Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) is advancing a plan to reclassify crypto assets from the Payment Services Act (PSA) into the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA), treating many tokens as investment products rather than payment instruments. The FSA working group recommends stricter securities-style rules: mandatory pre-sale disclosures for initial exchange offerings (IEOs), issuer identity requirements even for projects claiming decentralization, independent third-party code audits, and enhanced powers to act against unregistered or offshore platforms. The proposals also include explicit insider-trading prohibitions for crypto, higher transparency obligations for exchanges, and potential designation of the Japan Virtual and Crypto Assets Exchange Association (JVCEA) as a stronger self-regulator under FIEA. Tax changes are under consideration — notably a proposal to align crypto gains with stock taxation via a flat 20% tax (replacing the current 15–55% miscellaneous-income treatment). Regulators signalled caution on allowing derivatives tied to foreign crypto ETFs. For traders, the shift implies higher disclosure standards, possible delisting or trading restrictions for non-compliant tokens and platforms, intensified enforcement of offshore/unregistered services, and likely compliance-driven consolidation favoring larger, established firms. Short-term volatility and exchange repricing of delisted or reclassified tokens are possible; long-term effects may include tighter market integrity but higher barriers for smaller projects and venues.

Ethereum (ETH) climbed to about $3,300 after reclaiming its 50-week moving average (MA), prompting calls that a local bottom may be in around $2,800. Historical precedents show ETH rallied sharply after flipping the 50-week MA into support — gains ranged about 97% (Q3 2025) to 147% (Oct 2023–Mar 2024). Recent price action: ETH bounced from $2,800 to roughly $3,362 (≈20% move) and rose ~7% in 24 hours. On-chain and market data point to renewed institutional and large-holder interest: Santiment reports roughly 934,240 ETH accumulated by whales and “sharks” over three weeks, while small holders trimmed positions. CryptoQuant finds record balances in wallets holding 10,000–100,000 ETH and rising balances in >100,000 ETH wallets. Spot ETF flows showed $177 million inflows — the largest since late October — and the Coinbase Premium Index turned positive for US investors after about a month of weakness. Analysts cited the 50-week MA as a key support level; upside targets discussed include $3,500, $4,000 and previous all-time highs near $5,000. The article stresses that past breakouts produced large multi-month rallies but warns this is not investment advice. Primary keywords: Ethereum, ETH price, 50-week MA, whales, spot ETF flows. Secondary/semantic keywords: accumulation, support, breakout, ETF inflows, Coinbase premium, moving average.

Bybit and DL Research published the World Crypto Rankings (WCR) 2025, a multidimensional analysis of crypto adoption across 79 countries using 28 metrics and 92 data points. Key findings: Singapore ranks #1 for crypto adoption (over 11% user penetration) due to regulatory clarity and institutional maturity; the United States is #2, buoyed by ETF approvals and institutional inflows; Lithuania (#3), Switzerland (#4) and the UAE (#5) rank highly as regulatory, custody and regional hubs. Stablecoins emerge as the primary global use case—widely adopted for remittances, payrolls and as safe-haven assets—with local currency stablecoins gaining traction alongside USD-pegged tokens. Real‑World Asset (RWA) tokenization has grown materially: on‑chain RWA value (ex-stablecoins) rose ~63% in 2025, from ~$15.8B to ~$25.7B, driven by pilots moving toward regulated markets in APAC and institutional readiness in jurisdictions like the US, Canada and Lithuania. On‑chain payroll adoption climbed from 3% to 9.6% year‑over‑year, with stablecoins accounting for over 90% of crypto salaries—especially notable in the UAE, Philippines and other remittance corridors. The report frames these trends as interconnected drivers that could shift capital, talent and policy toward crypto‑friendly jurisdictions by 2026. The WCR is positioned as a research tool for traders, policymakers and firms; it is not investment advice.

American Bitcoin Corp. (ABTC) acquired roughly 416 BTC, bringing its strategic Bitcoin reserve to about 4,783 BTC. The company reported its bitcoin-per-share (BPS/SPS) metric rose by more than 17% following the purchase. ABTC shares traded higher after the announcement. The firm did not disclose timing, purchase price, or funding sources. This move continues a wider trend of publicly listed firms accumulating spot Bitcoin on their balance sheets to gain direct BTC exposure and signal long-term confidence. Traders should note the direct facts — ~416 BTC bought, total reserve ~4,783 BTC, BPS >17% — and monitor ABTC share volume, correlation between ABTC equity and BTC price, and any future disclosures on purchase timing or funding that could affect short-term liquidity and market sentiment.

