The tokenized real-world asset (RWA) market will continue to grow in 2026, fueled by adoption in emerging market economies, according to Jesse Knutson, head of operations at crypto exchange Bitfinex.
Emerging market economies experience “friction” in capital formation and attracting foreign investment, Knutson told Cointelegraph
“Emerging markets also tend to ‘leapfrog’ infrastructure that holds back developed markets, adopting digital rails, including stablecoin settlement, faster than markets with entrenched legacy plumbing.”
The total value of tokenized real-world assets, excluding stablecoins. Source: RWA.XYZ
Tokenization also enables fractionalization of assets, democratizing access to investments that may be cost-prohibitive for the average retail investor, Knutson said.
Companies that can offer fixed returns to investors but cannot acquire traditional financing are the biggest beneficiaries of asset tokenization, he added
Fixed-income instruments, including US Treasuries and money market funds, are the most popular assets for tokenization in developed economies, while tokenizing real estate and commodities are the most popular use cases in developing economies, he said.
Knutson forecasts that the tokenized RWA total market capitalization will swell to several trillion dollars over the next decade, but the growth is dependent on major issuers moving from pilot programs and sandboxes to actual commercial products.
Tokenizing traditional financial assets onchain still has several key challenges
Despite the positive outlook on the future of the RWA market, several challenges remain, including the legal enforceability of onchain contracts, ensuring enough liquidity for settlement without slippage, and creating investor protection frameworks, Knutson said.
Different token standards and discrepancies between permissioned blockchains and permissionless crypto ecosystems create technical challenges for RWA issuers.
Issuers must create tokenized products that can be transferred throughout the diverse crypto ecosystem and used as collateral in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications to realize the full potential of onchain assets.
Bitcoin (BTC) bulls worry that institutional interest is weakening amid softer demand for BTC futures. However, other metrics suggest that the BTC price could avoid falling below $85,000.
Key takeaways:
BTC futures open interest fell to $42B, an eighth-month low, signalling a leverage flush rather than bearish bets.
Bitcoin faced another rejection after briefly testing the $89,000 level on Friday. The move caught traders off guard, liquidating more than $260 million in leveraged BTC futures positions.
BTC futures aggregate open interest, USD. Source: Coinglass / Cointelegraph
Aggregate BTC futures open interest on major exchanges fell to $42 billion on Friday from $47 billion two weeks earlier, marking the lowest level in eight months. Still, the sharp drop in leverage is not inherently bearish, since longs and shorts are always matched.
Investor unease intensified after a five-day outflow from spot Bitcoin ETFs totalling $825 million. While this represents less than 1% of the combined $116 billion in deposits, traders fear the bullish momentum seen in October has faded amid global economic uncertainty.
Precious metals soar amid economic uncertainty
Gold and silver climbed to new all-time highs on Friday as investors sought protection from rising United States debt.
Demand for government-backed debt increased, pushing yields on the US 10-year Treasury to a three-week low of 4.12%. Part of the skepticism toward US monetary policy stems from inconsistent signals around import tariffs.
Gold (left) vs. US 10-year Treasury yield (right). Source: TradingView
President Donald Trump’s administration said on Tuesday that duties on Chinese semiconductor imports were postponed until June 2027.
In the previous week, the US government lifted restrictions on Nvidia’s second-most powerful artificial intelligence chips exported to China, which had previously been banned by the Joe Biden administration over national security concerns, according to Reuters.
Bitcoin’s basis rate recovers
The Bitcoin monthly futures premium helps assess whether whales and market makers have turned bearish. Under neutral conditions, BTC futures typically trade at a 5% to 10% annualized premium, known as the basis rate, to compensate for the longer settlement period.
Given Bitcoin’s repeated failures to reclaim the $90,000 level since Oct. 12, some pessimism, i.e. a lower basis, should be expected.
But the Bitcoin futures basis rate stood at 5% on Friday, unchanged from the prior week. While slightly bearish, the metric has moved away from the sub-4% levels observed on Dec. 18, when Bitcoin traded below $85,000.
Meanwhile, the Bitcoin options market can help determine whether whales and market makers expect further downside.
The delta skew measures the cost of put (sell) options relative to call (buy) instruments. When sentiment weakens, the metric rises above the neutral 6% threshold, while bullish phases typically push it into negative territory.
Even when investor concerns stem from signs of softer economic activity, Bitcoin continues to behave like a high-risk asset, while precious metals have rallied.
