Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) says there is no "strong immediate need" to issue a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC or "digital rand"). After years of research, experiments and stakeholder engagement, SARB concluded a retail CBDC is technically feasible but offers limited short‑term advantages over planned payment rails upgrades. The bank will prioritise the Payment Ecosystem Modernisation Programme, widen access for non‑bank firms, improve cross‑border settlement and pursue wholesale CBDC projects to speed high‑value and interbank settlement. SARB set functional requirements a retail CBDC would need to meet (offline use, broad acceptance, privacy, simple interfaces) and noted remaining gaps — ~16% unbanked and continued cash usage. The paper warned of crypto and stablecoin risks — including potential circumvention of exchange controls — and called for tighter regulation and licensing by National Treasury and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority. SARB will continue monitoring global CBDC progress and stay ready to act if conditions change. Separately, local banks are pursuing faster cross‑border rails (eg. Standard Bank’s direct settlement via China’s CIPS for yuan), a development linked to geopolitics and de‑dollarisation debates. Implications for traders: limited near‑term impact on crypto prices from SARB’s decision (no retail digital rand rollout), while wholesale CBDC progress and tighter stablecoin / crypto regulation could influence institutional flows, on‑ramp/off‑ramp liquidity and cross‑border stablecoin use over the medium term.

Aster has launched Shield Mode, a private execution layer for BTC and ETH perpetual futures that hides trades from public order books to reduce frontrunning and MEV. Shield Mode supports up to 1001x leverage on BTC and ETH pairs, offers one-tap long/short execution with zero slippage, and uses isolated margin to limit position-specific risk. As a promotional incentive, Aster has waived gas and opening/closing fees through Dec. 31; trades executed in Shield Mode are excluded from the platform’s ongoing airdrop calculations and daily buybacks continue. After the promo, Aster plans a Flexible Fee Model offering either a fixed-percentage commission or a PnL-based fee where traders pay only when profitable. Shield Mode builds on Aster’s earlier Hidden Orders privacy features and ties into its longer-term Aster Chain roadmap. The feature launch follows a recent token unlock and ongoing Genesis airdrop claims; Aster currently ranks near the top of perpetual DEX volume charts, reporting higher 24‑hour and 30‑day perpetual volumes than some rivals. For traders, Shield Mode reduces execution risk from front‑running and slippage for large or high‑leverage positions, but trades in this private mode won’t count toward promotional airdrop rewards during the fee-free window.

BitMine Immersion has pushed its Ethereum treasury to about 3.97 million ETH (~$13.3bn), roughly 3.2% of circulating supply, after a recent ~$320 million purchase. The firm has accumulated aggressively since June 2025, including tranche buys of 138,452 ETH (week ending Dec 7) and 102,259 ETH the following week. BitMine presents ETH as a long-term strategic asset and inflation hedge rather than a trading position, despite roughly $3bn in unrealized losses from earlier acquisitions. Chairman Thomas Lee cited subdued volatility and improving regulatory clarity as reasons to continue accumulation and projected ETH could reach $7,000 by early 2026. BitMine’s reported balance sheet also lists 193 BTC, $1.0bn cash, and a $38m strategic stake in Eightco Holdings, plus plans to launch an institutional staking product (MAVAN) in early 2026 with an investor update at its January 15, 2026 shareholders meeting. Institutional backers named include ARK Invest, Founders Fund, Pantera, Galaxy Digital, DCG, Kraken and notable investors such as Bill Miller III. The disclosure reinforces BitMine’s role as a sizeable institutional accumulator; traders should watch implications for Ethereum liquidity, potential downward pressure on available exchange supply, and market sentiment around institutional adoption — all factors that can affect ETH price dynamics in both the short and longer term.

