• CoinDCX users now hold an average of five tokens, up from two to three previously.
• Women investors doubled year on year with broader diversification trends.
• Millennials remain the dominant user base as the average age rises to 32.

Indian crypto investors are showing a stronger preference for diversified digital asset portfolios, marking an early shift toward more deliberate and long-term allocation behaviour.

CoinDCX’s annual report, released on Thursday, suggests that the country’s retail investor base is gradually moving away from the idea that crypto is synonymous with Bitcoin, signalling broader maturity in market participation in 2025.

This trend reflects a market becoming more confident, curious, and willing to explore varied opportunities across the expanding digital ecosystem.

The exchange found that the average user now holds around five tokens, compared with two to three in 2022.

This steady expansion of holdings indicates a growing awareness of portfolio construction and a willingness to explore different parts of the crypto market beyond the most established assets.

Layer-1 tokens lead activity

CoinDCX reported that layer-1 assets accounted for 43.3% of portfolio volumes.

Bitcoin, priced at $93,133, held a 26.5% share of allocations. Memecoins made up 11.8% of user portfolios, showing that speculative interest remains a part of broader diversification trends.

According to the exchange, Indian traders have become increasingly comfortable navigating different digital asset categories as adoption widens across the country.

The report noted that crypto is emerging as a natural extension of the financial products already familiar to many users.

Millennials dominate participation

The platform’s user base is ageing upward, with the average trader now 32 years old. Millennials continue to make up the majority of users, outpacing Gen Z in adoption, though younger traders remain active.

Gen Z users, aged 18 to 24, tend to favour emerging narratives such as layer-2 ecosystems, memecoins, and non-fungible tokens. Their behaviour reflects a greater appetite for thematic or speculative sectors.

CoinDCX also saw its number of women investors double year on year. These users are diversifying beyond Bitcoin and Ether, priced at $3,183, into tokens such as Solana at $143.04 and Sui at $1.67.

Founded in 2018 and backed by Coinbase, CoinDCX is one of India’s largest crypto exchanges with more than 20 million registered users. It remains a key gateway for retail access to digital assets.

India shows wide but shallow adoption

CoinDCX noted that India continues to lead in early indicators of digital asset awareness, including mobile-first trading behaviour and high engagement across educational content on the platform.

These signals reflect strong nationwide interest in crypto as a financial category.

However, the exchange found that deeper, research-driven participation remains limited. Many users enter the market through popular assets or trending narratives rather than sustained ecosystem involvement.

As a result, the platform characterised India’s adoption as “wide” but not yet “deep”.

CoinDCX said the country is still in the early stages of its digital asset journey, leaving significant room for education, innovation, and long-term growth as user sophistication develops.

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• The collaboration follows the launch of the Monad mainnet in November 2025.
• Chorus One secures more than $3.5 billion across 30 blockchains.
• More than $6 million was staked during the first week of the programme.

Chorus One has partnered with cryptocurrency exchange Bitget to expand access to Monad staking at a global scale.

The collaboration focuses on simplifying how users interact with the Monad network, which launched its mainnet in November 2025.

The move places emphasis on infrastructure growth, user access, and the broader shift toward staking services.

Both companies confirmed that Bitget’s more than 120 million users will be able to access staking tools through Chorus One’s platform, creating new pathways for participation in the growing staking economy.

Validator expansion

The Monad network is a layer one blockchain that emphasises high throughput.

It supports Ethereum contracts without requiring any code changes, according to its technical documentation.

The focus of the integration between Bitget and Chorus One is to support a validator environment that can grow with decentralisation, geographic diversity, and long-term stability.

Chorus One already secures assets across more than 30 blockchains and reports securing over $3.5 billion in staked assets.

The platform also holds ISO 27001 certification, which is a standard used to assess security practices.

This places the partnership inside a broader trend where staking providers with stronger compliance frameworks are becoming central to blockchain infrastructure.

User access

Monad allows users to unstake assets in around 5.5 hours. Chorus One’s staking model supports flexible terms, which means both institutional and retail users on Bitget can stake or restake Monad tokens based on their preferences.

The partnership creates a direct path for Bitget users to enter the Monad ecosystem.

Within the first week of the staking programme launch, Chorus One released figures showing that more than $6 million worth of assets had been staked on the network.

The rapid participation signals interest in Monad’s performance-focused design and the integration with a major exchange ecosystem, reflecting a wider demand for accessible staking opportunities worldwide.

Market expansion

Bitget operates in several regions, including the Asia Pacific and African markets.

The platform’s presence in these regions gives the new staking programme a wider reach, especially in places where digital asset demand is growing.

Chorus One has already worked with the Avalanche Foundation to expand validator infrastructure across Africa, which positions the company to contribute to similar regional development for the Monad network.

The companies stated that the partnership aims to support cryptocurrency adoption in emerging markets by providing tools that reduce entry barriers and increase access to blockchain-based services.

With the expansion of new networks such as Monad, staking options are becoming a way for users in developing regions to take part in blockchain activity without needing a complex technical setup or advanced hardware.

The post Bitget and Chorus One expand Monad staking access in emerging markets appeared first on CoinJournal.

• Cayman foundation registrations surge as Web3 projects seek safer, liability-shielded structures.
• DAOs turn to Cayman models after US rulings raise risks for unwrapped decentralised organisations.
• New OECD reporting rules take effect in 2026, but most DAO treasury foundations may remain exempt.

The Cayman Islands is recording a sharp rise in foundation company registrations as Web3 projects reassess where to base their legal entities.

New figures show a strong year-on-year jump in these registrations, signalling how the jurisdiction is becoming a preferred destination for decentralised projects seeking legal clarity.

The growth began gathering pace toward the end of 2024 and has already carried into 2025, with communities and developers looking for structures that can support expanding ecosystems.

The trend reflects how recent legal developments, particularly in the United States, are prompting DAOs and Web3 organisations to seek more predictable, liability-shielding frameworks.

DAO structure shifts

Foundation companies in the Cayman Islands are increasingly being used as legal wrappers for DAOs and as ecosystem stewards for major Web3 networks.

Registrations now include more than 1,300 entities at the end of 2024 and over 400 newly formed in 2025.

Cayman Finance reports that many leading Web3 projects have chosen the jurisdiction, including at least 17 foundations that oversee treasuries above the hundred-million threshold.

These entities allow DAOs to sign agreements, manage intellectual property, hire contributors, and interact with regulators without exposing tokenholders to personal liability.

The shift accelerated after the Samuels v. Lido DAO decision in 2024, where a US federal court found that an unwrapped DAO could be treated as a general partnership under California law.

This prompted many communities to reassess their structures.

The Cayman model provides separate legal personality and ownership capabilities that help plug this liability gap.

Add tax neutrality and a framework familiar to institutional allocators, and the jurisdiction becomes attractive to projects that need both compliance readiness and operational flexibility.

Global Web3 competition

Jurisdictions worldwide are trying to position themselves for the next wave of Web3 growth.

The US has made repeated political pledges about becoming a global crypto hub, particularly under President Donald Trump, yet only a few states explicitly recognise DAOs as legal persons.

This leaves many organisations navigating fragmented rules at the entity level.

Switzerland remains a major onshore centre for Web3 foundations, with the Crypto Valley region now hosting more than 1,700 active blockchain firms and recording growth of over 130% since 2020.

Foundations and associations have become an increasingly important part of this expansion, although projects continue to diversify their jurisdictional footprints in search of structures aligned with their long-term plans.

Compliance changes

The rise in Cayman-based Web3 foundations coincides with a major regulatory shift.

The Cayman Islands has implemented the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework, with new Tax Information Authority regulations taking effect from January 1, 2026.

