Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

South Africa’s Reserve Bank (SARB) warns of emerging financial stability threats from crypto assets and USD-pegged stablecoins in its 2025 Financial Stability Report. Retail adoption surged to 7.8 million users on the top three exchanges and $1.5 billion in custody by end-2024. The borderless nature of digital assets can undermine Exchange Control Regulations. Since 2022, traders have favoured stablecoins over BTC and other unbacked tokens due to lower volatility. The Financial Stability Board highlights gaps in global crypto regulation and notes South Africa’s current rules cover only part of the market. Without robust regulation, risks may build unchecked. Meanwhile, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority has designated digital assets as financial products and begun licensing crypto firms.

Kevin Hassett has emerged as the frontrunner in the Fed Chair race, with Polymarket assigning him a 57% nomination probability. A self-described dove, Hassett advocates faster and deeper interest rate cuts, policies that typically lower borrowing costs and boost risk assets like crypto. He previously led a federal working group on cryptocurrency regulation and serves on Coinbase’s advisory board, holding a significant COIN stake. Other contenders include Fed Governor Christopher Waller, with a hawkish stance and a 22% chance, and former Governor Kevin Warsh, an early crypto investor and CBDC advocate at 15%. The new Federal Reserve Chair will start a four-year term in February 2026. Traders are closely watching this Fed Chair race for its potential impact on market liquidity, interest rates, and digital asset regulation.

OpenAI has launched a major ChatGPT Voice Integration directly within the main chat interface. This ChatGPT Voice Integration upgrade improves conversational AI accessibility by letting users speak and see live transcriptions, images, maps, and other visual content all in one view. The interface integration removes mode switching and delivers seamless transitions between text and voice, with full access to chat history on both web and mobile platforms. After updating the ChatGPT app or refreshing the web browser, the new voice mode becomes the default setting. Users who prefer the previous separate voice screen can revert via Settings. By unifying text and voice interactions, OpenAI addresses key user pain points and paves the way for more advanced voice-enabled AI applications.

Texas has become the first U.S. state to invest in a Bitcoin ETF, allocating $10 million to the permanent school fund under House Bill 1234. On November 20, 2025, the Texas Comptroller purchased $5 million of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) shares at around $87,000 per BTC, with the remaining $5 million reserved for future buys. Officials cited Bitcoin’s role as an inflation hedge and store of value alongside gold and U.S. Treasuries in the $60 billion portfolio supporting public education. The state plans to issue an RFP in early 2026 to transition to self-custody, using the ETF now for compliance and liquidity. This landmark move underlines Texas’s pro-crypto stance and follows the earlier Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Investment Act. Following the announcement, Bitcoin ETF inflows rose 2%, signaling growing institutional demand. Market watchers expect Texas’s adoption of Bitcoin ETF to encourage other energy-producing states to consider digital assets as a balance-sheet tool.

Blockchain tracker Whale Alert recorded six large SOL transfers totaling 7.6 million SOL (over $1 billion) moving between unknown wallets in under minutes. The largest moves included 1.63 million SOL (~$223.8 M) and 969,873 SOL (~$133.5 M), with several transfers originating from newly created addresses. Earlier, a 304,946 SOL deposit (~$56 M) hit Binance on October 18, highlighting sustained Solana whale activity. This surge in Solana whale transfers suggests profit-taking or institutional rebalancing ahead of a potential SOL ETF launch. Following these transactions, SOL price dipped 0.32% to $136.56 on CoinMarketCap. Traders should monitor Solana whale transactions, on-chain transfers, and the SOL order book for increased market volatility and potential sell-off signals.

Ondo, a digital asset manager specializing in tokenized funds, has committed $25 million to Figure’s Yield Distributed Structures (YLDS) platform. The investment aims to enhance Ondo’s tokenized treasury fund, expand institutional access to yield-bearing crypto assets, and streamline liquidity. By integrating Figure’s proven Provenance blockchain infrastructure, Ondo expects to offer investors more efficient, compliant exposure to high-quality yields. This strategic partnership underscores growing institutional demand for transparent, on-chain alternatives to traditional money-market instruments. The move leverages Figure YLDS’s smart-contract technology to automate yield distribution and reduce operational overhead. As the tokenized treasury fund market matures, Ondo’s deployment of capital could set a new standard for compliance-driven, yield-focused DeFi asset management

