Innovate NY. Photo by BeInCrypto The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) launched a digital assets pilot program on December 8, permitting bitcoin, ether, and USDC as margin collateral in derivatives markets—a move industry leaders are calling a watershed moment for crypto adoption. Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham announced the initiative alongside new guidance on tokenized collateral and the withdrawal of Staff Advisory 20-34, a 2020 directive that had restricted the use of virtual currency i ...

Core Insights - The repeal of a restrictive crypto accounting rule by the SEC in January has spurred institutional crypto adoption in the U.S., and Argentina is now considering a similar regulatory shift [1][4]. Regulatory Changes - In 2022, the Banco Central de Argentina (BCRA) issued Communication A7506, which prohibited financial institutions from engaging with digital assets [2]. - Following the appointment of new leadership by Javier Milei in 2023, the BCRA has adopted a more pro-crypto stance [2][3]. - The BCRA is reportedly drafting new regulations to ease restrictions on banks' participation in cryptocurrencies, indicating a significant policy shift [3][7]. Comparison with U.S. Regulations - The regulatory environment in Argentina mirrors that of the U.S., where a change in government has led to a more accommodating approach towards crypto [4]. - A7506 is noted to be more restrictive than the SEC's Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 (SAB121), which required banks to report digital assets as liabilities [4][5]. Institutional Adoption - Major Wall Street firms, including Citi and State Street, are preparing to offer crypto custody services following the repeal of SAB121, with plans to launch in 2026 [6]. - The anticipated regulatory changes in Argentina are expected to allow banks to offer crypto services, similar to trends observed in the U.S. [7]. Broader Industry Trends - The shift in regulations is part of a broader trend where banks are increasingly integrating crypto into their core business lines, as seen with JPMorgan and Citi's recent initiatives [8]. - The initial focus post-repeal of SAB121 has been on institutional services and investment policy adjustments [9].

Crypto Adoption & Market Trends - Telegram 将于本周末推出与 UFC 合作的礼物，竞标已经开始 [1] - Telegram 上的礼物会显示在个人资料旁边，稀有礼物在今年实现了大规模销售 [1] - Telegram 是加密货币采用的一个非常有趣的生态系统 [1] Partnership & Opportunities - 行业对与 Telegram 合作，并关注此次发售的相关数据感到兴奋 [1]

Core Insights - The Bank of England has proposed new rules for stablecoin issuers, allowing them to invest up to 60% of their backing assets in short-term government debt, a significant change from previous regulations [2][4] - The updated proposal aims to facilitate the adoption of stablecoins in the UK, addressing prior criticisms from the crypto industry regarding the viability of stablecoin business models [3][5] - The Bank of England has set temporary caps on stablecoin holdings, limiting individuals to £20,000 ($26,000) and businesses to £10 million, with potential exemptions for larger entities [5][6] Regulatory Changes - The central bank's new rules allow stablecoin issuers to invest a portion of their assets in government debt, providing opportunities for revenue generation [2][4] - The previous requirement for issuers to keep all assets in non-interest-bearing accounts was criticized for hindering stablecoin adoption [3] Market Implications - Stablecoins are essential for the crypto market, enabling seamless transactions between volatile cryptocurrencies and stable digital currencies [7] - The establishment of federal rules in the U.S. earlier this year has positively influenced the stablecoin sector, highlighting the importance of regulatory clarity [7]

Core Insights - The recent surge in ETF filings for Solana indicates a significant shift in institutional interest towards SOL, with potential inflows estimated between $3.8 billion and $7.2 billion within the first year following approval [1][6][7] Group 1: Market Performance and Sentiment - Solana's price has experienced a decline of over 30% from its September peak of $209, reflecting the asset's sensitivity to broader market risk cycles and technical exhaustion [2][3][6] - The asset's performance has transitioned from a period of optimism and momentum to a correction phase, with price hovering around the mid-$140 range after failing to maintain levels above $200 [4][5] Group 2: Institutional Interest and ETF Filings - Five ETF filings within a month suggest that major asset managers are signaling long-term interest in Solana, indicating a potential early stage of deeper adoption [5][8] - The filings also imply that regulators may be warming to the idea of treating Solana as a commodity, which could facilitate institutional participation through familiar investment structures [7] Group 3: Individual ETF Filings Overview - **VanEck Solana Trust (VSOL)**: Early entry with a competitive management fee of 0.30%, positioned as a default choice for institutions seeking exposure [10][11] - **21Shares Solana Spot ETF**: First to secure SEC approval, leveraging its experience with crypto ETPs to instill confidence in operational details [12][13] - **Fidelity Solana Fund**: Enters the market with a long-term perspective, targeting large traditional allocators through its established network [14][15] - **Bitwise Solana ETF**: Focuses on Solana's ecosystem rather than just price, appealing to research-driven investors [16][17] - **Grayscale Solana ETF (Conversion)**: Plans to convert its existing Solana Trust into an ETF, allowing for a smoother transition for current trust holders [18][19] Group 4: Future Price Predictions - **Bullish Case**: If ETF inflows accelerate and network stability is maintained, prices could reach between $425 and $600 by the end of 2026 [22][23] - **Base Case**: Assuming moderate ETF approvals and slower inflows, prices may stabilize between $250 and $350 [24][25] - **Bearish Case**: If ETF inflows disappoint or technical setbacks occur, prices could fall to between $140 and $200 [26][27]

