‍Standard Chartered & Ant International Launch Tokenized Deposit Solution Standard Chartered has launched a blockchain-based tokenized deposit solution for Ant International, enabling 24/7 real-time fund transfers and liquidity management across HKD, CNH, and USD. This initiative is part of the HKMA’s “Project Ensemble,” aiming to promote tokenization and develop wholesale CBDCs. The integrated solution enhances operational efficiency and security within corporate treasury workflows.

Cryptovka

Standard Chartered Launches Tokenized Deposit Solution for Ant International

Standard Chartered has officially rolled out a blockchain-based tokenized deposit solution designed to streamline treasury management for the globa...

‍Coinbase Expands Services: Stocks, AI, and Custom Stablecoins Announced Coinbase is making a significant strategic pivot, aiming to become an all-in-one financial super app. The company unveiled plans to introduce stock and ETF trading for U.S. users, entering direct competition with platforms like Robinhood. Additionally, Coinbase is venturing into AI with the beta launch of Coinbase Advisor, an AI-powered investment tool. The exchange also announced plans for custom stablecoins backed by USDC, enabling companies to create branded tokens. Further developments include Coinbase Tokenize for bringing real-world assets on-chain and integration with Solana's Jupiter aggregator for trading new tokens.

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Coinbase Unveils Major Expansion: Stocks, AI, and Custom Stablecoins

Coinbase is significantly broadening its range of services, moving beyond its core cryptocurrency exchange business to compete with established fin...

‍Caroline Pham, Former CFTC Acting Chair, Joins MoonPay as Chief Legal Officer Caroline Pham, previously the acting chair of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has been appointed Chief Legal and Administrative Officer at cryptocurrency fintech company MoonPay. This move highlights the growing intersection of traditional financial regulation and the digital asset sector. Pham's tenure at the CFTC involved significant crypto-focused initiatives, including efforts to integrate listed spot crypto products into regulated markets and a pilot program allowing BTC, ETH, and USDC as collateral in derivatives trading. MoonPay CEO Ivan Soto-Wright stated that Pham's leadership "shaped policies that expanded financial freedom and drove crypto innovation." MoonPay, founded in 2019, facilitates the buying and selling of cryptocurrencies and NFTs, serving over 160 countries. Pham's expertise is expected to be crucial for MoonPay's global legal and administrative functions, as well as its regulatory strategy, particularly in Washington, D.C. Her transition reflects a broader trend of former regulators joining the crypto industry, signaling market maturation and a focus on compliance.

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Ex-CFTC Chair Caroline Pham Joins Crypto Firm MoonPay as Legal Chief

Caroline Pham, the former acting chair of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), is moving to the private sector to join cryptocurre...

‍Coinbase Secures Approval for Stake in Indian Crypto Exchange CoinDCX The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Coinbase's acquisition of a minority stake in CoinDCX's parent company, DCX Global Limited. This regulatory green light signals a significant partnership in the growing Indian digital asset market. Coinbase's investment, first announced in October, values CoinDCX at approximately $2.4 billion. This move deepens a long-standing relationship, as Coinbase has been an investor since 2020. The partnership underscores Coinbase's confidence in India's crypto market, home to over 100 million users. CoinDCX reports $141 million in annualized revenue and over 20.4 million users. This development aligns with Coinbase's strategy to fully re-engage with India, with plans to reintroduce fiat on-ramps for Indian Rupees in 2026. The CCI's approval, based on a lack of competition concerns, offers a positive outlook for India's crypto regulatory landscape.

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Coinbase Gains Approval for Stake in India

The Competition Commission of India (CCI), the country

‍Bitcoin's $90K Surge Reverses, Dampening Holiday Rally Hopes Bitcoin experienced significant volatility, briefly touching $90,000 before falling to $85,000. This sharp reversal has dimmed prospects for a year-end "Santa rally." The downturn impacted altcoins, with Ethereum seeing a notable decline. Spot Bitcoin ETFs also recorded outflows totaling $634 million this week. Macroeconomic factors, including rising U.S. unemployment and potential Bank of Japan interest rate hikes, are contributing to market uncertainty. "It's a scary headline—Japanese interest rates at a 30-year high!—and in the current market environment, you could see short-term downward pressure," commented Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan.

