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Ethereum Price Prediction for Jan 9: Can ETH Break the $3,297 Fib Resistance Level?

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Ethereum needs to break the $3,297 Fibonacci resistance level, with mixed short-term performance and institutional interest fueling market optimism.

As of January 9, Ethereum (ETH) trades for $3,095.10, reflecting a 1.2% decline over the past 24 hours amid ongoing market volatility. The crypto asset experienced a tight trading range between $3,058 and $3,133, with intraday dips followed by partial recoveries. This minor pullback aligns with a 0.8% drop against Bitcoin (measured at 0.03428 BTC), while 24-hour trading volume remains at over $22.4 billion.

Recent performance shows mixed results as gains of 2.4% over 7 days and 4.1% over 14 days contrast with a 6.9% annual decline. With the price testing key levels and showing positive momentum over the past week, traders are left wondering: Can Ethereum break through its resistance and sustain its bullish trend?

Can Ethereum Sustain a Bullish Trend?

Looking at the daily technical chart from TradingView, the price has recently tested the Fibonacci resistance level at $3,297. This immediate resistance has proven significant, as Ethereum has been unable to break past this level. 

Ethereum Prediction
Ethereum Prediction

A sustained failure to break through this resistance could lead to a pullback toward the next support zone, which rests at the $3,071 level. Should the price break below this support level, it may test the next major support near $2,958.

Meanwhile, the Awesome Oscillator indicator further supports the technical analysis, as the current reading of 123.53 suggests a continuation of bullish momentum. However, the weakening of the green bars and the visible red bar could indicate an impending slowdown if Ethereum fails to push above the Fibonacci resistance level at $3,297. 

Big Money Still Interested in Ethereum

Elsewhere, according to market watcher Ted, big money is still interested in Ethereum, as a recent transaction highlights how much market confidence remains. For instance, Metalpha withdrew a total of $18.64 million in ETH from Kraken earlier today, transferring 6,000 ETH in two separate transactions, valued at approximately $9.31 million each.

Ethereum Transfers
Ethereum Transfers

This move underscores the ongoing interest in Ethereum, especially from institutional players. This suggests that large investors are positioning themselves ahead of future price movements.

Trump Says He Will Not Pardon FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried

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U.S. President Donald Trump has drawn a clear line between supporting the cryptocurrency industry and excusing criminal misconduct within it.

Speaking Thursday in an interview with The New York Times, Trump said he would not consider a pardon for Sam Bankman-Fried, the former chief executive of the now-defunct crypto exchange FTX.

His remarks came amid questions about several high-profile clemency requests and underscored his view that backing technological innovation does not extend to forgiving large-scale fraud.

Fraud Conviction Sets Bankman-Fried Apart

Bankman-Fried’s case stands out because of the scope and severity of the crimes involved. Specifically, in November 2023, a federal jury convicted him on multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy after prosecutors showed he had misused billions of dollars in customer funds. Subsequently, he was sentenced in March 2024 to 25 years in prison.

Although Bankman-Fried has appealed both his conviction and sentence, the appeals have produced no meaningful shift in the administration’s position.

Behind-the-Scenes Efforts Fall Short

Following the sentencing, Bankman-Fried’s family reportedly explored the possibility of executive clemency. As reported by The Crypto Basic, his parents began seeking legal advice and outreach options in January, roughly nine months after the sentence was handed down.

Those efforts allegedly included contacts with lawyers and individuals believed to be influential within Trump’s political orbit. However, Trump’s comments indicate that such overtures have failed to gain momentum.

Stark Contrast With Other Crypto Pardons

Trump’s refusal is particularly notable given his broader record of granting clemency in cryptocurrency-related cases. For context, in January 2025, he pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road marketplace, who had been imprisoned since 2015.

Later, in March 2025, Trump extended clemency to other industry leaders, including the BitMEX co-founders and Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.

The administration has defended those decisions as appropriate uses of presidential authority. In November, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed Zhao’s pardon directly.

