Core Insights - Robinhood is increasingly integrating stablecoins into its financial infrastructure as a long-term growth opportunity, emphasizing their efficiency in the 24/7 crypto market [1][3] Group 1: Stablecoin Utilization - Stablecoins have been a crucial part of Robinhood's operations, particularly for settling transactions with market makers and liquidity providers [3] - Users can purchase Circle's USDC stablecoin at a 1:1 ratio without incurring additional fees, enhancing user experience [3] Group 2: Global Dollar Network - Robinhood is involved in the Global Dollar Network, which features the USDG stablecoin issued by Paxos, designed to redistribute revenue among partners [4] - The USDG stablecoin is pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar and aims to create a fairer revenue distribution model [4] Group 3: Regulatory Environment - Broader adoption of USDG at Robinhood is contingent on regulatory developments, particularly the implementation of the GENIUS Act, which regulates USD-pegged stablecoins [5] - The GENIUS Act has already positively impacted the industry by legitimizing stablecoins as financial products, attracting interest from large banks and institutions [6] Group 4: Future Outlook - The company plans to invest more in stablecoins, indicating a commitment to expanding their role within its operations [5] - A federal regulatory framework, such as the proposed CLARITY Act, would simplify operations for Robinhood by addressing the current fragmented state-by-state regulatory approach [7]

Core Viewpoint - XRP experienced a significant decline, breaking below the $1.92 support level due to heightened selling pressure and volatility across various asset classes during U.S. trading hours [1]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The crypto market faced extreme volatility, with Bitcoin fluctuating from $87,000 to over $90,000 before returning to the $87,000 range [5]. - AI-linked equities, such as Nvidia, Broadcom, and Oracle, saw losses between 3% and 6%, contributing to a more than 1% drop in the Nasdaq [5]. - Reports of Blue Owl Capital withdrawing from a $10 billion Oracle data-center project negatively impacted risk assets associated with AI infrastructure [5]. Group 2: Liquidation Events - The sudden market swings resulted in over $190 million in liquidations within four hours, with $72 million in long positions and $121 million in short positions being liquidated [5]. Group 3: Technical Analysis of XRP - Immediate support for XRP is at $1.90, with secondary support between $1.75 and $1.64 if the $1.90 level fails [5]. - Near-term resistance is identified at $1.94 to $1.99, which was previously a support level now acting as supply [5]. - A breakdown below key Fibonacci retracement levels indicates a bearish trend, with lower highs suggesting momentum decay [5]. - The price acceptance below $1.94 maintains a downside bias, and a clean break below $1.90 could quickly expose the $1.75 to $1.64 range [5].

Core Insights - Securitize has emerged as a key player in the tokenized asset trade, with co-founder Carlos Domingo leading the company since its inception in 2017 [1] - The firm currently manages approximately $3.6 billion in tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) and anticipates exceeding $4 billion by year-end, with a revenue growth of roughly 10x over the past 18 months [2] - Securitize is preparing for a public listing through a SPAC merger with Cantor Fitzgerald, targeting early next year for the listing [2] Company Performance - 2023 has been described as the best year in Securitize's history, marking a significant inflection point for the company [3] - The company faced challenges in attracting investment and talent during earlier years, often having to raise funding every 18 months [4][5] - Despite the competitive landscape, many early rivals in tokenization have failed, highlighting the importance of survival in the industry [5] Business Model Evolution - Initially, Securitize aimed to operate as a software company, providing a tokenization platform for banks and asset managers to license and use independently [6]

Core Insights - Paul S. Atkins is reshaping the regulatory landscape for crypto assets at the SEC, moving away from the previous administration's approach [1][4] - The SEC under Atkins is focused on creating a clear regulatory framework for crypto markets, emphasizing the need for defined rules regarding issuance, custody, and trading [4][6] Group 1: Regulatory Changes - Atkins aims to develop a rational regulatory framework that discourages bad actors while providing clear guidelines for crypto asset markets [4] - The SEC has begun to drop investigations and lawsuits against crypto companies, a trend initiated by his predecessor, Mark Uyeda [4] - The SEC is publishing staff statements on various aspects of the crypto sector, which, while not binding, signal a new approach to engagement with the industry [4] Group 2: Future Initiatives - Atkins has requested the Commission staff to create clearer guidelines to help determine if a crypto asset qualifies as a security [5] - The staff has also been tasked with proposing disclosures, exemptions, and safe harbors for initial coin offerings, airdrops, and network rewards [6] - Atkins intends to engage with firms looking to distribute tokenized securities in the U.S. to prevent them from relocating offshore [6]

