• Recent research shows Polymarket trades are double-counted on most public dashboards.
• The issue stems from redundant maker-taker events in smart contracts.
• According to the allegations, the actual volumes are roughly half of what dashboards report.

Polymarket, the prominent prediction market platform, is facing scrutiny after research by Storm Slivkoff suggested that the platform’s reported trading volumes may be systematically inflated across most public analytics dashboards.

The controversy has drawn attention from industry experts, data analysts, and market participants, raising questions about how trading activity is measured and reported in decentralised prediction markets.

Polymarket gives separate OrderFilled events for makers and takers

The research by Storm Slivkoff, a partner at Paradigm, which was later highlighted by Paradigm co-founder Matt Huang, has identified a technical discrepancy in Polymarket’s on-chain smart contract data.

According to Slivkoff, the platform emits separate OrderFilled events for both the maker and taker sides of each trade.

While each event is individually accurate, most public dashboards aggregate all events indiscriminately, effectively counting the same trade twice.

found a pretty major data bug

it turns out almost every major dashboard has been double-counting Polymarket volume (not related to wash trading)

this is because Polymarket's onchain data contains redundant representations of each trade. receipts ⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rQJEzs2Rfl

— storm (@notnotstorm) December 8, 2025

A simple transaction demonstrates the problem. One trade of YES tokens for $4.13 generated two identical events for the same amount, which dashboards then summed to report $8.26 in trading volume.

Slivkoff noted that this bug affects both notional volume (the number of contracts traded) and cashflow volume (the dollar value exchanged), thereby inflating every trade’s representation.

Notably, the error is unrelated to wash trading and results purely from the way Polymarket’s contracts emit data.

Polymarket refutes the volume double-counting claims

Polymarket’s internal team quickly pushed back against the allegations, asserting that the official site reports taker-side volume without double-counting, in line with standard industry practices.

The platform has emphasised that the issue primarily impacts third-party dashboards, which rely on raw event data from smart contracts without implementing corrections for redundant entries.

Notably, several major data providers, including DefiLlama, Allium Labs, and Blockworks, have confirmed they are updating their dashboards to account for the discrepancy.

Some data providers have, however, defended current methodologies, noting that more sophisticated dashboards had accounted for the distinction since 2024 but had not formally documented their approach.

Other data providers have criticised Paradigm for potential bias, as the firm holds investments in Kalshi, a competing US-based prediction market.

The broader market implications

Beyond the immediate question of reported volume, the controversy underscores broader challenges in accurately measuring activity on prediction market platforms.

Low-priced contracts can create disproportionately large notional volumes relative to actual capital at risk, making traditional volume metrics potentially misleading.

Experts have suggested that metrics such as open interest and fee revenue may offer a clearer picture of platform activity.

The timing of the revelation is also notable, coinciding with Polymarket’s plans for a full US relaunch following CFTC regulatory approval and an anticipated valuation of $12 billion to $15 billion.

The platform is also exploring an internal market-making operation that could trade against customers, raising further scrutiny and comparison to competitors like Kalshi.

The post Polymarket accused of alleged double-counted volume in most public data appeared first on CoinJournal.

• BONK may integrate with dYdX, sharing 50% of protocol fees.
• The integration aims to boost retail trader volume from Solana.
• The recent dYdX fee distribution update increased staking and buyback incentives.

dYdX, the decentralised crypto trading platform, is currently evaluating a proposal to formally integrate BONK as an official partner under its Partner Revenue Share Program.

dYdX governance is considering a new proposal to approve @bonk_inu as an official dYdX integration partner under the Partner Revenue Share Program.

The proposal outlines a dedicated BONK-powered frontend routing orders to the dYdX Chain, with 50% of the protocol’s fee revenue… pic.twitter.com/hPTAVPrQoS

— dYdX Foundation (@dydxfoundation) December 8, 2025

The proposal aims to bring one of Solana’s largest retail ecosystems onto the dYdX Chain, potentially increasing order flow, expanding the protocol’s reach, and providing significant incentives to both the community and stakers.

BONK integration could boost dYdX growth

The proposal outlines that BONK would launch a dedicated, BONK-branded frontend for routing trades to the dYdX Chain.

Through this setup, BONK would receive 50% of the protocol fees generated by users attributed to its frontend or order router.

dYdX governance emphasised that this approach aligns incentives for both the protocol and its partner, ensuring that revenue is shared proportionally to the flow generated.

BONK’s retail ecosystem is known for its active user base, making it a valuable distribution channel for dYdX.

According to the proposal, the integration would provide Solana traders with a trusted, non-custodial trading platform while also expanding the protocol’s exposure throughout the Solana ecosystem.

dYdX believes that the partnership could significantly increase the number of new retail takers and stimulate engagement among existing users.

The motivation for this partnership aligns with the broader strategy outlined in dYdX’s Q4 roadmap, which seeks to deepen liquidity, enhance collaboration, and foster community-driven growth.

By granting governance-approved partners a share of protocol fees, dYdX aims to incentivise meaningful contributions from integrations that bring tangible trading activity to the platform.

The revised dYdX fee distribution

In October, dYdX revised its fee distribution to maximise buy pressure and staking rewards.

Previously, fees were allocated across stakers, the Buyback Program, Megavault, and Treasury SubDAO.

The updated model now allocates 50% each to stakers and buybacks, removing allocations to Megavault and Treasury SubDAO.

dYdX cited that the Treasury SubDAO already holds over 60 million DYDX tokens, making the former allocations less critical.

The integration with BONK complements this strategy by funnelling more activity into the protocol, which in turn increases buy pressure and staking incentives.

dYdX claims this could create a positive feedback loop, enhancing both token value and community participation.

And notably, this BONK proposal follows similar initiatives from other partners.

dYdX governance recently approved integration proposals from CCXT, Foxify, and CoinRoutes, all structured to capture 50% of the protocol fees from attributed order flow.

These partnerships demonstrate the platform’s commitment to broadening its ecosystem while ensuring that partner incentives are closely tied to the value they bring.

CCXT, for instance, allows users to route orders to dYdX with minimal friction, while Foxify integrates dYdX Chain directly into its prop trading platform for funded and unfunded accounts.

CoinRoutes, on the other hand, provides professional and institutional traders with access to deep liquidity.

Like BONK, these partners aim to expand user adoption while generating revenue aligned with protocol growth.

If no major objections arise, BONK intends to submit the on-chain governance proposal for a vote on December 11, 2025.

The post dYdX reviewing a proposal to integrate BONK appeared first on CoinJournal.

• The ADGM license allows Circle to offer fully regulated USDC stablecoin services in the UAE.
• Circle is expanding its reach with institutional payment and settlement rails.
• UAE has strengthened its position as a hub for compliant digital-asset activity.

Circle has secured a major foothold in the Middle East after receiving full regulatory approval from Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to operate USDC services under comprehensive oversight.

Circle expands its regulatory footprint in the UAE

Announced at Abu Dhabi Finance Week:
→ Secured an @ADGlobalMarket FSRA Financial Services Permission to operate as a Money Services Provider

This milestone builds on USDC and EURC being the first stablecoins recognized by… pic.twitter.com/BCSDOpo3mb

— Circle (@circle) December 9, 2025

The approval marks one of the company’s most significant international expansions and reinforces the UAE’s fast-growing role as a hub for regulated digital assets.

A strategic license with wide reach

Circle’s new Financial Services Permission, granted by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority, authorises the company to operate as a fully regulated Money Services Provider within Abu Dhabi’s financial free zone.

