Bitcoin is struggling to turn recent good news into a substantive rebound, highlighting the ongoing weakness and thin liquidity in digital asset markets that have played a role in keeping prices subdued https://t.co/27MOTBJuTu ...

Strategic Partnership Empowers PNC Private Bank Clients with Bitcoin Trading PITTSBURGH, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PNC Bank today announced the launch of direct spot bitcoin trading capabilities for eligible clients of PNC Private Bank®, making PNC the first to market with such an offering among the major U.S. banks. Powered by Coinbase's Crypto-as-a-Service ("CaaS") market leading infrastructure, PNC has enabled clients to buy, hold and sell bitcoin directly through PNC's own digital banking platform. T ...

ASIC Expands Digital Asset Relief For Stablecoin Intermediaries► https://t.co/wD4KzFH68D https://t.co/wD4KzFH68D ...

JUST IN: 🇺🇸 The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has launched a digital asset pilot program for Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDC to be used as collateral in derivatives markets. https://t.co/DNJZD3Vilx ...

Tether announced that its USDT stablecoin has been officially recognized as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token (AFRT) by the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) for use on multiple blockchains, including Aptos, Celo, Cosmos, Kaia, Near, Polkadot, Tezos, TON, and TRON. The approval allows ADGM-authorized entities to conduct regulated activities involving USDT across these networks. This recognition expands upon ADGM’s earlier approval, which covered USDT on Ethereum, Solana, and Avalanche. With this extension, U ...

Core Insights - Intercont (Cayman) Limited has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire a minority stake in Starks Network, aiming to co-develop the zCloak Network, which integrates maritime services with blockchain technology [1][8]. Company Overview - Intercont (Cayman) Limited is a global carbon-neutral shipping company focused on innovative and environmentally friendly transportation solutions [11]. - Starks Network is a Singapore-based Web3 technology service provider with strong competitive advantages in the global Web3 ecosystem, particularly through its Project zCloak Network [2]. Project zCloak Network - zCloak Network offers proprietary frameworks and compliance-forward infrastructure, including AI identity solutions, self-custodial wallets, stablecoin payment systems, and AI-powered crypto payment technologies [2]. - The project has received grants from Hong Kong Cyberport incubation programs and investments from top-tier venture capital firms, indicating robust investor support [2]. Market Trends - The global adoption of stablecoin-based payment systems has rapidly accelerated, with transaction volumes surpassing the combined annual processing volume of Visa and Mastercard in 2024 [5]. - McKinsey projects that the growth rate of stablecoin transactions could exceed that of legacy payment volumes within a decade, highlighting strong demand for secure and compliant wallet solutions [6]. Financial Landscape - BlackRock reported $13.46 trillion in assets under management in Q3 2025, reflecting early participation from major financial institutions in the digital asset market [7]. - The digital asset market capitalization surged from $5 billion in 2022 to over $25.5 billion by July 2025, representing a growth of approximately 410% [7]. Strategic Implications - NCT's acquisition of zCloak is a strategic move to expand into the digitization of real-world assets and reinforce its leadership in global shipping services [8]. - The partnership aims to accelerate enterprise adoption of Web3 technologies, with potential revenue generation in the range of $30–40 million annually from privacy-preserving identity and compliance verification solutions [10].

Core Viewpoint - Intercont (Cayman) Limited has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire a minority stake in Starks Network Ltd, aiming to co-develop the zCloak Network, which integrates maritime services with blockchain technology [1][6]. Company Overview - Intercont (Cayman) Limited is a global carbon-neutral shipping company focused on innovative and environmentally friendly transportation solutions [9]. - Starks Network, based in Singapore, is a leading Web3 technology service provider with strong competitive advantages in the global Web3 ecosystem [2]. Project zCloak Network - zCloak Network is recognized for its proprietary frameworks and compliance-forward infrastructure, which includes AI identity, self-custodial wallets, and stablecoin payment systems [2]. - The project has received support from the Hong Kong Cyberport incubation programs and investments from top-tier venture capital firms, indicating robust investor confidence [2]. Market Trends - The global adoption of stablecoin-based payment systems has rapidly accelerated, with transaction volumes surpassing those of Visa and Mastercard in 2024, marking a significant shift in financial infrastructure [5]. - The digital asset market capitalization has increased from $5 billion in 2022 to over $25.5 billion by July 2025, reflecting a growth of approximately 410% [5]. Strategic Implications - The acquisition of zCloak is a strategic move for NCT to expand into the digitization of real-world assets and enhance its leadership in global shipping services [6]. - NCT plans to leverage zCloak's infrastructure to develop standardized and compliant on-chain asset solutions, targeting high-value verticals in the market [8]. Leadership Perspective - The partnership between NCT and Starks Network is described as a convergence of tradition and innovation, aiming to re-imagine themes of contract and wealth through Web3 technology [7]. - NCT's CEO highlighted the potential for significant revenue generation in privacy-preserving identity and compliance verification, with leading infrastructure providers achieving annual revenues in the range of $30–40 million [8].