IODeFi has launched an upgraded Automated Yield App that lets Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) holders earn passive rewards via one-tap activation on iOS and Android. The app features an enhanced reward engine, real-time monitoring, daily automated settlements, and multiple plan durations while users retain full asset ownership. Security measures cited include encrypted architecture and hot/cold wallet safeguards. IODeFi positions the product for both novice and experienced users, emphasizing no hardware or technical setup is required. New users receive a registration welcome reward; deposits and plan activation are handled within the app. Founded in 2016, IODeFi operates in over 180 countries and highlights transparency and scalable automation. Primary keywords: automated yield, BTC yield, ETH yield, passive crypto earnings, IODeFi.

Goldman Sachs has released a high‑conviction foreign exchange (FX) outlook for 2026 highlighting structural shifts in trade, diverging central bank policies, geopolitical realignments and technological disruption in cross‑border payments. The bank warns of rising volatility in traditional fiat currencies amid faster digital currency adoption and interest‑rate divergence, which it expects to strengthen the US dollar versus many emerging‑market currencies through 2025–2026. Key takeaways for traders: diversify currency exposure (including digital assets), monitor central bank digital currency (CBDC) developments, prepare for increased correlation between FX and crypto, and consider hedging long‑term currency risk. Goldman notes long‑horizon forecasts carry uncertainty from unforeseen geopolitical events, monetary policy shocks and rapid blockchain/payment advances. The firm’s themes suggest potential capital flows into crypto and other non‑fiat stores of value if fiat volatility increases, but recommend using institutional research as one input among many. (Main keywords: Goldman Sachs, 2026 FX forecast, currency volatility, CBDC, crypto correlation.)

Hundreds of Bitcoin wallets tied to the defunct Silk Road darknet marketplace reactivated on December 10, 2025, moving about $3.14 million in BTC to a single new bech32 address, Arkham Intelligence reported. The latest on‑chain analysis identified roughly 312 dormant Silk Road‑linked addresses — many inactive for over a decade — consolidating small balances into an address beginning with bc1q…ga54. Core Silk Road wallets still hold an estimated $38.37 million in BTC, while other long‑dormant addresses previously linked to founder Ross Ulbricht have been flagged as containing tens of millions more. The activity follows Ulbricht’s full pardon in January 2025 and earlier minor test transfers seen in 2025. No confirmed owner or legal explanation has been provided; observers note the moves raise questions about ownership, seizure status and the potential for further transfers or OTC sales. Traders should monitor subsequent on‑chain follow‑ups: large withdrawals from the remaining Silk Road reserves, movements to exchanges or OTC counterparties, and clustering that could signal upcoming sell pressure — any of which could boost short‑term BTC supply and volatility. Primary SEO keywords: Silk Road, Bitcoin, BTC, wallet activity, on‑chain analysis. The main keyword "Bitcoin" appears multiple times to aid search relevance.

Filecoin (FIL) traded with muted price action while volume rose significantly, signaling heightened interest but unclear direction. Earlier coverage showed FIL up ~2.2% to $1.57 on a broader market rally with muted volume and CoinDesk Research finding the move largely market-driven (idiosyncratic movement ~1%). A later update reported FIL slipping ~0.3% to $1.48 despite volume about 50% above the seven-day average, suggesting distribution as sellers absorbed increased demand. Technical structure: a 24-hour consolidation range of roughly $0.11 (~7.5%), key support around $1.48 and resistance near $1.59 (volume spike noted Dec. 9). Price formed a declining channel with lower highs from $1.58 to $1.49; intraday supports noted near $1.556–$1.57 in the earlier piece. Volume behavior: midday and late-session concentration earlier, and later persistent volume spikes (over 150,000 tokens per minute) during support tests. Trading implications for crypto traders: elevated volume with flat-to-lower price can indicate accumulation or distribution—watch $1.48 as the critical downside break level and $1.59 to confirm a short-term breakout. Momentum requires reclaiming resistance levels to restore bullish bias; a sustained break below $1.48 increases downside risk. Primary keywords: Filecoin, FIL, volume surge, consolidation, support, resistance.

