A sharp decrease saw Bitcoin shed 5.4% of its value, last valued at roughly $86,435 at 11:30 a.m. in London (6:30 a.m. ET). Furthermore, Ethereum fell by approximately 6.1% early in the trading day, descending to $2,843, according to CNBC.

Solana's value dropped by over 7%, trading near $127, and several other widely monitored tokens also showed losses, including Dogecoin, which slipped by about 8.6%.

Following a statement released Saturday by the People's Bank of China warning of illicit activities concerning digital currencies, Hong Kong-listed shares of companies involved in digital assets suffered a retreat during Monday's session, which amplified the pressure, as reported by CNBC.

A wider aversion to risk in the global markets at the start of the month is mirrored by this fresh erosion of digital asset values.

Ben Emons, the founder and Chief Investment Officer of Fedwatch Advisors, indicated that following the recent Bitcoin sell-off, individuals remain "nervous," adding that a $400 million exchange liquidation is widely believed to be the reason for Monday's price reversal.

Emons, speaking on CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" Monday, highlighted the enormous leverage prevalent across Bitcoin exchanges, which reaches up to 200x in certain instances. With an estimated $787 billion in outstanding leverage within perpetual crypto futures, against the approximately $135 billion outstanding in ETFs, "you can do the math," Emons stated. He additionally cautioned that "There is still a lot of leverage in Bitcoin out there. We can expect to some more of these liquidations if Bitcoin prices don't get off the lows from here."

The Monday price dip transpired on the heels of a pronounced sell-off in October, which Emons noted also transferred to the stock market, with Bitcoin displaying a higher correlation with indices such as the Nasdaq. Citing the decentralized and opaque character of the asset class and crypto exchanges, he contended that "It's predominantly retail driven, that's the worrying part of it, because retail reacts very differently than institutional [investors]." The CNBC report concluded, "That is something to reckon with going forward from here, as more and more leverage is used in this space." Investor apprehension continues to be fueled by macroeconomic uncertainties – which include speculation about a possible US interest rate cut – while persistent questions over the inflated valuations of artificial intelligence-related stocks contributed to November's turbulent markets as crypto volatility grew.

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Saylor's influence has reshaped corporate strategies globally. In December 2020, he directly engaged Elon Musk on X, advocating for Tesla to shift its balance sheet to Bitcoin. Tesla's subsequent $1.5 billion investment, reported by TheStreet, made it the second-largest non-crypto public company holding Bitcoin, with 11,509 BTC. Companies like Square, MetaPlanet, and Semler Scientific have emulated Saylor's approach, using debt and equity to amass Bitcoin reserves. This trend has solidified his role as a catalyst for institutional Bitcoin adoption, with MicroStrategy's stock surging 3,313% since its first Bitcoin purchase in August 2020.

Personally holding 17,732 BTC, purchased for $175 million, Saylor views Bitcoin as "the apex property of the human race" and has pledged never to sell. His provocative X posts, such as "sell a kidney but keep the Bitcoin," energize Bitcoin maximalists and his 4 million followers. At Bitcoin 2021, alongside Jack Dorsey, he championed Bitcoin's potential as a decentralized store of value. His "21 Rules of Bitcoin," shared on X in February 2025, articulate a philosophy of resilience and long-term thinking, resonating deeply with the crypto community.

MicroStrategy's "intelligent leverage" strategy – raising funds through convertible notes and equity to buy Bitcoin – has drawn both admiration and scrutiny. Investors, fueling a $106 billion market cap, applaud Saylor's foresight, while skeptics like Jim Chanos warn of risks tied to Bitcoin's volatility and corporate debt. Yet, with Bitcoin's value soaring since MicroStrategy's initial $250 million purchase of 21,454 BTC, Saylor's approach has proven lucrative. His ability to navigate market fluctuations underscores his strategic acumen.

Beyond finance, Saylor's Saylor Academy provides free education to millions, reflecting his commitment to global impact. His bestseller, The Mobile Wave, foresaw the rise of mobile technology, cementing his reputation as a visionary. Through conferences, podcasts, and X, Saylor continues to inspire corporate leaders, investors, and crypto enthusiasts, positioning Bitcoin as a cornerstone of financial sovereignty.

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Jain's intervention comes as online discussions have intensified about whether Strategy's business model creates excessive dependence on Bitcoin's price performance. Critics have suggested that a significant cryptocurrency crash could trigger severe financial distress for the company, potentially affecting its stock valuation and operational capacity.

The Bitcoin strategy manager directly confronted these concerns through social media channels, TradingView reported. He emphasized that Strategy's current financial structure provides substantial protection against market volatility, even in extreme scenarios where Bitcoin's value experiences dramatic declines.

