Today's Cryptocurrency News (December 17) | Solana Launches Quantum-Resistant Upgrade; Bhutan Promises to Invest 10,000 Bitcoins in "Mindfulness City"

This article summarizes cryptocurrency news as of December 17, 2025, focusing on the latest Bitcoin updates, Ethereum upgrades, Dogecoin trends, real-time crypto prices, and price forecasts. Major Web3 events today include:

1. Amazon plans to invest over $10 billion in OpenAI to boost its valuation beyond $500 billion

According to the Financial Times, Amazon is negotiating a deal to invest over $10 billion in OpenAI, potentially involving the use of Amazon Trainium AI chips and data center services to further push OpenAI’s valuation above $500 billion. This deal builds on a previous seven-year, $38 billion server rental agreement between OpenAI and Amazon, highlighting a trend of cloud service diversification following its restructuring with Microsoft. Negotiations are still in early stages.

2. Bloomberg strategist: Bitcoin heading towards $10,000, risk-reward structure has changed

On December 17, Bloomberg Intelligence strategist Mike McGlone stated, “Bitcoin faces downward pressure, with prices expected to fall close to $10,000.” Strategy founder Michael Saylor recently said at the Miami Economic Club, “We buy Bitcoin with money we can afford to lose.” “I admire and respect Mr. Saylor; it was his arrival in 2020 (when Bitcoin was near $10,000) that drove a tenfold increase in Bitcoin’s price. But many market expectations have already been realized: the emergence of ETFs, recognition of Bitcoin’s benefits by US leaders, and broader mainstream acceptance. Today, there are 28 million cryptocurrencies listed on CoinMarketCap, compared to just one in 2009. After these positive developments, the number of crypto assets has surged, and market expectations have been fully digested, leading to a change in the short-term risk-reward profile.”

3. Solana launches quantum-resistant upgrade, deploying quantum digital signatures on testnet

As concerns over quantum computing threats grow, Solana has officially joined the ranks of projects preparing for quantum resistance. The Solana Foundation recently announced the successful deployment of quantum digital signatures on the Solana testnet, marking an important first step toward quantum-resistant upgrades.

The Foundation stated that while quantum computers are not yet a reality, proactive risk management is crucial. They partnered with Project Eleven, focusing on post-quantum cryptography, to systematically evaluate Solana’s quantum security, covering core protocols, validator security, user wallets, and long-term cryptographic assumptions.

Results show that end-to-end quantum-resistant transactions are feasible and scalable under current technology. As proof, Project Eleven deployed a complete, operational post-quantum signature system on the testnet, breaking the traditional notion that quantum resistance in blockchains remains theoretical.

Matt Sorg, VP of Technology at the Foundation, said their goal is not only to ensure current network security but also to maintain Solana’s resilience for decades. This year, Solana will also advance a second client and a new consensus mechanism to enhance network performance and security.

CEO Alex Pruden of Project Eleven highlighted that Solana’s approach exemplifies proactive risk management. Instead of waiting for quantum threats to materialize, they invested early and implemented solutions to prepare for the future.

Meanwhile, industry debates about the timeline of quantum threats are divided. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson believes quantum risks are exaggerated and may not pose a real threat until the 2030s; Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin warns that insufficient preparation could lead Bitcoin and Ethereum to face cryptographic challenges by the end of this decade.

Overall, Solana’s deployment of quantum signatures on testnet signals that the quantum security race in blockchain has begun. Regardless of when quantum computing matures, early infrastructure deployment is becoming a key component of long-term blockchain competitiveness.

4. ASTER completes community and ecosystem token unlock transfers for the month; 235.2 million tokens remain unused

The ASTER project team announced that, according to the scheduled tokenomics plan, they have completed the community and ecosystem token unlock transfers for this month. The unlocked tokens have been transferred to address 0x0A55c740703A11f42803fB1a05ca1F7F89981EA4 for future community and ecosystem development.

Officially, this address currently holds about 235.2 million ASTER tokens, covering the unlock amounts over the past three months since TGE (Token Generation Event), with all tokens remaining unused. This information helps the market better understand ASTER’s circulation structure and potential supply.