She said Trump acted well within his constitutional authority. She further argued that Zhao’s prosecution exemplified what she characterized as the Biden administration’s hostility toward the digital asset sector.

Business Interests Add to Scrutiny

During the same interview, Trump also responded to criticism over his family’s expanding business interests, including ventures tied to digital assets. 

He said he sees no issue with those activities while in office. He also argued that earlier attempts to limit his family’s involvement produced no political benefit.

Trump framed his support for cryptocurrency as both politically and strategically motivated. He said public support for the industry translated into electoral gains.

At the same time, he described cryptocurrency as part of a broader competition with China for global leadership. Moreover, he dismissed concerns that easing regulations could create conflicts of interest, framing crypto as a matter of national strategy rather than personal gain.

Expert Says Good Move Incoming for Cardano, Targeting a 79% Rise to $0.7

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Despite recent correctional price action, analysts still expect a massive bullish push for Cardano to revisit multi-month levels.

Notably, Cardano (ADA) has joined a broader market retracement, deviating from its early-year price action.

Like most major cryptocurrencies, ADA started the year strongly, rallying from its opening price of $0.33 to $0.43 on January 6. Nonetheless, things went sideways from there, with the price dropping 9% to $0.39. Despite this, the token is up 11% in the past seven days.

Good Move on the Horizon

Meanwhile, Crypto Banter’s analyst Sheldon Diedericks, popularly known as “Sheldon the Sniper,” sees a reversal in the price action seen over the past few days, targeting higher levels. In a recent analysis, he stated that a good move is in the works for Cardano.

This bullish bias hinges on a breakout from a descending trendline in the 4-hour chart. Notably, this resistance level has suppressed the asset since a lower high move to $0.73 on October 13, 2025.

Cardano has attempted to break above this trendline but has failed to do so. For context, on October 27, 2025, it reached a high of $0.69, but selling pressure in the region curtailed the bullish momentum. Its recent effort to defy this resistance was a push to $0.43 a few days back, which has sparked its ongoing correction.

Nonetheless, Sheldon sees ADA finally defying this multi-month trendline to greater heights. According to him, a “good move” is incoming for the tenth-largest cryptocurrency by market cap.

Buy Area and Possible Cardano Target

Despite this optimism, he did not rule out the chance of a further correction for Cardano. He expects a pullback and plans to buy between $0.37 and $0.39. Currently, ADA is at $0.39 and would need to retrace another 5% to reach $0.37.

Interestingly, he sees these areas as an early buy for Cardano, as he remains optimistic that altcoins will recover to higher prices. Meanwhile, if this breakout occurs, he sees the token surging to multi-month highs of $0.60 to $0.70. From the current market standing, this represents a 53% to 79% increase.

Cardano Breakout Target
Cardano Breakout Target | Crypto Banter

Resilient Cardano Could Go Higher

Meanwhile, data shows that, despite the recent drop, Cardano is up 18.28% year-to-date, second only to Dogecoin (19.8%) in the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap. This resilience amid uncertainties is fueling sentiment that ADA could reach greater heights.

Meanwhile, one of those who still believes that the coin could soar from here is Quantum Ascend, who insists that it is only a matter of time before Cardano reaches new ATHs. Specifically, he predicted a conservative target of $5 and $10.4 in a bullish scenario.

Here Are XRP Price Predictions for December 2026

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As the new year begins, many analysts have predicted how high the XRP price could reach by December 2026. 

Last year initially appeared promising for XRP, as the token broke key historical levels. It surged above $3.30 just days before Donald Trump’s inauguration, sparking optimism that XRP could set a new all-time high by the end of 2025.

XRP came close to establishing a new record in 2025 when it reached $3.66 in July. Some analysts consider this price an all-time high, while others disagree, noting that it remained below the widely cited peak of $3.84. Nonetheless, XRP’s price ended 2025 with a sharp 50% decline, ultimately closing the year at $1.84.

Investors Focus on XRP Performance by December 2026 

Now, investors have shifted their focus to 2026. Bulls remain confident that the token could finish the year on a strong note, especially after XRP jumped more than 20% within the first few days of 2026. 

