kri

While the cryptocurrency market appears to be ending the year on a turbulent note, investors can look ahead to 2026 as several altcoins present attractive investment opportunities.
Rather than relying on broader market sentiment, select altcoins are likely to rally due to a combination of real-world utility, technological innovation, and expanding user adoption, positioning them to outperform more established assets.
Against this backdrop, Finbold has identified three compelling altcoins, driven by unique value propositions and catalysts that could support momentum in the year ahead.
Sui (SUI)
One project gaining attention for its potential to deliver outsized returns by 2026 is Sui ($SUI). This next-generation layer-one blockchain is designed to offer high throughput and low transaction costs, making it appealing to developers building decentralized applications across decentralized finance, gaming, and other sectors.
Its architecture aims to address scalability bottlenecks that have challenged earlier networks, and as adoption increases, it could unlock demand not yet fully reflected in current valuations. 
The combination of technical scalability and ecosystem growth supports the view that Sui could see strong appreciation if network activity continues to expand.
By press time, SUI was trading at $1.48, having plunged 60% year to date.
SUI YTD price chart. Source: Finbold
XRP
$XRP  is another asset frequently highlighted in forward-looking market analysis. Its role in cross-border payments and settlement infrastructure sets it apart from many other tokens, particularly as regulatory clarity improves in key jurisdictions.
Ongoing efforts to integrate Ripple’s technology into traditional financial systems, alongside growing institutional interest in efficient global payments, create conditions that could drive renewed price gains.
Investors watching XRP into 2026 are closely focused on developments such as spot exchange-traded (ETFs) products and progress on legal clarity, both of which could significantly broaden participation. 
Notably, XRP’s spot ETF has been among the strongest performers in 2025, recording consistent inflows.
Despite this, much of XRP’s 2025 gains have been erased by the recent downturn, with the asset trading at $1.91 as of press time, down 8% year to date.
XRP YTD price chart. Source: Finbold
Toncoin (TON)
A third contender for significant growth in 2026 is Toncoin ($TON ). This altcoin benefits from deep integration with the Telegram messaging platform, giving its blockchain a meaningful advantage in terms of potential user reach.
Efforts to expand utility through decentralized applications, alongside upcoming features such as decentralized VPN services and distributed storage, aim to push the network beyond social and gaming use cases toward more substantive infrastructure functions.
At the time of reporting, TON was valued at $1.52, down roughly 70% year to date.
TON one-year price chart. Source: CoinMarketCap
These planned expansions reflect a roadmap focused on increasing utility and attracting a broader user base, which could support renewed market interest and price performance.
While outcomes are never guaranteed in the inherently volatile crypto market, the trends supporting these three digital assets suggest they may offer investors an opportunity to maximize returns heading into 2026.
#Kri #CryptoRally

Elon Musk just crossed another milestone that once sounded impossible. 
On Monday, Forbes said Musk became the first person in history to reach a $600 billion net worth, powered largely by a surge in expectations around SpaceX’s future and renewed optimism around his broader tech empire.
The timing matters. Reports suggest SpaceX is preparing for a public listing next year at a valuation of around $800 billion, a move that would dramatically reshape global capital markets — and further cement Musk’s position as the wealthiest individual the modern economy has ever produced.
But as Musk’s fortune rockets higher, a familiar question resurfaces in crypto circles: how much cryptocurrency does Elon Musk actually own?
The answer is more nuanced than most headlines suggest.
SpaceX, Tesla, and Musk’s Wealth Surge
Musk’s wealth jump is being driven first and foremost by SpaceX, where he owns an estimated 42% stake. At an $800 billion valuation, that holding alone would be worth roughly $336 billion, adding about $168 billion to his personal net worth and pushing Forbes’ estimate to roughly $677 billion as of midday Tuesday.