Naver Financial will launch a stablecoin wallet service called Silk Pocket next month. The stablecoin wallet service is built in partnership with blockchain investor Hashed. The Busan digital exchange also contributed to the development. This move marks Naver’s deeper push into cryptocurrency services. Naver Financial is the financial arm of Naver Corporation. It is merging with Dunamu, parent of the Upbit exchange, in a KRW 20 trillion stock-swap. The exchange ratio was recently revised to 1:3.3–3.4 in favor of Dunamu. Dunamu reported KRW 1.186 trillion in operating profit for 2024 and $165 million in net income in Q3 2025, a 300% year-on-year rise. Silk Pocket aims to streamline stablecoin storage and transactions, strengthening Naver’s position in South Korea’s crypto-fintech sector.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighted Fed simplification as a decisive factor in the Fed chair pick. He described the central bank as a "very complicated operation" and said that streamlining its multiple policy tools is under evaluation. The five finalists — Fed Governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman, former Governor Kevin Warsh, NEC Director Kevin Hassett, and BlackRock’s Rick Rieder — entered second-round interviews this week. President Trump may announce the nominee before December 25. Bessent also raised concerns about the Fed’s ample reserves regime, noting it “might be fraying a bit” after policymakers paused balance sheet reductions on December 1 to maintain liquidity. He pointed to the rise of the standing repo facility, which hit $50.4 billion on October 31, as evidence of the system’s complexity. The interview on CNBC underscores the administration’s push to refine the Federal Reserve’s framework ahead of the Fed chair pick. Crypto traders should monitor how the eventual nominee approaches interest on reserves and repo operations. Changes in these tools could influence future monetary policy clarity, funding costs, and risk sentiment across digital asset markets.

Kraken has launched its Bitcoin Rewards Debit Mastercard, offering U.S. customers up to 2% back in BTC on every purchase. The new crypto debit card, issued in partnership with Mastercard, carries a $5 monthly fee and waives foreign transaction fees. Cardholders will earn Bitcoin rewards automatically, credited to their Kraken wallet each month. This move precedes Kraken’s planned IPO via a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC). By expanding payment options with its Bitcoin Rewards Debit Mastercard, Kraken aims to boost cryptocurrency adoption and attract new users ahead of going public. The card adds to Kraken’s growing suite of trading and custody services, reinforcing its position in the competitive crypto payments landscape.

MoonPay has secured a limited-purpose trust charter and BitLicense approval from the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). The trust charter authorizes digital asset custody, over-the-counter (OTC) trading and institutional services. Having held a BitLicense since June, MoonPay now joins Coinbase and Ripple Labs (XRP) under NYDFS oversight. The approval, under the recently passed GENIUS Act, paves the way for a stablecoin initiative and partnerships with global banks. This regulatory clarity boosts institutional confidence and strengthens MoonPay’s position for U.S. market expansion.

As the holiday season approaches, OpenAI and Perplexity have unveiled AI shopping assistants to transform product search and purchase. OpenAI’s ChatGPT leverages its vast user base and Shopify integration to enable in-chat checkout and image-based searches. Perplexity AI uses memory retention and contextual understanding to deliver personalized product recommendations based on past interactions and location. Niche startups like Onton (interior design), Daydream (fashion), and Phia (general shopping) compete by harnessing proprietary datasets and domain-specific algorithms that excel in specialized markets. With Adobe forecasting a 520% surge in AI-assisted e-commerce this season, the battle between broad-scale platforms and specialized AI shopping assistants intensifies. Success will hinge on combining scale with deep expertise to meet diverse consumer needs.

RentStac (RNS) has kicked off its presale, offering crypto traders the chance to convert a $12,500 investment into 1,000,000 RNS tokens priced at $0.025 each. Early participants benefit from a 100% bonus, tiered discounts, referral rewards and entry into a $200,000 prize pool. The RNS token is backed by real estate assets held in legally registered SPVs, with rental income funding token buybacks, burns and USDC staking rewards. The presale is structured in progressive phases, securing the lowest price for early buyers before the token lists on major exchanges. RentStac’s roadmap prioritizes audited smart contracts, strategic property acquisitions to boost rental streams and enhanced liquidity through exchange listings. With a 2 billion total supply and 40% allocated to the presale, traders eyeing a $1 per RNS milestone can leverage scarcity mechanisms and token utility for potential multi-figure returns. This property-backed presale underscores a dual-yield model that merges DeFi with stable real estate income.

