Bitwise seeks SEC approval for 11 crypto ETFs covering Bittensor, Tron and DeFi tokens

  • Bitwise filed for 11 crypto strategy ETFs with mixed direct and indirect exposure.
  • The proposed ETFs target assets like TAO, TRX, UNI, ZEC, Aave, and other tokens.
  • Bitwise remains bullish, citing ETF demand, institutions, and easing cycles.

Crypto asset manager Bitwise has taken another step toward expanding investors’ access to digital assets, filing applications with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for 11 new cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

According to regulatory filings submitted this week, the proposed products are structured as “crypto strategy” ETFs.

Unlike pure spot ETFs, each fund would combine direct exposure to a specific cryptocurrency with indirect exposure through other exchange-traded products and financial instruments.

Bitwise said that each ETF could allocate up to 60% of its assets directly into the underlying token, with the remaining portion invested in related exchange-traded products, derivatives, or other instruments designed to track the asset’s performance.

The filing also notes that the funds may use derivatives such as futures contracts and swap agreements, a structure that could allow for greater flexibility in managing exposure while operating within current regulatory constraints.

The 11 crypto ETFs targeted by Bitwise

The proposed crypto ETFs span a wide range of blockchain ecosystems and decentralised finance (DeFi) projects.

Assets named in the filing include Aave, Ethena (ENA), Hyperliquid (HYPE), NEAR, Starknet (STRK), Sui, Bittensor (TAO), Tron (TRX), Uniswap (UNI), Zcash (ZEC), and Canton (CC).

If approved, the lineup would give US investors ETF-based exposure to tokens tied to smart contract platforms, privacy-focused networks, and DeFi protocols, areas that have traditionally been harder to access through regulated investment vehicles.

The rising demand for crypto ETFs

Bitwise’s move comes amid growing demand for crypto-linked ETFs following the strong inflows into the XRP ETFs.

Those products marked a turning point for the industry, opening the door for traditional investors to gain exposure to digital assets through familiar market structures.

Building on that momentum, Bitwise has been active in rolling out new offerings.

The firm launched a spot Solana ETF in the US in October, followed by ETFs linked to XRP and Dogecoin.

It has also filed an S-1 registration statement for a spot Sui ETF and submitted an amended filing related to a Hyperliquid ETF, signalling continued efforts to broaden its crypto product suite.

Bitwise’s bullish outlook despite market volatility

The filings come after a volatile period for digital assets, with BTC and the broader crypto market experiencing weakness toward the end of last year.

But despite this, Bitwise executives have maintained a constructive long-term outlook.

Earlier this month, Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan said he expects Bitcoin to break from its traditional four-year market cycle and reach new all-time highs in 2026, citing factors such as the declining impact of bitcoin halving events, expectations of lower interest rates, and fewer leverage-driven market collapses.

Hougan has also suggested that institutional participation will continue to grow, supported by clearer regulation and the expanding availability of regulated investment products like ETFs.

He added that Bitcoin’s correlation with equities could decline over time, with crypto-specific drivers, such as regulatory progress and institutional inflows, helping to support digital assets even if traditional markets face pressure.

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2026 XRP outlook: breakout ahead or deeper pullback?

  • XRP trades near $1.86 as ETF inflows clash with weak price momentum.
  • Technical setups hint at a rebound, but $1.77 support remains critical.
  • The 2026 outlook hinges on adoption, usage growth, and valuation debates.

XRP enters 2026 caught between ambitious long-term projections and growing short-term scepticism.

With price performance lagging despite strong institutional signals, the debate around where XRP heads next has intensified, especially after the altcoin slipped below $2.

XRP trades sideways as conviction remains split

XRP is currently trading near $1.86, giving it a market capitalisation of roughly $113 billion and placing it among the largest digital assets globally.

But the size of that valuation contrasts sharply with recent performance.

