Predict.fun introduced the first real-time “mention-based” prediction market ahead of Changpeng Zhao’s (CZ) BNB Chain AMA on December 18. The market allows users to bet on how many times CZ will say specific words, such as “BNB” or “Builder,” with outcomes integrated directly into the livestream. Analysts noted that trader expectations formed quickly, with over 90% betting that “BNB” would be mentioned more than five times. This innovative setup expands prediction markets beyond traditional events, enabling attention itself to become a tradable signal during live broadcasts.

Bahamut Blockchain Stats. Source: FTN Scan

The dramatic rebound of Fasttoken (FTN) comes after months of downward pressure, with the token hitting all-time lows earlier in December. Relief from MEXC’s risk monitoring and renewed discussions about Fastex’s Layer-1 Bahamut blockchain, Fastex Pay, gaming, and NFT integrations encouraged buyers to re-enter the market.

With liquidity concentrated on a few exchanges, even modest buying momentum triggered an outsized price move. While no official updates were made, the combination of oversold conditions, speculative trading, and market psychology fueled the rally. However, experts warn that such rebounds after steep declines can be unpredictable, and long-term sustainability remains uncertain.

Fasttoken Rallies Over 180% on December 18. Source: CoinGecko

Fasttoken (FTN), the native token of the Fastex ecosystem, surged nearly 200% on December 18, jumping from $0.37 to over $1.30 within 24 hours. The rally occurred despite no major announcements, signaling a primarily technical and sentiment-driven move.

FTN had faced a brutal 2025, losing over 90% of its value due to large token unlocks, risk-off market sentiment, and exchange warnings. The sudden surge reflects oversold conditions, thin liquidity, and renewed speculative interest in Fastex’s broader ecosystem, including the Bahamut blockchain, Fastex Pay, NFTs, and gaming integrations. Analysts caution that volatility remains high.

While short-term sentiment remains cautious, Deribit data shows traders positioning for upside into early 2026. Notable flows include $1.25B in Dec 26 85K BTC puts and $1.75B in 100K+ call condors, reflecting longer-horizon bullish bets.

As Bitcoin and Ethereum navigate this final expiry before Christmas, markets balance near-term restraint with optimism for renewed bullish trends in 2026.

Expiring Ethereum Options. Source: Deribit

ETH is trading at $2,928, below its $3,100 max pain level. Open interest is 78,524 calls vs. 83,547 puts, giving a put-to-call ratio of 1.06.

Deribit analysts highlight that Ethereum’s positioning is spread across multiple strikes, with upside interest above $3.4K, meaning larger moves remain possible if volatility picks up, even amid pre-holiday caution.

BTC is trading near $87,194, just below the $88,000 max pain level. Open interest shows 17,506 call contracts vs. 13,309 puts, creating a put-to-call ratio of 0.76.

Analysts note that while calls dominate, concentration around $88K points to limited upside momentum, suggesting Bitcoin may stay range-bound through today’s expiry unless the spot breaks decisively higher.

Expiring Bitcoin Options. Source: Deribit

Over $3.16 billion worth of BTC and ETH options are expiring today at 08:00 UTC on Deribit, marking the last major derivatives settlement before Christmas. Bitcoin dominates with roughly $2.69 billion in notional value, while Ethereum accounts for about $473 million.

Traders are cautious as liquidity thins, and positioning clusters around key strikes. The expiry could bring short-term volatility but is unlikely to force a directional move without a clear catalyst.

Despite major Season 1 content updates — including new maps, weapons, and a fresh Warzone Resurgence experience — Black Ops 7 has struggled to regain momentum. Steam concurrency peaked just above 100,000 players at launch, far behind Battlefield 6’s debut.

End-of-year sales data places Black Ops 7 as the seventh best-selling game of 2025, a notable drop from the franchise’s usual dominance. With a Fallout TV series crossover planned for Season 1 Reloaded, Activision is betting on collaborations and frequent XP events to reignite interest going into 2026.

Treyarch has announced yet another Double XP weekend for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Warzone, running from December 19 to December 22. Players will earn double Player XP, Weapon XP, and increased Gobblegum rates in Zombies.

This marks the fourth Double XP event since the game’s November launch — an unusually high frequency for the franchise. While Activision hasn’t explained the strategy, the move appears aimed at boosting player retention amid lukewarm engagement numbers compared to competitors like Battlefield 6.

Although Light of Motiram has vanished from major digital storefronts, Tencent has yet to issue an official statement. The game’s website, Discord, and social media channels remain live — but largely inactive — fueling speculation among fans.

Sony’s lawsuit alleged not just visual similarities to Horizon, but also copied elements in UI design, soundtrack, and color palette. Industry watchers note that avoiding future legal risk would require sweeping design changes, potentially making revival costly and unlikely. For now, the game’s status remains unclear, leaving its community without answers.

Tencent has quietly removed its upcoming open-world survival game Light of Motiram from both Steam and the Epic Games Store, following a sudden confidential settlement with Sony. The move comes months after Sony accused the game of being a “slavish clone” of Guerrilla Games’ Horizon franchise.

Sony filed a lawsuit in July alleging copyright and trademark infringement, claiming Tencent continued development after pitching — and being rejected for — a Horizon mobile project. While the settlement details remain private, the case has been dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be reopened. The storefront removals strongly suggest the project is either canceled or undergoing major rework.

While freelancers feel the financial sting of AI, employed creatives appear far more optimistic. According to Boekmanstichting’s research, full-time artists are twice as likely to view AI as a productivity tool, particularly in administrative roles like fundraising and management.

Researcher Sita Struijke warns this divide is deepening inequality in an already fragile labor market. Freelancers, she says, were vulnerable long before AI entered the picture.

Experts at the Netherlands Institute for Social Research note that technological disruption isn’t new to the arts — but the speed of change is unprecedented. As translators and stock photographers face intense AI competition, creative unions are now calling for transition funds to retrain and upskill artists for an AI-shaped future.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the cultural sector — and not everyone is benefiting. A new survey by Dutch knowledge center Boekmanstichting shows that one in five freelance artists has lost income or work due to AI.

The study surveyed more than 700 creatives, including illustrators, voice actors, translators, and camerapeople. Around 6% reported a significant drop in income, while another 12% saw a smaller decline. Translators were hit hardest, with one-third reporting lost earnings.

Researchers say commercial assignments are disappearing first, as clients increasingly turn to AI for cheaper, faster alternatives. While these jobs aren’t always creatively fulfilling, they often fund artists’ personal work — making their loss especially damaging.

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