The approval provides Circle with a formal operating base in one of the world’s most active jurisdictions for digital asset regulation.

The license allows Circle to offer payment, settlement, and digital-asset services tied to USDC directly to businesses and financial institutions.

By operating under a clear regulatory framework, Circle can now support wholesale payments, cross-border settlement rails, and custody-linked services with institutional-grade compliance standards.

This also deepens ADGM’s growing reputation as a safe and predictable regulatory environment for digital-asset firms.

A boost for the UAE’s digital-asset ambitions

The UAE has been pushing to attract companies building fiat-referenced tokens, tokenised financial services, and enterprise-grade payment infrastructure, and Abu Dhabi, in particular, has positioned itself as a leading centre for compliant crypto activity, and Circle’s arrival reinforces that strategy.

The UAE has carved out a reputation for offering clear rules for stablecoins and digital-finance companies, which has become a major draw for global platforms seeking regulatory certainty.

Circle’s expansion also arrives as stablecoins gain more formal regulatory footing worldwide since the passage of the GENIUS Act in the United States, which created a federal framework for the issuance and supervision of fiat-backed tokens.

The GENIUS Act triggered a wave of stablecoin initiatives from major US financial institutions, creating renewed demand for licensed, enterprise-ready providers such as Circle.

The UAE’s dual financial zones are also aligning around stablecoin oversight.

Earlier this year, Dubai recognised USDC and EURC under the Dubai Financial Services Authority’s crypto token regime, giving Circle regulatory support across the country’s two main jurisdictions.

Tether’s USDT has also been recognised as an approved fiat-referenced token across multiple blockchains, while Binance recently obtained full authorisation to operate its flagship platform under ADGM oversight.

These approvals reflect a deliberate shift toward a more organised and transparent digital-asset market in the UAE.

 Circle strengthens regional strategy with senior leadership appointment

Circle sees immediate opportunities in enabling faster corporate payments, treasury operations, and trade settlements since it can now provide these services to regional businesses under a recognised regulatory structure.

For companies in the Middle East, this means the ability to settle transactions in seconds instead of days and do so through a trusted, licensed issuer.

And as part of its regional push, Circle has appointed Dr Saeeda Jaffar as Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa.

Dr Jaffar, currently serving as a senior executive at Visa, will guide Circle’s strategy, develop institutional partnerships, and work to expand the use of USDC in business payments and financial infrastructure.

The post Circle gains full ADGM approval to offer regulated USDC payment services appeared first on CoinJournal.

• PEPE memecoin price rises 4.46% despite its website being hacked.
• Technical indicators signal a bullish momentum for PEPE amid strong trading volume.
• Retail and institutional interest support the memecoin’s bullish momentum amid broader market trends.

Pepe memecoin price has risen significantly today despite facing a serious security incident following a hack on its official website.

The token is currently priced at approximately $0.000004898, after a 4.46% increase over the past 24 hours.

While the website exploit has not immediately affected the memecoin trading, and it continues to attract attention from retail investors driven partly by technical momentum and ongoing interest in high-beta memecoins, analysts caution that the gains could easily be wiped out if the exploit is left unattended.

Technical momentum lifts Pepe memecoin price

From a technical standpoint, PEPE recently broke above its 7-day simple moving average (SMA) of $0.0000045579 and its 30-day exponential moving average of $0.0000051095.

These technical movements are reinforced by a positive MACD histogram reading and the main MACD line crossing above the signal line, suggesting bullish momentum.

In addition, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 47.08, implying that the token still has room to move higher without being overextended.

As the bullish case builds, short-term traders have interpreted these signals as an opportunity to enter positions, which have contributed to increased trading volume.

Over the past 24 hours, PEPE has recorded approximately $381.5 million in volume, up 26% from the previous day.

However, traders should closely watch the resistance noted at the 23.6% Fibonacci level of $0.0000057928, which could define the next potential target if the momentum persists.

Memecoin enthusiasm and market sentiment

PEPE’s rally also aligns with the broader memecoin trends, as assets like Fartcoin have also recorded double-digit gains.

The Altcoin Season Index stuck at 21 also underscores an increased appetite for risk among crypto participants.

Institutional sentiment has also played a role, with statements from major financial players, including BlackRock’s acknowledgment of stablecoins as a major influence in the market and Bank of America’s recommendation for a modest crypto allocation, buoying the broader market confidence.

Security breach casts shadow over PEPE

The hack on the Pepe memecoin website, identified by cybersecurity firm Blockaid, involved a front-end attack redirecting users to malicious links.

🚨Blockaid's system has identified a front-end attack on @pepecoineth.

The sites contain a code of inferno drainer. pic.twitter.com/ugor0Um1jU

— Blockaid (@blockaid_) December 4, 2025

The attack employed a suite of tools known as Inferno Drainer, commonly used for phishing, wallet draining, and social engineering.

Users are strongly advised to avoid the compromised website until the security issues are resolved.

While the breach has not depressed PEPE’s price surge, it underscores the persistent risks in the crypto space.

Analysts note that sustaining the current level above $0.00000500 will be critical to maintaining the bullish setup.

The post Pepe memecoin price rise under pressure after website is hacked appeared first on CoinJournal.

• MoneyGram adopts Fireblocks for instant, low-cost stablecoin payments.
• The partnership enhances liquidity, treasury, and multi-chain stablecoin settlements.
• Programmable infrastructure supports real-time global money transfers.

MoneyGram has partnered with Fireblocks to enhance its global payments network using stablecoins, marking a significant step toward faster, more efficient, and real-time cross-border financial flows.

The collaboration reflects the growing role of digital currencies in mainstream finance and highlights MoneyGram’s push to modernize traditional payment systems while maintaining compliance and reliability.

Strengthening global payments with stablecoins

Through the partnership, Fireblocks will provide MoneyGram with a secure stablecoin infrastructure and a programmable settlement layer, enabling near-instant transactions across multiple blockchains.

This technology is designed to streamline the movement of funds, improve liquidity management, and optimize treasury operations, allowing MoneyGram to offer faster, lower-cost services to its customers around the world.

MoneyGram serves over 50 million people annually, connecting more than 200 countries and territories, with nearly half a million retail locations and billions of digital endpoints.

The integration of Fireblocks’ infrastructure will allow MoneyGram to move value across its vast network with enhanced efficiency while continuing to navigate complex regulatory landscapes in each market.

By leveraging Fireblocks’ capabilities, the company can consolidate its early investments in digital currency on/off-ramps, stablecoin-backed consumer features, and crypto compliance infrastructure into a scalable solution.

Anthony Soohoo, MoneyGram’s Chairman and CEO, emphasized that the partnership enables a new era of money movement, where funds can flow instantly across both fiat and stablecoin rails.

Notably, MoneyGram’s move reflects a broader trend of traditional financial institutions integrating blockchain-based solutions to modernize cross-border payments.

Soohoo noted that Fireblocks’ secure and programmable infrastructure is critical to transforming global payments at scale and meeting the growing expectations of consumers for speed, transparency, and cost efficiency.

Boosting speed and efficiency in payments

The collaboration also strengthens MoneyGram’s treasury operations, enabling real-time monitoring of liquidity, pre-funding mechanisms with partners, and streamlined reconciliation processes.

Fireblocks’ programmable settlement layer supports conditional transactions and more resilient liquidity pathways, providing MoneyGram with the flexibility to introduce new features over time without disrupting user experience or compliance protocols.

Luke Tuttle, MoneyGram’s Chief Product and Technology Officer, highlighted that the partnership is built to support both sides of the payment equation.

