Crypto Short News

Ripple Payments Europe S.A. has received preliminary approval from Luxembourg’s financial regulator, the CSSF, to operate as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI). Once all requirements are met, Ripple will be able to issue e-money and offer regulated payment services across the European Economic Area under MiCA rules. This follows Ripple’s recent EMI license and crypto registration in the UK. With over 75 licenses globally and $95 billion in payments processed, Ripple continues to strengthen its presence in Europe.

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Visa has partnered with payments firm BVNK to support stablecoin payouts, allowing businesses to send stablecoins directly to digital wallets. The collaboration could channel up to $30 billion in stablecoin flows from BVNK into Visa’s global payments network, which processes around $1.7 trillion in transactions. The move highlights Visa’s growing focus on blockchain-based payments and reflects rising demand from businesses for faster, more efficient digital settlement using stablecoins.

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Pakistan has signed an MOU with SC Financial Technologies, affiliated with the Trump family’s World Liberty Financial, to pilot the USD1 stablecoin, pegged one-to-one to the U.S. dollar, within its payment system. The central bank aims to accelerate $30 billion in annual remittances while cutting high fees. Set for an official announcement in Islamabad, this is one of the first sovereign partnerships for the DeFi platform, launched in September 2024 by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, advancing Pakistan’s digital finance initiatives.

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On Jan. 13, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded a huge $754 million in inflows, marking the strongest single day since October. Fidelity’s FBTC led with $351 million, followed by Bitwise’s BITB and BlackRock’s IBIT. Other crypto ETFs also saw gains, including Ethereum ($130M), Solana ($5.9M), and XRP ($13M). The surge pushed total ETF assets near $123 billion, reflecting renewed institutional interest as Bitcoin climbed above $95,000 amid softer U.S. inflation data.

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Germany’s second-largest banking group, DZ Bank, received MiCAR authorization from BaFin in late December 2025 to launch its crypto platform meinKrypto, a significant step toward regulated digital asset access in Europe’s mainstream banking. Under the EU’s Markets in Crypto‑Assets rules, the platform lets around 700 Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken offer Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Cardano trading inside the VR Banking App. Custody is handled by Boerse Stuttgart Digital Custody, and each bank must submit its own BaFin notification before going live.

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Polygon has earned over $1.7 million in fees in 2026, driven in large part by Polymarket’s 15-minute high-frequency prediction markets, which introduced transaction fees that reward liquidity providers and increase network activity. On one day, these markets contributed up to $100,000 in fees. Polygon also achieved a throughput of 16.67 million gas per second and $1.45 million in revenue over the past week, marking a 171% week-over-week increase, signaling growing adoption, stronger on-chain activity, and the ecosystem’s expanding utility.

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On January 13, 21Shares’ Bitcoin Gold ETP (BOLD) began trading on the London Stock Exchange, marking the UK’s first exchange‑traded product that blends Bitcoin and gold in one fund. The ETP uses a volatility‑based monthly rebalance to adjust exposure, aiming to give Bitcoin’s growth potential while keeping gold’s stability. The underlying assets are 100% physically backed and held in cold storage. BOLD’s strategy and strong past performance appeal to investors after the UK opened retail access to crypto ETPs, though risks remain high.

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Ex-New York City Mayor Eric Adams, known as the pro-crypto “Bitcoin Mayor,” launched the $NYC token on January 12, 2026, in Times Square via X. He pledged 70 percent of the token supply to a reserve wallet to support causes like fighting antisemitism, anti-Americanism, HBCUs, and youth scholarships. The memecoin quickly reached a $600 million market cap before plummeting over 80 percent to around $108 million, amid liquidity withdrawals and top wallets taking $1 to $2.5 million in profits. On-chain analysis revealed heavy concentration among early holders and red flags for potential rug pulls. Fake clones also appeared on Pump.fun, and Adams has remained silent since the crash, highlighting the risks of memecoins even with celebrity backing.

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After months of negotiation, Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott released the text of the nearly 280‑page Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025, a bipartisan proposal to bring clarity to U.S. crypto regulation. The bill draws a clearer line between SEC oversight for early‑stage tokens and CFTC control for ‘digital commodities’, aiming to resolve long‑standing regulatory uncertainty. It also includes DeFi exemptions and self‑custody protections to support innovation. Supporters like Sen. Cynthia Lummis and former CFTC Chair Atkins back the approach, while Democrats, including Sens. Jack Reed and Elizabeth Warren, express concerns about the timeline and possible loopholes ahead of the upcoming markup.

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Nigeria has implemented sweeping tax reforms that require crypto activity to be linked to Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) and National Identity Numbers (NINs), allowing authorities to trace digital asset transactions for taxation and enforcement purposes without compromising blockchain security. Under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, virtual asset service providers are required to collect detailed customer information, including names, addresses, TINs, and NINs, and submit monthly reports to the tax authorities. Firms must also flag large or suspicious transactions, bringing previously opaque crypto markets into formal oversight.

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Michael Saylor’s publicly traded firm, Strategy, continued its long‑term Bitcoin accumulation by purchasing 13,627 BTC for $1.25 billion, paying roughly $91,519 per coin in the latest buy. The firm now holds 687,410 BTC, with a total investment cost near $51.8 billion and a current market value around $62.36 billion. With an unrealized profit of $10.56 billion (about 20%), Strategy remains one of the largest corporate Bitcoin holders, reflecting strong institutional conviction in Bitcoin’s role as a digital reserve asset.