The framework brings due diligence and reporting requirements for “Reporting Crypto-Asset Service Providers,” covering entities that exchange crypto for fiat or other crypto, operate trading platforms, or provide custodial services.

These entities will need to collect tax-residence information from users, track specific transactions, and submit annual reports to the Tax Information Authority.

Legal professionals note that the rules are expected to apply only to service providers engaged in exchange or brokerage activity.

Structures that merely hold crypto assets, such as protocol treasuries, investment funds, or passive foundations, are likely to fall outside this reporting scope under the current interpretation.

This suggests that many DAO-related foundations that act purely as ecosystem stewards or treasury vehicles may continue to benefit from Cayman’s legal certainty without assuming full reporting duties, so long as they are not running exchange, brokerage, or custody operations.

As Web3 organisations mature and adapt to evolving compliance landscapes, the Cayman Islands appears set to remain a central node in the global distribution of decentralised governance structures.

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• UK law now formally recognises cryptocurrencies as personal property under new legislation.
• The Property Digital Assets Act gives courts clearer rules for ownership and asset recovery.
• Rising crypto adoption pushed the UK to strengthen legal clarity for digital asset rights.

The UK has made a major change to how digital assets are treated in law, confirming that cryptocurrencies and other electronic tokens qualify as personal property.

The update became official when the Property Digital Assets Bill received royal assent in the House of Lords this week, with Lord Speaker John McFall announcing that King Charles had formally approved it.

The move arrives as crypto adoption continues to rise across the country and as courts have been settling digital asset disputes without a clear statutory framework.

By writing this principle into legislation, the UK aims to reduce uncertainty for users when proving ownership, recovering stolen assets, or handling digital holdings during insolvency or estate processes.

UK gives digital assets a clear legal status

Until now, UK courts recognised crypto as property only through common law, meaning judges reached conclusions based on earlier rulings rather than a specific statute.

The new law follows a 2024 recommendation from the Law Commission of England and Wales, which said that digital assets should be treated as a new form of personal property because they do not fit neatly into existing categories.

Personal property in the UK traditionally falls into two groups: a “thing in possession,” which refers to physical items, and a “thing in action,” which refers to enforceable rights such as debts or contracts.

Digital assets sit between these definitions.

They exist electronically, can be transferred like possessions, and are used in financial systems, yet they do not align perfectly with one category.

The bill clarifies that digital or electronic items can still be recognised as property even if they are neither a physical object nor an enforceable claim.

The Law Commission warned that the unclear fit of digital assets could complicate court decisions, especially when resolving disputes involving ownership or loss.

Growing adoption pushes the UK toward stronger rules

The new legislation forms part of a wider push to build a structured framework for digital assets.

The goal is to strengthen consumer protection while encouraging innovation in digital finance.

Adoption continues to expand. Late last year, the financial regulator reported that roughly 12% of UK adults hold cryptocurrency, up from 10% in its previous findings.

The rise signals that more users are engaging with digital assets, making legal clarity an essential part of future policy planning.

By recognising crypto as personal property and preparing broader regulations, the UK is aiming to support the digital economy while giving users a firmer understanding of their rights.

The shift is expected to shape future industry practices and improve how courts interpret disputes involving blockchain-based assets.

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• Bitcoin’s 2025 cycle shows rising institutional flows, lower volatility, and deeper liquidity.
• Tokenized real-world assets surge to $24 billion, boosting institutional adoption and on-chain activity.
• ETFs reshape Bitcoin liquidity as stablecoins remain key rails in a more mature digital asset market.

Bitcoin’s latest cycle is developing under a very different market structure, with data from Glassnode and Fasanara Capital pointing to deeper institutional participation, rapid growth in tokenized real-world assets, and a notable drop in volatility.

Their Q4 Digital Assets Report highlights how Bitcoin’s behaviour has shifted as regulated investment channels expand, and liquidity becomes more stable across spot, derivatives, and on-chain markets.

The findings show how ETF flows, settlement activity, and broader adoption of tokenised instruments are shaping a more mature phase in the digital asset ecosystem.

These structural changes are defining how capital moves through Bitcoin in 2025.

Institutional flows reshape the cycle

The report estimated that Bitcoin has absorbed around $732 billion in new capital during this cycle.

This has occurred alongside a clear decline in one-year realised volatility, which has fallen by nearly half.

Glassnode linked this trend to increased depth across major markets and a larger share of trading driven by institutional strategies.

Glassnode also reported that Bitcoin settled approximately $6.9 trillion over the past 90 days.

This puts Bitcoin in a range comparable to payment networks such as Visa and Mastercard.

Even with more trading moving into ETF and brokerage channels, the report found that Bitcoin and stablecoins still dominate value transfer on public blockchains.

ETF channels deepen liquidity

ETF-linked demand has reshaped how investment enters and exits Bitcoin.

Instead of relying mainly on on-chain movement or exchange activity, a greater share of flows now passes through regulated investment vehicles.

According to the report, this shift has encouraged smoother liquidity conditions and fewer sharp price changes in spot markets.

Traditional market makers and arbitrage firms have increased their presence due to ETF participation.

Their involvement has tightened spreads and reduced disruption during periods of heightened selling pressure.

This development reflects a broader alignment between digital asset markets and established financial infrastructure.

Tokenized RWAs accelerate

Tokenized real-world assets have expanded from $7 billion to $24 billion within one year.

Glassnode stated that this rise reflects stronger institutional demand, including interest from pension funds, hedge funds, and corporations that want on-chain exposure to familiar financial instruments.

Tokenized funds have gained momentum as asset managers test new distribution models and investors seek simplified access to traditional assets.

Platforms involved in tokenised RWAs have strengthened custody, settlement, and compliance systems.

This foundation has encouraged consistent inflows throughout 2025, supporting a growing segment of the market that links traditional assets with blockchain settlement rails.

Stablecoin role strengthens

Glassnode described the market structure as larger and more stable than in previous cycles.

The data indicated deeper liquidity across spot, derivatives, and on-chain channels, which has contributed to a more measured trading environment.

Reduced volatility has become a defining feature of the cycle, shaped by institutional trading strategies that tend to use steady allocation models.

Stablecoins continue to serve as key connectors between traditional and digital financial systems.

The report stated that stablecoin settlement demand remains substantial across centralised and decentralised platforms.

Glassnode characterised the dual-rail system created by stablecoins and traditional infrastructure as a permanent part of the ecosystem, supporting both institutional flows and retail trading activity.

Analysts referenced in the report expect institutional participation to expand as tokenised funds gain broader acceptance.

Glassnode presented this phase as a turning point marked by heavier institutional flows, rising tokenisation, and reduced volatility.

These factors suggest that Bitcoin and the wider digital asset sector are moving into a more structurally mature environment in 2025.

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• DOJ seizes Burma-linked trading domains used for major crypto scam operations.
• Fraud network tied to Tai Chang compound used fake platforms to lure victims.
• FBI alerts led to app removals and Meta shutting 2,000+ accounts tied to scams.

The United States Justice Department has widened its action against a major scam network in Burma, focusing on how the group used fraudulent trading sites to run large crypto investment schemes.

The latest step involved seizing the domain tickmilleas.com, which looked like a functioning trading platform but was actually tied to the Tai Chang compound, also known as Casino Kosai, in Kyaukhat.

The update came in a December 2 announcement from the DOJ’s Office of Public Affairs and builds on a series of efforts aimed at disrupting transnational online fraud linked to Southeast Asia.

Crypto scam links widen

The takedown followed earlier moves in the same week when two additional domains were seized after being linked to the same Burma-based compound.

These domains formed a network of sites built to mimic legitimate investment services.