Senders increasingly expect faster and cheaper transfers, while receivers are holding funds longer in digital wallets and demanding instant availability of money.

Fireblocks’ infrastructure ensures that MoneyGram can meet these needs globally, providing a reliable backbone for stablecoin operations at scale.

Michael Shaulov, CEO of Fireblocks, described the collaboration as a rebuild of cross-border settlement rails in real time.

By adopting multi-chain, programmable infrastructure, the partnership enhances the speed and reliability of global payments, addressing the needs of millions of users who rely on these transfers daily.

The post MoneyGram taps Fireblocks for global stablecoin settlements appeared first on CoinJournal.

• Ethena (ENA) price rises as 21Shares launches Ethena and Morpho ETPs in Europe.
• Technical analysis shows improving short-term momentum for ENA.
• USDe supply contraction, however, poses risks to Ethena’s ecosystem.

Ethena (ENA) continues to draw market interest as the crypto landscape shifts around new institutional products and changing stablecoin dynamics.

At press time, ENA had surged by about 15.96% in a day to trade near the $0.28 zone, outpacing the broader market’s 6.03% gain.

Notably, the price surge follows the launch of the 21shares Ethena ETP (EENA) and the 21shares Morpho ETP (MORPH), both of which are now listed on major European exchanges such as SIX Swiss Exchange and Euronext.

These listings offer regulated access to Ethena (ENA) and Morpho, expanding the potential investor base at a time when demand for transparent, exchange-traded crypto exposure continues to grow.

ETP listings fuel institutional interest

The introduction of the Ethena ETP and Morpho ETP marks a significant step for the ecosystem.

With support for both USD and EUR trading, the products lower barriers for European investors seeking exposure to ENA through familiar financial structures.

Similar ETP launches for other altcoins in the past have triggered waves of institutional inflows, and early signs point to rising attention toward Ethena as well.

Analysts see the move as a sign that Ethena’s infrastructure is maturing, particularly as 21Shares adds the token to its lineup of regulated crypto products.

Market participants are now watching ETP trading volumes to determine how strongly institutional buying may support ENA’s next leg.

Stablecoin contraction tempers enthusiasm

Despite the strong price action, Ethena faces challenges linked to its synthetic stablecoin, USDe.

The token has seen a sharp 24% supply contraction in November, with market cap dropping from $9.3 billion to $7.1 billion.

Much of the decline followed a brief depeg event in October, which prompted over $2 billion in redemptions even though the incident was attributed to a Binance oracle issue rather than a flaw in the protocol.

Competition from fiat-backed stablecoins intensified during the same period, with USDT, USDC, PYUSD, and RLUSD collectively adding billions in inflows, widening their dominance within the $311 billion stablecoin market.

And since USDe plays a central role in Ethena’s revenue-generating model, reduced supply and activity may weigh on long-term protocol fees, making it an important factor for ENA holders to monitor.

Ethena price forecast

The technical picture has turned more constructive over the past week.

ENA has broken above its 7-day simple moving average around $0.272, where momentum picked up following a bullish MACD crossover.

The RSI has also recovered from recent weakness, suggesting sellers have lost control in the short term.

Traders should, however, watch closely to see if ENA can close convincingly above $0.30, which aligns with a key Fibonacci retracement level.

A break above $0.30 could open the door toward $0.51 in the near term, according to CoinLore, although the token remains far below its all-time high, and the 200-day EMA near $0.47, which stands as a formidable resistance zone.

The post ENA price prediction as 21Shares launches new Ethena and Morpho ETPs appeared first on CoinJournal.

• Babylon and Aave partner to enable native BTC as collateral for DeFi lending.
• BTC can now back decentralised insurance pools, earning yield if unused.
• Users retain full control of their Bitcoin while accessing DeFi liquidity.

In a groundbreaking move for the decentralised finance (DeFi) ecosystem, Bitcoin staking platform Babylon has announced a partnership with Aave, one of the largest decentralised lending protocols.

The collaboration aims to allow Bitcoin (BTC) holders to use their native, unwrapped BTC as collateral for lending and to participate in a pioneering DeFi insurance model.

This will reshape how Bitcoin interacts with DeFi, unlocking liquidity while maintaining the security that Bitcoin users expect.

Native Bitcoin collateral comes to DeFi

Traditionally, using Bitcoin in DeFi required wrapping it into a tokenised version such as WBTC, which introduced custodial risk and extra steps.

Babylon’s partnership with Aave eliminates this barrier by enabling users to deposit their native BTC directly as collateral.

Through Babylon’s trustless Bitcoin Vaults, BTC can be locked in a time-locked contract on its own blockchain and recognised by Aave’s hub-and-spoke lending architecture.

This allows users to borrow stablecoins or other crypto assets while keeping full control of their Bitcoin keys.

The move is expected to significantly expand BTC liquidity in DeFi. Currently, even the largest wrapped Bitcoin initiatives account for less than 1% of Bitcoin’s total market cap.

Babylon’s own staking product secures over 56,000 BTC, demonstrating strong demand for productive uses of Bitcoin.

By unlocking native BTC for lending, the partnership could bring a substantial portion of the dormant Bitcoin supply into productive DeFi applications, potentially transforming lending markets.

DeFi insurance backed by Bitcoin

Beyond lending, Babylon is preparing to extend its vaults into the insurance sector, a development that could redefine how DeFi protocols manage risk.

The proposed model allows BTC holders to deposit their Bitcoin into decentralised insurance pools.

These pools would serve as coverage against protocol hacks and other failures.

Depositors earn yield if no claims occur, while the pool provides liquidity for payouts in the event of a validated exploit.

This approach turns Bitcoin into a foundational asset for DeFi risk management, offering a new avenue for yield generation while safeguarding the ecosystem.

Babylon co-founder David Tse told CoinDesk that the insurance initiative is still in development, with an official announcement expected in January 2026.

Testing for the integrated BTC lending and insurance products is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with a broader rollout planned around April of the same year.

The combination of Babylon’s secure vault design and Aave’s extensive liquidity network creates a framework that prioritises both safety and usability, a balance often missing in cross-chain and custodial solutions.

The post BTC staking platform Babylon teams up with Aave for Bitcoin-backed DeFi insurance appeared first on CoinJournal.

• Vanguard now allows clients to trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana ETFs.
• XRP ETFs have seen $756M inflows in 11 days, with no outflows recorded.
• Goldman and other firms are boosting crypto exposure alongside Vanguard.

In a dramatic shift that signals growing acceptance of digital assets by mainstream finance, Vanguard has opened its brokerage platform to regulated crypto ETFs.

Starting this week, US investors can access exchange-traded funds tied to Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana, marking a major reversal from the firm’s long-held resistance to cryptocurrency.

🚨 Just found this on Vanguard’s official website 👀

Multiple XRP ETFs (Franklin, Canary, REX-Osprey, ProShares…) are now showing under « Non-Vanguard Funds » in the Digital Assets category.

Looks like access is finally opening up for crypto ETFs pic.twitter.com/Y08IgtAybg

— Arthur (@XrpArthur) December 2, 2025

Notably, the move comes amid surging client demand and increasing institutional interest in digital assets, reshaping Vanguard’s traditional investment philosophy.

Vanguard finally embraces crypto

For years, Vanguard maintained a cautious stance toward cryptocurrencies, with former CEO Tim Buckley publicly dismissing BTC and other digital assets as too speculative and unsuitable for long-term portfolios.

The firm consistently refused to offer crypto ETFs, emphasising stability and low-risk investments for retirement-focused clients.

