Crypto exchange Bit.com has begun a three-step shutdown of its operations, set to conclude on March 31, 2026. According to an announcement shared across its social media channels on Dec. 27, and later confirmed over email, the shutdown is a part of a business restructuring plan. The exchange launched what it calls a "User Asset Migration Plan" to ensure a withdrawal process for customers. Related: After regulatory shutdown, world's largest crypto exchange set to reopen in key market Bit.com over the ye ...

Core Insights - Coinbase aims to scale its stablecoin offerings and enhance onchain adoption globally by 2026, with a goal to become the "1 financial app in the world" [1] - Major investments will be made in automation and product quality, leveraging the Ethereum layer-2 network Base to facilitate onchain integration [2] - Regulatory clarity and institutional adoption are converging, with spot crypto ETFs, stablecoins, and tokenization expected to drive growth and adoption in 2026 [2] Financial Performance - Coinbase reported a 26% quarter-on-quarter increase in revenue for Q3, reaching $1.9 billion, exceeding expectations [2] Strategic Developments - The exchange is considering launching a native token for Base, although no timeline has been established for this potential launch [3] - Industry commentators suggest that while Coinbase's goals are directionally sound, they may overstate near-term feasibility, emphasizing the need to solve real problems for true adoption [4][5]

Core Insights - Korbit, a South Korean crypto exchange, has been fined 2.73 billion won ($1.9 million) for multiple breaches related to anti-money laundering and customer verification [1][2] - The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) found significant violations of the Special Financial Transactions Act, including failures in customer due diligence and transaction restrictions [2][4] - Mirae Asset, a financial group with no prior crypto involvement, is in talks to acquire a majority stake in Korbit, with the deal potentially valued at up to $98 million [3] Regulatory Actions - The FIU has imposed an institutional warning and personal disciplinary measures against senior executives at Korbit, including a warning to the CEO [2][3] - An on-site inspection conducted by the FIU in October 2024 revealed thousands of violations related to anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) protocols [4] - The enforcement action is part of the FIU's broader initiative to enhance anti-money laundering capabilities and legal compliance within the virtual asset market [5]

Ethereum is having its worst Q4 performance in years, with continuous outflows from the US-based exchange-traded funds, and the latest whale inflows just put even more pressure on the leading altcoin. According to data from Lookonchain, the whale, known as 1011short, deposited 112,894 ETH, worth roughly $332 million, into Binance, the largest crypto exchange by trading volume. Massive Binance inflows usually indicate an impending selling pressure, given the exchange’s high liquidity, which is necessary ...

Core Insights - Coinbase experienced a significant security breach in May, where hackers bribed employees to steal sensitive customer data and demanded a ransom of $20 million, with potential remediation costs estimated at $400 million [1][4]. Group 1: Security Breach Details - The breach involved bribing contractors or employees outside the US to access customer information [1][4]. - The incident is noted as one of the most high-profile security breaches in the crypto trading platform sector [1][4]. Group 2: Law Enforcement Actions - Coinbase's CEO, Brian Armstrong, announced the arrest of a former customer service agent in India, linked to the breach [2][5]. - The company is collaborating with law enforcement to address bad behavior and has seen recent legal actions, including charges against an individual accused of running an impersonation scheme targeting Coinbase customers [5]. Group 3: Market Impact - Following the news of the breach and subsequent arrests, Coinbase's shares fell approximately 1.2% to $236.79, with a year-to-date decline of around 4.6% [5].

Group 1 - Kraken aims to list its shares on a US stock exchange as early as Q1 2026, joining other crypto firms like Coinbase and Gemini in public markets [1][2] - The company is finalizing a $500 million pre-IPO round, targeting a valuation of $15 billion, indicating a significant increase from its 2022 valuation [1] - In 2025, crypto firms completed approximately $8.6 billion in mergers and acquisitions, highlighting continued investment in crypto infrastructure despite stagnant token prices [3] Group 2 - The IPO of Kraken is seen as a potential catalyst for a new crypto market cycle, characterized by traditional financial institutions engaging more seriously with the crypto sector [2][5] - Other crypto-related companies, such as Circle and Gemini, have also gone public, providing retail investors with opportunities to invest in the companies behind crypto operations rather than just the cryptocurrencies themselves [4] - The listing of large exchanges like Kraken signals to traditional investors that the crypto market is here to stay, enhancing confidence among institutional investors due to increased transparency and regulatory compliance [6]

