Bitcoin’s Evolving Role: Cathie Wood Adjusts Long-Term Forecast Amid Stablecoin Dominance

In a notable revision of her long-term cryptocurrency outlook, ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood has adjusted her Bitcoin price target downward to $1.2 million by 2030, a reduction of $300,000 from her previous projection. This strategic reassessment, announced in late 2025, stems from the accelerating global adoption of dollar-pegged stablecoins, which have surpassed a staggering $300 billion market capitalization. Wood's analysis suggests that stablecoins are increasingly fulfilling the role initially envisioned for Bitcoin in emerging markets—particularly as preferred savings vehicles in hyperinflationary economies like Venezuela. This development represents a significant shift in the cryptocurrency landscape, where Bitcoin's original use case as "digital gold" and a hedge against monetary instability is being challenged by the rapid rise of more stable alternatives. The revision reflects a nuanced understanding of how different cryptocurrency assets are finding distinct niches in the global financial ecosystem. While Bitcoin maintains its position as a store of value and institutional investment asset, stablecoins are capturing the transactional and savings markets in economically volatile regions. This divergence highlights the maturation of the cryptocurrency sector, where multiple solutions coexist to address different financial needs. Wood's updated forecast, while still extraordinarily bullish compared to current prices, acknowledges this evolving competitive landscape and suggests that Bitcoin's path to mainstream adoption may follow a different trajectory than previously anticipated. The adjustment provides valuable insight into how sophisticated investors are recalibrating their expectations based on real-world adoption patterns rather than purely theoretical models.

Cathie Wood Trims Bitcoin Price Target to $1.2M Amid Stablecoin Surge

ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood has revised her long-term Bitcoin forecast downward by $300,000, now projecting a $1.2 million valuation by 2030. The adjustment reflects stablecoins' accelerating adoption in emerging markets—a role initially envisioned for Bitcoin.

Dollar-pegged stablecoins have surpassed $300 billion in market capitalization, becoming preferred savings vehicles in hyperinflationary economies like Venezuela and Argentina. "Stablecoins are usurping part of the role we thought bitcoin would play," Wood conceded during a CNBC interview, though she maintains Bitcoin's status as digital gold.

Samourai Wallet Founder Sentenced to 5 Years in $237 Million Crypto Laundering Case

Samourai Wallet co-founder Keonne Rodriguez has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Judge Denise Cote, marks the culmination of a case involving the laundering of $237 million in criminal proceeds through the Bitcoin mixing service "Whirlpool."

Rodriguez, who served as CEO, and co-founder William Lonergan Hill, the CTO, pleaded guilty in July 2025 after initially contesting charges filed in April 2024. Rodriguez was ordered to pay a $250,000 fine and had already forfeited $6.3 million prior to sentencing. Hill's sentencing is scheduled for November 19, 2025.

The case underscores the increasing scrutiny of privacy-focused crypto tools by regulators. Samourai Wallet's mixing service, which obscured transaction trails, was allegedly used to process funds tied to illicit activities, including drug trafficking.

Bitcoin ETFs Rebound with $240 Million Inflows After Six-Day Outflow Streak

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs snapped a six-day outflow streak with $240 million in net inflows on November 6, signaling renewed institutional confidence. The reversal follows a period of market turbulence that saw over $660 million exit the products.

BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) led the resurgence with $112.44 million inflows, while Fidelity's FBTC and Ark Invest's ARKB captured $61.64 million and $60.44 million respectively. Total ETF holdings now represent 6.73% of Bitcoin's market capitalization at $135.43 billion.

The inflows arrive amid Bitcoin's price consolidation, suggesting institutional players are accumulating during periods of relative weakness. BlackRock and Fidelity's combined ETF assets have surpassed the $100 billion milestone, cementing their dominance in the crypto ETP space.

Tether Expands Bitcoin Reserves with $98.9 Million Purchase

Tether has acquired 961 Bitcoin for approximately $98.9 million, reinforcing its position as a major institutional holder. The purchase, executed from a Bitfinex hot wallet, brings Tether's total Bitcoin reserves to 86,000 BTC. This MOVE aligns with the company's strategy to diversify its holdings beyond traditional assets like U.S. Treasuries.

The consistent accumulation of Bitcoin underscores Tether's long-term confidence in the cryptocurrency's value proposition. As prices reach new highs, institutional adoption signals broader market maturation. The transaction follows a previous $1 billion Bitcoin purchase in September, highlighting an aggressive reserve diversification approach.

Tether Accumulates $98M in Bitcoin Amid Bearish Market Sentiment

Tether, the issuer of USDT, has quietly purchased 960 BTC worth $98 million, reinforcing its position as a major corporate Bitcoin holder. This move contrasts sharply with prevailing bearish sentiment among traders, who remain cautious as Bitcoin struggles to hold above $100,000.

Institutional confidence in Bitcoin's long-term value appears undiminished, with Tether following MicroStrategy's playbook of converting profits into BTC. The accumulation suggests strategic positioning for a potential market recovery, even as short-term traders retreat.

Market weakness persists across major exchanges, with most cryptocurrencies trading flat or lower. Tether's bullish bet stands out as a rare divergence in an otherwise risk-off environment.

JPMorgan Says Bitcoin Is Very Cheap Compared to Gold Amid Market Pullback

JPMorgan analysts argue Bitcoin is significantly undervalued relative to gold, framing the recent price decline as a potential entry point for investors. The assessment comes as traders digest Federal Reserve policy signals and spot Bitcoin ETF outflows.

The bank's analysis suggests Bitcoin's current valuation gap versus Gold may present a tactical opportunity. Market sentiment remains cautious, however, as macroeconomic uncertainty persists across risk assets.