The cryptocurrency industry is entering a decisive phase of consolidation, where inflated valuations are meeting market reality. According to former New York Stock Exchange president Tom Farley, a wave of acquisitions is set to reshape the sector, mirroring the historical consolidation of traditional finance. This shift is driven by cooling asset prices, more disciplined venture capital, and a fundamental re-evaluation of what constitutes a sustainable business in the digital asset space.
about Crypto Consolidation Accelerates as Valuations Cool, VCs TightenCNBC
0 in Finance and 2 in Crypto last weekCrypto Markets Brace for Volatility Amid Key US Economic Data
Cryptocurrency markets remained stagnant over the weekend following a historic $700 billion rout, but investors are bracing for potential volatility as a critical week of U.S. economic data releases looms. With Bitcoin recovering to $71,000 yet remaining 44% below its peak, and Ether holding at $2,100 but down 58% from its high, the market’s immediate direction hinges on key inflation and labor reports that will directly influence Federal Reserve policy. This confluence of data could redefine the timeline for interest rate cuts, impacting both traditional and digital asset markets.
about Crypto Markets Brace for Volatility Amid Key US Economic DataTom Lee: Crypto Lags Fundamentals as Gold Draws Capital
Fundstrat Global Advisors’ Tom Lee argues that cryptocurrency prices are failing to reflect improving industry fundamentals, with a rally in precious metals like gold and silver diverting investor attention and capital. In an interview on CNBC’s Power Lunch, Lee stated the sector remains hampered by a major October deleveraging event while institutional sentiment toward blockchain technology has turned notably more positive at forums like the World Economic Forum in Davos.
about Tom Lee: Crypto Lags Fundamentals as Gold Draws CapitalWall Street Analyst: Bitcoin to Challenge Gold’s Market Cap
Despite recent price volatility, a Wall Street analyst maintains a bullish long-term outlook for Bitcoin, predicting it could eventually rival gold’s market capitalization. Andrew Jeffrey of William Blair argues Bitcoin’s role is evolving from a payment tool to a premier store of value, though its path will remain bumpy due to supply concentration and retail investor behavior. In a CNBC interview, he emphasized that Bitcoin must lead for the broader crypto market to see sustained gains.
about Wall Street Analyst: Bitcoin to Challenge Gold's Market CapXRP Exchange Reserves Plummet as Analysts Eye $10 Target
Ripple’s XRP token is once again at the center of market speculation as significant withdrawals from major cryptocurrency exchanges echo a pattern last seen before a historic price surge. With reserves on platforms like Upbit and Binance falling sharply, analysts are divided on short-term direction but some see a compelling case for a major rally, with targets as high as $10 to $20 in the current cycle. This activity coincides with XRP outperforming major rivals Bitcoin and Ethereum in early 2026, solidifying its status as a focal point for traders seeking alternative crypto investments.
about XRP Exchange Reserves Plummet as Analysts Eye $10 TargetCNBC Names XRP 2026’s Breakout Crypto Trade After 30% Surge
CNBC has declared XRP the breakout trade of 2026, highlighting its 30% surge since January and its reclaim of the third-largest cryptocurrency spot by market cap. Anchors point to cleared regulatory hurdles and unique ETF inflows as key drivers behind what they call the ‘quiet outperformer.’
about CNBC Names XRP 2026's Breakout Crypto Trade After 30% SurgeXRP Whale Activity Hits 3-Month High Amid Price Pullback
A significant surge in large-value transactions on the XRP Ledger has captured market attention, with whale activity reaching its highest level in three months. This spike in on-chain movement, reported by analytics firm Santiment, coincides with a notable decline in XRP reserves on major exchanges and a recent price pullback, painting a complex picture of accumulation and positioning by major holders as analysts watch for the next directional move.
about XRP Whale Activity Hits 3-Month High Amid Price PullbackXRP Named Hottest Crypto Trade of 2026, Outshining Bitcoin & Ethereum
In a striking declaration that signals a potential market rotation, CNBC has named Ripple’s XRP the “hottest crypto trade of the year,” overtaking both Bitcoin and Ethereum in early 2026. This spotlight reflects a clear investor pivot toward assets promising larger percentage gains beyond the established giants, driven by strategic ETF accumulation and XRP’s distinct utility in cross-border payments.
about XRP Named Hottest Crypto Trade of 2026, Outshining Bitcoin & EthereumBitMine Buys 100K ETH Dip Despite Market Panic, Tom Lee Bullish
As Ethereum’s price plunges below $3,000, triggering retail panic-selling, Tom Lee’s BitMine Immersion Technologies is executing a bold contrarian strategy. The firm has accumulated 102,259 ETH worth over $300 million in just one week, raising its total Ethereum holdings to nearly 4 million tokens. This aggressive accumulation, alongside a $1 billion cash war chest, signals profound institutional confidence in crypto’s long-term fundamentals, even as short-term prices face extreme uncertainty.
about BitMine Buys 100K ETH Dip Despite Market Panic, Tom Lee BullishCNBC Partners with Kalshi to Integrate Prediction Market Data
In a landmark move that bridges traditional financial journalism with emerging forecasting technologies, CNBC has announced a multi-year partnership with prediction market platform Kalshi. The collaboration, set to begin in 2026, will integrate real-time event probability data directly into CNBC’s television, digital, and subscription platforms. This strategic alliance represents a significant evolution in how financial news is delivered and consumed, offering audiences a novel blend of expert analysis and crowd-sourced predictive insights.
about CNBC Partners with Kalshi to Integrate Prediction Market DataCrypto Sell-Off Defies Bullish Macro Trends, Puzzles Experts
The cryptocurrency market opened December with a sharp decline, dragging Bitcoin below $84,000 and total market value under $3 trillion. This drop baffles analysts as it coincides with record highs in traditional equities and gold, creating a puzzling divergence from favorable macroeconomic conditions.
about Crypto Sell-Off Defies Bullish Macro Trends, Puzzles ExpertsKalshi Tokenizes Prediction Contracts on Solana for Crypto Liquidity
In a strategic move to capture the burgeoning cryptocurrency market, prediction platform Kalshi has begun offering tokenized versions of its event contracts on the Solana blockchain. This initiative, reported by CNBC, transforms bets on U.S. elections, sports, and other events into tradeable digital assets, aiming to unlock billions in crypto liquidity and attract a new wave of blockchain-savvy users to its platform.
about Kalshi Tokenizes Prediction Contracts on Solana for Crypto Liquidity