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2026 starts now: crypto prices, trends & key lessons from 2025
Kick off 2026 with the latest crypto trends: Bitcoin miners reach new highs, Ethereum transactions surge, silver rallies, and security challenges keep the industry on its toes.
Hodl Fm
January 02, 2026
In partnership with
The Future of Shopping? AI + Actual Humans.
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Only 10% of shoppers buy through AI-recommended links
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Human sources like reviews and creators rank higher in trust than AI recommendations
The most effective brands are combining AI discovery with authentic human influence to drive measurable conversions.
Affiliate marketing isn’t being replaced by AI, it’s being amplified by it.
YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF CRYPTO WISDOM AND ENTERTAINMENT
Welcome to HODLFM’s first crypto update of 2026!
2025 was a year of extremes. Bitcoin hit new peaks above $126,000 before settling closer to $87,000, and total market capitalization briefly exceeded $4 trillion. Meanwhile, Ethereum touched an ATH near $4,956 but ended the year lower, and altcoins saw a wide range of performances.
Price swings reflected a rollercoaster of sentiment, from euphoric highs to periods of extreme fear. But it wasn’t just the charts that mattered. The biggest hack ever happened in February when Bybit lost almost $1.5 billion. This showed that even the most established platforms still have security holes.
Despite volatility and security shocks, adoption signals were strong. Ethereum and other networks handled record amounts of transactions, which shows that real use keeps going up even when prices go up and down.
As we move into 2026, these trends - volatile prices, network growth, and ongoing security challenges - define the starting point for the year. And now let’s check our weekly updates.
🔥 Top stories this week
🔐 2025 Set Records for Crypto Hacks and Wrench AttacksLast year wasn’t just about price action — it was the most intense period yet for both online exploits and physical coercion against holders. Hackers made off with billions, and “wrench attacks” reminded us that security isn’t just digital anymore. |  |
🟣 Ethereum Activity Hits New Highs with Low FeesDespite broader market uncertainties, Ethereum’s mainnet saw an impressive rebound in pure on-chain usage. Transactions hit a record ~2.2 million in a single day — all while average fees dropped to levels not seen in years. This trend hints at renewed confidence in L1 utility and long-term network health. |  |
⛏️ Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Climbs AgainMiners closed out 2025 on a strong note as Bitcoin mining difficulty reached near-all-time highs and is still projected to increase in early January. Higher difficulty means tougher competition, but also a stronger, more resilient network. |  |
📈 Silver’s Rally Challenges the “Bitcoin as Hard Asset” IdeaWhile Bitcoin remained range-bound late last year, silver surged dramatically, sparking debate about which assets truly fulfill the hard-asset role in a diversifying market. This divergence gives us a fresh angle on where value beliefs are shifting among investors. |  |
Stay up-to-date with the latest news
The Most Read Articles in 2025
Top Gainers and Losers Of the Week
Top 3 Gainers.
pippin (PIPPIN) - Raised 38.90% this week to a price of $0.4909, good result
Canton (CC) - 26.99% growth, to a price of $0.09614
Midnight (NIGHT) - 19.38% rise to a price of $0.07922
Top 3 Losers.
Aave (AAVE) - 14.00% loss to an end price of $156.41 this week
Story (IP) - drop of 9.95% with end week price of $1.48
Pump.fun (PUMP) - 9.77% drop to the end week price of $0.001788
Tweets of The Week
Follow us
X - Where Crypto Meets Comedy;
TikTok - Investigating the Wacky World of Crypto;
СoinMarketCap - The Wildest Ride in the Crypto Market;
YouTube - Your Gateway to the World of Crypto.
Disclaimer: We're here to entertain, not to be your financial guru. This newsletter is purely for educational purposes and does not constitute financial advice or a magical fortune-telling session. So, grab your popcorn, enjoy the read, but remember to use your own wits and conduct thorough research before making any money moves. Stay curious, my friends!