That’s before factoring in Tesla.
He owns roughly 12% of Tesla, whose shares are up about 13% year-to-date, despite uneven electric vehicle sales. 
Tesla stock climbed nearly 4% on Monday after Musk revealed that the company is testing robotaxis without a safety monitor in the front passenger seat, reinforcing his pitch that Tesla is evolving into an AI and robotics company rather than just an automaker.
In November, Tesla shareholders also approved a $1 trillion compensation package for Musk — the largest corporate pay plan ever — signaling investor confidence in his long-term vision.
Add in xAI, his artificial intelligence startup, which is reportedly in talks to raise $15 billion at a $230 billion valuation, and the scale of his empire becomes hard to overstate.
Still, crypto plays a surprisingly small — but symbolically powerful — role in Musk’s financial story.
What Crypto Does Elon Musk Personally Own?
Elon Musk has publicly confirmed that he personally owns cryptocurrency, but he has never disclosed exact amounts.
What we do know is this: Musk has acknowledged holding Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Dogecoin (DOGE). These admissions came through interviews and social media posts over several years. However, he has consistently avoided sharing wallet addresses, balances, or precise figures.
Back in 2018, Musk once joked that he owned just 0.25 BTC, sent to him by a friend. Since then, he has hinted that his Bitcoin exposure is larger, but there is no verifiable data confirming how much he holds today.
In short, while Musk is undeniably crypto-friendly — especially toward Dogecoin — his personal crypto holdings remain private and unverified.
Tesla’s Bitcoin Holdings: Over $1 Billion on the Balance Sheet
Where Musk’s crypto exposure becomes clearer at the corporate level.
Tesla famously added Bitcoin to its balance sheet in 2021, and despite trimming its holdings over time, the company still holds around 11,509 BTC, according to public disclosures and treasury trackers. At current prices, that stash is worth more than $1 billion.

Tesla’s BTC holdings (Source: Bitcoin Treasuries)
It’s important to be precise here: this Bitcoin belongs to Tesla, not Musk personally. Still, as CEO and the company’s most influential figure, Musk was instrumental in shaping Tesla’s crypto strategy and legitimizing Bitcoin as a corporate treasury asset.
Tesla’s move helped spark a broader trend of companies treating Bitcoin as a long-term store of value rather than a speculative trade.
SpaceX’s Bitcoin Holdings Fly Under the Radar
Less talked about — but equally significant — are SpaceX’s Bitcoin holdings.
On-chain analysis and reporting suggest SpaceX owns approximately 8,285 BTC, a position that has also crossed the $1 billion mark during strong market cycles. 

SpaceX’s Bitcoin holdings (Source: Bitcoin Treasuries)
Like Tesla’s holdings, this Bitcoin sits on the company’s balance sheet, not in Musk’s personal wallets.
Still, the implication is clear: two of Musk’s most important companies are long-term Bitcoin holders, reinforcing his belief in crypto as part of the future financial system.
What Musk Does Not Own
Despite endless speculation, Musk has repeatedly clarified that he does not personally own meme coins created using his name or likeness, such as Elon-themed tokens or projects like FLOKI. While his tweets have historically moved markets, he has distanced himself from unofficial meme coins that leverage his brand.
The Bigger Picture
For someone worth more than $600 billion, Elon Musk’s personal crypto holdings are almost certainly a rounding error in financial terms. Yet his influence on the crypto market far outweighs the size of his wallet.

By backing Bitcoin through Tesla and SpaceX — and openly supporting Dogecoin — Musk has helped push digital assets into mainstream corporate and cultural conversations.
As his wealth reaches unprecedented levels, one thing is clear: Musk doesn’t need crypto to be rich — but crypto has undeniably benefited from Musk.
Author: Steven Walgenbach

#ElonMusk #Kri $DOGE

One of the largest payments network in the world is launching USDC settlement after a two-year pilot program.
Payments giant Visa Inc. launched USDC settlement today in the United States, allowing U.S. issuer and acquirer partners to settle transactions via Circle’s stablecoin using Visa’s payments rails.
The move begins with two initial banking participants, Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, using USDC on the Solana blockchain, with partner expansion expected in 2026. Visa initially launched the pilot program for Solana-based USDC settlement in September 2023.
Visa stablecoin settlement is expected to also launch on the upcoming Arc Layer 1 blockchain, which is the stablecoin-focused chain developed by Circle, in collaboration with Visa as a design partner.
Through USDC integration, banks and fintechs can be expected to offer settlement seven days a week as opposed to the traditional business day model. This comes just one day after it was announced that the Nasdaq is set to file to extend its trading hours to 23 hours a day, as traditional finance and banking continues to expand its flexibility, following in the footsteps of on-chain markets.
Rubail Birwadker, the global head of growth products and strategic partnerships at Visa, was quoted in the company’s press release saying, “Visa is expanding stablecoin settlement because our banking partners are not only asking about it - they’re preparing to use it.” Birwadker concluded:
“Financial institutions are looking for faster, programmable settlement options that integrate seamlessly with their existing treasury operations. By bringing USDC settlement to the U.S., Visa is delivering a reliable, bank‑ready capability that improves treasury efficiency while maintaining the security, compliance and resiliency standards our network requires.”
USDC is the second-largest stablecoin in the world with a $78 billion market capitalization, accounting for just over 25% of the total circulating stablecoin supply.
The stablecoin’s issuer, Circle, launched its publicly traded stock in June. The stock IPO’d at roughly $30 per share, and immediately went on a blistering run to $300. However, the initial frenzy has subsided, and CRCL now trades at just $82 per share, with share prices rallying over 8% today on the Visa news.