Moreover, they cite several catalysts, including the possible passage of the CLARITY Act, growing demand for spot XRP ETFs, and expanding DeFi initiatives around the token, as drivers of further upside. 

On the flip side, bears contend that XRP could once again come under heavy selling pressure due to unfavorable macroeconomic conditions similar to those that weighed on the market last year. 

XRP Price Projections for December 2026

Based on these mixed expectations, The Crypto Basic consulted multiple sources, including Changelly and Telegaon, as well as AI chatbots ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, to estimate where XRP could trade by the end of 2026. 

Changelly Forecast 

According to Changelly, XRP is poised for steady growth throughout the year, with its price gradually climbing from around $2 to above $3. By December 2026, analysts project a minimum price of $3.18, an average of $3.26, and a maximum of $3.49.

From the current price of $2.13, XRP would need to rally by 49.29%, 53.05%, and 63.84% to reach $3.18, $3.26, and $3.49, respectively.

Changelly December 2026 Price Prediction for XRP
Changelly December 2026 Price Prediction for XRP

Telegaon 

Meanwhile, prediction platform Telegaon has also released its 2026 outlook for XRP. Although it did not provide a month-by-month breakdown, Telegaon forecasted that XRP could trade around $2.14 before ultimately climbing to as high as $5.18 by year’s end. This projection implies a potential gain of 0.47% to 143% from current levels.

Telegaon December 2026 Price Predictions for XRP
Telegaon December 2026 Price Predictions for XRP

ChatGPT and Gemini’s 2026 Price Estimates for XRP

In addition, AI chatbots ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini offered their own perspectives on where XRP might stand by December 2026. 

ChatGPT Projection 

ChatGPT outlined its outlook across four scenarios: conservative, moderate growth, bullish breakout, and extremely bullish.

Under the conservative scenario, ChatGPT expects XRP to trade between $2 and $3.5 by December 2026, calling this the most likely outcome. It then set a moderate target of $3 to $5, noting that this scenario could unfold if ETF inflows expand at a measured pace.

Furthermore, ChatGPT suggested that a bullish breakout could drive XRP to $5-$8 by December 2026, provided demand for XRP ETFs accelerates significantly. Under an extremely bullish scenario, the chatbot highlighted a year-end target of $8 or higher. 

While it acknowledged that such a move would be challenging, it emphasized that XRP could reach these levels under highly optimistic conditions, such as runaway institutional demand or unexpected growth in real-world utility adoption.

ChatGPT December 2026 Prediction for XRP
ChatGPT December 2026 Prediction for XRP

Gemini Forecast 

Google’s chatbot Gemini also shared its December 2026 price outlook for XRP, outlining conservative, average, and bullish scenarios. 

Drawing on forecasts from multiple analysts, including those at Standard Chartered, Gemini estimates that XRP could trade between $1.80 and $3.50 under its conservative case. It also warned that the price could briefly dip to around $1.50, citing possible regulatory challenges across the crypto market and intense competition facing XRP.

Under its average scenario, Gemini places XRP’s December 2026 target within the $2.81 to $4.50 range. Meanwhile, in a bullish case, the chatbot projects that XRP could reach $8 by year-end and climb to $10-$20 if strong ETF inflows materialize and institutional adoption accelerates significantly. 

Gemini 2026 prediction for 2026
Gemini 2026 prediction for 2026

Shiba Inu Forecast for Jan 9: Where Next After SHIB Tests Weekly Bollinger Band Resistance?

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Shiba Inu tests the weekly Bollinger Band resistance, with positive short-term momentum, but faces key resistance ahead.

The Shiba Inu (SHIB) price chart for January 9 shows a modest 0.4% increase in the last 24 hours, with the price fluctuating between $0.000008509 and $0.000008827. Over the past week, SHIB has experienced a more notable 17.2% increase, signaling a short-term rebound and positive momentum.

In contrast, its performance over the last 14 days shows an even stronger 22.0% rise, reflecting an optimistic shift in the market sentiment towards Shiba Inu. This recent performance suggests that the token is recovering from its prolonged downtrend, although it still faces resistance at key levels.

