Indonesia lists 29 licensed crypto platforms as global players eye market

  • Indonesia’s regulator has published a whitelist of 29 licensed crypto platforms.
  • Indonesia has taken a decisive step to clarify who can legally operate in its fast-growing crypto market.
  • Global firms such as Robinhood and OSL Group are expanding into Indonesia amid clearer rules.

Indonesia has drawn a clearer legal boundary around its fast-growing crypto market.

The Financial Services Authority (OJK) has released an official whitelist of licensed digital asset platforms, setting out which exchanges are legally allowed to operate in the country.

The move gives investors a single reference point to check whether a crypto provider is authorised and signals a more structured phase of oversight for digital assets.

It also arrives as global firms step up efforts to enter Southeast Asia’s largest economy, where crypto participation has expanded rapidly alongside traditional capital markets.

The whitelist names 29 approved entities and their associated applications or platforms.

According to Otoritas Jasa Keuangan, the list is intended to help the public distinguish between licensed operators and those that are not authorised.

Users have been urged to trade only with platforms included on the list and to treat any unlisted services as unlicensed operators.

Whitelist reshapes crypto access

By publishing a formal register, the regulator has effectively tightened the gateway into Indonesia’s crypto ecosystem.

Until now, retail users often relied on fragmented information to verify whether an exchange was compliant.

The whitelist consolidates this process, offering a regulator-backed reference that places responsibility on platforms to maintain their licensed status.

The announcement also gives enforcement greater clarity.

Platforms operating outside the list are now explicitly positioned as unauthorised, strengthening the regulator’s hand in tackling illicit or non-compliant activity across digital asset markets.

Global firms move into Indonesia

The regulatory clarity comes as international crypto and trading firms seek exposure to Indonesia’s expanding investor base.

Earlier this month, Robinhood signed agreements to acquire Indonesian brokerage Buana Capital and licensed digital asset trader PT Pedagang Aset Kripto.

The transactions provide the company with a direct route into a market that counts more than 19 million capital-market investors and around 17 million crypto traders.

In September, Hong Kong-based OSL Group completed its acquisition of local exchange Koinsayang.

The deal secured regulatory approval for OSL to offer both spot and derivatives trading services in Indonesia, reinforcing the country’s appeal to established regional players.

Rules tighten around digital assets

The whitelist follows OJK Regulation No. 23/2025, which introduces stricter controls over digital financial assets, including crypto and related derivatives.

Under the regulation, exchanges are barred from facilitating trades in assets that are not registered or approved by a licensed digital asset exchange.

The framework also formalises the treatment of digital asset derivatives. Exchanges must obtain prior approval from the regulator before offering such products.

In addition, platforms are required to implement margin mechanisms using segregated funds or digital assets, while consumers must pass a knowledge test before accessing derivatives trading.

The regulator has said these measures are designed to align Indonesia’s market with international supervisory standards and enhance investor protection.

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XRP price struggles near $2.00 hurdle despite ETFs streak

  • Ripple token XRP’s price continues to face significant resistance.
  • Bulls are constrained around the psychologically important $2.00 level.
  • The token could spike above as the price is near $1.92.

XRP is struggling at this key level despite a remarkable streak of positive inflows into US-listed spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

The pullback from its mid-year highs amid broader market volatility threatens the upside buoyed by institutional enthusiasm.

Spot price performances of top altcoins highlight this dynamic, but could Bitcoin’s bounce to $89,000 help XRP bulls?

XRP struggles near $2.00 after pullback

XRP has encountered persistent challenges in reclaiming and sustaining levels above $2.00 following a sharp correction earlier in the month.

After briefly surpassing this threshold in late November amid optimism surrounding ETF approvals, the token has retreated, reflecting broader cryptocurrency market pressures, including profit-taking and reduced risk appetite among retail traders.

Recent trading sessions have seen XRP repeatedly test support near $1.85–$1.90, with attempts at recovery faltering due to overhead resistance and waning momentum.

This pullback has been exacerbated by macroeconomic factors, such as shifting investor sentiment toward safer assets, and technical breakdowns below key moving averages.

The $2.00 mark, once viewed as a potential launchpad for further gains, now acts as a formidable hurdle, with multiple rejections underscoring seller dominance in the short term.

Market participants note that without a decisive catalyst, such as renewed buying volume or favorable regulatory developments, XRP risks further consolidation or downside pressure toward lower supports around $1.80.

XRP price outlook amid continued ETF inflows

Despite spot price weakness, Ripple’s cryptocurrency has posted a robust performance since the debut of US spot XRP ETFs.

According to data from tracking platform SoSoValue indicates that these funds have maintained a 25-trading-day streak of net positive inflows.

While inflows on December 19, 2025, fell to $13 million from over $30 million the previous day, XRP ETFs has not posted a net outflow day since their launch in mid-November.

Cumulative net inflows stood at over $1.07 billion as of December 19, with total net assets climbing to $1.21 billion.

The $13.21 million in net inflows on December 19 and over $30 million on December 18 reflect sustained institutional interest.

This inflow streak is notable given that Bitcoin and Ethereum have experienced outflows amid recent market conditions.