However, leadership changes paved the way for a rethink.

Salim Ramji, formerly the global head of ETFs at BlackRock, assumed the CEO role and gradually steered Vanguard toward regulated crypto offerings.

While the firm still will not create its own crypto ETFs or mutual funds, it now supports third-party products that meet regulatory standards, providing clients with access to digital assets while maintaining compliance.

The platform expansion enables more than 50 million US brokerage clients to trade crypto ETFs alongside other non-core assets like gold.

This could significantly increase market participation, with some predicting near-term price boosts in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).

Vanguard’s inclusion of XRP ETFs

Among the new offerings, XRP-based ETFs have generated particular excitement.

In just 11 trading days, spot XRP ETFs have recorded net inflows exceeding $756 million, with total assets under management reaching $723 million.

Remarkably, there have been no outflows, and major inflow events include $243 million during Canary Capital’s launch, $164 million tied to Grayscale and Franklin Templeton ETFs, and $89.65 million in the most recent session.

This rapid accumulation is reducing the liquid XRP supply on exchanges, potentially creating a supply shock that could influence pricing.

Mainstream finance accelerates crypto adoption

Vanguard’s pivot reflects a broader trend among traditional financial institutions embracing crypto.

Goldman Sachs, for example, is deepening its exposure through a $2 billion acquisition of Innovator Capital Management, which issues defined-outcome ETFs, including Bitcoin-linked structured funds.

The bank has rapidly increased its holdings in Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, totalling billions in assets, while also developing infrastructure for tokenised financial products.

Industry observers view these moves as part of a gradual yet significant integration of digital assets into mainstream portfolios, indicating that regulated, institutionally backed crypto investment is shifting from a niche to a standard.

The implications of Vanguard’s decision extend beyond immediate market activity.

By allowing access to regulated crypto ETFs, the firm is providing a channel for both retail and institutional investors to participate in digital asset markets within a familiar, compliant framework.

This could draw additional inflows, potentially reshaping liquidity dynamics and market sentiment across Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana.

For Vanguard, the shift represents not only a strategic response to client demand but also an acknowledgement that digital assets have become a permanent fixture in the global financial landscape.

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• Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson says Genesis ADA was profit earned from early work.
• He rejects calls to use those funds for new integrations or community needs.
• Treasury, not Genesis ADA, should finance current ecosystem initiatives.

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has moved to clarify one of the blockchain’s longest-running disputes, reaffirming that the platform’s early Genesis ADA allocations were private earnings for foundational work and risk and not community-owned funds waiting to be spent.

Hoskinson’s remarks came during a November 30 livestream titled “Genesis ADA,” where he called the matter “closed” and warned against rewriting the project’s original terms.

Calls to redirect Genesis ADA toward integrations

Hoskinson said renewed calls to redirect Genesis ADA toward recent integrations misrepresent how the project was structured from the beginning.

He explained that the allocation given to Input Output (IO) and EMURGO followed a straightforward premise: these were profits tied to early risk, not contributions to a public treasury.

At the time of the Japanese crowd sale that funded Cardano, IO’s portion was worth around $8 million.

Hoskinson emphasised that this funding model was understood by all parties involved, stating that early contributors accepted deep regulatory, technical, and financial risk at a stage when failure was far more likely than success.

He noted that most cryptocurrency ventures collapse, yet Cardano not only survived but grew into a network valued in the tens of billions.

From that perspective, the Cardano founder argued that the founding entities’ profits were earned rather than taken from any community allocation.

He criticised what he called a “Twitter mob” mentality that surfaced whenever Genesis ADA reentered public debate.

He said the claim that early contributors do not deserve their allocation ignores the enormity of the risk they assumed and the substantial ecosystem they helped build.

He pointed to the initial capital provided by Japanese buyers and stressed that those early stakeholders have long been “made whole” under the terms originally agreed upon.

Why the issue reemerged

The latest wave of concern stems from a joint request for 70 million ADA from the on-chain treasury to fund integrations with major providers, including oracle networks and stablecoin issuers.

Some community members argued that Genesis ADA should cover those costs.

But Hoskinson dismissed the idea, noting that many of today’s integration partners did not exist when Genesis ADA was allocated, making the expectation retroactive and unreasonable.

He added that the requested treasury funds would not cover all expenses, and entities such as IO and the Midnight Foundation would contribute additional support because they hold significant positions in ADA and KNIGHT.

For the founder, the real debate is not about Genesis ADA but about how the ecosystem should evolve as Cardano prepares for a major strategic reset in 2026.

Shift toward a new Cardano governance layer

Hoskinson described this upcoming shift as a move from the original tripartite structure, IO, EMURGO, and the Cardano Foundation, to a more coordinated five-member executive layer.

The expanded group would include the Midnight Foundation and Intersect.

According to Hoskinson, this structure is needed to face a competitive landscape dominated by large and aggressive industry players, where a unified strategy is essential for securing key deals.

He also rejected the suggestion that IO or EMURGO should act as public utilities with balance sheets open for community direction.

As private companies, he said, their financial operations are not subject to community oversight.

Their commitment is limited to the work they promise and deliver.

Hoskinson ended the livestream by urging the community to move forward. He said the outcome of Genesis ADA is settled and cannot be revisited.

The task now, he said, is to decide whether the ecosystem should adopt the proposed 2026 framework and invest in the infrastructure needed for Cardano’s next phase of growth.

The post Cardano founder: Genesis ADA funds were earned profit, not community treasury appeared first on CoinJournal.

• MAS expands Ripple’s payment permissions for XRP and RLUSD services.
• The approval boosts Ripple’s role in fast, regulated APAC cross-border payments.
• Regional digital asset activity rises as Ripple deepens Singapore investment.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has approved an expanded range of payment activities for Ripple Markets APAC, the company’s local subsidiary.

This approval allows Ripple to grow its regulated payment services for banks, fintechs, and corporates in one of the world’s most tightly supervised financial markets.

Ripple can now offer a wider suite of digital payment token services linked to XRP and RLUSD.

It also gives the firm more room to deliver cross-border payment solutions that rely on digital assets to settle transactions faster and at a lower cost.

Ripple’s leaders say this development reflects the value of Singapore’s clear regulatory stance.

President Monica Long described MAS as a global benchmark for transparency and stable rules.

She said the decision strengthens Ripple’s plan to deepen its investment in the market and build infrastructure that supports faster global money movement.

MAS’s frameworks under the Payment Services Act give digital asset firms defined rules covering token issuance, custody, and payments.

Expansion aligned with rising APAC demand

The approval marks a surge in digital asset activity in the Asia-Pacific region, with a year-over-year increase of about 70%.

Ripple says Singapore sits at the centre of this growth thanks to its advanced policies and its early embrace of regulated digital token services.

Fiona Murray, Ripple’s Vice President and Managing Director for the region, said the expanded license equips the company to serve the institutions driving that growth.

She noted that regulated payment rails remain essential as cross-border activity accelerates across regional markets.

Ripple first established its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore in 2017.

The company later secured a full MPI license, placing it among a select group of blockchain-focused firms approved to provide digital token services in the country.

Broader capabilities for institutional clients

With the updated permissions, Ripple can now support end-to-end payment flows through a single integration.

This includes collection, holding, token swaps, and payouts.

The system enables clients to avoid multiple infrastructure partners and reduces their reliance on additional banking relationships.

Ripple Payments, the company’s global solution, merges digital tokens with a payout network that handles conversion, compliance, and settlement operations.

