Reports have circulated across social channels this week after a prominent XRP commentator warned critics that they may be underestimating the token’s long-term role in finance.

According to a post on X by user UnknowDLT, XRP’s place in global payment rails was “planned more than a decade ago,” and the token could one day become “the most valuable asset in the world,” a claim that has stirred both debate and disbelief.

Community Voice Turns Loud

Supporters in the XRP community have long argued that market prices miss bigger shifts. Based on reports from prominent community accounts, followers say short-term trading noise hides structural moves that could lift demand for XRP over many years.

One commentator, X Finance Bull, has suggested that Ripple’s escrow — which holds 34.4 billion XRP — will act as locked liquidity for banking corridors and institutional use, not as stockpiled supply destined for retail dumps.

The world is NOT ready for what is coming for XRP. It was planned more than a decade ago, it is going to be the most valuable asset in the world. There will be war for your XRP. People keep laughing at XRP.

They will end up crying for life, the end will be tragic for them.

— {x} (@unknowDLT) December 15, 2025

Regulatory Moves And Institutional Aims

Ripple’s recent regulatory steps are central to the bullish case. Reports have disclosed that the company received conditional clearance from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to pursue a national trust bank charter, and that it is seeking a Federal Reserve master account.

Community analysts argue those developments, if fully realized, would move Ripple closer to mainstream financial plumbing and could change how markets view token supply and institutional demand.

$XRP HOLDERS If you’re thinking about selling your $XRP right now, THINK AGAIN!

Remember this? Brad Garlinghouse confirmed the CLARITY Act is expected in early 2026.

That’s not a maybe. That’s a countdown.

And when it passes, Ripple will be forced to declare the fate of… https://t.co/s1E2KnarnM pic.twitter.com/C4xAcKDltR

— X Finance Bull (@Xfinancebull) December 15, 2025

Some supporters also point to a possible US Clarity Act as a legal milestone, with a timeline floated by some voices for passage in the first half of 2026.

Tokenization And Big Numbers

Analysts and company projections are being used to sketch wider potential. Ripple has suggested the tokenization market could grow to $19 trillion by 2033.

Other commentators take that figure and run scenarios: if a slice of that activity used the XRP Ledger, price forecasts can balloon — with one cited bullish figure at $189 per XRP under high-adoption cases.

Some community voices expect large-scale tokenization momentum to build between 2026 and 2027, which they say would favor high-throughput ledgers like XRP’s.

Numbers And Forecasts

Not everyone shares the same optimism. Several firms mentioned by community members put much lower targets on XRP, with conservative models forecasting prices under $30 by 2030.

Other professional models place $100 XRP well beyond the next decade. Traders and investors are left to weigh three competing threads: legal clarity, technical capacity, and whether escrowed holdings will be used for institutional flows rather than sold.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

The Federal Reserve announced on April 24, 2025, that it is pulling back previous rules for banks handling crypto and dollar tokens. From now on, banks will be supervised the usual way, instead of through separate crypto-focused requirements.

Banks Can Now Move Faster With Crypto

The rules being withdrawn included a 2022 letter that told state member banks to notify the Fed before dealing with crypto, and a 2023 letter that required approval before handling dollar tokens. These rules had kept some smaller banks, especially uninsured crypto-focused ones, from accessing Fed accounts or payment systems.

Other regulators moved at the same time. The FDIC and the OCC also withdrew two 2023 statements about crypto risks. Those statements had flagged issues like liquidity and governance risks in crypto banking. By pulling them back, banks now face fewer formal roadblocks when offering crypto services.

WOWZERS–the Fed rescinded guidance it enacted in Jan 2023 simultaneously with the @custodiabank denials + the Biden White House anti-crypto statement. Thank you, VCS Bowman & Gov Waller! The Fed broke the law by citing this very guidance in the Custodia denial, even tho…

— Caitlin Long (@CaitlinLong_) December 17, 2025

Fed’s New Guidance

On Dec. 17, 2025, the Fed introduced new guidance to give both insured and uninsured state member banks a clear path to explore activities like cryptocurrencies, as long as they meet the Fed’s risk-management standards, the central bank said.

@federalreserve withdraws 2023 policy statement and issues new policy statement regarding the treatment of certain Board-supervised banks that facilitates responsible innovation: https://t.co/5s1I9LO9EF

— Federal Reserve (@federalreserve) December 17, 2025

Supervision Now Part Of Normal Oversight

The Fed said it will continue watching banks’ crypto work, but through regular supervisory processes. Banks don’t need to send extra notifications or get prior approval for crypto activities anymore. That includes things like custody, trading, or settlement of digital assets. There aren’t new rules being added — it’s just now part of normal oversight.

Key Dates And Actions

The important date is April 24, 2025. On this day, the Fed withdrew letters from 2022 and 2023, along with the two joint interagency statements from 2023. These had previously told banks how to report and get approval for crypto work. The withdrawal simply moves crypto activities into regular bank supervision.

What This Means For Banks And Markets

Banks have more leeway to provide crypto services because they no longer have to follow the old regulations. They’ve gained the ability to quickly develop, test, and manage digital assets. However, the Fed continues to keep an eye on how banks manage their risks.

While this change does not eliminate all regulatory requirements, it eliminates much of the extra duplication of paperwork and approvals that acted as barriers and impeded progress in the past.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda Research and a key witness in the FTX prosecutions, was quietly moved from federal prison to community confinement on October 16, 2025, with the transfer happening largely under the radar.

According to court records and media reports, the move comes after Ellison served about 11 months of a two-year sentence. Her projected early release date is February 20, 2026.

Transfer To Community Confinement

Based on reports, Ellison was moved out of the Danbury Federal Correctional Institution in Connecticut and placed under community confinement supervised by the US Bureau of Prisons.

Community confinement can mean home detention or placement in a residential reentry center, but the Bureau typically does not disclose exact housing details for individuals. The transfer was completed quietly, with officials offering only routine confirmation of custody status.

