According to Coinglass data, the Coinbase Bitcoin Premium Index has been in negative territory for 15 consecutive days, currently at -0.0858%. The Coinbase Bitcoin Premium Index measures the difference between the price of Bitcoin on Coinbase (a major US trading platform) and the global market average price. This index is an important indicator for observing fund flows, institutional investment activity, and market sentiment changes in the US market. A positive premium indicates that the Coinbase price is higher than the global average, typically signifying strong buying pressure in the US market, active participation from institutional or compliant funds, ample dollar liquidity, and optimistic investment sentiment. A negative premium indicates that the Coinbase price is lower than the global average, typically reflecting significant selling pressure in the US market, decreased investor risk appetite, increased market risk aversion, or capital outflows.

In a report, Charles Stanley's Abbas Owainati stated that the US dollar will continue to face challenges in 2026 after its significant depreciation this year. The dollar's decline this year reflects multiple factors, including market concerns about long-term fiscal sustainability, policy uncertainty weakening its safe-haven currency status, increased currency hedging by non-US investors, and changes in capital flows. He said the dollar is likely to remain under pressure next year as the Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates further. He also stated that a weaker dollar could support emerging market equities by easing external debt burdens, improving capital flows, and increasing local currency returns. (Jinshi)

Bitget, in partnership with the MORPHO and Arbitrum ecosystems, has launched an upgraded on-chain yield product designed to provide users with a more transparent, flexible, and efficient yield strategy. Based on the Arbitrum network, this product breaks traditional lock-up restrictions, offering users on-chain yield options for USDT and USDC that can be instantly subscribed and redeemed. In terms of product structure, a unique on-chain address is automatically generated upon subscription to enhance asset isolation and security. Subscribed funds are deployed to the Morpho protocol in real-time and accrue interest according to on-chain rules. Redemption is also executed through an on-chain process, ensuring instant fund arrival. Gas fees are handled centrally by Bitget to lower the operational threshold and improve the overall user experience. In terms of yield, USDC yields can reach up to 12% APR, and USDT yields can reach up to 11% APR. The first subscription period is now open and will close on February 27, 2026 at 19:00 (UTC+8).

Bitcoin's momentum slowed after rebounding to $90,000 at the end of the year, constrained by insufficient demand and weakening on-chain activity. Analysts point out that only if BTC regains a foothold above $90,000, accompanied by a recovery in demand, could a new round of price increases begin in early 2026. Data shows that Bitcoin's apparent demand (market buying demand minus new selling supply) has turned negative, falling to approximately -3,491 BTC, the lowest level since October, reflecting a risk-averse market during the year-end period. Meanwhile, the Coinbase premium index, which measures US investor sentiment, fell to -0.08, indicating that selling pressure in the US has not yet subsided. Analysts warn that caution is advised when going long until this indicator recovers. At the institutional level, Bitcoin spot ETFs saw net outflows of approximately $782 million last week, further confirming the decline in institutional risk appetite. The market believes that if ETF funds return to net inflows, it will be a significant signal of a market restart. In terms of price structure, Bitcoin is currently holding the $84,000 support level, but has been resisted near $90,000 four times since mid-December. Analysts point out that once the price effectively breaks through the $90,000-$92,000 range, upward momentum is expected to resume. Technically, some analysts have observed a potential hidden bullish divergence on the monthly chart, believing that if the monthly close is above $90,300, it will strengthen the bullish structure; if the breakout pattern holds, the subsequent target could even be $122,000. (Cointelegraph)

The digital yuan will undergo an upgrade, with wallet balances accruing interest starting January 1, 2026. Without altering the two-tier operating structure, digital yuan held by banking institutions will move from off-balance-sheet to on-balance-sheet, changing from 100% reserves to partial reserves; non-bank payment institutions will implement a 100% digital yuan margin. Banks will pay interest on customers' registered digital yuan wallet balances, adhering to deposit interest rate pricing self-regulatory agreements, and can independently manage their digital yuan wallet balances, with deposit insurance providing the same security guarantees as deposits. For non-bank payment institutions, the digital yuan margin is no different from their customer reserve funds. (Caixin)

Crypto analyst Plan C wrote on the X platform that although Bitcoin hit an all-time high in USD terms in 2025, it was actually in a downtrend by the end of the year. Furthermore, Bitcoin's price traded sideways around $100,000 for most of the year, significantly underperforming assets like silver, gold, and the S&P 500. Therefore, even though most people would consider 2025 a bull market according to the classic definition, it should essentially be considered a "hidden bear market."