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Standard Chartered’s SC Ventures is planning a crypto prime brokerage for institutional clients, offering custody, financing, trading, and clearing for Bitcoin, Ether, and other digital assets while avoiding Basel III 1250 percent capital charges. The move builds on the bank’s July 2025 debut in spot Bitcoin and Ether trading, its Zodia Custody expansion, Coinbase partnerships, and the 140 billion dollar spot ETF surge amid the UK’s 2026 crypto regulations. Talks are at an early stage with no confirmed launch date, reflecting growing Wall Street interest in institutional crypto.

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The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) will ban privacy tokens, including Zcash and Monero, in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) from January 12, 2026, citing money laundering and sanctions evasion risks linked to anonymized transactions. Regulated firms will be prohibited from trading, holding, promoting, or using mixers and tumblers. Stablecoins will now be restricted to fiat-pegged assets backed by high-quality, liquid reserves able to meet redemption requirements under stress. Firms must self-assess token suitability using updated criteria, replacing previous approved lists to enhance compliance and investor protection.

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On January 12, 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto sent 10 BTC to Hal Finney, marking the first peer-to-peer Bitcoin transaction in history. Finney, an early supporter, had downloaded Bitcoin v0.1 shortly after its release and helped test the network. Recorded in block 170, this transaction proved that digital money could operate without banks or intermediaries. Before this, Bitcoin was only mined for rewards. This historic transfer showed that value could move directly between people, laying the foundation for today’s global Bitcoin network.

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Binance will list United Stables (U) on January 13, 2026, at 08:00 UTC, opening spot trading for U/USDT and U/USDC. United Stables is a next‑generation stablecoin backed 1:1 by cash and major stablecoins, designed to unify fragmented liquidity across trading, DeFi, payments, and AI‑enabled systems on both BNB Smart Chain and Ethereum. It supports EIP‑3009 gasless transactions and integrates with top wallets and DeFi protocols. Binance will also launch LINK/USD1, PEPE/USD1, and USDC/MXN spot pairs that day.

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India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has rolled out stricter anti‑money‑laundering and KYC rules for cryptocurrency exchanges to strengthen user verification and combat illicit activity. New onboarding requirements include live selfie verification using liveness detection, geolocation tracking (latitude, longitude, IP, timestamp), bank account confirmation via a small test transfer, and multiple government‑issued ID checks. Exchanges must also verify email and mobile numbers. These measures aim to improve transparency and traceability without banning crypto trading, though enhanced verification may slow onboarding.

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South Korea’s Financial Services Commission has ended a nine-year ban on corporate crypto investments, originally imposed over money laundering concerns. Around 3,500 listed companies and professional investors can now allocate up to 5% of their equity annually to the top 20 cryptocurrencies on major exchanges like Upbit. Exchanges must apply staggered trades and size limits to reduce volatility. Stablecoin inclusion, such as USDT, remains under review. Critics argue the 5% cap is tighter than rules in the U.S. or Japan, while the move aligns with South Korea’s 2026 growth strategy and spot ETF plans.

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Crypto YouTube viewership has plunged sharply over the past three months to its lowest level since January 2021, highlighting weak retail interest amid prolonged bear‑market conditions. Data shared by Benjamin Cowen shows a broad drop in 30‑day average views across channels, while creator Tom Crown says engagement has fallen across platforms since October. Analysts link the decline to retail fatigue from scams and poor returns, with some investors shifting focus to traditional assets as institutions dominate the current cycle.

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Coinbase has warned it may withdraw support for the CLARITY Act if the Senate limits stablecoin rewards beyond simple disclosure rules. Passed by the House in July 2025, the bipartisan bill heads to a Senate Banking Committee markup on January 15, 2026, to clarify SEC and CFTC oversight. Coinbase argues stricter rules could stifle competition, threaten $1.3B in USDC revenue, and weaken the U.S. dollar, while banks push restrictions to protect community lenders.

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Seventeen years ago, cryptographer Hal Finney posted the first known tweet about Bitcoin, simply saying “Running Bitcoin,” signaling that he had downloaded and run the new software. He was likely the first person outside Satoshi Nakamoto to operate the Bitcoin client. The next day, Satoshi sent him the first transaction of ten BTC, proving the network worked. Despite being diagnosed with ALS in 2009, Finney continued testing the software and reporting bugs until his death in 2014. His early work and dedication are now recognized as foundational to Bitcoin’s growth and success.

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Tether, the leading stablecoin provider, has joined forces with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to tackle rising cybercrime in Africa’s fast-growing crypto market. With scams and fraud increasing, Interpol recently uncovered $260 million in illicit crypto and fiat. The initiative focuses on strengthening digital asset security and educating the public. By combining Tether’s expertise with UNODC’s global reach, the partnership aims to make crypto safer, promote responsible adoption, and protect users across the continent.

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The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority will open a crypto licensing gateway in September 2026, giving firms time to prepare for a new regulatory regime launching on 25 October 2027. All crypto businesses will need fresh FCA approval under the Financial Services and Markets Act, as existing AML or payments registrations will not carry over. Companies that miss the deadline may continue offering current services under a transitional regime, but will be blocked from launching new products. The changes aim to improve oversight, raise standards, and strengthen consumer protection across the UK crypto market.

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Grayscale Investments has filed for new trusts in Delaware to pave the way for BNB and HYPE exchange-traded funds, registering entities 10465871 and 10465863 with CSC Delaware Trust Company. This move follows the massive inflows seen in spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. BNB supports Binance’s ecosystem, while HYPE powers Hyperliquid’s high-speed futures trading, which captured up to 80% of on-chain activity at its peak. While no SEC filings have been submitted yet, the step highlights Grayscale’s confidence in altcoins like Solana and XRP and their long-term revenue potential.

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President Donald Trump told The New York Times he will not pardon jailed FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who is serving a 25-year sentence for fraud and conspiracy, and is appealing his conviction. SBF had once donated millions to political campaigns, including $5.2 million to the Biden campaign, but Trump made clear a pardon isn’t coming. Trump also defended his increasingly pro-crypto position, stating that supporting digital assets helped him attract voters and added that he has “come to like crypto” as its adoption grows.