Former Alameda Research CEO and SBF’s ex-girlfriend Caroline Ellison was transferred on Oct. 16 from the federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut to community confinement, which may include home confinement or a halfway house, while remaining under federal custody. Ellison has…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) December 17, 2025

Ellison’s Time Behind Bars

Ellison was sentenced in September 2024 and began serving her sentence in November 2024. She has spent roughly 11 months in custody prior to the transfer.

The sentence she received reflected her guilty pleas to multiple federal counts tied to the collapse of FTX, and it was shorter than other prison terms handed down in the larger case.

Role In The FTX Case

Ellison pleaded guilty in 2022 to charges stemming from what prosecutors described as an $11 billion collapse that devastated customers and shook the crypto sector.

She cooperated with prosecutors and was a central government witness at the 2023 trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. Bankman-Fried was later sentenced to 25 years and remains in custody while his appeals proceed.

How The Move Is Handled

Transfers like this are handled under standard Bureau of Prisons procedures. The agency may shift inmates to community confinement for several reasons, including the remaining length of sentence, program needs, or space considerations at facilities.

Specific conditions — such as whether Ellison will serve time in a halfway house or under home confinement — are not being released for privacy and safety reasons, according to officials quoted in news reports.

 

Reaction And Next Steps

The transfer has renewed media attention on the FTX prosecutions and on how sentencing outcomes have played out for cooperating witnesses.

Some outlets have noted that Ellison’s cooperation with prosecutors did not prevent a prison term, while others point to the relatively brief time she will now spend in a secure facility.

Ellison’s projected early release on February 20, 2026 remains subject to Bureau of Prisons rules and any adjustments that could arise from administrative reviews.

Featured image from Getty Images, chart from TradingView

According to statements reported by Russian news agencies, Anatoly Aksakov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Financial Markets, said cryptocurrencies “will never become money” in Russia and should be treated only as investment instruments. He said that where a payment is required, it must be made in Russian rubles.

Ruble Remains Sole Payment Unit

Based on reports, that stance matches existing law. A 2020 federal law on digital financial assets defines digital currency as something different from Russia’s monetary unit and bars its use as a means of payment inside the country. The law treats tokens and classic cryptocurrencies as property or investment items rather than legal tender.

Russia Central Bank Concerns Over Stability

Officials in Moscow have repeatedly echoed the central bank’s worry that allowing crypto for everyday payments could harm monetary control and financial stability. Regulators say the ruble’s role must be protected, and that volatility in assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum makes them unsuitable for regular transactions.

Limited Windows For Crypto Use

Reports have also noted that while crypto cannot be used to buy goods and services domestically, it can still exist in regulated pockets. Lawmakers and regulators are framing cryptocurrencies as tradable assets, not cash.

Some narrow exceptions are being discussed for corporate or cross-border operations under strict rules, but those do not change the basic ban on domestic payments.

What The Law Means For People And Business

Practical effects are clear. Russian residents and businesses cannot accept digital coins in place of rubles for sales or services. At the same time, individuals can hold, trade, or invest in crypto under the framework that separates ownership from payment rights. The law also requires public officials to declare holdings in digital assets, linking transparency rules to the new regime.

A Narrowing Path Forward

Based on reports from several outlets, the political message is firm: payments stay in rubles. Lawmakers are talking about refining rules for trading, custody and reporting, but they are not signalling a shift toward letting cryptocurrencies replace the ruble for daily use. That position keeps Russia on a different track from some countries that permit crypto payments or give coins legal tender status.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

A bipartisan bill introduced on Dec. 15, 2025 would form a national response to rising cryptocurrency fraud, aiming to give law enforcement and regulators new tools to stop scams as they happen.

According to the sponsors, the Strengthening Agency Frameworks for Enforcement of Cryptocurrency (SAFE Crypto) Act creates a coordinated federal effort to detect, track, and shut down illicit schemes that use crypto rails.

Task Force To Target Crypto Scams

The bill would set up a task force that pulls together Treasury officials, federal and local law enforcement, regulators, and private-sector experts to share intelligence and act quickly on threats.

Reports have disclosed that the legislation is pitched as a way to get real-time visibility on suspicious activity and to give local police better technical help when they investigate.

Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) are listed as the bill’s proponents. The measure appears in Congress under a title that would establish a “Task Force for Recognizing and Averting Cryptocurrency Scams,” and is referenced by bill number S.3428 in congressional records. As of Dec. 17, 2025, the full legislative text had not been posted on the Congressional site.

Public Education And Local Support

The sponsors say the task force will do more than hunt scammers. It will fund public awareness work so consumers can spot fake investment pitches, phishing schemes, and impersonation fraud.

Local law enforcement would get training and access to blockchain analytics tools, the backers say, so officers can follow illicit funds and identify criminal networks before victims lose large sums.

Industry figures quoted in the announcement said crypto fraud has been large and growing. According to one industry policy lead cited by the sponsors, “Over the last two years, we’ve tracked billions in scams and fraud across the crypto ecosystem.” That warning is a central piece of the case lawmakers are making for faster, coordinated action.

ngl a lot of memecoin etc scammers will probably end up shitting themselves if this goes hard, it fills a regulatory/enforcement gap that many probably assumed is permanent/long-term https://t.co/AdKlzVPh9D

— _gabrielShapir0 (@lex_node) December 16, 2025

Cybercriminals: Panic Mode

Gabriel Shapiro, general counsel at crypto investment firm Delphi Labs, said that if the SAFE Crypto Act is carried out effectively, it could leave crypto scammers scrambling to stay ahead of enforcement.

Shapiro added in a post on X on Tuesday that “scammers will probably end up sh*tting themselves if this goes hard,” stressing that the US attorney general, the director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, and the director of the US Secret Service would be among the senior officials leading efforts to pursue the bad guys.

Why Lawmakers Are Pushing Now

Lawmakers argue that criminals have grown more skilled at using decentralized systems and cross-border services to hide proceeds. The SAFE Crypto Act is being presented as a way to narrow that gap by making public and private responders work from a shared playbook. The initiative is part of a wave of digital currency-related policy moves being discussed in Congress this year.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

According to new research commissioned by the Financial Conduct Authority, the share of UK adults who hold cryptocurrencies has fallen to 8% in 2025, down from 12% a year earlier.

