🔎 In its annual report, Messari analysts highlights a clear shift from past-cycle hype to hard economic reality
Key takeaways:
1️⃣ BTC remains the only true “monetary” asset in crypto — the market runs back to it during fear.
2️⃣ Most L1 altcoins will keep underperforming BTC: fast and cheap ≠ trusted as money.
3️⃣ ETH is institutionally understandable, but often trades like a leveraged version of BTC.
4️⃣ Stablecoins are the real mass use case: payments and settlements, not flashy narratives.
5️⃣ Tokens without clear economics are punished — promises no longer sell.
6️⃣ DeFi is maturing: less fairy tales about APY, more real revenue from fees, spreads, and funding.
📌 Messari’s conclusion: crypto is turning into financial infrastructure, not a story of endless growth. By 2026, only assets with trust, sustainable demand, and real value capture will survive — the market is no longer giving “belief credit.” 🏗
Key takeaways:
1️⃣ BTC remains the only true “monetary” asset in crypto — the market runs back to it during fear.
2️⃣ Most L1 altcoins will keep underperforming BTC: fast and cheap ≠ trusted as money.
3️⃣ ETH is institutionally understandable, but often trades like a leveraged version of BTC.
4️⃣ Stablecoins are the real mass use case: payments and settlements, not flashy narratives.
5️⃣ Tokens without clear economics are punished — promises no longer sell.
6️⃣ DeFi is maturing: less fairy tales about APY, more real revenue from fees, spreads, and funding.
📌 Messari’s conclusion: crypto is turning into financial infrastructure, not a story of endless growth. By 2026, only assets with trust, sustainable demand, and real value capture will survive — the market is no longer giving “belief credit.” 🏗
👍5❤1
👨🎨 Tom Lee is bullish on ETH… again
Bitmine CEO Tom Lee said on CNBC that ETH could rally to $7,000–$9,000 by early 2026. 👀
And if tokenization really takes off, he believes $20,000 ETH is on the table. 🚀
Sounds inspiring — until you remember that Bitmine is currently sitting on an unrealized ~$3.5B loss from its ETH investments 😁
When you’re that deep underwater, optimism comes naturally.
The irony? The analytics firm where Tom is Chief Investment Officer also allows for a scenario where ETH drops below $2,000. 😏
Bullish on TV, cautious in the models.
Crypto never changes.
Bitmine CEO Tom Lee said on CNBC that ETH could rally to $7,000–$9,000 by early 2026. 👀
And if tokenization really takes off, he believes $20,000 ETH is on the table. 🚀
Sounds inspiring — until you remember that Bitmine is currently sitting on an unrealized ~$3.5B loss from its ETH investments 😁
When you’re that deep underwater, optimism comes naturally.
The irony? The analytics firm where Tom is Chief Investment Officer also allows for a scenario where ETH drops below $2,000. 😏
Bullish on TV, cautious in the models.
Crypto never changes.
👍4
💡 Bitcoin dip = tax hack?
While the S&P 500 keeps printing new ATHs, Bitcoin is down ~30% from its peak — and that drop turned into a tax opportunity for US investors.
📊 The trick is called tax-loss harvesting:
▪️If your stocks made +$10,000, you owe roughly $2–3k in taxes.
▪️But if you sell BTC at a -$10,000 loss, that loss can offset the stock gains.
▪️Result: tax bill goes to zero.
🔥 The best part? You can buy BTC back immediately — even a minute later. No waiting period.
📉 With stocks, this doesn’t work:
▪️The IRS enforces a 31-day “wash sale” rule for securities.
▪️Bitcoin isn’t classified as a security, but as property, so the rule doesn’t apply.
🧠 Net effect: BTC stays in your portfolio, but the tax burden disappears.
Sometimes a dip isn’t pain — it’s a strategy.
While the S&P 500 keeps printing new ATHs, Bitcoin is down ~30% from its peak — and that drop turned into a tax opportunity for US investors.
📊 The trick is called tax-loss harvesting:
▪️If your stocks made +$10,000, you owe roughly $2–3k in taxes.
▪️But if you sell BTC at a -$10,000 loss, that loss can offset the stock gains.
▪️Result: tax bill goes to zero.
🔥 The best part? You can buy BTC back immediately — even a minute later. No waiting period.
📉 With stocks, this doesn’t work:
▪️The IRS enforces a 31-day “wash sale” rule for securities.
▪️Bitcoin isn’t classified as a security, but as property, so the rule doesn’t apply.
🧠 Net effect: BTC stays in your portfolio, but the tax burden disappears.
Sometimes a dip isn’t pain — it’s a strategy.
👍5✍2
🔼 RWA beats AI in returns this year
According to CoinGecko data, the most profitable crypto narrative of 2024 was AI, delivering an insane +2,939%, even outperforming memecoins. 🚀
🥇 This year the picture has changed.
AI hype is harder to sustain, while RWA (Real World Assets) keeps growing steadily and has taken the lead with +185% YTD.
📉 Fewer flashy launches, more real adoption — tokenization is quietly gaining momentum while speculative narratives cool off.
🤔 The big question: which sector will dominate next year?
