US senators introduce bipartisan bill to combat crypto fraud

Prominent investment management firm VanEck has officially bowed out of the forecasting game for 2026. 

In a tweet posted early this morning, the firm set up a classic "thread hook". It promised 10 predictions only to deliver the following punchline: "No predictions for 2026. Good luck out there!"

The expectations vs. the reality 

VanEck’s outlook for 2025 was defined by aggressive bullishness. They anticipated a "super-cycle" that would culminate in massive Q4 highs. As we sit here in mid-December 2025, the gap between those forecasts and the charts is undeniable.

The firm predicted that Bitcoin would reach $180,000 during the cycle's apex in 2025. 

Bitcoin did see strength earlier in the year, but it has spent the dreaded "Q4 rally" period correcting. Trading currently near $86,000, BTC is essentially at less than half the target value.

The predictions for Ethereum ($6,000) and Solana ($500) relied on a massive influx of institutional capital and dApp usage that simply didn't scale as projected. Ethereum is struggling to hold the $3,000 line, nowhere near the $6k doubling predicted. Solana is trading closer to $130. 

Perhaps, the biggest miss was the timing. VanEck explicitly called for a "medium-term peak in Q1" (which arguably happened) followed by "new highs in Q4." Instead, Q4 2025 has brought a massive correction. 

Hence, it is not surprising that VanEck is refusing to make new predictions. 

Issuing another set of uber-bullish targets would likely damage their credibility more. 

Bitcoin price today is trading in the $85,000–$86,000 range at press time, pulling back sharply from recent highs. The price currently sits near $85,654, down around 4%–7% in the past 24 hours. Earlier in the session, Bitcoin briefly climbed close to $89,948 before reversing, underlining the increase in short-term volatility.

As prices cool, long-time Bitcoin critic Peter Schiff has renewed crash warnings. He points to the strong rally in gold and silver as a sign that investors may be shifting capital away from risk assets like Bitcoin and back into traditional safe havens. According to Schiff, fading confidence across markets could leave Bitcoin vulnerable to deeper losses.

Schiff Challenges Bitcoin’s Safe-Haven Narrative

Schiff argues that many investors bought Bitcoin as protection against a weakening U.S. dollar. However, he believes that the argument is losing strength. With gold and silver hitting record highs, Schiff says investors are clearly placing more trust in precious metals during periods of uncertainty. In his view, if market fear intensifies, Bitcoin may face selling pressure instead of acting as a hedge.

He also warns that those expecting Bitcoin to protect their portfolios during economic stress could be caught off guard if prices continue to fall.

Precious Metals Send a Strong Signal

The surge in precious metals has been hard to ignore. Silver jumped more than $1.60 in a single session, pushing above $66, while gold climbed past ,300 to fresh highs. Schiff believes silver could approach $70 by year-end, with gold moving even higher.

He sees this move as a sign of weakening confidence in the U.S. dollar and government bonds. Rising metal prices, according to Schiff, reflect growing concern about the economy and the stability of the financial system.

What’s Driving the Concern?

Schiff believes the U.S. economy is moving toward serious trouble, citing risks such as persistent inflation, rising unemployment, and declining trust in financial institutions. In that environment, he argues Bitcoin may struggle rather than benefit, especially if investors rush to cut risk.

Other analysts echo similar caution. Bloomberg Intelligence strategist Mike McGlone has suggested Bitcoin could fall further if demand continues to weaken. Meanwhile, 10x Research has warned that $10–$20 billion in crypto hedge fund redemptions could add selling pressure toward the end of the year.

Bitcoin Holders Push Back

Despite the warnings, much of the Bitcoin community remains unconvinced. Long-term holders point out that Bitcoin has survived multiple drawdowns of more than 80% and has still gone on to reach new highs. Many brushed off Schiff’s comments, noting he has predicted Bitcoin’s collapse since it traded near $100.

Others argue Bitcoin doesn’t behave like a typical risk asset. While it often sells off during early market shocks, supporters say it can diverge during deeper confidence crises. In their view, gold preserves wealth within the financial system, while Bitcoin offers mobility and an exit from it, keeping long-term conviction intact despite short-term volatility.

FAQs

Most forecasts expect Bitcoin to stay bullish in 2025, with potential highs around $175K if strong demand, ETF inflows, and adoption continue.

While some long-term forecasts are extremely bullish, reaching $1 million by 2030 is speculative. Current credible estimates suggest a potential high around $900,000 by 2030.

