Strategy Resumes Bitcoin Buying Spree with $3.​5B Purchase

A cryptocurrency exchange has introduced outcome-based trading functionality, positioning itself as a direct competitor to prediction markets. **Key Development:** - The exchange now supports trading based on event outcomes, similar to platforms like Polymarket - This move comes months after a leading prediction market received regulatory approval to onboard U.S. customers and intermediaries **Market Context:** Prediction markets have gained significant traction, allowing users to trade on real-world event outcomes. Traditional exchanges are now adopting similar features to capture this growing market segment. The integration represents a convergence between conventional crypto trading platforms and the prediction market sector, potentially offering users more options for outcome-based speculation.

Ether's price continues to decline even as blockchain activity surges, creating an unusual market dynamic not seen in previous bear markets, according to Fundstrat's Tom Lee. **Key Points:** - Price drop contradicts strong on-chain metrics - Historical bear markets showed correlation between price and activity - Current disconnect suggests market inefficiency or delayed price response **Context:** This divergence marks a shift from 2025, when analysts noted Ethereum lacked fundamental blockchain activity needed for price recovery. The current situation presents the opposite scenario - strong fundamentals without corresponding price appreciation. The gap between network usage and token value raises questions about market pricing mechanisms and whether fundamentals will eventually drive price recovery.

**Europe's crypto violence problem is escalating.** The continent now represents over 40% of global physical attacks targeting crypto holders, up from 30% just two months ago. **France has emerged as the epicenter** with 19 documented incidents including: - Home invasions - Kidnappings - Targeted personal threats These "wrench attacks" - where criminals use physical force rather than hacking to steal cryptocurrency - continue their upward trajectory across European nations. The concentration of incidents in France suggests organized criminal networks may be specifically targeting known crypto holders in the region. The data underscores growing security concerns for cryptocurrency holders, particularly in Europe where personal safety risks now rival digital security threats.

Ethereum (ETH) fell 13.9% over the weekend, leading broader crypto market declines. **Key Points:** - ETH experienced significant downward pressure - The drop led overall index performance lower - Weekend trading saw heightened volatility This decline follows a pattern of volatility for Ethereum, which previously dropped 13% from its all-time high in September 2025. The weekend selloff suggests continued market uncertainty and risk-off sentiment among traders.

MicroStrategy made a modest bitcoin acquisition, bringing its total holdings to **713,502 BTC**. The purchase comes as bitcoin trades around **$77,000**, slightly above the company's average cost basis of **$76,052** per coin. **Key details:** - Added 855 BTC in latest purchase - Total stack now worth approximately $55 billion - Company remains in profit on overall position The acquisition marks a continuation of MicroStrategy's bitcoin accumulation strategy, though at a smaller scale compared to previous purchases. The company's holdings have grown from 712,647 BTC just a week prior.