However, the decline in BTC futures and options open interest, along with roughly 1% net outflows from Bitcoin ETFs, does not by itself signal a sustained bear market, particularly when Bitcoin options metrics and the basis rate remain healthy.
Although a retest of the $85,000 support level remains possible, the bulls appear to be gradually regaining confidence, even if Bitcoin fails to break above $90,000 in the near term.
This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as, legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
Bitcoin (BTC) bulls worry that institutional interest is weakening amid softer demand for BTC futures. However, other metrics suggest that the BTC price could avoid falling below $85,000.
Key takeaways:
BTC futures open interest fell to $42B, an eighth-month low, signalling a leverage flush rather than bearish bets.
Bitcoin faced another rejection after briefly testing the $89,000 level on Friday. The move caught traders off guard, liquidating more than $260 million in leveraged BTC futures positions.
BTC futures aggregate open interest, USD. Source: Coinglass / Cointelegraph
Aggregate BTC futures open interest on major exchanges fell to $42 billion on Friday from $47 billion two weeks earlier, marking the lowest level in eight months. Still, the sharp drop in leverage is not inherently bearish, since longs and shorts are always matched.
Investor unease intensified after a five-day outflow from spot Bitcoin ETFs totalling $825 million. While this represents less than 1% of the combined $116 billion in deposits, traders fear the bullish momentum seen in October has faded amid global economic uncertainty.
Precious metals soar amid economic uncertainty
Gold and silver climbed to new all-time highs on Friday as investors sought protection from rising United States debt.
Demand for government-backed debt increased, pushing yields on the US 10-year Treasury to a three-week low of 4.12%. Part of the skepticism toward US monetary policy stems from inconsistent signals around import tariffs.
Gold (left) vs. US 10-year Treasury yield (right). Source: TradingView
President Donald Trump’s administration said on Tuesday that duties on Chinese semiconductor imports were postponed until June 2027.
In the previous week, the US government lifted restrictions on Nvidia’s second-most powerful artificial intelligence chips exported to China, which had previously been banned by the Joe Biden administration over national security concerns, according to Reuters.
Bitcoin’s basis rate recovers
The Bitcoin monthly futures premium helps assess whether whales and market makers have turned bearish. Under neutral conditions, BTC futures typically trade at a 5% to 10% annualized premium, known as the basis rate, to compensate for the longer settlement period.
Given Bitcoin’s repeated failures to reclaim the $90,000 level since Oct. 12, some pessimism, i.e. a lower basis, should be expected.
But the Bitcoin futures basis rate stood at 5% on Friday, unchanged from the prior week. While slightly bearish, the metric has moved away from the sub-4% levels observed on Dec. 18, when Bitcoin traded below $85,000.
Meanwhile, the Bitcoin options market can help determine whether whales and market makers expect further downside.
The delta skew measures the cost of put (sell) options relative to call (buy) instruments. When sentiment weakens, the metric rises above the neutral 6% threshold, while bullish phases typically push it into negative territory.
Even when investor concerns stem from signs of softer economic activity, Bitcoin continues to behave like a high-risk asset, while precious metals have rallied.
However, the decline in BTC futures and options open interest, along with roughly 1% net outflows from Bitcoin ETFs, does not by itself signal a sustained bear market, particularly when Bitcoin options metrics and the basis rate remain healthy.
Although a retest of the $85,000 support level remains possible, the bulls appear to be gradually regaining confidence, even if Bitcoin fails to break above $90,000 in the near term.
This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as, legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
AAVE price prediction suggests 14-17% upside to $179-$183 range within 5 days, supported by whale accumulation and oversold RSI conditions at $156.87.
Aave (AAVE) is showing signs of potential recovery after trading in a consolidation phase near the $156.87 level. Despite bearish momentum indicators, several factors point toward a short-term bounce that could deliver meaningful gains for positioned traders.
AAVE Price Prediction Summary
• AAVE short-term target (5-7 days): $179.04 (+14.1%) based on CoinCodex technical analysis
• Aave medium-term forecast (January 2026): $182.90-$190 range (+16-21%)
• Key level to break for bullish continuation: $165.00 (whale accumulation zone)
• Critical support if bearish: $146.40 (immediate support level)
Recent Aave Price Predictions from Analysts
The latest AAVE price prediction consensus from December 27th shows remarkable alignment among major platforms. CoinCodex projects dual targets of $179.04 (5-day horizon) and $182.90 (January 1st target), representing 17.28% and 17.34% gains respectively. This Aave forecast is supported by technical momentum indicators despite current bearish readings.
