Coinbase Spotlight: Zero Knowledge Proof Presale Emerges as Strategic Alternative Amid Meme Coin Stagnation

As of mid-December 2025, the cryptocurrency landscape is witnessing a notable divergence in investor sentiment and capital allocation. While established meme coins like Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Dogecoin (DOGE) show signs of stagnation despite ongoing developments, a new wave of interest is building around foundational technologies. The presale for a project centered on Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology is gaining significant momentum, highlighting a potential shift toward infrastructure and privacy-focused assets. This movement underscores a maturing market where utility and technological innovation are beginning to command attention alongside viral narratives. The contrast between the sideways trading of popular meme assets and the burgeoning interest in ZKP's presale, which features an innovative daily distribution model for its $100 million raise, presents a compelling narrative for platforms like Coinbase, where discerning investors often seek the next wave of crypto innovation.

Zero Knowledge Proof Presale Gains Momentum as SHIB and DOGE Stagnate

The cryptocurrency market presents a tale of two trends. Meme coins Shiba Inu and Dogecoin continue their sideways movement, with SHIB hovering near $0.0000088 despite a notable $1.49 million whale accumulation, while DOGE struggles below $0.15 despite adoption in Buenos Aires.

Meanwhile, Zero Knowledge Proof's presale auction is capturing attention with its innovative daily distribution model, positioning the $100 million AI privacy project as a potential breakout candidate. The project's rapid token distribution suggests growing institutional interest in privacy-focused blockchain solutions.

Market dynamics reveal shifting investor priorities, with capital flowing toward utility-driven projects rather than speculative assets. The whale's six-figure SHIB accumulation without subsequent selling indicates long-term positioning, contrasting with the immediate participation seen in ZKP's presale.

Ripple CEO Challenges NYT's Portrayal of SEC Enforcement Shifts

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has publicly rebuked The New York Times for its coverage of recent SEC case withdrawals, calling the article's framing misleading. The report suggested political connections influenced the regulator's reversals, but Garlinghouse points to judicial rulings that found the SEC's earlier enforcement actions flawed.

Federal courts have repeatedly criticized the SEC's approach to crypto regulation. A D.C. Circuit Court called the agency's Bitcoin ETF denial "arbitrary and capricious," while another judge sanctioned the SEC for misrepresentations in the Debt Box case. These decisions, Garlinghouse argues, demonstrate necessary legal corrections rather than preferential treatment.

The controversy comes as XRP dropped 4% following the NYT report. Industry leaders including Coinbase and Galaxy Digital have joined Ripple in challenging the article's narrative, emphasizing the SEC's history of problematic enforcement strategies in the crypto space.