Each platform carried fabricated dashboards, fake transaction logs, and simulated returns that made victims believe their funds were being actively managed.

Tai Chang is part of a system of scam compounds that operate across the region.

These complexes are often controlled by criminal networks that rely on trafficked or coerced workers to run online scams.

They have grown rapidly in countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, which have become hotspots for crypto fraud operations.

Many of the victims are targeted through trading sites that appear authentic but are designed to channel money into criminal groups.

Fraud networks shift tactics

The DOJ identified Tai Chang as having clear links to entities already sanctioned by the United States.

These include the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army and the Trans Asia International Holding Group.

Both were recently listed as Specially Designated Nationals because of their association with Chinese organised crime and their involvement in building scam centres across Southeast Asia.

Their participation has contributed to the spread of fraudulent investment operations throughout the region.

Investigators found that tickmilleas.com was deliberately designed to resemble a real investment platform.

It included dashboard features, performance charts, and false deposit records that suggested active trading.

Victims were also encouraged to download mobile applications from Google Play and the Apple App Store.

After the FBI alerted both companies, many of these applications were removed from the platforms.

Information provided by the agency also led to Meta shutting down more than 2,000 accounts across its social media platforms.

These accounts were used to direct users to the fraudulent investment sites and maintain the appearance of a legitimate trading ecosystem.

Seized domain examined

Although the tickmilleas.com domain was registered only in early November 2025, several individuals had already fallen victim to the scheme within the past month.

According to the DOJ, the platform was actively used to defraud people who believed they were participating in real crypto investments.

The site currently displays a notice confirming that it has been seized by law enforcement.

The DOJ stated that the action forms part of a broader effort to prevent US infrastructure from being used to support international fraud.

The coordinated takedowns of domains and malicious applications aim to cut off the digital channels that allow scam compounds to reach victims worldwide.

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• A second FDIC rule on prudential requirements will follow early next year.
• The FDIC will supervise bank subsidiaries issuing payment stablecoins.
• Guidance on tokenised deposits is under development.

US regulators are moving quickly to build the country’s new stablecoin supervision system, with federal agencies preparing detailed rulemaking as the GENIUS Act begins to shape policy.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is set to publish an application framework for payment stablecoin issuers later this month, marking one of the earliest steps in implementing the law signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year.

Alongside the FDIC, the Federal Reserve, and the Treasury Department are working on their own regulatory responsibilities, signalling a coordinated effort to bring stablecoins under a clearer, more structured oversight regime.

FDIC develops licensing framework for stablecoin issuers

The FDIC has confirmed through written testimony scheduled for delivery to the House Financial Services Committee on December 2 that it is close to releasing a proposed rule outlining how payment stablecoin issuers will apply for approval.

The agency began the process earlier this year as part of its duty to implement the GENIUS Act, and the first formal proposal is expected before the end of the month.

Another proposal focusing on prudential requirements for FDIC-supervised issuers is planned for early next year.

Once the application framework is published, the agency will gather public comments before moving toward a final rule, a phase that typically spans several months.

GENIUS Act expands oversight for bank-linked stablecoins

The GENIUS Act introduces a national structure that requires federal and state regulators to coordinate their supervision of stablecoin issuers.

Under the law, the FDIC will oversee and license subsidiaries of insured depository institutions that issue payment stablecoins.

The agency will also set out capital rules, liquidity expectations, and reserve diversification standards.

Much of this work will roll out over the coming year, as several rulemakings are needed to meet the obligations laid out in the legislation.

The FDIC is also consulting recommendations released in July by the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets, which urged regulators to clarify digital asset activities allowed for banks, including asset and liability tokenisation.

Tokenised deposits included in regulatory review

In addition to its stablecoin responsibilities, the FDIC is preparing new guidance aimed at clarifying how tokenised deposits will be treated under federal regulation.

This area has gained attention as banks explore digital versions of traditional deposit products.

The forthcoming guidance is expected to help institutions understand which activities fall within supervisory boundaries and how they will be monitored.

Federal Reserve coordinates its own stablecoin standards

The Federal Reserve will join the FDIC at Tuesday’s House hearing, with Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman detailing the central bank’s work on stablecoin rules.

The Federal Reserve is coordinating with other banking regulators to craft capital, liquidity, and diversification standards required under the GENIUS Act.

The focus includes creating clarity for banks engaged in digital asset activities and providing regulatory feedback on new use cases as they emerge.

This joint push aims to ensure the banking system can support digital asset development while maintaining stability and compliance.

Other agencies are also advancing their obligations under the GENIUS Act.

The Treasury Department has already completed its public consultations, which concluded in November, and is developing its own rules.

These efforts will run in parallel with the FDIC and Federal Reserve processes, contributing to the broader national framework being built to govern stablecoins across the US.

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• The company will focus on scaling TBILL and the yield-bearing stablecoin USDO.
• cUSDO was approved this year as off-exchange collateral at Binance.
• BNY Mellon now manages and safeguards Treasurys underlying TBILL.

Real-world asset tokenisation is becoming one of crypto’s most active areas in 2025, and OpenEden is positioning itself at the centre of this shift with a new round of investment supported by major industry players.

The company confirmed on Tuesday that leading trading firms, venture capital groups, blockchain networks and institutional infrastructure providers have backed its latest raise to expand access to tokenised US Treasurys.

The round, which follows OpenEden’s 2024 raise with YZi Labs, comes at a time when short-dated government debt has emerged as one of the fastest-growing niches in digital assets as institutions look for familiar, regulated yields on-chain.

Tokenisation demand drives new investment push

OpenEden said the fresh capital will help it scale its tokenisation-as-a-service platform as more institutions look to move traditional assets onto public blockchains.

The firm is leaning into rising demand for regulated products tied to government debt, with short-term Treasurys becoming a preferred entry point for investors seeking on-chain yield that mirrors conventional markets.

The company did not disclose the size of the round, but it confirmed participation from Ripple, Lightspeed Faction, Gate Ventures, FalconX, Anchorage Digital Ventures, Flowdesk, P2 Ventures, Selini Capital, Kaia Foundation, and Sigma Capital.

Expansion of TBILL and USDO across markets

A significant portion of upcoming development will centre on OpenEden’s two main offerings: TBILL, its tokenised US Treasury fund, and USDO, a stablecoin backed by those same Treasurys.

USDO and its wrapped version, cUSDO, have already been integrated across decentralised exchanges and lending markets.

Earlier this year, Binance authorised cUSDO as off-exchange collateral.

OpenEden said the new investment will support broader distribution of these products and allow the company to introduce additional market structures tied to real-world financial assets.

Broader product pipeline builds institutional focus

Beyond Treasurys, OpenEden is preparing several new instruments designed to deepen institutional engagement with tokenised markets.

These include upcoming tokenised bond exposure, a multi-strategy yield token and a range of structured products aimed at investors familiar with traditional income-generating instruments.

In August, the company appointed BNY Mellon as custodian and investment manager for the Treasurys underlying TBILL.

The product has also received investment-grade ratings from S&P Global and Moody’s, marking a notable step in bridging conventional market requirements with decentralised finance infrastructure.

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• The companies aim to improve grid stability by matching clean-power output with mining demand.
• They will tokenize energy generation, carbon savings, and mining yields onchain.
• The platform is designed to support securitisation of green-power assets.

Canaan is pushing deeper into sustainable Bitcoin mining with a new strategy that blends clean energy, artificial intelligence, and onchain tokenization.

The mining and hardware company has teamed up with SynVista Energy to develop a platform that adapts mining activity to renewable-power availability.

The plan comes as the crypto industry faces ongoing scrutiny over energy use and increasing pressure to rely on greener sources.