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Bitcoin

The cryptocurrency market experienced a bout of extreme volatility on Wednesday, as Bitcoin (BTC) briefly surged to $90,000 before plummeting to th...

‍Uniform Labs Unveils Multiliquid to Address RWA Redemption Delays Uniform Labs has launched Multiliquid, a new protocol designed to solve liquidity challenges in the tokenized asset market. It facilitates 24/7 conversions between tokenized money market funds and stablecoins like USDC and USDT. The $20 billion tokenization sector faces delays due to issuer-controlled redemption windows. Multiliquid aims to bridge the gap between traditional finance and digital asset markets, supporting integrations with tokenized Treasury assets and allowing investors to bypass redemption delays. The protocol addresses risks in tokenized money market funds, which have seen rapid growth but face liquidity challenges during market stress, as warned by the BIS. Multiliquid's instant swaps could ensure round-the-clock liquidity, promoting broader institutional adoption of tokenized RWAs.

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Uniform Labs Unveils Multiliquid to Solve RWA Redemption Delays

Uniform Labs, a blockchain infrastructure firm established by former executives from Standard Chartered, has introduced a new protocol aimed at res...

‍Binance Offers Up to $5M Reward for Exposing Fake Token Listing Agents Binance has strictly prohibited the use of third-party intermediaries for listing applications and is offering a whistleblower reward of up to $5 million for information identifying scammers. Projects must apply directly through official Binance channels. The exchange will take legal action against fraudulent brokers.

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Binance Offers $5M Reward to Expose Fake Token Listing Agents

Binance, the world

‍Hut 8 Secures $7B AI Data Center Deal With Google's Financial Backing Bitcoin miner Hut 8 has signed a 15-year agreement for AI data center capacity at its Louisiana campus, valued at $7 billion. The deal with Fluidstack, financially backed by Google, will provide 245 megawatts of power, demonstrating the trend of crypto infrastructure firms entering the AI sector. The agreement significantly reduces Hut 8's financial risk due to Google's guarantee. The first data hall is expected in Q2 2027.

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Hut 8 Secures $7B AI Data Center Deal With Google

Bitcoin mining firm Hut 8 has announced a landmark $7 billion, 15-year agreement to lease artificial intelligence data center capacity at its Louis...

‍Coinbase Report: Young Investors Triple Crypto Investments A new Coinbase report reveals Gen Z and Millennials are tripling their crypto investments, allocating 25% of portfolios to alternative assets. This is driven by a perception that traditional wealth-building is inaccessible, with 73% of younger adults feeling it's harder for their generation to build wealth conventionally. Younger investors also show a higher risk appetite and trade more frequently, seeking 24/7 market access, crypto derivatives, and DeFi lending. They rely on social media and peers for investment information, a trend Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong notes signals the current financial system isn't working for them.

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Coinbase Report: Younger Generations Triple Crypto Investments

A new report from cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase highlights a significant shift in investment behavior among younger generations....

‍India Eyes Tokenization: MP Proposes Bill for Broader Investment Access Member of Parliament Raghav Chadha has called for a dedicated "Tokenization Bill" in India's Rajya Sabha. The proposal aims to establish a legal framework for fractional ownership of assets like real estate and IP via blockchain technology. Chadha stated that tokenization could democratize investments, similar to UPI's impact on digital payments, offering the middle class access to high-return assets with instant liquidity. He also recommended a regulatory sandbox for testing new models. Industry leaders view this as a strategic necessity for India's financial future, warning of capital flight to crypto-friendly jurisdictions if a clear framework isn't established. While India remains cautious on cryptocurrencies, regulators are exploring tokenized securities, highlighting the need for a bill that balances innovation with investor protection.