Investing.com’s technical aggregation signals a “Strong Buy” recommendation with high confidence, while AInvest highlights significant whale activity with $4.7M in fresh AAVE accumulation around the $165 level. This institutional interest provides fundamental support for the bullish AAVE price prediction narrative.
The convergence of these forecasts around the $179-$183 range suggests strong technical resistance turned support at these levels, making this AAVE price target particularly credible.
AAVE Technical Analysis: Setting Up for Oversold Bounce
Current Aave technical analysis reveals a classic oversold setup despite the weak bullish trend classification. The RSI reading of 38.98 sits in neutral territory but trending toward oversold conditions, historically a precursor to relief rallies in AAVE.
The MACD histogram at -2.7803 shows bearish momentum, but the narrowing spread between MACD (-10.0580) and signal line (-7.2777) suggests potential bullish divergence forming. Stochastic indicators (%K: 20.24, %D: 12.93) are deeply oversold, creating conditions for a technical bounce.
Bollinger Bands positioning shows AAVE at 0.2319, indicating the price is closer to the lower band ($139.42) than the middle SMA 20 ($177.04). This extreme positioning often precedes mean reversion moves, supporting the AAVE price target of $179-$183.
Trading volume of $12.9M on Binance provides adequate liquidity for the predicted move, though increased volume above $20M would strengthen conviction in the Aave forecast.
Aave Price Targets: Bull and Bear Scenarios
Bullish Case for AAVE
The primary bullish AAVE price target scenario unfolds if price breaks above $165 with volume confirmation. This level coincides with whale accumulation zones and the EMA 12 ($163.31), making it a critical inflection point.
For this AAVE price prediction to materialize, we need RSI to reclaim 45+ levels and MACD histogram to show positive divergence. A break above the EMA 26 ($173.37) would confirm the bullish scenario with high probability.
Bearish Risk for Aave
The bearish scenario activates if AAVE fails to hold the $146.40 support level, which represents both immediate support and strong support on the technical analysis. This Aave forecast would target:
Risk factors include broader crypto market weakness, DeFi sector rotation, or failure of whale accumulation to generate sustained buying pressure.
Should You Buy AAVE Now? Entry Strategy
The current AAVE price prediction suggests a favorable risk-reward setup for accumulation, but timing and positioning are crucial for the “buy or sell AAVE” decision.
Optimal entry strategy:
– Primary entry: $155-$158 range (current levels with 2% tolerance)
– Backup entry: $148-$152 if initial support breaks briefly
– Stop-loss: Below $144 (invalidates the bullish thesis)
– Take-profit zones: 50% at $175, 30% at $182, 20% at $190
Position sizing should remain conservative (2-3% of portfolio) given the mixed technical signals. The Aave technical analysis supports accumulation but doesn’t warrant aggressive positioning until momentum indicators confirm the reversal.
AAVE Price Prediction Conclusion
The AAVE price prediction for the next 5-10 days targets the $179-$183 range with medium confidence (65-70%). The combination of oversold technical conditions, whale accumulation, and analyst consensus creates a favorable setup for short-term gains.
The Aave forecast timeline suggests this move should materialize by January 3-5, 2026, making it a short-duration trade setup rather than a long-term investment thesis. Failure to achieve these targets by mid-January would require reassessment of the bullish case and potential position adjustments.
LDO price prediction shows potential 16-23% upside to $0.66-$0.70 range within 4-6 weeks, supported by bullish MACD divergence and oversold conditions at $0.57 current price.
LDO Price Prediction: Technical Recovery Setup Points to $0.66-$0.70 Target
LDO Price Prediction Summary
• LDO short-term target (1 week): $0.63 (+10.5% from current $0.57)
• Lido DAO medium-term forecast (1 month): $0.66-$0.70 range (+16% to +23%)
• Key level to break for bullish continuation: $0.63 (Upper Bollinger Band)
• Critical support if bearish: $0.49 (established support and lower Bollinger Band)
Recent Lido DAO Price Predictions from Analysts
The latest analyst consensus shows remarkable alignment on Lido DAO forecast expectations. CoinCodex projects an LDO price prediction of $0.6483 by December 31, 2025, representing a 13.23% gain despite prevailing market fear. This aligns closely with AInvest’s $0.6301 target by December 30, while MEXC News provides the most optimistic Lido DAO forecast with a $0.66-$0.70 range.