The current price action, with a slight upward movement in the short term, signals that the token might be preparing to break further resistance. Can SHIB test further resistance?

Where’s Shiba Inu Headed?

The latest weekly Shiba Inu price chart shows that the crypto is currently testing the middle Bollinger Band, which is a key support level. The middle band acts as the 20-period simple moving average, and its positioning around $0.00001006 has become a significant focal point for traders.

Shiba Inu Forecast
Shiba Inu Forecast

If the price manages to push above this level, it suggests potential continuation within the existing range. However, if the price closes below the middle band, it could indicate that SHIB will move towards the lower Bollinger Band, which serves as a strong support zone near $0.000006194.

In terms of resistance, the upper Bollinger Band at $0.00001392 represents the current resistance level. This area has held up in the past, capping the price during bullish moves.

Additionally, the MACD indicator shows a slight bearish divergence, as the signal line remains above the MACD line, suggesting potential downward pressure if the price fails to break above the immediate resistance level.

With the price testing the middle band, traders will closely monitor for a break above the middle or a bounce off this level to confirm whether SHIB will continue upwards. The MACD line must also cross above the signal line for a bullish confirmation.

Shiba Inu Futures Flow

Meanwhile, the SHIB futures flow data provides insight into the recent market behavior and investor sentiment. Within the 30-minute timeframe, the inflow turned negative, resulting in a $ 22.92K outflow, which represents a 134.80% decrease.

Shiba Inu Liquidation
Shiba Inu Liquidation

On a larger scale, the 1-hour, 4-hour, and 8-hour periods show consistent positive inflows, particularly the 8-hour timeframe, which recorded $453.84K in net inflows (+450.48%). This indicates growing interest in SHIB futures, suggesting confidence in the token’s price action over the medium term.

Despite this, the 24-hour period saw negative net inflows, with the $226.85K outflow indicating a possible cooling off. However, this period showed a modest +91.72% change in net inflow.

Cathie Wood: Bitcoin Helped Trump Win and Will Shape Upcoming Midterms

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Cryptocurrency is re-emerging as a strategic issue in U.S. politics, with growing implications for federal policy as the next election cycle approaches.

ARK Invest founder Cathie Wood believes digital assets could play an increasingly prominent role in President Donald Trump’s agenda. She sees this happening particularly as political pressure builds ahead of the midterm elections.

Speaking on a recent episode of the Bitcoin Brainstorm podcast, Wood argued that the timing of the elections may incentivize the administration to strengthen its commitment to crypto policy—most notably through a federal Bitcoin Reserve.

From Passive Storage to Active Accumulation

The Bitcoin Reserve was created via executive order early in Trump’s second term. According to Wood, the reserve currently consists solely of Bitcoin obtained through government seizures and forfeitures. These holdings are being retained rather than sold, consistent with Trump’s earlier pledge not to liquidate government-held Bitcoin.

However, Wood noted that the original vision for the reserve was significantly more expansive, with a target of accumulating one million Bitcoins. That ambition, she suggested, leaves open the possibility of future government purchases.

Political Calculations Behind Crypto Support

Beyond policy mechanics, Wood framed crypto as a political tool. She said Trump is seeking to avoid becoming politically sidelined as midterm elections approach, which could reduce his influence in Congress.

Within that context, digital assets represent a forward-looking policy area tied to innovation, economic growth, and technological leadership.

Additionally, Wood pointed to the president’s family connections to the crypto industry. She added that crypto-focused voters were a meaningful constituency in his electoral success.

Industry Influence Extends Into Washington

Those political dynamics reflect broader shifts seen during the most recent election cycle. For instance, crypto advocacy groups emerged as an increasingly coordinated force, channeling funding through political action committees such as Stand With Crypto.

At the same time, several prominent industry figures publicly supported Trump and contributed to his campaign, including Wood herself. Since then, the administration has hosted crypto-related events at the White House, demonstrating its engagement with the sector.