By combining smart energy scheduling with digital tracking of renewable assets, Canaan aims to show how mining can integrate more efficiently with modern power systems while supporting the wider shift toward low-carbon infrastructure.

Canaan turns to adaptive renewable energy mining

Canaan and SynVista Energy are developing a mining rig designed to match energy consumption with renewable-power supply.

The system uses an AI-driven scheduling engine that adjusts hash-rate demand based on real-time fluctuations in clean-energy production.

The companies say this approach is intended to maximise the use of available green power without adding stress to electricity grids already dealing with volatility from high renewable penetration.

The pair believes the platform could move renewable-powered Bitcoin mining from small isolated pilots to replicable engineering solutions.

The focus is on creating a structure that can fit regulatory standards while also remaining commercially viable for operators navigating the challenges of intermittent energy generation.

Mining industry seeks stability as power demand grows

Bitcoin mining continues to attract attention for its electricity footprint, with some estimates comparing consumption levels to those of mid-sized nations such as Poland or Thailand.

At the same time, industry groups argue that mining can complement grid balancing efforts, especially as AI data centres increase pressure on existing networks.

Canaan’s project builds on this narrative by targeting ways to turn surplus or stranded energy into productive computing power.

The company highlighted that fast-changing renewable output often leads to curtailment, where clean energy goes unused.

Its adaptive system aims to convert these excess electrons into a mining activity that can respond to grid conditions.

Tokenization of RWA links energy generation with onchain data

Alongside the hardware collaboration, Canaan and SynVista Energy will tokenize generation output, carbon savings, and mining yields on-chain.

The aim is to create a verifiable data layer that supports digital tracking of renewable generation and the securitisation of real-world assets such as green-power plants.

The companies expect that this on-chain framework will eventually allow tokenization of cash flows from energy production and carbon credits.

This would improve price transparency and liquidity for green assets while supporting the broader integration of digital tools into the energy-transition economy.

Industry data underscores the push toward cleaner mining.

The Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index estimates that Bitcoin accounts for about 0.8% of global electricity use.

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• Israel plans tighter stablecoin oversight as adoption surges globally.
• Regulators warn dominance of Tether and Circle poses systemic risk.
• Digital shekel roadmap advances for 2026 as CBDC development accelerates.

Israel is moving towards tighter supervision of stablecoins as the Bank of Israel positions them as a core part of the country’s future payments system.

The shift comes as regulators reassess how private digital dollars fit into daily financial flows.

Stablecoins are no longer seen as fringe tokens used only by crypto traders. Instead, they are being treated as major payment instruments with global scale and influence.

The Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron used the Payments in the Evolving Era conference in Tel Aviv to outline how regulatory demands will rise as stablecoin adoption continues to grow.

Rising pressure from global adoption

The Bank of Israel stressed that global stablecoin usage has expanded to levels that can no longer be ignored.

The sector has passed a market capitalisation of more than $300 billion, with monthly transaction volumes above $2 trillion.

As per CoinDesk, officials noted that these levels place stablecoins on par with the balance sheets of mid-sized international commercial banks.

This surge has been driven by their role in trading, cross-border transfers, and the need for a digital instrument that avoids the price swings of other cryptocurrencies.

The expanding footprint creates new urgency for clear, enforceable rules.

Concerns over market concentration

A key theme at the conference was the dominance of two stablecoin issuers.

About 99% of market activity is tied to Tether and Circle, creating a heavy concentration of risk in a sector that underpins a large share of digital asset transactions.

Israeli policymakers warned that this structure heightens systemic vulnerability.

They view that any disruption or weakness at the issuer level could ripple through global payment channels.

To mitigate this, officials highlighted the need for strict reserve practices, including fully backed 1:1 reserves and liquid assets that can handle sudden redemption waves.

Digital shekel plans move forward

Alongside the stablecoin discussion, Israel advanced its own central bank digital currency plans.

Yoav Soffer, who leads the digital shekel project, described the currency as central bank money designed for broad use.

He released a 2026 roadmap that sets out the next stages and confirmed that official recommendations are expected by the end of this year.

The update signals an acceleration similar to moves made by the European Central Bank.

Industry observers noted that the faster timeline reflects how central banks are adjusting to competition from private digital money and the rapid evolution of the payments landscape.

The roadmap triggered commentary within the crypto sector.

Attention centred on how the Bank of Israel’s accelerated schedule positions the digital shekel as a response to fast-growing private alternatives.

Market participants linked the timing to a broader global trend in which central banks are racing to modernise their own digital money strategies.

With stablecoins gaining influence in international transactions, the digital shekel project is being viewed as a strategic step to maintain control over national payments infrastructure while supporting innovation in regulated channels.

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• The bank partnered with Bastion and took part in its $14.6 million raise.
• Sony created a Web3 unit named BlockBloom to expand digital asset services.
• Sony Financial Group’s recent spin-off gives Sony Bank strategic freedom.

Sony’s plan to introduce a US dollar stablecoin is emerging as a major step in how the company connects its entertainment businesses with its financial arm.

Instead of treating payments as a background function, Sony is designing a system that blends blockchain, digital assets, and its global user base into a single Web3 network, according to a Nikkei report.

The project centres on Sony Bank’s expansion into the US, where customers remain a key part of the group’s external sales.

With a launch planned for 2026, the stablecoin is being built as a payment tool that supports gaming, anime, and other digital purchases across the Sony ecosystem.

Sony Bank’s move signals the company’s broader shift into digital finance, with Web3 technologies becoming an important layer in how it delivers future services.

Stablecoin for the wider Sony ecosystem

Sony Bank, the online lender under Sony Financial Group, is preparing to roll out the stablecoin in the US through a dedicated unit.

The token will be pegged to the US dollar and is expected to support purchases of PlayStation games, subscriptions, and anime content.

This payment option will sit alongside existing methods such as credit cards.

The plan is aimed at US customers, who account for around 30% of Sony Group’s external sales.

By adding a blockchain-based token to the mix, Sony aims to reduce fees associated with card networks and increase the speed and efficiency of transactions.

Sony Bank applied for a banking licence in the US in October as part of this expansion.

The bank has also partnered with Bastion, a US stablecoin issuer.

Sony’s venture arm joined Bastion’s $14.6 million fundraising round, which was led by Coinbase Ventures.

Web3 unit builds the foundation

Sony Bank’s shift into stablecoins is part of a wider Web3 push that started earlier this year.

The bank established a dedicated Web3 subsidiary in June, after first outlining its plans in May.

In its announcement, the bank said digital assets built on blockchain technology were becoming part of a growing number of services and business models.

It pointed to wallets for storing NFTs and cryptocurrency, and exchange providers, as sectors rising in importance.

These tools are central to Sony’s Web3 plans because they allow digital assets and tokens to move easily across platforms used by fans, artists and creators.

The new Web3 unit was later named BlockBloom.

Its goal is to build an ecosystem that links digital and physical experiences with NFTs, fiat currency, and digital currency.

BlockBloom’s work now connects directly with the stablecoin initiative, which is expected to become one of the core payment tools inside this ecosystem.

Restructuring strengthens the digital shift

Sony Bank is pursuing this strategy shortly after a major structural change inside its parent company.

Sony Financial Group was separated from Sony Group and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in September.

The spin-off was designed to separate the financial arm’s operations and balance sheet from the wider conglomerate.

This independence now gives Sony Bank more space to pursue long-term digital finance projects, including the stablecoin.

The timing indicates that Sony Bank is using the separation to accelerate its push into new markets.

With the stablecoin aimed at the US and supported by Bastion, the bank is positioning itself to become a more competitive player in digital payments linked to entertainment and gaming.