Solana ETF and XRP ETF products have attracted nearly $900 million in combined institutional inflows since launch, including over $600 million within days of debut, bucking a broader crypto market sell-off. Bitwise’s XRP ETF (XRP) led with $105 million on day one and Canary’s XRPC added $243 million on Nov. 14. SOL-based spot ETFs drew daily inflows between $8.3 million and $55.6 million, peaking on Nov. 19. Despite these gains, SOL and XRP tokens underperformed—SOL down 32.5% over 30 days (trading near $139) and XRP off 21.2% month-on-month (around $2.24) but up nearly 50% YTD. Investors view discounted altcoins as buying opportunities, using regulated Solana ETF and XRP ETF vehicles to absorb sell-side pressure. Continued demand could push SOL back toward $150, XRP toward $3, and support ETH above $3,200.

Crypto analyst @Cryptobilbuwoo0 outlines a bullish thesis for XRP, targeting $26.60 by applying a long-term logarithmic channel, ascending trend lines and a 1.618 Fibonacci extension. The setup mimics a fractal rally similar to XRP’s 2017 cycle. At $2.18, XRP has gained about 7% recently, renewing interest in the long-term channel framework. While the bull signal is compelling, empirical studies warn that momentum strategies can fail after regime shifts and rapid reversals. Achieving $26.60 would require sustained bullish volume, favorable macro conditions and disciplined risk management. Traders should consider support retests and market sentiment shifts before committing to aggressive long positions.

Warner Music Group has settled its copyright lawsuit with AI music startup Suno and entered a licensing partnership to drive AI-driven music innovation. The deal includes the sale of Songkick to Suno and the introduction of licensed AI music models in 2026. Warner will restrict free-tier downloads and protect artist rights, including name, image and composition approvals. This follows similar settlements with Udio, signalling a shift from litigation to licensing. Suno recently raised $250 million in Series C funding at a $2.45 billion valuation. The partnership aims to open new revenue streams for artists such as Lady Gaga and Coldplay, integrate AI creation with live music through Songkick, and establish frameworks for artist compensation and control over AI-generated content. The deal sets a precedent for collaboration between legacy labels and AI innovators, marking a new era in responsibly licensed AI music technology.

U.S. Bancorp has launched a pilot program to issue its own USD-pegged stablecoin on the Stellar blockchain. Announced by the Stellar Development Foundation on Nov. 25, the trial explores blockchain-based digital asset solutions for faster, cost-efficient cross-border payments. Under the pilot, U.S. Bancorp will mint, manage and test regulatory compliance for the stablecoin using Stellar’s open-source network and built-in decentralized exchange. The bank aims to reduce transaction fees and accelerate settlement in its digital payment services. Joining a growing cohort of traditional institutions testing stablecoin issuance and tokenization, U.S. Bancorp’s initiative could set a benchmark for banking adoption of blockchain technology. Traders will watch for outcomes on operational security, liquidity management and regulatory approval.

Tokyo-listed Metaplanet has drawn an additional $130 million from its $500 million Bitcoin-backed loan facility, raising its total borrowings to $230 million. The company will use the Bitcoin-backed loan to buy more Bitcoin, fund its BTC-backed option-selling business and potentially repurchase shares. Despite an unrealized loss of nearly 20%—with an average purchase price of $108,036 per BTC versus a current price around $87,500—Metaplanet is pressing on amid crypto market volatility. The debt carries a daily-renewing term, no fixed maturity and flexible repayment. This move parallels MicroStrategy’s strategy of combining equity issuance—a recent $135 million Class B perpetual share offering—with debt to bulk up its Bitcoin treasury. Traders should watch how Metaplanet’s aggressive BTC accumulation impacts its market cap, share performance and overall Bitcoin demand.