Yes, Bitcoin is increasingly viewed as a digital inflation hedge. Its fixed supply contrasts with expanding fiat currencies, attracting investors seeking to preserve purchasing power.

Bitcoin could trade significantly higher in 10 years, with some forecasts expecting it to reach several hundred thousand dollars if adoption keeps growing.

The Solana Foundation has taken a concrete step toward quantum-resistant blockchain security, deploying post-quantum digital signatures on a Solana testnet.

The move comes amid growing concerns that quantum computing threats may arrive sooner than previously expected.

Solana Begins Quantum-Resistant Upgrade with Post-Quantum Testnet Deployment

The Solana blockchain is the latest addition to the list of networks staying wary of the quantum computing threat. After Ethereum and Cardano, Solana, too, is establishing safe measures, deploying post-quantum signatures on testnet.

The move follows a comprehensive quantum risk assessment conducted by Project Eleven, a firm specializing in post-quantum cryptography and migration strategies for digital assets.

The assessment examined how future quantum advances could impact Solana’s core infrastructure, validator security, user wallets, and long-term cryptographic assumptions.

As part of the engagement, Project Eleven also deployed a functioning post-quantum signature system on a Solana testnet. It demonstrates that end-to-end quantum-resistant transactions are already practical and scalable using current technology.

The results challenge the long-held assumption that quantum-safe blockchain systems remain a distant theoretical concern.

Sorg noted that the Solana ecosystem’s culture of shipping will continue with the release of a second client and state-of-the-art consensus mechanism this year.

Efforts like Project Eleven’s reflect early, concrete steps to strengthen the network and stay at the forefront, ensuring Solana’s resiliency long-term.

Project Eleven CEO Alex Pruden framed Solana’s decision as an example of proactive risk management rather than reactive security planning.

How Close Is the Quantum Threat? Crypto Leaders Disagree as Timelines Tighten

The announcement comes amid growing debate over how close quantum computing is to threatening classical cryptographic systems used by blockchains such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Recent research suggests that the timeline may be tightening, with estimates placing meaningful quantum risk within the next several years, rather than decades.

Industry views remain divided. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has previously argued that quantum risk is overhyped. The crypto executive suggests that meaningful threats will only emerge once military-grade benchmarks are reached, potentially in the 2030s.

He has also warned that quantum-resistant cryptography could significantly increase computational costs and reduce performance.

Other networks are taking a more urgent stance. Ethereum has publicly prioritized quantum security as part of its long-term roadmap. Co-founder Vitalik Buterin warns that both Ethereum and Bitcoin could face cryptographic threats before the end of the decade if preparations are delayed.

Beyond Solana, the collaboration highlights a broader industry shift toward quantum-safe infrastructure. Experts increasingly warn that blockchains relying solely on classical signature schemes could eventually face risks, including:

• Stolen funds
• Spoofed validator identities
• Deeper system-level cryptographic failures

Project Eleven stated that it will continue working with Solana and other ecosystem stakeholders. This stance comes as networks evaluate:

• Migration paths
• Emerging standards, and
• The adoption of post-quantum primitives.

Solana’s testnet deployment suggests that technical barriers to quantum resistance are already falling. This is despite large-scale quantum computers capable of breaking blockchain cryptography not yet being in existence.

Whether quantum threats emerge in two years or ten, the race to future-proof blockchain security is clearly underway, and Solana has positioned itself among the earliest movers.

As the crypto market recovers from the latest pullback, XRP is attempting to climb up from its recent lows. Some analysts have suggested that the cryptocurrency must defend its current levels or risk a 50% drop to levels not seen since 2024.

XRP At Make-Or-Break Level

Amid the start-of-week market correction, XRP recorded a 6% drop toward its lowest level in weeks. The price lost $2.00 support on Monday morning and continued to lose key levels despite uninterrupted institutional interest.

The cryptocurrency has been trading within the $2.00-$2.25 price range over the past month, only losing its lower boundary during the late November pullback. Monday’s correction sent the altcoin below the range’s lower support again, hitting a multi-week low of $1.88 before bouncing around an area that has been crucial for the past year.

Notably, XRP has bounced from the $1.85-$1.90 support zone after every major correction since the November 2024 breakout, climbing back above the $2.00 level each time. However, some market observers have suggested that the price risks a significant correction if it is unable to hold the current levels.

Ali Martinez pointed out that the cryptocurrency has fallen below its one-year price range, between the $1.92-$3.27 levels, which could lead to a 50% drop below this area. To the analyst, XRP’s price must secure a daily close above $1.92 to prevent a drop to the $1.00 support, which has not been seen in over a year.