Connecting US users with cross-platform payments

Sony’s stablecoin strategy is closely tied to its US users, who make up one of its largest customer segments.

By focusing the project on this market, Sony is aligning its payments network with regions that already engage heavily with blockchain and digital assets.

The stablecoin is expected to interact with multiple Sony services, creating a system where users can move funds seamlessly between gaming, subscriptions, and other digital platforms.

It also allows Sony to test Web3 payments at scale, backed by its gaming division, entertainment content, and new digital finance capability.

With the launch planned for 2026, Sony is building the early layers of a cross-platform structure that links Web3 payments with its broader entertainment network.

The post Sony to build a Web3 payments network with its new US dollar stablecoin appeared first on CoinJournal.

• HashKey moves closer to IPO after clearing Hong Kong listing hearing, boosting regulated crypto ambitions.
• HashKey leads Hong Kong’s licensed crypto trade but remains unprofitable despite a large client asset base.
• Firm expands globally with approvals in Dubai, Bermuda, and Ireland ahead of planned public listing.

Hong Kong’s push to build a tightly regulated digital asset market has taken another step as HashKey Holdings secures approval to move forward with an initial public offering.

The operator of the city’s largest licensed crypto exchange confirmed in a Dec. 1 disclosure that it cleared the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s listing hearing, a milestone that positions the company to advance its plans.

The development arrives as Hong Kong continues to present itself as a controlled and legally defined alternative to the crypto restrictions on the mainland, while seeking to attract institutional and retail participation through licensed platforms.

IPO progress strengthens regulated market ambitions

HashKey has not revealed the size or timing of the IPO, but earlier reports in October indicated that the company had explored raising to $500 million.

The filing shows that JPMorgan Chase, Guotai Haitong Securities, and Guotai Junan International are acting as joint sponsors, reinforcing the city’s intention to anchor crypto activity within traditional financial structures.

Local media reported that funds raised through the offering would be directed toward technology upgrades, wider product development, stronger operational capacity, and the expansion of services into new markets.

HashKey is also prioritising the improvement of its risk management systems as part of a broader plan for long-term growth.

Licensing gives HashKey a strategic foothold

HashKey operates under the Securities and Futures Commission’s regulatory framework and was among the first digital asset companies approved to serve both institutional and retail investors under Hong Kong’s updated licensing regime.

The company holds a Type 1 licence, permitting it to deal in securities that include tokenised versions of assets categorised as securities.

It also holds a Type 7 licence, which allows it to run an automated trading platform.

Alongside this, HashKey’s asset management arm is licensed to manage portfolios consisting of up to 100 percent virtual assets.

It is one of 11 licensed virtual asset trading platforms serving retail users in Hong Kong.

This stands in contrast to mainland China, where crypto activity remains banned, highlighting Hong Kong’s continued position as a regulated gateway within the region.

Market share grows but losses persist

According to the filing, HashKey handled more than three quarters of the region’s onshore digital asset trading volume in 2024. It also held nearly HK$20 billion (US$2.56 billion) in client assets, underscoring its dominance within Hong Kong’s regulated crypto landscape.

Despite its scale, the company remains unprofitable. HashKey recorded a net loss of HK$506 million in the first half of 2025, though this represented an improvement from the HK$777 million loss logged during the same period a year earlier.

The filing noted that performance has shifted in line with market volatility, which continues to shape activity across the sector.

HashKey has been working to expand its presence through investment initiatives, including the launch of a $500 million perpetual fund focused on institutional participation in digital asset treasury projects.

The fund aims to support blockchain ecosystems such as Ethereum and seeks to contribute to long term adoption and capital movement.

Global approvals broaden HashKey’s reach

In addition to its Hong Kong operations, HashKey has extended its regulatory footprint in 2025 by securing conditional approval to operate in Dubai.

It has also obtained regulatory permissions to run licensed platforms in Bermuda and Ireland, signalling an effort to widen its global relevance ahead of its public listing.

These gains support Hong Kong’s attempt to reinforce its position as a regulated crypto centre and highlight how the city is using licensed actors to shape a defined market structure for digital assets.

The post Hong Kong tightens crypto grip as HashKey clears path to IPO appeared first on CoinJournal.

• The new legislation builds on the Digital Asset Basic Act by adding detailed rules for stablecoin oversight.
• The framework outlines how global stablecoins like USDT and USDC will be treated in Korea.
• Officials warn delays could leave Korea behind other regions that tightened rules in 2025.

South Korea is taking a major step toward formalising how won-based stablecoins will be issued and supervised, after lawmakers settled a long-running dispute over who should control the process.

A closed-door meeting brought clarity to the core question of authority, with policymakers agreeing that banks should lead the effort while still allowing tech firms to participate.

The move comes at a time when crypto adoption is rising among people aged 20 to 50, and when global players continue to dominate stablecoin markets.

With a December deadline approaching, officials want to finalise a structure that supports innovation but keeps monetary stability at the centre of regulation.

Consortium model defines the role of banks and tech firms

A Dec. 1 report by Maeli Business Newspaper said lawmakers agreed on a consortium model where banks maintain majority control of stablecoin-issuing entities.

Tech companies will still be able to participate, but financial institutions will take the lead to reduce systemic risks.

The goal is to create a Korean-style stablecoin framework that mirrors the safeguards of traditional finance, with clear rules governing reserves, issuance, and supervision.

The model was designed to align with the Bank of Korea’s concerns about protecting the money supply.

It also provides a common structure for private companies, reducing the risk of fragmented products entering the market without consistent stability mechanisms.

By setting shared standards early, policymakers hope to shape a domestic stablecoin ecosystem that can support innovation without compromising financial security.

Government faces Dec. 10 deadline for its proposal

Senior Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Joon-hyun said the government must submit its proposal by Dec. 10. If it misses the deadline, lawmakers will move ahead with their own version of the bill.

The aim is to pass the legislation during the National Assembly’s January extraordinary session, after consultation with the ruling People Power Party and the president’s office.

This new act expands on the Digital Asset Basic Act passed earlier this year.

That earlier law established licensing rules for issuers, requirements for reserve protection, and compliance obligations for virtual asset service providers.

The upcoming bill fills in the remaining regulatory gaps by specifying how stablecoins should be managed when they operate like traditional financial instruments.

It also provides clearer guidance for US-based stablecoins such as USDT and USDC, which have become increasingly influential in Korea’s growing digital asset market.

Push to match progress in global markets

Officials warn that delays could leave Korean companies trailing behind their global competitors.

The US, EU, and Japan strengthened their stablecoin rules in 2025, creating a more defined landscape for exchanges and financial institutions.

Korean regulators want to avoid losing momentum, especially as domestic interest in crypto continues to rise.

The updated framework aims to reduce uncertainty for developers, financial firms, and exchanges.

By bringing digital assets closer to mainstream financial oversight, authorities hope to support responsible growth and give consumers access to well-regulated products.

The focus is on keeping the domestic market aligned with international standards while maintaining space for private-sector innovation.

Lawmakers discuss wider reforms on security and markets

The meeting also covered planned updates to financial security and capital-market rules.

After recent hacking incidents at major financial companies, officials intend to revise the Electronic Financial Transactions Act.

Proposed changes include tougher penalties and stronger enforcement following cyber breaches.

Lawmakers are also working with opposition parties on a set of capital-market reforms.

These include rules that would require mandatory tender offers in certain corporate situations.

They also plan to update share-allocation standards so that everyday investors have fairer access to offerings.

The goal is to improve transparency and strengthen market integrity as Korea reshapes its financial regulatory environment.

The post South Korea moves to tighten stablecoin rules with a bank-led model appeared first on CoinJournal.