Survey Shows Smaller Numbers Holding Crypto

Fieldwork for the FCA study ran from 5th August to 2nd September 2025, using a YouGov online panel to collect a nationally representative sample of 2,353 interviews plus a boosted sample of people who own or previously owned crypto. Awareness of cryptocurrencies remains high at 91%, even as fewer people report owning them.

The drop marks the first fall in overall ownership in the last four years, although ownership is still about double the level recorded in 2021. That suggests some people who held small amounts have pulled back while a core of larger holders remains active.

Average Holdings Have Increased

Reports have disclosed that the mix of holdings has shifted upward. The proportion of holders with crypto worth between £1,001 and £5,000 rose to over 20%, and those with holdings of £5,001 to £10,000 increased to around 10%.

At the same time, reported small holdings under £100 have declined. Many users also reported net gains in 2025, with a majority saying their portfolios rose in value over the year.

Among people who still hold crypto, Bitcoin is the most common asset at 57%, followed by Ether at 43%. Other tokens are far less widely held, though Solana registers with about 21% of holders. These figures point to concentration in a few large names even as overall participation shrinks.

Regulators Move To Tighten Rules

The FCA published this research as part of a broader push to bring the sector under clearer rules. The regulator has launched consultations on proposals covering trading platforms, market safeguards and rules for staking, lending and custody. Reports show the consultation process is part of a wider government plan that aims to start formal regulation of cryptoassets by October 2027.

What This Means For Markets And Consumers

Traders and platforms will likely watch these trends closely. A smaller base of retail owners can mean less retail-driven volatility, but it can also reduce everyday familiarity with crypto in the wider public.

At the same time, higher average portfolio sizes raise the stakes for consumer losses when markets wobble. The FCA’s work on clearer rules comes amid growing government attention to market integrity and consumer protection.

In short, fewer Britons now report owning crypto, yet those who remain tend to hold larger sums and favor the top coins. The figures from the FCA suggest a market that is thinning at the edges while concentration and regulatory scrutiny rise.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Bhutan has pledged up to 10,000 bitcoin — roughly $1 billion — to back the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City, a new special economic zone the crown is promoting as a hub for sustainable industry and jobs.

Reports have disclosed the allocation was announced on national day and framed as a long-term commitment to fund the city’s growth rather than a quick selloff of reserves.

King Announces Bitcoin Allocation

According to King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the pledge is meant “for our people, our youth, and our nation,” and aims to make every Bhutanese “a custodian, stakeholder, and beneficiary” of the project. The statement linked the Bitcoin allocation directly to the government’s plan to support economic opportunity inside Gelephu.

Bhutan and Cumberland DRW have signed a multi-year MoU to build a responsible digital asset ecosystem in Gelephu Mindfulness City, guided by the vision of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

The partnership focuses on sustainable digital asset infrastructure,… pic.twitter.com/IJR7t3oHYl

— gmcbhutan (@gmcbhutan) December 15, 2025

Plan For Digital Reserves

Based on reports, officials say the 10,000 BTC will be held with an eye toward preserving value while generating returns through careful, risk-managed strategies — not by liquidating the holdings immediately.

The government has also signed a multi-year memorandum of understanding with market maker Cumberland DRW to help build digital-asset infrastructure and explore reserve management, stablecoins, and renewable energy-based mining inside the zone.

City Details And Goals

The Mindfulness City covers a very large area and has been pitched as an economic response to youth emigration, low birth rates, and lagging jobs.

Reports from earlier coverage describe the plan as a mix of green energy, tech, tourism, and regulated finance, with space set aside for vetted businesses and infrastructure projects such as an airport and dry port. the project’s promoters present it as a way to create higher-value work without abandoning Bhutan’s environmental and social aims.

Partnerships And Practical Steps

Officials say the partnership with Cumberland will focus on building market access and institutional-grade operations for the city’s crypto activities, including experimenting with a national stablecoin and sustainable mining tied to renewable power. Local leaders have sought legal and investment partners to give investors a clearer route into the zone’s projects.

Global Implications And Risks

Analysts note this is one of the larger sovereign moves toward using bitcoin as a development tool, and the pledge raises clear questions about governance, transparency, and the possible exposure of state coffers to crypto price swings.

Reports flag both opportunity and risk: the funds could underwrite major projects, but they also require careful oversight to avoid losses that would hurt public services.

Featured image from Visit Bhutan, chart from TradingView

Michael Saylor’s firm Strategy continues to make Bitcoin headlines with its enormous purchases, making it one of the largest holders in the world.

Reports show the company owns 671,268 Bitcoin, roughly 3.2% of the total supply, valued at about $58.61 billion at the time of publication, according to Saylor Tracker.

Bitcoin entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano said on his podcast that it would be extremely difficult for any other public company to match Strategy’s buying pace.

Massive Holdings And Recent Purchase

Strategy announced a fresh buy of 10,645 Bitcoin for $980.3 million, paying an average of $92,098 per coin. That move pushed its total hoard to roughly 3.2% of all Bitcoin in existence. Those are large figures. They also show why rivals would need huge sums to close the gap.

Pompliano On The Scale Needed To Compete

According to comments made on The Pomp Podcast, Pompliano said that a company trying to match Strategy would have to “raise hundreds of billions of dollars.” He said it would be “very hard to see that happening.”

He pointed to Strategy’s early entry in 2020, when Saylor’s initial purchase was about $500 million while Bitcoin traded between $9,000 and $10,000.

That initial stake, based on current prices cited in reports, is now worth more than $4.8 billion with Bitcoin trading around $86,950.

Market Impact And Buying Method

Market watchers have flagged Strategy’s growing share as something to watch. Some worry a single large holder could influence price moves. Others note the firm does most of its buying through over-the-counter desks.