Over the past three months, XRP has fallen nearly 37%, while remaining about 49% below its recent high reached in mid-2025.

The price has settled into a tight range between $1.83 and $1.91, reflecting a market that appears hesitant rather than convinced.

But despite this price stagnation, institutional interest has not faded.

XRP-linked exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have recorded seven consecutive weeks of net inflows, with total assets approaching $1.24 billion.

Total XRP Spot ETF Net Inflow
Source: Coinglass

These steady inflows suggest that larger investors are accumulating exposure during periods of weakness rather than exiting positions

Such accumulation can quietly absorb selling pressure, helping to stabilise XRP during prolonged consolidations.

Bullish chart patterns collide with valuation concerns

From a technical standpoint, several analysts see early signs of a possible reversal.

Chart patterns such as a triple bottom near the $1.76 level and a developing inverse head-and-shoulders formation point to a market attempting to build a base.

Momentum indicators like the MACD have also begun to turn higher, reinforcing the idea that downside pressure may be weakening.

XRP price chart
Source: TradingView

Still, these bullish signals remain conditional. A failure to hold the $1.77–$1.80 support zone could expose XRP to a much deeper pullback.

Some analysts warn that a decisive break below this area could open the door to a decline toward $0.80, a level that would represent a dramatic reset in market structure.

This risk persists as long as price action remains capped below key moving averages.

Beyond charts, criticism has emerged around XRP’s underlying network activity.

Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz recently questioned whether XRP’s valuation is justified, given reports of roughly 16,000 daily active addresses.

In his view, such figures pale in comparison to other major networks with significantly higher on-chain engagement.

This argument highlights a broader concern that XRP’s valuation may be driven more by narrative and institutional positioning than by visible usage growth.

But supporters counter that XRP’s role in cross-border payments and its expanding ecosystem are not fully captured by simple address counts.

They also point to regulatory clarity following Ripple’s legal progress as a structural advantage that could support long-term adoption.

What the XRP price forecast says about 2026

The most optimistic outlook comes from Standard Chartered, with the head of digital assets research, Geoffrey Kendrick, predicting that XRP could reach $8 in 2026.

That XRP price forecast implies more than 300% upside from current levels and assumes a powerful combination of sustained ETF inflows, tighter supply dynamics, and broader institutional adoption.

Under such a scenario, XRP’s market capitalisation would exceed $450 billion, placing it among the most valuable financial assets in the digital economy.

However, even proponents acknowledge that this is a best-case scenario rather than a baseline expectation.

Achieving such levels would require not only favourable market conditions but also continued confidence in XRP’s long-term utility.

Without stronger evidence of expanding network usage, critics argue that the path to those valuations becomes far more difficult.

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TRX price eyes gains amid $18M boost from Justin Sun

  • The price of TRON (TRX) traded above $0.28 amid an $18 million backing from Justin Sun.
  • As top coins looked to bounce, TRX was showing resilience.
  • The altcoin’s move is largely helped by Sun’s investment and broader market sentiment.

Tron Inc. announced that it has secured an $18 million strategic equity investment from Justin Sun, the founder of the TRON blockchain.

Sun’s investment was made through Black Anthem Limited, with shares purchased at $1.3775 per share.

Tron Inc., which also operates in custom merchandise for major entertainment venues through a subsidiary, has been aggressively building a blockchain-integrated treasury strategy.

In this case, the company may be eyeing proceeds from this investment for a fresh expansion.

What does the Sun investment mean for Tron Inc?

Purchases will position the digital asset treasury firm as one of the largest corporate holders of the cryptocurrency and the leading publicly traded entity aligned with the TRON network.

Rich Miller, chief executive officer of Tron Inc., described the investment as a “powerful endorsement” of the company’s strategy and long-term vision.

He emphasised that the capital will strengthen the balance sheet, enhance digital asset holdings, and support growth in areas such as global blockchain-based payments and Web3 infrastructure.