Core Viewpoint - Hedge fund manager Eric Jackson is betting on the digital asset treasury (DAT) business model despite criticism from leading stock market index providers [1][6]. Group 1: Eric Jackson and EMJ Capital - Eric Jackson is a tech and media investor who founded EMJ Capital Ltd. in Canada in 2017, utilizing a proprietary AI/ML-driven algorithm to select tech equities [1]. - Jackson gained attention for his bullish comments that led to a more than 1,000% surge in Opendoor Technologies' shares over the last six months [2]. Group 2: Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) Business Model - The DAT model involves companies holding cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum on their balance sheets, similar to cash holdings [3]. - Companies like Michael Saylor's Strategy have pioneered this model, becoming the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin and inspiring others like Tom Lee's Bitmine Immersion Technologies to adopt it [4]. Group 3: Challenges Facing the DAT Model - The DAT model is facing challenges amid a crypto market crash, with MSCI considering excluding companies with over 50% of their assets in digital assets from the MSCI USA Index [6]. - Despite the potential delisting from the index, Jackson continues to pursue the DAT model [8]. Group 4: Recent Developments - On December 16, SRx Health Solutions announced a deal to acquire EMJ Crypto Technologies, led by Jackson, who will serve as CEO and chairman of the combined company [9]. - EMJ Crypto Technologies will actively allocate, hedge, and reinvest in crypto assets rather than passively tracking digital asset values [10].

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Crypto-linked stocks crashed on Dec. 15 as concerns over U.S. debt and rising funding costs unsettled markets, extending a risk-off mood already seen in technology and AI market. Investors have grown cautious about assets tied to growth, leverage and long-term funding, with crypto stocks among the first to feel the pressure. U.S. stocks closed lower on Monday. On Dec. 16, stock futures slipped as traders turned cautious ahead of November’s U.S. jobs report, which is expected to show slower hiring and c ...

Core Insights - SMX has transitioned from a lesser-known entity to a significant topic in investor discussions, particularly due to its Plastic Cycle Token (PCT) which is recognized as a foundational element for a new category of real-world assets based on verifiable data rather than estimates [1][2] Group 1: Technology and Innovation - SMX addresses longstanding issues in the sustainability sector, such as unreliable data and vague audit trails, by implementing a molecular identity system that allows materials to carry their own history, thus transforming sustainability into a verifiable asset [2][4] - The PCT is not merely a token but a ledger of truth that parallels industrial activity, allowing for the tracking and valuation of verified recovery events [5][9] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The rising interest in the PCT stems from its ability to change how businesses perceive compliance and how markets assess value, shifting sustainability from an expense to a performance category linked to verifiable outputs [6][8] - Investors are increasingly recognizing that SMX has built a robust infrastructure rather than merely creating hype, as the clarity of the PCT framework has attracted attention without dramatic marketing efforts [7][9] Group 3: Economic Implications - The PCT is seen as a new economic layer that integrates industry, data, and digital value, moving the conversation from ideology to economics, which is appealing to both traditional markets and the crypto sector [6][9] - SMX's technology is appreciated for unlocking efficiency, providing trustworthy verification for regulators and brands, and offering digital assets that are backed by real-world activities [8]

Core Insights - Proactive provides fast, accessible, and informative business and finance news content to a global investment audience [2] - The company specializes in medium and small-cap markets while also covering blue-chip companies and broader investment stories [3] - Proactive's news team delivers insights across various sectors including biotech, pharma, mining, natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto, and emerging technologies [3] Technology Adoption - Proactive is recognized for its forward-looking approach and enthusiastic adoption of technology [4] - The company utilizes automation and software tools, including generative AI, while ensuring all content is edited and authored by humans [5]

LONDON, Dec 16 (Reuters) - British regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched a wide-ranging consultation on a range of proposed ​rules for the crypto industry on Tuesday, a day ‌after the government said the industry would be regulated from October 2027. The FCA ‌set out its proposals alongside research that shows that the proportion of UK adults holding crypto has fallen by a third, from 12% to 8% in the past year. Watchdogs globally are playing catch-up ⁠on rules for the ‌crypto industr ...