All three predictions converge on a similar narrative: LDO’s current oversold conditions at $0.57 present a compelling technical setup for recovery. The consensus LDO price target of $0.66-$0.70 suggests analysts see 16-23% upside potential from current levels, despite the Fear & Greed Index registering “Extreme Fear” at 16.
LDO Technical Analysis: Setting Up for Recovery
The Lido DAO technical analysis reveals several compelling signals supporting the bullish LDO price prediction. With LDO trading at $0.57, the token sits precisely at its pivot point, creating a critical decision zone for the next directional move.
The MACD histogram reading of 0.0081 indicates bullish momentum is building, while the RSI at 48.00 remains in neutral territory, suggesting room for upward movement without entering overbought conditions. LDO’s position within the Bollinger Bands at 0.5658 shows the price is slightly above the middle band ($0.56), indicating nascent bullish pressure.
Most significantly, LDO has established strong support at $0.49, which has held multiple times and represents both the immediate support level and the lower Bollinger Band. The 24-hour trading volume of $3.13 million on Binance provides adequate liquidity to support any breakout moves.
Lido DAO Price Targets: Bull and Bear Scenarios
Bullish Case for LDO
The primary LDO price target in the bullish scenario centers on the $0.66-$0.70 resistance zone. This represents the confluence of previous support levels and the 50-day moving average area that needs to be reclaimed for sustained upward momentum.
For this Lido DAO forecast to materialize, LDO must first break above the immediate resistance at $0.63 (Upper Bollinger Band). A sustained move above this level would likely trigger momentum buyers and target the $0.66 level within 2-3 weeks.
The ultimate bullish LDO price prediction extends to $0.93 (strong resistance), but this would require a fundamental shift in market sentiment and significant volume accumulation.
Bearish Risk for Lido DAO
The bearish scenario for the LDO price prediction hinges on a breakdown below the critical $0.49 support level. This level has proven resilient but represents the last line of defense before a deeper correction.
If $0.49 fails to hold, the next significant support doesn’t appear until the 52-week low at $0.51, creating a potential 11% downside risk from current levels. Such a breakdown would invalidate the bullish Lido DAO forecast and likely target a retest of yearly lows.
Should You Buy LDO Now? Entry Strategy
Based on the current Lido DAO technical analysis, the buy or sell LDO decision favors a measured accumulation approach. The optimal entry strategy involves dollar-cost averaging between $0.55-$0.57, with a strict stop-loss at $0.48 (below the $0.49 support).
Risk-averse investors should wait for a confirmed break above $0.63 before initiating positions, targeting the $0.66-$0.70 range for profit-taking. More aggressive traders can accumulate at current levels with a 3:1 risk-reward ratio targeting $0.66.
Position sizing should remain conservative given the 11% downside risk to $0.49 support versus the 16-23% upside potential to the LDO price target range.
LDO Price Prediction Conclusion
The technical setup strongly supports a bullish LDO price prediction with medium confidence for the $0.66-$0.70 target within 4-6 weeks. The combination of oversold conditions, bullish MACD divergence, and solid support at $0.49 creates an attractive risk-reward profile.
Key indicators to monitor include daily closes above $0.63 for bullish confirmation and any breakdown below $0.49 for bearish invalidation. The Lido DAO forecast timeline suggests January 2026 as the optimal window for target achievement, assuming broader crypto market conditions remain stable.
Confidence level: Medium – Technical indicators align with analyst consensus, but broader market fear remains a headwind that could delay the predicted recovery.
Ethereum’s total value locked (TVL) may surge ten-fold in 2026 as adoption expands across multiple use cases and institutional investors, according to Sharplink’s co-CEO Joseph Chalom.
Sharplink Gaming is the second-largest public Ethereum treasury company, holding 797,704 ETH (ETH), worth roughly $2.33 billion at the time of publication, according to Ethereum Treasuries data.
“The stablecoin market will hit $500B by the end of next year,” Chalom predicted in an X post on Friday, as the total stablecoin market capitalization currently sits at around $308.46 billion. A move to $500 billion would represent an increase of about 62%.
With over half of the total stablecoin activity (54%) taking place on Ethereum, such a rise could potentially contribute to an increase in the network’s TVL.
