The SEC&#8217;s action highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations and 
investor education to prevent crypto-related frauds and protect consumers.
The post SEC charges crypto trading platforms and investment clubs over $14 
million scam appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

SEC charges crypto trading platforms and investment clubs over $14 million scam

Bitcoin is on track to close the year in negative territory, a development 
that has reinforced growing concerns among analysts who are increasingly 
positioning for a potential bear market ahead. After failing to sustain 
momentum above key psychological and technical levels, market sentiment has 
shifted toward caution, with investors closely monitoring liquidity behavior 
and exchange flows for early signals of regime change. Related Reading: The 
Gold-to-Bitcoin Rotation Narrative Gains Strength: A Data-Driven Review Recent 
analysis from Arab Chain, based on CryptoQuant’s Exchange Inflow Value (7-day 
cumulative) metric, highlights a notable divergence in liquidity patterns 
between major exchanges. The data aggregates Bitcoin and Ethereum inflows, 
providing a broader view of risk positioning across the two largest crypto 
assets. On November 24, when Bitcoin was trading around $88,438, Coinbase 
recorded seven-day cumulative inflows totaling approximately $21.0 billion. In 
contrast, Binance saw lower, though still significant, inflows near $15.3 
billion. What stands out is that these elevated inflows occurred while prices 
were already well below prior highs. Rather than signaling aggressive 
accumulation, the data points to increased exchange activity consistent with 
portfolio rebalancing, hedging, or preparation for potential distribution. 
Exchange Inflows Signal Liquidity Tightening Despite Stable Bitcoin Prices By 
December 21, Bitcoin was trading near $88,635. Only marginally higher than 
late-November levels and still locked within a narrow consolidation range. 
While price action showed little progress, exchange flow data pointed to a 
notable shift in market conditions. Updated on-chain figures indicate that 
liquidity entering major trading venues declined sharply over the span of just 
a few weeks, underscoring a cooling in overall market activity. Coinbase, 
often used as a proxy for institutional and US-based flows, saw seven-day 
cumulative inflows fall to roughly $7.8 billion. That represents a steep drop 
of more than 60% compared with inflow levels observed in late November. 
Binance also experienced a contraction, but the decline was materially less 
severe, with inflows totaling about $10.3 billion over the same period. As a 
result, Binance surpassed Coinbase in net inflows during December, reversing 
the earlier dynamic. This divergence suggests that while broad liquidity has 
tightened, trading activity has become more concentrated on venues associated 
with shorter-term positioning and active risk management. At the same time, 
the absence of a significant price reaction highlights how Bitcoin has 
continued to trade sideways even as fresh capital flows slowed. Taken 
together, the data points to a market operating with reduced turnover and 
lower urgency on both the buy and sell side. Bitcoin’s ability to remain 
range-bound amid shrinking inflows reflects a quieter, more constrained 
liquidity environment compared with conditions seen just one month earlier. 
Related Reading: Ethereum Market Structure Strengthens: Binance Netflows Point 
to Long-Term Conviction BTC Slips Below Key Moving Averages as Daily Trend 
Weakens Bitcoin is trading near the $87,900 level on the daily chart, 
extending a corrective move that began after the failed breakout above 
$120,000 earlier in the quarter. The structure now reflects a clear shift in 
short-term trend dynamics, with price firmly below its major daily moving 
averages. Notably, Bitcoin has lost the 111-day and 200-day simple moving 
averages. Both of which have started to roll over and act as dynamic 
resistance rather than support. The rejection from the $110,000–$115,000 zone 
marked a decisive lower high, followed by an impulsive sell-off toward the 
mid-$80,000 range. Since then, price action has compressed into a narrow 
consolidation, suggesting temporary stabilization rather than a confirmed 
reversal. However, the inability to reclaim the declining moving averages 
indicates that upside attempts remain fragile. Related Reading: Ethereum 
Traders Chase Upside With Historic Leverage – Breakout Fuel Or Fragile Setup? 
Volume behavior adds to the cautious outlook. Selling pressure expanded during 
the initial breakdown, while subsequent rebounds have occurred on muted 
volume, signaling limited conviction from buyers. This imbalance suggests that 
dip-buying demand is present but not strong enough to force a trend shift. 
From a technical perspective, the $85,000–$88,000 area has become a critical 
near-term support zone. A sustained hold could allow for range formation. 
Failure to defend this level would increase the risk of a deeper retracement. 
For sentiment to improve, Bitcoin would need to reclaim the $95,000–$100,000 
region and stabilize above its key daily averages. Featured image from 
ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

Bitcoin and Ethereum Coinbase Inflows Collapse While Binance Retains Relative Activity – Details

JPMorgan is reportedly weighing cryptocurrency trading for institutional 
clients as regulatory clarity and demand push Wall Street closer to digital 
assets, signaling a broader thaw between traditional banking and crypto 
markets. JPMorgan Explores Crypto Trading as Wall Street Warms to Digital 
Assets Global banks are gradually reassessing their relationship with digital 
assets as client demand […]

JPMorgan Weighs Institutional Crypto Trading as Regulatory Clarity Tightens and Demand Builds: Report

The Ontario Securities Commission has cleared Matador to raise $58 million, 
which it intends to use to expand its Bitcoin treasury.

Bitcoin treasury Matador’s $58M share-sale approved to expand holdings

Bitcoin has been a “monster in financial markets” even though it hasn’t hit 
the most optimistic 2025 price targets, says Anthony Pompliano.

Cryptocurrency price in AUD