The UK Treasury confirmed that comprehensive crypto regulation will be introduced under the existing Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA) from October 2027. The move brings crypto firms into the remit of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Bank of England, extending traditional financial rules to trading, custody, stablecoin issuance, disclosures and market‑abuse‑style conduct. Regulators aim to finalise key rules by end‑2026 to enable phased statutory implementation in 2027. The policy push is driven by consumer‑protection concerns after a rise in investment scams and crypto fraud; proposed measures include stronger transparency, enhanced traceability and enforcement, and consideration of limits on political donations made in crypto. The FCA plans to prioritise safe stablecoin payment systems and will open its regulatory sandbox to stablecoin firms in 2026 as part of a pro‑growth agenda. The Treasury also intends transatlantic regulatory cooperation with the US via a taskforce. Primary keywords: UK crypto regulation, Financial Conduct Authority, stablecoins. Secondary/semantic keywords: Financial Services and Markets Act, crypto custody, market abuse, political donations, transatlantic taskforce.

Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has proposed shifting regulation of many crypto assets from the Payment Services Act (PSA) to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA), arguing that a large portion of crypto trading resembles investment-oriented securities activity. Under the draft, tokens traded on domestic exchanges would face securities-style rules: pre-sale disclosures, issuer identity and issuance/allocation transparency (including for decentralized projects), independent third-party code audits, stronger custody standards, and explicit prohibitions on insider trading with criminal and surcharge penalties. NFTs used as collectibles and stablecoins used primarily for payments would remain under the PSA. The proposal emphasizes investor protection and tools to crack down on unregistered or offshore platforms while aiming to limit excessive burdens on business. The FSA did not fully redefine all digital assets as securities and allowed for a distinct category under the FIEA for some tokens. The agency also signalled fiscal and market considerations — including potential tax changes — and said it will continue refining rules in line with market developments. Traders should watch for the timing of legislative steps, scope of enforcement for exchanges and issuers, custody and disclosure requirements that could raise compliance costs, and tax changes that may affect onshore liquidity and trading flows.

VivoPower International’s digital-asset arm, Vivo Federation, has secured Ripple’s approval to form a $300 million joint-venture fund with Seoul-based Lean Ventures that will buy preferred equity in Ripple Labs rather than direct XRP token exposure. The vehicle targets Korean institutional and accredited investors, leveraging South Korea’s large XRP holdings, active exchanges and improving regulatory clarity. The capital-light structure lets VivoPower earn management and performance fees—projected at roughly $75 million over three years—without deploying significant balance-sheet capital. Ripple has approved an initial allocation of preferred shares to seed the fund. The announcement pushed VivoPower stock up about 13%. For traders: this represents growing institutional appetite for private-equity-style, regulated exposure to Ripple’s business (equity shares) as an alternative to holding on-chain XRP, which has been underperforming (XRP down ~11.6% over 30 days). Primary keywords: Ripple, XRP, institutional fund, VivoPower. Secondary/semantic keywords: Ripple Labs equity, Lean Ventures, South Korea, management fees, regulatory clarity.

Coinbase plans a product showcase on Dec. 17 to introduce prediction markets and in‑house tokenized equities, Bloomberg reports citing an anonymous source. The exchange intends to launch tokenized stocks using its own infrastructure rather than third‑party platforms, keeping control of custody, compliance and settlement. Tokenized equities promise faster transfers, fractional exposure and extended trading hours; industry metrics show monthly transfer volumes for tokenized assets rising (RWA.xyz reported $1.45bn, up 32%). Prediction markets will let users trade contracts tied to real‑world outcomes (sports, politics, economic events), competing with offerings already explored by Robinhood (via Kalshi), Gemini and Crypto.com. Key details — supported tickers, custody mechanics, settlement process, fee structure and regulatory approvals — were not disclosed. App screenshots circulating online suggest features are in advanced development. Traders should monitor Coinbase announcements, regulatory filings and partner disclosures to assess product scope, compliance constraints and custody model. Potential implications include expanded retail and active‑trader access to fractionalized equity exposure and new derivatives‑like instruments on a regulated US crypto venue; the rollout could also intensify competition in tokenized equities and prediction markets once US regulatory clarity improves.