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Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin says Ethereum draws inspiration from both BitTorrent and Linux to define its future. Like BitTorrent, it proves decentralized systems can scale globally without central control. Like Linux, it shows that open and permissionless networks can gain trust from enterprises and governments. Buterin explained that Ethereum’s Layer 1 is designed to be a neutral financial and infrastructure foundation, enabling individuals and organizations to operate autonomously, reduce dependence on intermediaries, and support large-scale, real-world adoption.

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Rumble and Tether launched Rumble Wallet, a self-custody crypto wallet integrated into the platform for USDT, XAUt, and BTC tips. Using Tether’s Wallet Development Kit and on-ramps like MoonPay, creators can receive instant, global payments without banks or ad networks. This rollout follows Tether’s $775M investment in Rumble and its Bitcoin tipping feature for 68M users, enabling borderless earnings for creators worldwide.

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Morgan Stanley filed an S-1 with the SEC for its Ethereum Trust, following recent Bitcoin and Solana ETF submissions. The $1.8 trillion firm will hold ETH directly, stake portions for yield through third parties, and enable in-kind redemptions to simplify client access. Building on its October 2025 crypto rollout via wealth management, this move eyes massive inflows as Ethereum’s staking and smart contracts draw institutional interest. 

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Barclays, which manages $2.2 trillion in assets, has made its first move into stablecoins by backing Ubyx Inc., a U.S.-based clearing system for tokenized deposits and regulated stablecoins. Announced on January 7, 2026, the investment aims to improve connectivity across tokens, blockchains, and digital wallets as adoption of digital money accelerates. Ubyx CEO Tony McLaughlin says banks will increasingly offer digital wallets alongside traditional accounts, with Barclays joining Galaxy and Coinbase Ventures in Ubyx’s $10 million seed round.

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Ethereum launched the BPO2 upgrade at epoch 419072 around 1:01 a.m. UTC on January 7, 2026, increasing the per-block blob target from 10 to 14 and maximum from 15 to 21 blobs. This 40% capacity expansion reduces data costs for rollups like Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base using Dencun’s 128KB blobs, stabilizing fees while achieving nearly 59 million gas per second throughput. Developers praised the forkless rollout for seamless Layer 2 scaling. 

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Nike has quietly sold its digital products subsidiary RTFKT, which it acquired in 2021 as part of a push into NFTs and virtual sneakers, marking the end of its Web3 services announced earlier in 2025. The buyer and terms were not disclosed, but the move comes amid broader strategic shifts at Nike. Reports of the sale triggered a 195% surge in RTFKT’s market activity. Following news of the sale, Clone X NFT floor prices jumped significantly, sparking renewed optimism among holders and traders.

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XRP surged 25-30% in the first week of 2026, breaking $2.35 and reclaiming a $140B+ market cap, solidifying its top‑4 ranking and earning CNBC’s recognition as the year’s hottest crypto trade over Bitcoin and Ethereum. Spot ETFs attracted over $1.3B in inflows with $46M daily, while exchange reserves fell to multi‑year lows, signaling whale accumulation. Trading volume spiked to $7-8B daily, and analysts like Standard Chartered eye $4-$8 targets, fueled by fading SEC concerns and growing payment adoption. Even with RSI overbought, XRP’s momentum shows no signs of slowing.

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Ethereum’s 2025 ecosystem report shows major progress across decentralised finance, scalability, and institutional use. DeFi total value locked reached about $99 billion, while stablecoin settlement volume hit $18.8 trillion, reflecting heavy network use. Layer 2 rollups drove efficiency, cutting fees below $0.01 and pushing average throughput above 5,600 transactions per second. ETH held in ETFs and strategic reserves topped $35 billion, and on‑chain real‑world assets exceeded $12 billion. The network now supports 88 million+ smart contracts, saw 1.74 million peak daily transactions, and has about 32,000 active developers.

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Tether has launched Scudo, a new unit of account for its gold-backed token, Tether Gold (XAU₮), to simplify pricing and usage of digital gold. One Scudo equals 1/1000 of a troy ounce of gold, a change aimed at smoother everyday transactions and clearer values on chain. This new unit does not change XAU₮’s structure or physical backing. Gold remains fully backed in secure vaults with on-chain proof. Scudo is designed to bring gold closer to real-world use, not just long-term holding.

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Binance Wallet has launched its 44th Exclusive TGE on PancakeSwap for Zen Chain (ZTC), a layer-1 blockchain using CLCM consensus to enable cross-chain privacy and scalability. The subscription period runs on January 7, 2026, from 08:00 to 10:00 UTC, exclusively for users with Binance Alpha Points earned through trading and wallet activity. A total of 420 million ZTC tokens are set aside for promotions, continuing Binance’s successful series of early-access token offerings for its community.

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Ethereum’s market capitalization has climbed above Netflix’s valuation, reclaiming its place as the world’s 36th‑largest global asset by market cap. With ETH’s current price around $3,238 and a market cap nearing $390 billion, it now outranks the streaming giant’s valuation. This milestone highlights Ethereum’s growing dominance in crypto and traditional finance, fueled by staking growth, DeFi expansion, and institutional adoption. The “flippening” moment underscores ETH’s resilience and potential for further gains in 2026.

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Morgan Stanley filed an S-1 with the SEC on January 6, 2026, for a spot Bitcoin Trust ETF that directly tracks BTC spot prices using benchmarks from major exchanges. The filing also covers a Solana ETF offering staking rewards, expanding the firm’s digital asset lineup post-2024 BTC ETF approvals. This positions Morgan Stanley to meet surging institutional demand amid President Trump’s pro-crypto policies and Bitcoin’s rally toward $100K.

