Coinpedia - Fintech & Cryptocurreny News Media| Crypto Guide

Portugal’s gambling regulator, SRIJ, has ordered Polymarket to shut down and be blocked nationwide, ruling the crypto prediction platform illegal for operating without proper authorization and breaking the country’s ban on political betting. The decision comes after reports that over €4 million was wagered on Portuguese presidential markets just hours before results were announced, sparking concerns over insider trading and leaked exit polls. Total trading on these markets exceeded €110 million, drawing intense attention from regulators.

A Bitcoin whale that had remained inactive for 13 years has moved 909.38 BTC, worth approximately $84.62 million, to a new wallet, according to on-chain analytics. These coins were originally purchased for under $7 each, resulting in a staggering 13,900× increase in value. The transfer was not sent directly to an exchange, indicating the holder may be positioning rather than selling. Analysts highlight this as a rare window into early adopter behavior and long-term holding strategies in the crypto market.

Bitmine Immersion Technologies, led by Tom Lee and supported by Cathie Wood and Pantera, added 86,848 ETH (around $279 million) to its staking. The company now has 1.77 million ETH staked, worth $5.66 billion, more than 40 % of its treasury. With 36 million ETH (30 % of the network) already locked in staking, this move helps reduce supply on exchanges. Bitmine aims to earn staking rewards, strengthen its long-term position, and reach 5 % network share with its MAVAN validator network in early 2026.

Tether, issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, and Bitqik, a licensed cryptocurrency exchange in Laos, have teamed up to boost financial literacy about Bitcoin, stablecoins, and blockchain technology across the country. The collaboration will host quarterly educational events in cities like Vientiane, Pakse, Vangvieng, and Luang Prabang, plus online content to teach digital finance basics. Aiming to reach over 10,000 people in 2026, the initiative focuses on financial inclusion, trusted use of stablecoins, and empowering students, entrepreneurs, and communities to adopt digital assets.

Crypto Trader “1011 market crash trader” suffered a massive setback as crypto markets plunged amid rising EU–US tensions. His unrealized profits dropped by $35.9 million as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana tumbled sharply. Once sitting on huge gains, his current long positions now show just $13 million in unrealized profit. After paying $7.7 million in funding fees, his net unrealized gains stand at only $5.2 million, highlighting how fast fortunes can change in volatile markets.

Aster DEX has launched an automated buyback program, directing 20-40% of daily platform fees to repurchase $ASTER from its reserve wallet. This expands an earlier initiative, allowing up to 80% of fees to support the token. The move comes as $ASTER tumbled 12% to $0.63, triggered by Bitcoin’s drop from $95,400 to $92,000 and a broader altcoin sell-off. While traders reacted with surprise, bulls view the buybacks as a strategic tool to shrink supply and stabilize the token.

Crypto scams hit an all-time high in 2025, with AI-driven schemes causing massive losses, Chainalysis reports. Illicit addresses received over $14B, likely crossing $17B as more wallets are tracked. Impersonation scams surged 1,400% YoY, while AI-linked groups made 4.5× more money with 9× the daily transactions. Industrialized “Lighthouse” scam kits generated $1.5M over 3 years. Asia remains a hotspot, and average victim losses skyrocketed 253%, from $782 to $2,764. Major law enforcement actions targeted $15B in fraud.

XRP has emerged as the most traded digital asset in South Korea, highlighting massive retail adoption across the country. According to Upbit, one of the nation’s largest exchanges, the XRP/KRW pair led the market for most of 2025. Upbit alone processed over $1 trillion in total trades, showing strong everyday demand for XRP. This is not speculation, but a clear signal of real-world usage and growing dominance in a major crypto market.

BingX has signed a multi‑year partnership with Scuderia Ferrari HP, becoming its first motorsport sponsor and the team’s first collaboration with a crypto exchange brand. The deal, effective from January 1, 2026, makes BingX a Team Partner, linking two global brands known for innovation and performance. The partnership will include presence at race events, digital platforms, global content, and special fan experiences, expanding BingX’s reach and connecting crypto with racing audiences worldwide.

Belarus has signed Decree No. 19, legally creating crypto banks that can combine digital token operations with traditional banking services such as payments and deposits. These institutions must be joint-stock companies registered as residents of the High-Tech Park and listed in the National Bank’s crypto bank registry, and they’ll operate under dual oversight by park authorities and the National Bank. The move strengthens Belarus’s role as a regulated digital finance hub and reflects growing global trends toward integrating blockchain into mainstream financial systems.