The team emphasized that there are no immediate spending or selling plans. If future token use cases or fund deployments are involved, they will communicate and disclose in advance to ensure transparency and predictability.

From a market perspective, executing scheduled unlocks and maintaining transparency can reduce uncertainty and ease investor concerns about token inflows. Overall, this community and ecosystem unlock by ASTER is more aligned with long-term development rather than short-term market operations.

5. Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission releases Q3 quarterly report: spot virtual asset ETF total market cap reaches $920 million, up 217%

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) released its Q3 report for July-September 2025, revealing that the total market cap of spot virtual asset ETFs reached $920 million, a 217% increase since launch. The assets under management of five tokenized money market funds totaled HKD 5.387 billion (about $692 million), a 391% increase from the previous quarter. Additionally, the SFC confirmed that stamp duty exemptions for transfer of ETFs apply to tokenized ETFs, aiming to promote secondary market trading and further expand access to tokenized fixed income and money market products. Currently, 11 virtual asset trading platforms have obtained licenses, with applications from eight more under review.

6. U.S. Senate introduces bipartisan bill to strengthen regulation and combat crypto scams

The U.S. Senate recently proposed a new legislation targeting crypto scams, attracting market attention. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D) and Jerry Moran ® jointly introduced the bipartisan “SAFE Crypto Act,” aiming to enhance federal enforcement coordination against increasing digital asset fraud.

According to the official statement, the bill establishes a federal task force integrating the Treasury Department, law enforcement, financial regulators, and private sector experts to identify, track, and combat rising digital asset scams.

Senator Slotkin said that as cryptocurrency becomes more widespread in U.S. society, scam risks are rising, and the government must provide more systematic protection. She noted that the task force will mobilize cross-departmental resources to improve detection and response capabilities, preventing more ordinary investors from becoming victims.

The bill proposes that the task force focus on major current scam patterns and trends, including phishing, hacking, and small-scale Ponzi schemes, and develop more effective prevention and enforcement strategies. It will also provide law enforcement with advanced investigative tools and enhance public education on common crypto scams.

Supervision and accountability mechanisms are also specified. The task force must submit an initial report to the Senate Banking Committee, Agriculture Committee, and the House Financial Services and Agriculture Committees within one year, with regular annual updates thereafter.

Senator Moran stated that the SAFE Crypto Act will help the federal government address security threats in the digital asset space more systematically, providing more reliable protection for Americans amid broader crypto adoption.

Legal experts in crypto also expressed concern. Noted crypto attorney Gabriel Shapiro said the legislation could fill enforcement gaps, as the SEC and CFTC have long focused less on hacking and small-scale scams.

Chainalysis data further underscores the urgency. Its report indicates that, as on-chain crime diversifies, illegal crypto transactions could reach $51.3 billion by 2024, providing a significant impetus for U.S. legislative action against crypto scams. (The Block)

7. Bitcoin approaches the 100-week moving average support; MSTR first to break below, signaling bearish outlook

Recently, Bitcoin’s trading price has been approaching a highly watched long-term “price safety line” — the 100-week simple moving average (100-week SMA). This indicator has long been regarded as a key reference for Bitcoin’s major trend direction. Over the past three weeks, Bitcoin has repeatedly found support near this moving average, temporarily preventing further decline from its all-time high above $126,000.

From a technical analysis perspective, the 100-week SMA represents the average cost over nearly two years and is often seen as a critical threshold for bull-bear transitions. If the price stabilizes and rebounds at this level, the market may interpret it as resilience of the long-term trend, possibly serving as a springboard for a new rally. However, a decisive break below could quickly shatter bullish confidence, increase selling pressure, and strengthen bearish forces.

Notably, the largest listed Bitcoin holder, MicroStrategy (ticker: MSTR), has already sent a risk signal by breaking below the 100-week SMA. Data shows MSTR’s stock price fell below this support in early November, at about $220, and continued downward to around $160, down over 60% from its peak of $457 this year.

Historical experience suggests MSTR’s stock often leads Bitcoin’s medium-term movements. Previously, it broke below the 50-week SMA first, followed by a significant Bitcoin correction. Therefore, MSTR’s break of the 100-week SMA is viewed by some as a forward-looking bearish signal for the crypto market.

