What Happened in Crypto Today: Latest Crypto News on BTC and XRP

What Happened in Crypto Today: Crypto News on BTC, XRP, ETH and More

The cryptocurrency market remains dynamic, with notable developments spanning Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and other key players. Here’s a concise breakdown of what happened in the crypto market today:

Spot ETF Weekly Review: Bitcoin vs Ethereum

Spot ETFs for cryptocurrencies continue to reshape investment dynamics. Last week (Nov 25–29), Ethereum ETFs outpaced Bitcoin, reflecting shifting investor preferences.

• Ethereum Spot ETFs: Recorded a weekly net inflow of $467 million, led by BlackRock's ETHA ($300M) and Fidelity's FETH ($120M). Ethereum traded at $3,675.29 with a 0.29% daily dip, while its market cap stood at $442.76 billion.

• Bitcoin Spot ETFs: Witnessed their first outflow in months, totaling $138 million. However, BlackRock's IBIT ETF showed resilience, with $405 million in net inflows. Bitcoin traded at $96,433.84, holding a $1.91 trillion market cap.

XRP Surges: What’s Driving the Growth?

XRP became the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, surging by 32% to trade at $2.42. The rise was driven by several factors. The anticipation of Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin launch, pending NYDFS approval, has generated significant excitement in the crypto community. 

Growing optimism about an XRP-focused ETF, with major firms like WisdomTree filing applications, has further bolstered this enthusiasm. Ripple’s recent legal victories and the positive regulatory outlook have also played a crucial role in boosting XRP price predictions, underscoring the potential for significant growth in the near future.

DMM Bitcoin Exchange Shuts Down Post $320M Hack

Japanese cryptocurrency exchange DMM Bitcoin, part of DMM.com, announced it will wind down operations after a $320 million Bitcoin hack in May 2025. The Financial Services Agency issued a business improvement order, urging system enhancements. DMM Bitcoin will transfer customer accounts and assets to SBI VC Trade by March 2025, ensuring the safety of customer funds. Suspected to be linked to the Lazarus Group, this hack is part of a series of major crypto exchange breaches in 2024.

MicroStrategy's Bitcoin Strategy Pays Off

MicroStrategy Chairman Michael Saylor pitched a bold Bitcoin strategy to Microsoft's board, suggesting it could add nearly $5 trillion to Microsoft's market cap. In a rapid 44-slide presentation, Saylor proposed redirecting $100 billion annually into Bitcoin, potentially boosting Microsoft's share price by $584 within a decade. 

He forecasted Bitcoin reaching $1.7 million by 2034, emphasizing its growing acceptance. Citing MicroStrategy's success—acquiring 386,700 BTC, boosting its stock by 465.5% in 2024—Saylor argued that Bitcoin could be a transformative asset for Microsoft, offering substantial long-term value and reduced shareholder risks.

Fundstrat’s Bold Bitcoin Price Prediction

Tom Lee, co-founder of Fundstrat, predicts Bitcoin could reach $250,000 by 2025 due to bullish market trends. In a Nov. 29 interview, he cited the upcoming halving event, rising institutional interest, and supportive U.S. government policies as key factors. Currently priced at $97,343, Bitcoin's value is expected to surge following its historical halving pattern. 

Lee also highlighted companies like MicroStrategy and the potential for broader institutional adoption to drive demand. He views Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and sees similar growth prospects for Ethereum, Solana, and Avalanche. Popular trader Dave The Wave also forecasts a $150,000 target. At the time of writing, Bitcoin price was trading at $95,217.64, after an intraday drop of 1.93% with $1.88T in market cap and $50.52B in 24-hour volume.