**Crypto Market Update: Chainlink ETF Shows Strength as Bitcoin Dips Below $90K**

As the crypto market heads into the weekend, Bitcoin is trading just under the $90,000 mark. Investors are keeping a close eye on the upcoming U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate decision, scheduled for Wednesday. Historically, these Fed announcements have triggered sharp price swings in both directions for cryptocurrencies. Concerns around major companies like MicroStrategy (MSTR), ongoing debates about crypto ETFs, and Japan’s economic policies are creating a cautious mood in the market.

Despite all this uncertainty, crypto often defies expectations—and there are still some bright spots worth noting.

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**Bitcoin Reacts to Global Market Trends**

Bitcoin is becoming more sensitive to broader economic signals like the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) and Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE). This means that crypto investors are now paying more attention to global economic reports and central bank decisions. The current dip in Bitcoin’s price—down about 30% from its peak—is not unusual historically and doesn’t necessarily mean the bullish trend is over.

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**MicroStrategy Faces Setbacks**

Investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald has slashed its price target for MicroStrategy stock by 60%, dropping it to $229. This comes amid discussions about removing MSTR from the MSCI Index due to its heavy exposure to digital assets. A delisting could further impact its valuation and investor confidence.

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**Crypto Regulation News from Italy**

Italy has given crypto companies until December 30 to comply with the new MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulations. This deadline sets the stage for more structured oversight of digital assets across Europe.

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**Ripple CEO Predicts Bitcoin at $180K**

Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, shared a bold prediction: he believes Bitcoin could hit $180,000 by 2026. While ambitious, his forecast reflects long-term optimism in the market despite short-term turbulence.

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**Ethereum and Chainlink Make Big Moves**

Ethereum is planning a major update this year aimed at reducing the power of large staking pools. This move is designed to keep the network decentralized but has sparked debate among investors who worry it may interfere with free market dynamics.

Meanwhile, Ethereum’s Layer 2 network Base has successfully integrated with Solana using Chainlink’s cross-chain technology. This partnership enhances blockchain interoperability and could open the door for more use cases and innovation.

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**New Chainlink ETF Launches Strong**

Chainlink (LINK) made headlines with the recent launch of its ETF, called GLNK. It started strong, attracting $37 million on its first day of trading. Although daily inflows have since dropped to around $3.8 million and $4.4 million, the ETF has held steady in a generally weak market.

As of now, GLNK has a net asset value of $71.7 million, which is about 0.72% of LINK’s total market cap. This resilience suggests that investors still have confidence in Chainlink’s future, even in a tough market environment.

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**New Player in the Crypto Stock Arena**

Twenty One Capital, backed by Tether and SoftBank, is merging with Cantor Equity Partners to prepare for a public listing on the NYSE. The firm holds 42,000 BTC and is positioning itself as a strong competitor to MicroStrategy in the Bitcoin investment space.

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Stay tuned for more updates as the market responds to global events, regulatory changes, and institutional moves. Crypto continues to evolve—and often surprises when least expected.