Tokenized RWA market to reach $300 billion in 2026: Chalom
Chalom also expects tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) to see significant growth, forecasting the market will reach $300 billion in 2026. “Tokenized assets will 10X in AUM in 2026, going from tokenizing individual funds, stocks, and bonds to full fund complexes,” Chalom said.
He pointed to rising interest over the past year from financial services companies including JPMorgan, Franklin Templeton, and BlackRock as a major catalyst.
An increasing TVL is often seen as a sign of growing interest in the network, which can bolster market sentiment and potentially influence the price of the asset. At the time of publication, Ethereum’s TVL is around $68.20 billion, according to DeFiLlama.
Ether is down 12.36% over the past 12 months. Source: CoinMarketCap
However, crypto analyst Benjamin Cowen said on Tuesday that Ether is unlikely to hit new highs in the coming year, given current conditions for Bitcoin. At the time of publication, Ether is trading at $2,924, down 3.12% over the past 30 days, according to CoinMarketCap.
Sovereign wealth fund eye increased Ethereum holdings
Chalom anticipates Ethereum holdings and tokenization activity by sovereign wealth funds to grow five- to tenfold over the next year.
“In 2026 this will amplify meaningfully as competitive dynamics take hold. When no one was willing to touch crypto from this pool of allocators, it was safe to stay sidelined,” Chalom said.
Chalom also predicted that onchain AI agents and prediction markets will “go mainstream,” which he said will drive more activity and value to the ecosystem.
As Bitcoin (BTC) continues to underperform gold and major equity indices, investors are increasingly questioning whether this cycle is unfolding differently than expected. In a new interview with analyst Benjamin Cowen, we dig into why Bitcoin is lagging traditional markets, and why the current setup may feel strikingly similar to 2019.
Cowen points out that while stocks and gold are responding positively to expectations around future monetary easing, Bitcoin appears far more sensitive to actual liquidity conditions rather than optimism alone.
That distinction, he explains, helps clarify why BTC has struggled to gain momentum even as broader markets push higher. According to Cowen, Bitcoin often requires a clearer macroeconomic catalyst before it can outperform, and that catalyst may not yet be in place.
A key theme of the discussion is sentiment. Unlike previous cycle peaks characterized by widespread enthusiasm and retail speculation, this market has been marked by relative apathy.
Cowen explains why topping in an environment of low attention is unusual for Bitcoin, and how that difference could shape the path forward over the next couple of years.
The conversation also touches on the four-year cycle debate. While many commentators argue that Bitcoin’s historical cycle framework is no longer relevant, Cowen presents data suggesting that broader market cycles, not just crypto-specific narratives, still play a significant role.
He outlines why macro headwinds, including labor market trends and restrictive financial conditions, may continue to weigh on Bitcoin into 2026, even if short-term rallies occur along the way.
Rather than focusing on exact price targets, the interview centers on process over prediction; how investors can think about cycles, risk and patience in an environment where easy liquidity is not guaranteed. Cowen also briefly addresses what this means for altcoins and why expectations for quick rotations may be misplaced.
Watch the full interview on the Cointelegraph YouTube channel to hear Cowen’s complete reasoning, charts, and the deeper macro context behind his outlook.
Bitcoin attempted to rise above $90,000, but sustained recovery may require institutional demand to pick up.
While most major altcoins are struggling near their recent lows, Bitcoin Cash looks strong on the charts.
Bitcoin (BTC) rose above $89,500, but the bulls could not sustain the higher levels. A sustainable recovery would require institutional demand to pick up. Since Dec. 15, BTC exchange-traded funds have recorded outflows of more than $1 billion, per Farside Investors data.
Despite BTC’s weak performance toward the end of the year, Strategy CEO Phong Le said in a recent podcast that BTC’s fundamentals “couldn’t be better.”
For the short term, Le said the Bitcoiners should be “fairly methodical and mathematical about it” as the price action is usually unpredictable.
Crypto market data daily view. Source: TradingView
Select analysts believe that cryptocurrency prices will remain sensitive to the Fed’s policies in Q1 2026. BTSE chief operating officer Jeff Mei said in a blog post that a single 0.25% rate cut by the Fed and steady rate of Treasury purchases could push BTC to the $92,000 to $98,000 range, “supported by ongoing ETF inflows surpassing $50 billion and institutional accumulation.”
What are the critical support and resistance levels to watch out for in BTC and major altcoins? Let’s analyze the charts of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to find out.