XRP Price Chart
XRP price chart by TradingView

XRP price hovering near the psychological level is thus crucial for bulls.

From a technical perspective, key indicators offer mixed signals for the near-term outlook.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is off oversold territory and at 42 to suggest that selling pressure may be exhausting.

A look at the daily chart also shows the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) signals a bullish crossover.

Breakout from below $2.00 and reclaiming of support in the $2.20-$2.50 zone will charge the bulls.

However, a pullback to $1.80 could signal fresh weakness.

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Bitcoin price rebounds above $89k; Is BTC poised for more gains?

  • Bitcoin price bounced to around $89,577 to recoup key support levels.
  • With the upbeat reaction to recent selling, bulls are signaling a potential breakout.
  • However, macroeconomic conditions point to Bitcoin facing a key resistance at $90,000-$95,000.

Bitcoin has staged a notable recovery in the early trading session on Monday, December 22, as the price climbed back above the $89,000 mark.

While overall sentiment hovers in the red, this rebound to highs of $89,577 could inject more momentum into the token.

Investors, who are anticipating the potential year-end surge commonly referred to as the “Santa rally”, hope that it might help push BTC price higher.

Altcoins are also similarly poised despite steep losses in the past month.

Bitcoin price gains to $89k

After experiencing significant downward pressure in recent weeks, Bitcoin has demonstrated notable resilience.

The digital asset dipped to lows around $80,000 in mid-November.

Driving this has been heightened volatility across the market, leveraged position unwinding, and broader macroeconomic uncertainties.

However, bullish forces regained slight control to push to highs of $94,136 on December 9, 2025, before profit-taking hit once again.

The fresh drawdown allowed sellers to crash to around $84,400 a week later.

Prices have edged up in the last three days.

The number of entities holding at least 1,000 BTC, commonly known as whales, has begun to rise again following a sharp decline on December 17.

This indicator, which tracks large holders, suggests that major investors are leaning toward accumulation rather than selling.

Since December 20, the tally of these significant holders has been gradually increasing.

Although the figure remains slightly below six-month highs, the upward trend indicates cautious buying as Bitcoin prices stabilize.

On Dec. 22, buyers pushed the price above $89,577 amid a recovery that reflected increased buying interest.

Trading volumes picked up as market participants positioned for potential upside.

The move towards the key $90k level marks a critical reclamation of support for the benchmark cryptocurrency.

A shift in short-term sentiment from bearish deleveraging to cautious optimism looks poised to boost bulls.

BTC price forecast

Bitcoin’s trajectory into the new year has been punctuated by a series of dips.

Also, the cryptocurrency has largely underperformed most of the 2025 projections.

Forecasts targeting $200,000 to $250,000 for the year’s high have not materialized, despite BTC hitting the all-time high of $126,000 in October.

Major factors such as persistent volatility, forced liquidations, and challenging macroeconomic conditions contributed to the sharp retreat from those peaks.

Nevertheless, the current rebound has sparked discussions of the “Santa rally,” a seasonal phenomenon where risk assets often experience gains during the holiday period.

Bitcoin Price Chart
Bitcoin price chart by TradingView

If bullish momentum sustains, Bitcoin could aim for a retest of $95,000-$100,000 in the near term.

Supported by institutional inflows and reduced selling pressure, there’s potential for upside action to the $105,000-$110,000 in the coming months.

Citi predicts BTC to reach $143,000 in 2026.

Macroeconomic conditions and renewed demand via exchange-traded funds could be key catalysts.

However, failure to maintain upward traction amid ETF outflows may expose the asset to renewed downside risks.

A potential revisiting of the sub-$80,000 territory remains if bearish forces prevail.

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BTC at $143K, ETH above $4000: Citi issues bullish price forecasts as crypto market continues to struggle

  • Citi forecasts Bitcoin at $143K and Ethereum at $4,304 in 12 months.
  • Regulatory clarity and adoption drive institutional interest in crypto.
  • Short-term risks, including bearish patterns, options expiry, and ETF outflows, still linger.

Citigroup has delivered one of the most upbeat outlooks from a major Wall Street institution on digital assets, forecasting strong upside for both Bitcoin and Ethereum over the next year.

The bank’s projections come at a time when crypto markets are navigating sharp short-term volatility while longer-term adoption trends continue to strengthen.

A bullish baseline with room to run

In a recent research note, Citigroup set a 12-month price target of $143,000 for Bitcoin, representing an upside of roughly 62% from levels near $88,000 at the time of the forecast.

The bank also gave Ethereum a favourable outlook, with a target price of $4,304, implying potential gains of about 46% from around $2,950.

The bank said its forecasts reflect improving market conditions after recent drawdowns, arguing that crypto prices are now closer to measures of value tied to actual user activity.

Citi framed its base case as a recovery scenario rather than an aggressive speculative call, noting that valuations have adjusted following the pullback from October highs.

Beyond its baseline projections, Citi also outlined a wide range of possible outcomes.

In a bullish scenario, the bank sees Bitcoin climbing as high as $189,000 and Ethereum reaching $5,132.

