Core Insights - Major cryptocurrencies are experiencing a decline as the holiday season approaches, with Bitcoin, Ether, and XRP all moving lower [1] - Kraken is expanding into tokenized assets through the acquisition of Backed Finance, aiming to enhance the adoption of tokenized equities and prediction markets in 2026 [2][3] Group 1: Tokenized Assets and Kraken's Strategy - Kraken has announced the acquisition of Backed Finance, which specializes in tokenization infrastructure, to facilitate the issuance of X stocks, which are permissionless tokens representing underlying equities [3][4] - The X stocks initiative aims to integrate the advantages of crypto trading into traditional equities, allowing for 24/7 trading and self-custody, which is currently limited in traditional markets [5][6] - Over 80,000 wallets are utilizing X stocks, with hundreds of millions of dollars in assets and $14 billion in volume traded on-chain, indicating strong initial success [6][7] Group 2: Market Trends and Predictions - There is a growing institutional demand for tokenized equities, driven by the inefficiencies of traditional banking infrastructure, which has not evolved significantly in over 50 years [8][9] - Tokenization is expected to enhance liquidity and trading capabilities in equities, with Kraken anticipating significant growth in this sector throughout 2026 [9][11] Group 3: Developments in Digital Payments - Kraken has introduced the Crack Card, a debit card offering crypto rewards, which is currently available in the UK and EU, with plans to launch in the US next year [20][24] - The Crack Card signifies a shift towards a more inclusive definition of money, allowing users to transact in various currencies, including cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets [21][23] Group 4: Future Outlook and Acquisitions - Kraken plans to continue investing in its platform and expanding its offerings, with expectations of more acquisitions and enhancements in 2026 [25][26] - The company is also looking to enter the prediction markets space, which has seen increased interest and activity, indicating a broader strategy to diversify its services [16][19]

Internet users in the Philippines began losing access to major global cryptocurrency exchanges this week after local internet service providers moved to block dozens of online trading platforms following orders from regulators. Among the platforms affected were Coinbase and Gemini, two of the largest U.S.-based crypto exchanges, which users reported became inaccessible across multiple Philippine ISPs as of Tuesday. Independent checks confirmed the disruptions. Philippine Crackdown Leaves Traders Scrambl ...

alexkich / Shutterstock.com Quick Read Coinbase (COIN) acquired prediction markets startup The Clearing Company to diversify revenue beyond crypto trading volatility. Coinbase is expanding into asset tokenization and prediction markets to become an everything exchange. Coinbase shares trade at 21.4x trailing P/E after falling over 40% from all-time highs. If you’re thinking about retiring or know someone who is, there are three quick questions causing many Americans to realize they can retire earl ...

Watch the full interview with WazirX CEO Nischal Shetty — Part 1 and Part 2 out now on Roundtable WazirX, the Indian cryptocurrency trading exchange, has finally resumed operations after completing a Singapore court-approved restructuring process. It marks a rare comeback for the exchange, which suffered a shocking exploit of $234.9 million in July 2024—only six years after its launch in March 2018. However, there is one question that the Indian crypto community is still confused about: Who owns WazirX? ...

Crypto.com is moving deeper into prediction markets with plans to staff an internal market-making desk, a step that is drawing renewed attention to how these platforms operate and whether exchanges may end up trading directly against their own users. The Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange is recruiting a quantitative trader to join a team responsible for buying and selling financial contracts tied to the outcomes of sporting events on its prediction market platform. Liquidity or Conflict? Crypto.co ...

Bybit has announced that it will discontinue services for Japanese residents and gradually implement account restrictions starting in 2026 as part of its efforts to comply with local regulations. The exchange, currently the world’s second-largest by trading volume, notified affected users via email and urged those who believe the classification is incorrect to complete Identity Verification Level 2 by January 22, 2026, or face being deemed a Japanese resident. The decision follows months of mounting reg ...

The second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, Bybit, said it will begin restricting access to its services for residents of Japan next year as part of an effort to comply with the country’s financial regulations. The company did not specify which services would be affected, but said impacted users will receive further communication as the restrictions roll out. Japan has some of the most stringent crypto regulations globally. Exchanges operating in the country must register with the Fina ...

Key Takeaways Coinbase will acquire The Clearing Company to expand its prediction market presence.This marks COIN's 10th acquisition in 2025 as it builds a broader investment platform.COIN launched a market last week, letting users trade on real-world event outcomes.In its effort to strengthen its presence in the prediction market, Coinbase Global (COIN) has agreed to buy The Clearing Company. The transaction is expected to be closed next month.  Last month, COIN joined forces with Kalshi to venture into th ...

Bybit will stop providing services to Japanese residents in January, bowing to relentless pressure from financial regulators. When users with Japanese IP addresses access the Bybit website, they are confronted with a message that reads: “Service not available in your country/region.” “As part of Bybit’s proactive efforts to comply with Japanese regulations, we have decided to terminate services for customers residing in Japan,” the exchange said in an announcement reported by the Japanese media outlet Co ...

Bybit 宣布将自 2026 年起分阶段退出日本市场，选择退让而非继续与日本监管对抗。日本金融厅自 2021 年以来持续追责其"无牌经营"，并在今年要求苹果与谷歌下架相关 App。Bybit 表示，日本居民账 户将从 2026 年起逐步受限，若被误判需在 2026 年 1 月 22 日前补交材料。（FinanceFeeds） （来源：吴说） ...