Currently, Bitcoin bulls’ key task is to hold the 100-week SMA as a core support. Sustained support could reinforce this moving average as a long-term support consensus and set the stage for a rebound. Conversely, a breakdown could mirror MSTR’s decline, greatly increasing risks and possibly leading to a deeper correction. (CoinDesk)

8. Fed Chair candidate race intensifies: Trump advocates for rate cuts, Waller enters candidate pool

The contest for the next Fed Chair is heating up. According to The Wall Street Journal, President Trump plans to interview Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller soon to assess his suitability to succeed Chair Powell. This move indicates Trump is accelerating his Fed personnel plans aligned with his “aggressive rate cut” policy.

Waller has officially entered the Fed Chair candidate list. Previously, Trump met with former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh and National Economic Council Chair Kevin Hassett, both considered top contenders. Sources say Trump is focusing on their views on monetary policy, especially the pace and magnitude of rate cuts.

Waller has taken a relatively dovish stance on monetary policy recently. The Fed has cut rates by 0.25 percentage points three times this year, and at the previous meeting where rates were held steady, Waller was the sole dissenter advocating further rate cuts. This stance makes him stand out among the “rate cut” camp.

Beyond rate policy, Waller’s views on digital currencies and financial innovation have attracted attention. He has publicly endorsed the potential of stablecoins and DeFi. At a Fed payments system meeting last October, Waller said the Fed should reduce over-skepticism toward DeFi and see stablecoins as a new form of currency that can coexist with traditional payment systems. Some interpret this as a crypto-friendly signal.

Nevertheless, analysts believe Waller’s chances of becoming the final choice are limited. He is the only candidate among the three with no private ties to Trump. Some advisors close to the president are dissatisfied with Waller’s recent recommendation of a one-time 0.5% rate cut, considering his stance not aggressive enough.

Trump’s expectations for the next Fed Chair are quite clear. He has publicly criticized Powell for insufficient rate cuts, despite the current benchmark rate of 3.50%-3.75%. Trump believes rates should be quickly lowered to around 1% or even lower.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the president is systematically evaluating candidates’ views on the Fed’s policy framework and structure, with a decision possibly by early next year. Currently, Kevin Warsh, closely connected to Trump, remains the most likely successor.

9. Bhutan commits 10,000 Bitcoin to develop “City of Mindfulness”

The Kingdom of Bhutan announced it will allocate 10,000 Bitcoin (about $875 million) from its reserves to build the Glepup City of Mindfulness (GMC). Bhutan is estimated to hold about 11,286 BTC, worth over $986 million, making it the fifth-largest Bitcoin holder globally. This special administrative region in southern Bhutan launched in 2024, covering approximately 1,544 square miles (about 10% of Bhutan’s land area), aiming to attract finance, tech, tourism companies, create high-value jobs, and prevent youth outmigration. The project will be developed in phases over the next 20 years, and a gold-linked sovereign digital token, TER, has been introduced. The Bhutanese king emphasized that this development will ensure prosperity for the country’s 790,000 residents.

10. Cantor Fitzgerald bullish on Hyperliquid, predicts HYPE market cap to hit $200 billion in ten years

Wall Street investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald recently published a 62-page in-depth research report giving a rare high-grade valuation analysis of the decentralized perpetual contract platform Hyperliquid. The report forecasts that the HYPE token could reach a potential market cap of $200 billion within 10 years, quickly attracting market attention and signaling traditional finance’s renewed interest in DeFi infrastructure.

Cantor’s valuation logic is based on an “exchange-level” business model rather than traditional speculative narratives. The report assumes Hyperliquid can generate about $5 billion in annual revenue at maturity and applies a 50x P/E ratio, deriving a long-term valuation target of $200 billion. Analysts emphasize that Hyperliquid is closer to a global derivatives exchange on-chain version rather than a typical DeFi protocol.

Data shows that by 2025, Hyperliquid has processed nearly $3 trillion in trading volume and generated approximately $87.4 million in fees. More importantly, about 99% of protocol fees are returned to the ecosystem via buyback and burn mechanisms, directly linking platform activity to HYPE token value, which Cantor sees as a core moat.