By absorbing the technical and blockchain complexity, Ripple enables institutions to offer digital payment services more efficiently.

The company’s stablecoin, RLUSD, sits at the core of several of these services.

The stablecoin recently received recognition in Abu Dhabi as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token, allowing licensed firms in the Abu Dhabi Global Market to use it for regulated financial activities.

This adds momentum to Ripple’s broader expansion across the UAE and Asia.

The post Singapore’s MAS grants Ripple wider payment permissions as APAC demand surges appeared first on CoinJournal.

• Upbit patched a wallet flaw after a $30M Solana-related hack.
• Withdrawals were halted, and stolen funds were partly frozen following the attack.
• Authorities probe possible Lazarus Group involvement.

South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Upbit, has revealed a serious internal wallet vulnerability while conducting an emergency audit in the wake of a $30 million hack.

The discovery comes as the company continues to investigate irregular Solana-based withdrawals that triggered the security review, raising concerns about potential risks to private keys within the platform’s wallet system.

Flaw discovered after emergency audit

The emergency audit, launched following the detection of abnormal activity on Nov. 26, uncovered a flaw in Upbit’s internal wallet software that could allow attackers to mathematically derive private keys by analysing blockchain transactions.

CEO Oh Kyung-seok, in a published announcement after the audit, explained that while blockchain data is normally public but secure, the company’s own wallet implementation produced weak and predictable signature data, creating the theoretical risk.

Upbit emphasised that the flaw was discovered only after the systemwide review and did not appear to be directly linked to the hack itself.

The exchange has since patched the vulnerability and conducted a comprehensive inspection of all related networks and wallet systems to ensure no further weaknesses remain.

Upbit to cover all losses using its own reserves

The Upbit hack, which resulted in losses totalling roughly 44.5 billion KRW, including approximately 38.6 billion KRW in customer assets, prompted immediate action from the exchange.

Withdrawals were suspended, and remaining assets were moved to cold storage to prevent further losses.

About 2.3 billion KRW of the stolen funds, equivalent to around $1.5 million, has already been frozen.

Oh Kyung-seok described the situation as a reminder that no security system can be considered completely infallible.

Kyung-seok has assured customers that Upbit would cover all losses using its own reserves and pledged to strengthen security measures across the platform.

The exchange has committed to resuming deposits and withdrawals only after the final verification of its wallet systems.

South Korean authorities are investigating the hack

South Korean authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, with early intelligence reports pointing to potential involvement by the North Korea-linked hacking group Lazarus.

While Upbit and regulators have not publicly confirmed this, the company continues to collaborate with law enforcement and blockchain projects to recover and freeze stolen assets wherever possible.

The incident has prompted Upbit to conduct a broader security review of its entire infrastructure.

The exchange noted that irregular withdrawals from Solana-related wallets, including tokens such as ORCA, RAY, and JUP, served as a catalyst for the emergency audit and subsequent vulnerability discovery.

By conducting a full overhaul of wallet systems, Upbit aims to prevent similar breaches in the future.

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• Amundi launches first tokenised money market fund on Ethereum.
• The tokenised MMF operates via a hybrid model with blockchain and traditional access.
• Blockchain enables 24/7 trading, instant execution, and transparent records.

European asset management giant Amundi has taken a major step into the digital finance era by launching the first tokenised share of its AMUNDI FUNDS CASH EUR money market fund on the Ethereum blockchain.

The tokenised fund marks a significant innovation in fund distribution and allows investors to hold fund units digitally while maintaining the traditional channels for accessing the fund.

A new digital frontier for money market funds

According to Amundi, the tokenised fund is built in collaboration with CACEIS, one of Europe’s leading asset-servicing providers.

CACEIS supplies the technology infrastructure required for tokenisation, including digital wallets for investors and a blockchain-based order platform that supports subscriptions and redemptions.

Jean-Pierre Michalowski, CEO of CACEIS, highlighted that the hybrid transfer agent service opens a new distribution channel, allowing clients to quickly and efficiently execute fund transactions via blockchain while paving the way for potential future operations in stablecoins or central bank digital currencies.

The first transaction of the tokenised share took place on November 4, 2025, and the fund is now distributed through a hybrid model.

This means that investors can continue to use conventional methods, but the new digital option enables fund units to be recorded as tokens on Ethereum, providing secure, transparent, and traceable transaction records.

Benefits of blockchain integration in MMFs

Blockchain technology provides multiple advantages for both investors and fund managers.

Orders can be executed instantly, operations can continue around the clock, and transactions are recorded with full transparency.

The tokenised model also opens the fund to younger and more digitally oriented investors, reflecting a shift in investor behaviour toward faster, more accessible financial products.

Amundi emphasised that the launch does not replace traditional fund access but instead provides an additional route for investors.

The hybrid approach ensures that the fund remains inclusive, combining the reliability of conventional distribution with the efficiency and innovation offered by blockchain technology.

Jean-Jacques Barbéris, Head of Institutional and Corporate Clients and ESG at Amundi, described asset tokenisation as a global transformation set to accelerate in the coming years, with this initiative serving as a practical demonstration of the firm’s expertise in implementing secure and robust blockchain applications in finance.

A growing trend in digital asset management

The launch comes amid a broader expansion of tokenised real-world assets.

Market data shows that the value of tokenised assets on blockchains rose sharply in 2025, from $15.2 billion at the beginning of the year to $37.1 billion by late November.

Ethereum, where Amundi’s fund is hosted, ranks second globally in the tokenised real-world asset space with a market cap of $12.4 billion.

The trend reflects increasing institutional interest in blockchain-based investment solutions and the mainstreaming of digital finance innovations.

Tokenised money market funds, in particular, have seen rapid adoption in recent years.

Industry data indicates that products from leading firms like BlackRock and Franklin Templeton now manage billions in digital assets, while total value locked in tokenised funds surged from around $770 million at the end of 2023 to nearly $9 billion by October 2025.

Amundi’s launch positions it as a front-runner in Europe, showcasing its commitment to leveraging digital innovation while maintaining robust regulatory and operational standards.

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• KuCoin EU gets MiCA license to operate across 29 EEA countries, excluding Malta.
• Austria was chosen for its stable regulations, timely MiCA implementation, and talent pool.
• License strengthens compliance and global expansion strategy for KuCoin.

Global cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin has taken a significant step toward expanding its presence in Europe with its European arm, KuCoin EU, securing a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from Austria’s Financial Market Authority.

This approval marks a major milestone for the exchange, allowing it to operate regulated crypto services across 29 countries in the European Economic Area (EEA), although Malta remains an exception.

Austria as a strategic hub

KuCoin’s decision to pursue licensing in Austria comes amid a wave of European countries adopting MiCA regulations, designed to standardise crypto oversight and enhance consumer protections.

Vienna, in particular, has emerged as an attractive base for crypto companies due to its timely implementation of MiCA’s accompanying laws, a predictable regulatory environment, and a robust talent pool.

KuCoin EU’s license positions the company among six cryptocurrency service providers authorised by Austria’s FMA, alongside established names such as Bitpanda, Bybit, and Amina Bank.

The MiCA framework, which came into effect in late 2024, enables crypto companies to obtain a license in one member state and “passport” their services across the wider EEA.

For KuCoin, this means the ability to offer regulated digital asset services, including stablecoins and other crypto-asset offerings, throughout much of Europe while adhering to one of the most comprehensive regulatory regimes worldwide.

The license also brings clear obligations for transparency, supervision, and consumer protection, with non-compliant entities facing penalties or license revocations.