• The rules include licensing, AML checks, cold storage, and strict state authority over token issuances.
• Crypto assets are classified as backed or unbacked and are not legal tender in Turkmenistan.
• The move follows a Nov. 21 government meeting focused on digital asset policy.

Turkmenistan has taken a major step towards formalising its digital asset sector, joining a wave of countries introducing detailed crypto regulations as global frameworks evolve.

The move was confirmed in a Nov. 28 report by Business Turkmenistan, which said President Serdar Berdimuhamedov had approved a new law that will come into effect in 2026.

The legislation introduces a tightly controlled structure for digital assets in a country long known for strict information policies and limited access to outside technologies.

It places crypto exchanges, custodial services, and mining under clear state-defined rules, positioning Turkmenistan within a growing international effort to manage crypto adoption more systematically.

Sweeping rules

The new law establishes licensing procedures for exchanges and custodial platforms.

It sets know your client and Anti Money Laundering checks as standard requirements, along with mandatory cold storage obligations for service providers.

The framework also prevents credit institutions from offering crypto services. The state can stop, void, or enforce the refund of token issuances, placing digital asset activity squarely under government authority.

Mining is a central focus of the legislation. Individuals and organisations must register mining and mining pool operations. Covert mining activity is banned.

The central bank is also given the power to authorise distributed ledgers or operate its own, opening the door to permissioned systems that could direct transactions and digital asset activity through state-managed infrastructure.

Strict classifications

Turkmenistan’s law also defines the legal status of crypto assets. Digital currencies are not considered legal tender, currency, or securities within the country. Instead, the law divides them into two categories: backed and unbacked.

Regulators will later set rules for the liquidity of the backing, settlement requirements, and emergency redemption arrangements for assets in the backed category.

This structure hints at a system in which any asset with underlying backing will face closer supervision, while unbacked assets remain strictly delineated in legal terms.

The legislation was introduced following a Nov. 21 government meeting.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Hojamyrat Geldimyradov presented a report outlining the legal, technological, and organisational basis for the introduction of digital assets.

The report was accompanied by a proposal to establish a special State Commission that will oversee the sector and coordinate regulatory decisions as the framework is implemented.

Global context

Turkmenistan’s shift mirrors a wider push among governments to tighten their regulatory approaches to crypto and stablecoins.

Earlier this week, the United Kingdom’s tax authority outlined a new plan that allows decentralised finance users to defer capital gains taxes on crypto lending and liquidity pool activity until they sell the underlying token.

The move reduces the administrative burden on users and brings policy closer in line with how traditional assets are taxed.

In another development, Bank of England Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden said she expects the UK to move in parallel with the United States on stablecoin policies.

This suggests that major economies may establish similar frameworks as stablecoins become more integrated into payment and settlement systems.

International bodies are also reassessing earlier positions.

Erik Thedéen, governor of Sweden’s central bank and chair of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, recently indicated that the group may need a different approach to its current risk weighting for crypto exposures after some countries resisted adopting the 1,250% standard.

This reflects rising pressure for coordinated regulatory models as digital asset markets expand.

Political backdrop

The regulatory shift comes against the backdrop of Turkmenistan’s tightly controlled political landscape.

The former Soviet republic, home to around 6.5 to 7 million people, relies heavily on natural gas exports and maintains one of the world’s most centralised presidential systems.

It appears in lists of countries where X and Telegram are banned.

The country is also known for distinctive landmarks, including a permanently burning natural gas crater known as the door to hell, the white marble architecture of its capital, Ashgabat, and a national holiday dedicated to melons.

These features sit alongside heavy state oversight, making the introduction of a structured crypto law a notable change in approach.

The post Turkmenistan joins global crypto regulation push with sweeping new digital asset law appeared first on CoinJournal.

• Researchers have identified cost savings in early tokenized systems.
• Smart contract chains can escalate local issues into wider shocks.
• Tokenized assets now form a multibillion-dollar global market.

The IMF released a new video on its X account today, placing tokenized markets at the centre of a major shift in how global finance operates.

Instead of treating tokenization as a niche experiment, the fund presents it as a structural development that is already influencing policy discussions, investor behaviour and the future shape of cross-border markets.

The video also stresses that new digital frameworks can create fragility, accelerate market shocks and draw governments back into a more active role in managing monetary transitions.

How tokenization changes market plumbing

The IMF video describes tokenization as the next step in money’s long transformation.

It highlights how digital tokens can replace long chains of intermediaries that currently handle verification, settlement and record-keeping.

Clearinghouses and registrars are replaced by functions written directly into code, allowing assets to move more quickly between holders.

Early studies cited in the video show meaningful cost reductions in tokenized environments.

These savings stem from programmability, near-instant settlement and more efficient use of collateral.

The IMF frames these features as changes to the core plumbing of financial markets, altering how value circulates through the system.

Why the IMF says risks are growing

Alongside these benefits, the IMF signals rising exposure to volatility.

Automated trading has already caused sudden drops known as flash crashes, and the video warns that these events can intensify when markets settle instantly.

Faster execution leaves less time for human intervention, increasing the likelihood that sharp swings spread across platforms.

The video also focuses on the risks built into complex smart contract chains.

When multiple layers of code interact during periods of stress, small disruptions can escalate into wider problems.

The IMF compares this behaviour to falling dominoes, where one malfunction triggers a broader shock.

A separate issue is market fragmentation. If competing tokenised platforms develop without shared standards, they may not interact smoothly.

The IMF warns that this could limit liquidity and reduce the efficiency that tokenisation aims to deliver.

Governments and the history of monetary change

The IMF places today’s tokenization wave within the long arc of government involvement in financial transitions.

It highlights the 1944 Bretton Woods agreement, when global powers redesigned the monetary order by linking exchange rates to the United States dollar and tying the dollar to gold.

This top-down structure defined international finance for a generation.

That system collapsed in the early 1970s when growing fiscal pressures made the gold peg impossible to maintain.

The move to fiat currencies and floating exchange rates changed how economies managed deficits and cross-border flows.

By referencing these episodes, the IMF emphasises that governments rarely remain passive when new forms of money emerge.

The post IMF flags rising risks as tokenized markets look to reshape global finance appeared first on CoinJournal.

• RLUSD has been recognised as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token in the Abu Dhabi Global Market.
• Ripple secured full regulatory approval to operate in the Dubai International Financial Centre in March.
• The DFSA allowed RLUSD to be used inside the DIFC in June.

Ripple’s dollar-pegged stablecoin has gained new regulatory acceptance in the Middle East, adding another link between traditional finance and digital assets as the UAE moves to tighten oversight of decentralised finance and Web3.

The approval allows institutions operating in Abu Dhabi’s financial free zone to use RLUSD for regulated activity, reinforcing the country’s strategy of pairing innovation with clearer rulemaking.

As the UAE reshapes how payments, lending, and custody services operate across digital systems, Ripple’s position in the region is expanding through multiple regulated hubs that already host global financial firms.

ADGM adds RLUSD to regulated activities

Ripple announced on Thursday that RLUSD is now recognised as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token within the Abu Dhabi Global Market.

The financial centre sits on Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands and functions as an international free zone with its own regulatory framework.

The approval was issued by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority, which supervises activities conducted within the zone.

The decision means firms licensed by the regulator can use RLUSD for services that fall under permitted activities, provided they meet requirements set for fiat-referenced tokens.

These include rules linked to reserve management, transparency, and disclosures.

Ripple said RLUSD currently holds a market capitalisation above one billion dollars and is being adopted for uses such as collateral and payments.

RLUSD was launched in late 2024. It is pegged 1:1 to the US dollar and backed entirely by cash and equivalents.