Zcash surged over 10-fold in November, briefly regaining large-cap status above a $10 billion valuation. On Coinbase, ZEC became the platform’s most-searched asset, drawing around 52,000 searches—surpassing Bitcoin and XRP. The rally was driven by three core factors: the Nov. 2024 halving that halved daily issuance, a jump in shielded balances from 1.7 million to over 4.5 million coins, and the NU6.1 upgrade introducing an 8% community grant and 12% coinholder-controlled funding model. These shifts reframed Zcash as a “sound money” privacy coin with institutional compliance appeal amid tighter AML rules. Analysts are split on whether this move is a blow-off top—given a 1,000% gain since September—or a genuine repricing supported by strengthened fundamentals. For traders, the key takeaway is that exchange search data can signal retail momentum spikes, but distinguishing FOMO-driven tops from sustainable trends depends on underlying protocol developments.

Polymarket has received an amended designation order from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), officially allowing the platform to operate as a regulated intermediated exchange for US clients. This CFTC approval lets Polymarket onboard futures commission merchants, brokerages and direct customers under federal rules. The exchange has deployed enhanced market surveillance and Part-16 reporting to meet Designated Contract Market requirements and integrated with US financial infrastructure for institutional custody, settlement and funding. Ahead of its formal US launch, Polymarket plans to roll out additional rule sets and intermediated trading layers, positioning it at the forefront of compliant US prediction markets.

President Trump is expected to announce his nominee for the next Fed chairman before Christmas, with White House Chief Economic Advisor Kevin Hassett emerging as the frontrunner. The selection, led by Treasury official Scott Bessent, has reduced the list to five candidates: Hassett, former Fed governor Kevin Warsh, sitting governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman, and BlackRock’s Rick Rieder. A decision is likely between Thanksgiving and December 25. Hassett, a long-time Trump adviser, advocates aggressive rate cuts and has criticized what he sees as the Fed’s slow and politicized policy adjustments. His potential appointment as Fed chairman could shift Federal Reserve policy toward a more dovish stance, accelerating rate cuts. This development may prompt speculation in crypto markets and cryptocurrency trading. Traders in the crypto markets and cryptocurrency trading could benefit from looser monetary policy, which historically boosts liquidity and asset prices. However, concerns over Fed independence and possible political influence may add volatility.

Valereum Plc has secured a $200 million asset-backed financing deal with its bespoke acquisition vehicle Valereum QGP-SP. The funding carries a 5.25% coupon, yielding approximately $10.5 million in annual interest. Valereum QGP-SP also holds a one-year option to acquire up to 49.9% of Valereum Plc based on the capital committed. The proceeds will strengthen Valereum’s liquidity, build its digital asset treasury, advance next-generation market infrastructure, and fund strategic acquisitions. The company aims to list on a U.S. national exchange (Nasdaq or NYSE) in H1 2026 to enhance market visibility and investor access. Group CEO Gary Cottle said the deal demonstrates strong institutional confidence in Valereum’s blend of traditional finance and regulated digital markets. While bolstering its crypto treasury strategy, Valereum enters a market where digital asset treasuries face scrutiny. MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin (BTC) holdings risk removal from key MSCI indices, potentially triggering billions in passive outflows when a decision is made in January 2026.

JPMorgan Chase has unexpectedly terminated its corporate banking relationship with Swiss crypto exchange ShapeShift, citing risk management measures. The move extends to personal accounts, with ShapeShift’s head of marketing also informed of imminent closure. This follows a similar unannounced shutdown of Strike CEO Jack Mallers’ account, underscoring the growing tension between traditional banks and digital asset firms. Without reliable crypto banking access, exchanges face operational hurdles including processing customer deposits and withdrawals, managing payroll and vendor payments, and incurring higher compliance costs. In response, many platforms are exploring alternative banking partners or building in-house financial infrastructure. This incident highlights the precarious nature of banking relationships for crypto exchanges and underscores the need for clearer regulatory frameworks to foster sustainable partnerships between traditional finance and the crypto industry.

Bitcoin has retreated more than 30% from its October peak, sparking roughly $2 billion in leveraged bet liquidations and pushing total crypto market capitalization below $3 trillion. November is on track to be Bitcoin’s weakest month since the 2022 collapse. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $903 million in net outflows in a single day, the largest exodus since February’s tariff-driven selloff. Analysts say long-term holders are cashing in gains and that cooling demand indicators suggest the cycle’s growth wave has peaked. Key buyers like corporate crypto treasuries have reduced purchases as their market caps fell from $176 billion to $99 billion. Experts warn of reflexive selling: falling prices trigger more sell-offs with no clear catalyst to reverse the trend. Despite the downturn, Bitcoin remains over 20% higher year-over-year. Institutional adoption, a constructive regulatory backdrop and new ETF listings signal a deep correction rather than a full bear market. Traders should monitor risk appetite, Fed rate guidance and ETF fund flows for stabilization cues.