Strengthening global compliance

KuCoin’s MiCA approval coincides with its recent registration with Australia’s financial intelligence agency, Austrac, allowing the exchange to offer crypto services legally in the country.

The timing underscores the company’s broader strategy of combining global expansion with regulatory compliance.

KuCoin CEO BC Wong described the MiCA license as a “defining milestone” for KuCoin’s long-term trust and compliance strategy, emphasising that regulatory adherence is not merely a legal requirement but the foundation of the company’s mission to deliver secure, innovative, and accessible digital asset services.

However, while the MiCA license allows operations across the majority of the EEA, Malta remains excluded due to its independent approach toward MiCA supervision.

Malta has issued multiple licenses to other cryptocurrency service providers, including Blockchain.com and Gemini, yet it has often opposed centralised EU oversight, highlighting differing regulatory philosophies within Europe.

KuCoin is setting a benchmark for the region

KuCoin’s entry into the European market under MiCA signals growing confidence in the regulatory framework and demonstrates the increasing alignment of major crypto platforms with formal compliance standards.

With a user base exceeding 40 million across 200 countries, KuCoin’s European arm is now equipped to expand its regulated services while maintaining high standards for transparency, security, and consumer protection.

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• Balancer will return $8M to affected liquidity providers after the V2 exploit.
• Whitehat and internal teams recovered part of the stolen $28M.
• Reimbursements will be distributed pro rata in the same tokens via a 180-day claim.

Decentralised finance protocol Balancer has unveiled a plan to reimburse liquidity providers (LPs) following the massive exploit that drained over $128 million from its V2 pools.

The reimbursement plan comes after an extensive recovery effort led by whitehat hackers and internal teams, aiming to restore funds and rebuild trust within the platform’s user community.

The plan has been submitted to the Balancer DAO for community feedback and will require approval through a formal voting process before distribution begins.

The Balancer exploit

The Balancer exploit, which occurred in early November, targeted a rounding function flaw in Balancer’s Composable Stable Pools (CSPv5).

Attackers combined this vulnerability with batched swaps, allowing them to manipulate token price calculations and drain multiple pools across Ethereum, Polygon, Base, and Arbitrum.

Despite 11 previous security audits conducted by four different blockchain security firms, the vulnerability went unnoticed.

The breach sent shockwaves through the DeFi sector, causing Balancer’s total value locked to fall from $775 million to $258 million, while its native BAL token lost roughly 30% of its value.

Portions of the protocol were paused immediately after the attack to prevent further losses, while whitehat and internal recovery operations began working to salvage funds.

Here's everything you need to know about the Balancer Hack:

1. The attack targeted Balancer's V2 vaults and liquidity pools, exploiting a vulnerability in smart contract interactions. Preliminary analysis from on-chain investigators points to a maliciously deployed contract that… pic.twitter.com/udAM4hB0OD

— Adi (@AdiFlips) November 3, 2025

Recovery efforts and whitehat contributions

Overall, approximately $28 million of the stolen funds was recovered.

Whitehat hackers played a significant role, reclaiming around $3.9 million, while internal Balancer teams, including coordination with security firm Certora, retrieved another $4.1 million from vulnerable metastable pools that had not yet been exploited.

Among the whitehat contributors, an anonymous actor dubbed “Anon #1” recovered $2.68 million on Polygon, including various tokens such as WPOL, MaticX, TruMATIC, and stMatic, as detailed in the unveiled reimbursement proposal.

Some rescuers on Arbitrum declined to identify themselves and waived their bounty claims, highlighting the voluntary and community-driven nature of these recovery efforts.

The remaining $19.7 million in osETH and osGNO tokens was recovered through StakeWise, an Ethereum liquid staking protocol, and will be returned to users via StakeWise’s own governance mechanisms.

The $8M reimbursement plan

Balancer’s reimbursement plan focuses on the $8 million recovered directly by whitehats and internal teams.

The framework adopts a non-socialised approach, meaning funds are returned only to liquidity providers in the specific pools affected.

Reimbursements will be distributed on a pro-rata basis according to each user’s Balancer Pool Token holdings at a snapshot block taken before the exploit.

Payments will be made in-kind, allowing users to receive the exact tokens that were stolen, avoiding any mismatches or unintended losses due to price fluctuations.

Whitehat contributors are entitled to a 10% bounty of the recovered funds, capped at $1 million per operation.

To receive their reward, Whitehat participants must complete identity verification, KYC, and sanctions screening under Balancer’s SEAL Safe Harbour Agreement.

Notably, internal recovery operations, including Certora’s involvement, are excluded from these bounties due to pre-existing service agreements.

If the distribution plan is approved, affected liquidity providers will have a 180-day window to claim their funds, during which they must digitally accept Balancer’s updated terms of use.

These terms require users to release Balancer Labs, the DAO, the Foundation, and affiliated parties from legal liabilities related to the exploit.

Unclaimed funds after 180 days will be considered dormant and may only be reallocated through a governance vote.

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• BAT coin price jumps 20% in 24h, driven by Brave browser user growth.
• On-chain activity spikes 72%, boosting BAT coin demand and utility.
• Technical breakout from descending channel signals further bullish momentum.

Basic Attention Token has emerged as one of the standout performers in the cryptocurrency market today.

The Basic Attention Token price has surged 20% past $0.27, adding to its 60% growth during the past week.

This price surge places BAT coin well ahead of broader altcoin recovery trends and highlights the growing impact of the Brave Browser ecosystem on the token’s utility.

Brave Browser milestone fuels BAT price rally

The rally in BAT coin price is closely tied to the increasing adoption of the Brave browser, which recently announced it had surpassed 101 million monthly active users.

With 42 million daily users, the platform boasts a DAU/MAU ratio of 0.42, indicating strong user engagement and retention.

Brave continues to expand its ecosystem by integrating privacy-first features such as ad-blocking, tracker prevention, storage partitioning, and a dedicated AI assistant named Leo.

The Brave Wallet also supports shielded Zcash transactions and Web3 interactions, positioning the browser as a comprehensive digital ecosystem rather than merely a privacy tool.

Furthermore, BAT plays a central role in this environment, powering the browser’s rewards system.

Users earn tokens by viewing privacy-respecting ads and can tip content creators or convert BAT into other cryptocurrencies.

The combination of increasing user numbers and high engagement has amplified on-chain activity, with a 72% surge in BAT transfers and consistent accumulation from large holders.

As a result, the BAT coin price has benefited from both the scarcity of circulating supply and the heightened demand from a rapidly expanding user base.

Trading competitions and technical signals add momentum

The price surge has been further supported by short-term trading catalysts.

Biconomy recently launched a BAT trading competition with an $8,000 prize pool, driving significant volume to the market.

Over a 24-hour period, BAT trading volume increased by more than 200%, reflecting both retail and institutional interest.

While competition-driven activity can inflate short-term trading, on-chain data suggests that much of the trading has been sustained by genuine interest from investors rather than purely speculative movements.

From a technical perspective, BAT coin has broken out of a descending channel, closing above key support levels near $0.21.

The MACD histogram turned positive, and the 7-day SMA has now flipped to provide support, signalling bullish momentum.

Traders are targeting the 161.8% Fibonacci extension at approximately $0.2896, though the RSI is nearing 74, suggesting that some consolidation may occur before further upward movement.

The key support levels to watch remain around $0.2410, reflecting a 50% retracement of November’s rally.

A social token and a privacy-focused cryptocurrency

Beyond technical and trading factors, BAT coin occupies a unique position as both a social token and a privacy-focused cryptocurrency.

