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Bitcoin And Stablecoins Settle Visa-Scale Volumes

Bitcoin And Stablecoins Settle Visa-Scale Volumes

The post Bitcoin And Stablecoins Settle Visa-Scale Volumes appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Bitcoin (BTC) and US dollar–pegged stablecoins are emerging as a global alternative for moving value across borders without banks and card networks, as the Bitcoin network’s settlement volume begins to rival the world’s largest payment giants. Bitcoin settled $6.9 trillion worth of payments over the past 90 days, which is “on par with or above Visa and Mastercard,” according to blockchain data platform Glassnode’s digital asset research report for the fourth quarter of 2025, published on Wednesday. Over the same period, Visa processed $4.25 trillion in payment volume and Mastercard $2.63 trillion, for a combined $6.88 trillion, according to the report. “Activity is migrating off-chain as flows move to #ETFs and brokers, but Bitcoin and #stablecoins continue to dominate on-chain settlement,” Glassnode said on X. Bitcoin, Visa, Mastercard, transfer volume comparison. Source: Glassnode Related: Bank of America backs 1%–4% crypto allocation, opens door to Bitcoin ETFs Bitcoin’s economic settlement still small next to cards Once internal transfers between addresses controlled by the same entity are stripped out, Bitcoin’s “economic” settlement is closer to $870 billion per quarter, or about $7.8 billion per day, Glassnode estimated. The firm said the numbers still show Bitcoin’s growing role as a “globally relevant settlement network, bridging both institutional and retail transaction flows.” This figure pales in comparison to Visa’s $39.7 billion daily average transaction volume, or Mastercard’s $26.2 billion, the lion’s share of which is used for consumer retail spending and daily needs. In contrast, Bitcoin’s settlement volume is mainly attributed to trading, remittances, and store-of-value investment, as global merchant adoption remains low. Merchants accepting Bitcoin payments. Source: BTCmap.org Worldwide, only 20,599 merchants accept Bitcoin payments according to BTCmap, compared to Visa’s 175 million global merchant locations. Related: Bitcoin traders hit peak unrealized pain as ETFs start to turn positive Stablecoins move $225 billion…
Russian Prosecutors May Seize Assets from Official Linked to Bitcoin Bribes

Russian Prosecutors May Seize Assets from Official Linked to Bitcoin Bribes

The post Russian Prosecutors May Seize Assets from Official Linked to Bitcoin Bribes appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. The Georgy Satyukov crypto bribes case involves a former Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs official accused of accepting $184 million in Bitcoin and $30 million in Ethereum from the WEX exchange operators. Prosecutors seek to seize over 2.1 billion rubles in assets, including luxury properties and vehicles, for the state treasury. Georgy Satyukov allegedly received massive cryptocurrency bribes while heading a financial fraud investigation unit from 2019 to 2021. Assets targeted for seizure include 13 apartments, commercial properties, a UAE villa, luxury cars, and high-end watches worth millions. The scandal ties back to the collapsed WEX exchange, successor to BTC-e, which lost $450 million in user funds amid allegations of money laundering. Discover the Georgy Satyukov crypto bribes scandal: How a Russian official amassed luxury assets via Bitcoin and Ethereum payoffs from WEX. Uncover the facts and implications for crypto regulation. Read now for expert insights. What Are the Georgy Satyukov Crypto Bribes? Georgy Satyukov crypto bribes refer to allegations against a former Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs official who accepted substantial cryptocurrency payments in exchange for protecting illicit activities. Between 2019 and 2021, Satyukov, while leading a secretive department focused on financial fraud and cybercrime, reportedly received $184 million in Bitcoin and $30 million in Ethereum from operators of the now-defunct WEX exchange. These bribes allegedly enabled the exchange to operate without interference despite its involvement in money laundering and fraud. What Is the Connection to the WEX Exchange Scandal? The WEX exchange scandal forms the core of the Georgy Satyukov crypto bribes case, linking a collapsed cryptocurrency platform to high-level corruption in Russian law enforcement. WEX emerged in September 2017 as the successor to BTC-e, a major Bitcoin exchange that handled about 3% of global volume by 2015 but was shut down by the U.S. Justice Department in…
Bitcoin (BTC USD) Price: Bullish Expectations Vs. Downside Risk