Executive Orders Set Policy Direction

That engagement has been formalized through executive action. Trump signed two executive orders concerning digital assets. Specifically, the first established crypto stockpiles, including the Bitcoin Reserve, while the second created a specialized working group to develop digital asset policy.

The group is chaired by David Sacks, the president’s Special Advisor for AI and Crypto. Moreover, it has supported legislative initiatives such as the GENIUS Act, which aims to establish clearer regulatory standards for stablecoins.

In July, the working group released a comprehensive policy report recommending, among other measures, that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission be granted authority over spot markets for non-security digital assets.

The report also outlined how the reserve would operate, noting that the U.S. Treasury Department would manage both the Bitcoin reserve and a larger collection of digital assets, with funding sourced solely from forfeited cryptocurrencies.

Taken together, the executive orders and policy guidance frame Bitcoin as a long-term strategic asset. In this capacity, it is akin in concept to national gold reserves.

The orders further directed the Treasury and Commerce Departments to explore budget-neutral methods for acquiring additional Bitcoin. However, no purchases have occurred to date.

Tax Policy and State-Level Momentum

Looking ahead, Wood said the administration is expected to pursue a de minimis tax exemption for cryptocurrency transactions. Under this proposal, capital gains taxes on small digital asset payments would be eliminated.

Meanwhile, momentum is also building at the state level. Florida and Texas are among the states exploring legislation to establish their own crypto stockpiles, thus signaling growing institutional interest in digital assets beyond Washington.

History Could Repeat for XRP as November 2024 and July 2025 Bullish Pattern Reappears

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XRP could be poised for an impulsive move to new all-time highs as a similar bullish crossover that sparked the November 2024 and July 2025 rally remerges.

Notably, this reemergence could alter the current bearish trajectory of XRP. The asset has struggled to sustainably trend higher, as a 12% drop to $2.11 has followed its 30% rally in the first few days of 2026 to $2.41.

Aligning Bullish Pattern for XRP

However, Cryptadian highlighted in a January 8 TradingView analysis that history could repeat for XRP. He shared that the same bullish development that contributed to the November 2024 and July 2025 surge is forming.

For context, he identified that three crucial oscillators are simultaneously crossing over on the weekly chart. This is not just a mere cross; they’re aligning with the market conditions seen when XRP rallied nearly 400% and 64.5% in a few weeks.

A shared chart shows an RSI crossing. While an RSI typically does not cross, this often occurs when the weekly RSI is applied to a moving average. It also happens when the standard RSI (14-period RSI) is compared to another RSI with a different length.

Three Oscillators Cross Simultaneously on XRP Weekly Chart
Three Oscillators Cross Simultaneously on XRP Weekly Chart

MACD and Stochastic RSI Crossover

Meanwhile, his chart also identified a bullish Stochastic RSI crossover. Notably, this involves a crossover between a faster line (%K) and a slower line (%D), which is the moving average of the %K.

On the weekly chart, the %K, currently at 30.73, crossed over %D at 13.9, signaling a bullish momentum swing.

Additionally, an MACD crossing is also imminent. The red bars are receding, showing bearish momentum exhaustion. The MACD and signal lines are also converging, hinting at an imminent crossover.

Recent History Says a Move Up

The analyst highlighted that when these three oscillators simultaneously cross over on the weekly timeframe, recent history says an uptrend is next. Interestingly, these same crossovers on all three indicators preceded the November 2024 rally from around $0.50 to $2.35.

A similar scenario played out in July 2025, with XRP moving from an opening price of $2.2 to a yearly high of $3.67. Notably, this scenario could recur, potentially taking the asset to unprecedented prices.

Meanwhile, the analyst predicted that a repeat could see XRP break out of a descending channel and reach new all-time highs. XRP has been trending within this wedge since its July 2025 peak. Most recently, it revisited the channel’s top earlier in the week but faced severe selling pressure, sparking the recent reversal.

Remarkably, XRP also trades within a broader ascending channel and dumped to its lower support trendline with its late 2025 correction. If history repeats, XRP could rally to the top of the channel, aligning with a new ATH of $4.7.