In his social media statement, Jain provided specific reassurances about the company's financial resilience, TradingView noted. He declared that even if Bitcoin were to crash to $20,000 – representing a 98% decline from peak values – Strategy "would still have sufficient collateral to cover all liabilities."

The executive's confidence stems from Strategy's massive Bitcoin treasury holdings, which currently total 601,550 Bitcoin valued at $71,140,265,480. This substantial cryptocurrency position, according to Jain's analysis, provides more than adequate coverage for the company's debt obligations and financial commitments.

Strategy's recent Bitcoin acquisition activity has significantly expanded its holdings, TradingView reported. Earlier this week, the company completed another major purchase, acquiring 4,225 Bitcoin for approximately $472.5 million through strategic debt issuance including MSTR and convertible Bitcoin-backed securities STRK, STRF and STRD.

The Bitcoin strategy manager characterized Strategy as a resilient financial fortress rather than a fragile structure vulnerable to market fluctuations. His assessment directly challenges critics who have described the company as unstable or overly dependent on Bitcoin's price movements, positioning it instead as a defensive investment vehicle.

Jain also highlighted Strategy's extraordinary fundraising capabilities over the past year, TradingView noted. The company has successfully raised $35 billion specifically for Bitcoin accumulation purposes, demonstrating significant investor confidence in its treasury strategy and long-term vision.

The executive observed a broader transformation occurring within the financial sector, suggesting that traditional finance professionals are increasingly embracing Bitcoin investment strategies. "Finance bros are becoming Bitcoiners," Jain stated, indicating a fundamental shift in institutional attitudes toward cryptocurrency investments.

Strategy's financial performance has generated substantial returns for shareholders, according to recent company disclosures reported by TradingView. Michael Saylor, the company's cofounder and former CEO, highlighted the treasury operations' impressive results through his social media communications.

Saylor's analysis revealed that Strategy's Bitcoin treasury activities produced gains of 2,485 Bitcoin for shareholders during the past week alone. This cryptocurrency accumulation translates to approximately $291 million in value creation for the company's investor base.

The company's year-to-date Bitcoin gains have reached extraordinary levels, TradingView reported. Strategy has accumulated 90,337 Bitcoin worth $10,569,745,179.50 through its treasury operations, demonstrating the significant financial impact of its cryptocurrency investment strategy on shareholder value.

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Defense Minister Benny Gantz has signed a seizure order for tens of thousands of shekels in cryptocurrency from 12 digital accounts in violation of terror financing laws, the Defense Ministry announced on Monday.

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According to the ministry, this is the third seizure of cryptocurrency so far this year.

Some 30 of the digital wallets seized belonged to businesses that assisted the Al Mutahadun currency-exchange company, owned by the Shamlach family from the Gaza Strip. Al Mutahadun is one of two companies designated in 2021 as terrorist organizations on the recommendation of the National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing (NBCTF) for their role in funneling funds to Hamas.

The Shamlach family's companies facilitate the transfer of tens of millions of dollars a year from Iran to Hamas, the Defense Ministry said, adding that some of the seized cryptocurrency belongs to the Shamlach family.

The seizure was a joint operation of the NBCTF, the national cyber unit of the Israel Police's Lahav 433 and the IDF Intelligence Directorate, the ministry said.

"We continue to expand the tools to cope with terror and the companies that support it," said Gantz.

"We are taking all the possible measures to cut off the economic 'oxygen supply' to terror organizations," he added.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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Crime involving cryptocurrencies hit an all-time high of $14 billion last year, blockchain researcher Chainalysis said on Thursday, a record that comes as regulators call for more powers over the fast-growing sector.

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Crypto received by digital wallet addresses linked to illicit activity including scams, darknet markets and ransomware jumped 80% from a year earlier, Chainalysis said in a report. The activity represented just 0.15% of total crypto transaction volumes, its lowest ever.

Overall volumes soared to $15.8 trillion in 2021, up over five-fold from a year earlier, US-based Chainalysis said. Digital assets, from bitcoin to non-fungible tokens, exploded in popularity in 2021 amid an embrace from institutional investors and major companies.

Newcomers have been drawn to the promise of quick gains touted by crypto backers, as well as hopes that bitcoin offers a hedge against soaring inflation. Yet cryptocurrencies are still subject to patchy regulation, leaving investors with little recourse against crime.

Financial watchdogs and policymakers from Washington to Frankfurt have fretted over the use of crypto for money laundering, with some urging lawmakers to grant them greater powers over the industry.

"Criminal abuse of cryptocurrency creates huge impediments for continued adoption, heightens the likelihood of restrictions being imposed by governments, and worst of all victimizes innocent people around the world," Chainalysis said.

