Key TakeawaysEthereum price rises 1.21% to reclaim the $3,000 levelETH options expiry above $2,950 max pain eases selling pressureBitMine’s $97.6M ETH purchase shows some institutions remain bullishEthereum price moved back above $3,000 on Thursday as derivatives dynamics, improving risk sentiment, and steady institutional activity supported a short-term rebound. The move is notable as ETH attempts to stabilize after weeks of subdued momentum. Ethereum Price Climbs Above $3K After Options ExpiryEthereum rose 1.21% over the past 24 hours to around $3,012, slightly outperforming Bitcoin and broadly matching gains across the crypto market. The advance followed the settlement of $395 million in ETH options, with prices holding above the $2,950 max pain level.Derivatives data showed a 0.62 put/call ratio, reflecting heavier bullish positioning into expiry. Analysts noted that holding above max pain likely reduced post-expiry selling pressure, allowing ETH to stabilize. Market Context Improves As Risk Appetite ReturnsBroader risk sentiment improved alongside gains in Asian equity markets, with Hong Kong and South Korea stocks posting solid advances. A softer U.S. dollar also supported digital assets, reinforcing Ethereum’s role as a liquidity proxy during risk-on phases.The ETH/BTC ratio increased 0.6% to 0.0339, signaling mild altcoin rotation. Ethereum’s correlation with traditional markets remains elevated, reflecting its sensitivity to macro-driven flows. Technical Indicators Show Short-Term StrengthFrom a technical perspective, Ethereum reclaimed several short-term averages. The 10-day EMA at $2,973.8, 20-day EMA at $2,984.2, and 30-day EMA at $3,013.5 now sit close to spot levels, suggesting improving near-term structure.Momentum indicators also turned constructive. The MACD histogram moved positive for the first time since mid-December, while RSI readings remain in neutral territory, leaving room for further upside. Overhead resistance remains near $3,110, followed by longer-term levels around the 200-day EMA at $3,358.6.Source: TradingView Institutional Accumulation Offsets Thin LiquidityOn the institutional front, Ethereum treasury firm BitMine Immersion Technologies revealed that in the week ending December 29, 2025, they added 44,463 ETH, and the company now holds over 4 million ETH, reinforcing ongoing institutional confidence despite muted year-end conditions.Fundstrat’s Tom Lee attributed recent price pressure to tax-loss selling and low holiday liquidity, noting that reduced participation leaves markets more sensitive to flows. BitMine’s accumulation and additional staking activity point to confidence beyond short-term volatility. ETH Outlook: Momentum Builds But Confirmation NeededEthereum’s recovery above $3,000 improves short-term sentiment, but analysts caution that sustained volume above $11.5 billion daily is needed to confirm a broader trend shift. Open interest remains elevated, keeping volatility risks in focus.

According to BlockBeats, predictions on Polymarket indicate a 27% probability of Bitcoin reaching $100,000 in January. Additionally, there is a 91% chance of it rising to $90,000, a 68% likelihood of falling to $85,000, and a 30% probability of dropping to $80,000.

According to PANews, Louis Navellier, Chief Investment Officer at Navellier & Associates, stated in a report that the Federal Reserve is expected to reduce interest rates four times by 2026 to reach a neutral rate level. He highlighted that weakening housing prices are intensifying deflation concerns, which the Federal Reserve needs to address. Navellier remarked, "Moreover, with the U.S. economy not generating many jobs, there is no reason for the Federal Reserve to maintain a tight stance." He also mentioned that if deflationary pressures increase further, additional rate cuts might be necessary.

According to Odaily, El Salvador has officially announced the integration of Bitcoin and artificial intelligence as part of its national policy. As of January 1, 2026, the country's treasury reserves have reached 7,517 Bitcoins, valued at over $660 million. The plan aims to utilize surplus geothermal energy to build data centers and AI special zones, providing a tax-free environment for the automation industry and decentralized financial services. Additionally, El Salvador has enacted legislative amendments to change Bitcoin from mandatory acceptance to voluntary acceptance as legal tender, while ensuring taxes are denominated in U.S. dollars. This move has secured $1.4 billion in funding support from the International Monetary Fund. Furthermore, El Salvador is implementing an AI-driven education program nationwide through the Genius Act, in collaboration with leading technology entities like xAI.

Japan’s 2026 tax blueprint could classify crypto alongside financial products, introducing separate taxation for certain gains and three-year loss carryforwards while excluding some income types. source: https://catenaa.com/markets/cryptocurrencies/japan-proposes-new-crypto-tax-framework-in-2026-blueprint/

El Salvador has officially declared the integration of Bitcoin and artificial intelligence as a national policy. As of January 1, 2026, El Salvador's national treasury reserves reached 7,517 Bitcoins, worth over $660 million. The plan aims to utilize surplus geothermal energy to build data centers and AI zones, providing a tax-free environment for automation industries and decentralized financial services. Furthermore, El Salvador has passed legislative amendments to make Bitcoin a voluntary legal tender and ensure that taxes are denominated in US dollars, thereby securing $1.4 billion in funding from the International Monetary Fund. Simultaneously, El Salvador is collaborating with technology leaders such as xAI through the Genius Act to promote AI-driven education programs nationwide.

Iran is pitching sales of missiles, drones and warships to foreign buyers using cryptocurrency, barter and local currencies to sidestep Western financial controls. source: https://cryptonews.com/news/iran-crypto-payment-overseas-arms-sales/

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks over their promotion of crypto firm Voyager Digital, ruling that the court in Florida had no jurisdiction. The case was linked to investor losses after Voyager went bankrupt in 2022, but the court did not rule on whether Cuban or the Mavericks were liable.

South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb has uncovered more than $200 million in customer assets sitting idle across roughly 2. 6 million accounts. source: https://cryptonews.com/news/bithumb-finds-over-200m-in-dormant-crypto-across-2-6m-accounts/

Skybridge Capital CEO Anthony Scaramucci named Solana (CRYPTO: SOL), Avalanche source: https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/01/49661840/anthony-scaramucci-places-his-2026-altcoin-bets-on-solana-avalanche-plus-this-token-he-got-wrong-last-year-heres-why?utm_source=cryptopanic.com&utm_campaign=partner_feed&utm_medium=referral

This signals a shift in one of the world's most controlled economies, which has been largely dependent on its natural gas resources. source: https://www.theblock.co/post/384115/turkmenistan-crypto-mining-trading?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

South Korean authorities have broken up a Cambodia-based criminal syndicate that defrauded victims of more than $1.93 Billion Korean Won using the narrative of being associates of billionaire Elon Musk and offering interested investors a share of SpaceX.

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Golden (Shenzhen) Information Service Co., Ltd. - A professional provider of software development, artificial intelligence applications, and cybersecurity solutions.

Golden (Shenzhen) Information Service Co., Ltd. - A professional provider of software development, artificial intelligence applications, and cybersecurity solutions.

Golden (Shenzhen) Information Service Co., Ltd. - A professional provider of software development, artificial intelligence applications, and cybersecurity solutions.

From 1 January, UK crypto investors must share their account and transaction details with HMRC, or face penalties. Exchanges will report users’ data under the new CARF rules, allowing HMRC to track gains and enforce taxes more effectively.

After a year marked by legislative paralysis and a historic government shutdown, US lawmakers are preparing to open 2026 with renewed momentum on digital asset regulation.

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Golden (Shenzhen) Information Service Co., Ltd. - A professional provider of software development, artificial intelligence applications, and cybersecurity solutions.