Under a bearish case, however, Bitcoin could slide to $78,000, while Ethereum may fall toward $1,270, underscoring the asset class’s persistent volatility.

Regulation shifts from risk to catalyst

Citi identified regulatory developments as the central driver behind its constructive stance.

The bank pointed to a noticeable shift by US authorities toward clearer, more tailored frameworks for digital assets, replacing years of regulatory uncertainty with defined rules.

Several enforcement actions and lawsuits against major crypto platforms have been dismissed, a change Citi believes could encourage institutional investors to re-engage with the sector.

The bank also highlighted President Donald Trump’s pro-digital-asset rhetoric, which has coincided with broader acceptance of cryptocurrencies within traditional finance.

According to Citi, these policy shifts have the potential to unlock renewed capital inflows, particularly from institutions that previously stayed on the sidelines.

The firm expects regulatory clarity to support adoption across spot markets, ETFs, and tokenised financial products over the coming year.

Volatility clouds the near-term forecasts

Despite the optimistic outlook, Citi acknowledged that recent market turbulence remains a significant headwind.

Bitcoin fell to multi-month lows in November as investors reduced exposure to risk assets amid concerns over elevated technology stock valuations.

Market sentiment has weakened further in December after Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy and the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, cut its 2025 earnings forecast.

Strategy cited Bitcoin’s prolonged weakness, drawing heightened attention given its outsized exposure to the cryptocurrency.

Short-term technical signals also suggest caution, seeing that Bitcoin has formed a bearish flag pattern on the daily chart and remains below key moving averages and the Supertrend indicator.

Bitcoin price analysis
Bitcoin price analysis | Source: TradingView

Analysts warn that the price could dip toward $87,341, or even $85,188.

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Ethereum developers reveal the next upgrade, Hegota

  • The Hegota update will follow Glamsterdam in the Ethereum upgrade cycle.
  • Hegota will merge execution and consensus upgrades to boost efficiency and scalability.
  • Verkle Trees and state improvements aim to make Ethereum lighter for node operators.

Ethereum developers have unveiled the name of the network’s next major upgrade, offering the community an early look at what lies ahead for the blockchain in 2026.

Just weeks after the Fusaka update, developers confirmed that the post-Glamsterdam upgrade will be known as Hegota, continuing Ethereum’s steady path of technical refinement and long-term scalability planning.

The announcement, shared through developer discussions and highlighted by Wu Blockchain, places Hegota as the flagship upgrade slated for later in 2026.

It follows the network’s well-established twice-yearly upgrade cadence and signals Ethereum’s intent to keep improving core infrastructure rather than chasing short-term changes.

A name that reflects Ethereum’s core layers

The name Hegota is not symbolic by chance. It merges two internal upgrade concepts: Bogota and Heze.

Bogota represents the execution layer, where transactions are processed and smart contracts run.

Heze, on the other hand, refers to the consensus layer, which secures the network and ensures agreement across nodes.

By combining these two layers into a single upgrade identity, developers are emphasising coordination across Ethereum’s most critical components.

This approach reflects a growing focus on holistic improvements, rather than isolated changes that affect only one part of the system.

Hegota will come after the Glamsterdam upgrade, which is expected to roll out earlier in 2026.

Together, these updates form part of Ethereum’s long-term roadmap to support increased usage, more complex applications, and a broader base of node operators.

What developers are aiming to improve

While final specifications for Hegota are still under development, early discussions point to several clear priorities.

One major focus is state management, which governs how Ethereum tracks balances, smart contracts, and historical data over time.

As more users and applications interact with Ethereum, the amount of data that nodes must handle increases.

Another key area is execution-layer optimisation. Developers aim to make transactions and smart contracts faster and more efficient, which could translate into smoother user experiences and better performance for decentralised applications.

Verkle Trees are also expected to play a role in Hegota.

This technology is designed to reduce how much data nodes need to store, making it easier for individuals and smaller operators to run full nodes.

A lighter network strengthens decentralisation by lowering technical and hardware barriers.

Building on recent upgrades

Hegota builds on ideas introduced in earlier upgrades, including the Fusaka upgrade.

Ahead of Fusaka’s release, Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin explained that the upgrade would leverage peer-to-peer Data Availability Sampling, known as PeerDAS, to manage growing data demands.

Some of the technologies introduced through Fusaka are still considered novel.

Developers have acknowledged that future upgrades, including Hegota, may refine or extend these ideas as real-world usage reveals areas for improvement.

This iterative approach has become a defining feature of Ethereum’s development philosophy.

Rather than attempting sweeping changes all at once, the network evolves through measured upgrades that prioritise stability and long-term health.

Market reaction

The announcement of Hegota comes as Ethereum continues to navigate a volatile market environment.

At the time of reporting, ETH was trading around $2,959, reflecting a modest daily decline.

Market analysts note that Ethereum needs to remain above $2,894 for any hopes of regaining $3,000.

While price movements remain uncertain, the reveal of Hegota reinforces Ethereum’s focus beyond short-term market fluctuations.

For developers and long-term holders alike, the upgrade signals continued investment in scalability, efficiency, and ease of operation.

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