Driving the increase in crime was an explosion of scams and theft at decentralized finance – DeFi – platforms, it said.

DeFi sites – which offer lending, insurance and other financial services while bypassing traditional gatekeepers such as banks – have been plagued by problems that include flaws in underlying code and opaque governance.

Overall cryptocurrency theft grew over five-fold from 2020, with around $3.2 billion worth of coins stolen last year. Around $2.2 billion of those funds, some 72% of the total, were stolen from DeFi sites.

Scams at DeFi platforms – such as "rug pulls," where developers set up phony investment opportunities before disappearing with investors' cash – hit $7.8 billion, an 82% jump from 2021, Chainalysis said.

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Defense Minister Benny Gantz has signed an order for the seizure of 2.6 million shekels ($836,168) in cryptocurrency from a currency exchange firm with ties to the Hamas terrorist group in the Gaza Strip, Israel Hayom has learned.

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According to defense officials, the seizure was one of the largest in recent years and dealt a significant blow to the currency exchange.

The move follows a similar order issued by Gantz for the seizure of crypto wallets belonging to the Gazan family that runs the currency exchange just months ago. According to the Defense Ministry, the exchange ramped up its activity in May 2019, after the Israel Defense Forces assassinated Hamed Ahmed Khudari, a Gazan terrorist responsible for transferring Iranian funds to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza.

The terror-financing network was exposed in a joint operation involving IDF Intelligence, the National Headquarters on Terrorist Economic Counter-Terrorism at the Defense Ministry, the cybercrimes department of the Israel Police's Lahav 443 Major Crimes Unit, and the State Attorney's Office's Cyber Unit.

Hamas operates a network of currency exchanges that engage in the import of good as well as funds to the coastal enclave to finance its military operations. The currency exchange targeted with the order is known to transfer millions of dollars to the terrorist group each year and as such has been designated a terrorist organization by the State of Israel.

After signing the order, Gantz said, "We will continue to pursue terrorist funds. The blow to Hamas and the terrorist organization's ability to circumvent the traditional paths for transferring funds, through digital currency, is an important tool in the developing security system. I congratulate all those involved, led by the National Headquarters on Terrorist Economic Counter-Terrorism, on the important work and the creative action."

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This year, tech CEOs drew inspiration from a 1990s sci-fi novel, Reddit investors' lexicon seeped into the mainstream as "diamond hands" and "apes" shook Wall Street, and something called a DAO tried to buy a rare copy of the US Constitution.

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If you're still drawing a blank as 2021 wraps up, here's a short glossary:

Metaverse

The metaverse broadly refers to shared, immersive digital environments which people can move between and may access via virtual reality or augmented reality headsets or computer screens.

Some tech CEOs are betting it will be the successor to the mobile internet. The term was coined in the dystopian novel "Snow Crash" three decades ago. This year CEOs of tech companies from Microsoft to Match Group have discussed their roles in building the metaverse. In October, Facebook renamed itself Meta to reflect its new metaverse focus.

Web3

Web3 is used to describe a potential next phase of the internet: a decentralized internet run on the record-keeping technology blockchain.

This model, where users would have ownership stakes in platforms and applications, would differ from today's internet, known as Web2, where a few major tech giants like Facebook and Alphabet's Google control the platforms.

Social audio

Tech companies waxed lyrical this year about tools for live audio conversations, rushing to release features after the buzzy, once invite-only app Clubhouse saw an initial surge amid COVID-19 lockdowns.

NFT

Non-fungible tokens, which exploded in popularity this year, are a type of digital asset that exists on a blockchain, a record of transactions kept on networked computers.

In March, a work by American artist Beeple sold for nearly $70 million at Christie's, the first ever sale by a major auction house of art that does not exist in physical form.

Decentralization

Decentralizing, or the transfer of power and operations from central authorities like companies or governments to the hands of users, emerged as a key theme in the tech industry.

Such shifts could affect everything from how industries and markets are organized to functions like content moderation of platforms. Twitter, for example, is investing in a project to build a decentralized common standard for social networks, dubbed Bluesky.

DAO

A decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) is generally an internet community owned by its members and run on blockchain technology. DAOs use smart contracts, pieces of code that establish the group's rules and automatically execute decisions.

In recent months, crowd-funded crypto-group ConstitutionDAO tried and failed to buy a rare copy of the US Constitution in an auction held by Sotheby's.

Stonks

This deliberate misspelling of "stocks," which originated with an internet meme, made headlines as online traders congregating in forums like Reddit's WallStreetBets drove up stocks including GameStop and AMC. The lingo of these traders, calling themselves "apes" or praising the "diamond hands" who held positions during big market swings, became mainstream.

