Cryptovka | News | CryptoMarket & Blockchain's avatar
Cryptovka | News | CryptoMarket & Blockchain
npub1kc6c...0vwv
CryptoMarket and Blockchain News
‍Federal Reserve Study: Dollar Dominance is Cyclical, Stablecoins Bolster Demand A recent Federal Reserve paper reveals that the U.S. dollar's global dominance in bond markets has historically moved in cycles, not linear decline. Despite challenges, the dollar remains resilient, partly due to the growing stablecoin market. Issuers like Tether and Circle, holding billions in U.S. Treasury debt, are reinforcing the dollar's role in the digital economy. The study identified three "dollarization waves" since the 1960s, with the dollar reclaiming share post-2008. Emerging markets rely heavily on USD, and China's Renminbi has seen only modest gains. The burgeoning stablecoin market, now ~ $310 billion (85% USD-pegged), positions issuers as major holders of U.S. Treasurys. This trend prompts regulatory attention, with Europe planning a euro-pegged stablecoin by mid-2026.
‍Cypherpunk Values Face Erosion Amidst Surveillance Concerns The digital age has brought the core principles of the cypherpunk movement back into focus due to unprecedented global surveillance. While early blockchain advocates envisioned financial autonomy, modern data farming and centralized oversight are diminishing these ideals. The conflict between regulatory transparency and the right to privacy remains a key issue in the cryptocurrency ecosystem as of December 2025. Privacy was once a baseline, not an option. Historical cases show public rejection of mandatory identity tracking. However, the shift to digital has automated surveillance. Data farming, cross-referencing, and erosion of agency are key concerns. Despite regulatory pressure, figures like Vitalik Buterin advocate for privacy tools as essential for a free society. This aligns with the "cypherpunk manifesto," which defines privacy as the power to selectively reveal oneself. The fight for self-sovereignty extends to the "right to be forgotten" and "right to repair," pushing back against centralized control. The desire for privacy is not about illicit intent, but a basic need for boundaries. Emerging initiatives aim to preserve decentralization, focusing on tools that protect civil liberties. While some argue cypherpunk values are fading, the development of privacy-centric protocols suggests a resilient phase for digital autonomy.
‍ICE Considers Investment in MoonPay at $5 Billion Valuation Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), parent company of the NYSE, is reportedly in talks to invest in cryptocurrency payments provider MoonPay. MoonPay is seeking capital at a $5 billion valuation. This potential investment highlights the growing integration of traditional finance with the digital asset sector. ICE's strategic moves also include past investments in prediction platforms and explorations into stablecoin integration and Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization, signaling a move towards infrastructure for future financial services.
‍Ethereum Faces Pressure Near $3,000 Amidst $553M ETF Outflows Ethereum (ETH) is experiencing volatility, struggling to maintain the $3,000 mark despite lower inflation data. A significant 13% weekly decline led to $165 million in liquidations of bullish futures positions. Institutional sentiment has shifted, with US-listed Ethereum ETFs seeing $533 million in net outflows over five days. Open interest in ETH futures has fallen, and the futures premium has decreased. Ethereum's price also shows sensitivity to broader equity market declines, with the Nasdaq index dropping. On-chain activity on the Ethereum network also indicates weakness, with DApp fees declining and a slight decrease in ETH locked in staking. This suggests reduced demand and cautious positioning from both institutions and network participants.
‍Aptos Proposes Post-Quantum Signatures to Secure Blockchain Future The Layer-1 network Aptos is moving to integrate post-quantum signatures via AIP-137. This proactive measure aims to protect against the growing capabilities of quantum computing, which could theoretically bypass current cryptographic security. The proposal introduces the FIPS 205 standardized SLH-DSA scheme, an opt-in upgrade for users. This makes Aptos one of the first blockchains to offer native post-quantum accounts, safeguarding against future quantum-induced vulnerabilities without disrupting existing users. Other networks like Solana and Bitcoin are also exploring similar quantum-resistant solutions.
‍FBI Dismantles E-Note Crypto Exchange Linked to $70M Ransomware Laundering The FBI, in collaboration with international partners, has shut down E-Note, a virtual currency service allegedly used to launder over $70 million in illicit funds for transnational cybercriminal organizations since 2017. Authorities unsealed an indictment against the platform's alleged operator, Russian national Mykhalio Petrovich Chudnovets. The operation seized domains, servers, and mobile applications. E-Note operated with a low public profile to evade AML monitoring. This action is part of a broader global effort to curb crypto-related crime, with billions in digital assets stolen annually.