CRCL stock price. Source: TradingView
#SOL  is up a more modest 1.6% over the past 24 hours, per data from The Defiant's price tracking page.

$SOL #Kri

Trump family-backed Bitcoin miner American Bitcoin Corp has expanded its Bitcoin treasury again, entering the top 20 corporate holders after acquiring additional BTC and pushing its total reserves to 5,0988 mark.
According to company disclosures and data from BTC Treasuries, American Bitcoin Corp added another 54 BTC, bringing its total Bitcoin holdings to 5,098 BTC. The latest purchase follows a larger accumulation earlier this year, when the company acquired 261 BTC worth approximately $23.5 million at the time, lifting its holdings to 5,044 BTC before the most recent addition.
Bitcoin holding by American Bitcoin Corp. Source: ABTC
American Bitcoin, which trades under the ticker ABTC, has accumulated its Bitcoin treasury since going public on September 3, 2025. Since its Nasdaq debut, the Bitcoin miner has steadily increased its exposure to Bitcoin through a combination of mining output retention and direct purchases, positioning itself among the largest publicly listed corporate BTC holders.

The move places American Bitcoin alongside a growing group of public companies that are using Bitcoin as a core treasury component.
Bitcoin mining
American Bitcoin’s rapid accumulation since its public listing highlights how newly listed miners are adopting treasury-first strategies from inception, rather than transitioning to them later. While legacy miners historically sold a significant portion of their Bitcoin to fund operations, newer entrants appear more willing to retain supply as part of their long-term capital strategy.
As corporate Bitcoin adoption continues to expand, American Bitcoin’s entrance into the top 20 Bitcoin treasuries reveals the accelerating role of miners in shaping institutional ownership dynamics. With more than 5,000 BTC now on its balance sheet, the company is positioned as a notable participant in the corporate Bitcoin landscape heading into 2026.
$BTC #Kri

Ripple is set to unlock up to 1 billion XRP from escrow on January 1, 2026, marking the company’s first scheduled token release of the new year.
With just over two weeks to go and markets already familiar with Ripple’s monthly escrow cycle, attention is shifting to how much of the unlocked supply could ultimately reach circulation and whether it may influence XRP price action in early January.
The upcoming unlock follows a long-standing mechanism introduced in 2017, under which Ripple locked tens of billions of XRP into time-based escrows to provide transparency and predictability around supply.
Under this system, 1 billion XRP is released at the start of each month, after which Ripple typically reallocates a portion for operational use while returning the remainder to new escrow contracts.
Historical patterns suggest the January 1 unlock is unlikely to result in the full 1 billion XRP entering the open market. In recent months, Ripple has consistently re-locked between 60% and 80% of unlocked tokens.
For example, the November and December 2025 release unlocked roughly 1 billion XRP. Still, most of it was returned to escrow, with only a small share retained for potential distribution, liquidity provision, or strategic purposes.
Impact of Ripple market dump
The term “dump” often resurfaces around unlocks due to their sheer notional size. In this case, a 1 billion XRP release would be worth billions of dollars at current prices, even if only a fraction becomes liquid. 
As a result, traders closely monitor on-chain transfers, particularly movements to exchanges or unknown wallets, for signs of potential selling pressure.
December’s activity showed large XRP transfers from escrow to non-exchange wallets, reinforcing Ripple’s pattern of controlled distribution rather than immediate market sales, a strategy that has historically limited sharp price volatility around unlock events.
The January unlock also arrives at a time when XRP sentiment remains sensitive to broader cryptocurrency market conditions and regulatory developments. 
While escrow releases are fully anticipated, traders often reassess short-term positioning at the turn of the month, especially at the start of a new year, when liquidity dynamics can shift.
Historically, past unlocks have had minimal impact on XRP’s price, which has continued to trade mainly in tandem with the broader cryptocurrency market. 
XRP price analysis 
By press time, the token was trading at $1.98, down nearly 2% over the past 24 hours. On a weekly basis, XRP is lower by about 6%.
XRP seven-day price chart. Source: Finbold
With XRP having once again lost the $2 support level, the asset is in a more challenging position, as that zone has acted as a launchpad for gains in recent months.
$XRP #Kri