Polkadot (DOT) staged a notable intraday move after breaking higher on exceptional volume. Initial reports showed a roughly 13% jump with breakout volume well above averages and a new short-term support forming near $2.05 after resistance at $2.15 flipped to support. A later update refined the move: DOT rose about 4% in the past 24 hours to $2.21 after an intraday surge from $2.12 to a high near $2.39, driven by an abnormal volume spike (≈15.89M tokens, ~284% above moving-average volume for that move). Momentum faded after the spike and DOT consolidated around $2.19–$2.20. Overall 24‑hour volume remained ~31% below the weekly average, suggesting selective or concentrated buying rather than broad-based accumulation. Technical notes: higher-lows structure and a V-shaped recovery pattern support near-term bullish bias if volume confirms further upside. Key trader action points: consider entries on pullbacks to the $2.05–$2.19 support zone (previous resistance near $2.15 now acting as support), set nearby stops below $2.05–$2.19 to protect capital, and watch volume closely—sustained, elevated volume would validate continuation toward short-term targets near $2.30–$2.39. If volume fails to pick up, expect extended consolidation or a re-test of the $2.05–$2.19 support band.

Tidal Trust II has filed Form N-1A with the SEC to launch the Nicholas Bitcoin and Treasuries AfterDark ETF, an exchange-traded fund that will hold Bitcoin (BTC) only during U.S. market off-hours and switch into short-term U.S. Treasuries, money-market funds or cash during trading hours. The fund would buy BTC (via spot exposure through bitcoin-related funds or bitcoin futures executed overnight) after the U.S. market close and sell that exposure at the next market open, reopening positions in Treasuries by day to reduce intraday volatility. The filing cites research and market commentary — including ETF analyst Eric Balchunas’ observation that a disproportionate share of historical BTC gains has occurred after U.S. market hours — as the rationale for capturing overnight returns while avoiding daytime selloffs and product-composition issues. For traders, the strategy targets higher nocturnal BTC returns tied to thinner liquidity and overlapping Asian trading, while aiming to limit daytime price risk by allocating to stable, interest-bearing instruments.

Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) introduced the “Anti-CBDC Surveillance State” amendment on December 9 to reinstate language he says was promised to bar the Federal Reserve and other federal agencies from creating, testing, or operating a US central bank digital currency (CBDC). The amendment followed release of the 3,000‑page National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) draft that omitted a CBDC prohibition conservatives expected. The NDAA is a must-pass defense funding bill that Republican leadership aimed to advance by December 10, prompting Self to seek the change via amendment. Self’s proposal also explicitly permits “dollar‑denominated currency that is open, permissionless, and private,” protecting privacy-preserving digital cash alternatives and framing CBDC development as a surveillance and civil‑liberties issue. The move reflects broader Republican skepticism toward CBDCs and could constrain federal CBDC progress if adopted or used as leverage in negotiations. Crypto traders should watch the House Financial Services Committee hearing on digital assets, the NDAA floor schedule, and any shifts in bipartisan support—these developments will affect regulatory clarity and may trigger short-term volatility across digital-asset markets. Keywords: CBDC, NDAA amendment, Federal Reserve, digital dollar, privacy, permissionless digital currency.

LUNA futures saw roughly $1.8 billion in 24-hour contract volume on Dec. 10 without any technical upgrades or ecosystem news, as traders bet on the outcome of Do Kwon’s final sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on Dec. 11. LUNA (including LUNA2) volumes jumped and the token rose about 150% over the prior week. Funding rates are deeply negative (-0.0595% and -0.0789%), indicating crowded shorts while larger players attempt a short-squeeze. Prosecutors seek a 12-year sentence citing massive losses from the Terra collapse and alleged fraud; defense asks for 5 years, citing detention and cooperation. Market participants have shifted from retail victims to high-frequency quant funds, event-driven hedge funds and opportunistic traders treating LUNA as an event-driven derivative. The article argues that, regardless of a heavy or light sentence, volatility will likely collapse after the event — heavy sentencing could validate a return-to-zero thesis, while a lighter term may trigger a classic sell-the-news unwind. Key implications for traders: elevated event-driven risk, potential for sharp intraday squeezes, and limited long-term fundamental support for LUNA absent broader recovery or narrative change.