‍Redbelly and AMAL Modernize Asset Markets via Onchain Tokenization Redbelly Network and AMAL Trustees are advancing institutional finance through onchain tokenization, replacing manual processes with real-time digital infrastructure. Key initiatives include Project Acacia, a pilot with the Reserve Bank of Australia exploring tokenized asset-backed securities, and the use of zkIdentity for compliant participation. Redbelly Network's infrastructure supports deterministic consensus, achieving over 97,000 transactions per second. This marks a strategic shift for managing complex asset lifecycles and collateral mobility.
‍Trump Media & Technology Group to Merge with Fusion Power Leader TAE Technologies in $6 Billion Deal Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT) has announced a definitive agreement to merge with TAE Technologies, a developer of fusion power. The $6 billion all-stock transaction, which aims to combine digital media infrastructure with advanced energy solutions for AI and blockchain, caused DJT shares to surge 35% in early trading. The merger is expected to be completed by mid-2026. DJT Chairman and CEO Devin Nunes stated the combination is designed to position the firm as a leader in the global AI revolution and an American energy renaissance. The company also recently facilitated a $2.5 billion Bitcoin acquisition and is advising on a $6 billion digital asset treasury firm.
‍Brickken Achieves $300M in Tokenized Assets Amidst Institutional Adoption Brickken, a platform focused on institutional tokenization, has surpassed $300 million in tokenized assets under management across 16 countries. CEO Edwin Mata highlighted the evolution of blockchain infrastructure, moving from early regulatory pilots to a robust solution for institutional capital. The company, serving over 100 institutional clients, emphasizes the increasing convergence of traditional finance and public-chain ecosystems. Market demand is notably strong in commodity issuance, particularly gold-backed assets, and extends to real estate, private credit, and investment funds, driven by the need for transparency and efficiency.
‍Kalshi Integrates TRON to Boost Prediction Market Liquidity Kalshi, the world's largest prediction market, has integrated the TRON (TRX) network, enabling seamless deposits and withdrawals using TRX and USDT on TRON. This strategic move aims to unlock new liquidity pathways for global participants by leveraging TRON's high throughput, near-zero transaction fees, and access to over $80 billion in USDT. John Wang, Head of Crypto at Kalshi, stated, "TRON's integration strengthens Kalshi’s multichain vision of maximizing accessibility." Sam Elfarra of TRON DAO highlighted the network's scalability for prediction markets' mainstream adoption. This collaboration reflects a growing trend of traditional finance platforms adopting decentralized protocols for reduced settlement friction and enhanced global accessibility.
‍Bitcoin Surges Past $89K as US Inflation Hits Lowest Since 2021 US CPI inflation for November dropped to 2.7% year-over-year, significantly below forecasts. This surprising decline triggered market volatility, with Bitcoin briefly exceeding $89,000 before retracting. The lower inflation reading suggests a potential shift in Federal Reserve monetary policy, increasing the probability of interest rate cuts. However, market analysts note ongoing "liquidity hunts" leading to erratic price swings and significant liquidations. The outlook remains cautious amidst macroeconomic support and technical volatility.
‍Fetch.ai Launches ASI:ONE Payment System for Autonomous AI Agents Fetch.ai is set to launch a new payment system in January 2026, enabling autonomous AI agents to execute transactions using credit cards, stablecoins, and FET tokens. This system aims to transition the economy towards an "AI-first" model by eliminating the need for real-time human intervention in checkout processes. The platform features single-use credentials, direct Visa integration (with Mastercard support planned), and an offline "mailbox" system for message processing. A robust Identity Layer with KYC elements is integrated to ensure trust and regulatory compliance, tying agents to identifiable users or businesses. This development is a significant step towards making AI agents autonomous participants in the global economy.
‍Revolut Lists $AURORA Amidst CEO Transition Global financial app Revolut has listed $AURORA, the native token of Aurora Protocol, for its 65 million users. This integration allows 160+ countries to access $AURORA with fiat on-ramps and trading tools. The announcement coincides with Declan Hannon's appointment as new CEO of Aurora, signaling a focus on commercial growth. Former lead Alex Shevchenko will advise on protocol innovation.
