Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Asset management firm Bitwise expects 2026 to be a breakout year for crypto, with Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH), and Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) all pushing to new all-time highs as institutional forces reshape the market. What Happened: In its 2026 Outlook, Bitwise argues the traditional four-year crypto cycle is fading. Institutional adoption, spot ETF flows, on-chain growth, and a pro-crypto r ...

The Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA) is analyzing lifting the crypto ban on banks and allowing them to provide account holders with digital asset-related services, according to Argentinian newspaper, La Nacion. The new rules for banks could be ready as soon as April 2026, La Nacion reported, quoting sources close to the BCRA. The central bank issued a law prohibiting banks from carrying out or facilitating operations for their clients with cryptocurrencies, however, following Javier Milei becoming presid ...

Group 1: U.S. National Debt and Bitcoin - The U.S. national debt has surpassed $38 trillion, with expectations for further increases as the gap between government spending and revenues widens [1] - BlackRock's report suggests that rising federal debt may enhance the adoption of Bitcoin as a rival to gold on Wall Street [2] - Bitcoin is increasingly viewed as "digital gold," with major financial figures and institutions recognizing its role as a store-of-value asset [3][4] Group 2: Institutional Adoption of Cryptocurrencies - BlackRock's 2026 Global Outlook report presents a bullish perspective on cryptocurrency adoption, indicating a potential shift towards Bitcoin as an alternative investment amid fragile market conditions [5] - The growth of stablecoins is highlighted as having significant implications for the financial system, with their integration into mainstream payment systems being described as transformative [6]

Is there even anything left looking forward to?The US president has a bunch of coins and shills BTC from time to timeMajor institutions have entered and established themselvesWe've got ETFs for the majorsStablecoin adopting mooningEveryone knows cryptoWhat's left? ...

Core Insights - The Japanese crypto market is experiencing a resurgence as exchanges and financial firms are launching new products and services to capitalize on rising investor enthusiasm for digital assets amid expectations of regulatory easing [1][2]. Market Trends - Japanese investors' crypto assets reached a record 5 trillion yen ($33.16 billion) at the end of July, marking a 25% increase from the previous month, despite Bitcoin's price rising only 15% in yen terms during the same period [2]. - As of the end of September, holdings slightly decreased to 4.9 trillion yen, indicating a potential stabilization in the market [3]. Regulatory Environment - Discussions around regulatory changes could attract more retail investors by potentially reducing taxes on crypto gains and easing restrictions on leveraged trading and asset securitization [3][7]. - The Japan Financial Services Agency is working on refining rule changes that may allow for tax treatment of digital-asset gains similar to securities, with potential implementation in 2026 or 2027 [7]. Market Opportunities - There is a significant opportunity for growth in the crypto sector, as there are approximately three times more people with securities accounts than crypto accounts in Japan [4]. - Increased engagement between crypto market makers and Japanese exchanges indicates a focus on enhancing liquidity across various digital assets [5]. Global Context - The Japanese government and regulators are adopting a more favorable stance towards crypto, influenced by the global market dynamics under the Trump administration, to ensure Japan remains competitive [6]. - Japan ranked 19th in global crypto adoption according to a report by Chainalysis, highlighting the need for further growth in this sector [6].

Core Insights - Global crypto adoption surged in 2025, with South Asia emerging as the fastest-growing region and the United States maintaining its dominance in overall transaction volume [1][8] Adoption Trends - Countries like India and Pakistan experienced an 80% increase in crypto adoption from January to July 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, reaching approximately $300 billion in transaction volume [3][8] - India retained its position as the top country for crypto adoption for the third consecutive year, followed by the U.S., Pakistan, the Philippines, and Brazil [3] U.S. Market Performance - The U.S. crypto market surpassed $1 trillion in total trading and transaction volume, reflecting a 50% increase in the first seven months of 2025 [4] - This growth was attributed to favorable regulatory developments, including the GENIUS Act and the White House's 180-Day Digital Assets Report, which provided clarity for institutional investors [4] Stablecoin Impact - Stablecoins emerged as a major driver of crypto adoption, accounting for about 30% of all crypto transactions [5] - By August 2025, stablecoin transaction volumes reached a record $4 trillion, marking an 83% year-over-year increase [5] - Tether (USDT) and Circle (USDC) dominated the stablecoin market, representing approximately 93% of total stablecoin capitalization [5] Retail Adoption - Retail adoption saw a significant increase, with the number of smaller, individual transactions rising 125% from January to September 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 [6] - This surge reflects the growing utility of crypto for payments, remittances, and value preservation amid macroeconomic instability [6] Market Dynamics - The contrasting dynamics of crypto adoption indicate a consistent trend towards mainstream financial integration, with stablecoins playing a crucial role in this shift [7] - Wealthy Asian families and their investment arms are increasingly investing in crypto, driven by strong market returns and favorable regulations [7]