The U.S. Treasury Department, led by Secretary Scott Bessent, has circulated a proposal to overhaul bank anti–money laundering (AML) oversight by centralizing enforcement authority under the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The plan would allow FinCEN to review and potentially veto AML findings made by other regulators. Officials say the current framework is outdated, costly for banks, overly rigid, and ineffective at stopping large-scale criminal money flows. The proposed reforms aim to modernize AML enforcement, streamline compliance, reduce penalties for technical or minor infractions, and refocus resources on detecting serious illicit activity. The change is part of a broader effort by the administration to update AML rules and ease the regulatory burden on financial institutions.

Twenty One Capital (ticker: XXI) made its NYSE debut after a SPAC backed by Cantor Fitzgerald, closing down about 24% on its first trading day at roughly $10.80. The firm is majority-owned by Tether and Bitfinex, with SoftBank holding a minority stake. Twenty One Capital holds more than 43,500 BTC—making it the world’s third-largest corporate Bitcoin holder—worth over $4 billion at current prices. The share decline reflects a broader crypto downturn: Bitcoin has fallen about 28% from its October all-time high near $126,000, pressuring digital asset treasury (DAT) stocks. CEO Jack Mallers says the company plans to build products beyond a buy-and-hold treasury, hinting at bitcoin-backed credit and lending offerings, but the firm is still in an early stage (only four full-time employees) with no detailed product roadmap. Analysts warn DATs must show material differentiation and stronger fundamentals to justify prior market valuations; median DAT stock prices have dropped roughly 45% year-to-date per Bloomberg. Key takeaways for traders: XXI’s listing increased institutional BTC exposure via equities, but the weak debut and Bitcoin’s pullback may drive further volatility in DAT stocks and create short-term downside risk until clearer revenue plans or product launches are disclosed.

Cardano (ADA) rallied more than 11%, climbing to about $0.48 — its highest level since November 19 — amid a broader crypto market rebound led by Bitcoin trading above $92,000. The surge on December 9–10, 2025 was supported by two key developments: the launch of Midnight, a privacy-focused Cardano sidechain using zero-knowledge proofs and Hydra scaling, and ADA’s allocation (0.65%) in the newly launched Bitwise 10 Crypto Index ETF (BITW) which began trading on the NYSE and reached $1.25 billion AUM on December 9. Technical indicators show bullish momentum: daily MACD crossover and RSI above 50. Short-term targets cited include $0.50, with longer-term upside points at the 50-day EMA (~$0.83) and $1.00, referencing ADA’s rapid move in March 2025. Key SEO keywords: Cardano price, ADA price, Midnight sidechain, Bitwise ETF, crypto breakout.

Political and institutional accumulation, an Ethereum breakout and a looming $1.5 billion Bitcoin short-squeeze are converging to create bullish market conditions. High-profile political buyers — Eric Trump’s “America Bitcoin” (416 BTC, ≈$38M) and Vivek Ramaswamy’s ‘Strive’ (targeting $500M in BTC purchases) — signal renewed long-term demand for Bitcoin (BTC). Amazon’s $35B investment in India is noted as a macro tech-sector tailwind. Ethereum (ETH) has broken a 14-month downtrend and is trading above $3,300, a pattern that historically precedes altseason as traders rotate from BTC profits into ETH and large-cap altcoins. More than $1.5 billion in BTC shorts would be liquidated if Bitcoin surpasses $95,076, potentially triggering a sharp squeeze toward $100,000 and broader volatility that benefits altcoins. Current prices cited: BTC ≈ $92,000 (+1.6%), ETH ≈ $3,312 (+5.6%), SOL ≈ $137 (+2.6%). Key trader takeaways: monitor BTC retest of $95,000 (short-squeeze trigger), watch ETH hold above $3,300 to confirm rotation, track ongoing political/institutional accumulation, and look for rising altcoin volume (ETH, SOL, LINK, HYPE) to signal a full altseason rotation. Primary keywords: Bitcoin, BTC short squeeze, Ethereum breakout, altseason, institutional accumulation.

