Most Influential: Bo Hines
President Donald Trump appointed former college football player Bo Hines to spearhead the administration's digital‑asset agenda. Hines worked with crypto czar David Sacks to push the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, securing rapid bipartisan approval in both chambers. The legislation, signed by Trump, creates the first comprehensive U.S. stablecoin regulatory framework. After the win, Hines left the White House to become Tether’s chief U.S. executive, continuing his policy push from the private sector.
Most Influential: Don Jr., Eric and Barron Trump
The Trump brothers have turned their family name into a lucrative crypto venture, spearheading projects like WLFI that have amassed over $400 million in revenue. Barron Trump, the youngest, co‑founded WLFI and is estimated to hold a $150 million net worth from...
Most Influential: Paolo Ardoino
Paolo Ardoino has turned Tether from a controversial stablecoin issuer into a regulated financial platform. In 2025 the firm launched USAT, the first U.S.‑compliant stablecoin, partnering with Cantor Fitzgerald, Anchorage Digital and former White House adviser Bo Hines. Tether reported...
Most Influential: Brandon and Howard Lutnick
Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin with over $180 billion in USDT circulation, has secured Cantor Fitzgerald as its custodian for U.S. Treasury reserves, a relationship confirmed by Chairman Brandon Lutnick’s personal verification. The partnership follows Tether’s 2021 settlement with the New York Attorney...
Most Influential: Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss
The Winklevoss brothers intervened to block former CFTC commissioner Brian Quintenz's nomination, causing the White House to withdraw his candidacy. Quintenz, a pro‑crypto policymaker, was expected to steer the CFTC toward a more crypto‑friendly regulatory stance. Their actions highlighted the...
TON Token Yearly Loss Nears 72%, but Potential Reversal Signs Emerge
Toncoin (TON) has slid roughly 72% over the past year, trading around $1.62. The token found firm support at $1.6025 despite a 43% volume surge and initial selling pressure. Recent price action shows higher lows and rising volume, hinting at...
Has Congress Quietly Forced the Department of War to Use Bitcoin to Bankrupt Chinese Hackers?
The House Armed Services Committee’s fiscal 2026 defense bill (Section 1543) orders the Pentagon to study how military capabilities can impose economic, diplomatic, informational or military costs on state‑backed hackers targeting defense‑critical infrastructure. The study, due Dec 1 2026, will evaluate offensive cyber...
A16z-Backed Daylight Brings Electricity Markets Onchain with New DeFi Protocol
Daylight, backed by a16z Crypto and Framework Ventures, launched the DayFi protocol on Ethereum to turn electricity cash flows into a crypto‑native yield product. The system uses a Treasury‑backed stablecoin (GRID) and a revenue‑linked yield token (sGRID) to finance rooftop...
Top U.S. Crypto Lobbying Arm Digital Chamber Integrates CryptoUK as Affiliate
The Digital Chamber, one of the oldest U.S. crypto lobbying groups, announced it is incorporating the United Kingdom’s CryptoUK as an affiliate. The partnership aims to unify advocacy efforts across the Atlantic, enabling shared resources and cross‑jurisdictional policy expertise. The...
Malaysia’s Royal Unveils Ringgit-Backed Stablecoin for APAC Payments
Malaysia’s royal family introduced RMJDT, a ringgit‑backed stablecoin aimed at facilitating cross‑border trade and attracting foreign investment in the Asia‑Pacific. Issued by Bullish Aim Sdn, the token will launch with 500 million units, valued at roughly $121.5 million, and will be fully...
Malaysia’s Crown Prince Launches Ringgit Stablecoin, Zetrix Treasury
Malaysia’s crown prince, Ismail Ibrahim, announced the launch of RMJDT, a ringgit‑backed stablecoin issued on the Zetrix layer‑1 blockchain. The project is being piloted under Malaysia’s regulated sandbox, aiming to facilitate cross‑border payments across the Asia‑Pacific. Alongside the stablecoin, Bullish...
Standard Chartered Throws in the Towel on Bullish Bitcoin Forecast
Standard Chartered’s global head of digital assets, Geoff Kendrick, has dramatically revised the bank’s Bitcoin price outlook, cutting the 2025 target to $100,000 and pushing the $500,000 horizon to 2030. The downgrade follows a collapse in digital‑asset treasury (DAT) firms,...