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A hacker took control of a multi-signature wallet, stealing $27.3 million in crypto assets. The attacker recently withdrew 1,000 ETH (about $3.24 million) from Aave and laundered funds through Tornado Cash, with total deposits reaching 6,300 ETH (around $19.4 million). On-chain data shows the hacker still holds leveraged positions worth $9.75 million in ETH and DAI. This follows a September 22 attack where the same actor minted unauthorized tokens and drained tens of millions in crypto.

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On January 6, Bitmine added 186,336 ETH worth $604.5 million to its staking pool, bringing the total to 779,488 ETH valued at $2.52 billion. According to Onchain Lens data, this rapid restake underscores Bitmine’s aggressive expansion as a leading Ethereum validator. This move underscores Bitmine’s confidence in Ethereum and its commitment to the proof-of-stake network. By steadily growing its stake, Bitmine not only secures consistent staking rewards but also strengthens its influence as a major institutional player in the Ethereum ecosystem.

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Rep. Ritchie Torres has introduced a new bill aimed at banning federal officials from trading on prediction markets using non-public information. The proposal, called the Public Integrity in Financial Prediction Markets Act of 2026, comes after concerns that U.S. insiders may have profited from sensitive Venezuela-related bets. Prediction markets allow users to wager on real-world outcomes like elections, conflicts, and political changes. Lawmakers fear officials with access to classified intelligence could exploit these platforms for personal gain. The bill seeks to protect public trust by closing loopholes that could enable insider trading on geopolitical events.

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XRP price surged nearly 12% to around $2.40, extending its early-2026 rally as demand outpaced supply. The price broke above a key resistance level that had limited gains for weeks. Strong institutional buying helped fuel the move, with U.S. spot XRP ETFs seeing $48 million in inflows. At the same time, XRP held on exchanges fell to multi-year lows, reducing selling pressure. High trading volume confirmed the breakout, showing the rally is backed by real market demand.

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Michael Saylor’s “Strategy” has added 1,287 Bitcoin to its holdings, strengthening its position as one of the largest corporate BTC holders. The purchase lifts the company’s total Bitcoin reserve to 673,783 BTC, reinforcing its long-term conviction in the asset. At the same time, Strategy increased its U.S. dollar reserves by $62 million, bringing total cash holdings to $2.25 billion. The move signals a dual focus on increasing Bitcoin exposure while preserving liquidity for stability and future flexibility.

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On January 4, 2026, on-chain sleuth ZachXBT revealed Ledger’s latest data breach via third-party payment handler Global-e, which notified customers of “unusual activity” in its cloud system. Exposed info includes names and contact details for some Ledger buyers, no wallet seeds or crypto compromised. Global-e contained the breach and hired forensic experts for a probe. This echoes Ledger’s July 2020 e-commerce hack affecting 1M+ emails and 272k full profiles used in phishing since. Users should watch for scams.

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Starknet, a major Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution, has been down for more than two hours as of January 5, 2026, halting transactions and dApps. The Starknet team confirmed on X that they are investigating the sequencer issues and pushing fixes to restore service quickly. This echoes past outages like the 9-hour September 2, 2025, Grinta upgrade disruption involving Ethereum RPC failures and reorgs reverting hours of blocks. Developers are working to resolve the issue and will provide updates as progress continues.

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Binance has launched Brevis (BREV) as the 60th project in its HODLer Airdrop program, rewarding users who held or staked BNB in Simple Earn or On‑Chain Yield products between December 17 and December 20, 2025. Brevis is a scalable computing platform built for blockchain and AI applications, with 15 million BREV (1.5% of total supply) allocated for the airdrop and more for ecosystem growth. The BREV token will list on January 6, 2026, with USDT, USDC, BNB, and TRY trading pairs and a seed tag.

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Japan’s Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama has declared 2026 the nation’s “digital year” and pledged strong support for integrating cryptocurrencies into the mainstream financial system. Speaking at the Tokyo Stock Exchange, she backed allowing digital assets to trade on stock exchanges and pointed to U.S. crypto ETFs as a model worth emulating. Japan is advancing plans to reclassify about 105 major cryptocurrencies as financial products under securities law and cut capital gains tax from as high as 55 % to a flat 20 %, aligning crypto more with stocks and boosting investor access and market growth.

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Bank of America updated its policy in December 2025, allowing over 15,000 advisors across Merrill, Private Bank, and Merrill Edge to recommend 1% to 4% crypto allocations via spot Bitcoin ETFs like BlackRock’s IBIT, Fidelity’s FBTC, Bitwise’s BITB, and Grayscale’s Mini Trust starting January 5, 2026. This proactive shift ends prior restrictions requiring client requests, following 2024 SEC ETF approvals and peers like Morgan Stanley (2% to 4%) and Vanguard. Managing $1.7 trillion in assets, the bank views crypto as high-risk innovation akin to private equity, suitable for volatility-tolerant clients.

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A Polymarket trader known as “beachboy4” lost more than $2.07 million in just 35 days, even with a 51% win rate across 53 prediction trades. The losses stemmed from huge average bets of about $400,000, frequent high-priced entries, and no stop‑loss or hedging strategies, causing many losing positions to go to zero. His biggest single loss hit $1.58 million, outweighing his largest win of around $936,000. This case highlights how high risk and poor strategy can wipe out profits in prediction markets.

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SlowMist’s Chief Security Officer recently flagged a new phishing scam that targets MetaMask wallet owners by copying official security alert pages to steal mnemonic seed phrases. The scam starts with a forged MetaMask alert and leads users through a fake two‑factor authentication flow that includes a countdown timer and looks urgent and legitimate. Victims are eventually asked to enter their wallet recovery phrase, which attackers then use to access and drain funds from the wallet. MetaMask never asks for seed phrases on websites, so always check the URL and avoid entering sensitive information.