OTC trades are used to handle big orders without sending shockwaves through exchange order books. Many investors see the regular, large purchases as a positive sign for Bitcoin demand.

Holding Strategy And Influence Concerns

Pompliano described 3.2% as “a big number, but it’s also a small number.” He added, “It’s not like they own 10%.” That view captures a split: the holding is large enough to matter for supply dynamics and market psychology, but not so large that it gives absolute control. Still, the combination of size and repeated buys draws attention from traders and regulators alike.

Outlook And Long Term Plans

Reports quote Strategy’s CEO Phong Lee as saying the company probably won’t sell any Bitcoin until at least 2065. Saylor has also posted that he plans on “buying the top forever.” Those statements reinforce a long-term stance rather than short-term trading. The market tends to treat such commitments as bullish, and many participants adjust expectations for future demand accordingly.

A Dominant Buyer

With 671,268 Bitcoin on the books and a steady program of purchases, Strategy remains a dominant public buyer.

Based on current numbers and public comments, it will be difficult for another listed company to match that level of accumulation without very large capital raises or a dramatic change in corporate behavior.

The pace set by Strategy is likely to keep drawing attention from investors watching supply and demand for Bitcoin.

Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView

More than 100 new crypto exchange-traded products could hit the market in 2026 after a recent rule change by the US securities regulator, a researcher at Bitwise said. According to Ryan Rasmussen, that drop in red tape will let firms file many more ETPs without the long, individual approval process that slowed launches in the past.

Regulatory Shift Lowers Bar

The SEC issued generic listing standards in October that remove the need for separate 19(b) approvals for qualifying crypto ETPs. That step cuts out a process some issuers had to wait through — a delay that could stretch to a 240-day clock under earlier practice.

Reports have disclosed that the number of crypto ETPs already sits above 300, based on data from Fineqia International, which shows the market is no longer limited to just a few funds.

LIVE NOW – 10 Crypto Predictions for 2026: $1M BTC, Wall Street Onchain & ETF Takeover@BitwiseInvest’s @Matt_Hougan and @RasterlyRock return with 10 big predictions for 2026.

We get into:

– The $1M BTC case and why the classic 4-year cycle might be dead. – A world where ETFs… pic.twitter.com/fgELVnu6Zu

— Bankless (@Bankless) December 16, 2025

Institutional Appetite

Market watchers say new listings make it easier for issuers. But easier access is not the same thing as strong buying. Bitfinex analysts warned in August that altcoins are unlikely to enjoy a major rally until ETFs that track assets beyond the largest coins are available and attract real money. Liquidity, investor interest, and clear use cases still matter a lot. An ETF wrapper does not fix those basic needs by itself.

Issuers Race To Expand Menus

Rasmussen said issuers can now plan a variety of products — spot crypto, index funds, equity-linked ETPs, smart beta strategies and momentum plays.

He compared the change to moving from a tiny menu to a much larger one, saying investors will have more choices about where to put money. He also noted it has been about 15 years since the Winklevoss twins first filed for a Bitcoin ETF, and yet only a handful of crypto ETPs are widely held today.

Many New Products, Few Big Winners

Expect a wave of filings. But expect concentration too. In the wider ETF market, most assets gather in a few large funds while many other listings see thin trading.

That pattern is likely to repeat in crypto: dozens of niche products may be launched, while a smaller group gathers most assets under management. Issuers get to plant flags quickly. Investors will sort the winners from the rest over time.

WOW. The SEC has approved Generic Listing Standards for “Commodity Based Trust Shares” aka includes crypto ETPs. This is the crypto ETP framework we’ve been waiting for. Get ready for a wave of spot crypto ETP launches in coming weeks and months. pic.twitter.com/xDKCuj41mc

— James Seyffart (@JSeyff) September 17, 2025

Market Reaction Hinges On Demand

On Sept. 17, Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart said the rule change could trigger a “wave of spot crypto ETP launches.”

He added that clearer rules could lead to several similar products being rolled out around the same time, raising competition among issuers while making it harder for weaker funds to gain traction.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Lightning Network capacity hit a new high this week as major exchanges put more Bitcoin into off-chain channels, boosting the network’s total liquidity and changing how users move BTC.

Exchange Support Drives Capacity

According to reports, the Lightning Network’s public capacity climbed to about 5,606 BTC, with some trackers briefly showing a peak near 5,637 BTC. That is a clear uptick from earlier levels and marks the highest recorded total so far.

Exchanges including Binance and OKX have been named as contributors that added Bitcoin to Lightning channels, and other platforms such as Kraken and Bitfinex are expanding their support as well. These deposits are aimed at speeding up deposits and withdrawals and cutting fees for customers.

Network Activity Vs. Public Nodes

Based on reports, that increase in capacity has not been matched by a big rise in the number of public nodes or channels. Public node counts sit near 14,940, while public channels are roughly 48,678.

In other words, more Bitcoin is available inside the network, but the number of hands handling traffic has not jumped in the same way. Some of this extra liquidity is concentrated in larger, custodial channels run by exchanges, which can move big sums without creating many new public routes.

That makes on-chain metrics a bit harder to read. Transaction counts and on-chain fee savings do show real user benefits, even when the node graph looks stable.

A separate figure that shows real usage is the share of exchange traffic routed over Lightning. Based on reports, one exchange has routed around 15% of its Bitcoin transactions via Lightning rails after adopting Lightning integrations, pointing to meaningful operational changes at major platforms.

New Use Cases And Funding

Funding and protocol work are following capacity growth. Tether led a round that raised about $8 million for a startup focused on payments over Lightning, indicating interest in stablecoin flows on the network.

Announcing Taproot Assets v0.7, now with reusable addresses, a fully auditable asset supply, and larger, more reliable transactions.

With this release, we are laying the foundation for trillions of dollars to flow on bitcoin and Lightning.

Read more below. Upgrade today!

— Lightning Labs (@lightning) December 16, 2025

Protocol upgrades — including work around Taproot-related asset handling and reliability improvements — are also being rolled out to support more varied payments and token types. These developments point to Lightning being used for things beyond tiny tips: remittances, merchant payments, and stablecoin transfers are being tested more widely.