Regarding growth assumptions, Cantor expects Hyperliquid’s annual trading volume to maintain about 15% compound growth over the next decade, reaching $12 trillion in annual trading volume. The report believes liquidity and execution efficiency will continue to attract high-frequency and professional traders, who will ultimately return to the most liquid platforms despite competition.

In addition to HYPE, Cantor also initiated coverage of Hyperliquid Strategies (PURR) and Hyperion DeFi (HYPD), giving them “overweight” ratings. The report notes that these compliant vehicles offer traditional investors equity-like access to HYPE’s ecosystem, with valuations still below net asset value.

Despite highly optimistic long-term outlooks, HYPE’s price has fallen about 53% from its all-time high, reflecting that the market has not fully priced in its valuation. Overall, this report not only bullishly views Hyperliquid but also demonstrates that traditional finance is gradually redefining the value of decentralized exchanges through income, cash flow, and infrastructure perspectives.

11. U.S. FSOC annual report: crypto officially removed from “systemic financial risk” list

The U.S. Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) in its latest 2025 annual report made a significant shift in crypto regulation stance. The 86-page report officially removed crypto assets from the “systemic financial risk” watchlist, marking a fundamental change in U.S. regulators’ core assessment of the industry.

Unlike the 2024 report, which focused on stablecoin redemption risks and market confidence shocks, the 2025 report no longer emphasizes risk warnings but instead highlights regulatory clarity, compliance frameworks, and the actual financial functions of digital assets. FSOC acknowledged that distributed ledger technology offers real value in improving transaction efficiency and security.

This shift is largely driven by the passage of the “Genius Act” in July 2025, which provides a clear framework for stablecoin issuance, reserve management, and risk control, serving as a key institutional foundation to reduce financial stability risks and promote U.S. stablecoin innovation.

The report also disclosed that federal banking regulators have adjusted their attitudes toward traditional financial institutions’ involvement in crypto. FSOC rescinded previous risk-focused joint statements and removed certain “no objection” pre-approval thresholds, allowing banks to directly participate in custody, tokenization, and blockchain activities under compliance.

FSOC believes that the successful operation of spot Bitcoin ETFs and Ethereum ETFs in 2025, along with accelerated real-world asset tokenization, indicates that the crypto market is maturing. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has also approved some crypto activities and granted preliminary trust charters to Circle, Ripple, and Fidelity Digital Assets.

While recognizing that stablecoins still pose illegal financial risks, FSOC emphasizes that most on-chain activities are highly transparent and can be regulated without stifling innovation. Its conclusion shows the U.S. has moved from a “risk prevention” phase to an “institutional integration and development guidance” phase.

However, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) warned that regulatory divergences among major economies could lead to regulatory arbitrage. Despite ongoing regulations in the U.S., EU, and Singapore, a unified international framework remains absent, and long-term market stability depends on further global regulatory cooperation.

12. Economist Peter Schiff predicts Bitcoin could fall to $70,000, as gold and silver strength sparks market divergence

As the dollar weakens, gold and silver prices continue to rise. Renowned gold bull and Bitcoin critic Peter Schiff issued a strong bearish warning, stating Bitcoin could be among the first assets to decline in the next market correction. This view has attracted widespread attention amid increasing macroeconomic uncertainty.

Schiff argues that funds are flowing back into traditional safe-haven assets, with rising gold and silver prices weakening Bitcoin’s narrative as a “digital safe haven.” He warns that investors using Bitcoin as a hedge against dollar depreciation could face significant shocks during systemic risks.

Recently, silver surged over $1.6 in a single day, breaking the $66 mark and hitting a record high; gold also surpassed $4,300. Schiff interprets this as a sign of waning confidence in the dollar and U.S. Treasuries, often a precursor to deeper economic issues. He even predicts Bitcoin could test $70,000 before year-end, while gold may continue to hit new highs.

He believes the rise in precious metals reflects concerns over inflation, economic slowdown, and rising unemployment. In such an environment, Bitcoin may not serve as a safe haven and could instead experience sharp declines due to risk aversion.