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PwC is making a major shift to grow its digital asset business after years of caution, driven by clearer US regulations and new stablecoin laws. PwC US leader Paul Griggs says the GENIUS Act, which sets federal rules for stablecoins, and a more supportive regulatory climate have boosted confidence in crypto and created new opportunities for audit, consulting, and advisory work. He also expects asset tokenization to keep expanding and wants PwC to remain tightly involved in building and supporting this growing ecosystem.

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On Jan. 2, spot Bitcoin ETFs posted $471 million in total net inflows, led by BlackRock’s IBIT with $287 million. Spot Ethereum ETFs also attracted fresh money, recording $174 million in net inflows, with Grayscale’s ETHE topping the list at $53.69 million. Spot XRP ETFs remained in the green too, bringing in $13.59 million in net inflows. The numbers highlight continued investor demand across major crypto ETF products as capital keeps rotating into regulated market exposure.

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Bitcoin turns 17 today, marking the day Satoshi Nakamoto mined the first-ever block on January 3, 2009. This moment started the Bitcoin ledger, a record that remains permanent and open for anyone to verify. What began as a single block has grown into a worldwide financial network, reshaping ideas around money, trust, and independence. Seventeen years later, Bitcoin is no longer an experiment; it’s a movement, and its story is still unfolding.

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Bitmine Immersion Technologies (BMNR), holding 4.11 million ETH ($12.1B), deposited 82,560 ETH ($259M) into Ethereum’s Proof of Stake contract today. Since starting staking on December 27, 2025, it has committed 544,064 ETH ($1.7B), about 13.2% of its holdings, ahead of its MAVAN validator launch in Q1 2026. This aggressive move, led by Chairman Tom Lee, boosts yields at 3% APR ($374M/year fully staked) and drove BMNR stock up 14%. With ETH at $3,140, staking locks supply amid ETF flows.

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XRP has surged past BNB to become the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, reaching approximately $123 billion after an 8% price jump to $2.02-$2.03 in the last 24 hours. This positions XRP behind Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether, driven by a 177% spike in trading volume to $3.8 billion and ongoing inflows into US spot XRP ETFs. BNB, now at fifth with $121 billion and prices around $848-$860, reflects broader altcoin momentum as Bitcoin exceeds $90,000. Ripple’s cross-border payment utility continues fueling investor interest amid rising market adoption.

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XRP has climbed past BNB to become the world’s third-largest cryptocurrency by market value. Behind the move is a quiet but important trend: XRP held on exchanges has fallen to its lowest level in eight years. Since October, more than half of the supply has moved off exchanges, showing strong long-term holding rather than selling. With fewer tokens available to trade, prices can react faster when buying picks up. If demand returns, XRP could see sharp moves higher.

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Binance has added Acala (ACA), DAR Open Network (D), Streamr (DATA), and Flow (FLOW) to its Monitoring Tag list starting January 2, 2026. This tag signals that these tokens show higher risk and volatility and are now under closer review by the exchange. Binance may delist any token that fails to meet its ongoing listing standards. Traders must also complete a risk awareness quiz every 90 days to keep trading these marked assets.

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Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has set out a fresh roadmap for 2026, putting a global all-in-one trading platform at the center of the company’s plans. This vision includes a single venue where users can trade crypto, equities, and commodities across spot, futures, and options markets. Coinbase also aims to grow stablecoin and payment usage and move more people on-chain through its developer tools, Base chain, and Base App, while boosting product quality and automation to support that growth.

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A quiet crypto attack is draining wallets across EVM chains like Ethereum, BNB Chain, Base, and Arbitrum. Each victim is losing under $2,000, but total losses have crossed $107,000 so far. The stolen funds are being sent to one address: 0xAc2e5153170278e24667a580baEa056ad8Bf9bFB. On-chain analyst ZachXBT flagged the issue, noting repeated approvals and transfers. Experts advise users to revoke old approvals, avoid unknown transactions, and move funds to safer wallets.

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The Federal Reserve’s December meeting minutes highlight a steady but moderate U.S. economic growth, with the labor market slowing and wage increases staying in line with last year. Officials warned that a potential government shutdown could drag on near-term GDP. Looking ahead, the Fed expects growth to run slightly above potential after 2025, with inflation gradually returning to the 2% target by 2028, though risks and uncertainties remain elevated.

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Bitwise Asset Management filed for 11 new cryptocurrency strategy ETFs with the U.S. SEC on December 30, 2025, targeting altcoins like AAVE, UNI, ZEC, ENA, Hyperliquid, NEAR, STRK, SUI, TAO, TRX, and CC. Each fund allocates 60% to direct crypto holdings and 40% to ETPs or derivatives for liquidity and compliance. If approved, they launch March 16, 2026, building on Bitwise’s XRP and Solana success amid surging institutional demand. This move offers regulated exposure to DeFi, L1s, and niche tokens in a $3T market.

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The Russian Ministry of Justice has introduced a draft amendment to the Criminal Code to punish illegal cryptocurrency mining, reflecting stricter oversight of unlicensed digital asset activities. Under the proposal, people mining without registration could face fines of up to 1.5 million rubles or up to two years of compulsory labor. New Article 171.6 would also allow penalties for operators of mining infrastructure. If the activity causes large damage or involves organized groups, the draft allows sentences of up to five years in prison. The amendment is currently open for public review on Russia’s official legal portal.