Do Kwon, co‑founder of Terraform Labs, was sentenced to 15 years in a U.S. federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud and wire fraud tied to the 2022 collapse of the TerraUSD (UST) stablecoin ecosystem and LUNA tokens. U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer called the scheme a “fraud on an epic, generational scale,” noting about $40 billion in investor losses and widespread harm. The 15‑year term exceeds the 12 years sought by prosecutors and far outstrips the five years requested by the defense; Kwon will receive credit for roughly 17 months and 8 days of pre‑extradition custody. He agreed in plea deals to forfeit assets to compensate victims and to settle related SEC civil claims requiring substantial payments. Market reaction was negative: Terra Classic (LUNC) fell nearly 20% in 24 hours and the newer LUNA dropped over 10% following the sentence. Kwon still faces potential additional charges in South Korea that could add decades to his legal exposure. The case underscores intensified cross‑border enforcement of crypto fraud, and traders should reassess risk exposure, compliance implications and liquidity for residual Terra tokens.

Argentina’s central bank (BCRA) is reportedly reviewing rule changes that would allow domestic banks to trade digital assets and offer crypto-related services, reversing a prior 2022 restriction that barred banks from such activities. Sources cited by La Nación say the BCRA is examining a relaxed framework but has not published a timetable or details; a local exchange suggested approval could come as early as April 2026. The proposal follows recent tighter oversight for virtual-asset firms — Argentina’s securities regulator required VASPs to register from April 2024, and major exchanges (Coinbase, Binance, Bybit) secured local approvals in 2024. Rising crypto adoption in Argentina, driven by very high inflation and peso weakness, has made the market the second-largest in Latin America by volume (Chainalysis: $93.9bn July 2022–June 2025). The report also references a political episode where President Javier Milei briefly promoted a memecoin ($LIBRA), underscoring reputational and fraud risks. For crypto traders, bank participation could materially improve fiat on‑ramps, custody and liquidity, and may increase stablecoin and USD-denominated crypto use — factors likely to affect local market depth and volatility. Traders should monitor official BCRA guidance, implementation timelines, and bank onboarding plans, as formal banking access could shift flows and short-term price dynamics in Argentine crypto markets.

A Trump-branded mobile game, Trump Billionaires Club, developed by Freedom 45 Games and led by Bill Zanker, will launch on app stores on December 30, 2025 with pre-registration open. The board-style, Monopoly-like title lets players buy virtual properties, construct assets, trade NFT collectibles (statues, pins/badges) and use the TRUMP memecoin as an in-game currency. The project includes a marketing pool of roughly $1 million in TRUMP tokens for early players, leaderboards and airdrops to incentivize play-to-earn activity and boost memecoin utility. Accounts can be funded by cash, crypto or TRUMP, and the platform integrates token balances behind the scenes. Developers stress collections are for entertainment and include disclaimers that the game is not created by Donald Trump or his companies. TRUMP token has previously fallen sharply from its peak (roughly an 80–90% decline depending on the reference point); the game announcement produced a modest short-term price bump (~3–4%). Analysts warn giveaways and gamified rewards may create temporary demand but are unlikely to deliver durable token economics or guaranteed returns. The launch could draw political and regulatory scrutiny given the Trump brand and election timing, which may influence public perception and compliance risk. For traders: this event can drive short-term speculative flows into TRUMP token and related NFT liquidity, but fundamentals and sustained on-chain utility remain unclear — treat any price moves as high-risk and potentially short-lived.

