Bitcoin

Bitcoin is a new electronic payment system that removes the need for third party financial institutions. It speeds up transactions while reducing costs and minimizing the potential for fraud. The name “cryptocurrency” points to how it uses “cryptographic proof” to work, AKA a blockchain.

Bitcoin’s concept was first introduced in 2008 when a person going by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto shared a white paper titled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System.” In January 2009, the Bitcoin blockchain was launched. 

A new electronic payment system called Bitcoin removes the need for third-party financial institutions. It speeds up transactions while reducing costs and fraud-risk. The name “cryptocurrency” points to how it uses “cryptographic proof” to work, AKA a blockchain.   

Bitcoin has a finite supply of 21 million, which is expected to be reached by the year 2140. Currently, 18.8 million are circulating in the market. Note that Bitcoin represents the concept of the network, while bitcoin (lower-case ‘b’) represents the currency.

Bitcoin is one of the most well-known cryptos as it was the first decentralized currency. 

Currently, BTC’s dominance is above 40%. Bitcoin Dominance is a measure of how much of the total market cap of crypto is made up of Bitcoin. Bitcoin’s influence in the crypto ecosystem could be vulnerable to competition as alternative coins grow in popularity and utility.

Bitcoin has erased its gains over the course of this year after surging to a peak of $126,000 per bitcoin in October (leaving many increasingly fearful of a 2026 crypto “collapse”).

‘Early In The New Year'—Trump Issues 2026 ‘Boom' Prediction As Traders Ramp Up Bitcoin Price Bets

Dogecoin

Shiba Inu

Despite increased whale accumulation, both DOGE and SHIB face selling pressure unless they reclaim key technical levels.

Dogecoin and Shiba Inu lag market as memecoins continue to lose ground to bitcoin

Narratives change fast in crypto. Just yesterday, we talked about weak institutional demand for bitcoin, noting net outflows of over $500 million from spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the first two days of the week.

Bitcoin ETF rebound needs to be sustained for BTC to benefit: Crypto Daybook Americas

Ethereum

Bitcoin is holding firm near $87,000 as traders stay cautious ahead of the Bank of Japan interest rate decision; liquidations stand at $545.09 million over the past 24 hours. Bitcoin ETFs saw $457.3 million in net inflows on Wednesday, while Ethereum ETFs reported $22.4 million in net outflows.

Bitcoin Defends $87,000 While Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Slide Ahead Of Japan Interest Rate Decision

Blowout Micron results reignite AI optimism, lifting tech futures and stabilising bitcoin even as parts of the AI equity complex remain under pressure.

Micron crushes earnings with BTC buoyant above $87,000

Bitcoin and crypto traders are hedging for lower prices as 2025 draws to a close and macro uncertainty persists, according to analysts.

‘On a knife's edge': Analysts say bitcoin faces rising downside bets amid year-end uncertainty and mixed macro data

Fidelity's FBTC recorded a top five inflow day as the ETFs took in a combined $457 million amid sharp BTC price swings.

U.S. bitcoin ETFs see strongest inflows for over a month as BTC dominance hits 60%

Bitgo integrates the Lightning Network into its qualified custody service, offering institutions faster and cheaper payments. Bitgo, a digital‑asset infrastructure company, announced the integration of the Lightning Network directly from its qualified custody platform in New York, United States.

Bitgo Adds Lightning Network Support to Custody Platform

Cryptocurrency analyst Willy Woo expressed concerns Wednesday over the perceived quantum risk affecting Bitcoin's (CRYPTO: BTC) adoption. Quantum Vulnerability Affecting Taproot Adoption?

Bitcoin Adoption Slowing Due To 'Perceived' Quantum Risk? Popular Analyst Says What Matters Is If Investors Can Sniff The Peril

U.S. inflation data for November, expected to show a 3.1% increase in CPI, could influence Federal Reserve interest rate decisions.

Bitcoin is all over the place ahead of U.S. inflation data

Bitcoin is trading near $86,600 after a volatile trading day, with analysts expecting continued volatility amid macroeconomic uncertainty.

Bitcoin steady at $86,650; Trump says new Fed Chair will cut rates by ‘a lot'

Bitcoin's brief surge on Wednesday was quickly erased by spot selling, with on-chain data indicating dense supply caps and a lack of demand.