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Investors who bought MicroStrategy ($MSTR) at 2.5x mNAV in June 2021 are now structurally outperforming Bitcoin. The company’s Bitcoin holdings have surged to 672,497 BTC, giving each share significantly more digital asset exposure than at purchase. Today, 1x NAV per share is $170, well above the 2021 entry price, while the balance sheet is stronger than ever with multiple capital taps. MicroStrategy’s approach highlights the power of long-term corporate Bitcoin adoption in amplifying shareholder returns.

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Blockchain sleuth ZachXBT exposed Haby (Havard), a Canadian from Abbotsford near Vancouver, who stole over $2 million from Coinbase users over a year by posing as support staff. He used social engineering for remote access, drained wallets like a $44,000 XRP theft and $237,000 Exodus balance, swapped to BTC via instant exchanges, and blew funds on rare Telegram usernames, club bottle service, and gambling. ZachXBT’s 12-post thread traced the theft through screenshots, emails, and blockchain data, earning crypto community praise and calls for RCMP intervention.

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Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich announced the company purchased 4,279 BTC in Q4 2025 for about $451 million, averaging $105,412 per coin. Total holdings now stand at 35,102 BTC, with a $3.78 billion cost basis and an average cost of $107,606 per BTC, yielding 568.2% in 2025. Its Bitcoin Income business generated ¥8.581 billion, surpassing forecasts, while the ongoing MARS plan supports disciplined long-term accumulation, reinforcing Metaplanet’s position among the world’s top corporate Bitcoin holders.

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Dragonfly partner Haseeb Qureshi predicts Bitcoin could break $150,000 by the end of 2026, even as its market share shrinks. He expects Ethereum and Solana to outperform, while many fintech Layer‑1s underdeliver. Big Tech may launch or acquire a crypto wallet, and more Fortune 100 firms will adopt blockchain. In DeFi, three perpetual DEX leaders will dominate, with equity perps rising above 20%. Stablecoin supply could grow 60%, with USDT’s share falling and stablecoin cards expanding massively.

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Metaplanet Inc. has successfully completed the issuance of 23.61 million Class B Preferred Shares (“MERCURY”) via a third-party allotment, raising ¥21.25 billion. Major investors include Nautical Funding Ltd., SMALLCAP World Fund, and select Anson and Ghisallo funds. Each share was issued at ¥900, boosting capital stock and reserves by ¥10.62 billion each. Following the allotment, total Class B shares reach 23.61 million, with capital stock temporarily set to reduce to ¥1 from December 30, 2025, as part of the company’s growth strategy.

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Strategy added 1,229 BTC for about $108.8 million, averaging $88,568 per Bitcoin, achieving an impressive 23.2% yield YTD 2025. As of December 28, 2025, the company holds a total of 672,497 BTC, purchased for around $50.44 billion at an average price of $74,997 per Bitcoin, proving their relentless HODL even after last week’s 10,645 BTC scoop.​ This latest buy via ATM equity sales boosts their massive treasury.

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Between December 22–26, Bitcoin spot ETFs experienced heavy outflows of $782 M across all 12 funds, while Ethereum spot ETFs saw $102 M in withdrawals. In contrast, Solana (SOL) spot ETFs recorded a net inflow of $13.14 M across eight ETFs. XRP ETFs surged with $64 M in inflows, led by Franklin’s XRPZ at $28.6 M, bringing total assets to $1.24 B. The trend highlights rising investor interest in altcoin ETFs even as Bitcoin and Ethereum face weaker demand.

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China’s central bank announced a major overhaul of its digital yuan, allowing commercial banks to pay interest on e‑CNY balances starting Jan. 1, 2026. The new framework upgrades the currency from simple digital cash to “digital deposit money,” aligning it closer to traditional bank deposits and expanding its monetary functions. Deputy Governor Lu Lei emphasized that the move follows over a decade of pilot programs, aiming to boost adoption, enhance financial utility, and make the e-CNY more attractive compared to private digital payment systems.

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JPMorgan has frozen accounts of stablecoin startups Blindpay and Kontigo, both backed by Y Combinator, after spotting suspicious activity linked to high-risk regions like Venezuela. The firms, which processed payments through Checkbook, reportedly saw rising chargebacks and weak identity checks. JPMorgan said the move was a compliance measure tied to sanctions rules, not a ban on all crypto clients. Both startups were growing fast in Latin America’s digital payment sector before the freeze.

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Robinhood has rolled out a “Hood Holidays” countdown event, giving users a chance to share $500,000 worth of Dogecoin by joining an in-app countdown at 8:30 PM ET. Every eligible participant on the countdown screen receives a DOGE reward, turning the promo into a mass airdrop-style giveaway. Alongside Dogecoin, Robinhood is also offering high-end prizes, such as Rolex watches and Apple AirPods, to keep users engaged during the festive campaign.

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Japan’s FY2026 tax reform outline proposes reclassifying crypto assets as financial products under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, cutting the tax rate on gains from up to 55% to a flat 20.315%. Spot, derivatives, and ETF profits would face separate taxation with up to a three-year loss carryforward, aligning with stocks. Staking, lending, and NFTs likely stay under miscellaneous income at progressive rates, pending 2026 legislation.

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Today marks the largest crypto options expiry in history, with nearly $28 billion worth of BTC and ETH contracts settling on Deribit. Roughly 267,000 Bitcoin options expire with a put/call ratio of 0.35 and a max pain level near $95,000, while 1.28 million Ethereum options expire with a put/call ratio of 0.45 and max pain around $3,100. Traders have been repositioning ahead of settlement, and quarterly contracts now dominate open interest, highlighting increased derivative influence on price action.

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Gemini, the third-largest U.S. crypto exchange, has announced the launch of trading and custody support for BNB, the native token of the BNB Chain ecosystem. Originally issued by Binance in 2017, BNB is widely used for paying trading and network fees. With this move, Gemini joins Kraken in supporting BNB, while Coinbase has placed the token on its listing roadmap but has yet to start trading. The listing expands Gemini’s asset offerings amid growing multi-chain adoption.

