deposits refer to large transfers of BTC, typically from private wallets to cryptocurrency exchanges, made by entities holding substantial amounts (often thousands of coins). These movements are closely watched as they can signal intent to sell. Q: Why does a decrease in whale deposits to Binance matter? A: Binance is a major trading platform. A decrease in large deposits means less Bitcoin is being moved into a position where it can be easily sold immediately, suggesting reduced imminent selling pressure from major players. Q: Does this mean the Bitcoin price will definitely go up? A> Not necessarily. While reduced sell pressure is a positive factor, price is influenced by many elements like demand, global regulations, and macroeconomic trends. This is one indicator among many. Q: Who is a ‘whale’ in cryptocurrency terms? A: A ‘whale’ is an individual or organization that holds a large enough amount of a cryptocurrency that their trades can significantly influence the market price. For Bitcoin, this often means holders of 1,000 BTC or more. Q: Where can I track Bitcoin whale activity? A: Several blockchain analytics platforms like CryptoQuant, Glassnode, and Whale Alert provide data and alerts on large cryptocurrency transactions. Found this analysis of Bitcoin whale deposits helpful? Share this article with your network on Twitter or LinkedIn to spark a conversation about market trends and what they mean for the future of crypto! To learn more about the latest Bitcoin trends, explore our article on key developments shaping Bitcoin price action and institutional adoption. This post Bitcoin Whale Deposits to Binance Halve: A Hopeful Signal for Easing Sell Pressure first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

The USD1 stablecoin, tied to the Trump family, increased its market capitalization by $150 million after Binance launched an incentive program offering up to 20% APR on flexible products for deposits over $50,000. This development highlights growing adoption in the crypto ecosystem. Binance's booster program provides tiered yields until January 23, 2026, distributed daily to [...]

BitcoinWorld Bybit Marks Seventh Anniversary With Exclusive EU-Only ZEN.COM PRO Plan Reward VIENNA, Dec. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit EU , the European arm of Bybit and a MiCAR-licensed crypto-asset service provider headquartered in Vienna, is commemorating Bybit’s Seventh Anniversary with the launch of its EU-only #7UpBybit Birthday Blast , featuring a special reward in partnership with ZEN.COM . Eligible EU participants may redeem 150 days of complimentary access to the ZEN PRO plan, valued at €34.50, through activities available exclusively to users on the Bybit EU platform. This reward is part of the Bybit EU Daily Treasure Hunt , which runs from Nov. 26, 2025, at 10 a.m. UTC to Jan. 5, 2026, at 10 a.m. UTC. Only Bybit EU users participating in the EU anniversary campaign are able to earn and redeem Bybit Points for this benefit. How It Works The reward may be redeemed once per eligible EU user. Users must be opening a ZEN.COM account for the first time in order to activate the ZEN PRO plan. After redeeming the reward with Bybit Points on the EU platform, users will receive a unique reward code from Bybit EU for use with their new ZEN.COM account. If the reward is redeemed by someone who is not new to ZEN.COM, the reward will be unusable and Bybit Points will not be refunded. Throughout the anniversary period, only users on the Bybit EU platform can participate in tasks that earn Bybit Points, including daily check-ins, account verification with first top-up, daily spot trading, and referral activities conducted within the EU ecosystem. Points may be redeemed across EU-only anniversary features, including USDC airdrops, fee savers, and 100,000 scratch cards available on a first-come, first-served basis. T&Cs apply. More information on the EU campaign is available here . #BybitEU / #TheCryptoHub About Bybit EU Bybit EU GmbH is an Austrian company that serves customers across the entire European Economic Area (EEA*) – with the exception of Malta – via the platform Bybit.eu . Operated by Bybit EU GmbH, a licensed Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR), Bybit EU delivers fully regulated services, including crypto custody, exchange, and rewards products and more, in full compliance with European regulations for investor protection and market integrity. Bybit EU GmbH is a licensed Crypto-Asset-Service Provider under the Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCAR), authorized to offer the following services to residents of the European Economic Area (except Malta): providing custody and administration of crypto-assets on behalf of clients; exchange of crypto-assets for funds; exchange of crypto-assets for other crypto-assets; placing of crypto-assets; and providing transfer services for crypto-assets on behalf of clients. Bybit EU GmbH is neither the operator of a trading platform for crypto-assets nor provides investment advice. Media Contact: press@bybit.com www.bybit.eu Disclaimer : This press release is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or an offer to buy or sell digital assets. The products and services mentioned herein are subject to applicable laws and regulations in the relevant jurisdictions and may not be available in certain regions. This post Bybit Marks Seventh Anniversary With Exclusive EU-Only ZEN.COM PRO Plan Reward first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

