Aster Chain is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2026, with internal 
testing planned for late 2025, the company said.

Aster unveils 2026 roadmap, plans launch of layer-1 blockchain

Stablecoins’ rapid global expansion is reshaping financial access and 
payments, offering new efficiencies while raising urgent concerns over 
monetary control and regulatory gaps that policymakers worldwide are now 
scrambling to confront. IMF Warns of Expanding Stablecoin Influence The 
International Monetary Fund (IMF) detailed on Dec. 4 that stablecoins can 
widen financial access and support innovation […]

IMF Economists Call for Unified Stablecoin Oversight as Risks Escalate

Ethereum is demonstrating notable relative strength after reclaiming the 
$3,150 level and attempting to push higher, offering a refreshing shift in 
sentiment following weeks of intense selling pressure, fear, and market-wide 
uncertainty. As the broader crypto landscape begins to stabilize, ETH stands 
out as one of the assets showing early signs of recovery, drawing renewed 
attention from traders and long-term investors alike. Related Reading: Tron 
Hits $80.2B Stablecoin Milestone After Tether Mints 1B USDT On The Network A 
key factor supporting this shift is the Net Unrealized Profit/Loss (NUPL) 
reading for Ethereum on Binance, which is currently sitting around 0.22 while 
price trades near $3,100. This level reflects a delicate equilibrium between 
fear and optimism, indicating that a significant portion of ETH holders remain 
in moderate profit. Importantly, NUPL has not yet moved into the “greed” zone 
typically seen in the late stages of a bullish cycle, suggesting that the 
market is far from overheated. Instead, Ethereum appears to be transitioning 
into a more neutral, constructive phase where investors are cautiously 
optimistic but not excessively euphoric. This balance often forms the 
foundation for a healthier recovery, especially after a deep correction. If 
momentum continues building and NUPL remains stable or trends higher, ETH 
could be positioning itself for a stronger upside move in the coming weeks. 
NUPL Signals a Transitional Market Phase Arab Chain notes that Ethereum’s NUPL 
index experienced a significant rise between June and August, reaching levels 
far higher than today and reflecting strong profitability across the network 
during mid-2025. At that time, investor sentiment leaned toward optimism, 
supported by rising prices and improving macro conditions. However, as 
Ethereum’s price began to decline steadily from October onward, unrealized 
profits started to shrink. This pushed NUPL down toward more neutral 
territory, signaling a shift in sentiment from elevated optimism to a more 
grounded, cautious outlook. Crucially, NUPL has not fallen into negative 
territory, meaning the average ETH holder has not transitioned into unrealized 
losses. This is an important sign of underlying market strength. When 
investors remain in profit, they tend to be less motivated to sell 
aggressively at lower prices, reducing the risk of panic-driven capitulation 
and helping stabilize price action during corrections. Taken together, these 
signals indicate that Ethereum is currently in a transitional phase. The 
market is neither euphoric nor fearful—rather, it is waiting for a decisive 
catalyst to define the next trend. As long as NUPL stays above 0.20, Ethereum 
retains a meaningful level of investor confidence, increasing the likelihood 
of a rebound if liquidity strengthens or positive fundamental developments 
emerge. Related Reading: Bitmine Buys Another 18,345 Ethereum ($54.94M) In 
Fresh Accumulation Push – Details ETH Rebounds Strongly on the Weekly Chart 
Ethereum’s weekly chart shows a powerful rebound as price surges back above 
the $3,150–$3,200 region, reclaiming a critical support band that had turned 
into resistance during the November sell-off. The long lower wick from last 
week’s candle confirms strong buy-side interest around the $2,700–$2,800 zone, 
an area that has historically acted as a major demand region during multi- 
month corrections. ETH has now reclaimed the 100-week SMA, a key trend 
indicator currently positioned near $2,900, signaling renewed structural 
stability. The 200-week SMA, sitting comfortably lower, continues to reinforce 
the long-term uptrend. However, the 50-week SMA, which has flattened and now 
looms around the $3,350–$3,400 level, represents the next significant 
resistance level. ETH will need a decisive weekly close above this moving 
average to confirm a true shift back into bullish momentum. Related Reading: 
Ethereum Open Interest Cut In Half As $6.4B In Positions Vanish: Market Reset 
Accelerates Volume on the rebound is notably stronger than in previous 
consolidation phases, suggesting increased participation and growing 
confidence among market participants. However, ETH is not yet in the clear. 
The series of lower highs since the September peak forms a descending 
structure that must be broken for a sustained uptrend to resume. Featured 
image from ChatGPT, chart from TradingView.com

Ethereum NUPL Holds Steady, Signaling Market Balance Amid Volatility

Multiple major exchanges—including CME, Cboe, ICE, and Coinbase—are in talks 
with the CFTC to launch spot and leveraged crypto products.

CFTC Approves Spot Cryptocurrency Trading on Regulated U.S. Exchanges

21Shares, a digital asset management firm, has previously launched multiple 
cryptocurrency ETFs in various markets. Here&#8217;s the latest.

Cryptocurrency price in SAR