According to CoinGecko data, the most profitable crypto narrative of 2024 was AI, delivering an insane +2,939%, even outperforming memecoins. 🚀
🥇 This year the picture has changed.
AI hype is harder to sustain, while RWA (Real World Assets) keeps growing steadily and has taken the lead with +185% YTD.
📉 Fewer flashy launches, more real adoption — tokenization is quietly gaining momentum while speculative narratives cool off.
🤔 The big question: which sector will dominate next year?
👍6
Bitcoin has deviated from its historical correlation with the S&P 500 and gold (pink dot on the chart) 👀
PlanB, creator of the Stock-to-Flow model, notes that the last time this happened BTC was trading below $1,000 — and it was followed by a 10x rally. 🚀
⏳ Whether history repeats itself or not — time will tell.
PlanB, creator of the Stock-to-Flow model, notes that the last time this happened BTC was trading below $1,000 — and it was followed by a 10x rally. 🚀
⏳ Whether history repeats itself or not — time will tell.
👍5
😆 Trump’s fortune nearly tripled while in office
According to several US senators, including Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump’s net worth has almost tripled since he became president. 💰🚀
They argue that a significant part of this growth comes from crypto-related projects, some of which are allegedly funded by foreign governments. 👀
This, critics say, raises serious corruption and conflict-of-interest concerns.
According to several US senators, including Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump’s net worth has almost tripled since he became president. 💰🚀
They argue that a significant part of this growth comes from crypto-related projects, some of which are allegedly funded by foreign governments. 👀
This, critics say, raises serious corruption and conflict-of-interest concerns.
👍4
📊 Bitcoin Mining Reality Check (2025)
📈 In 2025, Bitcoin mining difficulty surged by 35%, meaning miners now need significantly more computing power to produce the same number of blocks.
At the same time, the market value of mined BTC dropped by ~10% over the same period. 🤷
➡️ Result:
• Higher costs for miners
• Lower profitability
• Strong pressure on inefficient operations
This divergence highlights how mining is becoming tougher and more competitive, even when price isn’t keeping up. Only the most efficient players can survive in this environment. 👊
📈 In 2025, Bitcoin mining difficulty surged by 35%, meaning miners now need significantly more computing power to produce the same number of blocks.
At the same time, the market value of mined BTC dropped by ~10% over the same period. 🤷
➡️ Result:
• Higher costs for miners
• Lower profitability
• Strong pressure on inefficient operations
This divergence highlights how mining is becoming tougher and more competitive, even when price isn’t keeping up. Only the most efficient players can survive in this environment. 👊
👍5
Hyperliquid stays on top of the perp DEX market 📊
While competitors fight for attention, Hyperliquid continues to dominate where it matters most — real trading activity. 💵
• Aster gained hype thanks to personal promotion from CZ 🤵♂️
• Lighter briefly led in volume, driven mainly by expectations of a future airdrop 🪂
• Hyperliquid, meanwhile, holds the highest open interest and generates the most fee revenue 💰
This clearly shows where traders are actually active, not just farming incentives 🤑
Hype brings users temporarily — liquidity and volume keep them long term.
While competitors fight for attention, Hyperliquid continues to dominate where it matters most — real trading activity. 💵
• Aster gained hype thanks to personal promotion from CZ 🤵♂️
• Lighter briefly led in volume, driven mainly by expectations of a future airdrop 🪂
• Hyperliquid, meanwhile, holds the highest open interest and generates the most fee revenue 💰
This clearly shows where traders are actually active, not just farming incentives 🤑
Hype brings users temporarily — liquidity and volume keep them long term.
👍4🔥2❤1
🧑🎓 Zcash to $10,000? A bold academic case
📝 A member of the Zcash community has gone all in — literally writing a full dissertation titled “The Case for ZEC at $10,000”, arguing why Zcash could reach five digits (ZEC is ~$530 today).
🗝 Key arguments:
• Zcash and Bitcoin share the same fundamentals: 21M supply + PoW
• The critical difference is privacy
• Bitcoin is fully transparent — balances and transactions are public
• Zcash uses zk-SNARKs, allowing transactions to be verified without revealing sender, receiver, or amount
• Dual-address model:
– Transparent addresses (exchanges, compliance)
– Shielded addresses (full privacy) 🛡
This hybrid approach gives Zcash a regulatory edge, helping it stay listed where pure privacy coins like Monero get delisted. 🧐
📌 The thesis: privacy + compliance flexibility = long-term asymmetric upside.
📝 A member of the Zcash community has gone all in — literally writing a full dissertation titled “The Case for ZEC at $10,000”, arguing why Zcash could reach five digits (ZEC is ~$530 today).
🗝 Key arguments:
• Zcash and Bitcoin share the same fundamentals: 21M supply + PoW
• The critical difference is privacy
• Bitcoin is fully transparent — balances and transactions are public
• Zcash uses zk-SNARKs, allowing transactions to be verified without revealing sender, receiver, or amount
• Dual-address model:
– Transparent addresses (exchanges, compliance)
– Shielded addresses (full privacy) 🛡
This hybrid approach gives Zcash a regulatory edge, helping it stay listed where pure privacy coins like Monero get delisted. 🧐
📌 The thesis: privacy + compliance flexibility = long-term asymmetric upside.
