‍Bitcoin Trails Gold, Silver Amid $5.1 Billion ETF Outflows Recent market analysis indicates Bitcoin is underperforming traditional safe-haven assets and major equity indices due to sustained selling pressure from institutional players. Large-scale investors are retreating, leading to significant capital withdrawals from Bitcoin ETFs, totaling $5.1 billion from their peaks. While gold and silver reach multi-year highs, Bitcoin remains approximately 30% below its all-time high. This divergence suggests investors are favoring traditional assets and the current tech rally over Bitcoin, viewing it more as a risk-on asset.
‍Polymarket Predicts 86% Chance of LIT Token Airdrop by Year-End Speculation around Lighter's LIT token airdrop is intensifying, with traders on Polymarket assigning an 86% probability of a token generation event (TGE) before 2025. This surge follows Lighter's core contributors announcing the "final stretch" of their second incentive season and the implementation of anti-Sybil measures to ensure fair distribution. Hyperliquid's listing of the LIT token against USDC for pre-launch trading and Lighter's transfer of 250 million LIT tokens further fueled anticipation. Lighter recently secured $68 million in funding and has been added to Coinbase's listing roadmap, positioning it as a major player in the perp DEX sector.
‍Russia Considers Broadening Crypto Access for Retail Investors The Central Bank of the Russian Federation (CBR) is reportedly evaluating a policy shift that could grant retail investors formal access to cryptocurrency markets, a departure from previous restrictions. As of December 2025, regulatory bodies are working on a framework to integrate Bitcoin and other virtual assets into the domestic financial landscape. Deputy Finance Minister Ivan Chebeskov indicated that authorities are reconsidering restricting crypto assets solely to "qualified investors." Discussions now focus on expanding market participation to include non-qualified retail investors, establishing a unified regulatory framework, and developing legal safeguards against high volatility. First Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Vladimir Chistyukhin, confirmed that easing rules is being discussed to support economic activities of individuals and legal entities, particularly in the context of cross-border payment restrictions. This move aims to leverage decentralized finance (DeFi) tools to maintain liquidity and facilitate global trade.
‍Vince Zampella, Co-Creator of Call of Duty, Dies at 55 The gaming industry mourns the loss of Vince Zampella, co-creator of Call of Duty and founder of Respawn Entertainment, who passed away at 55. Zampella was a pivotal figure in the FPS genre, with titles like Modern Warfare and Apex Legends shaping competitive gaming and digital economies. His influence extends to Web3 and blockchain gaming, with his live-service models and cosmetic economies providing a blueprint for P2E ecosystems and NFT-integrated platforms. Zampella's innovative approach to gameplay and community engagement will continue to inspire developers.