Real Finance, a Layer‑1 blockchain focused on real‑world asset (RWA) tokenization, closed a $29 million private funding round led by Nimbus Capital ($25M) with Magnus Capital and Frekaz Group contributing $4M. The company will use the capital to expand its partner network, scale infrastructure and onboard regulated institutions — banks, asset managers and custodians — by building compliance, settlement and operational systems. Real Finance aims to tokenize about $500 million of RWAs in its first year (roughly 2% of the current estimated tokenized RWA market). The protocol uses a dual‑validator, business‑integrated consensus model that embeds tokenization firms, risk assessors and insurers into network consensus and includes an embedded risk framework and disaster recovery mechanisms. Key product focuses are custody frameworks, near‑instant settlement finality, KYC/AML tooling, interoperability across token standards and cross‑chain compatibility. The company is forming institutional partnerships regionally, including Canal Bank (Panama) and Wiener Bank (Austria), and building alliances of regulated institutions across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Investors described the round as validation of institutional demand for compliant RWA rails and signalled confidence in Real Finance’s approach to capture a material share of the growing tokenization market. Implications for traders: the funding and institutional traction increase the likelihood of more regulated capital flowing into RWA token markets, which could support demand for infrastructure tokens and protocols that enable compliant tokenized assets. Short‑term price moves are likely to be muted and tied to announcements or pilot asset issuances; longer term, successful onboarding of banks and custodians could be bullish for crypto infrastructure plays that benefit from greater institutional participation.

The Coinbase Bitcoin Premium index remained positive for eight consecutive sessions as of December 10, registering 0.0121%. The index measures Coinbase’s BTC price versus the global average and is used as a short-term gauge of U.S. pricing dynamics, liquidity and institutional demand. Compared with an earlier report that showed a seven-day positive streak at 0.0215% (Dec 9), the latest reading is smaller but still indicates persistent, if modest, U.S. buying pressure rather than a decisive breakout. Traders view a sustained positive premium as evidence of stronger U.S. demand and disciplined buying that can support price resilience. However, the metric can be influenced by exchange-specific flows, hedging and USD liquidity conditions, so market participants typically combine it with funding rates, open interest and other indicators to calibrate exposure and manage near-term risk amid volatility. For traders, the current signal suggests cautious bullish bias for BTC — supportive of price stability — but not a standalone trigger for aggressive long positioning.

BlackRock’s iShares has filed an S‑1 with the U.S. SEC for the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust, expected to list on Nasdaq under ticker ETHB. The proposed trust will hold ether and delegate 70%–90% of its ETH holdings to external validators so staking rewards flow into the fund’s NAV, with staking yield distributed quarterly after fees. The S‑1 starts the SEC review but is not approval; a formal listing timeline awaits a Form 19b‑4 from the listing exchange. If approved and the product attracts large inflows (as BlackRock’s spot ETH vehicle ETHA has shown possible), staking 70%–90% of trust‑held ETH could shift substantial ether into long‑term staking. That would reduce liquid supply on exchanges and potentially exert upward price pressure on ETH during demand spikes. Key facts for traders: issuer — BlackRock iShares; product — Staked Ethereum ETF (ETHB); proposed staking share — 70%–90%; expected listing venue — Nasdaq; creations/redemptions and authorized‑participant mechanics may limit intraday liquidity to large blocks (typical for institutional ETFs). Monitor SEC review progress (S‑1 and Form 19b‑4), inflows into ETHB vs ETHA, and on‑chain metrics such as staked ETH totals and exchange ETH balances for early trading signals.

Tether participated in a €70 million funding round for Generative Bionics, an AI humanoid robotics spin‑out from the Italian Institute of Technology. Lead investor CDP Venture Capital’s AI fund was joined by AMD Ventures, Duferco and RoboIT. Tether’s capital will fund edge‑AI development, industrial validation and the company’s first production facility as Generative Bionics prepares to deploy humanoid robots across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and retail, with initial industrial programs expected in early 2026 and a full humanoid concept due at CES. The startup traces to two decades of IIT robotics research, claims roughly 60 advanced humanoid prototypes and a ~70‑person engineering and AI team, and holds exclusive licenses to key IIT technologies. Tether — based in El Salvador — frames the deal as part of a broader technology diversification strategy (finance, power, data, education and “evolution”), where AI and robotics sit under “evolution”; it has previously explored large AI investments and backed brain–computer interface and compute infrastructure projects. Analysts cited in the announcements project a large long‑term market for humanoid robotics (estimates from ~€200 billion by 2035 to multi‑trillion by 2050). For crypto traders: this is a strategic, non‑crypto corporate investment by a stablecoin‑related firm. It signals continued diversification into capital‑intensive AI and hardware but is unlikely to drive near‑term cryptocurrency price moves; conversion of prototypes into certified industrial robots carries high technical, regulatory and timing risk that could make returns long‑dated and illiquid.