The stablecoin is issued under a limited-purpose trust charter from the New York Department of Financial Services, which sets the conditions for custody and reserve safeguards.

Ripple widens presence across UAE financial hubs

The recognition in Abu Dhabi adds to Ripple’s regulatory progress across the UAE’s digital-asset ecosystem.

In October 2024, the company confirmed it was pursuing a licence from the Dubai Financial Services Authority to expand its services in the country.

It secured in-principle approval later that month as part of its plan to operate inside Dubai’s major financial zone.

By March, Ripple had received full regulatory approval to provide cross-border crypto payment services within the Dubai International Financial Centre.

The DIFC runs under its own rulebook and is widely used by global firms looking to serve markets across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.

In June, the DFSA permitted RLUSD to be used for regulated activities within the DIFC.

This allowed companies operating inside the zone to integrate the stablecoin into services involving payments and treasury functions.

Ripple also brought in Zand Bank and the fintech app Mamo as early adopters of Ripple Payments, its blockchain-powered system designed for institutional transfers.

UAE expands its national approach to crypto supervision

The UAE is now combining approvals inside its financial zones with a nationwide framework that brings more of the digital-asset market under central oversight.

Earlier this week, authorities introduced a new central bank law that formally places decentralised finance and a wide portion of Web3 activity within a regulated structure.

Federal Decree Law No. 6 of 2025 has been in force since September 2025.

It requires platforms, infrastructure providers, and protocols involved in lending, custody, exchanges, payments, or investment services to obtain licences from the Central Bank of the UAE by September 2026.

The move sets a unified expectation for businesses operating across digital finance.

Stablecoin use grows as rules become clearer

The combination of ADGM recognition, DIFC approval, and a nationwide regulatory framework positions RLUSD to play a larger role in institutional financial services across the UAE.

With regulated firms in multiple zones now able to use the stablecoin for defined activities, Ripple’s expansion reflects the broader shift in the country’s approach to digital assets.

The new law signals that the UAE is looking to support innovation while ensuring that digital-asset operations follow the standards applied to other financial services.

RLUSD’s clearance inside Abu Dhabi arrives at a moment when regulated stablecoins are increasingly used for settlement, payments, and collateral across international markets.

The post Ripple stablecoin gains Abu Dhabi approval as UAE tightens crypto rules appeared first on CoinJournal.

• About 54 billion won in tokens moved to an external wallet on Nov. 27.
• Around 12 billion won in Solaire tokens have been frozen so far.
• The breach coincided with Dunamu’s major merger plans with Naver.

Upbit, South Korea’s largest crypto exchange, is carrying out extensive security inspections after an early-morning breach on Nov. 27 led to unauthorised transfers of Solana-linked assets worth about 54 billion won.

The exchange halted all deposits and withdrawals as it began moving digital assets to cold storage and initiated a broader internal review.

The incident has renewed attention on how Solana-based tokens are secured across trading platforms and has placed pressure on Upbit to strengthen systems as the company enters a major corporate transition involving its parent firm, Dunamu.

Solana assets targeted in early transfer

The breach took place at around 4:42 am on Nov. 27 when Solana network assets, including SOL, USDC, and other smaller tokens, were moved to an external wallet without authorisation.

Upbit described the activity as abnormal withdrawals connected to the Solana network.

The exchange confirmed that roughly $37 million worth of digital assets had been affected.

Upbit immediately suspended services to stop further transfers.

It said it has identified the entire scale of the outflow and will fully compensate users by covering the amount with its own holdings.

Customer balances will not be touched as part of the reimbursement process.

To control risk, the exchange transferred assets to cold storage and started a systemwide inspection of its wallet operations, deposit channels, and withdrawal procedures.

These steps were taken to prevent any further unauthorised movement and to contain the situation while teams examined logs and asset flows.

System checks widen beyond the Solana network

Upbit said its investigation will not be restricted to the Solana ecosystem.

It is reviewing the stability and security of the complete deposit and withdrawal infrastructure. This includes a detailed audit of network connections, wallet systems, and digital asset storage methods.

The exchange has begun an emergency sweep of internal processes and is carrying out a full evaluation of whether other networks require additional protections.

Deposits and withdrawals will resume gradually once the inspections conclude and the company is satisfied with system security.

The timing has amplified industry attention.

The breach occurred one day after Dunamu announced plans for a multibillion-dollar merger with Naver’s fintech arm.

The deal, valued at about $10.3 billion, represents one of the largest corporate moves in Asia’s digital finance landscape.

Reports suggest it may support Upbit’s ambitions for a future Nasdaq listing, creating pressure for the company to demonstrate resilience during a sensitive transition.

Freeze efforts expand as authorities prepare response

Upbit has started on-chain measures to track and freeze the affected assets.

It said around 12 billion won in Solaire tokens have already been frozen, and it continues to work with related projects and institutions to stop further movement.

The exchange is tracing the remaining funds through blockchain monitoring tools and coordinating with partners to identify additional freeze points.

Authorities and law enforcement agencies are also expected to join the investigation.

Upbit has prepared to cooperate with official inquiries once they begin and has asked users to report any verified information linked to the suspicious transactions.

The company acknowledged the disruption caused by the suspension of services and repeated that member assets remain protected.

It also stressed that the entire outflow will be covered using the exchange’s own resources.

Major merger plans heighten timing pressure

The breach took place on the anniversary of a major incident in Upbit’s history.

In 2019, on the same date, the exchange lost 342,000 ETH in another high-profile theft.

South Korean investigators later connected the event to North Korean hackers.

The stolen Ether has since increased in value to over $1 billion and remains one of the largest crypto heists associated with the country.

With deposits and withdrawals still paused, Upbit plans to restore services in stages after it completes its full review.

The exchange said its priority is to secure its infrastructure across all supported networks and to strengthen safeguards around Solana-linked assets while recovery and freeze efforts continue.

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• The tests will use standardised templates with major exchanges including Coinbase, Crypto.com and Kraken.
• The project links to the earlier Admissions and Disclosures Discussion Paper.
• The experiments sit within the FCA’s multi-year Crypto Roadmap ending in 2026.

The United Kingdom is pushing ahead with a practical form of crypto regulation, and the latest move by the Financial Conduct Authority shows how the country plans to shape its rulebook.

The FCA has approved RegTech firm Eunice to carry out live experiments in its sandbox, creating a clearer picture of how future rules may be built through real-world testing rather than theory.

On Wednesday, the regulator confirmed that Eunice will test standardised crypto disclosure templates with major exchanges such as Coinbase, Crypto.com and Kraken.

The templates are designed to check whether transparency improves when tools are used directly in active market conditions.

Industry input

The FCA said its sandbox is still open to companies working on similar solutions, and it continues to encourage firms to apply. The regulator’s message points to a broader shift.

The UK wants to rely on practical experiments to understand how crypto behaviours unfold in real time, instead of relying only on policy consultation rounds.

This approach moves industry participants closer to the centre of rule formation. It also gives the regulator the chance to observe how products behave before final guidance is introduced.

Eunice’s work fits this model, focusing on ways to strengthen transparency in a market that is seeing increased institutional involvement.

The trial also links back to the Admissions and Disclosures Discussion Paper published last year. That paper invited the industry to share technical insight and help shape early frameworks.

The new pilot now tests those ideas under live conditions, allowing the FCA to gather evidence on how different disclosure requirements perform when applied at scale.

Broader roadmap

The Eunice experiment also aligns with the regulator’s multi-year Crypto Roadmap, which is expected to end with the publication of the UK’s final crypto rules in 2026.

Over the past year, the FCA has introduced several changes aimed at increasing clarity for crypto companies.