Gamefi

GameFi is a broad term referring to the trend of gamers earning cryptocurrency through playing video games, where players can make money through mechanisms like getting financial tokens for winning battles in the popular game Axie Infinity.

Altcoin

The term covers all cryptocurrencies aside from Bitcoin, ranging from ethereum, which aims to be the backbone of a future financial system, to Dogecoin, a digital currency originally created as a joke and popularized by Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

FSD Beta

Tesla released a test version of its upgraded Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, a system of driving-assistance features - like automatically changing lanes and make turns – to the wider public this year.

The name of the much-scrutinized software has itself been contentious, with regulators and users saying it misrepresents its capabilities as it still requires driver attention.

Fabs

"Fabs," short for a semiconductor fabrication plant, entered the mainstream lexicon this year as a shortage of chips from fabs were blamed for the global shortage of everything from cars to gadgets.

Net zero

A term, popularized this year thanks to the COP26 UN climate talks in Glasgow, for saying a country, company, or product does not contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions. That's usually accomplished by cutting emissions, such as use of fossil fuels, and balancing any remaining emissions with efforts to soak up carbon, like planting trees. Critics say any emissions are unacceptable.

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China stepped up its crackdown on cryptocurrency on Friday with a blanket ban on all crypto transactions and mining, hitting bitcoin and other major coins and pressuring crypto and blockchain-related stocks.

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The People's Bank of China said that in recent years virtual currency trading had become "widespread, disrupting economic and financial order, giving rise to money laundering, illegal fundraising, fraud, pyramid schemes, and other illegal and criminal activities."

It added that offenders would be "investigated for criminal liability in accordance with the law."

This article was first published by i24NEWS.

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The Israel Defense Forces will begin seizing cryptocurrency accounts used by Hamas to raise money, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Thursday.

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Gantz ordered security forces to seize the accounts after a joint operation "uncovered a web of electronic wallets" used by the terrorist organization to raise funds using bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, the ministry said.

It said Hamas has been waging an online campaign to raise donations, efforts that accelerated after the 11-day Gaza war in May. Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin are favored for illicit transactions because they are perceived as hard to trace.

"The intelligence, technological and legal tools that enable us to seize the terrorists' funds around the world constitute an operational breakthrough," Gantz was quoted as saying.

Last year, the US Justice Department said it had seized millions of dollars from cryptocurrency accounts that terrorist groups, including al-Qaida and the Islamic State, relied on to finance their organizations and violent plots.

The department said it had confiscated about $2 million, in addition to more than 300 cryptocurrency accounts, four websites and four Facebook pages related to the schemes.

One prong of the US investigation targeted Hamas. Law enforcement officials seized more than 150 cryptocurrency accounts that they say laundered funds to and from accounts operated by the group.

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The Hamas terrorist group has enjoyed a spike in cryptocurrency donations since last month's 11-day conflagration of violence that saw it fire over 4,300 rockets at Israel, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal on Thursday.

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The Izzedin al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Gaza-based Islamist group, blacklisted as a terrorist entity by the United States, the European Union and others, launched several platforms that accept bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies, allowing its backers to bypass international sanctions.

"Our fundraising strategies keep on evolving as more restrictions are being placed on us," a Hamas official speaking on condition of anonymity told the Wall Street Journal.

According to the Wall Street Journal, between May 10 and 20, as Hamas and Israeli forces clashed, the al-Qassam Brigade's flagship website, alqassam.ps, saw a considerable increase in traffic and engagement, which is the length of time visitors remain on the site, according to an analysis by the Counter Extremism Project, a New York-based non-profit group that describes Hamas as a violent Islamist extremist group.

The site's popularity on traffic-tracking firm Alexa leaped into the top 100,000 sites online from its previous ranking of 831,992 during that period, the report said. One in five of the visitors to alqassam.ps hails from Saudi Arabia, according to Alexa. Traffic and engagement to another major Palestinian terrorist site, saraya.ps, also rose during the conflict, the Wall Street Journal reported.  According to Alexa, its ranking leaped to 255,885 after the conflict from 993,000 just before. The largest group of visitors, 28%, are based in Yemen, the traffic-tracker says.

On Telegram – a Dubai-based encrypted messaging platform that also functions as a conduit for financial transactions – the al-Qassam channel has gained 261,000 followers, six times more than that of Hamas' political wing.

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Throughout 2020, US authorities seized over $1 million in cryptocurrency linked to the Izzedin al-Qassam Brigades, while in 2019 the US Treasury said that since 2015 the al-Qassam Brigades had received more than $200 million from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

While some hail the transformative and democratizing potential of cryptocurrency, its opacity and lack of centralized control have seen it adopted by criminals, drug traffickers, terrorists and child pornographers.

i24NEWS contributed to this report.

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