‍SEC Reassesses Financial Surveillance in Light of Crypto Growth The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is examining its financial surveillance policies due to the increasing prevalence of cryptocurrencies. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce noted that digital assets are prompting a reevaluation of privacy rules, as they offer transactional avenues outside traditional intermediaries. This discussion underscores the regulatory challenges and opportunities presented by blockchain technology.
‍Circle Acquires Interop Labs to Enhance USDC Interoperability Circle, the issuer of USD Coin (USDC), has announced an agreement to acquire the team and technology of Interop Labs, a core contributor to the Axelar Network. This strategic move aims to significantly boost USDC's cross-chain capabilities and will be integrated into Circle's Arc blockchain and Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP). The Axelar Network, its foundation, and the AXL token will remain independent under community governance. This acquisition aligns with a broader trend of stablecoin issuers expanding through strategic acquisitions to strengthen infrastructure and diversify offerings.
‍UK Supreme Court Dismisses $13 Billion BSV Investor Lawsuit The UK Supreme Court has rejected a final appeal from Bitcoin SV (BSV) investors, ending a lawsuit seeking over $13 billion in damages from major cryptocurrency exchanges. The claimants, BSV Claims Limited, argued that delistings by platforms like Binance and Kraken in 2019 caused significant financial harm. The court found no arguable point of law, reinforcing earlier rulings that dismissed the claim, including the "forgone growth effect" and citing the "market mitigation rule," which suggests investors should have taken steps to reduce losses. Bitcoin SV has faced numerous challenges, including a 96% drop from its all-time high and a court ruling that its creator, Craig Wright, is not Satoshi Nakamoto.
‍Anchorage Digital Acquires Securitize Unit to Expand RIA Crypto Services Anchorage Digital has acquired Securitize For Advisors (SFA), a platform for registered investment advisers (RIAs), aiming to bolster its offerings for institutional investors amidst growing crypto adoption. The acquisition integrates SFA's adviser platform with Anchorage's custody services, creating a unified offering for wealth managers. This move is seen as a strategic step to capture the expanding RIA market, a key driver of crypto adoption, especially following the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs.
‍American Bitcoin Surpasses ProCap in BTC Treasury Holdings Despite Bitcoin's price downturn, corporate accumulation continues. American Bitcoin, backed by Eric Trump, has overtaken ProCap Financial in total BTC holdings, adding over 1,000 BTC in December to reach 5,044 BTC. Top 100 companies now hold over 1.08 million BTC, viewing it as a primary reserve asset. This trend signifies institutional adoption, though companies like American Bitcoin and MicroStrategy have experienced significant stock volatility.
‍Aster Launches Shield Mode for Secure High-Leverage Trading Decentralized trading platform Aster has introduced Shield Mode, enhancing its Aster Perpetual system. This feature allows up to 1001x leverage for BTC and ETH, offering zero slippage and no opening fees. Shield Mode aims to improve security and privacy by eliminating direct interaction with public order books and on-chain transactions. It also waives all user gas costs and closing fees until the end of 2025, with plans for a flexible commission or PnL-based fee structure in the future.
‍Byrrgis Crypto Platform Obtains MiCA License, Launches Public Waitlist Byrrgis, a hybrid cryptocurrency hub, has secured a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from the European Union, becoming a fully regulated financial platform. The company has also opened a waitlist for early access to its multi-functional trading environment. The platform is pursuing CASP level 3 certification and is set to officially launch on January 15th as a universal trading hub integrating CEX and DEX features. Byrrgis CEO Siraaj Ahmed stated, "We aim to lead by example, demonstrating that it’s possible for users to enjoy compliant access to onchain finance while retaining the freedom to trade the assets and bundles of their choosing." The regulated exchange will offer advanced charting, automated orders, stop-loss, and take-profit options. The platform is built as the utility engine behind the $WOLF token.
‍Critical React Flaw Exploited for Crypto Wallet Drainers A severe vulnerability (CVE-2025-55182) in the React JavaScript library is actively exploited to inject malicious code, targeting cryptocurrency platforms. Attackers gain unauthenticated remote code execution to deploy wallet drainers, tricking users into signing fraudulent transactions. The React team released a patch on December 3rd, urging immediate updates. The exploit, dubbed "React2Shell," also delivers malware like crypto miners. Users should verify transactions, beware of phishing, and consider hardware wallets. The vulnerability affects any website using vulnerable React versions.
‍0xcapital Expands Global Crypto-Backed Lending The institutional digital-asset lending platform, 0xcapital, has announced a global expansion of its crypto-backed credit solutions. This initiative aims to provide enhanced liquidity options for institutional clients, including hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, and family offices, without requiring them to sell their digital asset holdings. The platform accepts major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL), along with stablecoins, as collateral. 0xcapital emphasizes a conservative lending framework with a strict zero-rehypothecation policy and segregated custody with qualified custodians. Loan capacities start at $150,000. The service now supports clients across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
‍Geode Chain (GEODE) Debuts on BitMart, Ecosystem Unveiled The Geode Foundation has announced the primary exchange listing of its native cryptocurrency, GEODE, on BitMart as of December 15, 2025. This marks GEODE's public trading debut, aiming to boost adoption and liquidity. Developed over four years, Geode Chain MainNet launched in February 2023, operating with 99% greater energy efficiency than PoW. The project offers a suite of native applications for IP registration, professional endorsement, and verified work histories. With over 10,000 active participants, Geode emphasizes its grassroots, volunteer-driven model. CEO Dr. Kathryn Messegee stated, "Geode isn’t just another blockchain; it’s a 50-year vision for economic sovereignty." The roadmap includes integrating AI to create a decentralized "AI-OS," with GEODE envisioned for everyday transactions.