Bitunix has partnered with Fireblocks and Elliptic to upgrade its custody and compliance infrastructure. The exchange will integrate Fireblocks’ MPC-based institutional custody, policy-based approval workflows, secure transfer infrastructure and operational tools, and benefit from $42.5 million in insurance coverage. Simultaneously, Bitunix will deploy Elliptic KYT for real-time on-chain monitoring to flag high‑risk transactions tied to darknet markets, theft, fraud, sanctioned entities and other illicit flows. The dual integration is aimed at strengthening user fund protection, meeting institutional Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti‑Money Laundering (AML) and Counter‑Terrorism Financing (CTF) expectations, and improving transparency via Proof of Reserves and frequent audits. Bitunix positions the move as part of a broader security roadmap amid industry losses — centralized exchanges reported $182 million in losses in September 2025 — and cites existing partnerships (Cobo Custody), additional audits (Hacken, Salus) and a $5 million policy with Nemean Services. The upgrade targets both retail and institutional clients and seeks to make Bitunix more attractive to institutional capital by reducing custody risk and improving compliance monitoring.

Blockstream updated its Green mobile wallet to support trustless atomic swaps between Bitcoin’s Lightning Network and the Liquid sidechain, enabling users to pay Lightning invoices directly from Liquid BTC (LBTC) balances in a self-custodial way. The feature uses cryptographic hash locks so swaps complete atomically or funds return automatically if a swap fails, removing the need for users to manage Lightning channels or inbound liquidity. Blockstream positions the integration as a way for users to hold funds in Liquid (private, UTXO-friendly) while spending on Lightning (instant, low-fee), and for merchants to accept Lightning payments while keeping assets in Liquid without hot-wallet exposure. The company said future updates will add on-chain swap support (mainnet ↔ Liquid ↔ Lightning) and hardware-wallet receipt of Lightning payments (e.g., Blockstream Jade). The update is live in the Blockstream Green app.

TenX Protocols, a blockchain infrastructure firm focused on staking and validator services, will begin trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) on Dec. 10 under the ticker TNX. The company closed subscription receipt financings totaling C$29.9 million (about $22M) tied to its go-public transaction; total capital raised in 2025 exceeds C$33 million including a C$3.5M seed round in March. Proceeds will be used to purchase tokens of high-throughput networks (Solana, Sui, Sei) and stake them to secure those networks, plus expand its infrastructure and treasury-management offerings. Some subscription receipts were purchased with digital assets including SOL, SEI and USDC at C$0.75 per receipt. Investors named include Borderless Capital, BONK Contributors, DeFi Technologies, HIVE Blockchain Technologies and Chorus One. TenX positions itself as a vehicle for public-market exposure to staking and validator activity across multiple chains.

Superstate has launched a Direct Issuance Program that enables SEC-registered public companies to issue tokenized shares directly on Ethereum and Solana, accepting payment in stablecoins. The platform integrates Superstate’s SEC-registered transfer agent infrastructure to update shareholder records in real time and provide instant settlement. First issuers are expected to go live next year. The tool builds on Superstate’s earlier Opening Bell product, which was used by firms including Galaxy Digital and Sharplink Gaming. CEO Robert Leshner said the system aims to reduce costs, speed capital raising, and offer compliance-by-design for primary issuance. The rollout comes amid growing regulatory openness to tokenization in U.S. capital markets and follows comments from SEC chair that tokenization could reshape financial infrastructure.

The Federal Reserve will release its rate decision at 03:00 on Thursday. Markets broadly expect a 25 basis-point cut, bringing the target range to 3.50%–3.75%. The FOMC shows unusual internal disagreement, with some voting members possibly opposing further cuts. Key October data are missing due to a U.S. government shutdown, so the Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) and the dot plot are expected to show limited changes. Liquidity policy is in focus: after balance-sheet runoff ends, attention is on whether the Fed will launch a Reserve Management Purchase (RMP) program. Bank of America projects the Fed might buy roughly $45 billion of short-term Treasuries per month starting in January; including mortgage-backed securities reinvestment the monthly scale could reach about $60 billion. If an RMP is announced, market attention may shift from the policy rate path to the Fed’s balance-sheet operations. This report is informational and not investment advice.

