Starknet (STRK) price soars 30%, but why is the altcoin rising?

  • Starknet (STRK) price technical breakout signals bullish momentum with new resistance near $0.214.
  • Bitcoin staking and BTCFi incentives drive STRK adoption and network growth.
  • S-Two prover deployment has also boosted throughput, privacy, and decentralisation on Starknet.

Starknet (STRK) price has surged dramatically in recent days, catching the attention of traders and crypto enthusiasts alike.

The altcoin has gained more than 30% in just 24 hours, fueled by a combination of technological upgrades, strategic integration with Bitcoin, and renewed market optimism.

This sudden upswing has sparked questions about what is driving STRK’s momentum and whether the altcoin can sustain its gains in the near term.

Bitcoin staking boosts STRK utility

One of the primary drivers behind the rally is Starknet’s BTCFi initiative, which allows Bitcoin (BTC) holders to stake their BTC and earn STRK rewards while maintaining custody.

The program has already attracted significant capital, with over $200 million staked on the network, including 880 million STRK and 835 BTC, according to the latest reports.

By tapping into Bitcoin’s massive $2.1 trillion market capitalisation, Starknet positions STRK as a key rewards token and a practical asset for paying network fees.

The BTCFi ecosystem expansion not only strengthens Starknet’s liquidity but also enhances its cross-chain utility.

Investors are closely monitoring total value locked (TVL) in Bitcoin staking, which currently sits at around $1.5 billion, to gauge continued adoption and the altcoin’s potential growth.

The influx of BTC and STRK into the network has bolstered confidence in the protocol’s future, creating a clear catalyst for the recent price surge.

S-Two Prover accelerates adoption and decentralisation

Another major factor propelling STRK is the deployment of StarkWare’s next-generation S-two Prover.

Released on the mainnet a few days ago, this open-source zero-knowledge proof system is designed to increase throughput, reduce verification costs, and strengthen decentralisation.

By producing validity proofs for every block up to ten times faster than its predecessor, the S-two prover allows real-time verification of off-chain transactions and supports new types of applications, from private DeFi protocols to zk-secured games and verifiable AI.

S-two is designed to operate efficiently even on consumer hardware, meaning that anyone can participate in the network without relying on centralised data centres.

This advancement not only improves network security and censorship resistance but also significantly enhances user experience.

The combination of speed, privacy, and accessibility makes Starknet a more compelling platform for developers and investors alike, contributing directly to bullish sentiment surrounding STRK.

Market analysts also note that the recent surge is supported by optimism surrounding Starknet’s v0.14.0 upgrade.

The update introduces distributed sequencers, 6-second blocks, and EIP-1559-style fee burns, all of which improve decentralisation and network efficiency.

While early migration caused temporary outages, the upgrade underscores Starknet’s commitment to building a secure, scalable Layer 2 ecosystem that can interact with both Ethereum and Bitcoin.

Technical breakout fuels the STRK price rally

From a technical perspective, STRK has confirmed a major bullish breakout.

The altcoin surpassed the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level at $0.1343 and remains above the 30-day simple moving average of $0.1216.

Starknet price chart
Starknet price chart | Source: CoinMarketCap

Momentum indicators such as the RSI and MACD show strong upward trends, signalling that the altcoin has invalidated much of its previous yearly downtrend.

With resistance set near $0.214, traders should closely watch whether the current momentum can push STRK to new highs.

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Bitcoin’s new problem: it’s not leverage, it’s long-term holders cashing out

  • Long-term holders have sold approximately 400,000 Bitcoin ($45B) in the past month.
  • This sell-off is driven by spot markets and fading conviction, not high leverage.
  • Bitcoin fell below the key $100,000 level for the first time since June.

Bitcoin has once again slipped below the critical $100,000 mark, but the force driving this latest downturn is different and potentially more concerning for the market.

Unlike the leverage-fueled crash in October, this sell-off is being driven by a quieter, more sustained exodus: long-term holders are cashing out, creating a $45 billion supply glut that is testing the market’s conviction.

The original cryptocurrency fell as much as 7.4% on Tuesday, marking a more than 20% decline from its record high a month ago.

While it has since staged a modest recovery, the nature of the selling pressure suggests a fundamental shift in market dynamics.

From forced liquidations to fading conviction

The key difference in this downturn is the source of the selling.

While October’s crash was defined by a cascade of forced liquidations from overleveraged traders, the current slide is being led by a steady drumbeat of selling in the spot market.

According to Markus Thielen, head of 10x Research, long-time Bitcoin holders have offloaded approximately 400,000 Bitcoin over the past month—an exodus valued at around $45 billion.

This sustained selling from seasoned investors is creating a market imbalance that new buyers are struggling to absorb.

This analysis is supported by on-chain data.

“Over 319,000 Bitcoin has been reactivated in the past month, mainly from coins held for six to twelve months — suggesting significant profit-taking since mid-July,” Vetle Lunde, head of research at K33, told Bloomberg.

