‍PBOC to Integrate AI in Chinese Finance, Prioritizing Security The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) plans to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its financial infrastructure, focusing on a secure and orderly implementation. This initiative aligns with China's "AI Plus" action plan, aiming to lead in AI applications while strengthening AI governance. Key aspects include expanding digital transformation, enhancing RegTech for market monitoring, and implementing AI-driven risk management for financial data. The PBOC emphasizes AI's role in high-quality financial development and ensuring system integrity through rigorous testing.
‍Hong Kong Stock Exchange Reaches Highest Point Since 2017, Driven by Fintech and AI Hong Kong's financial markets are ending 2025 with a strong performance, with the Hang Seng Index (HSI) projected to achieve its best annual result in eight years. The index has risen approximately 29% this year, the strongest growth since 2017, driven by substantial capital inflows. The region saw over $41 billion USD in net inflows to mutual funds in the first nine months of 2025. To sustain this momentum, Hong Kong is focusing on developing Artificial Intelligence (AI), Financial Technology (Fintech), green finance, and digital assets. "Hong Kong is actively positioning itself for future growth by embracing innovation and expanding its financial offerings," stated Financial Secretary Chan. This integration of traditional finance with technology aims to solidify its status as a global financial hub and bridge legacy systems with the digital economy.
‍Bank of China Debuts Cross-Border e-CNY QR Code Payments in Laos The Bank of China has executed the first cross-border transaction using the e-CNY (digital yuan) and QR code technology in Laos. This pilot, overseen by the People's Bank of China and the Bank of the Lao P.D.R., signifies a major step in integrating CBDCs in Southeast Asia and proves the interoperability of digital assets in international trade. The Vientiane branch of the Bank of China integrated with the PBOC's cross-border digital payment infrastructure, enabling real-time exchange rates and high-speed clearing for QR code payments. This initiative aims to lower operational barriers for cross-border commerce, offering a more cost-effective alternative to traditional SWIFT transfers. It highlights the growing role of blockchain-inspired technologies in sovereign finance.
‍JPMorgan Freezes Crypto Startup Accounts Over High-Risk Operations JPMorgan Chase has frozen the bank accounts of several stablecoin startups, particularly those operating in high-risk jurisdictions like Venezuela. This action reflects increasing regulatory scrutiny and the traditional banking sector's efforts to enforce stringent KYC and AML checks. The move highlights the challenges faced by crypto firms, especially those bridging emerging markets to USD-pegged assets. This "de-risking" trend forces startups to enhance compliance or seek specialized banking partners to navigate complex regulatory landscapes.
‍Indie Games Shine in 2025 with Budget-Friendly Gems As AAA titles and hardware costs surge, the indie game market is offering exceptional value. Players can explore critically acclaimed titles like *Hollow Knight: Silksong• and innovative experiences such as *Ball x Pit• and *Megabonk• for under $20. These accessible "Web2" games, available on platforms like Steam and Nintendo Switch, prove that engaging gameplay and unique mechanics don't require massive financial investment or cutting-edge hardware. From psychological horror like *Luto• to physics-based simulators like *Peak*, the indie scene delivers diverse and affordable entertainment.
‍Tribe XR and DMC Crown First VR DJ Champion in Historic Tokyo Final The intersection of music technology and virtual immersion reached a historic milestone on December 26, 2025, as Tribe XR and the DMC World Championships crowned the world’s first VR DJ Champion in Tokyo. This event marks the formal integration of virtual reality performance into the prestigious DMC circuit, a competition that has defined professional DJing since 1983. Supported by industry giants including AlphaTheta, Technics, and Meta, the victory of DJ Darcy Kong signals a shift in how digital skillsets are recognized alongside traditional physical performance. Tribe XR, the world’s largest DJ school and virtual community with over 500,000 users, facilitates access to professional-grade equipment simulations. This platform merges DJ software for beginners with advanced music production tools, allowing creators to practice on virtualized industry-standard gear. Following the success in Tokyo, Tribe XR and DMC plan to launch regional qualifiers in 2026, culminating in the World Finals. This expansion is expected to drive innovation in music production software and blockchain-adjacent technologies, as digital performance rights and virtual assets become increasingly relevant to the Web3 and Metaverse sectors.
‍HTX Launches Earn Carnival with Up to 15% APY and Apple Rewards HTX has revamped its wealth management suite, HTX Earn, with the launch of the "HTX Earn Carnival" promotion. This initiative offers subsidized yields of up to 15% APY on nearly 30 digital assets, including stablecoins like USDT and volatile assets like BTC and ETH. The event runs from December 24, 2025, to January 1, 2026, and also features physical rewards such as Apple products. HTX Earn has been upgraded with five specialized modules (Flexible, Fixed-Term, Staking, Dual Investment, Shark Fin) and an intelligent recommendation engine to enhance user experience and provide sustainable asset appreciation.
‍Guotai Silver Fund Implements Inflow Restrictions Amidst Record Price Surge China's Guotai Silver LOF has announced strict limitations on capital inflows following a significant rally in silver prices, which reached $69 per ounce. Effective December 29, 2025, daily investment contributions will be capped at 100 yuan ($14 USD). This measure aims to curb speculative activity and manage the fund's liquidity, as the secondary market premium for the fund's shares peaked at 68.19%, retracting to 45.45% after a temporary halt. Market specialists caution that the current price levels may be unsustainable and prone to correction.
‍NFT Market Hits 2025 Low, Valuation Down 72% to $2.5 Billion The NFT market has reached a critical low, with total sector valuation dropping to $2.5 billion – a 72% decrease from its January peak of $9.2 billion. This decline is marked by reduced liquidity and investor sentiment across major platforms. Key metrics from CoinGecko and CryptoSlam show sustained contraction. Weekly sales volumes fell below $70 million in December, and unique buyers and sellers have significantly decreased. Even "blue-chip" collections like CryptoPunks and BAYC have seen floor prices decline, indicating a broad market downturn. The NFT sector faces a challenging start to 2026, with future recovery potentially hinging on new utility-driven use cases and macroeconomic shifts.
‍BOJ Signals Rate Hikes as Japan Nears Inflation Target Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda indicated readiness for interest rate hikes, citing robust wage growth and evolving corporate pricing strategies. This hawkish pivot signals a potential shift in the Japanese economy, moving away from prolonged ultra-loose monetary policies. For the crypto market, rising interest rates in Japan could impact the "Yen carry trade," potentially leading to deleveraging and increased volatility as borrowing costs rise. Japanese retail investors, historically significant in BTC/JPY trading, may see their risk appetite altered by a stronger Yen.