The Supreme People's Court's official WeChat account published an article in its affiliated academic journal, *Digital Rule of Law*, entitled "Commercial Law Reform Towards Digital Transactions, Electronic Currency, and Virtual Property." The article points out that the amendments to the Uniform Commercial Code, jointly revised by the Uniform Law Commission and the American Law Institute, were formally passed in 2022 and subsequently widely adopted by state legislatures across the United States. These amendments embrace diverse transaction methods, including electronic forms, clarify the relationship between tangible money, central bank digital currencies, and other virtual currencies, create a new type of property called "controllable electronic records," and define the rules for the control and transfer of such property. China's civil and commercial regulations should also adapt to the development of digital transactions, electronic currency, and virtual property, undergoing practice-oriented legal improvements to incentivize economic and technological development and gain an advantage in international institutional competition.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has confirmed that it will fully implement new bank capital regulations based on the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision's (BBS) standards for crypto-assets in Hong Kong starting January 1, 2026. Crypto-assets, as defined by the BBS, are privately owned "digital assets" that primarily rely on cryptography and distributed ledger technology or similar technologies. "Digital assets" are defined as a digital representation of value that can be used for payment or investment purposes or to obtain goods or services. Not only Bitcoin and Ethereum fall under the BBS's definition of crypto-assets, but also RWA, stablecoins, and others. (Caixin)

More than half a billion dollars in multiple altcoins will be unlocked this week, triggering concerns among the crypto community. source: https://www.coinspeaker.com/585m-in-token-unlocks-loom-will-altcoins-face-selling-pressure/

Bitcoin is heading into New Year’s Eve on the verge of printing a red yearly candle, an awkward setup after a year packed with pro-crypto policy and institutional headlines. Galaxy Digital head of research Alex Thorn said BTC is down 6. 3% year-to-date and 8. 25% year-over-year, and would need a daily close above $93,389 on New Year’s Eve to finish 2025 positive source: https://www.newsbtc.com/bitcoin-news/bitcoin-red-yearly-close-galaxy-digital/

Japan is moving forward with a major overhaul of its crypto taxation framework, proposing a flat 20% tax on profits from digital assets under its 2026 tax reform plan. While this marks a significant reduction from the current 55% rate, the new policy currently applies only to a limited set of “specified” crypto assets, leaving many to wonder what that means.

OpenAI is facing lawsuits after a 16-year-old died by suicide, with claims that ChatGPT repeatedly discussed hanging and may have worsened his distress. The company is now introducing stronger teen protections, including safety alerts, age-specific guidance, and parental controls, to prevent harm and ensure younger users have safer, age-appropriate interactions.

The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) has partnered with LayerZero, a leading interoperability protocol, to enable native connectivity between Stellar and more than 150 blockchain networks. The integration allows assets—most notably USDC and other stablecoins—to move seamlessly across chains without relying on centralized bridges or intermediaries.

Hackers took control of Rainbow Six Siege, giving players billions of in-game credits and rare items, forcing Ubisoft to shut down the servers. The company is rolling back the affected accounts while allowing players to keep any items they used, and is gradually reopening the game.

Bitmine has made one of the most aggressive treasury moves in recent crypto history, committing hundreds of millions of dollars to Ethereum while simultaneously embracing staking as a long-term income strategy.

Mirae Asset Group is in talks to buy South Korea’s fourth-largest crypto exchange, Korbit, in a deal worth about 100 to 140 billion won ($70–$100 million).

Over $35 million in cryptocurrency stolen from LastPass users since 2022 has been traced to Russian cybercriminals using weak master passwords and laundering funds through mixers and Russian exchanges. TRM Labs found the thefts continued for years, showing that even encrypted vaults can be compromised if security practices are weak.

Coinbase has finally made its first arrest of one of the masterminds behind the exchange's customer data breach that exposed nearly 70,000 user accounts.

Global online interest in cryptocurrencies has fallen to its lowest levels as we approach the new year, with Google search data signaling a sharp pullback in retail attention as the market heads into 2026.

The Atlas memecoin, themed around US Vice President JD Vance’s pet dog, has nearly half of its supply controlled by 68 wallets showing signs of coordinated buying and potential insider activity. The token was heavily promoted by the influencer Whale Insider, raising concerns that retail investors could be at risk from price manipulation.