The whale problem: big buyers are disappearing

With market leverage now relatively muted, attention has turned to the large, long-time holders who are choosing to sell.

Thielen told Bloomberg that “mega whales”—entities holding between 1,000 and 10,000 Bitcoin—began offloading large volumes earlier this year.

For a time, institutional players were able to absorb this supply, leading to choppy, sideways price action.

However, since the October crash, broader demand has faded, and the accumulation by smaller whales (holding 100 to 1,000 Bitcoin) has dropped sharply.

The result is a growing imbalance between sellers and buyers. “The whales are just not buying,” Thielen said.

What comes next? A path to further declines

This sustained selling from long-term holders could have lasting implications.

Thielen warns that the current unwind could continue well into next spring, drawing parallels to the 2021–2022 bear market, where large holders sold over one million Bitcoin over the course of nearly a year.

“If this is a similar pace,” he said, “we could see this situation going on for another six months.”

While not predicting a catastrophic crash, Thielen sees room for further declines as the market consolidates.

“I am not a believer in the cycle,” Thielen said, “but I would assume that we sort of consolidate and potentially drift even a bit lower from here. $85,000 is my maximum downside target.”

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Bitcoin tests $100K support after massive liquidation event rocks market

  • Bitcoin briefly fell to $100,000 after a sharp market-wide sell-off.
  • Over $1.6 billion in leveraged long positions were liquidated in 24 hours.
  • The crash was fueled by “risk-off” sentiment and Fed rate cut uncertainty.

The cryptocurrency market was rocked by a wave of forced selling late Monday, triggering a sharp downturn that saw Bitcoin briefly touch the $100,000 level and erased more than $1.6 billion in leveraged bullish positions.

The sudden deleveraging event, one of the largest since September, sent a shockwave across the digital asset space, with major altcoins like Ether, Solana, and XRP posting heavy losses as renewed macroeconomic fears spooked investors.

The core of the market’s turmoil was a massive cascade of liquidations. In the last 24 hours, more than $2 billion in crypto futures contracts were forcibly closed, with long traders—those betting on higher prices—accounting for nearly 80% of the losses at $1.6 billion, according to CoinGlass data.

This automatic selling pressure occurs when traders using borrowed funds see their positions move sharply against them, forcing exchanges to sell the assets to cover losses. 

Macro headwinds and risk-off sentiment

The sell-off was fueled by a broader “risk-off” mood spreading across financial markets.

Analysts pointed to a combination of factors that are making investors nervous and prompting them to shed speculative assets.

“Recent speculation that the FOMC may pass on another rate cut this year, as well as concerns over tariffs, credit market conditions, and equity valuations, helped drive markets lower,” Gerry O’Shea, head of global market insights at Hashdex, said in an email to CoinDesk.

He added that Bitcoin’s price has also been affected by profit-taking from long-term holders, which he described as “an expected phenomenon as the asset matures.”

Bitcoin at a crossroads: a test of support

Following the plunge, Bitcoin staged a modest rebound to trade around $101,000. However, the token remains down 5.5% over the past day and more than 10% for the week.

The pain was more severe for altcoins, with Ether dropping 10%, while Solana and BNB lost 8% and 7% respectively.

Despite the sharp downturn, some analysts believe the long-term picture for Bitcoin remains positive.

“While $100,000 may be a psychologically important support level, we do not view today’s price action as a sign of a weakening long-term investment case for Bitcoin,” O’Shea said.

With the Federal Reserve’s next move uncertain and global risk appetite fragile, the coming days will be a crucial test for the market, determining whether Bitcoin can hold its current level or if another wave of forced selling is on the horizon.

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Altcoins today: Perpetual tokens shed over $2B as ETH slips under $3.5K

  • Alts suffered a bloodbath on Tuesday as Ethereum surrendered a key level.
  • Perpetual tokens lost over $2B amid broader sell-offs.
  • New US sanctions on North Korea fuel fears of stiffer crypto regulations.

Digital assets saw another dip today, as Bitcoin fell to $102,425 after losing nearly 4% of its value over the past 24 hours.

Altcoins extended their declines as Ethereum plummeted by over 6% to $3,401.

The global cryptocurrency market lost 3% the previous day to $3.43 trillion.

Amidst the broader bloodbath, tokens linked to perpetual decentralized exchanges appeared to suffer the most.

According to Coingecko data, the value of perp tokens reduced from $18.511 billion to $16.381 billion in the last 24 hours.

That’s a roughly 13% dip, reflecting significant bearishness within a sector that many anticipate to shape the next stage of crypto evolution.

Top tokens in the category, including ASTER, HYPE, and JUP, have lost more than 10% of their value within the past day.

Perpetual tokens exhibit heavy selling pressure, signaling more downtrends before potential bounce-backs.

Sanctions stir uncertainty over regulation

The cryptocurrency market has experienced faded sentiments lately.

Various developments contribute to the current bearish mode.