XRP Mentioned Twice in Amazon AWS Ripple Showcase

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The XRP community has unearthed a Ripple spotlight on Amazon Web Services (AWS), showcasing the company on its official AWS Partner Success page.

Community figure NotFinancialAdvice noted that XRP was mentioned twice in the material, sparking fresh discussion around Ripple’s infrastructure and enterprise use cases.

On the AWS Partner profile, Ripple is presented as a key player in global payments through RippleNet. This decentralized network connects banks, payment providers, digital asset exchanges, and corporates. The focus is on enabling real-time messaging, clearing, and settlement for cross-border transactions.

XRP’s Role in On-Demand Liquidity

The AWS profile highlighted Ripple’s phased-out product suite, including xCurrent and xRapid. While xCurrent focused on real-time payments and bank integration, xRapid stood out for XRP holders.

According to the description, xRapid uses XRP as a digital asset to provide on-demand liquidity. This approach reduces the need for pre-funded accounts in cross-border payments, especially in emerging markets.

By using XRP, payment providers can lower liquidity costs while enabling faster settlements, reinforcing XRP’s utility beyond price speculation.

Notably, Ripple has since adapted xCurrent, xRapid, and other phased-out products into a single platform now called Ripple Payments.

Validator Pushes Back on Partnership Hype

Meanwhile, not everyone in the XRP community views the AWS showcase as a major development. XRPL validator Vet explained that the relationship is neither new nor unique.

He noted that Ripple has been using AWS for its infrastructure for a long time, similar to many other tech companies. From this perspective, the AWS page is more of a formal showcase than a new partnership announcement.

Vet also added that some community members would prefer Ripple not rely on AWS. However, he acknowledged that the setup could allow Ripple to integrate AI functionality into its products.

AI, AWS Bedrock, and the XRPL Narrative

The renewed discussion comes shortly after a presentation surfaced showing AWS and Ripple engineers discussing the use of Amazon Bedrock and AI tools to improve XRPL operations.

The session focused on how Ripple uses AI to analyze massive volumes of XRPL logs, improve network monitoring, and reduce reliance on deep C++ expertise when diagnosing issues across a decentralized network.

The presentation highlighted how Ripple is modernizing its infrastructure, using AWS services to make the XRPL more resilient, secure, and easier to maintain at scale.

Why the XRP Mentions Matter to the Community

For many XRP supporters, seeing XRP explicitly referenced on Amazon’s AWS Partner page reinforces the asset’s role in real-world payment infrastructure. It also confirms that Ripple continues to invest in enterprise-grade systems, AI tooling, and cloud infrastructure to support the XRPL.

While the AWS showcase may not signal a new partnership, it has reopened conversations around XRP’s utility, Ripple’s long-term strategy, and how large technology platforms fit into the future of blockchain-based payments.

Solana Analysis for Jan 9: Is SOL Waking Up Amid Potential External Market Influence?

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Solana shows an increase in price amid anticipated external market influences, with key technical indicators signaling potential trend formation.

The Solana (SOL) price chart illustrates a healthy price movement, showing a 2.5% increase over the last 24 hours, as it rises to $139.66. The 24-hour price range has fluctuated between $133.38 and $140.70, with a notable climb towards the higher end. 

Amid this surge, several factors can influence the market and Solana’s price dynamics. For instance, macroeconomic indicators like the U.S. unemployment data, which will be released today at 8:30 AM ET, could impact market liquidity and risk appetite, influencing altcoin price movements like Solana.

Further, geopolitical events, such as the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on President Trump’s tariffs today at 10:00 AM ET, may further create volatility in broader markets, including cryptos. 

As these external factors unfold, market participants will be keeping a close eye on how Solana responds to the shifting tides.

Solana Price Analysis

A TradingView chart for Solana shows a weekly timeframe, revealing key technical indicators such as the Williams Alligator indicator and RSI. Based on the Alligator indicator, the Solana chart shows a phase where the Alligator is waking up. The three lines, Jaw, Teeth, and Lips, have started to spread apart, signaling the formation of a potential trend. 