Core Insights - CEA Industries Inc. has acquired a total of 500,000 BNB tokens at an average cost of approximately $870 per token, totaling an investment of $435 million, with an estimated current value of $546.8 million as of October 20, 2025 [1][2] - The company aims to own 1% of the total BNB supply by the end of 2025, reinforcing its position as the largest BNB treasury globally [2][4] - Recent institutional interest in BNB has surged, with Coinbase considering full platform support for BNB and China Merchants Bank International tokenizing its USD money market fund on the BNB Chain [3][4] Company Strategy - The company views BNB as a critical asset within a widely adopted blockchain infrastructure, emphasizing a disciplined capital allocation strategy and long-term focus [5] - Recent executive appointments, including Carly E. Howard and Jon "Dr. J" Najarian, aim to enhance governance and market presence as the company scales its digital asset treasury operations [5][6] Market Context - BNB has experienced renewed momentum despite broader market instability, driven by increased institutional engagement and a record of 3.6 million daily active addresses on the BNB Chain [3][4] - The growing corporate alignment around the BNB ecosystem is highlighted by China Renaissance's establishment of a $600 million BNB-focused digital asset treasury [3]

Core Insights - Binance Japan has partnered with PayPay to facilitate the use of cryptocurrency for everyday cashless payments in Japan [1][3] - PayPay and SoftBank have acquired a 40% stake in Binance Japan, enhancing the collaboration between the two companies [2] - The partnership aims to integrate digital assets with PayPay's payment network, providing users with a seamless financial experience [1][4] Company Developments - Binance Japan has launched a feature allowing users to buy cryptocurrency using "PayPay Money," marking the first step in a broader partnership [3] - Future plans include enabling users to withdraw cryptocurrency directly into their PayPay accounts [3] - The partnership is expected to leverage PayPay's 38 million users and Binance's technology to enhance cryptocurrency services in Japan [4][5] Industry Trends - Japan is experiencing a surge in cryptocurrency adoption, with major corporations integrating Bitcoin into their treasury strategies [5] - Metaplanet, a Tokyo-based Bitcoin treasury company, has emerged as a significant player, holding 30,823 BTC valued at $3.3 billion [6]

Core Insights - Gemini has launched a fully localized operation in Australia, establishing Gemini Intergalactic Australia as a licensed digital currency exchange to meet rising regional demand for digital assets [1][2][9] Company Developments - The new entity is registered with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) and aims to serve both retail and institutional clients [2][4] - The launch follows Gemini's successful Nasdaq debut, raising $425 million in an initial public offering, marking one of the largest listings in the digital asset sector this year [5][6][9] - Gemini's founders, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, retain approximately 94.5% of voting power post-IPO, ensuring continued control over the company [7] Industry Trends - Cryptocurrency adoption in Australia has increased to 31% in 2024, up from 28% the previous year, indicating a growing market opportunity for digital asset platforms [3][9] - The Australian securities regulator, ASIC, has introduced temporary licensing relief for stablecoin distributors until June 2028, which may further facilitate the growth of the crypto market in the region [8]

Core Insights - The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing rapid growth in cryptocurrency activity, with monthly on-chain transaction values tripling from approximately $81 billion in July 2022 to $244 billion in December 2024 [1] - India remains the largest market in the region by transaction volume, with about $338 billion in monthly on-chain transactions as of mid-2025 [3] - Japan recorded the fastest year-on-year growth at 120% to June 2025, driven by regulatory reforms and increased investor participation [2][8] India’s Market Dynamics - Grassroots adoption is a significant driver of growth in India, with remittances, retail trading, and fintech integration playing key roles [4] - The Indian diaspora increasingly routes remittance flows through cryptocurrency channels, offering lower costs and faster settlement times compared to traditional banking [5] - Fintech platforms have integrated crypto trading with existing payment systems, enhancing transaction ease for retail users [6] Regulatory Environment - Regulatory developments in India, including clearer taxation guidelines and licensing frameworks, have bolstered market confidence [6] - Despite the high level of adoption, volatility remains a concern, prompting regulators to monitor trading activity to mitigate systemic risks [7] Japan’s Growth Factors - Japan's rapid growth in cryptocurrency transactions is attributed to regulatory reforms that clarify the legal and tax status of cryptocurrencies and enhance investor protection [2][8] - The increased usage of major cryptocurrencies in Japan reflects a broader trend of diverse adoption models within the APAC crypto landscape [2]