‍Myriad Prediction Market: Crypto Winter Fears Subside Amidst Market Rebound A significant shift in market sentiment is observed, with only 9% of respondents on the Myriad prediction market now anticipating a prolonged crypto winter, down from 30% last Friday. This optimism follows a recent rebound in digital asset valuations. Bitcoin (BTC) has surged above $91,500, gaining 6% in 24 hours, though still 27% below its all-time high. Ethereum (ETH) trades at $2,990, up 7.3% since Monday, ahead of its Fusaka upgrade. A "crypto winter" is defined by Myriad as Bitcoin below $35,000, ETH below $1,000, MicroStrategy shares below $50, or total market cap below $350 billion. The previous winter (late 2021-2023) saw BTC drop from nearly $69,000 to $16,000.
‍Ethereum Briefly Hits $3K Amid Market Rally, But Derivatives Signal Caution Ethereum's price briefly touched $3,000, mirroring a broader crypto market upturn driven by U.S. monetary policy expectations. However, derivatives markets indicate underlying skepticism among traders, with hedging against downside risks and bearish option premiums. Network activity on Ethereum has also decreased, with fees reaching three-year lows, while rival chains like Tron and Solana see increased activity. Despite upcoming upgrades, analysts suggest limited near-term outperformance for ETH due to weakened demand and cautious trader sentiment.
‍EU Banks Plan Euro Stablecoin Launch by 2026 A consortium of ten European financial institutions, including BNP Paribas, is set to launch a euro-pegged stablecoin in H2 2026. The initiative, operating under the new entity Qivalis, aims to enhance Europe's monetary autonomy and provide a MiCA-compliant digital asset solution. Qivalis seeks authorization from the Dutch Central Bank as an Electronic Money Institution. CEO Jan-Oliver Sell stated, "A native euro stablecoin isn’t just about convenience — it’s about monetary autonomy in the digital age." The move comes amid global regulatory developments and following Tether's exit from the euro stablecoin market. The initiative targets significant growth potential in a sector currently dominated by USD-backed stablecoins.
‍Rizzmas Meme Coin Sees Holiday Resurgence on Solana Solana-based meme coin Rizzmas is experiencing a notable price surge as the festive season approaches. Launched on Pump.fun, the Christmas-themed token has seen renewed community interest and activity. After a dramatic decline from a peak market cap of $94 million last year, Rizzmas hit a low of $600k in March. However, it has since soared over 600%, driven by community-led initiatives including an iOS mini-game app for token burning and new merchandise. The Rizzmas CTO team is planning extensive marketing campaigns, aiming to establish a lasting presence beyond seasonal hype.
‍Kraken Acquires Backed Finance, Expands Tokenized Equities Offering with xStocks US-based exchange Kraken has acquired Backed Finance AG, the issuer of xStocks tokenized equities. This move integrates xStocks directly into Kraken's ecosystem, enhancing its offerings in the rapidly evolving tokenized asset market. xStocks specializes in tokenized versions of publicly traded equities and ETFs, currently offering over 60 products on Solana and Ethereum, with over $10 billion in volume. This acquisition follows Kraken's other strategic purchases this year, including NinjaTrader and Small Exchange, signaling a significant expansion beyond traditional crypto trading. The growth of tokenized equities is a prominent trend, with platforms like Robinhood also expanding their offerings. This acquisition solidifies Kraken's commitment to the Real World Assets (RWAs) sector, highlighting the convergence of traditional finance and blockchain technology.
‍SEC Chair Atkins Confident in 2026 Crypto Rules Authority SEC Chair Paul Atkins anticipates advancing digital asset regulation into 2026, stating the agency has sufficient authority without immediate congressional action. Atkins mentioned an upcoming "innovation exemption" to ease on-chain product launches and highlighted progress on new rules despite government shutdowns. The SEC is also issuing no-action letters for DePINs, aligning with White House directives.
‍Mt Pelerin Launches Crypto IBAN for Seamless Banking Integration Mt Pelerin has announced the launch of personal crypto IBANs, allowing users to link self-custodial crypto wallets to traditional banking networks. This feature enables users to receive salaries, pay bills, and send money directly from their crypto wallets using euro or Swiss franc IBANs. Underlying fiat-to-crypto conversions occur seamlessly in the background, bridging financial autonomy with everyday transactions.
‍Texas Establishes First State Bitcoin Reserve with $5M BlackRock ETF Investment Texas has become the first U.S. state to invest public funds in Bitcoin, allocating $5 million from its newly formed Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve to acquire shares in BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). This move, authorized by Senate Bill 21, marks a significant shift from the state's prior role as a crypto mining hub to an active investor in digital assets. The reserve, managed by the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company, received an initial legislative appropriation of $10 million. While this $5 million allocation is modest relative to the state's overall portfolio, it signals a cautious exploration of Bitcoin for long-term diversification and inflation hedging. The decision is closely watched, with analysts noting increasing institutional comfort with Bitcoin ETFs, though concerns about volatility for public funds remain.
‍UK Man Sentenced for £500K Crypto Embezzlement Amidst Rising Trend A UK man has received a 33-month prison sentence for embezzling over £500,000 from his employer and converting the funds to cryptocurrency for gambling. Financial crime experts warn of an increasing trend in white-collar crime involving digital assets, with many organizations unprepared. Detective Constable Neil Brodhurst stated that transactions were traceable despite crypto conversion. Experts highlight that insiders are increasingly routing funds into crypto for personal gain, complicating detection through methods like commingling and rapid movement across exchanges. Many firms lack updated policies and monitoring for crypto-specific fraud, creating blind spots. “The key is operationalizing that transparency by equipping finance and audit teams with blockchain analytics,” advised Phil Ariss, Director of UK Public Sector Relations at TRM Labs. This case underscores the need for businesses to adapt internal controls to mitigate sophisticated crypto-enabled financial crimes.
‍SEC Proposes Easing IPO Rules for Small Businesses The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is considering significant changes to streamline the IPO process for small companies, aiming to revitalize the market. Proposed adjustments include reduced mandatory disclosures, compliance standards tailored to company size, and an extended two-year transition period for meeting listing rule requirements. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins stated these changes are expected to "increase the pipeline of potential IPOs and strengthen the ranks of publicly listed companies." This initiative holds relevance for the digital asset sector, potentially informing future regulatory pathways for crypto startups by balancing investor protection with fostering innovation.