These include stricter financial promotion rules, warnings issued to unregistered exchanges still operating in the UK and a comprehensive paper covering admissions, disclosures and market-abuse concerns across digital assets.

Each step forms part of a longer regulatory timeline that aims to tighten standards while preserving room for innovation. The use of the sandbox allows the FCA to test what works and what does not before decisions are written into policy.

Shifting tone

More recent actions suggest the regulator is becoming more open to crypto activity under controlled conditions. On 1 August, the FCA lifted its ban on crypto exchange-traded notes for retail investors.

This allowed consumers to access crypto-based ETN products again, signalling a more flexible approach to digital assets. On 17 September, the FCA launched a consultation on whether Consumer Duty should apply to crypto.

This traditional finance requirement focuses on ensuring firms deliver good outcomes for customers. Extending it to crypto would raise expectations around product design, risk communication and market conduct.

The regulator’s move to work with Eunice fits into this shift. By focusing on trials inside the sandbox, the FCA is building a system that responds to real behaviour rather than assumptions.

The decision also supports the UK’s long-term plan to use evidence gathered from ongoing experiments to shape final rules.

The sandbox programme will continue to influence how the UK designs its next phase of crypto regulation.

As new projects enter the environment, the FCA will gather more insight into how disclosure tools perform, how markets react and how different rules might work once introduced.

The Eunice trial marks an early step in this process, and future policy decisions are expected to draw heavily on the findings produced through these real-world tests.

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• Binance will introduce foreign investors and financial institutions to Vietnam.
• The agreement includes support for digital asset rules and blockchain payment systems.
• A joint working group will monitor progress twice a year.

Vietnam has taken a significant step in its long-term plan to build an international financial hub, with HCM City now partnering with Binance following an MoU signed on 26 November 2025.

The agreement was finalised during the Autumn Economic Forum 2025, attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, municipal leaders, ministry representatives, and international investment funds.

The collaboration brings Vietnam closer to its goal of creating a modern financial ecosystem that can attract global investors and digital finance companies.

It also builds on Vietnam’s strategy to become more competitive across Asia as technology and digital assets reshape global capital flows.

Partnership expands Vietnam’s global financial links

HCM City is one of two key locations selected for the Vietnam International Financial Centre initiative.

The new agreement with Binance adds momentum to this plan by bringing one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges into Vietnam’s financial development efforts.

The partnership follows the city’s MoU with Nasdaq in October 2025, showing Vietnam’s intention to work closely with major global platforms.

Binance will introduce foreign investors, financial companies, and investment funds to Vietnam to help attract new capital to the financial centre.

This approach aims to increase international participation and strengthen Vietnam’s ability to connect with global markets.

Support for digital asset rules and blockchain activity

A major part of the cooperation involves shaping Vietnam’s regulatory environment for digital assets and blockchain applications.

Binance will share experience from its global operations to help Vietnam design rules for digital asset use, crypto trading, and blockchain activity.

The agreement covers the development of payment systems using cryptocurrencies and support for digital finance projects that follow strong compliance and safety standards.

Vietnam aims to build a clear regulatory structure that can protect users while supporting innovation, especially as demand for transparent rules in digital finance continues to grow across the region.

Joint working group and blockchain sandbox

To guide the partnership, Vietnam and Binance will set up a joint working group that meets twice a year to track progress.

The agreement also includes the creation of a sandbox for blockchain and crypto projects.

This controlled environment will allow companies to test products under regulatory supervision.

The sandbox will encourage innovation while reducing risks, giving local and international businesses a structured pathway to explore new technologies.

The mechanism is expected to support responsible growth and help regulators understand emerging digital finance models.

Training and support for startups in new technologies

The partnership extends beyond regulation and investment.

Vietnam aims to support startups and small businesses working in blockchain, artificial intelligence, and fintech.

The cooperation includes training sessions, workshops, and expert guidance for regulators and companies.

These programmes will help improve technical capacity and expand knowledge among teams that are crucial to the development of a modern financial centre.

Vietnam sees this as an opportunity to prepare its workforce for a more digital future and compete with regional hubs that are also investing in advanced technologies.

Long term vision to become an Asian finance hub

The collaboration with Binance reinforces Vietnam’s ambition to position HCM City as a major Asian financial hub by 2030.

With new international partnerships, growing regulatory planning, and a focus on digital finance, Vietnam is building the foundations of a financial centre designed for global integration.

The MoU marks another step in linking Vietnam with leading institutions and strengthening its role in regional economic development.

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• Monad users reported spoofed ERC20 transfers within 48 hours of mainnet launch.
• More than 76,000 wallets claimed 3.33 billion MON tokens in the airdrop.
• Monad’s testnet recorded more than 2.6 billion transactions.

Monad’s first week on mainnet has drawn intense attention across the crypto community, but it has also revealed how quickly malicious tactics can surface on a new EVM chain.

The project went live only a day before users began spotting unusual ERC20 transfer notifications that appeared legitimate at first glance.

Reports across X on Tuesday, Nov. 25, showed that scammers were already attempting to mislead newcomers who were still getting used to the network’s tools.

The incident created confusion during a launch that has otherwise seen strong participation and rapid growth, especially around the airdrop and early trading activity.

Spoof alerts grow across new network

Several users highlighted that fabricated ERC20 token transfers were appearing on explorers and wallets within 48 hours of the mainnet debut. These events looked authentic but did not move funds or alter balances.

A post on X from Monad co-founder and chief technology officer James Hunsaker drew early attention to the problem, as he warned that scammers were broadcasting fabricated transfers that appeared to come from his wallet.

The issue emerged because ERC20 is only an interface standard, which allows any contract to emit logs that resemble transfer activity even when no tokens are involved.

This behaviour is common across new EVM ecosystems, especially during traffic spikes when users rush to test fresh applications.

Screenshots circulating online showed transactions that looked like genuine movements of assets, which contributed to early confusion.

Social engineering links drive the activity

The appearance of these fake transfers formed part of a broader attempt to direct users toward phishing pages, claim buttons, or malicious contract approvals.

Spoofing has long been used to trick users into believing they have received unexpected tokens or triggered actions they did not initiate.

The tactic relies on creating urgency so that users interact with unsafe links.

As activity increased, the hashtag #MonadScam briefly trended on X before interest settled.

The network stated that the incident was not an exploit and noted that no funds were lost.

Many users also noted that wallet balances remained unchanged, which helped clarify the situation once the warnings spread.

Launch activity and airdrop hype fuel attention

Monad launched with significant momentum, which contributed to the early surge in attention from attackers.

More than 76,000 wallets claimed 3.33 billion MON tokens in the airdrop round, worth about $105 million at the time.

The demand created an ideal moment for malicious actors who were already familiar with earlier phishing attempts that imitated Monad’s airdrop portal.

The chain has been one of the most active debuts of the year, supported by more than 280 projects at launch.

The network is built by former Jump Trading engineers and is positioned as a high-performance, EVM-compatible chain.

Funding has exceeded $260 million from backers such as Paradigm, Electric Capital, and OKX Ventures.

Its testnet recorded more than 2.6 billion transactions, more than 300 million wallets, and 41 million blocks. These early figures contributed to heavy interest during the mainnet rollout, which made the environment more attractive to scammers looking to exploit user excitement.

Token activity rises as users stay cautious

MON opened at $0.02, and after an initial drop, the token gained more than 50% and traded near $0.045 at press time.

Increased interaction across dApps and explorers has encouraged the team to advise users to avoid urgency prompts, rely on verified explorers, and double-check contract engagements as mainnet traffic continues to rise.

The combination of rapid adoption, large airdrop participation, and growing traction across the ecosystem has made security awareness a priority during the early phase of the network.

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