A Whale's BTC Short Position Leads to the Largest Single Liquidation Across the Network, Resulting in Over $17.6 Million in Total Settlement

On December 26, per an official announcement, Bithumb is set to list ZKP.

December 26 – Coinglass data shows funding rates across major centralized (CEX) and decentralized (DEX) exchanges have again shifted to a full bearish outlook, with specific rates for top coins detailed in the attached image. BlockBeats Note: Funding rates are fees set by crypto exchanges to align perpetual contract prices with underlying asset values. They function as a fund transfer mechanism between long and short traders—exchanges themselves do not collect this fee. The rate adjusts traders’ holding costs or profits to keep contract prices close to the underlying asset. A 0.01% rate is the baseline: rates above 0.01% signal a broadly bullish market, while rates below 0.005% indicate bearish sentiment.

December 26 – Moody’s Chief Economist Mark Zandi said the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates multiple times in 2026—not because of economic prosperity, but because he views the U.S. economy as in a delicate balance. Zandi noted this dynamic signals a gradual, cautious rate path ahead, rather than an aggressive rate-cut cycle. Inflation has also complicated the Fed’s rate-cut outlook. Zandi argues the consumer price index (CPI) is closer to 3% than the central bank’s 2% target, slowing policymakers’ ability to act. Official data supports his assessment: U.S. CPI rose 2.7% year-over-year in November 2025 (core CPI at 2.6%), still above the Fed’s goal. “Inflation remains well above the level the Fed wants to see,” Zandi said. “While upside surprises are still possible, risks are two-sided.” (Source: FX Street)

Dec 26 — Solana-based meme coin WhiteWhale has hit a record market capitalization, surpassing $18 million, according to data from GMGN. As of the latest figures, its market cap stands at $18.44 million, with a 24-hour gain of 33.82%. BlockBeats reminds users that meme coin trading is highly volatile, often driven by market sentiment and hype, and lacks tangible value or real-world use cases. Investors should exercise caution and be aware of the associated risks.

On December 26, per alternative data, the cryptocurrency Fear & Greed Index stands at 20 (down from 23 yesterday), signaling the market remains in "extreme fear" territory. Note: The Fear & Greed Index ranges from 0 to 100, with scores calculated using six weighted indicators: - Volatility (25%) - Market Volume (25%) - Social Media Hype (15%) - Market Surveys (15%) - Bitcoin’s dominance in the overall market (10%) - Google Trends Analysis (10%)

December 26 — The Bank of Lithuania (BoL) is warning cryptocurrency service providers operating in the country that they must secure a license by December 31, 2025, or face penalties. Any platform failing to meet this compliance deadline will soon be deemed to operate illegally in the Baltic nation, as Lithuania ramps up enforcement of relevant European Union (EU) regulatory rules. All entities offering crypto-related services in Lithuania are required to hold a valid license. For existing players in the space — including crypto exchanges and wallet service providers — regulators previously granted a transition period to obtain necessary operating permits; that window expires at the end of 2025. The BoL is again emphasizing this requirement is not a recommendation but a mandatory rule for market participants.