‍UK Regulator Eases Rules for High-Risk Investments, Including Crypto The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has updated retail investment rules to ease access to higher-risk assets like cryptocurrencies for seasoned investors. Individuals with over £10 million in assets or proven investment experience can now be classified as professional investors, granting them broader access but with fewer consumer protections. The FCA is also replacing complex "Key Information Documents" with simpler "product summaries" to improve clarity. These changes aim to boost investor confidence and participation in the UK financial markets, including the digital asset sector.
‍Bitcoin Rally: Bull Trap or Genuine Comeback? Analysts Warn of $40,000 Drop Bitcoin (BTC) has rebounded significantly, approaching $93,000. However, analysts caution this could be a "bull trap." Technical patterns like the "bear flag" suggest a potential drop to $77,100. Historical analysis points to similarities with the 2021 cycle, raising concerns of a fall to the $40,000 region. Investor sentiment shows extreme fear, with "Bitcoin bear market" searches surging. Analysts warn current rallies may be opportunities for selling.
‍Dregan AI Launches on Solana, Bringing Utility to Meme Tokens Dregan AI has officially launched on the Solana blockchain, aiming to redefine meme tokens by integrating artificial intelligence. The project seeks to merge meme culture with AI capabilities, offering token holders access to intelligent tools. The ecosystem includes intelligent character agents, token-gated AI utilities, and on-chain learning tools. A three-phase roadmap plans for initial AI tools, personalized agents, and ultimately a decentralized AI network governed by the community.
‍Veles Enhances Crypto Backtesting for Algorithmic Traders Veles has significantly upgraded its strategy testing tools, offering traders an advanced ecosystem for developing and validating algorithmic strategies. The platform now features enhanced cryptocurrency backtesting, providing transparent and practical solutions for the volatile digital asset market. Key features include testing complex strategies against deep historical datasets, including data from coin listing moments on Bybit. Veles offers both free and a $25/month paid subscription for full historical data access and vetted strategies. Accurate backtesting is crucial for analyzing strategy viability and drawdowns without risking capital. Veles models execution with high accuracy, considering price movement, order speed, and candlestick structure for realistic forecasting. The platform provides in-depth analytics and reports, highlighting algorithm behavior, risks, and parameter adjustments. Veles also offers free online consultations with specialists to make sophisticated backtesting tools accessible to all traders.
‍Robinhood Expands Crypto Offerings with Futures, Staking, and L2 Chain Robinhood is significantly enhancing its cryptocurrency services by launching staking, perpetual futures, and its own layer-2 scaling network, Robinhood Chain. In the U.S., staking for Ethereum and Solana is now available in New York, with a nationwide rollout planned. European users gain access to perpetual futures for XRP, Dogecoin, and SUI, alongside 24/7 trading for tokenized U.S. stocks. The launch of Robinhood Chain, an EVM-compatible L2 solution, marks a strategic move to integrate traditional assets on-chain. The company reported $232 billion in crypto trading volume and $51 billion in customer assets as of Q3 2025.
‍Ourbit Exchange Launches "ourbie" NFTs With Public Sale on Dec 18 Ourbit SuperCEX is introducing a limited series of 2,000 "ourbie" NFTs, available via airdrop and public sale starting December 18, 2025. Holders will receive future token airdrops, VIP access, and a buy-back option at 300 USDT. This initiative aims to reward loyal users and enhance the Ourbit ecosystem, as the exchange solidifies its position among the Top 30 globally.
‍Sonami Launches First Layer 2 on Solana to End Network Congestion Solana's ecosystem is set to improve with Sonami ($SNMI), its first Layer 2 solution, announced on December 8, 2025. Sonami aims to permanently resolve network congestion issues by introducing transaction bundling technology for enhanced efficiency and reliability. High-traffic events have historically stressed Solana, causing delays and failed transactions. Sonami's Layer 2 architecture groups multiple user interactions off-chain into a single, optimized transaction settled on Solana's main chain, reducing base chain load and ensuring a fluid network. Key focus areas include high-frequency decentralized trading, real-time gaming, and large-scale NFT marketplaces. The project is currently in its presale phase, with plans for a Token Generation Event (TGE) and listings on DEX/CEX platforms. This development is critical for Solana's evolution, preparing the ecosystem for mainstream adoption and future high-performance dApps.
‍HBGL, an HTX Affiliate, Launches Fiat-Stablecoin Services in Australia HBGL, an affiliate of HTX Group, has commenced operations in Australia, offering fiat-to-stablecoin trading services. The initial phase focuses on USDT and USDC trading pairs for retail and institutional investors. HBGL is a registered Digital Currency Exchange (DCE) with AUSTRAC, operating under strict AML/CTF and KYC protocols. The company aims to provide a compliant and secure bridge between traditional finance and digital assets. Leveraging HTX Group's expertise, HBGL plans to expand its offerings after securing additional Australian financial services licenses.
‍Bybit and Circle Partner to Expand USDC Adoption Bybit and Circle have formed a strategic alliance to boost the global adoption of USDC. The partnership aims to enhance USDC liquidity on Bybit's platform, improve fiat on- and off-ramp solutions, and integrate USDC across Bybit Earn, Card, and Pay products. Both companies emphasize regulatory compliance, with Bybit recently securing a Virtual Asset Platform Operator License from the UAE's SCA. Bybit also participated in the testnet for Circle's Arc network, a new Layer-1 blockchain for stablecoin finance.
‍BITmarkets AI Program Achieves 20-40% Crypto Returns BITmarkets' AI-powered Wealth Management program has delivered impressive results in its first year, generating returns from 20% to 41% across various risk profiles between January and November 2025. The Dynamic strategy led with 41% returns, while Balanced and Optimal strategies yielded 29%, and the Conservative strategy provided 20%. The system, tested for a year prior to launch, executes approximately 20,000 transactions annually per account. BITmarkets CEO Peter Sumer emphasized the program's success in meeting investor needs and reiterated the exchange's commitment to security, noting that 99.9% of client funds are held in cold storage.