Similarly, Cheds Trading affirmed that XRP is “flirting with a high time frame breakdown.” Per the chart, the altcoin appears to be forming a high-timeframe rounding top or double top pattern with a higher high.

The analyst noted that in the case of the latter, the M formation would be confirmed if the $1.88 level, where the pattern’s neckline is situated, is lost. This could lead to a “measured move to roughly [the] MA 200 area/$1.00 range.”

Price Ready For 2026 Markup Phase?

Despite the warnings, other market watchers shared a positive outlook for XRP in the coming months. Trader Niels affirmed that the leading altcoin is “looking good” at the current levels.

According to the post, the cryptocurrency is “sweeping the $1.8 support zone again” while showing a bullish divergence on the daily timeframe, which suggests that the price could soon move to higher levels.

To the trader, once XRP breaks above $2.20 resistance, it could surge 27%-37% towards the $2.80-$3.00 area “within a month.”

Meanwhile, analyst ChartNerd highlighted that XRP appears to be repeating its 2023-2024 price action, which led to its massive breakout in November 2024. The chart shows that the altcoin accumulated for a year and a half, bouncing between the range’s lower and upper boundaries before its markup phase in late Q4 2024.

Following this expansion period, the cryptocurrency is showing a similar accumulation range, leading the analyst to suggest that XRP may continue consolidating within its current range before another markup phase occurs.

“Regardless of scenarios, or how ugly/beautiful it gets, a massive markup phase similar to November 2024 is likely between now and late 2026,” he stated.

As of this writing, XRP is trading at $1.92, a 1.65% increase in the daily timeframe.

Charles Edwards, the founder of quantitative Bitcoin and digital asset fund Capriole, warns that Bitcoin could head well under $50,000 if it isn’t quantum-resistant by 2028.

Quantum computing’s potential threat to the crypto industry has long been debated and is considered an upcoming inflection point. More advanced computers that could break encryption have been theorized as having the capability to reveal user keys, expose sensitive data and user funds to bad actors.

The deadline is generally considered to be years away; however, in an X post on Wednesday, Edwards predicts it could be as soon as 2028, and if the industry doesn’t move fast enough, the price of Bitcoin (BTC) could plummet. 

With just two days to go, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) is set to deliver one of its biggest interest rate decisions, which could strongly impact the crypto market. 

This time, the move is even more aggressive. Japan is preparing a 75 basis point interest rate hike, its highest level in over 30 years.

History shows that whenever the BOJ raises rates, the Bitcoin price has fallen by 25–30%.

Japan to Hike Interest Rate to 75 Bps

For decades, Japan kept interest rates very low to support growth and fight deflation. However, the situation has changed. Inflation is now above the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) 2% target, while economic growth remains weak.

On December 19, the BOJ will hold a key policy meeting and is widely expected to raise interest rates. Markets, including prediction platforms like Polymarket, are pricing in a 25 basis point hike with nearly 98% probability.

That said, some experts believe the move could be much stronger. Recent discussions suggest Japanese officials are open to a more aggressive step, with rates possibly rising by up to 75 basis points. If this happens, the policy rate would reach 0.75%, the highest level in over 30 years.

Recent business surveys showed improved confidence among large Japanese firms, supporting expectations of the rate hike.

Why the BOJ Is Tightening Policy

The Bank of Japan is tightening policy as inflation stays close to 3%, even after keeping rates at 0.5% in October 2025. At the same time, Japanese bond yields have jumped to multi-decade highs, with the 10-year yield near levels last seen in the late 2000s.

Because Japan is a major global investor and holds over $1.1 trillion in the U.S. Treasuries, higher domestic rates could encourage Japanese funds to move money back home. 

Alongside rate hikes, the BOJ plans to sell nearly $550 billion in ETF holdings and scale back stimulus, marking a clear exit from decades of ultra-easy monetary policy.

What Will Happen to Bitcoin, IF BOJ raises the Rate By 75 BPS

If the Bank of Japan hikes interest rates by 75 basis points, Bitcoin is likely to face strong selling pressure. History shows a clear connection between BOJ tightening and Bitcoin price drops.

• March 2024 → Bitcoin fell about 20% within six weeks
• July 2024 → Bitcoin dropped 26% in one week
• January 2025 → Bitcoin slid more than 30% over about a month 

Many crypto analysts now warn that Bitcoin’s recent selling could worsen after the December rate hike. 

Bitcoin, which is currently struggling around $90,000, may face pressure that pushes it below $70,000 if global liquidity contracts further.