Bitcoin price prediction
BTC turned down from the 20-day exponential moving average (EMA)($88,593) on Friday, indicating a negative sentiment.
The crucial support to watch out for on the downside is $84,000. If this level gets violated, the Bitcoin price could resume its downtrend. The BTC/USDT pair could plunge to $80,600 and then to the formidable support at $74,508.
Contrarily, a close above the 20-day EMA brings the $84,000 to $94,589 range into play. Buyers will have to drive and maintain the price above $94,589 to signal strength. The pair could then rally toward the psychological level of $100,000.
Ether price prediction
Ether (ETH) continues to trade inside the symmetrical triangle pattern, indicating a balance between supply and demand.
If Ether price rises above the moving averages, the next stop could be the resistance line. Sellers are expected to defend the resistance line, as a break and close above it opens the door for a rally to $4,000.
Conversely, if the price turns down and breaks below the support line, it suggests that the bears have overpowered the bulls. The ETH/USDT pair could then descend to $2,623 and later to $2,373.
BNB price prediction
BNB (BNB) has reached the uptrend line, which is a crucial level to watch in the near term.
Buyers will try to strengthen their position by pushing the BNB price above the moving averages. If they can pull it off, the BNB/USDT pair could challenge the $928 overhead resistance.
Contrary to this assumption, if the price continues lower and closes below the uptrend line, it signals that the bears have the advantage. The pair could then slide to the solid support at $790, where the buyers are expected to step in.
XRP price prediction
XRP (XRP) remains inside the descending channel pattern, but the bulls are attempting to start a recovery.
Buyers will have to drive the price above the 20-day EMA ($1.93) to signal strength. The XRP/USDT pair could then rally to the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) ($2.09) and subsequently to the downtrend line.
Instead, if the XRP price turns down from the current level or the moving averages, it indicates that the bears are active at higher levels. The pair may then decline to the solid support at $1.61. Below this level, the pair may collapse to $1.25.
Solana price prediction
Buyers are attempting to start a recovery in Solana (SOL), but the long wick on the candlestick shows selling at higher levels.
If the price continues lower and breaks below $116, it signals the resumption of the downtrend. The SOL/USDT pair could slump to $108 and eventually to the critical support at $95.
The first sign of strength will be a break and close above the 20-day EMA ($127). That suggests the bears are losing their grip. The Solana price could rise to the 50-day SMA ($135) and then to $147.
Dogecoin price prediction
Dogecoin (DOGE) remains below the $0.13 level, signalling that the bears have continued to exert pressure.
If the $0.12 level gives way, the DOGE/USDT pair could start the next leg of the downtrend to $0.10.
A minor positive for the bulls is the positive divergence on the relative strength index (RSI). That suggests the bearish momentum is weakening. Buyers will have to drive the Dogecoin price above the moving averages to signal that the market has rejected the break below $0.13. The pair could then rally toward $0.19.
Cardano price prediction
Buyers are attempting to start a recovery by pushing Cardano (ADA) back above the breakdown level of $0.37.
The positive divergence on the RSI suggests that sell-pressure is reducing. A close above the 20-day EMA ($0.38) signals the start of a recovery, which could reach the 50-day SMA ($0.43) and then $0.50.
Alternatively, if the Cardano price turns down from the 20-day EMA, it shows that the bears remain in command. The ADA/USDT pair could then nosedive to $0.30 and later to the Oct. 10 low of $0.27.
The bulls will attempt to drive the Bitcoin Cash price above the $631 resistance. If they manage to do that, the possibility of a break above $651 increases. The BCH/USDT pair could then surge to $720.
This positive view will be invalidated in the near term if the price turns down and breaks below the moving averages. Such a move suggests the pair could consolidate between $443 and $631 for some time.
Chainlink price prediction
Chainlink (LINK) remains sandwiched between the 20-day EMA ($12.78) and the $11.61 support.
The tight range trading is likely to resolve with a range expansion in the next few days. If the price turns up and breaks above the moving averages, the LINK/USDT pair could climb to $15.01 and then to $16.80.
On the contrary, if Chainlink price turns down and breaks below the $11.61 support, it heightens the risk of a drop below $10.94. The pair could then plummet to the Oct. 10 low of $7.90.
Hyperliquid price prediction
Hyperliquid (HYPE) remains below the 20-day EMA ($26.72), but the bears have failed to sink the price below the $22.19 support.