Market watchers say this mix of exchange liquidity, developer upgrades, and rising on-platform usage could make Lightning a more practical rail for everyday BTC movement.

Some critics warn that heavier reliance on custodial channels raises centralization risks and reduces the visibility of true peer-to-peer routing. Others note that improved user experience, lower costs, and faster finality are what ordinary users will notice first.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

United States President Donald Trump said he would review the case of Keonne Rodriguez, a co-founder of the Samourai Wallet, and signaled he might consider clemency.

According to reporters present at a White House exchange, Trump said he would “take a look” and asked that the matter be examined by the Attorney General.

The comment came after federal prosecutors secured guilty pleas and later sent Rodriguez to prison.

Statement On A High-Profile Sentencing

According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Rodriguez and a co-defendant, William Lonergan Hill, pleaded guilty to charges tied to running an unlicensed money-transmitting business and related conspiracy counts.

Reports have disclosed that the service was linked to more than $230 million in criminal proceeds. Prosecutors said those transfers were connected in their factual recitation to narcotics trafficking, darknet markets, cyber intrusions, frauds, sanctioned jurisdictions and other criminal activity.

Sentencing And Legal Outcomes

Based on court filings and public notices, the guilty pleas were entered in late July 2025 and sentencing took place on November 19, 2025.

The Department of Justice has also pursued forfeiture tied to the amounts it described in court, and fines were assessed at the time of sentence.

These actions were carried out by federal prosecutors in Manhattan, who handled the investigation and prosecution.

Responding to Trump’s remarks, Rodriguez said “This President knows all about lawfare.”

I have always said that the most challenging aspect of getting a pardon for me and Bill would be getting the attention of @realDonaldTrump. He is very busy with many people competing for his attention. Today, thanks to the journalist at Decrypt, the President is aware of our… https://t.co/lmYljfFax9

— Keonne Rodriguez (@keonne) December 15, 2025

Trump Pardon: How A Presidential Review Might Move Forward

The process for clemency typically involves the Office of the Pardon Attorney at the Justice Department, which vets petitions and may seek input from prosecutors and judges.

The president, however, has broad constitutional authority to grant pardons or commutations for federal offenses.

In this case, press accounts say the president asked that the Attorney General examine the matter, which could lead to a formal review of any clemency petition.

Political And Public Reactions

Reports have varied in tone, with some outlets focusing on the scale of the funds prosecutors said were moved — $237 million — and others highlighting the unusual nature of a president publicly saying he would “look into” an active clemency matter shortly after sentencing.

Legal experts note that public comments from a sitting president can speed attention to a case, but they do not guarantee relief.

Opinions among commentators are mixed; some urge careful review while others stress that federal sentences reflect convictions from established court processes.

Featured image from Bloomberg via Getty Images, chart from TradingView

💾

According to reports, Visa has created a new stablecoin advisory service through its Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA) division.

The initiative is designed to help banks, fintechs, merchants, and other large companies explore how stablecoins can be used for payments, treasury operations, and other business processes.

The program combines market research, technology integration support, and training to give clients practical guidance as they test and adopt stablecoin solutions.

Visa Expands Advisory Services

Sources indicate the advisory practice will provide market-fit assessments, strategy development, go-to-market planning, and technical enablement.

Visa has even launched a specialized stablecoin course via Visa University to train clients on the fundamentals and practical application of these digital assets.

The service aims to help organizations move from pilot programs to fully operational stablecoin systems while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.

BREAKING: Visa launches Stablecoin Advisory Practice

Every bank is asking the same question right now: “What’s our stablecoin strategy?”

And when they don’t know the answer, who do they call?

Their card network.

—

Visa just formalized what was probably happening…

— Simon Taylor (@sytaylor) December 15, 2025

Early Clients And Market Context

Based on reports, several US financial institutions are among the first clients, including Navy Federal Credit Union, VyStar Credit Union, and Pathward.

The digital payments technology company has reported that its stablecoin settlement volume has reached an annualized run rate of roughly $3.5 billion as of late November 2025. The company supports over 130 stablecoin-linked card programs across more than 40 countries.

The overall stablecoin market has surpassed $250 billion in total value, highlighting strong interest from both retail and institutional participants.

Partnerships And Pilot Programs

Reports show Visa has been piloting stablecoin settlements for several years, including early work with USDC in 2023. Partnerships with firms like Aquanow have expanded settlement capabilities in regions such as Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Visa also experimented with initiatives allowing businesses to make cross-border payments using stablecoins for pre-funding, in an effort to lower transaction costs and manage liquidity.

The Importance And Rise Of Stablecoins

According to analysts quoted in news reports, the use of stablecoins by banks and fintechs for various purposes such as cross-border payments and business-to-business payments is being explored.

The advisory service offered by Visa assists the traditional firm in understanding the options available to them while implementing controls and incorporating new technology into existing payment systems. Such overall expertise in technology and regulations puts the company on their advisory panel to pilot their stablecoin offering.

Featured image from Wikimedia, chart from TradingView

Michael Arrington, the founder of TechCrunch and CrunchBase, has placed XRP among his largest personal crypto holdings, according to a recent social post.

He listed XRP as one of his top five positions by dollar value, alongside Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and Immutable. The disclosure landed plenty of attention online and reignited debate about who is buying what and why.

Arrington’s Holdings And Community Reaction

Reports have disclosed that his post drew heavy engagement, with replies running the gamut from Bitcoin-only stances to more mixed portfolios.

Several industry figures echoed Arrington’s mix; Tony Edward, for example, listed XRP with BTC and ETH when discussing core positions.

The debate was loud and fast on social feeds. Some users framed the move as a vote of confidence. Others warned that one investor’s choices do not equal a market-wide shift.

Tell me your top five crypto holdings (by total dollar value).

Mine are XRP, BTC, ETH and IMX

— Michael Arrington (@arrington) December 13, 2025

Institutional Moves Follow

Based on reports, Arrington’s public support is tied to direct institutional activity. In October, Arrington Capital joined Ripple and SBI Holdings to back an initiative by Evernorth aimed at building a large institutional XRP treasury.