Shiba Inu ( SHIB ) is currently experiencing increased volatility, with an artificial intelligence (AI) model suggesting the meme coin could see modest gains at the start of 2026. Generally, SHIB has had a difficult year, dropping nearly 70%, with technical indicators adding to the bearish outlook. Notably, the token formed its first-ever weekly death cross this year, signaling potential downside risks. As of press time, SHIB was trading at $0.00000711, down 0.2% over the past 24 hours, while losses on the weekly timeframe exceeded 10%. SHIB seven-day price chart. Source: Finbold At its current valuation, Shiba Inu is trading below its 50-day Simple Moving Average ( SMA ) of $0.000008648, pointing to short-term bearish pressure and continued downside momentum. However, the token remains well above its 200-day SMA of $0.000001155, indicating that the longer-term trend remains positive when viewed against earlier low-price periods. The 14-day Relative Strength Index ( RSI ) stands at 34.56, placing SHIB in neutral territory but with a bearish tilt. This suggests the asset is neither overbought nor oversold, though it is approaching levels that could precede either a rebound or further weakness. SHIB price prediction Looking ahead to the first day of 2026, the Finbold AI model projects a cautiously optimistic price path based on short-term predictive analytics and technical indicators. The model forecasts SHIB trading at an average price of $0.0000072933, representing a potential upside of about 2.6% from the reference price at the time of the forecast. While the projection window covers late December, it is intended as an early directional signal for SHIB’s performance heading into 2026. It’s worth noting that the Finbold AI model aggregates forecasts from several large language models. Among these, Claude Sonnet 4 offered the most bullish outlook, projecting SHIB at $0.00000768, implying upside of just over 8%. Gemini 2.5 Flash presented a more conservative scenario, forecasting a slight dip to $0.00000705, while GPT-4o pointed to a modest increase toward $0.00000715. SHIB AI price prediction. Source: Finbold From a technical standpoint, the model factored in indicators such as the Moving Average Convergence Divergence and the Relative Strength Index. These signals point to subdued momentum but suggest signs of stabilization following recent weakness. Overall, the Finbold AI model indicates that Shiba Inu may enter 2026 with a mild upward bias rather than a strong breakout. However, the token’s trajectory will largely depend on broader crypto market sentiment, which remains under pressure as prices stay in the red and bullish participation remains muted. Featured image via Shutterstock The post AI predicts Shiba Inu (SHIB) price for 2026 appeared first on Finbold .

BlackRock Strategists Forecast Limited 2026 Fed Rate Cuts as Policy Nears Neutral; Markets Expect Two Cuts in 2026

Bitcoin mining has become harder and less profitable, yet the stocks of companies built around it keep rising, even as crypto prices slide. The reason sits in plain sight. These companies own large data centers that burn huge amounts of power, and those sites are now in demand for computer work tied to artificial intelligence. Competition has crushed margins across mining operations, while the cost of electricity and equipment keeps climbing. At the same time, big tech groups need ready-to-use sites with land, cooling, and long-term power contracts. That overlap has pushed several miners to rent out their facilities to Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and other hyperscalers chasing more computing capacity. Data centers draw tech giants as miners chase new revenue Bitcoin mining once stood on its own as a high-return business that relied on raw computing force to solve equations and release new coins. That edge faded as more players joined and rewards tightened. Just as that slowdown set in, demand for AI-related computing surged and pulled attention toward assets miners already controlled. These conversions are not simple.AI workloads need stronger cooling and faster networks. They also require swapping Bitcoin machines for graphics processing units. Still, signing leases with miners lets tech companies grow faster and spend less than building new sites from scratch. Many miners continue Bitcoin work while bringing in longer contracts from customers with deep pockets. “The opportunity for miners to convert to AI is one of the greatest opportunities I could possibly imagine,” said Adam Sullivan, chief executive of Core Scientific. Adam led the company toward AI-focused centers while keeping some Bitcoin activity running. That move has lifted share prices across the sector. The CoinShares Bitcoin Mining ETF is up about 90% this year, even as Bitcoin erased its gains for 2025. The fund holds companies such as Cipher Mining and IREN, both of which jumped after signing long-term deals with Amazon and Microsoft. Core Scientific’s shares quadrupled in 2024 after its first AI contract in February and are up another 10% this year. The company plans to exit bitcoin mining by 2028. Power flexibility keeps some miners tied to Bitcoin operations For other companies, AI plans act as protection against the limits baked into mining itself. Bitcoin supply is capped at 21 million coins, and the halving every four years cuts rewards again. Price swings add more pressure, making steady income harder to find. CleanSpark raised $1.15 billion to expand data-center infrastructure but kept its Bitcoin mining business intact. One reason lies with utilities. Power companies want partners that can quickly reduce usage when grids strain. Bitcoin sites can shut down fast, something always-on AI centers cannot do. Matthew Schultz, chief executive of CleanSpark, explained the appeal. “If and when there’s a weather-related event or anything else, we can curtail a portion of the portfolio to help stabilize the grid,” Matthew said. “And what we found is the demand for that type of load is much greater.” CleanSpark shares are up 25% this year. Not every miner fits the bill. Moving from Bitcoin mining to high-performance computing costs serious money, and upgrades run deep. “Bitcoin miners have an advantage in understanding power and its use but there’s a night and day difference between mining and HPC support,” said Kevin Dede, senior research analyst at H.C. Wainwright. “It’s more than an order of magnitude of intensity and complexity.” The push into AI also carries risk. Some investors worry valuations are stretched, and spending is heavy. Another outcome could hit closer to home. As more companies redirect capacity, U.S. Bitcoin mining output could fall and move overseas, clashing with President Trump’s goal of keeping Bitcoin “mined, minted and made in the United States.” Get seen where it counts. Advertise in Cryptopolitan Research and reach crypto’s sharpest investors and builders.

BTC Below Moving Averages: Reclaim Could Spark Trend Following and Market Momentum, Says Wintermute OTC Head Jake