Solana Analysis
Solana Analysis

However, unless the Lips cross above the Teeth and the Jaw and maintain a parallel formation, the bullish trend won’t be fully confirmed. If the Lips cross above and stay above the Teeth and Jaw, it will signal that the market has entered a strong uptrend, and the Alligator is actively “eating.”

Meanwhile, the RSI, currently at 42.83, is just below the neutral 50 level, showing that the market is moving further from the oversold region. This could suggest that there is still room for further upward movement if momentum picks up, but traders should be cautious of potential price corrections if the RSI starts to dip again.

Potential Inverse Head and Shoulder?

Elsewhere, analyst Batman on X provides a detailed analysis of Solana’s current price action, including specific levels to watch. He notes that Solana has faced rejection along a strong resistance level around $144, which marked a local top. 

Solana Prediction
Solana Prediction

Also, the next significant support zone sits near the unfilled bullish Fair Value Gap (FVG), currently above $128, coinciding with previous lows. This area forms a potentially strong entry zone for buyers. Batman highlights that these levels, coupled with the potential formation of an inverse head and shoulders pattern, could provide a solid opportunity.

Ethereum DeFi Truebit Suffers $26M Exploit, Price Dips 99%

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Ethereum-based protocol Truebit has suffered a major security breach, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency.

The breach came to light on Thursday when Truebit disclosed unusual activity on its platform. In a public statement shared on X, the protocol confirmed that it had detected a security incident involving malicious actors and said it was coordinating with law enforcement authorities.

Although Truebit did not immediately reveal the financial impact, blockchain data soon provided clarity. On-chain analytics firm Lookonchain estimated that approximately 8,535 ETH were siphoned in the incident. Consequently, the breach resulted in losses of roughly $26.6 million at the time of the exploit.

Outdated Smart Contract Identified as Entry Point

Meanwhile, as the investigation unfolded, independent blockchain researcher Weilin Li attributed the exploit to a vulnerability in a legacy smart contract.

According to Li, the flaw stemmed from a mispriced minting function embedded in a contract deployed roughly five years ago. This pricing error allowed attackers to mint Truebit’s native TRU tokens at heavily discounted rates, opening the door to large-scale exploitation.

Li noted that two separate attackers exploited the vulnerability, but the outcomes differed significantly. One attacker extracted an estimated $26 million, while the other gained approximately $250,000.

More broadly, Li warned that attackers are increasingly targeting older contracts that were never designed to withstand today’s more sophisticated threat models.

TRU Token Crashes Following Exploit Disclosure

Market reaction was swift once news of the exploit spread. Truebit’s native TRU token suffered an immediate and near-total collapse in value.

Data from CoinGecko shows the token plunging from roughly $0.16 to $0.0000000007209. Effectively, the decline amounts to a 100% loss, erasing TRU’s market value within hours of the disclosure.

Truebit Protocol TRU Price Chart
Truebit Protocol TRU Price Chart

Truebit Joins Growing List of DeFi Security Failures

The Truebit exploit adds to an escalating wave of security incidents within the DeFi sector. A significant number of these breaches can be traced to outdated or inadequately maintained codebases.

For instance, in November, Balancer lost more than $120 million after attackers exploited a rounding error in its v2 Composable Stable Pools, affecting multiple blockchain networks.

More recently, protocols including Yearn Finance, Hyperdrive, Nemo Protocol, and Bunni have also reported smart contract exploits.

AI Advances Raise Stakes for Smart Contract Security

In addition, emerging technologies are further intensifying the challenge. Last month, AI research firm Anthropic warned that advanced artificial intelligence systems can now identify vulnerabilities in both legacy and newly deployed Ethereum contracts.

According to the firm, these tools significantly lower the barrier for malicious actors to uncover complex or obscure flaws. Therefore, DeFi projects face growing pressure to strengthen audit practices, modernize defenses, and retire outdated smart contracts before they become liabilities.