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Trust Wallet has confirmed a serious security breach affecting version 2.68 of its browser extension, which hackers exploited to drain funds from hundreds of users’ wallets across Bitcoin, Solana, and EVM networks. Initial on-chain analysis showed losses exceeding $6 million, with total impact around $7 million. Users are urged to disable the compromised extension and upgrade to version 2.69 immediately. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao said Trust Wallet will cover the losses and that user funds are SAFU while the investigation continues.

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Crypto veteran Arthur Hayes has deposited another 682 $ETH ($2M) into Binance, continuing his strategy of selling Ethereum to invest in high-quality DeFi tokens. Over the past week, Hayes sold a total of 1,871 $ETH ($5.53M) and acquired 1.22M $ENA ($257.5K), 137,117 $PENDLE ($259K), and 132,730 $ETHFI ($93K), signaling a strong shift toward DeFi opportunities.

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Spain will fully enforce key EU crypto rules, MiCA and DAC8, in 2026 to boost oversight and transparency. From January 1, 2026, crypto platforms must collect detailed transaction, balance, and fund‑flow data and report it under DAC8 to EU tax authorities, with exchanges exchanging information by September 2027. Under MiCA, all crypto-asset service providers must obtain full CNMV authorization by July 1, 2026, or cease operations. Spain’s tax authorities can act on tax debts, but self‑custody wallets remain outside reporting rules.

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Author Robert Kiyosaki has highlighted a serious warning from legendary investor Warren Buffett, saying an Artificial Intelligence–driven stock market bubble and rising global debt could become the biggest threat investors have ever faced. According to Kiyosaki, Buffett believes the risk is even greater than the dotcom crash. Kiyosaki urged people to listen closely to Buffett’s talks and podcasts, stressing that markets are entering dangerous times and that wisdom from experienced investors is crucial for navigating the future.

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Bybit, one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges, will start phasing out services for Japanese residents in 2026 to align with Japan’s strict regulatory rules. The platform plans gradual account restrictions, including limits on new registrations and trading features, rather than an abrupt shutdown, giving users time to withdraw funds and close positions. The move follows mounting pressure from Japan’s Financial Services Agency, which has tightened oversight of unregistered overseas exchanges.

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Two crypto wallets lost a total of $2.3 million in USDT in a rapid on-chain theft. The attacker swiftly swapped the stolen stablecoins for 757.6 ETH and funneled the funds through privacy mixer Tornado Cash within minutes, making tracking extremely difficult. The swift laundering move underlines how fast criminals can exploit DeFi tools to hide funds and again exposes how fragile wallet security and transaction monitoring can be in today’s crypto markets.

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Strategy added $748 million to its cash, reaching $2.19 billion while keeping 671,268 Bitcoins steady. No Bitcoin buys happened from December 15-21 as they build cash from stock sales. Michael Saylor posted the update on X on December 22, ready for big buys in market dips. This builds on a $1.44 billion reserve from late November amid ups and downs. Shares climb as investors back the huge Bitcoin plan.

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Aster is launching Phase 5 of its ASTER buyback program on December 23, committing up to 80% of daily platform fees to repurchasing tokens. Forty percent will drive automated on-chain buybacks to maintain steady market demand, while the remaining 20%-40% will focus on strategic opportunities in favorable market conditions. This balanced approach aims to stabilize prices, enhance liquidity, and strengthen long-term value and investor confidence in the ASTER ecosystem.

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Ghana’s parliament has passed the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, officially legalizing cryptocurrency trading and creating a clear regulatory framework for digital assets and service providers. The new law gives the Bank of Ghana power to license and oversee exchanges, wallet providers, and other crypto platforms while enforcing consumer protections and anti-money-laundering rules. This move aims to reduce risks like fraud, bring oversight to a fast-growing market used by millions of Ghanaians, and support innovation and financial inclusion. Read More

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Tokyo-listed Metaplanet, holding 30,823 BTC worth $2.75 billion, approved issuing preferred shares without affecting common stock. Following MicroStrategy’s approach, the company doubled its Class A (MARS) and Class B (MERCURY) shares, added floating-rate and quarterly dividends, and targeted institutional investors. Recently, it raised $150 million through MERCURY shares and $250 million via credit for Bitcoin purchases. The stock jumped 18% to 451 JPY as investors anticipate further Bitcoin accumulation and bigger holdings.

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Binance launches ADA/USD1, ASTER/USD1, ZEC/USD1, LUNA/USDC, and LUNC/USDC spot pairs on December 24 at 08:00 UTC, with full Trading Bots support, including spot algo orders. USD1 from World Liberty Financial packs a $2.72 billion market cap as Treasury backed USD stablecoin under BitGo custody. Terra Classic fans celebrate LUNC/USDC as a big win after years of recovery, with leader VegasMorph calling it a sign of their resilience and a festive boost.

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Hong Kong’s Insurance Authority is proposing new rules that could let insurance companies invest in cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and infrastructure projects, a first-of-its-kind in Asia. Under the draft plan, crypto assets would carry a 100% risk capital charge, meaning insurers must hold capital equal to the full value of such holdings. Stablecoins would face risk charges tied to the fiat currency they’re pegged to. The proposal is scheduled for public consultation in early 2026, before being presented to lawmakers. Read More

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A crypto user lost nearly $50 million in USDT after falling for an address-poisoning scam. The victim accidentally copied a look-alike wallet address from their transaction history and sent 49,999,950 USDT to the attacker. After receiving the funds, the scammer converted the USDT into ETH, split it across multiple wallets, and moved part of it into Tornado Cash to hide the trail. The incident highlights how small mistakes can lead to massive losses in crypto transfers.