Core Insights - The popularity of P2P crypto trading is increasing as users seek more control, lower fees, and diverse payment options, with projections indicating that by 2026, exchanges with the lowest fees will excel in P2P trading [1][2] - The distinction between P2P platforms and traditional margin trading exchanges is diminishing, allowing users to seamlessly transition between P2P and other trading products without incurring excessive fees [2] P2P Trading Platforms Overview - Best Wallet is highlighted as the overall best P2P crypto experience, offering a mobile-first approach with various local payment methods and no KYC for basic use [3][8] - MEXC is recognized for having no trading fees for P2P transactions and a wide array of payment options, although it may lack global recognition compared to larger exchanges [10][12] - OKX stands out for its variety of payment methods and low fees, supporting over 900 payment options, but may face regulatory challenges in certain countries [19][13] - Binance is noted as the largest P2P crypto exchange by user base, providing deep liquidity and a vast selection of payment methods, although some regions report support issues [20][26] - Bybit is praised for fast trades and strong escrow protection, with most P2P trades being free, but KYC is required for most features [27][31] - BingX combines P2P trading with social trading features, offering a robust platform but with fewer coin options compared to Binance [32][36] - KuCoin is recognized for its extensive payment options and user-friendly interface, although it primarily supports USDT in P2P trading [37][41] - Bitget is noted for its 24/7 customer support and free P2P trading, but may have lower trading volumes compared to larger exchanges [42][46] - CoinEx is highlighted for its vast crypto support and user-friendly interface, though it may lag in liquidity compared to top exchanges [47][49] - Uniswap is identified as the best P2P exchange for ERC-20 tokens, allowing users to swap tokens directly from their wallets without fees [51][53] P2P Trading Conditions - P2P trading typically incurs no fees, with users only responsible for network costs or spreads, and offers a wide range of payment methods including bank transfers and e-wallets [9][64] - Dispute resolution speeds vary by platform, with some providing moderate support while others may take longer to resolve issues [9][10] - Supported coins on P2P platforms can exceed 1,000, with merchant verification relying on reputation scores rather than strict checks [9][12] Benefits of P2P Trading - P2P exchanges offer no KYC requirements, decentralization, and a wide range of tokens, making them appealing for users prioritizing privacy and flexibility [61][63] - Lower fees are a significant advantage, with many platforms operating on zero or near-zero trading fees, benefiting high-frequency and arbitrage traders [65][66] - Fast transaction speeds are achievable, especially with efficient payment methods, allowing for quick crypto releases [66][67] Risks and Challenges - P2P trading is not without risks, including potential fraud and scams, which can occur through tactics like fake payment confirmations [69][70] - Counterparty risk is inherent in P2P systems, as transactions depend on the honesty of the other party, and dispute resolutions may not always be guaranteed [71][72] - Security vulnerabilities exist, including phishing scams and compromised accounts, emphasizing the need for users to implement strong security measures [73][74]

Core Insights - The launch of CrossEx in October 2025 marks a significant development for professional investors, providing a cross-exchange trading and clearing platform that enhances execution and capital management across multiple venues [1] - The shift in market dynamics has seen institutional capital become the primary driver of liquidity, with large asset managers entering through crypto-linked ETFs and major banks exploring stablecoins [3] - Gate has undergone a comprehensive rebranding and secured multiple regulatory licenses, including the MiCA license in Europe and a full operational license in Dubai, to enhance its operational capabilities [6] Group 1: Market Dynamics - The crypto market has evolved through various bull cycles, with the 2021 rally primarily driven by retail speculation, while the current cycle is characterized by institutional participation [4][3] - In 2025, competition among centralized exchanges has intensified, with a focus on execution quality and capital efficiency, as professional traders increasingly engage in derivatives trading [7] - Retail trading remains influential, with trends such as the popularity of meme coins and perpetual trading gaining traction among users [10][12] Group 2: Infrastructure and Product Development - Gate has expanded its infrastructure to support institutional trading workflows and on-chain participation, reflecting a commitment to adapt to changing market needs [6][15] - The introduction of Gate Layer, a Layer 2 network, aims to provide decentralized access while maintaining performance and reliability for users [16] - The company is focused on building a robust platform that caters to both centralized and decentralized users, enhancing user experience across different trading environments [17] Group 3: Security and Transparency - Security and transparency are paramount, with Gate implementing proof of reserves as early as 2020, covering approximately $12 billion in assets by September 2025 [19][22] - The exchange has adopted advanced verification methods, including Merkle tree verification and zero-knowledge proofs, to ensure user asset safety without compromising sensitive information [20][21] - A vault account system has been introduced to enhance user control over asset security, incorporating multi-party computation technology to prevent unauthorized access [22][23] Group 4: Future Directions - Looking ahead to 2026, Gate aims to simplify user interactions with both centralized and decentralized platforms, addressing friction in navigating complex interfaces [25][26] - The potential integration of artificial intelligence is being explored to streamline the trading process, allowing users to execute trades with minimal effort [27] - The company's vision includes reducing barriers for users, enabling them to express their trading intentions without needing to understand intricate mechanisms [28]

Coinbase has appointed former UK finance minister George Osborne as chair of its Global Advisory Council. It is clear that the American crypto exchange wants to deepen its influence with governments outside the United States. Earlier this week, Coinbase tested the waters in India as its deal to acquire a minority stake in local crypto trading platform CoinDCX was approved by the Competition Commission of India. Coinbase Expands Policy Reach Beyond the US Coinbase confirmed that Osborne will take a more ...

Even though large banking institutions are generally wary of the stock market interacting with the crypto ecosystem, there is one major bank that is bullish on a popular crypto stock even when it is sinking amid the market crash. Deutsche Bank, the multinational investment bank and financial services company headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, has initiated coverage of Coinbase (Nasdaq: COIN) and boosted the sinking stock's price target by nearly 40%. Related: Coinbase launches moisturizer for 'diamond ...