The project, which has been described in some circles as among the biggest of its kind, aims to increase institutional use of XRP and to support on-ledger activity such as decentralized finance and lending.

That involvement means Arrington is more than a vocal supporter; he is also tied to projects that could change how institutions use the token.

XRP Market Moves And Key Figures

XRP’s market picture has been mixed. As of December 16, 2025, the token was trading around $1.98, having held in a roughly $2.00 to $2.20 band in recent sessions.

There was a small daily lift of about 1.2% to roughly $2.08 on Monday, which helped the token cover some ground after early-December weakness.

The year has seen bigger swings: XRP peaked near $3.65 in July before giving back some gains. Activity in regulated derivatives has also grown.

Reports point to XRP futures on the CME reaching a record open interest of roughly $3 billion in late October 2025, a figure that market watchers say reflects rising institutional appetite for regulated exposure.

A Past Claim That No Longer Holds

Arrington has previously highlighted XRP’s strong performance. In March, he tweeted that XRP had been the best-performing major asset across multiple time frames — 90 days, 180 days, one year and three years.

That claim no longer lines up with current rankings. Performance metrics have shifted since then, and the statement has been overtaken by later results.

Featured image from Bitpanda Blog, chart from TradingView

According to a Grayscale outlook released Monday, the asset manager expects rising demand for alternatives and clearer rules in the US to push Bitcoin to a new all-time high in the first half of 2026.

The report lays out 10 key investing themes for 2026 and ties the Bitcoin call to two main forces: growing portfolio demand for stores of value and what Grayscale describes as improving regulatory clarity.

Spot-Bitcoin ETPs reached the market in 2024, the firm notes, and Congress passed the GENIUS Act in 2025, steps that the report says reduce barriers for big investors.

Macro Risks And Demand For Crypto

Grayscale frames its outlook around a simple macro point. Rising public debt and the risk that fiat currencies lose buying power are pushing some money toward Bitcoin and Ether, the report says.

That argument will sound familiar to many institutional buyers. It is also a broad claim. No exact price targets were offered for Bitcoin, only a view that valuations will climb in 2026 and that the so-called four-year cycle may be ending.

Stablecoins are another major theme. Grayscale expects stablecoin use to grow: cross-border payments, collateral on derivatives, even use on corporate balance sheets are all mentioned as likely developments.

Asset Tokenization And DeFi Growth

Reports have disclosed that Grayscale sees asset tokenization reaching an inflection point next year. Lending protocols and staking are singled out as areas where activity could expand.

The firm foresees practical outcomes: stablecoins in payment rails, more institutional access to staking, and tokenized assets showing up in trading and custody systems.

Grayscale also flags two narratives it does not expect to move markets in 2026 — quantum computing risk for crypto and digital asset treasuries — saying research will continue but valuations are unlikely to be affected this soon.

Over the past 3 months, the average return across nearly all crypto sectors has underperformed Bitcoin. This persistent relative weakness highlights a market environment where capital concentration favours BTC.

https://t.co/rFisuVfSY7 https://t.co/lpXqEe9bbW pic.twitter.com/WNtKEKclX7

— glassnode (@glassnode) December 16, 2025

Onchain Data Suggests Quiet Caution

Meanwhile, data from onchain analytics group Glassnode was also cited in this context. Over the last three months, Glassnode reports, the average return across most crypto sectors has underperformed Bitcoin, indicating capital concentration in BTC.

That has not translated into strong faith in leadership. A separate institutional feed, Bitcoin Vector, said dominance fell in the second half of the year, with ETH rotations cutting into BTC’s lead and a weaker rebuild after deleveraging events. In short: funds appear to prefer holding Bitcoin, but are not placing big new bets.

Featured image from YourStory, chart from TradingView

Crypto executives pushed the US Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday to reconsider its approach to blockchain privacy, arguing that not all users of these tools are criminals.

The meeting, the SEC’s sixth crypto-focused roundtable this year, drew sharp exchanges between regulators and industry representatives over how privacy, identity verification, and stablecoin adoption intersect.

SEC Chair Paul Atkins opened the session with a warning: mishandling privacy could turn crypto into “the most powerful financial surveillance architecture ever invented.”

He cautioned that treating every wallet like a broker or every protocol as an exchange could create a system where every transaction is monitored.

Presumption Of Good Intent For Blockchain Privacy Users

Katherine Kirkpatrick Bos, general counsel at StarkWare, told reporters that regulators should not assume users of privacy tools are primarily engaged in wrongdoing. “Why must someone prove they are compliant upfront?” she asked.

“Instead, shouldn’t the starting point be that they are using it for legitimate purposes until proven otherwise?” She added that criminal use exists, but a balance is needed to avoid unfair suspicion.

More highlights from the @SECGov Crypto Task Force Roundtable on Financial Privacy & Surveillance

Three powerful voices made the case for privacy in crypto at the SEC’s roundtable:

J.W. Verret @theblockprof (George Mason Law) dropped a legal bombshell: He can’t find statutory… pic.twitter.com/jtSkFaltRK

— Paul Brigner (@paulbrigner) December 15, 2025

On Blockchain, AML And KYC Rules

The discussion also examined anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) rules. Kirkpatrick Bos criticized current practices, noting that photo IDs can be faked in seconds.

She suggested cryptography-based tools could verify identity without exposing unnecessary personal information, such as home addresses, while still preventing fraud. Projects like Sam Altman’s World are already testing cryptographic keys that prove users are human without revealing private data.

Wayne Chang, CEO of SpruceID, said privacy is a growing demand among users of stablecoins. Reports indicate millions of dollars in stablecoins could move on-chain if privacy features are available.

Some percentage of users will want to keep transactions private, Chang said. Privacy can drive adoption of stablecoins that haven’t fully migrated to on-chain systems, he said.

Atkins noted that blockchain and privacy tools have legitimate uses, including helping firms execute trades without tipping off competitors. Balancing public safety with privacy is critical, the SEC chief said.