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India Eyes Tokenization: MP Pushes Bill for Middle-Class Investors

A significant legislative push is underway in India to unlock high-value assets for the average investor through blockchain technology....

‍Fhenix Launches Private Micropayments on Base Using FHE Fhenix has introduced Fhenix402, an experimental build that enables private onchain micropayments on the Base network. This technology leverages Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) to ensure transaction amounts remain encrypted and invisible to external observers, addressing a key privacy concern in Web3 payments. The prototype enhances Coinbase's x402 standard, making payment details private. Fhenix also launched a "Privacy Stages" framework to evaluate blockchain privacy solutions, assessing who can decrypt data. This development arrives as financial giants increase their blockchain payment involvement.

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Fhenix Launches Private Micropayments on Base With Fhenix402 Tech

On December 17, 2025, Fhenix, a research and development firm specializing in encrypted smart contracts, announced the launch of Fhenix402....

‍Orion Compute Expands into AI and Bitcoin Mining in Developing Nations Orion Compute, led by early Bitcoin investor Nick Rose, is expanding into large-scale Bitcoin mining and AI data center infrastructure. The company is targeting developing markets with low-cost energy, reflecting a trend of crypto operators moving into AI and high-performance computing. This strategy aims to overcome energy constraints and rising costs in established markets. "One of the most overlooked advantages of developing markets is the scale of untapped, low-cost power," stated Nick Rose. "By prioritizing energy economics first, rather than chasing hype cycles, we believe it is possible to build AI and mining infrastructure that is both capital-efficient and resilient over the long term." The company plans phased deployments, utilizing facilities capable of supporting both AI workloads and Bitcoin mining, leveraging a partnership with Terra Solis for energy technologies.

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Orion Compute Pivots to AI and Bitcoin Mining in Developing Nations

Orion Compute, a venture led by early Bitcoin investor Nick Rose, has announced a significant expansion into large-scale Bitcoin mining and artific...

‍Bybit Launches 500,000 USDT VIP Program with MNT & TradingView Rewards Bybit, the second-largest crypto exchange, has launched an exclusive rewards program for its VIP traders. The initiative features a 500,000 USDT prize pool, including MNT and TradingView subscriptions, running until December 28, 2025. The program offers a complimentary spin on a rewards wheel for all VIP members, with additional spins earned through trading volume. The prize pool includes 200,000 USDT in airdrops, 200,000 USDT in MNT airdrops, and three-month premium TradingView subscriptions. MNT, the native token of Mantle Network, serves as a governance and utility token. This event is part of Bybit's strategy to reward loyal users and enhance their trading experience.

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Bybit Launches 500,000 USDT VIP Program with MNT & TradingView Rewards

Bybit, which ranks as the world

‍Bitcoin Institutional Buying Surpasses New Supply For the first time in over six weeks, institutional demand for Bitcoin (BTC) has exceeded new supply. Data indicates institutional purchasing is now 13% higher than daily mined supply. This marks a potential shift as the market recovers from recent price corrections. Despite significant outflows from U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs ($600M in two days), strategic accumulation by long-term investors continues. On-chain analytics suggest a market in transition, with short-term pessimism contrasting with long-term accumulation strategies.

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Bitcoin Institutional Buying Surpasses New Supply For First Time in Weeks

For the first time since early November, institutional demand for Bitcoin (BTC) has overtaken the amount of newly mined supply, signaling a potenti...

‍CoinGate Secures MiCA License, Unlocking Full EU Market Access Lithuanian crypto payment processor CoinGate has obtained a full Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from the Bank of Lithuania, effective December 16, 2025. This authorization allows CoinGate to offer regulated crypto services across the entire European Economic Area (EEA). CoinGate CEO Vilius Semėnas stated, "The MiCA license represents a strategic foundation for our next phase of growth... Our goal is to continue building and improving reliable financial infrastructure." The MiCA framework, fully effective December 30, 2024, aims to enhance consumer protection, market integrity, and transparency for crypto-asset service providers.