‍VivoPower Plans Indirect XRP Exposure Deal Valued at $900M Nasdaq-listed VivoPower International is arranging to source up to $300 million in Ripple Labs equity for South Korean firm Lean Ventures. This strategic move aims to offer institutional investors indirect exposure to approximately 450 million XRP tokens, currently valued at $900 million. The transaction leverages Ripple's corporate holdings rather than direct cryptocurrency ownership, reflecting a trend in using equity as a proxy for digital asset exposure. The deal, to be managed by VivoPower’s subsidiary Vivo Federation, targets net economic returns of $75 million over three years, primarily through management and performance fees. This initiative follows increased institutional interest in XRP and the XRPL ecosystem, partly due to regulatory clarity following Ripple's legal battles and the potential for spot XRP ETFs. Despite the deal's ambitious scope, VivoPower's stock (VVPR) saw an 11.56% decline on December 17, 2024. Market analysts suggest the success hinges on the availability of private Ripple shares and cryptocurrency market performance. The transaction underscores the growing sophistication of crypto-linked financial products, particularly targeting markets like South Korea with high crypto participation.
‍North Korean Cyber-Theft Reaches Record $2 Billion in 2025 North Korean hackers have achieved a new record, stealing an estimated $2 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, marking a 51% increase from the previous year. These actors are increasingly targeting centralized exchanges, with the Bybit breach alone accounting for approximately $1.4 billion in losses. To launder funds, threat actors are employing sophisticated techniques including cross-chain bridges, crypto mixers, and Chinese OTC platforms, often within a 45-day cycle. While attacks on individual wallets declined in value ($713 million), the frequency of such incidents remains high, with 158,000 individual thefts recorded.
‍Superform Labs Raises $4.7M in Token Sale, Launches SuperVaults v2 Superform Labs has successfully concluded a public token sale on cookie.fun, attracting $4.7 million in commitments, exceeding its $2 million target. The funds will support the launch of SuperVaults v2, an upgraded onchain yield generation platform. CEO Vikram Arun emphasized a merit-based distribution of the $UP token to reward genuine users. The project has previously secured $11.5 million from investors including Polychain Capital and Circle. SuperVaults v2 integrates variable lending rates and fixed-term yields from Pendle Finance, with all operations verified onchain.
‍CoinW Unveils 2025 "RISE" Strategy Amid $200 Billion Trading Milestone Global cryptocurrency trading platform CoinW has announced its strategic roadmap for 2025, dubbed "RISE." With over 20 million users and $200 billion in annual trading volume, the platform is transitioning into a comprehensive Web3 ecosystem, focusing on resilience, innovation, security, and expansion. The RISE framework emphasizes a robust security infrastructure, including a proprietary risk engine and a zero-trust framework, evidenced by an AAA security rating from CER.live. CoinW is diversifying beyond its CEX with products like GemW for gas-free on-chain transactions and DeriW for decentralized derivatives. The wealth management sector has seen rapid growth, with the CrazyEarn product attracting over $50 million. Strategic partnerships with LaLiga and EAFF E-1 Football Championship aim to introduce blockchain to a wider audience. CoinW, currently ranked 4th globally in derivatives by Coingecko, aims to foster sustainable growth and financial inclusion.
‍xStocks Launches Tokenized US Equities on TON Wallet The Kraken-backed platform xStocks has officially launched on TON Wallet, a self-custodial solution integrated within Telegram. This move brings tokenized US equities, including assets like Circle, Coinbase, and Robinhood, to The Open Network (TON). The service is available globally except in the United States, the European Union, and Australia due to regulatory restrictions. This initiative aims to democratize access to major equity markets via familiar digital tools.
‍Crybex Launches AI-Powered Exchange for Autonomous Crypto Trading Crybex has debuted as the first exchange featuring an autonomous AI trading engine, aiming to replace manual execution. Launched on December 18, 2025, the platform addresses the high rate of retail investor losses (70%-90%) often due to emotional trading. Crybex's AI analyzes liquidity, order books, and macro indicators 24/7, evolving over time to refine accuracy. The exchange offers specialized AI engines for trend-following, mean reversion, and volatility scalping. All transactions are visible to users in real-time, with assets secured via multi-layer encryption and cold-wallet safeguarding. Crybex is globally accessible with a free trial to promote market democratization and the integration of AI in finance.
‍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.