HashKey Holdings, the parent company of licensed Hong Kong virtual-asset platform HashKey Exchange (stock code 03887), is in the final stage of its Hong Kong IPO. The international tranche attracted long-term institutional investors, including international and Chinese-funded institutions. The public offering saw exceptionally strong demand: brokers have lent about HK$24.898 billion in subscription funds, producing an initial oversubscription of roughly 148.91x versus the public offering target of HK$167 million. The subscription period closes on December 12. The report notes continued market interest but does not constitute investment advice.

XRP exchange balances plunged from about 3.95 billion to 2.6 billion tokens in under 60 days, a ~45% decline, with more than 1 billion XRP leaving exchanges in a three-week span. Price trades near $2.08 after a 5% drop over seven days and an 18.3% slide over 30 days. On-chain data (Glassnode) indicates liquidity shifting off exchanges toward OTC desks, custody platforms and private settlement channels, suggesting institutional accumulation rather than retail selling. Recent fund filings and ETF-related submissions have increased institutional visibility and access, while regulatory changes and payment integrations have eased custody and purchase of XRP. Reduced exchange supply tightens order-book depth and sensitivity: smaller buy orders could produce outsized moves, creating potential for a supply squeeze. Technically, XRP is trading inside a symmetrical triangle near $2.08; a break above $2.12–$2.15 could trigger a rapid rally, while a drop below $2.00 would signal renewed weakness. For traders, the confluence of historic exchange withdrawals, rising institutional activity, and a compressing chart pattern raises the odds of a sharp, fast-moving breakout in either direction.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) faces a turning point as security, institutional access, and on-chain flows converge. Investigators including the FBI and Interpol have traced a past Shibarium bridge hacker and are tracking stolen funds through KuCoin, a development the Shibarium team says restores network security and user confidence. The network also completed an RPC upgrade and plans a 2026 privacy upgrade. Concurrently, Coinbase will launch SHIB futures on December 12, likely increasing liquidity and institutional participation. On-chain data show over 45 billion SHIB moved off centralized exchanges recently — roughly $35 million — indicating whale accumulation. Analyst projections (Javon Marks) suggest a potential rise to $0.000032, implying a 200%+ gain from current levels (~$0.000008526). While these factors create conditions for a breakout (reduced exchange supply, futures-driven liquidity, and improved security), broader market sentiment remains a decisive variable. Key keywords: Shiba Inu, SHIB price, Shibarium hack, FBI, Coinbase SHIB futures, whale accumulation, liquidity, memecoin ETF speculation.

ADA rallied 10% after breaking above a multi-week descending resistance line, coinciding with the successful launch of Cardano’s zero-knowledge privacy sidechain, Midnight. Trading volume surged roughly 150% to about $1.58 billion, signaling strong buying interest. Technicals on the 4-hour chart show an inverse head-and-shoulders pattern and a bullish MACD crossover; analyst Captain Faibik projects a potential 56% upside to $0.67 if the breakout holds, with nearer-term targets at $0.48 and $0.52. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson called Midnight the project’s most significant milestone; Midnight’s native token NIGHT listed on major exchanges and jumped ~97%, trading near $0.0629 with volume up over 700%. The article also notes a recent 70 million ADA treasury allocation by Cardano contributors that could support price momentum. Key implications for traders: increased liquidity and volume, a technically confirmed breakout that may invite momentum traders, and elevated event-driven volatility due to the Midnight rollout and NIGHT token listings. Primary keywords: ADA, Cardano Midnight, NIGHT, breakout, trading volume.

A federal judge granted a temporary injunction preventing Connecticut from enforcing state gambling laws against Kalshi, a CFTC-regulated prediction markets exchange. The ruling pauses Connecticut’s effort to bar Kalshi’s event contracts — which let traders speculate on political, economic and other real-world events — while the court examines whether federal oversight under the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulation preempts state gaming law. Kalshi argued its event contracts are federally regulated futures, not state-level gambling, and warned state enforcement could disrupt its national business model. Immediate effects: Kalshi can continue serving Connecticut users, reducing legal tail risk and likely avoiding near-term trading disruption. The injunction does not resolve the underlying jurisdictional dispute; further litigation or appeals are expected. For crypto traders, the decision matters for platforms offering event-based derivatives or tokenized prediction markets because it reinforces the potential for federal preemption of state restrictions and preserves short-term market access and liquidity.