The Basic Attention Token ranks as the 14th most widely distributed token on-chain, with over 437,000 holders, highlighting its broad reach.

Its integration with Brave allows users to engage in privacy-respecting digital interactions, providing a sustainable use case that extends beyond speculative trading.

The platform’s ability to handle nearly 20 billion annual searches, including AI-generated queries, demonstrates that Brave is evolving into a digital ecosystem capable of supporting significant BAT utility.

While BAT faces competition from other privacy-first browsers and must navigate regulatory changes, its combination of strong on-chain activity, expanding user base, and structural adoption trends indicates potential for sustained growth.

As the market approaches year-end volatility and trading competitions conclude, eyes are on whether the Basic Attention Token price can maintain momentum or experience consolidation.

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• XRP gains support from strong ETF inflows and institutional interest.
• CME futures and options flows add momentum to the current setup.
• Technical pressure builds as XRP tests midband resistance.

XRP is entering a decisive phase as new institutional products, shifting derivatives dynamics, and tightening technical structures converge around a market that has struggled to find a clear direction.

The XRP price currently stands at $2.23, having gained 1.6% in the past 24 hours, and continues a strong seven-day climb that has pushed its weekly performance above 17%.

Notably, despite being nearly 40% below its July all-time high of $3.65, XRP remains up around 50% this year, outpacing both Bitcoin and Ethereum over the same period.

Institutional momentum builds

A wave of new XRP ETFs has reshaped expectations among investors.

The last nine days alone brought in $643.91 million in spot XRP ETF inflows, according to data from Coinglass, while Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs saw heavy outflows.

Major firms, including Canary Capital, Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, and Bitwise, have launched XRP funds, and early traction has been stronger than many expected.

These inflows reflect the wider structural shift that analysts at NOBI and other platforms have highlighted.

The analysts point to a growing appetite among institutional traders, who now see regulated exposure to XRP as a viable strategy in a market preparing for potential Federal Reserve rate cuts.

In addition, Fed officials have signalled openness to reducing borrowing costs in December, a macro backdrop that often supports risk assets like XRP.

Some forecasts suggest that if inflows remain steady, XRP could rally strongly, pushing it towards its previous high, though conditions would still depend on broader market sentiment and regulatory clarity.

Derivatives signal shifting pressure

The derivatives market is adding another layer to the setup.

CME futures tied to XRP are scheduled to launch on December 15, pending regulatory approval.

This move places XRP alongside Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) within the world’s largest derivatives marketplace, reinforcing its role in institutional portfolios.

At the same time, XRP options have influenced short-term behaviour.

$15 million XRP options expired on November 28 with a put-call ratio of 0.41, favoured bullish positioning, forcing market makers to buy spot XRP as hedges unwound.

Open interest dropped sharply afterwards, reducing the risk of volatile swings and leaving the market in a cleaner state ahead of new catalysts.

These intertwined factors show how futures, options, and ETF flows are beginning to align in a way that could support stronger price action.

But whether that alignment delivers immediate results will depend on how much follow-through traders are willing to commit to in the coming sessions.

XRP price forecast

On the charts, XRP has broken out of a 4-week falling channel, giving bulls an early signal that momentum may be shifting.

The MACD has flipped positive, and the 7-day moving average now acts as support near $2.11.

Perhaps the most telling structure is the Bollinger Bands setup.

XRP has been stuck under the midband for nearly two weeks, a pattern that often indicates a buildup of pressure that can trigger sharp moves.

The upper band near $2.50 marks the probable target for a breakout, while the lower band at $1.92 outlines the risk if another rejection occurs.

Such compression can precede rallies, including the possibility of a 13% push toward $2.51.

But for that scenario to unfold, XRP would need a decisive close above the midband, something the market has struggled to achieve.

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• BONK ETP launches on SIX, giving European investors regulated access to the crypto.
• BONK price jumps by 3.5%, outperforming broader crypto amid technical rebound.
• Institutional demand may boost liquidity and tighten the circulating supply.

Swiss crypto ETP provider Bitcoin Capital has launched a regulated exchange-traded product (ETP) for the Solana-based meme coin BONK on Switzerland’s SIX Swiss Exchange.

This marks a major milestone for the memecoin as the ETP helps it to enter one of Europe’s largest and most established financial markets.

Expanding access to meme coins

The BONK ETP provides a bridge between the cryptocurrency community and traditional financial investors.

By creating a regulated vehicle, Bitcoin Capital makes it possible for those unfamiliar with crypto exchanges to participate in the meme coin ecosystem while benefiting from the oversight and credibility that comes with a listed product.

Marcel Niederberger, CEO of Bitcoin Capital and FiCAS AG, highlighted Switzerland’s regulatory framework and the SIX Exchange’s infrastructure as key factors in choosing the venue.

According to Niederberger, the combination of consistent supervision and developed market structures positions Switzerland as an ideal hub for launching digital asset ETPs.

For the broader crypto market, BONK’s ETP represents another step in the gradual institutionalisation of meme coins.

While Dogecoin (DOGE) has dominated the conversation in regulated markets, with ETFs and leveraged products appearing on US exchanges, BONK’s introduction to Europe reflects an appetite for thematic and community-driven digital assets.

Bitcoin Capital anticipates further expansion of regulated products referencing BONK in the coming year, including additional ETPs and structured notes, as European investors increasingly embrace digital assets within conventional investment frameworks.

Regulatory legitimacy for BONK

By bringing BONK to regulated platforms, Bitcoin Capital is opening a new chapter in the evolution of meme coins, demonstrating how niche tokens can gain legitimacy while maintaining a connection to their communities.

Notably, the Swiss crypto ETP provider will lock the underlying BONK tokens in the ETP, tightening the circulating supply and providing a level of certainty for investors often absent in purely digital markets.

This structure is expected to enhance investor confidence and attract capital from institutional desks, which historically account for the majority of inflows in Bitcoin Capital’s products.

By integrating BONK into a regulated environment, the product demonstrates that meme coins can transcend their origins as internet-driven tokens to become credible investment vehicles.

The timing of the launch is particularly noteworthy given the rapid growth of digital asset products across Europe and the United States.

Recent months have seen a surge in memecoin ETFs and structured products, including offerings tied to Dogecoin, highlighting a global trend toward regulated exposure to popular cryptocurrencies.

Following the Bonk ETP launch, the BONK price has jumped 3.5%, outperforming the broader crypto market, which rose around 2.84% today.

At press time, BONK memecoin was trading at $0.0599, and technical signals hint at a possible bullish trend, with BONK’s price reclaiming key moving averages and the RSI exiting oversold territory.

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• Crypto firms operating in the EU must report transactions and holdings in a standardised format.
• Regulators will gain wider access to user data, raising privacy concerns.
• ESMA may oversee major exchanges, centralising EU crypto supervision.

The European Union has unveiled a new set of rules that will significantly change how crypto-asset service providers operate across the bloc.

These changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, marking one of the EU’s most ambitious attempts to tighten control over crypto activities.

The rules will introduce standardised reporting requirements that will give tax authorities deeper visibility into the cryptocurrency market.

Tougher reporting requirements are coming

At the heart of the new framework is the expansion of the Directive on Administrative Cooperation, known as DAC8.

This update requires crypto exchanges, wallet providers, and other digital-asset operators to report customer holdings and transactions in a standardised digital format.

Once submitted, these reports will be automatically shared among EU tax authorities, enabling regulators to monitor crypto flows and trading activity more effectively.

The regulation, formalised under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2263, also mandates the creation of a comprehensive Crypto-Asset Operator register.

