Bitcoin Ecosystem Protection: Core Foundation Secures Legal Victory in Intellectual Property Battle

In a landmark ruling that underscores the growing importance of intellectual property protection within the cryptocurrency ecosystem, the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands has granted Core Foundation a significant injunction against Maple Finance. The court has barred Maple Finance from launching its proposed competing Bitcoin yield product, 'syrupBTC,' siding with Core Foundation's claims of intellectual property infringement. This legal dispute originates from a 2025 partnership where Core Foundation made substantial investments, sharing proprietary technology and confidential information with Maple. The injunction explicitly prohibits Maple Finance from utilizing any of Core's protected technology or confidential data to develop its rival yield-generating token. This ruling is a pivotal moment for the institutional DeFi space, particularly for Bitcoin-based financial products, as it sets a precedent for how proprietary yield mechanisms and technological innovations will be safeguarded. For bullish observers of digital assets, this development signals a maturation of the regulatory and legal frameworks surrounding complex crypto-financial instruments. It reinforces the value of foundational technology and could lead to increased investor confidence in structured Bitcoin products, knowing that innovative protocols have legal recourse against imitation. While the news does not directly state a future price target for Bitcoin, the strengthening of intellectual property rights around its yield-bearing applications is fundamentally positive. It reduces predatory competition that could dilute value and ensures that developers who create genuine utility for Bitcoin are rewarded and protected. This legal clarity may accelerate the development of more sophisticated and secure Bitcoin DeFi products, potentially attracting greater institutional capital and contributing to Bitcoin's long-term value proposition as a productive asset within the decentralized finance landscape.

Core Foundation Wins Injunction Against Maple Finance in Bitcoin Yield Product Dispute

The Grand Court of the Cayman Islands has barred Maple Finance from launching a competing Bitcoin yield product, siding with Core Foundation in a bitter intellectual property dispute. The injunction prohibits Maple from using Core’s proprietary technology or confidential information to develop its rival 'syrupBTC' token.

The conflict stems from a 2025 partnership where Core Foundation invested heavily in Maple’s lstBTC project—a liquid staking solution that attracted $150M in Bitcoin deposits within months. Tensions erupted when Core alleged Maple improperly Leveraged their collaboration to create a competing product.

Legal documents reveal Core claims Maple breached exclusivity agreements and misused trade secrets. The court’s interim ruling freezes Maple’s disputed product rollout pending trial, marking a significant escalation in crypto’s ongoing battle over institutional-grade yield products.

Japan’s MetaPlanet to Raise $150M for Bitcoin Expansion

Metaplanet, a Tokyo-listed firm, is doubling down on its bitcoin strategy with a $150 million issuance of Class B perpetual preferred shares. The offering carries a fixed annual dividend of 4.9%, with proceeds earmarked for further BTC acquisitions. Already holding over 30,000 BTC, the company solidifies its position as one of Asia's most aggressive corporate adopters of digital assets.

The move underscores a growing trend of traditional finance players bridging into crypto. Metaplanet's accumulation strategy mirrors MicroStrategy's playbook, leveraging capital markets to build a war chest for Bitcoin exposure. Unlike volatile crypto startups, the firm's public listing provides institutional investors a regulated avenue for BTC exposure.

Hyperliquid Whale Profits $24M from Bitcoin Short Amid Bearish Market Sentiment

A prominent trader on Hyperliquid has capitalized on Bitcoin's downward momentum, netting $24 million in unrealized profits from a persistent short position. The whale, identified as 0x5D2F by Lookonchain, has maintained a 1,232 BTC short since May 2025 - a position now valued at $113 million.

Funding fees have become an unexpected revenue stream, generating over $9.2 million for the bearish trader. This underscores how sophisticated players can profit even in choppy markets through leveraged derivatives strategies. HyperDash data reveals the account maintains $13.1 million in equity against $113.6 million in exposure.

Market-wide metrics paint a cautious picture. Declining open interest and disproportionate short positioning suggest traders are avoiding aggressive bets during current price weakness. The whale's six-month conviction contrasts sharply with struggling long traders facing mounting losses and punitive funding costs.

Bitcoin Breaks Free From Downtrend: Key Levels to Watch

Bitcoin briefly reclaimed the $88,700 level after Nvidia's earnings sparked a risk-on rally, but traders remain skeptical of sustainability. The cryptocurrency lacks decisive momentum, with thin volume casting doubt on any bullish reversal.

Technical analysts emphasize the $93,000–$96,000 zone as a litmus test for buyer conviction. A high-volume breakout here could signal shifting market dynamics. Until then, the asset remains trapped in a no-man's land between support and resistance.

The $97,300 threshold looms large as the true line in the sand. Historical price action suggests this level must be conquered—and held—to confirm a structural trend change. Market participants await either a decisive breakout or another rejection at these critical junctures.

Bitcoin Price Prediction: BTC Holds Support at $90K, Potential Rally to $105K

Bitcoin has demonstrated resilience by maintaining support at the $90,000 level despite broader market sell-offs and risk-aversion. Trading at $91,750 with spot volumes exceeding $80 billion, BTC shows signs of accumulation. A double-bottom pattern on hourly charts suggests waning selling pressure.

Market expectations for a year-end rally have dimmed, but technical indicators hint at potential upside. Analysts note that stability in major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin often precedes capital flows into newer projects such as Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER).

The market's tepid performance in Q4 contrasts with earlier bullish projections, yet on-chain data and derivatives activity indicate persistent institutional interest. Open interest increases of 2% accompany this consolidation phase.

Metaplanet Raises $150M via MERCURY to Expand Bitcoin Holdings

Tokyo-based fintech firm Metaplanet has unveiled plans to issue MERCURY Class B preferred shares, aiming to raise 21.25 billion JPY ($150 million) from overseas institutional investors. The capital will primarily fuel Bitcoin acquisitions, targeting a sevenfold increase in holdings—from 30,823 BTC to 210,000 BTC by 2027.

The structured offering combines fixed 4.9% quarterly dividends with equity-linked conversion features, capping dilution at 2.07% while boosting common shares by 4%. Nearly $115 million of proceeds will deploy into Bitcoin between December 2025 and March 2026, building on existing holdings valued at $2.9 billion with an average purchase price of ¥15.89 million per BTC.

Shareholders will vote on the proposal at a December 22 extraordinary meeting. The MOVE signals deepening institutional conviction in Bitcoin's store-of-value thesis, with public companies increasingly using capital markets to gain crypto exposure.