‍IZAKAYA Ecosystem Launches IZKY Token on LBank The IZAKAYA ecosystem has announced the listing of its IZKY token on the global exchange LBank, effective December 21, 2024. IZAKAYA aims to simplify DeFi by consolidating swaps, lending protocols, and NFT utilities into a single automated interface, addressing liquidity fragmentation. The IZKY token, with a total supply of 1 trillion units, will be used for internal circulation and user incentives, offering holders benefits such as fee discounts and enhanced yields. This listing on LBank, serving over 20 million users, is a strategic move to boost market liquidity and provide wider access to the project's self-custodial asset management tools.
‍Maple Finance CEO: Traditional DeFi is Over, On-Chain Capital Markets Are the Future Sidney Powell, CEO of Maple Finance, stated that the initial phase of DeFi has concluded. He believes the future lies in on-chain capital markets, which will eventually displace traditional Wall Street infrastructure. The industry is evolving towards institutional-grade, blockchain-based financial ecosystems, moving beyond retail speculation and basic lending. Powell predicts a diminishing reliance on Wall Street intermediaries as institutions adopt blockchain solutions, enabling more efficient trading, clearing, and settlement on public and permissioned ledgers. This shift promises on-chain settlement, increased transparency, and direct access to liquidity pools.
‍Hurun Report: 25% of Chinese HNWIs Plan to Increase Crypto Holdings A new study by the Hurun Research Institute indicates a significant shift among China's affluent investors. Approximately 25% of Chinese high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) plan to expand their exposure to digital currencies within the next twelve months. Currently, digital currencies represent 2% of the total financial investments held by Chinese HNWIs. The report also highlights a growing interest in digital collectibles, with AI influencing this trend. These investors are increasingly diversifying their wealth through global crypto markets. The findings suggest a broadening acceptance of digital assets, potentially driving increased adoption of major cryptocurrencies and the digital art market in 2026.
‍Klarna to Utilize USDC via Coinbase Partnership for Institutional Funding Swedish fintech leader Klarna is integrating blockchain technology, partnering with Coinbase to access institutional funding through USDC stablecoins. This move diversifies capital sources and modernizes liquidity management. Klarna will leverage Coinbase's infrastructure to issue debt in stablecoins, connecting with digital asset investors. This initiative offers faster settlement and broader reach compared to traditional markets. "Stablecoin connects us to an entirely new class of institutional investors, and gives us the potential to diversify our funding sources," stated Klarna leadership. The stablecoin funding will complement consumer deposits, traditional debt, and commercial paper.
‍Major Token Unlocks Approaching: Over $43M in H, XPL, and SOON to be Released Late December The cryptocurrency market anticipates significant token unlock events in the final week of December 2025. Projects including Humanity (H), Plasma (XPL), and SOON are set to release substantial portions of their supply, valued at over $40 million combined. These unlocks are closely watched for their potential impact on market liquidity and price stability. Humanity Protocol (H) will lead with the release of approximately 105 million tokens on December 25th, valued at roughly $14.8 million (4.79% of circulating supply). Plasma (XPL) follows with 88.89 million tokens ($11.7 million, 4.5% of supply) also on December 25th, designated for ecosystem growth. SOON will unlock 21.88 million tokens on December 23rd ($8 million, 5.97% of supply), allocated for airdrops and liquidity. MBG By Multibank Group (MBG) also has a significant release scheduled for December 22nd. Investors are advised to monitor these events for potential sell-side pressure.
‍Fed Official Harker Signals Higher Neutral Rates, Citing Inflation Data Issues Federal Reserve official Christopher Harker suggested the neutral interest rate may be higher than anticipated. He also noted that November's Consumer Price Index (CPI) data could be misleading due to technical disruptions. Harker's assessment implies the Fed may maintain a restrictive stance longer. For digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), this could mean a more challenging environment. He stated that "the economy appears poised for continued strong growth, and the neutral rate may be higher than previously believed."
‍Senator Cynthia Lummis to Retire in 2026, Crypto Industry Reacts Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), a key advocate for Bitcoin and blockchain innovation, will not seek reelection in 2026. Her departure from Congress marks a significant moment for the digital asset community, which credits her with substantial legislative progress and regulatory clarity efforts. Lummis was instrumental in drafting the Responsible Financial Innovation Act and a critic of the SEC's "regulation-by-enforcement" approach. Industry leaders express gratitude for her advocacy, noting her impact on the current standing of digital assets. While her exit is a loss, focus remains on passing critical legislation like the US Clarity Act before her term ends.
‍Ethereum Foundation Prioritizes 128-bit Security Standard by 2026 The Ethereum Foundation is shifting its focus from transaction speed to long-term network security, aiming for a full implementation of a 128-bit security standard by 2026. This move addresses concerns that current high-throughput solutions, particularly zkEVMs, may rely on unverified mathematical assumptions, creating vulnerabilities for state data manipulation. The Foundation will provide tools for enhanced formal verification and cryptographic security assessments, ensuring all Layer 2 solutions meet the new standard. This strategy emphasizes the integrity of the ledger as Ethereum's primary value proposition, securing billions in assets against future cryptographic advancements.
‍New US Crypto Bill Proposes Stablecoin Tax Exemptions and Staking Deferrals Representatives Max Miller (R-OH) and Steven Horsford (D-NV) have introduced the Digital Asset PARITY Act, a bipartisan bill aiming to update the crypto tax framework. The proposed legislation includes a $200 de minimis exemption for capital gains on personal stablecoin transactions, intended to simplify everyday commerce with digital assets. Additionally, it seeks to allow a five-year tax deferral for staking and mining rewards, recognizing them at fair market value after the deferral period. This aims to provide clarity and reduce administrative burdens for investors and businesses in the digital asset ecosystem.
Matthew Kratter: Bitcoin Superior to Gold as Store of Value Market analyst Matthew Kratter advises against converting Bitcoin (BTC) to gold, despite gold's recent price surge. Kratter highlights Bitcoin's superior scarcity, portability, verifiability, and divisibility compared to gold. Gold faces challenges like supply shocks, uncertain future discoveries, and verification difficulties, unlike Bitcoin's fixed 21 million cap and blockchain verifiability. Kratter also points out gold's limitations in a digital economy, including high shipping and insurance costs, and counterparty risks associated with tokenized gold. He argues that Bitcoin, especially in self-custody, eliminates these risks. While the debate between BTC and gold advocates continues, Kratter believes Bitcoin's native digital utility and scarcity give it a decisive edge for future-looking investors.