Each reporting operator will receive a unique 10-digit identification number, starting with an ISO country code, to simplify cross-border supervision.

Even when an operator is removed from the register, the information must be retained for up to 12 months, ensuring continuity in regulatory oversight.

Member states are expected to submit annual assessments to the European Commission using standardised reporting templates.

Privacy under the microscope

While the regulation is framed as a measure to combat tax fraud, financial crime, and market abuse, it raises significant privacy concerns for crypto users.

The Transfer of Funds Regulation, which extends the so-called “travel rule” to crypto transactions above €1,000, already requires identification of both senders and recipients, including interactions with self-hosted wallets.

Users may also be asked to verify ownership of their private wallets.

Combined with DAC8, these measures give regulators unprecedented insight into individual trading behaviour, wallet flows, and the activities of service providers.

The European Commission’s broader regulatory package works alongside the Markets in Crypto-Assets framework (MiCA) and upcoming anti-money laundering rules.

Large crypto operators will be expected to carry out detailed customer due diligence, report suspicious activities, and disclose energy consumption for their operations.

Supporters of the new rules, including ECB President Christine Lagarde, argue that a unified EU approach will replace fragmented national supervision, which has historically hindered consistent enforcement.

However, the plan to give the European Securities and Markets Authority direct oversight over major cross-border exchanges and clearing houses has drawn criticism from smaller financial hubs, including Luxembourg, Malta, and Ireland.

They warn that consolidating supervisory powers could raise compliance costs and disadvantage operators in smaller jurisdictions.

The Financial Stability Board, the G20’s leading financial watchdog, also recently noted that strict privacy laws worldwide often impede cross-border cooperation.

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• Bolivia lets banks offer crypto services to counter inflation and dollar scarcity.
• Stablecoins gain traction in Bolivia as businesses and consumers hedge a weakening boliviano.
• Government pairs digital finance push with major new financing and tax reforms.

Bolivia is turning to cryptocurrencies and stablecoins in a sweeping effort to stabilise an economy strained by high inflation, a widening fiscal deficit, and a persistent shortage of US dollars.

The initiative is emerging as a central pillar of the government’s broader plan to modernise the financial system and revive investment under President Rodrigo Paz.

Crypto push in Bolivia gains steam

The shift marks a major policy change for the country, which only lifted a longstanding ban on crypto last year.

Economy Minister Jose Gabriel Espinoza confirmed that banks will now be allowed to custody digital assets and offer crypto-based savings accounts, loans, and credit cards.

The move effectively brings stablecoins such as USDT into the formal financial system, giving them a role similar to legal tender.

Espinoza said the decision reflects the practical reality that cryptocurrencies cannot be contained by national borders. He noted that recognising and integrating them is more efficient than trying to enforce old restrictions.

This approach follows a regional trend, as several Latin American economies hit by inflation turn to digital assets as a hedge against currency depreciation.

Bolivia’s inflation, in particular, has averaged above 22% over the past year, eroding the value of the boliviano and pushing residents toward alternatives that hold value more reliably.

As a result, stablecoins, which maintain a one-to-one link to assets such as the US dollar, have become a popular escape hatch for households and businesses looking to shield their savings from further losses.

Pressure from inflation and dollar scarcity

Businesses across Bolivia have already begun pricing goods in USDT, responding to the sharp shortage of physical dollars that has disrupted imports and raised costs.

Vehicle manufacturers, including Toyota, Yamaha, and BYD, started accepting stablecoins in September after struggling to secure dollars for transactions.

The state-owned energy company YPFB has also revealed plans to create a system allowing crypto-denominated payments for energy imports, though details are still being developed.

Stablecoins offer a workaround for strict currency controls that limit access to foreign currency.

Anyone with a mobile phone and a crypto wallet can now hold dollar-pegged tokens without going through banks that enforce tight restrictions.

This ease of access has been a major factor behind the rapid rise in crypto volumes following the regulatory shift last year.

Financing push alongside crypto reforms

The government’s crypto strategy is unfolding alongside a wider effort to shore up the economy through new financing and investment incentives.

Espinoza announced that Bolivia is negotiating more than $9 billion in multilateral financing for public and private projects, far above initial projections.

Roughly a third of the funds could arrive within two to three months, providing support for infrastructure, renewable energy, and financial inclusion initiatives.

The announcement lifted Bolivia’s dollar bonds, which reached their highest levels since 2022.

The government has also moved to scrap the wealth tax and eliminate taxes on financial transactions to attract private capital and encourage investment.

These measures still require congressional approval, but they signal a significant shift away from the state-heavy policies of previous administrations.

Paz has pledged a market-oriented approach while avoiding shocks that could undermine the country’s social programs.

The administration plans to cut public spending by 30% in the 2026 budget, though officials stress that the decision was made independently and not under pressure from the International Monetary Fund.

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• Naver Financial will acquire Dunamu in a $10.3B stock-swap deal.
• The merger now awaits shareholder votes and key regulatory approvals.
• If successful, Upbit’s operator will become a wholly owned Naver subsidiary in 2026.

Naver Financial has set the stage for one of South Korea’s largest fintech and crypto-related mergers, unveiling a stock-swap plan to fully acquire Dunamu, the company behind the country’s dominant crypto exchange, Upbit.

Dunamu recently reported 10.4 trillion won in total assets and 4 trillion won in equity, with revenue up 35% and net profit rising 145% year-over-year, cementing its position as one of Korea’s most influential digital asset players.

A landmark stock-swap merger

Naver Financial confirmed that it will absorb Dunamu through a stock-swap transaction valued at approximately 15.1 trillion won, or about $10.3 billion.

To complete the merger, the company will issue 87.56 million new shares to Dunamu shareholders according to a filing made on Wednesday, making the crypto firm a wholly owned subsidiary once the process is finalised.

The exchange ratio, set at 2.5422618 Naver Financial shares for each Dunamu share, was determined through an external discounted cash-flow valuation.

The effective stock exchange date is scheduled for June 30, 2026, though shareholders will vote on the plan earlier, at general meetings set for May 22, 2026.

Investors who oppose the deal will have the option to exercise appraisal rights at a price of 117,780 won per Naver Financial share.

These rights can be exercised from May 22 to June 11, 2026.

However, the deal may be cancelled if appraisal demands exceed 1.1 trillion won combined, unless both parties agree to adjust the cap.

Several regulatory approvals are required

The merger still requires approval from multiple regulators before it can proceed.

The deal must pass a business combination review by the Fair Trade Commission and meet requirements tied to major shareholder changes under the Act on the Use and Protection of Credit Information.

Naver Financial acknowledged in its filings that delays remain possible if any part of the process stalls.

But despite those hurdles, the companies appear confident about the transition.

Naver has said it plans to use the merger to “secure future growth momentum based on digital assets.”

While the firms have not yet mapped out structural changes following the merger, both sides expect closer strategic and operational cooperation.

According to reports shared earlier this year, Naver Financial is preparing to launch a Korean won-backed stablecoin after the merger, though no official timeline has been disclosed.

If confirmed, the move aligns with broader shifts in South Korea, where major banks and policymakers have adopted a more supportive stance toward digital asset innovation.

Notably, the election of President Lee Jae-myung marked a turning point for crypto regulation, and several domestic banks have already announced plans to introduce won-pegged stablecoins by late 2025 or early 2026.

That environment may provide Naver with fertile ground to expand its fintech capabilities and build a digital finance ecosystem that integrates payments, blockchain services, and investment tools.

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