Core Insights - Treasure Global Inc. has updated its full-year 2026 revenue target to approximately USD 3 million, reflecting a projected revenue increase of over 1,500% for the remainder of 2026 compared to Q1 2026 revenues of USD 182,527, driven by the adoption of its fintech and digital asset ecosystem [1][2][9] Revenue Growth Drivers - The updated revenue target is a significant increase from the previous target of approximately USD 1 million announced on December 1, 2025, due to a strengthened capital plan and increased visibility into the commercialization of the OXI wallet and other initiatives [2] - The OXI wallet is set for a market launch in the first half of 2026, expected to manage up to USD 10 billion in user-held digital assets in its first year, generating revenue from various fee-based services [4] - Treasure Global has secured an exclusive partnership to manage 200 million UNIRWA tokens, which could represent up to USD 100 million in underlying assets, contributing to revenue through management and transaction fees [5] - The proposed acquisition of a 51% equity interest in Quarters Elite, managing approximately USD 150 million in client assets, is expected to enhance distribution channels and support recurring revenue streams [6][7] Strategic Initiatives - The combination of the OXI wallet, UNIRWA token initiative, and Quarters Elite acquisition aims to create a connected fintech and digital asset ecosystem, driving revenue growth and diversifying the company's income base [7] - Management emphasizes the scalability and earnings potential of the evolving ecosystem, with a focus on disciplined execution and sustainable growth [8][9] Operational Enhancements - A recent 1-for-20 reverse stock split has been completed to strengthen the per-share price and align with Nasdaq listing requirements, part of ongoing efforts to optimize capital structure [3] - The company is committed to operational efficiency and strategic expansion across fintech and e-commerce verticals to achieve its updated revenue targets [9]

Core Insights - The market is undergoing a recalibration regarding SMX, as multiple industries recognize its capabilities across various verticals rather than viewing it as a niche product company [1][8] - SMX's technology allows for the tracking of material identity through various processes, addressing long-standing issues in gold and rare earth markets, as well as in ESG compliance [2][3][4] Gold Market Impact - SMX's ability to maintain the molecular identity of gold through smelting and storage has eliminated a structural problem in the bullion industry, attracting significant market interest [2] - The validation of gold through SMX technology is expected to strengthen demand for rare earth minerals, which are crucial for various high-tech applications [7] Rare Earth Minerals - Rare earth minerals face identity verification challenges on a geopolitical scale, but SMX's technology can track their identity from extraction to alloy formation, prompting reactions from industry players [3][6] ESG and Sustainability - SMX's technology enables materials like plastics and textiles to retain their identity through recycling processes, making ESG metrics measurable rather than narrative-driven [4] - This capability has garnered attention from brands, regulators, and auditors, further validating SMX's impact across different sectors [4] Digital Market Integration - The introduction of the Plastic Cycle Token by SMX translates authenticated physical performance into digital signals, creating a new data-driven value system [5] - This innovation anchors digital assets in real-world performance, enhancing their credibility and market acceptance [5] Structural Flaw Resolution - SMX addresses a universal flaw in material identity verification post-transformation, leading to rapid market movements as industries align around this foundational capability [6][8] - The convergence of interest across sectors creates a multiplier effect, prompting a reevaluation of SMX's value in the market [7] Company Overview - SMX provides technology solutions for businesses facing challenges related to carbon neutrality and compliance with new regulations, facilitating a transition to a low-carbon economy [9]

Bitcoin options suggest traders expect the largest cryptocurrency to stay stuck in its current range after a fourth-quarter slump erased more than $1 trillion from the digital-asset market https://t.co/w09hmDt14J ...