Bitcoin News Today: On-Chain Optimism Contrasts with Crypto's Price Plummets and Regulatory Storms

Bitcoin and Altcoin Price Movements Remain Unverified

Bitcoin's recent price action has erased all its 2025 gains, with the asset trading below critical resistance levels amid growing uncertainty about the broader crypto market's stability. Meanwhile, altcoins like XRP are showing mixed signals, with on-chain metrics suggesting potential recovery despite ongoing price declines, according to recent data.

XRP, the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, has experienced a 33.9% surge in its on-chain activity as of Nov. 21, as measured by the amount of XRP burned in transaction fees. This metric, which rose from 604 tokens burned on Nov. 20 to 808.8 tokens the next day, indicates increased network usage and has sparked optimism among investors. Analysts attribute the rise to growing institutional demand fueled by the recent launch of the Bitwise XRP ETF, which recorded a first-day inflow of over $107 million. However, XRP's price remains below $2, entering what traders describe as the longest correction phase of the year.

The surge in XRP's network activity contrasts with Bitcoin's performance, which has been heavily impacted by macroeconomic factors. A presale for a project called Bitcoin Munari has drawn attention, but Bitcoin itself has failed to sustain gains amid concerns over U.S. economic policy and dollar strength. The asset's struggles highlight the fragility of the crypto market, where regulatory uncertainty and geopolitical risks continue to weigh on investor sentiment.

Regulatory scrutiny is intensifying globally. In the UK, the National Crime Agency revealed that a billion-dollar crime network used crypto to funnel drug-related funds to Russia, with blockchain transparency aiding investigations. The NCA emphasized that public blockchains, often perceived as anonymous, are now critical tools for tracing illicit flows. Meanwhile, U.S. regulators face mounting pressure as lawmakers push for approval of spot bitcoin ETF options, reflecting broader efforts to align crypto markets with traditional financial systems.

XRP has also seen a rise in its on-chain activity, which has led to speculation about future price movements.

Analysts are cautious, however, given the volatile nature of the market and the ongoing correction phase.

DeFi ecosystems are also under stress, with $12 billion in liquidity sitting idle despite 95% of capital remaining unused. This "liquidity crisis" underscores inefficiencies in decentralized finance protocols, which struggle to attract active users. The situation is compounded by security threats, such as the recent front-end attack on Aerodrome Finance, a decentralized exchange on Coinbase's Base network.

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The crypto sector's challenges extend to infrastructure. A Bitcoin ATM firm is reportedly exploring a $100 million sale after its CEO was indicted, while cities like Stillwater, Minnesota, and Spokane, Washington, have banned or restricted crypto kiosks due to scam risks. These developments reflect growing regulatory skepticism toward crypto's role in consumer protection.

As the market grapples with these headwinds, investors remain cautious. XRP's on-chain resilience and the Bitwise ETF's success offer glimmers of hope, but broader crypto adoption hinges on resolving regulatory, security, and liquidity issues. For now, price movements remain unverified, with analysts warning that volatility is likely to persist until macroeconomic clarity emerges.