Sun’s continued backing of the TRON ecosystem is consistent with his broader push to support development across the blockchain network.

The latest investment builds on earlier initiatives by Tron Inc., including prior treasury expansions that have already positioned it as a notable participant in corporate adoption of TRX.

Market participants may interpret the move as a signal of confidence in the network’s growth trajectory, particularly as TRON seeks to strengthen its role in decentralized applications and stablecoin transfer activity.

TRON price: bulls hold $0.28

Despite volatility in the broader cryptocurrency market, TRX has maintained strong support around the $0.28 mark.

That’s where bulls hovered as of December 30, 2025, with a slight uptick to above $0.286.

Buyers saw a 24-hour trading volume of over $560 million. This stability reflects TRON’s robust network activity.

Key aspects include record user growth as Tron’s pivotal role in facilitating a substantial portion of global USDT transfers continues.

The blockchain’s high throughput and low-cost transactions continue to attract developers and users, contributing to TRX’s resilience.

Market observers suggest that the latest investment news could provide upward momentum, as it highlights institutional-level alignment with the ecosystem.

Tron price chart by CoinMarketCap

Short-term price action remains influenced by overall crypto sentiment.

However, the fundamental backing from Justin Sun may encourage accumulation among holders anticipating further ecosystem developments.

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Zcash price prediction for January 2026: Arthur Hayes predicts $1000

  • Whale accumulation and shielded ZEC reduce tradable supply, boosting price.
  • A technical breakout above $500 signals strong bullish momentum and potential gains.
  • Arthur Hayes forecasts $1,000 as rising demand and institutional interest grow.

Zcash has seen remarkable momentum in recent months, drawing attention for its unique privacy features and growing institutional interest.

The Zcash price has climbed to $537.45, reflecting a 3.01% gain over the past 24 hours and an impressive 28.5% rise over the past week, fueled by a combination of supply dynamics and renewed investor enthusiasm.

This surge comes amid a broader trend in the crypto market where privacy-focused coins are increasingly viewed as hedges against tightening KYC and AML regulations.

Whales and supply squeeze drive momentum

A major driver behind Zcash’s recent price action is whale accumulation.

The top 100 addresses now control approximately 66% of the total ZEC supply, with large sums being withdrawn from exchanges, including over $31 million worth of ZEC moved off Binance alone.

These off-exchange holdings, combined with the roughly 30% of ZEC locked in shielded addresses, significantly reduce the tradable supply and create a classic supply-demand imbalance.

Analysts note that this thinning liquidity amplifies price swings, meaning even modest buying pressure can have a notable impact on market prices.

The supply squeeze is further intensified by institutional participation.

Reports from Grayscale indicate that Zcash was among the top-performing assets in the fourth quarter of 2025, appreciating nearly 900% since October, as investors increasingly perceive ZEC as a privacy-focused hedge.

The growing adoption of shielded transactions, which now account for roughly 27% of total supply, underscores the token’s role in maintaining confidentiality on the blockchain.

Investors appear to be strategically storing ZEC in private wallets, thereby reducing immediate market availability and setting the stage for continued upward pressure.

Zcash price prediction for January 2026

Alongside supply dynamics, technical indicators suggest strong bullish momentum.

ZEC recently cleared the $500 resistance level, with MACD and RSI values pointing to continued upward potential.

Zcash price analysis
Zcash price chart | Source: TradingView

Futures markets reflect active positioning, with open interest rising and funding rates indicating moderate leverage risk.

However, analysts caution that a short-term pullback toward $476 could occur, given the presence of $78 million in potential long liquidations.

A sustained breakthrough above the previous swing high at $554.18 could target the $622 level, highlighting the importance of monitoring both technical and fundamental factors for market participants.

Derivatives activity and active trading metrics also reveal that market sentiment is leaning bullish, although the high leverage present in futures markets introduces volatility risk.

