On 31 December 2025, analysts said crypto's 2026 outlook depends on how forcefully the Federal Reserve eases policy. The Fed cut rates three times in 2025, but sentiment stayed weak as later moves failed to spark momentum and Bitcoin trades about 30% below its October peak. Expectations for earlier 2026 cuts remain cautious.

On 30 December 2025, observers noted the BTC/XAU ratio is tightening near zones that historically preceded Bitcoin reclaiming leadership from gold. After sliding from around 20x, the ratio could gravitate toward 13x if market volatility stays muted, while technical indicators suggest gold's momentum may be fading.

Binance has adjusted fiat withdrawal channels in Ukraine, suspending direct card payouts to Visa and Mastercard that many local users relied on. The move follows the winding down of services from its former fiat partner Bifinity and has paused some automated features, while core crypto trading, card purchases, bank transfers and P2P operations remain available. Binance expects broader payment functionality, including via Zen.com, to fully resume in early January 2026, leaving users to depend on bank and peer-to-peer routes in the meantime.

On 30 December 2025, Ripple integrated with the TAS Network Gateway to connect its blockchain settlement to core European payment systems. The setup enables banks to access distributed ledger workflows without replacing legacy infrastructure, with optional use of XRP via On-Demand Liquidity. The move aligns with Europe’s preparations for DLT-based settlement frameworks expected around 2026.

On 30 December 2025, Bitcoin staged a sharp rally followed by a rapid reversal, with analysts suggesting the move was driven more by liquidity dynamics than genuine buying interest. The surge occurred while funding was negative, open interest was high, and short liquidations above a key resistance zone pushed price into thin liquidity, creating what appeared to be a breakout before collapsing once forced buying subsided.

According to analysis shared by Darkfost, Bitcoin's long-term holder supply has posted its first positive 30-day change since mid-July, with about 10,700 BTC moving into long-term status. Earlier readings of heavy distribution were skewed by a roughly 800,000 BTC Coinbase-linked transfer. The shift eases selling pressure but does not confirm a trend reversal.

On 30 December 2025, China’s Supreme People’s Court outlined a push to update legal tools for digital assets in its 2025 Digital Rule of Law journal. While crypto trading remains banned, courts increasingly treat cryptocurrencies as virtual property and plan clearer rules for electronic transactions, digital records, and AML coverage amid rising cybercrime and disputes.

On 30 December 2025, BlackRock's blockchain-based USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL) crossed $100 million in cumulative income distributed fully onchain to token holders. The tokenized money market fund, backed by U.S. Treasuries and cash-equivalent assets and now operating across multiple blockchains, showcases that institutional-scale yield can be delivered through tokenized securities.

In December, derivatives traders increased exposure in Bitcoin and Ethereum even as overall activity cooled and prices struggled. Futures open interest rose by more than $2 billion, with roughly $1 billion added to BTC and about $1.4 billion to ETH. The rise in leverage suggests positioning for a rebound rather than capitulation.