Similar cautious voices are not rare. Bloomberg strategist Mike McGlone noted that if market demand continues to weaken, Bitcoin could further decline. Research firm 10x Research warned that potential redemptions by crypto hedge funds could reach $10–20 billion, exerting downward pressure before year-end.

On the other hand, the rise in gold and silver is mainly driven by dollar weakness and expectations of looser monetary policy. The dollar index hovers near two-month lows, making dollar-denominated precious metals more attractive. Markets are also watching upcoming U.S. employment data to gauge the Fed’s 2026 policy path, with some analysts expecting one or two rate cuts early next year.

Despite increasing bearish sentiment, Bitcoin bulls remain firm. MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor reiterated that, in the long term, Bitcoin’s market cap could surpass gold within the next decade. This underscores ongoing fundamental disagreements about Bitcoin’s role in the future.

13. Economist: Weak yen clears the way for the Bank of Japan’s December rate hike; if the downtrend persists, another rate increase is likely

On December 17, economist Alicia Garcia Herrero analyzed that the yen’s continued weakness has become the decisive factor for the Bank of Japan and Japanese government to agree on a long-anticipated rate hike this month. Despite concerns over U.S. tariffs and broader geopolitical risks, Japan’s economy has proven more resilient than expected. Short-, medium-, and long-term inflation expectations remain above the BOJ’s 2% target, strengthening the case for policy normalization. Rising food prices have pushed core inflation higher, and the yen’s exchange rate near 155 against the dollar continues to weaken, potentially increasing imported inflation pressures. Garcia Herrero expects the BOJ to raise its policy rate by 25 basis points to 0.75% at the December 19 meeting. Looking ahead, if the yen fails to stabilize after the hike and continues to drag down real incomes, the government may accept further tightening, opening the door for another 25 basis point rate increase early next year. (Jinshi)

14. Senator Elizabeth Warren warns about Trump’s crypto dealings and PancakeSwap

According to Decrypt, Senator Elizabeth Warren publicly expressed concerns this week in a letter about potential national security risks posed by decentralized exchanges (DEXs), specifically linking PancakeSwap’s trading of Trump’s associated stablecoin USD1 and funds stolen by North Korean hackers.

Warren pointed out that on-chain crypto users can utilize DEXs without strict AML controls like KYC disclosures, enabling them to “transfer, mix, and cash out illegal funds via decentralized platforms.”

Previously, Warren criticized the crypto lobbying industry and warned about the GENIUS Act, which focuses on stablecoins. She argued that ongoing crypto regulation “greatly facilitates President Trump’s corruption” and called for an investigation into the January launch of the TRUMP meme coin.

15. Flow ecosystem’s mainstream wallet Blocto announces shutdown; FLOW token drops over 99%, causing long-term losses; no meetings with leadership in six months

On December 17, cross-chain smart wallet project Blocto announced via social media: “After serving over 2 million users for five years, we regret to inform you that Blocto wallet services will soon cease.”

As an early supporter of the Flow ecosystem, Blocto built key infrastructure including the Blocto wallet, BloctoSwap, cross-chain bridge, and BloctoBay. They also operated the most-used FLOW staking node. They partnered with top projects and served millions of users, which they are proud of.

However, focusing solely on building excellent products is not always sustainable. Since FLOW’s price plummeted from nearly $40 in 2021 to below $0.3 (a drop of over 99%), Blocto has been operating at a severe loss. Over the past few years, they absorbed losses exceeding $5.5 million to maintain community services, but this cannot continue indefinitely.

Realizing operational funds are nearly exhausted, they have attempted since June to communicate with Flow/Dapper leadership. After six months of efforts, they have not secured any meetings. Each email exchange takes weeks, while their remaining funds are depleting. During this period, they received no clear support or constructive discussions on sustainable development.

Now, they have no funds left to sustain these costs. Starting from 7 p.m. Pacific Time on December 18, 2025 (termination date), Blocto wallet, BloctoSwap, and the cross-chain bridge will cease operations. Staking services for Blocto’s own nodes are unaffected."

Notably, Blocto raised $80 million in Series A in February 2023, valuing the company at $800 million. The round was led by Mark Cuban, IPX, and 500 Global; the exact amount was not disclosed. At that time, Blocto supported networks including Aptos, Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, Flow, and BNB Chain.