The war between Russia and Ukraine has weighed on global risk assets since 2022. Rising oil prices fueled inflation, derailing central banks from cutting interest rates. On Monday, former President Donald Trump announced that Ukraine has accepted a 28-point peace plan drafted by the United States. Peace negotiators Steve Witkoff will meet President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, while Dan Driscoll will handle talks with Ukrainian officials. Trump said a final Ukraine peace deal is near. A successful Ukraine peace deal could ease oil price pressure, stabilize inflation, and encourage the Federal Reserve to resume rate cuts. Risk assets like stocks and crypto markets may benefit. Crypto markets, which struggled through 2022’s rate-hike cycle, could see renewed inflows as macro conditions improve. Traders will watch upcoming Ukraine peace talks closely for confirmation.

SUI price surged 11% in 24 hours, driven by a key support trendline since 2023 that previously led to gains of 450% and 750%. The token trades around $1.53 as market observers Ali Martinez and Michael van de Poppe predict further upside. Martinez highlights the trendline test could trigger a push above $4. Van de Poppe notes Grayscale’s Sui Trust launch and favorable exchange netflow as reduced selling pressure. Outflows from exchanges surpass inflows. Technical indicators show SUI is oversold, with a daily RSI near 30. Analyst CryptoBullet forecasts a rebound to the $1.90–$2.20 range. Data shows the SUI price may soon test higher resistance levels, indicating a potential multi-fold rally in the altcoin market.

Paxos acquires Fordefi, a New York–based DeFi wallet startup, for over $100 million. By acquiring Fordefi, Paxos combines its regulated custody infrastructure with institutional MPC wallet tech and DeFi integrations. Institutions gain a unified platform for issuing stablecoins, tokenizing assets, and onchain transaction management. Fordefi will operate independently at first before its MPC wallet integrates into Paxos’s custody and stablecoin services. Licensed in the US, Europe, and Singapore, Paxos issues stablecoins PYUSD, USDP, PAXG, and USDG. The deal underscores rising demand for compliant DeFi solutions and could accelerate institutional stablecoin adoption.

The SIX Swiss Exchange has listed the world’s first triple-leveraged (3x Long and –3x Short) crypto ETPs for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), issued by Leverage Shares Ltd. This marks the debut of 3x leveraged crypto ETPs on a regulated primary exchange, broadening high-conviction trading tools for institutional investors. The launch of these leveraged crypto ETPs signals growing institutional appetite for regulated, high-leverage instruments. The products offer simplified access, regulated custody, and risk-managed clearing. With these additions, the total number of crypto ETPs on SIX reaches 452, and year-to-date turnover has risen 19%, reflecting growing demand even amid market volatility. The listing bolsters SIX’s leadership in regulated digital asset products and is expected to drive further institutional participation in leveraged crypto strategies.

Kalshi, a leading US-based prediction market, has integrated the NEAR Protocol. US users can now deposit and withdraw native NEAR tokens for trading. This NEAR support expands utility and access for traders, with a global rollout planned soon. NEAR trades at around $1.89, near a year-long support zone. Analysts note potential upside to resistance levels between $3.05 and $3.35. Professional traders call NEAR a “steal” at these prices. The NEAR Intents protocol has seen volume surge from $2 billion to $6 billion in just 45 days, highlighting rapid ecosystem growth. Recent integrations—including Brave’s NEAR AI TEE solution—underscore rising adoption. Adding NEAR support on Kalshi could boost liquidity, attract new users, and strengthen NEAR’s position in US crypto trading.

PEPE, the meme coin, stabilized at a key support zone after a 40% monthly drop. Over the past day, PEPE gained nearly 6% with volume up 16%, driving its market cap close to $2 billion. Each prior test of this support led to major rebounds, and current indicators suggest a possible 550% rally toward $0.000014 mid-range and beyond. A break below could trigger deeper declines. Meanwhile, PEPENODE, an ERC-20 play-to-earn mining token, raised over $2.19 million in its presale. The project burns 70% of tokens on upgrades and offers up to 589% annual staking rewards. Growing demand for PEPENODE utility tokens could boost buying pressure across the meme-coin sector.