Collaboration and innovation are driving LATAM’s Web3 transformation 🌎Proud to join @labitconf in discussing how the region is shaping the future of blockchain and crypto adoption. 💪#MEXCEventRocksMEXC Español (@MEXCespanol):"Cómo los países de LATAM atraen empresas cripto"En @labitconf, se debatieron sobre las estrategias que distintos países de América Latina están implementando para atraer proyectos y empresas del ecosistema cripto.Nuestro protagonista, 🇵🇪 @kristopherpanan, Manager del equipo https://t.c ...

Core Insights - Crypto adoption is rapidly increasing in emerging markets such as Nigeria, the Philippines, and Argentina, indicating that the future of the industry lies in developing economies rather than in the U.S. [2][6] - The focus on attracting institutional capital from Wall Street has led to a neglect of the practical applications of crypto in lower-income countries, where it serves as a survival tool rather than merely an investment vehicle [3][6] Group 1: Use Cases of Crypto in Emerging Markets - In Argentina, individuals are using dollar-pegged stablecoins to protect their savings from inflation, with many exchanging pesos for USDT to cover everyday expenses [4][5] - In Nigeria, digital currencies are essential for cross-border remittances, significantly reducing traditional fees that can reach up to 7%, allowing families to allocate more funds for necessities [5] - The Philippines has seen over a million merchants accepting digital assets, with remittances contributing approximately 9% to the country's GDP, showcasing the integration of crypto into daily business operations [5] Group 2: Growth Trends and Analytics - Chainalysis reports that Brazil, India, Nigeria, Vietnam, and the Philippines are leading in grassroots crypto activity, driven by small on-chain transfers and retail trading [5] - Sub-Saharan Africa shows strong indicators of everyday cryptocurrency use, despite being the smallest crypto economy by transaction volume, with a 52% increase in adoption [5] - The Asia-Pacific region is projected to be the fastest-growing area for on-chain crypto activity, with a 69% year-on-year increase in value received, followed by Latin America at 63% [5]

Core Insights - Zcash (CRYPTO: ZEC) has experienced a significant price increase of 496% over the last three months, raising questions about its potential to create wealth for investors [1] - The coin is built on Bitcoin's codebase and incorporates privacy features that allow for shielded transactions, distinguishing it from other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum [3] - Zcash's current market capitalization is approximately $4.7 billion, suggesting potential for substantial returns if adoption increases [4] Adoption Metrics - The share of Zcash's supply held in the shielded pool has risen to around 25%, indicating a growing use of its privacy features, although many users still prefer transparent transactions [5] External Constraints - Centralized crypto exchanges have historically been hesitant to list Zcash due to regulatory pressures, which could limit its growth potential [7] - Recent actions by exchanges, such as OKX removing privacy coins and Binance's pressure for compliance, highlight the challenges Zcash faces in gaining mainstream acceptance [7] Current Market Position - Despite its recent surge, Zcash's privacy features are not widely utilized, but its supply is becoming scarcer, contributing to its perceived value [8]

Group 1: ABSA Bank and Ripple Partnership - ABSA Bank is partnering with Ripple to provide custodial services on the Ripple blockchain, marking a significant moment in the adoption of crypto by mainstream financial institutions [1][2] - The partnership allows ABSA customers to store crypto and digital assets on the Ripple blockchain, with integrated tools for managing these assets [3] - Ripple's managing director for the Middle East and Africa described the partnership as a "major shift," emphasizing the potential of digital assets in Africa [3] Group 2: Ghana's Crypto Regulations - The Central Bank of Ghana plans to introduce crypto regulations by December 2025, aligning with similar legislative trends in Nigeria and Kenya [4] - The regulatory framework and a new bill to regulate virtual assets are currently being prepared for parliament [4] - The growing size of global crypto markets is prompting regulators to seek visibility on the movement of funds, which is in the billions [4] Group 3: Blockchain.com in Nigeria - Blockchain.com is seeking a crypto exchange license from Nigeria's Securities and Exchange Commission, following its decision to establish Nigeria as its regional hub [2]

#Crypto adoption is going GLOBAL 🌍🚀 Are you early? ...