The pilot programs explore wholesale settlement between institutions and real- 
world use cases, along with stablecoin development and tokenized bank 
deposits.

Malaysia’s central bank announces stablecoin and tokenization sandbox

Bitcoin’s image as a steady store of value is being tested. What once was 
talked about as a hedge against uncertainty now moves more like a high-upside, 
high-risk bet. Related Reading: Jim Cramer Suggests US Government Could Buy 
Bitcoin Near $60K Signals Of A Growth Asset According to Grayscale, recent 
trading patterns show Bitcoin tracking closely with shares of software 
companies rather than with gold or silver. That change in behavior has been 
noticeable since early 2024, when institutional flows and exchange-traded 
products pushed crypto into more mainstream hands. Reports say investors who 
chase growth — many drawn by the AI story — have been selling software names 
hard, and Bitcoin has followed some of that pressure. Institutional Links And 
Market Forces Reports note that deeper ties to traditional markets explain 
part of this shift. Large firms, ETF mechanics and growing institutional 
holdings mean movements in stock markets can spill into crypto. There has also 
been active selling from US-based accounts that left Bitcoin trading at a 
discount on some platforms. That selling happened after a string of big 
liquidations late in the year and again in recent weeks, which amplified 
losses for traders who used leverage. Where Price Stands Now Bitcoin is 
changing hands around $66,900, with clear resistance near $69,900 and support 
levels slipping under $66,600. The swings are sharp and intraday moves can be 
wide, reflecting a mood that is cautious and reactive. From its peak above 
$126,000 in October, the market has pulled back by roughly 50% in several 
waves, which shows how quickly sentiment can turn against even the most 
talked-about crypto. Gold, Geopolitics And Risk Appetite Reports point out 
that bullion has climbed to fresh highs while Bitcoin has failed to mirror 
those safe-haven flows. Rising geopolitical friction has driven some money 
into metals and away from riskier bets, including tech shares and crypto. 
Traders who expected Bitcoin to act like a fortress against turmoil have found 
that, for now, it behaves more like an asset whose value rises on hope and 
falls when fear returns. A return of fresh capital would likely be needed to 
steady prices. ETF inflows could help, and a renewed wave of retail buyers 
would too. Research suggests that retail interest is currently focused on AI 
stories and growth narratives, which leaves crypto out of favor for many 
individual investors. That concentration of attention matters: capital flows 
are what lift or sink these markets. Related Reading: After Predicting XRP’s 
Drop, Analyst Says The Bottom May Be In Bitcoin Tracks Tech, But Long-Term 
Value Still Intact Grayscale says Bitcoin’s recent moves mirror tech stocks, 
not gold, but its long-term potential as a store of value remains. Short-term 
swings reflect market integration and investor activity, while future 
performance will depend on capital flows and broader economic trends. Featured 
image from ETF Trends, chart from TradingView

Bitcoin Moves With Tech, Not Precious Metals, Analysts Find

Super Bowl LX delivered more than a Lombardi Trophy — it delivered a stress 
test for America’s betting industry. As the Seattle Seahawks beat the New 
England Patriots 29-13, prediction markets piled up record volumes that 
signaled a measurable shift in how fans wager on the biggest game of the year. 
Traditional Sportsbooks Trail as […]

Prediction Markets Outpace Sportsbooks During Super Bowl LX Betting Frenzy

Bitcoin price could still reach $150,000 by year-end, but several things must 
happen for BTC price to find its technical footing and spark a new bull run.

When will Bitcoin start a new bull cycle toward $150K? Look for these signs

A fugitive crypto scam operator Daren Li was sentenced in absentia to 20 years 
in prison and three years of supervised release for laundering more than $73 
million stolen from American victims. Details of the Money Laundering 
Conspiracy A U.S. court has sentenced in absentia a dual citizen of China and 
St. Kitts and Nevis […]

Cryptocurrency price in UAH