Bitcoin's Price Ceiling Tightens as Loss-Holders Sell

Cardano

Traders are positioning for downside risks, with a significant build-up of put options indicating expectations of a dip below $85,000.

Bitcoin could drop to $10,000, one analyst says, spelling doom for ETH, ADA, XRP

Renowned economist Peter Schiff predicted on Wednesday that Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) shares will halve to $80 from the current $160, while setting a $50,000 downside target for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC). Schiff Predicts Bloodbath For MSTR, Bitcoin In an X post, Schiff expressed his bearish outlook on the world's largest Bitcoin holding company.

Peter Schiff Predicts Bitcoin Headed To $50,000, Says Strategy Stock Could Tank 50%: 'Hard To Find A Chart That Looks Worse

With large caps still tracking bitcoin and high-beta assets already weakened, Glassnode's True Market Mean has become the line investors are watching most closely.

Bitcoin drifts lower as $81.3k emerges as the market's key fault line: Asia Morning Briefing

Leading cryptocurrencies plunged alongside stocks on Wednesday, as investors await the Consumer Price Index report for hints on the Federal Reserve's next moves. Cryptocurrency Gains +/- Price (Recorded at 8:25 p.m.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Decline Ahead Of Consumer Inflation Data Release: 'Exhausted' Market Needs To Hold This Key Level, Says Analyst

The president issued a blockade of all sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, sending oil prices up, while bitcoin and stocks fell. Bitcoin Retreats After U.S. Action Against Venezuelan Regime On Sept. 2, 2025, U.S. forces struck an alleged Venezuelan drug boat, killing nine of its occupants.

Bitcoin Pulls Back After Trump Designates Venezuela's Government as a Terrorist Organization

Bitcoin's brief rally to $90K quickly turned sour, dropping to $85K as traders lose faith in a Santa rally.

Santa Rally Hopes Fade as Bitcoin Jumps to $90K, Then Falls Even Harder

Bitcoin dropped back below $86,000 on Wednesday, erasing the gains from Tuesday. Cryptocurrency Ticker Price Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $85,439.48 Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $2,797.97 Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $121.86 XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.85 Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.1251 Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.057496 Notable Statistics: Coinglass data shows 143,978 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $ $490.00 million.

Bitcoin Slips To $85,000 As Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Sink Over 4%

Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) is facing renewed scrutiny after Peter Schiff questioned why the company keeps buying Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) even as its shares trade below the value of its crypto holdings. Peter Schiff Questions Shareholder Math Schiff said in a post on X that Strategy's aggressive Bitcoin purchases no longer make sense when the company trades at a discount to its net Bitcoin holdings.

Peter Schiff Tells Michael Saylor That Buying Bitcoin While MSTR Trades Below NAV Makes No Sense

Tether leads strategic funding round for Speed, supporting Lightning Network and stablecoin-powered global payment infrastructure. Tether announced on December 16, 2025, a strategic $8 million investment in Speed1, Inc., a payments infrastructure company leveraging the Lightning Network and stablecoins.

Tether Invests $8 Million in Speed to Advance Lightning Network Payments

One analyst isn't quite ready to call a bottom, but says bitcoin is surely in an oversold condition.

Traders mull the bottom as bitcoin returns to week's lows below $86,000

Bitcoin Magazine BitGo Enables Lightning Network Payments Directly from Custody BitGo will now offer Bitcoin Lightning Network access directly from its qualified custody platform. The move makes it one of the first companies to provide Lightning payments for institutional custody. BitGo Enables Lightning Network Payments Directly from Custody Micah Zimmerman.

BitGo Enables Lightning Network Payments Directly from Custody

The following article is adapted from The Block's newsletter, The Daily, which comes out on weekday afternoons.

The Daily: US senators introduce crypto fraud bill, K33 flags easing bitcoin sell pressure, BitMine adds $140M in ETH, and more

Bitcoin Magazine Bitcoin Price Pumps Above $90,000 Then Dumps to $85,000 in 4 Hours The bitcoin price briefly spiked above $90,000 on Wednesday before plunging back below $86,000 within hours. Bitcoin Price Pumps Above $90,000 Then Dumps to $85,000 in 4 Hours Micah Zimmerman.

News for Bitcoin Crypto (BTC)