‍Grayscale Poised to Unveil US's Inaugural Spot Chainlink ETF This Week Crypto asset management firm Grayscale is reportedly set to launch the United States' first spot Chainlink exchange-traded fund (ETF) this week, anticipated as early as December 2. This development marks a new milestone for digital asset investment products, offering investors direct exposure to Chainlink (LINK) through a regulated financial vehicle. The ETF is designed to track the spot price of LINK and incorporate returns from staking LINK. This move aligns with a broader trend of increasing regulatory approvals for crypto-backed investment products in the US, with over 100 crypto ETFs potentially launching in the next six months.
‍Crypto Lending Market Surges to $25 Billion Amid Transparency Push The crypto lending market has reached its highest level since Q1 2022, with outstanding loans soaring to nearly $25 billion in Q3. This surge is driven by increased transparency in centralized finance (CeFi) platforms and record growth in decentralized finance (DeFi). Tether leads CeFi lending with a $14.6 billion market share, followed by Nexo and Galaxy. CeFi lenders have adopted stricter risk controls and full collateralization post-2022 crises. DeFi lending also hit an all-time high of $40.99 billion, bringing the total crypto-collateralized borrows to $65.4 billion.
‍Lazarus Group Intensifies Crypto Hacks Via Spear Phishing; AI Poses Looming Threat North Korea's Lazarus Group predominantly uses spear phishing to target the cryptocurrency sector, as per AhnLab's analysis. The group's tactics, including deceptive emails disguised as invitations or interview requests, led to significant breaches like the $1.4 billion Bybit hack and a $30 million exploit of Upbit. To counter these advanced threats, experts recommend VPN usage, caution with personal data, communication verification, and multi-factor authentication. For organizations, multi-layered defense systems, regular audits, software updates, and staff education are crucial. Looking ahead, AI advancements are expected to significantly increase the sophistication of cyberattacks, enabling more convincing phishing attempts and evasion techniques, necessitating continuous adaptation of security protocols.
‍David Sacks Calls NYT Crypto Report a "Nothing Burger" David Sacks, White House AI and crypto czar, has strongly refuted a New York Times report alleging conflicts of interest due to his investments. Sacks claims the Times misrepresented facts, stating he previously "debunked in detail" their claims. The report highlights Sacks' retained tech investments, some tied to crypto, and his support for the GENIUS Act. Sacks' legal team accused the Times of writing a "hit piece" and ignoring facts. Sacks asserts full compliance with government employee regulations.
‍Bank of Japan Signals Potential Interest Rate Hike Amid Economic Recovery The Bank of Japan (BoJ) is considering a potential interest rate hike, driven by confidence in Japan's economic recovery and anticipated inflation. Governor Kazuo Ueda highlighted strengthening wage growth and price increases, suggesting a shift away from prolonged accommodative monetary policy. This strategic pivot by one of the world's major central banks could hold broader implications for global financial markets, potentially impacting digital assets and cryptocurrency valuations.
‍CoinShares Pivots from Spot Crypto ETFs to High-Margin Products European digital asset management firm CoinShares is strategically shifting away from competitive single-asset crypto ETFs. The company has withdrawn applications for XRP, Solana, and Litecoin spot ETFs and is liquidating its leveraged Bitcoin futures ETF (BTFX). CEO Jean-Marie Mognetti stated that the single-asset ETF market is dominated by giants like BlackRock and Fidelity, limiting differentiation and profitability. CoinShares will now focus on developing higher-margin products like crypto equity vehicles and thematic baskets over the next 12-18 months.
‍Cocoon Decentralized AI Network Launched on TON, Prioritizing User Privacy The Cocoon decentralized AI network, built on The Open Network (TON), is now live. This platform allows GPU owners to rent their computing power for Toncoin (TON) rewards, offering an alternative to centralized AI services. Pavel Durov noted that the network has processed initial requests, with GPU owners earning. Cocoon aims to safeguard user data and privacy against risks associated with centralized AI, such as data collection and single points of failure. Blockchain technology's role in verification and tamper-proof records is key to this decentralized approach.
‍December 2025: A Robust Month for Traditional Game Releases December 2025 marks a significant departure from historical trends, presenting a strong lineup of new game releases in the traditional "Web2" gaming landscape. This diverse collection spans genres from psychological horror to RPGs, with many anticipated independent titles expected to be affordably priced. Key releases include Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Sleep Awake, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Octopath Traveler 0, and Routine. These titles, while not incorporating blockchain elements, highlight the continued innovation within established gaming models.
‍AI Forecasts Future of Language: Neural Links and "Konshos-Spektrum" A recent AI experiment simulating millennia of linguistic evolution predicts the obsolescence of spoken language by 3500 AD. Communication may shift to direct neural links, with English simplifying to eight core sounds and grammatical tones. By the 50th century, the concept of "human" could be replaced by "konshos-spektrum" (consciousness-spectrum), reflecting a dissolution of biological and digital identity distinctions post-"Awakening" in 3200. This evolution holds implications for digital identity and AI integration within decentralized technologies.
‍China Categorizes Stablecoins, Hong Kong Initiatives Unaffected The People's Bank of China (PBOC) has officially defined stablecoins as virtual currency to combat speculation and illicit activities. This move aims to curb money laundering and fraud on the mainland. Any future stablecoin projects originating from mainland China are expected to focus on real-world utility like cross-border payments and supply chain finance, rather than speculative trading. Importantly, Hong Kong, operating under a distinct regulatory framework, is not expected to be impacted by these changes. Its independent stablecoin initiatives will continue as planned.