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, who leads the agency’s crypto task force, opened the roundtable alongside Atkins and Commissioner Mark Uyeda, discussing ways regulators might protect investors while respecting privacy as blockchain financial activity grows.

Blockchain: Ongoing Tensions On The Spotlight

Industry insiders said the roundtable did not result in immediate policy changes but highlighted ongoing tensions.

Regulators are weighing the benefits of privacy against risks of misuse, while market participants push for protections that could influence adoption and growth.

Based on reports, these conversations are likely to continue as technology evolves and crypto use becomes more mainstream.

Featured image from Yellow, chart from TradingView 

According to reports, Coinbase has launched regulated futures linked to Shiba Inu, opening the token to trading on a US derivatives venue.

The new products include perpetual-style contracts and monthly futures tied to what Coinbase calls the 1k SHIB index (a 1,000 token index), with trading scheduled to run 24/7.

The rollout began on December 5, 2025, as part of a broader push by the exchange to add altcoin derivative listings under US rules.

Regulated Futures Hit The Market

Reports have disclosed that the perpetual contracts operate like offshore swaps in form but are offered through Coinbase’s regulated platform and are designed to include a funding-rate mechanism to keep prices close to spot.

Now live: Trade US Perpetual-Style Futures for all altcoins on Coinbase Derivatives, available 24/7.

→ Shiba Inu $SHIB → Avalanche $AVAX → Bitcoin Cash $BCH → Cardano $ADA → Chainlink $LINK → Dogecoin $DOGE → Hedera $HBAR → Litecoin $LTC → Polkadot $DOT → SUI $SUI →… pic.twitter.com/yjS2XsQ2jN

— Coinbase Markets (@CoinbaseMarkets) December 15, 2025

Monthly contracts were made available as an initial phase. Clearing and settlement are handled inside systems compatible with US oversight, and the products are described as compliant with Commodity Futures Trading Commission frameworks.

What Traders And Institutions Might Do

Market participants say having regulated futures can change who trades a token. Institutional desks and some large funds often need regulated venues and clearer custody paths before they increase exposure.

Added liquidity and round-the-clock pricing may attract more active traders, and that could raise volume. At the same time, access to futures also makes it easier to bet against the token, which can push volatility up. Reports note that immediate moves in spot markets have been mixed, showing that access to derivatives does not automatically lift the token’s price.

Because SHIB has regulated futures on Coinbase (“1k Shib Index”), it qualifies for spot ETF consideration under the same SEC pathway Bitcoin and Ethereum followed.

The big picture for SHIB

•SHIB now joins the “ETF-watchlist club” with other futures-backed cryptos. •If/when… pic.twitter.com/cZPxUWWhBn

— 𝐋𝐔𝐂𝐈𝐄 (@LucieSHIB) September 18, 2025

Market Context And Exchange Strategy

Coinbase’s decision follows steps the exchange has taken to grow its derivatives arm. Company filings and public letters in 2025 framed derivatives growth as a strategic priority, and the firm has pursued deals and product launches to expand those capabilities.

One notable deal disclosed earlier involved an agreement valued at close to $3 billion to strengthen derivatives know-how and infrastructure. This background helps explain why Coinbase is offering altcoin futures that trade continuously, under a regulated roof.

Featured image from Gemini, chart from TradingView

According to a post by former Canaan (a Chinese tech company) executive Jianping Kong, Bitcoin’s estimated hashrate fell roughly 10% in a single day, sliding from about 1,053 TH/s to just under 943 TH/s.

Kong said the decline equated to roughly 100 TH/s to 110 TH/s lost since Sunday and blamed the change on mining farms in China’s Xinjiang region shutting down.

He wrote that “at least 400,000 machines” were taken offline, using an assumed rate of 250 TH/s per ASIC as his basis.

China Mining Instability

Based on reports, China remains a volatile source of hashrate. Before 2021, China supplied a majority of the network’s computing power. Now estimates place its share closer to 14% to 20% depending on the data provider.

Cheap power has drawn miners back, but political and regulatory swings can push large clusters off the grid with little warning.

Kong framed the recent shutdowns bluntly, saying the temporary loss hands an advantage to other countries, adding that “the US wins without lifting a finger.”

Impact On Network

Data recorded the drop from 1,053 TH/s to about 943 TH/s, a decline of just over 110 TH/s and roughly 10%. That kind of move can change mining conditions.

Blocks may be found a little slower until the next difficulty adjustment. The network’s total hashrate is always an estimate inferred from on-chain data, so exact figures are not precise, but the size of this swing is large enough to show how concentrated pockets of mining can still move global metrics.

Kong’s machine-count estimate — and the 250 TH/s-per-ASIC figure he used — are his calculations, not a confirmed inventory count from operators on the ground.

Bitcoin Mining Operations And Market Shifts

Reports have disclosed that US mining companies are expanding capacity as global hashrate reallocates.

Hut 8 announced it is building four new mining sites in Texas, Louisiana and Illinois, adding 1.5 gigawatts of power capacity.

American Bitcoin, a company tied to the Trump family, is now part of that growth story; the firm acquired a fleet of 16,299 Antminer U3S21EXPH units from Bitmain and its board includes Eric Trump, the second-eldest of US President Donald Trump’s three sons. These moves underline a clear shift in where large-scale mining is happening.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

North Korean-linked hackers are using fake Zoom calls to drain crypto wallets in what security researchers say has become a near-daily threat to the cryptocurrency community. According to multiple security reports, the campaign has already netted roughly $300 million in stolen funds and shows few signs of slowing.

Fake Zoom Meetings Used To Drain Wallets

According to Security Alliance (SEAL) and other researchers, attackers first contact targets through messaging apps such as Telegram. They then invite victims to a video call that looks legitimate.

During the call, the impostors claim there is a problem with sound or video and offer a “fix” — a file or a link that appears to be an official update. When the victim runs the file, malware installs and begins stealing credentials, browser data, and crypto keys.