The bulls will take advantage of the situation and attempt to push the price above the 20-day EMA. If they succeed, the HYPE/USDT pair could rally to the 50-day SMA ($32.22) and later to the breakdown level of $35.50.
On the other hand, if the Hyperliquid price turns down from the 20-day EMA, it signals that the bears remain in control. That increases the likelihood of a drop below $22.19. The pair could then plunge to the Oct. 10 low of $20.82.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
How often have you come across an image online and wondered, “Real or AI”? Have you ever felt trapped in a reality where AI-created and human-made content blur together? Do we still need to distinguish between them?
Artificial intelligence has unlocked a world of creative possibilities, but it has also brought new challenges, reshaping how we perceive content online. From AI-generated images, music and videos flooding social media to deepfakes and bots scamming users, AI now touches a vast part of the internet.
According to a study by Graphite, the amount of AI-made content surpassed human-created content in late 2024, primarily due to the launch of ChatGPT in 2022. Another study suggests that more than 74.2% of pages in its sample contained AI-generated content as of April 2025.
As AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated and nearly indistinguishable from human-made work, humanity faces a pressing question: How much can users truly identify what’s real as we enter 2026?
AI content fatigue kicks in: Demand for human-made content is rising
After a few years of excitement around AI’s “magic,” online users have been increasingly experiencing AI content fatigue, a collective exhaustion in response to the unrelenting pace of AI innovation.
According to a Pew Research Center survey, a median of 34% of adults globally were more concerned than excited about the increased use of AI in a spring 2025 survey, while 42% were equally concerned and excited.
“AI content fatigue has been cited in multiple studies as the novelty of AI-generated content is slowly wearing off, and in its current form, often feels predictable and available in abundance,” Adrian Ott, chief AI officer at EY Switzerland, told Cointelegraph.
Source: Pew Research
“In some sense, AI content can be compared to processed food,” he said, drawing parallels between how both these phenomena have evolved.
“When it first became possible, it flooded the market. But over time, people started going back to local, quality food where they know the origin,” Ott said, adding:
“It might go in a similar direction with content. You can make the case that humans like to know who is behind the thoughts that they read, and a painting is not only judged by its quality but by the story behind the artist.”
Ott suggested that labels like “human-crafted” might emerge as trust signals in online content, similar to “organic” in food.
Managing AI content: Certifying real content among working approaches
Although many may argue that most people can spot AI text or images without trying, the question of detecting AI-created content is more complicated.
A September Pew Research study found that at least 76% of Americans say it’s important to be able to spot AI content, and only 47% are confident they can accurately detect it.
“While some people fall for fake photos, videos or news, others might refuse to believe anything at all or conveniently dismiss real footage as ‘AI-generated’ when it doesn’t fit their narrative,” EY’s Ott said, highlighting the issues of managing AI content online.
Source: Pew Research
According to Ott, global regulators seem to be going in the direction of labeling AI content, but “there will always be ways around that.” Instead, he suggested a reverse approach, where real content is certified the moment it is captured, so authenticity can be traced back to an actual event rather than trying to detect fakes after the fact.
Blockchain’s role in figuring out the “proof of origin”
“With synthetic media becoming harder to distinguish from real footage, relying on authentication after the fact is no longer effective,” said Jason Crawforth, founder and CEO at Swear, a startup that develops video authentication software.
“Protection will come from systems that embed trust into content from the start,” Crawforth said, underscoring the key concept of Swear, which ensures that digital media is trustworthy from the moment it’s created using blockchain technology.
Swear’s video-authentication software has been named Time magazine’s Best Invention of 2025 in the Crypto and Blockchain category. Source: Time magazine
Swear’s authentication software employs a blockchain-based fingerprinting approach, where each piece of content is linked to a blockchain ledger to provide proof of origin — a verifiable “digital DNA” that cannot be altered without detection.
“Any modification, no matter how discreet, becomes identifiable by comparing the content to its blockchain-verified original in the Swear platform,” Crawforth said, adding:
“Without built-in authenticity, all media, past and present, faces the risk of doubt […] Swear doesn’t ask, ‘Is this fake?’, it proves ‘This is real.’ That shift is what makes our solution both proactive and future-proof in the fight toward protecting the truth.”
So far, Swear’s technology has been used among digital creators and enterprise partners, targeting mostly visual and audio media across video-capturing devices, including bodycams and drones.
“While social media integration is a long-term vision, our current focus is on the security and surveillance industry, where video integrity is mission-critical,” Crawforth said.
