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Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin argues that the network needs to reduce frequent base layer upgrades to enhance security and stability. He proposes a 'walkaway test' where Ethereum can operate safely even if maintainers disappear, emphasizing a move towards an 'ossifiable' protocol. This approach aims to shift innovation to layer-2 solutions while the base layer becomes a stable settlement layer, similar to Bitcoin's conservative upgrade path.

Bitcoin attempted to breach the $94,000 resistance level but failed and closed the week at $90,891, signaling bearish control. Key support levels to watch are $87,000 and $84,000, which if broken, could lead to further declines towards the $70,000 range. Market sentiment remains bearish with choppy price action expected between the $84,000 and $94,000 range until a decisive breakout occurs.

Seventy European economists have urged EU lawmakers to prioritize the creation of a public digital euro to reduce reliance on US-backed stablecoins and foreign payment systems. They emphasize the need for a sovereign, privacy-focused digital euro that supports financial inclusion and serves as a credible store of value. The European Central Bank has completed technical preparations, with potential pilot transactions slated for mid-2027 and issuance by 2029 pending legislative approval.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell revealed a DOJ criminal investigation related to the Fed's activities, amidst escalating tensions with President Trump. While Bitcoin initially rose modestly, experts warn that further political interference with the Fed could trigger broad market sell-offs. Historical parallels suggest political pressure on central banks often leads to inflation and currency instability, positioning Bitcoin as a potential safe-haven asset amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

NEAR, a layer 1 blockchain token, surged 5.7% to $1.73 amid moderately increased trading volume. However, it failed to keep pace with major market benchmarks subsequently, which has raised questions about the durability of its price gains. The token's performance suggests caution is warranted despite the initial rally.

Alphabet and Apple have entered a multi-year agreement to integrate Google's Gemini AI models into Apple's next-generation AI features, including an upgraded Siri set to launch this year. This collaboration has driven Alphabet's market capitalization close to $4 trillion, joining Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia as the only companies to reach this milestone. Analysts view the deal positively, anticipating it will strengthen both companies' AI strategies and stock performance in the coming years.

Mitsui & Co. plans to introduce Japan's first digital securities linked to aircraft and ships, enabling fractional retail investments starting at about $630. The initiative, through Mitsui's digital asset arm, aims to quadruple sales to 100 billion yen by 2030 while expanding into lower-volatility assets supported by AI-driven faster product development. Japan's digital securities market is rapidly growing with increasing issuance and expanding offerings from major brokerages and exchanges.

H100 Group AB, backed by Adam Back, has agreed to acquire Future Holdings AG, a Swiss bitcoin treasury firm, marking its expansion beyond the Nordic region. The acquisition aims to enhance H100's Bitcoin treasury capabilities and increase its appeal to European institutional investors, especially in Switzerland's robust capital markets. The deal, expected to close in January 2026, will be paid mostly through newly issued H100 shares, with completion pending due diligence and regulatory approvals.

Coinbase may withdraw its support for the CLARITY Act if the bill restricts stablecoin reward programs, which are a key revenue source for the exchange. The Act aims to regulate digital assets, including stablecoins, but there's debate over whether stablecoin rewards should be regulated like traditional bank interest. The outcome of this legislation will impact U.S.-based crypto platforms, innovation, and investor engagement.

BTQ Technologies launched the Bitcoin Quantum testnet, introducing the first quantum-safe fork of Bitcoin by replacing Bitcoin's vulnerable ECDSA signatures with the NIST-standardized ML-DSA algorithm. This testnet allows developers, miners, and researchers to actively engage with a quantum-resistant Bitcoin network to preemptively address security risks posed by future quantum computers. Delphi Digital validated the project as a key early warning system for quantum vulnerabilities affecting major Bitcoin holdings, while BTQ plans to leverage testnet rewards as a strategic treasury asset.

Standard Chartered is planning to launch a crypto prime brokerage through its venture arm to bypass Basel III capital requirements, targeting institutional clients. The bank favors Ethereum over Bitcoin for long-term growth, projecting ETH could reach $40,000 by 2030 despite near-term market weakness. This move highlights institutional interest in crypto infrastructure amidst evolving regulatory frameworks.

The meme coin market shows mixed trends with a slight overall loss in the past week but a 5% gain in the last 24 hours. Pump.fun shows strength despite whale selling, Pepe sees heavy whale accumulation amid short-term price weakness, and Floki experiences increased trading volume and key technical reclaim. Each coin presents distinct technical indicators and whale behavior that suggest potential upcoming price movements.

AlphaTON, a Nasdaq-listed company holding TON tokens, has agreed to a $46 million computing infrastructure contract with Cocoon, an AI computing network built on the TON blockchain. As part of the deal, AlphaTON will provide Cocoon with 576 Nvidia B300 chips. This partnership highlights growing institutional interest in blockchain-based AI computing resources.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has described former President Donald Trump's recent actions against the Federal Reserve as unprecedented, involving grand jury subpoenas linked to Powell's testimony about Fed building renovations. Trump has persistently pressured the Fed to lower interest rates and questioned Powell’s competence while claiming the right to remove Fed governors, challenging the institution's long-standing independence. These attacks risk destabilizing the U.S. dollar, the Treasury market, and could imperil the Federal Reserve's ability to set monetary policy based on economic evidence rather than political pressure.

Bakkt Holdings, Inc. plans to acquire Distributed Technologies Research Ltd. to enhance its stablecoin settlement and programmable payments capabilities. The transaction will be executed through an all-equity deal, with Bakkt issuing approximately 9.1 million Class A shares to DTR shareholders. This acquisition is expected to accelerate Bakkt’s goal of becoming a unified global financial infrastructure platform with expanded revenue opportunities in payments and banking.

Many Russian pensioners have shown interest in receiving their pensions in cryptocurrency and spending time mining Bitcoin, despite current Russian laws prohibiting crypto payments. The Pension and Social Insurance Fund of Russia reported a high volume of inquiries about crypto pensions and the tax implications of crypto mining income. Globally, older investors are increasingly adopting crypto, with notable interest in Bitcoin among pension funds in South Korea, the US, and the UK.

World Liberty Financial, supported by the Trump family, has introduced World Liberty Markets, a decentralized finance (DeFi) lending platform built on the Dolomite protocol. Following the launch announcement, the price of Dolomite's native token DOLO surged by 57%. This development signals increased adoption and utility for the associated stablecoin and lending services in the DeFi ecosystem.

Walmart and Alphabet's Wing unit have partnered to broaden Walmart's drone delivery service, aiming to cover more than 40 million Americans with over 270 drone delivery locations by 2027. The expansion will include major metro areas such as Los Angeles, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Miami, with additional locations to be announced soon. Walmart's stock has rallied over 6% year-to-date and analysts project continued growth, supported by Walmart joining the Nasdaq-100 Index and positive strategic execution.