‍Fed Chair Candidate Waller's Crypto Views Signal Potential Market Shift Current Fed Governor Christopher Waller, a candidate for Federal Reserve Chair, has shared notable perspectives on digital assets. Waller expresses skepticism towards a U.S. Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), calling it a "solution in search of a problem." However, he views Bitcoin as "electronic gold" and emphasizes "no need to fear digital asset innovation," recognizing the potential of tokenization and distributed ledgers. He also sees well-regulated stablecoins as an "attractive payment instrument." Waller's advocacy for lower interest rates could foster a more bullish environment for cryptocurrencies. His acknowledgment that crypto is "woven into the fabric of the payment and financial systems" suggests a potential shift towards greater acceptance by the central bank.
‍South Korean Aid Misallocated to Crypto Traders A recent audit in South Korea revealed that approximately $15 million, intended for struggling small businesses, was improperly distributed to 269 cryptocurrency traders. These funds were part of the "New Start Fund," established to provide debt relief. The audit found significant lapses, with recipients holding substantial crypto assets receiving debt forgiveness. The current system's reliance on voluntary disclosure of assets is a key loophole, prompting calls for legislative reform to strengthen screening processes and enable verification of unlisted stocks and crypto holdings.
‍Blocto Wallet to Cease Operations Amid Significant FLOW Token Losses Blocto Wallet will be shutting down its core services, including BloctoSwap and Blocto Teleport, effective December 18, 2025, at 7 PM PST. The decision follows over $5.5 million in losses, primarily attributed to a more than 99% decline in the FLOW token's price since its 2021 peak. Users are urged to withdraw liquidity, bridge cross-chain assets, and export private keys before the deadline to secure their funds. Blocto's node staking services will remain operational.
‍Wall Street Banks Sell Over $530M in Bitcoin-Linked Notes Major financial institutions including Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase, and Goldman Sachs have collectively sold over $530 million in structured notes tied to spot Bitcoin ETFs, primarily BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). This development signals growing mainstream acceptance of digital assets. These sophisticated products offer clients regulated exposure to Bitcoin, catering to various risk appetites. This move is seen as a pivotal moment for crypto's institutional adoption.
‍UK Launches Review of Crypto Donations Amid Bribery Scandal The UK government is formally reviewing the use of cryptocurrency in political funding following a bribery case involving a Reform UK politician. The investigation, led by Philip Rycroft, will assess current political finance laws and safeguards against illicit foreign funding, with a particular focus on cryptocurrencies. Findings are expected by March and will inform future election and democracy legislation.