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has formally designated Tether’s USDt as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token (AFRT), allowing ADGM- and FSRA‑licensed firms to offer trading, custody and related regulated services for USDt across multiple blockchains. Tether said the approval followed a regulatory review demonstrating operational stability, transparency and compliance. ADGM’s decision reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a regulated digital-asset hub and aligns with broader UAE crypto momentum — including new Sharia-compliant in-app Bitcoin trading by Ruya bank and Chainalysis data showing over $30bn in crypto inflows to the UAE from July 2023–June 2024 (a 42% YoY rise). For traders, the recognition increases institutional on‑ and off‑ramp options, may boost USDt utility and liquidity across listed chains, and could drive higher institutional settlement and cross‑border payment flows in the region. The development also raises expectations of increased regulatory scrutiny and compliance requirements for counterparties handling USDt in ADGM.

Fitch Ratings warned that major US banks’ rapid expansion into cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and blockchain services could weaken credit profiles and prompt rating reviews. While tokenization and crypto-linked payment services can boost fees, yields and operational efficiency, Fitch flagged material risks: regulatory uncertainty, market volatility, custody loss/theft, cyberattacks, operational and compliance failures, and liquidity strains—especially if exposure concentrates at a few institutions. The agency highlighted systemic concerns from fast stablecoin growth that could disrupt Treasury-market liquidity and monetary transmission. Fitch noted that heavy reliance on crypto-related business could lead markets to reassess banks’ health and raise borrowing costs. The report referenced broader regulatory scrutiny and potential legislative drivers (e.g., stablecoin bills) that may accelerate adoption. For traders: increased bank entry into crypto may raise institutional flows and product availability, but it also heightens counterparty, credit and liquidity risks—particularly around stablecoins—potentially increasing volatility and contagion risk across crypto and traditional markets.

Coinbase’s Base and Solana launched a Chainlink CCIP‑powered, bidirectional bridge on December 4 to enable transfers of SOL and SPL tokens between Solana and Base (an Ethereum L2). Early integrations with Base‑native apps — including Aerodrome, Zora, Virtuals, Flaunch and Relay — have allowed rapid on‑chain deposit and trading of Solana assets inside Base. On‑chain data shows heavy early flows into Base DeFi and NFT pools, prompting public criticism from Solana builders (Anatoly Yakovenko, Mert Mumtaz, Akshay BD, Vibhu Norby) who warn the bridge could extract liquidity and retail activity from Solana. Base’s team (Jesse Pollak) frames the bridge as developer outreach to expand cross‑chain access. Analysts note that neutral governance and fee structures are required for true interoperability; without them, one‑sided value transfer is possible. Traders should monitor on‑chain net flows, TVL shifts in DeFi/NFT pools, and trading volume between Solana and Base. Persistent net outflows from Solana into Base could exert bearish pressure on SOL, while balanced two‑way flows would improve cross‑chain liquidity and open new trading strategies. Key keywords: Base Solana bridge, Chainlink CCIP, bidirectional bridge, SOL, cross‑chain liquidity.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has approved spot Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) trading on CFTC-registered futures exchanges, placing BTC and ETH firmly under a commodity framework and easing issuer-focused SEC constraints. The decision requires standardized market surveillance, custody standards and anti-fraud measures for regulated venues. Immediate implications for traders: increased legitimacy and institutional access as pension funds, banks and hedge funds can more easily gain exposure via regulated rails; deeper onshore liquidity as market makers and exchanges move volume from offshore venues; and potential short-term volatility around exchange listings and new product rollouts. Over the medium to long term, traders should expect tighter spreads, deeper order books and greater institutional flows that could support price discovery and reduce OTC premiums. Watchlist items: exchange filings, custody partnerships, surveillance-sharing agreements and volume spikes on new listings. Primary keywords: CFTC approval, spot crypto trading, Bitcoin, Ethereum. Secondary keywords: market surveillance, custody standards, institutional flows, regulated exchanges.

Europol coordinated a multi‑country operation that dismantled a sophisticated crypto fraud and money‑laundering syndicate responsible for defrauding victims of more than €700 million. Raids in October 2025 and a follow‑up phase targeted fake investment platforms, affiliate marketing networks, call centres and deepfake ad campaigns across Cyprus, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Malta, France and Israel. Authorities arrested nine suspects linked to laundering and seized assets including €800,000 in bank funds, €415,000 in cryptocurrency, €300,000 cash, devices and luxury items. Investigators found the group used fabricated trading dashboards, forged celebrity endorsements, social‑engineering call centres and rapid cross‑chain/exchange transfers to obscure fund flows. Europol deployed on‑site crypto analysis specialists to trace blockchain flows and coordinate asset recovery. The takedown highlights rising use of AI‑driven deepfake ads and complex laundering techniques, underscores persistent investor risk from fraudulent platforms and manipulated advertising, and adds momentum to cross‑border enforcement aimed at recovering illicit crypto funds. Traders should note increased enforcement activity and on‑chain tracing efforts, which may pressure illicit OTC liquidity and influence exchange compliance and delisting scrutiny.

The official PEPE website was compromised by front-end malware identified by blockchain security firm Blockaid as the “Inferno Drainer.” The malicious code redirected visitors to a fake portal and injected wallet-draining scripts that can siphon funds from connected wallets and auto-download malware to devices. The compromise affected the web frontend only — the PEPE smart contract remains unchanged — but it creates a material reputational and security risk that can reduce investor confidence and heighten short-term sell pressure. PEPE’s team response was slow or unclear, further dampening community trust. Price action: PEPE has lost over 75% YTD and trades near $0.000004–$0.0000047; resistance around $0.0000055 is cited as needed to reverse the downtrend. Immediate trader guidance: avoid connecting wallets to PEPE web pages, verify URLs, use trusted DEX interfaces or hardware wallets, and monitor official channels for remediation and reimbursements. Related tokens mentioned: PEPE, BONK, FARTCOIN and a Pepe-themed presale Pepenode (PEPENODE).

Italy’s financial regulator Consob has set a firm December 30 deadline for virtual asset service providers (VASPs) operating under Italy’s OAM registration to apply for authorisation under the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regime. Firms must submit applications to be licensed as crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) by that date. Applicants may continue serving clients while applications are processed, but the transition ends on June 30, 2026, by which time authorities must reach a decision. VASPs that fail to apply must stop services by Dec. 30, return user funds and crypto assets, close contracts, post clear public notices and directly inform customers whether they will comply or exit. Consob warns investors to verify their provider’s plans and to request fund returns if they receive no communication. Italy’s implementing decree uses MiCA’s national flexibility to replace a simple registration model with a stricter authorisation regime, raising governance, transparency and control requirements for platforms. Traders should monitor platform announcements, possible market exits and asset withdrawals — moves that could cause short-term liquidity shifts and exchange flows. Primary SEO keywords: MiCA, Italy regulation, VASP compliance; secondary keywords: CASP authorisation, platform exits, asset withdrawals.

Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan says fears that MicroStrategy will be forced to liquidate its Bitcoin are misplaced. In a December 2025 memo, Hougan notes MicroStrategy holds roughly 650,000 BTC with an average cost basis near $74,436 while Bitcoin trades above $92,000, providing a significant unrealized NAV buffer. The company raised about $1.4 billion in recent at‑the‑market share sales and has no principal debt due until 2027; annual interest and operating needs near $800 million can be covered by current cash reserves for roughly 18 months. CEO comments about a hypothetical last‑resort sale if liabilities exceeded assets and funding dried up were clarified by Hougan as not reflecting present conditions. Remaining risks include index reclassification guidance (MSCI) for firms with large crypto exposures and the firm’s use of convertible notes and leverage, which can amplify equity volatility. For traders: MicroStrategy’s BTC position remains profitable versus its cost basis, MSTR stock will likely stay sensitive to BTC price moves and equity-market sentiment, but immediate forced‑sale risk appears limited given cash on hand and deferred maturities.

Former Signature Bank executives Scott Shay and Jeffrey Wallis have launched N3XT, a Wyoming-chartered Special Purpose Depository Institution (SPDI) positioned as a blockchain-native bank for institutional clients requiring 24/7 instant USD settlement. N3XT will not engage in traditional lending; it says every deposit is backed one-to-one with cash or short-term U.S. Treasuries and will publish daily reserve reports. The bank will run on a private blockchain supporting programmable payments and interoperability with stablecoins and other digital assets, targeting crypto firms, FX desks, shipping and logistics businesses. Backers include Paradigm, HACK VC and Winklevoss Capital. N3XT is onboarding crypto customers now and emphasizes full liquidity of client funds to avoid risks that contributed to the 2023 collapses of Signature, Silvergate and SVB. Separately, former Binance.US CEO Brian Shroder’s 1Money launched a stablecoin orchestration platform and is building a zero-gas layer-1 payments chain; it raised $20M seed funding in 2025 and holds multiple U.S. money-transmitter licenses as it scales regulated stablecoin custody and payments services. Key SEO keywords: N3XT, blockchain bank, SPDI, stablecoins, reserves, instant USD settlement.

Grayscale launched its Chainlink exchange-traded product (ETP) GLNK on NYSE Arca and drew about $42 million of inflows on its first trading day, lifting assets under management to roughly $64 million. Early sessions showed roughly $13 million in GLNK intraday trading volume, tight bid-ask spreads and solid liquidity. The debut coincided with heightened activity in Chainlink’s native token: LINK’s spot price rose more than 6% and trading volume across exchanges jumped about 180%. Analysts noted the strong opening as evidence that regulated ETP wrappers can attract both institutional and retail capital to longer-tail crypto assets. The reports also flagged a Bitwise Chainlink product (CLNK) registered administratively at DTCC, which—pending exchange listings and approvals—could broaden regulated access and distribution. Key trading takeaways: $42M day-one inflows, ~ $64M AUM post-debut, ~ $13M early GLNK volume, LINK price +~6%, LINK exchange volume +~180%; tight spreads imply manageable slippage for ETP trades; potential future listings (e.g., CLNK) may add distribution and liquidity over time.

Grayscale launched a spot Chainlink (LINK) ETF on Dec. 3, recording $13m in first‑day trading volume and $42m of inflows. Bloomberg analysts called the debut a strong showing for longer‑tail altcoin ETFs, and Grayscale CEO Peter Mintzberg said it reflected broader market demand. Bitwise has also filed for a competing spot LINK ETF, potentially expanding institutional access. On‑chain metrics showed LINK futures open interest rose from about $194m to nearly $240m after the launch, indicating increased speculative activity. LINK’s price jumped roughly 8.6% on the announcement and extended a weekly recovery of over 20% (from around $12 to $15) before easing to about $14.4 — still roughly 47% below a recent $27 peak. Traders should watch ETF inflows, futures open interest and the critical $15–$16 resistance zone; reclaiming and holding $16 would improve odds of testing $20, but Glassnode data notes ~53m LINK were acquired near $16, which could create overhead sell pressure. The launch underscores rising institutional demand for altcoin exposure and may support further upside if inflows persist and on‑chain/tokenization use cases continue to gain traction.

The Australian Bitcoin Industry Body (ABIB) has lodged a formal complaint against the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), alleging a recent column mischaracterised Bitcoin as useful only for illicit activity, contained factual errors, and breached ABC editorial standards. ABIB says the coverage overstated criminal use and volatility while omitting legitimate use cases (for example grid balancing and humanitarian transfers) and rising institutional adoption. The complaint, published on December 3, 2025, requests corrections, a public response within 60 days and consultation with subject-matter experts; ABIB says it may escalate the matter to Australia’s communications regulator if ABC does not satisfy the request. The dispute arrives as Australia advances major crypto legislation — notably the Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025 — which would formalise rules for entities that hold crypto for clients and strengthen consumer protections. For traders: this is mainly a reputational and regulatory-story development for Bitcoin (BTC). It may influence sentiment locally in Australia and affect media framing ahead of new rules, but it does not directly change fundamentals of BTC network supply or demand. Watch for follow-up coverage, regulator engagement, or legal escalation that could shift local retail sentiment or news-driven volatility.

The UK’s Property (Digital Assets, etc.) Act has come into force, statutorily classifying crypto‑tokens, stablecoins and NFTs as legal property and replacing prior case‑by‑case judicial rulings. The law grants owners enforceable rights — ownership, inheritance, recovery of stolen assets and defined treatment in insolvency — and removes legal uncertainty that stalled institutional product launches and tokenized offerings (an effective ~18‑month freeze for large funds). Policymakers present the move as part of a broader push toward regulated crypto markets and greater institutional participation, aligning with international efforts such as the EU’s MiCA framework. Industry groups welcomed the change as improving custody clarity, reducing legal risk for tokenized products and encouraging market stability and innovation. For traders, the immediate effects are clearer custody and probate processes, lower legal/custodial risk premiums, and a higher likelihood of renewed institutional flows — factors that can support tighter spreads, higher liquidity and more competitive custodial pricing over time. Primary keywords: UK crypto law, digital assets, crypto regulation. Secondary/semantic keywords: property rights, custody, institutional adoption, tokenization, stablecoins, NFTs.

Kalshi, a US-regulated prediction-market platform, closed a $1 billion funding round on Dec. 2 that lifts its valuation to about $11 billion. The round was led by crypto-focused Paradigm with participation from Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), ARK Invest and CapitalG. Kalshi reported record November trading — roughly $4.54 billion in monthly volume with weekly volumes topping $1 billion — a surge driven by integrations such as Google showing prediction-market data and broader distribution talks with brokerages. Rival Polymarket also set records in November but Kalshi’s volumes exceeded Polymarket’s. Reports say Coinbase is exploring a prediction-market front end that could use similar technology. Kalshi emphasizes regulatory compliance under CFTC oversight and is expanding product offerings, newsroom and brokerage partnerships, and compliance infrastructure with the new capital. It has also begun supporting tokenized trading of event contracts on Solana (SOL). For traders: the news signals growing mainstream adoption and liquidity in centralized, CFTC-regulated prediction markets, potential new distribution channels via brokerages and exchanges, and increased interoperability with crypto rails (Solana) — factors that may boost trading activity and market depth in related tokens and platforms.

Vanguard has reversed its long-standing policy and will allow trading of select regulated cryptocurrency ETFs and mutual funds on its US brokerage platform. Managing roughly $11 trillion and serving 50+ million clients, Vanguard will list third‑party spot ETFs that meet regulatory standards under a new “Digital Assets” section rather than launching proprietary crypto products. The permitted funds hold Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP and Solana (SOL). Vanguard’s shift follows leadership changes — including CEO Salim Ramji — and reflects rising client and institutional demand plus improved liquidity and operational readiness. The firm will continue to block high‑risk products such as meme‑coin‑linked funds. For traders, the move likely increases retail distribution and could boost demand for the listed tokens, tightening exchange liquidity and supporting near‑term price appreciation for BTC, ETH, XRP and SOL. Risks remain from macro volatility and regulatory developments, so traders should watch flows, ETF inflows/outflows and secondary‑market liquidity.