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Eight CryptoPunks NFTs have been added to the permanent collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), marking a major milestone for NFTs in traditional art. The works were donated through an initiative led by Art on Blockchain, with support from several crypto art collectors. Larva Labs, the original creators of CryptoPunks, also contributed pieces from their own holdings, underscoring the project’s status as a pioneering early NFT art series.

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Bybit has reentered the U.K. after a two-year pause, reopening access to spot trading on about 100 crypto pairs for local users. Instead of operating directly, the exchange is using a structure that aligns with the Financial Conduct Authority’s strict financial promotion rules by routing services and marketing through London-based, FCA-regulated crypto exchange Archax. This partnership lets Bybit regain U.K. exposure without holding its own domestic license while staying within the promotion regime.

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Binance has announced it will delist nine altcoins, $BUZZ, $DARK, $FROG, $GORK, $MIRAI, $PERRY, $RFC, $SNAI, and $TERMINUS, from its platform on December 19, 2025, at 07:00 (UTC). The tokens are being removed for not meeting Binance’s listing standards. While they will no longer be available for trading on the main Binance platform, users can still sell these tokens on Binance Alpha, allowing continued access for managing their holdings.

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A solo Bitcoin miner scored a huge win by mining block 928351 after renting under $100 of hashpower on NiceHash’s EasyMining service. The miner captured the full 3.152 BTC block reward, worth roughly $271,000, with Bitcoin trading around $86000.  The score highlights how rented hashpower can still let small players compete with industrial farms, though such solo hits remain extremely unlikely in today’s high-difficulty network.

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Coinbase Global Inc. sued Michigan, Illinois, and Connecticut, challenging their attempts to regulate prediction markets as gambling. The crypto giant argues that only the CFTC has exclusive jurisdiction over these event contracts. This comes after Coinbase partnered with Kalshi to join the $27.9 billion market on elections, sports, and economy. Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal noted that states have targeted Kalshi, Robinhood, and others, seeking court blocks on the grounds of interference.

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Kraken is launching its xStocks product on the TON blockchain, now available through Telegram’s TON Wallet. This integration lets users trade tokenized stocks directly within Telegram, offering a simple and familiar interface. By combining Kraken’s robust trading platform with TON’s fast blockchain and Telegram’s large user base, the move aims to make digital assets more accessible, streamline the trading experience, and promote wider adoption of tokenized stock trading in the crypto space.

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The US Consumer Price Index (CPI) for November will be released today at 8:30 AM ET, following the cancellation of the October report due to the government shutdown. Analysts anticipate a 3.1 % headline CPI and 3.0 % core CPI, with month-over-month growth around 0.3 %. With no monthly CPI data available, investors are closely watching the annual figures to assess inflation trends and potential impacts on Federal Reserve policy decisions.

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Travel Retail Norway has become the first duty-free chain in the world to accept Bitcoin for Click and Collect purchases at Oslo Airport arrivals. Customers can pay easily using QR codes and Lightning Network wallets with no extra fees. Payments are displayed in Norwegian kroner, settled in real time, and issued with standard receipts, demonstrating a modernized payment experience and real-world crypto adoption for international travelers.

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Caroline Ellison, former CEO of Alameda Research and ex-girlfriend of Sam Bankman-Fried, was transferred on October 16 from the federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut, to community confinement. This could include home confinement or a halfway house, though she remains under federal custody. Ellison has served roughly 11 months of her sentence. According to prison records, her projected early release date is February 20, 2026, marking a significant step toward completing her sentence outside a traditional prison setting.

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Binance has announced the delisting of several spot trading pairs due to low liquidity and trading volume. Effective December 19, 2025, at 03:00 UTC, the affected pairs include AI/FDUSD, BICO/BTC, DOLO/BNB, MITO/BNB, MITO/FDUSD, MOVE/BTC, NEWT/BNB, and OM/BTC. Spot Trading Bots for these pairs will also be terminated, and users are advised to update or cancel them to avoid losses. Tokens remain tradable via other available pairs on Binance.

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Visa is opening its US payments network to stablecoin settlement, letting American banks and fintechs settle card transactions in Circle’s USDC over the Solana blockchain instead of only using traditional wire transfers. Cross River Bank and Lead Bank are the first institutions live on the system, with wider rollout planned through 2026, and Visa will also support Circle’s high-speed Arc blockchain as a design partner once it launches.

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PancakeSwap is co-incubating Probable, a new on-chain prediction market protocol on BNB Chain developed with YZI Labs. Probable will host markets on sports, politics, crypto, and macro events, letting users deposit a wide range of tokens that are automatically converted into USDT for placing bets. Market resolution will rely on UMA’s Optimistic Oracle, aiming to deliver fast, tamper-resistant, economically secure outcome verification as BNB Chain pushes into next generation prediction markets.

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Grayscale’s 2026 Digital Asset Outlook highlights that, although quantum computing represents a long-term threat to blockchain cryptography, Bitcoin and the broader crypto market are unlikely to face price or valuation impacts in 2026. The report notes that most public blockchains will eventually require post-quantum cryptography upgrades. However, experts estimate that a quantum computer capable of breaking Bitcoin’s public-key cryptography and forging digital signatures is unlikely to emerge before 2030, keeping Bitcoin secure in the near term.

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PayPal submitted applications to the FDIC and Utah regulators for an industrial loan company charter called PayPal Bank. The goal is to expand small business lending, building on over $30 billion provided to 420,000 accounts since 2013, with interest-bearing savings and FDIC insurance if approved. CEO Alex Chriss aims to reduce third-party reliance and fuel US economic growth under lighter regulations.

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