Arthur Hayes predicts Zcash at $1,000

While exchange outflows and strong on-chain adoption of shielded transactions suggest that the upward trajectory is being reinforced by structural factors, prominent figures in the crypto industry are voicing optimistic forecasts for ZEC.

Former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes has predicted that Zcash could reach $1,000, citing growing demand for privacy assets, institutional accumulation, and supply constraints as key factors driving potential price appreciation.

While regulatory uncertainty remains a concern, particularly with global privacy coin oversight evolving, the combination of limited tradable supply, whale accumulation, and sustained investor interest creates a compelling bullish scenario.

However, traders should closely watch to see if ZEC can maintain the $500 support level, which would reinforce confidence in the broader uptrend.

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South Korea delays digital asset law as stablecoin oversight divides regulators

  • South Korea delays its Digital Asset Basic Law to 2026 amid disputes over stablecoin oversight authority.
  • Lawmakers pause crypto legislation as regulators clash on who should control stablecoin reserves and enforcement.
  • Regulatory uncertainty grows as Korea weighs investor protection against monetary control and innovation.

South Korea’s push to formalise crypto regulation has slowed again, with authorities confirming that the Digital Asset Basic Law will not be submitted until 2026.

The delay highlights deep divisions over how stablecoins should be supervised in one of Asia’s most active digital asset markets, even as crypto products become more tightly linked to the wider financial system.

The setback does not reflect a lack of interest in regulation.

Instead, it underlines how complex stablecoin oversight has become for policymakers, balancing innovation, financial stability, and monetary control.

With no agreement yet on who should hold ultimate authority, lawmakers have opted to pause rather than advance a bill with unresolved structural gaps.

Purpose of the proposed law

The Digital Asset Basic Law is intended to act as the backbone of South Korea’s crypto framework.

A core aim is investor protection, achieved by holding digital asset operators to stricter legal standards than before.

One of the most significant proposals is the introduction of no-fault liability, which would make operators responsible for user losses even if negligence cannot be proven.

Another pillar of the bill focuses on reducing systemic risk from stablecoins. The draft requires issuers to maintain reserves exceeding 100% of the circulating supply.

These reserves must be held at banks or approved institutions, with clear separation from the issuer’s own balance sheet.

The structure is designed to limit contagion risks if a stablecoin issuer fails.

Stablecoins and regulatory control

Stablecoins have emerged as the main fault line in the debate. While regulators broadly agree that stronger oversight is necessary, they remain split on who should enforce reserve rules and supervision.

The Financial Services Commission and the Bank of Korea have yet to align on how responsibilities should be divided.

These disagreements have complicated decisions around licensing, enforcement powers, and the treatment of reserve assets.

Rather than pushing through a compromised framework, authorities have delayed the bill to allow further coordination between financial regulators and monetary authorities.

Market uncertainty grows

The postponement has not triggered an immediate market reaction, but it adds another layer of uncertainty for crypto firms operating in South Korea.

Exchanges, payment providers, and stablecoin issuers continue to expand in an environment where long-term regulatory expectations remain unclear.

Uncertainty can have practical effects.

Firms may slow product launches, delay investment decisions, or consider shifting certain operations to jurisdictions with clearer rules.

For investors, the absence of a completed framework complicates assessments of risk and compliance.

Politics and monetary strategy

Political dynamics are also shaping the timeline. The ruling Democratic Party is now working to merge several lawmaker proposals into a revised digital asset bill.

At the same time, strategic concerns around monetary sovereignty are becoming more prominent.

President Lee Jae Myung has identified a Korean won-backed stablecoin as a national priority, arguing that it could counter the growing dominance of US dollar-linked stablecoins in global crypto markets.

These ambitions increase pressure on regulators to ensure that any framework aligns with broader monetary policy goals.

The delayed Digital Asset Basic Law is meant to represent the second phase of South Korea’s crypto regulation.

The first phase, already in force, targeted unfair trading practices.

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