Wall Street traded little changed Monday after last Friday’s tech-led sell-off failed to trigger meaningful dip-buying interest.
By midday trading in New York, major indexes hovered near flat levels as investors stayed cautious ahead of a dense macro calendar this week.
Traders are focused on Tuesday's release of official October and November payroll data alongside October retail sales.
According to Fed futures, markets assign only a 24% probability to another 25-basis-point rate cut in January. Investors broadly price in two cuts next year.
Expectations for a near-term extension of the easing cycle cooled after Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled last week that policymakers are in a wait-and-see phase following three consecutive cuts.
Rate-cut expectations have increasingly shifted further out. Traders now see easing more concentrated in the second half of 2026, as Powell's term ending in May could potentially open the door to a more dovish successor.
Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) led gains among mega-cap stocks. Shares climbed more than 4%, marking the 12th gain in the past 15 sessions and pushing prices near record highs last seen in December 2024.
The stock has surged roughly 20% over the past three weeks, driven by optimism around rising self-driving production and robotics initiatives. CEO Elon Musk said the company is testing robotaxis without front passenger safety monitors.
On the downside, ServiceNow Inc. (NASDAQ:NOW) plunged nearly 11% after KeyBanc downgraded the stock to Underweight, citing artificial intelligence disruption risks.
Zillow Group Inc. (NASDAQ:Z) (NASDAQ:ZG) also slid about 11% following reports that Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is testing a new real estate advertising format.
In commodities, silver rebounded 2.2% to around $63 per ounce, hovering near last week's record levels and nearly erasing Friday's losses. Crypto markets weakened again.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) fell more than 2% to near $86,000, while Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) slid below $3,000. Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) sank nearly 7%, heading toward its lowest close since early October, while Circle Internet Group Inc. (NYSE:CRCL) extended recent losses, down 8%.

Updated by 12:10 p.m. ET
According to Benzinga Pro data:
The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSE:VOO) flattened at $625.96.The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average (NYSE:DIA) moved 0.2% lower to $484.37.The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:QQQ) eased 0.2% to $612.18.The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:IWM) fell 0.8% to $252.08.The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:XLV) outperformed, up 0.90%; the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:XLE) lagged, down 1.3%.

$BTC #Kri

In a sudden show of volatility, the crypto market saw nearly $200 million in long positions wiped out in just one hour on Monday, December 15.
The sudden sell-offs pushed total long liquidations beyond $366 million on the day, highlighting the fragility of leveraged trades amid heightened uncertainty, as evidenced by real-time liquidation data Finbold assessed on Coinglass. 
Notably, the largest single liquidation order happened on the Binance cryptocurrency exchange platform, valued at $5.26 million, while Bybit reported the biggest number of liquidations overall ($62.94 million).​
Accounting for the short positions as well, a total of 144,715 traders were liquidated, with the overall liquidations coming in at just shy of $450 million.
Crypto liquidations. Source: Coinglass
Bitcoin longs suffer the biggest losses, Ethereum close behind
Bitcoin (BTC) longs were the most severely affected, as nearly $70 million was rekt in an hour as just as the cryptocurrency was down 2.6% on the 24-hour chart. BTC price fell below $87,000, the lowest levels since December 1, was the primary catalyst.
The pullback in Bitcoin naturally affected the rest of the market. Ethereum (ETH), which is down 2.4%, was a close second, with nearly $64 million liquidated. Solana (SOL), 2.2% in the red, followed with a $12.10 million loss, while Dogecoin (DOGE) and XRP each plunged 3.7% and posted liquidations of $5.7 million and $5.4 million, respectively.
The losses came amid a $50 billion plunge in market value, which took the overall crypto market cap from $3.05 trillion down to $3 trillion between 3 p.m. (UTC) and 4 p.m. (UTC) on the same day, according to CoinMarketCap. 
$BTC #Kri