Several attacks are reported every day, and many follow the same pattern. Researchers say these staged calls let attackers bypass normal caution because people tend to trust someone they see on camera.

SEAL is tracking multiple DAILY attempts by North Korean actors utilizing “Fake Zoom” tactics for spreading malware as well as escalating their access to new victims.

Social engineering is at the root of the attack. Read the thread below for pointers on how to stay secure. https://t.co/2SQGdtPKGx

— Security Alliance (@_SEAL_Org) December 13, 2025

NimDoor, Other Malware Strains Target macOS And Wallets

Based on reports, one strain tied to these schemes is NimDoor, a macOS backdoor that can harvest keychain items, browser-stored passwords, and messaging data.

Security teams link NimDoor and related tools to BlueNoroff, a group connected to the Lazarus Group network. BlueNoroff has a long record of attacking crypto firms and exchanges.

Once the malware is in place, wallets have been emptied within minutes. Victims often discover the theft only after seeing outgoing transactions on the blockchain.

Deepfakes And Calendar Invites Make Scams More Convincing

Researchers warn that attackers are not simply using fake names. They are also deploying AI-assisted deepfake video and voice tools to impersonate executives or known contacts.

Attackers sometimes send calendar invites that look like genuine meeting requests from platforms such as Calendly, directing targets to attacker-controlled Zoom links.

The level of social engineering makes the calls seem urgent and official, which reduces the time victims take to question what they are being asked to install.

Attackers Target Individuals And Small Firms Alike

Reports have disclosed that victims include individual traders, startup employees, and small teams at crypto companies. Losses are concentrated but widespread, with estimates around $300,000,000.

Some victims have lost funds tied to browser wallets and hot wallets; others had recovery phrases captured and used to drain accounts.

Security teams urge quick action when a suspicious update is offered during a remote session: They warn not to run it, verify separately, and treat unsolicited meeting fixes as high risk.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

JPMorgan Asset Management has introduced a tokenized money-market fund built on the Ethereum blockchain, according to company filings and industry reports.

The fund, called My OnChain Net Yield Fund (MONY), issues shares as digital tokens that live on the public Ethereum network and are aimed at qualified investors through the bank’s Morgan Money platform.

JPMorgan Issues Tokenized Fund On Ethereum

Based on reports, MONY holds familiar, low-risk instruments such as US Treasury securities and repurchase agreements fully backed by Treasuries.

The bank says the token shares represent direct ownership of the fund and can be held at blockchain addresses, opening up on-chain settlement and recordkeeping for a product that normally sits in traditional custody systems.

Seeded With $100 Million

Reports have disclosed that JPMorgan seeded MONY with $100 million of its own capital at launch. The move is meant to kickstart liquidity and show institutional seriousness about putting cash management products on-chain.

The tokenization work is being handled by internal teams tied to JPMorgan’s digital-assets efforts, and the bank has been testing ways to move conventional securities into token form for several years.

How The Tokens Work And Who Can Use Them

Investors receive tokenized fund shares that may be transferred or recorded on Ethereum. Based on reports, access is limited: the fund is offered only to qualified clients via Morgan Money, not to the general retail public.

The token structure mirrors traditional fund economics — holders are exposed to the same short-term instruments that underpin money-market products — but the record of ownership is stored on a public ledger.

Qualified Investors And Access

According to coverage, institutional clients with asset levels above $25 million and accredited individuals with at least $5 million are among those eligible, and the minimum initial investment sits at roughly $1 million.

That narrow access aligns with regulatory guardrails for tokenized securities and with the bank’s goal of serving big, sophisticated cash managers first.

Analysts say the launch is part of a broader push by big asset managers to experiment with tokenized share classes and on-chain settlement.

Other firms have run pilots with similar ideas, and some have already put cash-like products on Ethereum. Based on reports, the move points to an industry desire to test whether blockchain can speed up settlement, increase transparency, or create new on-chain liquidity for institutional cash flows.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

According to reports, the UK Treasury will extend existing finance laws to cover cryptoasset firms, with the new rules set to take effect in October 2027.

This means exchanges, wallet providers and other crypto service companies will move beyond current anti-money-laundering registration and into the same regulatory space as banks and brokers.

Regulators To Apply Existing Rules

Based on statements from ministers and officials, the Financial Conduct Authority will be the main supervisor for the sector. Firms will be required to meet standards on reporting, governance and customer protections similar to those applied in traditional finance.

The shift is described as bringing clarity for businesses that want to operate long term in the UK, while giving regulators tools to act against fraud and market abuse.

UK TO REGULATE CRYPTO UNDER FINANCIAL LAW FROM 2027

– The UK will bring cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin under full financial regulation from 2027, placing crypto alongside traditional financial products, per Reuters.

– The Treasury plans to extend existing financial laws to… pic.twitter.com/RhWK96NN51

— BSCN (@BSCNews) December 15, 2025

Consumer Safeguards And Market Integrity

Reports have disclosed that one of the core aims is stronger consumer protection. Officials say the changes will help block bad actors and reduce scams, and that the Treasury is also considering tighter rules around political donations made with crypto. The move follows a series of high-profile fraud cases and growing public concern about safety in crypto markets.

The road to full regulation will be gradual. The Treasury has circulated draft legislation and ministers expect complementary rules from the FCA and the Bank of England to be ready by the end of 2026, ahead of the legal regime going live in 2027. Consultations and regulatory sandboxes are under way, giving firms time to adjust.

How This Compares Internationally

Based on reports, the UK’s plan is being framed more like the US approach than the EU’s Markets in Cryptoassets (MiCA), which was introduced in 2024.

Officials say closer alignment with US practice should help international firms that operate across borders, but it also raises questions about how UK rules will differ from both US and EU requirements in practice.

A draft bill has been prepared and it has had only minor edits since first being published, according to government sources.

Industry responses are mixed: some firms welcome the certainty, while lawyers and trade groups want clearer detail on how existing conduct rules will apply to crypto business models. The FCA is running targeted workstreams, including tests for stablecoin issuers and custody providers.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView