Bitcoin is trading back above $89,000 and testing the $90,000 resistance area, while some traders worry that a slide to $74,000 could put Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) at risk. Bull Theory analysts argue that with 672,497 BTC worth tens of billions of dollars against roughly $8.24 billion of debt and over $2.18 billion in cash, the firm would remain solvent even at that lower price. They instead point to external market rules, higher margin requirements and ongoing share issuance as the main pressures on Strategy’s stock.

In 2025, XRP has traded with mixed results but remains one of the stronger altcoin performers, currently priced just under $1.90 and about 50% below its July peak. Standard Chartered projects that spot XRP ETFs could attract $4–$8 billion of inflows during 2026 and, together with the August 2025 settlement of the SEC lawsuit against Ripple, help drive the token toward $8. The bank's analyst also outlines a scenario where XRP might reach $12.50 by 2028, assuming supportive macro conditions and sustained investor risk appetite.

Between 22 and 28 December, Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy, acquired 1,129 Bitcoin for about $108.8 million, lifting its total BTC stash to 672,497 coins valued at roughly $50.44 billion. Over the same week, Bitmine Immersion increased its Ethereum holdings by 44,463 ETH to 4,110,525 ETH, while BTC and ETH prices remained under pressure and both firms' stocks continued to trade far below their all-time highs.

As US spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs approach their second anniversary, Galaxy Digital's 2026 outlook projects net inflows into US spot crypto ETFs will climb above $50 billion after recording $23 billion in 2025. The firm also expects more than 100 new crypto ETF products, over 15 US IPOs or uplistings by crypto firms, and notes Bitcoin trading around $87,480 and Ethereum near $2,930 with both still below prior all-time highs.

CoinGecko's 2025 report identifies Real-World Assets as the year's leading crypto narrative, with an average 185.8% YTD return across tokens including Figure Heloc, LINK, XLM, XAUT, and BlackRock's BUIDL. Keeta Network climbed 1,794.9% YTD, while L1s averaged 80.3%. Memecoins and AI lagged, with -31.6% and -50.2% average returns.

A Gemini poll conducted from December 12 to 23 indicates that 73% of surveyed investors expect XRP to close the year in a price band between $1.50 and $2.00, signaling a cautious outlook for the altcoin. Expectations for a stronger rally toward $2.00 to $2.50 and above $2.50 have decreased notably, while on-chain data and futures positioning suggest profit-taking by long-term holders and growing selling pressure. XRP is currently trading near $1.830, having logged losses across time frames and a 15% decline year-to-date.

Bitcoin trades slightly above $88,290 after a recent high above $126,000 in October, raising concerns about a deeper pullback. Analyst Ali Martinez compares past cycles—1,064 days from bottom to top and about 364 days back to a low—and infers a potential bottom around October 2026, with downside near $37,500 based on prior drawdowns.

According to NewsBTC, Ethereum has failed to reclaim $3,000 over the past 48 hours, with spot price hovering just above $2,940. Analysts on X, including Ted Pillows and Columbus, caution that without a swift move back above $3,000, ETH could retest $2,800, while overhead liquidity at $3,050–$3,250 and a 16% monthly drop signal fragile market conditions.

Bitcoin is trading near $87,370 after losing the $90,000 support level and falling more than 30% from its peak above $126,000, echoing patterns seen in late 2021. One expert applies a 2021-style fractal and argues BTC could decline about 20% toward $70,000, while other analysts debate whether this leads into an extended bear market or a new supercycle with fresh all-time highs projected for 2026.