Bitcoin (BTC USD) Price: Bullish Expectations Vs. Downside Risk

The post Bitcoin (BTC USD) Price: Bullish Expectations Vs. Downside Risk appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Key Insights Rising Coinbase premium index signals market shift for Bitcoin (BTC USD) price, alongside improving Binance liquidity. Whales hesitate to enter the market as Japanese government bonds dumping raises alarm on another Yen-induced liquidity drain. Bitcoin price registers a sharp bounce back after an initial dip earlier this week. Bitcoin (BTC USD) price has been increasingly leaning in favor of the bulls lately. A refreshing change from the bearish sentiment that prevailed over the last few weeks, but this has investors wondering whether a deeper recovery is in sight. Recent market data revealed some interesting changes that may offer insights into Bitcoin price potential in the coming weeks or months. For starters, the Bitcoin Coinbase Premium index recently adopted a steep vertical, and has even switched back to positive. Bitcoin (BTC USD) Coinbase premium index/ source: CryptoQuant The Coinbase premium index previously maintained an overall downtrend in November. Moreover, it dipped into negative territory on multiple occasions between August and September. The Bitcoin Coinbase premium index’s return to positive territory may signal the return of institutional investment. This data also aligned with other liquidity metrics such as spot and perpetual contract volumes on Binance. These data points highlighted improving liquidity conditions after the November crash. In other words, market conditions are aligning in favor of recovery. However, the situation in the bond market suggests that the coast may not be clear for the bulls. Bitcoin Whales Hesitate Despite Rising Sentiment Although the Coinbase premium index signals the return of institutional interest, the prevailing demand remained weak. This was evident in Bitcoin ETF inflows, which have continuously favored inflows since 25 November. However, daily inflows remained relatively low. The weak institutional flows may suggest that investors adopted a cautiously optimistic approach to the latest bearish retreat. Whale shared similar sentiments,…
MicroStrategy Slows Bitcoin Buys in Late 2025 Amid Potential Bear Market Prep

MicroStrategy Slows Bitcoin Buys in Late 2025 Amid Potential Bear Market Prep

The post MicroStrategy Slows Bitcoin Buys in Late 2025 Amid Potential Bear Market Prep appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. MicroStrategy’s monthly Bitcoin purchases dropped sharply in the second half of 2025, from 134,000 BTC at the 2024 peak to just 9,100 BTC in November, signaling preparation for a prolonged bear market amid broader crypto treasury challenges. MicroStrategy’s BTC accumulation slowed dramatically in 2025 due to market downturns. Monthly buys fell to minimal levels, with only 135 BTC acquired so far this month. Holdings now total 649,870 BTC, valued at around $58.7 billion, per recent data. MicroStrategy Bitcoin purchases 2025: Explore the slowdown in accumulation amid bear market signals. Learn how the firm is fortifying its position for ongoing pressures. Stay informed on crypto treasury strategies today. What is behind MicroStrategy’s slowdown in Bitcoin purchases in 2025? MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin accumulation has significantly contracted in 2025, primarily due to a widespread downturn in the crypto treasury sector and anticipatory measures for a bear market. Analysts at CryptoQuant highlight that monthly purchases plummeted from a peak of 134,000 BTC in late 2024 to just 9,100 BTC in November 2025, with only 135 BTC added so far this month. This strategic pullback reflects the company’s efforts to build resilience against prolonged market volatility. MicroStrategy’s monthly BTC purchases show a sharp downtrend from the November 2024 peak. Source: CryptoQuant MicroStrategy, the leading corporate holder of Bitcoin, continues to hold a substantial position, having acquired 8,178 BTC for about $835.5 million on November 17, 2025—its biggest buy since July. This brought total holdings to 649,870 BTC, currently valued at approximately $58.7 billion. Despite the reduced pace, the firm remains committed to its Bitcoin strategy, navigating intense market speculation and the unwinding of BTC proxy trades involving treasury accumulators and mining operations. The broader crypto market has faced headwinds throughout 2025, with declining prices and reduced investor confidence impacting corporate strategies. MicroStrategy’s approach underscores a shift…