Binance co‑CEO Yi He’s dormant WeChat account was compromised and used to promote the meme token Mubarak (MUBARA), triggering a rapid pump‑and‑dump that netted attackers roughly $55,000. Blockchain intelligence firm Lookonchain traced the incident: attackers created two wallets and spent ~19,479 USDT on BNB Chain DEXes (PancakeSwap) to buy 21.16 million MUBARA, driving the price from about $0.001 to ~$0.008 (≈700% spike) and inflating market cap to roughly $8 million at peak. The hackers later sold at least 11.95 million tokens for ~43,520 USDT and still hold ~9.21 million tokens (~$31,000). Binance founder Changpeng Zhao warned users on X not to buy tokens promoted from the hacked posts and highlighted Web2 social media security risks. Yi He has regained control of the account after password changes and external verification, but said attackers continued contact attempts. MUBARA — a meme token that rose in early 2025 and was listed on Binance Alpha via a BNB Chain Launchpad — displayed extreme short‑term volatility and low liquidity, creating high execution and front‑running risk; Lookonchain also reported possible front‑running by other traders. For traders: treat social‑media promotions with heightened skepticism, monitor on‑chain wallet flows and liquidity before trading newly pumped meme coins (particularly on BNB Chain / PancakeSwap), and expect residual manipulation risk while attackers still hold meaningful token balances.

Bybit and DL Research released a 2025 global crypto adoption report ranking countries across four pillars: user penetration, transactional usage, institutional readiness and cultural penetration. The index uses 28 metrics and 90+ data points covering CEX/DeFi activity, stablecoin flows, regulation and licensing clarity, app downloads and search traffic. Singapore ranks first, supported by strong licensing frameworks and institutional activity. The United States is second; Lithuania, Switzerland and the UAE also score highly as regulatory and licensing hubs. Smaller markets show notable gains: Lithuania benefits from EU MiCA alignment; Vietnam leads on user penetration and usage; Ukraine and Nigeria show high grassroots adoption driven by instability. Turkey sits 65th overall (between Bahrain and Ghana). Strengths for Turkey include 7th place in DeFi web traffic, 23rd in crypto ownership and 15th in user density. Weaknesses are weak legal infrastructure, limited licensing, poor fiat onramps and uncertain policy — factors that keep adoption retail-focused rather than institutional. The report projects 2026 trends: MiCA will consolidate Europe’s landscape boosting hubs like Lithuania and Ireland; Nigeria’s regulatory choices will determine formalisation; stablecoin growth and local-currency stablecoins will expand; tokenisation of real-world assets will move from pilots to regulated markets in Singapore, Switzerland and the UAE; and crypto payroll and cross-border payments could increase in remittance-heavy and remote-work economies. Traders should note the report’s signals about regulatory clarity and stablecoin/local payment adoption as drivers of institutional flows and market depth.

Pineapple Financial (NYSE: PAPL) has begun migrating mortgage records to the Injective blockchain using a dedicated mortgage tokenization platform. The company reports more than 1,200 mortgage files (≈$412M) already tokenized and plans to migrate its full historical portfolio of ~29,000 funded loans (~$10B) over coming months while continuing new originations. Each on-chain mortgage record includes 500+ data points to create an auditable, tamper-resistant dataset designed to streamline workflows, enable automated verification, improve risk models and support compliant data sharing. Pineapple intends two product lines built on the dataset: a permissioned Mortgage Data Marketplace for anonymized loan-level analytics and “Pineapple Prime,” an on-chain product to surface mortgage-backed yield opportunities. Injective was chosen for its finance-focused architecture, high throughput and low transaction costs. Separately, Pineapple announced plans to acquire $100 million in INJ tokens to become a major holder and staker, signaling a deep commitment to the Injective ecosystem. The firm says it uses enterprise-grade encryption, identity/access controls and continuous monitoring to protect client data. Key risks include evolving regulatory frameworks for tokenized real-world assets (RWA) and the need for industry and consumer education. For traders, the move underscores growing real-world asset tokenization, may raise demand and on-chain utility for INJ, and could eventually enable new tradable, yield-bearing mortgage products that expand liquidity in decentralized finance.