🔥8
📊 CryptoQuant: Mondays bring max volatility for BTC
🔎 According to CryptoQuant, Monday (highlighted in blue) is historically one of the most volatile days of the week for Bitcoin.
Today is no exception 👀
After a sharp move up to $90,000, BTC quickly corrected to $87,000 — and this all happened before the US stock market even opened.
Looks like the real action may still be ahead 📉📈
🔎 According to CryptoQuant, Monday (highlighted in blue) is historically one of the most volatile days of the week for Bitcoin.
Today is no exception 👀
After a sharp move up to $90,000, BTC quickly corrected to $87,000 — and this all happened before the US stock market even opened.
Looks like the real action may still be ahead 📉📈
👍8❤2
📊 Corporate Bitcoin Accumulation Continues
📱 Strategy bought 1,229 BTC for $108.8M at an average price of $88,568 per coin.
As of December 28, the company now holds 672,497 BTC on its balance sheet.
🇯🇵 Metaplanet (Japan) also returned to accumulation, purchasing an additional 4,279 BTC after a long pause.
Their total Bitcoin holdings have now reached 35,102 BTC.
🔍 While retail hesitates, large public companies keep steadily stacking BTC, treating corrections as buying opportunities rather than exit signals. Institutional conviction remains strong.
📱 Strategy bought 1,229 BTC for $108.8M at an average price of $88,568 per coin.
As of December 28, the company now holds 672,497 BTC on its balance sheet.
🇯🇵 Metaplanet (Japan) also returned to accumulation, purchasing an additional 4,279 BTC after a long pause.
Their total Bitcoin holdings have now reached 35,102 BTC.
🔍 While retail hesitates, large public companies keep steadily stacking BTC, treating corrections as buying opportunities rather than exit signals. Institutional conviction remains strong.
👍3
Ethereum is back in demand 💪
In Q4 2025, the number of deployed smart contracts on Ethereum hit a new all-time high — 8.7 million 📈
🚀 This surge in activity likely follows the recent Fusaka upgrade and the rollout of PeerDAS, which significantly simplified development and improved network efficiency for builders.
More contracts = more real usage, not just hype. Looks like Ethereum is quietly regaining momentum on the fundamentals 👨💻⚙️
In Q4 2025, the number of deployed smart contracts on Ethereum hit a new all-time high — 8.7 million 📈
🚀 This surge in activity likely follows the recent Fusaka upgrade and the rollout of PeerDAS, which significantly simplified development and improved network efficiency for builders.
More contracts = more real usage, not just hype. Looks like Ethereum is quietly regaining momentum on the fundamentals 👨💻⚙️
❤1
Bitcoin 2026: nobody knows, but everyone has an opinion 👀
🔎 Forecasts for BTC in 2026 are wildly split. Some analysts warn about a deep drop to $10k–25k, while the most bullish voices expect a rally to $150k–250k.
🏦 Most large banks and funds stick to a moderately bullish scenario, targeting $140k–180k.
😐 Others see a year of consolidation, weak momentum, or a market lacking new catalysts.
✔️ Bottom line: the huge spread in forecasts highlights how uncertain the outlook is. Bitcoin’s path in 2026 will largely depend on macro conditions, liquidity, and capital inflows — not on predictions alone.
🔎 Forecasts for BTC in 2026 are wildly split. Some analysts warn about a deep drop to $10k–25k, while the most bullish voices expect a rally to $150k–250k.
🏦 Most large banks and funds stick to a moderately bullish scenario, targeting $140k–180k.
😐 Others see a year of consolidation, weak momentum, or a market lacking new catalysts.
✔️ Bottom line: the huge spread in forecasts highlights how uncertain the outlook is. Bitcoin’s path in 2026 will largely depend on macro conditions, liquidity, and capital inflows — not on predictions alone.
👍2
CZ keeps it simple: “Crypto will be fine.” 🎄
CZ shared a calm New Year message, reassuring the community that everything is under control:
▪️BTC will be fine.
▪️BNB will be fine.
▪️CZ will be fine.
▪️Crypto will be fine.
Basically, if you were worried about anything in crypto — CZ just fixed it with one sentence.
No charts, no indicators, no macro… just pure “trust me bro” energy 😄
🎄 New Year plan:
1️⃣ Panic — cancelled
2️⃣ FUD — postponed
3️⃣ Hopium — restocked
Relax, stack sats, and let CZ handle the vibes.
Happy New Year 🚀🎉
CZ shared a calm New Year message, reassuring the community that everything is under control:
▪️BTC will be fine.
▪️BNB will be fine.
▪️CZ will be fine.
▪️Crypto will be fine.
Basically, if you were worried about anything in crypto — CZ just fixed it with one sentence.
No charts, no indicators, no macro… just pure “trust me bro” energy 😄
🎄 New Year plan:
1️⃣ Panic — cancelled
2️⃣ FUD — postponed
3️⃣ Hopium — restocked
Relax, stack sats, and let CZ handle the vibes.
Happy New Year 🚀🎉