Crypto adoption is set to accelerate in 2026 as momentum from exchange-traded funds (ETFs), stablecoins, tokenization and clearer regulation begins to reinforce itself, according to Coinbase’s head of investment research, David Duong. Key Takeaways: Coinbase expects ETFs, stablecoins and tokenization to reinforce each other and drive faster crypto adoption in 2026. Global crypto adoption has stabilized, signaling market maturity rather than stalled growth. Clearer regulation in the US and Europe is e ...

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Bitcoin is good for the U.S. dollar, Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) CEO Brian Armstrong says. “Bitcoin in an indirect way is helping the dollar,” Armstrong told record producer Rick Rubin in an episode of his “Tetragrammaton” released last week. “I would say it provides a check and balance on the dollar in the sense of if there’s too much deficit spending or inflation in the U.S., people will flee to Bitcoin [in] ...

The line between fintechs and banks continued to blur in 2025 as fintech companies acquired or applied for bank charters in various forms this year. From acquiring banks with existing charters to applying for de novo charters under the new administration, technology companies are increasingly inserting themselves into the market of traditional financial institutions in the U.S.Processing ContentHere are the most-read stories regarding fintechs and bank charters in 2025: Why fintechs are buying up banks Sm ...

Coinbase has warned that a renewed push in Washington to restrict how stablecoins can reward users could weaken the United States’ position in digital payments at a time when China is actively upgrading its own state-backed digital currency to make it more attractive. Faryar Shirzad, Coinbase’s chief policy officer, raised the concern in a post on X, arguing that restrictions around rewards could reduce the appeal of dollar-backed stablecoins overseas. He said the issue is especially sensitive as rival ...

Group 1 - Coinbase Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) is acquiring The Clearing Company, a derivatives clearinghouse, to enhance its entry into the prediction markets business [1][2] - The acquisition aligns with Coinbase's strategy to evolve into an "Everything Exchange," which includes new offerings in equities trading and prediction markets [3][4] - The Clearing Company utilizes digital ledger technology for trade clearing and settlement in stablecoins, enabling instant settlement [2] Group 2 - Cantor Fitzgerald has reduced its price target for Coinbase's stock from $459 to $320 while maintaining an "Overweight" rating, citing the company's transition beyond traditional crypto trading [3] - Despite positive product announcements, near-term revenue and profitability estimates have been lowered due to declining crypto sentiment [4] - The consensus volume expectations for 2026 are projected at 14%, but this may be overly optimistic if a prolonged downturn in the crypto market occurs [4]

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. risks losing its dominance in digital finance to China due to proposed stablecoin regulations that prohibit interest payments on U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoins, while China is enhancing the appeal of its digital yuan by allowing interest payments starting January 1, 2026 [1][2]. Regulatory Framework - The current legislation, known as the GENIUS Act, restricts U.S. stablecoin issuers from paying interest directly to holders, creating a competitive disadvantage for U.S. stablecoins compared to China's e-CNY [2][3]. Competitive Landscape - China's decision to allow interest on the e-CNY transforms it into a savings asset, increasing its attractiveness for both domestic and international users, which could undermine the position of non-interest-bearing U.S. dollar stablecoins [2][5]. Industry Debate - The ongoing debate features crypto advocates arguing that interest restrictions hinder innovation, while traditional banking institutions, represented by the American Bankers Association, advocate for strict enforcement of the interest ban to protect traditional banking [4]. Global Implications - The conflict over digital currency policies is not just about consumer rewards; it concerns the future of global digital settlement, with interest-bearing currencies like the e-CNY posing a challenge to the utility of U.S. dollar stablecoins as reserve assets [5][6]. Potential Consequences - If U.S. digital dollar policies render it less attractive, there is a risk that capital and innovation will shift towards platforms offering yield, potentially diminishing the dominance of USD-backed stablecoins in on-chain value transfer and impacting liquidity and trading volumes [6].

Cryptocurrency Market Overview - Leading cryptocurrencies experienced gains on Tuesday, with Bitcoin rising by 1.78% to $88,600.81 and Ethereum increasing by 1.88% to $2,978.98 [1][2] - Despite the recent gains, Bitcoin and Ethereum are on track for their worst fourth quarter performances since 2018, with Bitcoin down 22.37% and Ethereum down 28% [3] - The global cryptocurrency market capitalization increased by 1.26% to $2.99 trillion [7] Trading Activity - Bitcoin's trading volume decreased by 24% in the last 24 hours, while Ethereum's trading volume fell by 27% [3] - Nearly $180 million was liquidated from the cryptocurrency market in the last 24 hours, with both long and short positions being affected [5] - Bitcoin's open interest dropped by 2.28% in the last 24 hours, indicating potential short covering by bearish traders [6] Stock Market Performance - Cryptocurrency-linked stocks Bitmine Immersion Technologies Inc. and Coinbase Global Inc. saw declines of 2.87% and 0.93%, respectively [4] - The stock market overall experienced losses, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.20%, the S&P 500 down 1.36%, and the Nasdaq Composite down 0.24% [8] Federal Reserve Insights - The Federal Reserve's December meeting minutes revealed divisions among officials regarding interest rate cuts, with some advocating for a 50 basis point cut, while a 25 basis point reduction was ultimately decided [8][9] - Traders are currently pricing in an 85% chance that the federal funds rate will remain unchanged at the January meeting [9] Market Predictions - Analysts are speculating on Bitcoin's potential breakout above the 21-day simple moving average around $89,000, which has historically been a significant trigger for rallies [10] - Another analyst predicts a possible dip in Bitcoin prices following the Consumer Price Index release on January 13, which could lead to a selloff followed by a bullish rally [11]

Users on the popular cryptocurrency trading platform, Lighter, are reportedly unable to withdraw funds currently, Wu Blockchain reported on Dec. 30. The development took place on a day when Lighter's native token made its debut. Related: Popular crypto company shuts down as Bitcoin crashes What is Lighter? Backed by investors like Coinbase (Nasdaq: COIN) and Robinhood (Nasdaq: HOOD), Lighter is a layer-2 decentralized crypto trading platform built on Ethereum (ETH). Lighter's decentralized nature means ...

（来源：吴说） 吴说获悉，Coinbase Markets 表示，Lighter（LIGHTER）将在满足流动性条件后开放现货交易，适用于 支持 LIGHTER-USD 交易对的地区。Lighter 是一种永续合约交易协议，旨在在以太坊生态中提供可扩 展、非托管且可验证的订单簿交易基础设施。 ...

Needham analyst John Todaro lowered the firm’s price target on Coinbase (COIN) to $290 from $400 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm lowered its estimates and price targets across the cryptoasset sector as it sees continued weakness in crypto volumes for the next couple quarters. Even if crypto prices are near a bottom, retail volumes typically remain muted until momentum returns, the analyst tells investors. Claim 70% Off TipRanks This Holiday Season Published first on TheFly – the ultimate s ...