For instance, the Fed Governor magnified uncertainty over December interest rates with his latest remarks on Bloomberg Surveillance.

Also, bears thrived after the DeFi platform Balancer suffered an over $100 million hack.

Further, Stream Finance’s decision to freeze withdrawals and subsequent de-peg of its stablecoin added fuel to the fire.

The US Treasury Department crashed the struggling market after announcing new sanctions targeting North Korean crypto activities.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control confirmed sanctions against entities and individuals involved in information technology worker fraud and crypto-associated crime used to fund North Korea’s missile programs.

The post detailed:

Over the past three years, North Korea-affiliated cybercriminals have stolen over $3 billion in cryptocurrency. Often using sophisticated techniques such as advanced malware and social engineering.

Meanwhile, the announcement triggered panic across the markets as it hinted at stiffer cryptocurrency regulations and possibly aggressive enforcement moves.

Such developments might catalyze a regulatory domino effect where DeFi projects and exchanges face intensified scrutiny.

Market players potentially began reducing exposure as the sanctions updates surfaced, accelerating the broader sell-offs.

Crypto market outlook

The cryptocurrency market displays substantial selling pressure.

Coinglass data shows liquidations surged past $1 billion over the past 24 hours.

Long positions suffered the most at $845 million, with shorts at $183 million.

Bitcoin lost the key support zone at $107,500 during the latest decline from weekly highs of above $115,300.

It looks poised for extended dips to the psychological level at $100,000 before setting a clear trajectory.

Thus, altcoins, including perpetual tokens, will likely plummet further from their current price levels before stabilizing and potentially bouncing back.

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Strategy IPO redefines corporate Bitcoin strategy with euro-denominated offering

  • The company will issue 3.5 million STRE shares, each priced at €100 ($115).
  • Investors will receive a 10% annual dividend, paid quarterly beginning 31 December.
  • Strategy currently holds 641,205 BTC, valued at approximately $47.49 billion.

Strategy, the crypto treasury company known for its methodical accumulation of Bitcoin, has unveiled plans for a euro-denominated perpetual stock under the ticker STRE.

The initial public offering (IPO) signals a refined integration of traditional capital markets with the Bitcoin economy.

Strategy’s latest move extends its long-term model of raising capital through equity and debt to expand its Bitcoin reserves, consolidating its position as the largest corporate holder of the asset.

Euro-denominated IPO targets professional investors

The company plans to issue 3.5 million shares of STRE, each priced at €100 ($115), with a 10% cumulative annual dividend payable quarterly from 31 December.

Proceeds will be used to acquire additional Bitcoin (BTC), currently trading at $104,603, and for general corporate purposes.

Strategy stated that the shares will be available only to qualified investors in the EU and UK, excluding retail participants.

The structure reflects the company’s preference for institutional capital and adherence to regulated financial frameworks while maintaining exposure to digital assets.

Refining the Bitcoin corporate treasury model

Founded by Michael Saylor, Strategy adopted its Bitcoin-first balance sheet model in mid-2020.

The company raises capital through market instruments, converts it into Bitcoin, and holds the cryptocurrency as a strategic reserve.

This approach has made Strategy the largest Bitcoin-holding public company, with 641,205 BTC worth about $47.49 billion.

Earlier in November, it added 397 BTC to its holdings as part of its ongoing acquisition plan.

Saylor’s framework has influenced a wave of similar corporate treasury models, with firms issuing equity or credit to build crypto reserves.

Many now hold Bitcoin and Ether (ETH), trading at $3,502, as balance sheet assets.

Together, these companies have raised billions, indicating a shift in how institutions view cryptocurrencies: not as speculative bets, but as reserve assets with long-term strategic value.

Market competition and acquisition restraint

Analysts have warned that the rapid growth of the crypto treasury sector could lead to consolidation as new entrants compete for investor capital.

Some expect companies to acquire rivals to preserve scale and relevance.

However, Strategy has confirmed it will not pursue mergers or acquisitions, even where they might appear beneficial.

The firm intends to expand organically, focusing on disciplined balance sheet growth and direct communication with investors.

This stance separates Strategy from its peers. While others diversify or seek acquisitions, it remains committed to a singular mission of strengthening its Bitcoin position.

The company’s discipline and transparency have become central to its investor relations strategy.

Major banks back the offering

The IPO will be managed by global financial institutions including Barclays, Morgan Stanley, Moelis, and TD Securities.

Their participation underscores growing confidence among traditional finance players in Bitcoin-linked products.

The STRE stock represents a rare hybrid between fixed income and digital asset exposure.

It offers predictable returns while channelling proceeds into Bitcoin, effectively linking the traditional yield-seeking investor base with the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

As institutional participation in Bitcoin deepens, Strategy’s euro-based IPO may define a new template for corporate finance.

The company’s ability to merge compliance-driven capital markets with a decentralised asset base demonstrates how digital currencies are being absorbed into the core of global finance.

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