2026 outlook: Responsibility of platforms and inflection points
As we enter 2026, online users are increasingly concerned about the growing volume of AI-generated content and their ability to distinguish between synthetic and human-created media.
While AI experts emphasize the importance of clearly labeling “real” content versus AI-created media, it remains uncertain how quickly online platforms will recognize the need to prioritize trusted, human-made content as AI continues to flood the internet.
Dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster named slop as 2025 word or the year amid AI content concerns. Source: Merriam-Webster
“Ultimately, it’s the responsibility of platform providers to give users tools to filter out AI content and surface high-quality material. If they don’t, people will leave,” Ott said. “Right now, there’s not much individuals can do on their own to remove AI-generated content from their feeds — that control largely rests with the platforms.”
As the demand for tools that identify human-made media grows, it is important to recognize that the core issue is often not the AI content itself, but the intentions behind its creation. Deepfakes and misinformation are not entirely new phenomena, though AI has dramatically increased their scale and speed.
With only a handful of startups focused on identifying authentic content in 2025, the issue has not yet escalated to a point where platforms, governments or users are taking urgent, coordinated action.
According to Swear’s Crawforth, humanity has yet to reach the inflection point where manipulated media causes visible, undeniable harm:
“Whether in legal cases, investigations, corporate governance, journalism, or public safety. Waiting for that moment would be a mistake; the groundwork for authenticity should be laid now.”
Concerns are mounting that global equity markets may be drifting into another bubble, fueled by relentless optimism about AI. If that bubble cracks in 2026, Bitcoin (BTC) and the broader crypto market could be among the first to feel the fallout.
Key takeaways:
AI bubble risks could hit crypto first, as overstretched, debt-funded equity markets unwind.
Bitcoin may fall to $60,000–$75,000, but institutional support could help limit losses compared to past crashes.
AI bubble can trigger “severe” meltdown in stocks
In November, 45% of fund managers surveyed by Bank of America flagged an “AI bubble” as the market’s biggest tail risk, up from just 11% in September.
AI bubble vs. other risks in 2026. Source: BofA Global Fund Manager Survey
More than half of respondents said they believe AI stocks are already trading in bubble territory, thanks to huge spending and poor return on investment.
Companies such as Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Oracle have ramped up AI infrastructure spending in 2025.
Hyperscalers’ capital spending. Source: Bloomberg
That spending is expected to surge, with combined capital expenditures, or capex, predicted to rise 64% year-over-year to more than $500 billion by 2026, according to Alexander Joshi, Head of Behavioral Finance at Barclays UK.
“Estimates place AI data centres among the largest infrastructure build-outs in modern history,” he wrote in a November report, adding:
“AI data centres now drive a significant portion of US GDP growth. While not inherently bad, this dependence is risky if AI momentum stalls. If expectations break, the snapback could be severe.”
Financial analyst HedgieMarkets warned that the AI boom risks a far harsher crash than the 2000s dot-com bubble burst, arguing the sector spent roughly $400 billion to generate just $60 billion in revenue in 2025, with most firms seeing no returns.
🦔I think the AI bubble is going to pop, and when it does, it’s going to be uglier than people expect. Forrester predicts a market correction in 2026, and honestly, I think they’re being optimistic. The sector is spending $400 billion while only bringing in $60 billion in…
Unlike the equity-funded dot-com era, today’s AI expansion is debt-driven, raising the risk of cascading failures across private equity, banks, insurers, and already-stressed consumers if growth expectations collapse.
Economic historian Carlota Perez cautioned that an AI and crypto bust could lead to a global economic collapse of “unimaginable proportions.”
How low can Bitcoin go if AI bubble pops in 2026?
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino warned an AI sector correction could spill over into crypto markets in 2026, calling it the year’s “biggest risk for Bitcoin,” while citing its positive correlation with US equities as the basis for his bearish outlook.
BTC/USD and Nasdaq 100’s 52-week correlation coefficient chart. Source: TradingView
Ardoino added that BTC’s correction will not be as severe as it was during the 2022 (-77%) and 2018 (-84%) bear markets, due to its increasing institutional exposure.
As of December, Bitcoin was down by around 30% from its record high of $106,200.
Analyst Nomad Bullstreet said the Bitcoin price may not decline below its average production cost per coin in the $71,000-75,000 range, a target area previously suggested by BTC’s prevailing bearish flag pattern.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.