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CoinGate Secures MiCA License, Unlocks Full EU Crypto Market Access

The Lithuanian-based cryptocurrency payment processor, CoinGate, has achieved a significant milestone by securing a full Markets in Crypto-Assets (...

‍Shima Capital to Cease Operations Following SEC Fraud Lawsuit Crypto VC firm Shima Capital is reportedly winding down operations. This follows an SEC lawsuit against founder Yida Gao for alleged investor fraud. The SEC claims Gao misled investors by inflating past performance and profiting from undisclosed sales. Gao has agreed to a settlement, including disgorgement of profits and permanent injunctions. The firm's closure highlights increasing regulatory scrutiny in the crypto venture capital space.

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Shima Capital to Wind Down Operations Following SEC Fraud Lawsuit

Shima Capital, a crypto-focused venture capital firm, is reportedly set to cease operations and undergo an "orderly wind-down" following a lawsuit ...

‍Bitcoin Faces Critical Test at $81,500 Mark Bitcoin's price is nearing a pivotal $81,500 level, which represents the average purchase cost for investors. According to CryptoQuant, this threshold is key for determining the market's short-term direction. A sustained hold above $81,500 could reinforce the bullish trend, while a drop below might trigger a sell-off as investors seek to mitigate losses. Market sentiment is currently in consolidation, with volatility expected to increase based on the outcome of this price test.

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Bitcoin Price Nears Pivotal $81,500 Level, Sell-Off Risk Looms

Bitcoin is approaching a critical juncture as its price nears the $81,500 mark, a key psychological level that represents the average purchase cost...

‍JZXN Pursues $1B Token Acquisition and AI Partnership Jiuzi Holdings (JZXN) is in strategic discussions with an AI-focused Web3 firm for a joint venture developing AI-driven crypto trading platforms. A key aspect involves JZXN acquiring approximately $1 billion worth of the partner's tokens via a private placement of its common stock. The partner's tokens are also expected to seek a listing on Binance. Discussions are ongoing, with material uncertainties regarding the finalization of the deal and the Binance listing. JZXN will provide updates on significant progress.

Cryptovka

JZXN Eyes $1B Token Buy from AI Firm in Major Web3 Push

Jiuzi Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: JZXN), announced on December 16, 2025, that it is in strategic discussions with a Web3 technology firm focused on art...

‍Bhutan to Fund 'Mindfulness City' With 10,000 Bitcoin Reserve The Kingdom of Bhutan plans to allocate 10,000 BTC from its national reserves to finance the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC). This initiative aims to create a new economic hub, foster employment, and integrate digital assets into the nation's long-term strategy. The GMC is envisioned as an economic corridor connecting South and Southeast Asia, operating with executive and legal independence. The project will be funded through risk-managed yield generation and long-term holding of Bitcoin reserves. Bhutan also launched TER, a sovereign-backed digital token collateralized by gold, positioning Gelephu as a hub for crypto and fintech innovation. The nation utilizes hydropower for sustainable "green mining" operations and has formed strategic partnerships to develop its digital asset infrastructure.

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Bhutan to Fund

The Kingdom of Bhutan has announced a pioneering initiative to allocate 10,000 Bitcoin (BTC) from its national reserves to finance the development ...

‍Bitcoin Lightning Network Achieves Record Capacity Amidst Upgrades The Bitcoin Lightning Network (LN) has reached a new all-time high capacity of over 5,600 BTC, equivalent to approximately $490 million. This surge is driven by increased adoption from major exchanges like Binance and OKX. Key technological advancements, including the latest v0.7 upgrade to Lightning Labs' Taproot Assets protocol, are enhancing the network's ability to handle diverse digital assets, such as stablecoins. Investments in startups like Speed further underscore confidence in LN's payment capabilities. These developments position LN as a critical infrastructure for scaling Bitcoin.

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Bitcoin

The Bitcoin Lightning Network (LN), a critical layer-2 scaling solution, has achieved a new all-time high in network capacity....