‍Over $120M in SUI, ENA, and SANTOS Tokens Set for Release Next Week Next week, the cryptocurrency market anticipates significant movements with token unlocks totaling over $120 million. Key releases include: • Sui (SUI):*• 55.54 million tokens (~$85 million) on December 1st. • Ethena (ENA):*• 95.31 million tokens (~$27.2 million) on December 2nd. • Santos FC Fan Token (SANTOS):*• 5.7 million tokens (~$12.7 million), representing 19% of its total supply, on December 1st. • Walrus (WAL):*• 32.7 million tokens on December 1st. These unlocks could introduce substantial supply increases and potential selling pressure, impacting asset prices if demand does not keep pace.
‍LBank Boosthub Launches BeraBTC Vault Token (BVTBERABTC) with Substantial Rewards LBank's Boosthub platform introduces the BeraBTC Vault Token (BVTBERABTC), offering users a share from a pool of 153,846 tokens. This initiative expands Boosthub's focus on early-stage digital assets and sustained token rewards. Registration is open for two participation pools, with distribution set for December 5th. BVTBERABTC, developed by the Batoshi Foundation, adapts MicroStrategy's Bitcoin reserve strategy to an on-chain environment, transforming Bitcoin-pegged assets into composable assets for DeFi applications.
‍KuCoin Strengthens Australian Presence with PGA Partnership and AUSTRAC Registration KuCoin has announced a strategic partnership with the 2025 BMW Australian PGA Championship and secured registration as a Digital Currency Exchange (DCE) provider with AUSTRAC. These developments highlight KuCoin's commitment to expanding its presence and operating compliantly within Australia. The exchange also established a new office in Sydney and appointed James Pinch as Australian Managing Director, signaling a long-term investment in the local market and its Web3 ecosystem.
‍Bitcoin Mining Difficulty to Increase Amidst Profitability Challenges and Bitmain Probe The Bitcoin mining difficulty is set to rise around December 11, further squeezing miner profitability. This comes as the industry faces scrutiny over Bitmain, the leading hardware manufacturer, with the US Department of Homeland Security investigating potential espionage risks associated with its mining equipment. A significant probe into Bitmain, which holds an estimated 80% market share, could trigger severe supply chain disruptions for the global crypto mining sector. These combined pressures highlight the complex operating environment for Bitcoin miners worldwide.
‍Hyperliquid Unlocks $60M in HYPE Tokens Amidst Price Concerns Hyperliquid DEX has released 1.75 million HYPE tokens, valued at over $60.4 million, to developers and core contributors. This pre-scheduled unlock, part of the platform's vesting schedule and marking its first anniversary, has led to market discussions about potential selling pressure and price impact. Despite a community-focused model rewarding early adopters, the unlock triggered a ~4.6% price decline. Arthur Hayes of BitMEX noted that even with team assurances, sustained selling pressure is a possibility that may already be "priced in." HYPE has fallen ~42% from its September all-time high and is trading below its 200-day moving average. However, Hyperliquid continues to impress with significant monthly trading volumes and revenue generation, indicating underlying operational strength despite token volatility.
‍SEC Commissioner Peirce Advocates for Crypto Self-Custody Amidst ETF Growth SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, known as "Crypto Mom," has strongly reaffirmed the fundamental right to crypto self-custody and financial privacy. She stated, "It has become the presumption that if you want to keep your transactions private, you're doing something wrong, but it should be exactly the opposite presumption." This advocacy comes as some Bitcoin whales and long-term holders shift towards ETFs, attracted by tax benefits and simplified management. Dr. Martin Hiesboeck of Uphold noted this as the first decline in self-custodied Bitcoin in 15 years, partly due to the SEC's approval of in-kind creations for crypto ETFs. This trend sparks debate, with critics questioning the move away from the "not your keys, not your coins" principle.
‍Insider Trading Infects Institutional Crypto Treasuries Shane Molidor, founder of Forgd, highlights how insider trading is expanding from token launches into Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs). Early institutions often deprioritize compliance, especially in Eastern markets, focusing on rapid profit. Engineered token launches and strategic treasury fundraising for less liquid assets create opportunities for front-running and price manipulation. Molidor stresses the need for better alignment and understanding between crypto founders and institutional investors to foster transparency.
‍Mario Götze Dives into Venture Capital with Companion-M Former football star Mario Götze is launching his venture capital firm, Companion-M, focusing on seed and pre-seed stage companies in software, healthcare, cybersecurity, and biotech. Götze has been preparing for this transition for years, having previously invested in startups and shown interest in digital assets like NFTs. He reportedly reviews about 100 potential deals monthly and is also exploring private credit opportunities, aiming for one or two more investments by year-end.
‍Arthur Hayes: Monad a Risky "VC Coin" with 99% Plunge Potential Crypto veteran Arthur Hayes has warned that Monad, a new layer-1 blockchain, is a "high-risk project fueled by venture capital hype." He characterized it as a "high FDV, low-float VC coin," predicting a potential 99% price crash due to its token structure. Hayes believes such models lead to early surges followed by steep sell-offs as insider tokens unlock. Despite concerns about Monad, Hayes remains bullish on the broader crypto market, citing expected monetary expansion. He anticipates only a few protocols, including BTC, ETH, SOL, and ZEC, will endure the next cycle. Hayes also predicts a rise in privacy technologies and institutional adoption centered on Ethereum.
‍China Overhauls Cash Deposit Oversight with New Risk-Based AML Rules China has abolished the requirement for individuals to declare the source of funds for cash deposits exceeding 50,000 yuan (~$7,000 USD). This change is part of a broader AML overhaul, effective January 1, 2025, shifting to a risk-based approach for financial institutions. The revised Anti-Money Laundering Law also expands compliance to Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) and introduces stricter measures against illicit use of digital assets, including blocking suspicious virtual asset transactions. These updates align China with global AML/CTF standards.