Polkadot Trades Little Changed as Crypto Market Consolidates
Polkadot’s native token (DOT) held steady around $2.13 on Dec 9, slipping just 0.2% in the past 24 hours. The coin is confined to a tight $2.09‑$2.16 band, with solid support at $2.09 and resistance near $2.15‑$2.16 confirmed by an 80% volume...
Ethereum’s P2P Layer Is Improving Just as Institutional ETH Buys Pick Up
Ethereum co‑founder Vitalik Buterin announced that the network is finally closing a long‑standing peer‑to‑peer (P2P) gap, highlighting the PeerDAS prototype as proof of scalable networking improvements. He also called for an on‑chain gas futures market to hedge congestion risk. At the...
Crypto Nears Its ‘Netscape Moment’ as Industry Approaches Inflection Point
The cryptocurrency sector is entering a pivotal "Netscape moment," driven by maturing blockchain infrastructure and a surge in regulated investment vehicles such as exchange‑traded products (ETPs). Bloomberg data shows up to 200 crypto‑based ETPs could launch this year, with 155...
BMW Taps JPMorgan for First Onchain Programmable FX Payment
BMW Group became the first corporation to complete a fully pre‑programmed foreign‑exchange payment using JPMorgan’s Kinexys Digital Payments network. The treasury teams set conditions in the bank’s Programmable Payments app, enabling an automated EUR‑to‑USD transfer between Frankfurt and New York on...
Hong Kong Launches CARF Crypto Tax Consultation to Combat Evasion
Hong Kong has launched a public consultation on adopting the OECD’s Crypto‑Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) and revising its tax reporting standards to include the Common Reporting Standard (CRS). The move is framed as a step to align the territory’s crypto‑tax...
Japan Plans Tough New Rules for Crypto Exchanges: What Liability Reserves Actually Mean
Japan's Financial Services Agency is drafting rules that require all registered cryptocurrency exchanges to maintain dedicated liability reserves, mirroring securities‑industry standards, to compensate customers after hacks or unauthorized transfers. The reserves will be sized between ¥2 billion and ¥40 billion based on...
Dogecoin ETFs Lose Their Bite as Bitcoin, Ethereum Big Dogs Lead the Pack
Dogecoin spot ETFs have slumped to a total value traded of $142,000, the lowest level since their launch, far below the $3.23 million peak in late November. Despite the ETF weakness, DOGE’s spot market remains robust, posting over $1.1 billion in 24‑hour...
The CFTC Just Authorized Bitcoin, ETH, USDC only for US Leverage, Leaving XRP, SOL Stranded in Risky Limbo
The CFTC has authorized Futures Commission Merchants to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDC as eligible margin in a new digital‑assets pilot, integrating these tokens into the U.S. derivatives clearing framework. The move aims to keep leveraged crypto trading under U.S....
Tassat Wins U.S. Patent for 'Yield-in-Transit' Onchain Settlement Tech
Tassat Group announced it has been granted a U.S. patent for its on‑chain “yield‑in‑transit” (YIT) technology, which allows interest to accrue continuously as assets move through settlement. The patented method supports intraday, block‑by‑block interest calculation and distribution, removing ambiguity over...
Crypto Markets Today: Bitcoin Slips Back Toward Danger Zone Ahead of Fed Decision
Bitcoin slipped back to roughly $90,150, retreating from Monday’s $92,350 high as the market braces for the Federal Reserve’s upcoming rate‑cut decision. The broader crypto market lost momentum, with the CoinDesk 20 Index down 2.1% and altcoins like HYPE, STRK,...
Polygon Deploys Madhugiri Hard Fork, Aims for 33% Throughput Boost
Polygon has launched the Madhugiri hard fork, cutting consensus time to one second and boosting throughput by 33 %. The upgrade adds support for three Fusaka EIPs that limit gas for heavy computations and introduces a new transaction type for Ethereum‑to‑Polygon...
Plume Secures ADGM Commercial License, Eyes Middle East RWA Expansion
Plume Network has secured a commercial license from the Abu Dhabi Global Market, clearing a regulatory hurdle for expansion across the Middle East, Africa and emerging markets. The license enables the firm to scale real‑world asset origination and distribution, though...
Binance Confirmed a Rogue Employee Used the Company Account to Pump a Personal Token 4,600% in Minutes
Binance disclosed that an employee used the official Binance Futures social‑media account to promote a self‑issued token, causing a 4,600% price surge within minutes before the token collapsed. The employee was suspended, authorities were notified, and Binance offered a $100,000...
Will Zcash's ZEC Return to $500 or Higher Before 2026?
Zcash (ZEC) rallied 10.3% in 24 hours, pushing above $425 and marking a 41.5% gain from last week’s $300 trough. Traders identified a double‑bottom formation around $300‑$310, suggesting a measured target near $480‑$500 if the neckline holds. Meanwhile, whale accounts...
SGX's Crypto Futures Draw New Liquidity, Not Diverted Cash, Exchange's President Says
Singapore Exchange (SGX) launched regulated Bitcoin and Ether perpetual futures two weeks ago, quickly accumulating about $250 million in cumulative notional volume. The surge reflects fresh institutional capital rather than a shift of funds from other venues, according to SGX President...
Saylor Says Strategy Will Not Issue Preferred Equity in Japan, Giving Metaplanet a 12 Month Head Start
Michael Saylor, executive chairman of Strategy (MSTR), told Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich that Strategy will not issue a perpetual preferred equity in Japan for the next twelve months, effectively giving Metaplanet a head start. Metaplanet plans to launch two yen‑denominated...
NFT Winter Deepens: Monthly Sales Hit Lowest Point of the Year
NFT sales plunged to $320 million in November, roughly half October’s volume, marking the lowest monthly total of 2025. The sector’s market capitalization has slumped 66 % from its January peak, now sitting at $3.1 billion. Most top‑tier collections posted double‑digit declines, with...
Bitcoin Retail Inflows to Binance ‘Collapse’ to 400 BTC Record Low in 2025
On‑chain data from CryptoQuant shows daily Bitcoin inflows from retail investors (≤1 BTC) to Binance have slumped to a record low of about 411 BTC in 2025, far below the 2,675 BTC average seen in December 2022. The decline is described as a structural...
Crypto Index Funds ‘a Big Deal’ as Market Complexity Grows: Bitwise CIO
Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan says crypto index funds will become a major investment vehicle in 2026 as the market grows more complex and use cases multiply. He argues that predicting individual token performance is near impossible, making market‑cap‑weighted funds a...
Zcash Floats Dynamic Fee Plan to Ensure Users Won’t Be Priced Out
Zcash developer Shielded Labs released a detailed blueprint for a dynamic fee market, moving away from the network’s static fee model that has struggled with spam and rising transaction costs. The proposal bases fees on the median fee per action...
USDC Issuer Circle Secures Abu Dhabi's ADGM License in Middle East Expansion
Circle, the issuer of the $78 billion USDC stablecoin, obtained a Financial Services Permission license from Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) on Dec 9, 2025. The license authorises Circle to operate as a Money Services Provider within the UAE’s regulated crypto ecosystem, extending...
Dogecoin Holds $0.14 Floor as Network Activity Hits 3-Month High
Dogecoin celebrated its 12th anniversary while price hovered in a tight $0.1406‑$0.1450 band. On‑chain metrics showed daily active addresses climbing to 67,511, the second‑highest level in three months, and volatility tightening. Volume spiked 16.96% above the weekly average, supporting three...
Bitcoin Traders Target $20K Bitcoin Strike as Deep Out of the Money Options Gain Traction
Deep out‑of‑the‑money Bitcoin put options are surging on Deribit, with the $20,000 strike becoming the second‑most popular June 2026 contract and carrying over $191 million in notional open interest. Traders are buying these cheap “lottery tickets” alongside high‑strike calls, indicating a focus...
OCC Boss Says ‘No Justification’ to Judge Banks and Crypto Differently
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) chief Jonathan Gould told a blockchain conference that crypto firms applying for U.S. federal bank charters should be judged the same as traditional financial institutions, rejecting any justification for differential treatment. He...
The “Infinite Money Glitch” Fueling Strategy and BitMine Has Evaporated, Forcing a Desperate Pivot to Survive
Strategy and BitMine, the two largest crypto‑treasury firms, expanded their digital‑asset holdings this week despite a sharp decline in the premium that traditionally fuels their growth. Strategy bought 10,624 BTC for $962.7 million, bringing its total to 660,624 BTC, while BitMine added 138,452 ETH...
Bitcoin Catches a Bid, but Data Shows Pro Traders Skeptical of Rally Above $92K
Bitcoin briefly rallied above $92,000 but quickly retreated, encountering resistance at short‑term highs. The pullback was driven by lingering macroeconomic uncertainty, a wave of leveraged liquidations, and stagnant inflows into spot Bitcoin exchange‑traded funds. Data from professional traders shows skepticism...
Crypto, TradFi Sentiment Improves: Will Bitcoin Traders Clear Shorts Above $93K?
Bitcoin has been oscillating between $90,000 and $93,000 as retail sentiment improves and institutional players reaffirm bullish outlooks. VanEck’s Matthew Sigel cites Bernstein that the traditional four‑year cycle is broken, with sticky institutional buying now supporting the market. Strategy Capital...
Saylor Pitches Bitcoin-Backed Banking System to Nation-States
Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy, urged nation‑states at a Bitcoin MENA event to launch Bitcoin‑backed digital banks that combine over‑collateralized BTC reserves with tokenized credit instruments. He outlined a structure where digital credit makes up 80% of a fund, 20%...
Farcaster Abandons Social Network Strategy to Focus on Wallet
Farcaster, the blockchain‑based social platform founded by former Coinbase executives, announced it will abandon its social‑network focus and double down on its on‑chain wallet. After 4.5 years of trying to build a Twitter‑like experience, the team said growth was unsustainable,...
Hyperliquid Launches Direct USDC Transfers
Hyperliquid announced direct USDC transfers, unifying the stablecoin on its HyperCore and HyperEVM layers. The move replaces the previous Arbitrum‑based bridge, allowing users to move USDC without third‑party intermediaries. By consolidating liquidity, the platform aims to cut transaction costs and...
StableChain Launches Mainnet with USDT Gas Fees, Dedicated Governance Token
StableChain has launched its mainnet, a layer‑1 blockchain that uses Tether’s USDT to pay gas fees, eliminating the need for volatile assets in transaction processing. The network is supported by the newly created Stable Foundation and the STABLE governance token,...
ONDO Jumps as SEC Ends Biden-Era Probe
ONDO, a tokenization platform, saw its stock surge after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission formally closed a confidential investigation that began during the Biden administration. The SEC concluded the probe without filing any charges, signaling no immediate regulatory penalties...
Watchdog Asks for Crypto Industry Feedback on UK Investment Reforms
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued consultation papers asking crypto firms to comment on proposed investment reforms aimed at expanding consumer access and revising client categorisation rules. The proposals target risks associated with crypto‑asset proxies, suggesting tighter limits,...
XRP Needs a Solana-Style Strategy to Keep Up: Ripple Executive
Ripple’s global partner success lead Luke Judges argues that XRP Ledger must adopt a Solana‑style go‑to‑market approach to stay competitive, emphasizing speed, pragmatism, and developer onboarding over pure technical superiority. He contrasts this with CTO David Schwartz’s focus on XRPL’s...
Tether's USDt Awarded Key Regulatory Status in Abu Dhabi
Tether’s USDT has been officially designated as an “accepted fiat‑referenced token” by the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), allowing licensed firms to provide trading, custody and settlement services involving the stablecoin. The recognition builds on ADGM’s earlier classification of USDT...
The Easiest and Safest Methods for Gifting Crypto at Christmas in 2025
The 2025 guide outlines the safest ways to gift cryptocurrency at Christmas, emphasizing established assets like Bitcoin and Ether for newcomers. It details three primary methods—crypto gift cards, hardware wallets, and direct transfers via exchanges—highlighting ease of use, security benefits,...
BlackRock Files for Listing Staked Ether ETF
BlackRock has filed an application to list a new exchange‑traded fund that would give investors indirect exposure to staked Ether. The ETF would track Ether locked in proof‑of‑stake consensus, allowing holders to earn staking rewards without directly managing the asset....
Wall Street Piles In: How Ripple’s Quiet Pivot Led to a $40B Valuation
Ripple secured a $500 million financing round that lifted its valuation to $40 billion, drawing heavyweight Wall Street firms such as Citadel, Fortress and Galaxy Digital. The deal includes unique downside protections, offering investors a guaranteed 10% annual return or up to...