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/

萨尔瓦多表示该国已正式宣布将比特币与人工智能融合定为国家政策。截至 2026 年 1 月 1 日，萨尔瓦多国库储备已达 7517 枚比特币，价值超过 6.6 亿美元。该计划拟利用地热能源盈余建设数据中心与 AI 特区，为自动化产业和去中心化金融服务提供免税环境。此外，萨尔瓦多已通过立法修正案，将比特币从强制接受转为自愿接受的法定货币，并确保税收以美元计价，从而获得国际货币基金组织 14 亿美元的资金支持。同时，萨尔瓦多通过 Genius Act 与 xAI 等技术领先者合作，在全国范围内推行 AI 驱动的教育计划。

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/

一名联邦法官驳回了针对马克-库班（Mark Cuban）和达拉斯小牛队（Dallas Mavericks）推广加密货币公司 Voyager Digital 的诉讼，裁定佛罗里达州法院没有管辖权。此案与 Voyager 于 2022 年破产后投资者的损失有关，但法院并未就库班或小牛队是否应承担责任做出裁决。

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

韩国当局破获了一个以柬埔寨为基地的犯罪集团，该犯罪集团以亿万富翁埃隆-马斯克（Elon Musk）的合伙人和向感兴趣的投资者提供太空探索技术公司（SpaceX）股份为名，诈骗了受害者超过 19.3 亿韩元。

金色（深圳）信息服务有限公司 - 专业软件开发、人工智能应用、网络安全解决方案提供商

金色（深圳）信息服务有限公司 - 专业软件开发、人工智能应用、网络安全解决方案提供商

金色（深圳）信息服务有限公司 - 专业软件开发、人工智能应用、网络安全解决方案提供商

金色（深圳）信息服务有限公司 - 专业软件开发、人工智能应用、网络安全解决方案提供商

从 1 月 1 日起，英国加密货币投资者必须与英国税务与海关总署分享他们的账户和交易详情，否则将面临处罚。交易所将根据新的 CARF 规则报告用户数据，使英国税务局能够更有效地跟踪收益和执行税收。

在经历了立法瘫痪和政府历史性停摆的一年后，美国立法者正准备以数字资产监管的新势头开启 2026 年。

金色（深圳）信息服务有限公司 - 专业软件开发、人工智能应用、网络安全解决方案提供商

金色（深圳）信息服务有限公司 - 专业软件开发、人工智能应用、网络安全解决方案提供商