The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) plans to evaluate in 2026 whether certain cryptocurrency assets, including some stablecoins, qualify as cash equivalents, reported The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). The US accounting standard maker will also consider how companies should recognise and report transfers of crypto assets. Both projects were added to the FASB’s agenda in recent months following public feedback and form part of more than 70 potential topics identified through its latest agenda con ...

Core Insights - Prediction markets are emerging as a significant growth narrative in the crypto sector, with billions in trading volume and increasing institutional interest as well as regulatory clarity [1] Group 1: Market Growth - By late December 2025, prediction markets recorded over $4.5 billion in weekly notional volume, marking a 12.5% week-on-week increase [2] - In November 2025, prediction markets achieved a monthly trading volume of $9.5 billion, surpassing meme coins and NFTs, which generated approximately $2.4 billion and $200 million respectively during the same period [3] Group 2: User Engagement - There are nearly 279,000 weekly active users in prediction markets, with over $4 billion in weekly notional volume and 12.67 million transactions, indicating sustained engagement rather than short-lived speculation [4] Group 3: Institutional Adoption - Institutional momentum is accelerating, with Coinbase preparing to launch prediction markets and Gemini's affiliate securing regulatory approval to offer them in the US, indicating a transition from fringe DeFi tools to regulated financial instruments [5]

Global family offices increased their exposure to cryptocurrencies in 2025, with a growing number entering the market for the first time. Key Takeaways: Family offices expanded crypto exposure in 2025, with many making first-time allocations. Bitcoin and Ether remain the main entry points as improved infrastructure offsets limited in-house expertise. Market volatility and weak prices are tempering expectations for broader adoption in 2026. However, sharp price swings and weak recent performance a ...

Core Insights - The company's shares rose approximately 0.75% after hitting a 15-month low, coinciding with a decline in the value of its Bitcoin reserves to a 7-month low [1] - The company sold 15 million shares this month, raising about $2.7 million, which is roughly 6% of its market cap of $44 billion, positioning it as a crypto proxy stock [2] Group 1: Market Performance - Crypto stocks are categorized into three groups this year: miners pivoting to AI infrastructure, exchanges, and digital asset treasuries [3] - Miners like Iris Energy saw significant gains, with a nearly 300% increase year-to-date after a $10 billion cloud deal with Microsoft [3] - Other miners, such as Cipher Mining and HUD 8, also reported substantial increases of over 200% and around 140%, respectively, due to major contracts [3] Group 2: Exchanges and Treasury Performance - Exchanges like Coinbase and E Toro have experienced declines from their 2025 highs, reflecting their dependence on trading volumes and crypto sentiment [4] - Digital asset treasuries have faced significant downturns, with strategies down nearly 50% this year and pure play Bitcoin miners like Marathon down 45% [4] - Other digital asset plays, such as Tomley's Bitmine Immersion and Ethereum Treasury, have seen declines of up to 80% from summer highs [4] Group 3: Market Risks - The decline in performance is attributed to dilution, financing costs, and sentiment swings, which could impact trading strategies heading into January [5] - MSCI is expected to decide on the reclassification of crypto-heavy balance sheets, which may force passive funds to reduce exposure, posing a liquidity risk for treasury names [5]

Bitcoin hovered near $88,000 on Wednesday as traders made another late push to tidy up year-end performance in a market that has struggled to find conviction after October’s leverage shock. That wobble traces back to Oct. 10, when a cascade of forced liquidations cleared more than $19B of leveraged crypto positions in roughly a day, leaving spot markets cautious and derivatives traders quicker to de-risk. Since then, attention has shifted to the marginal buyer, and the flow picture has turned less suppo ...

吴说获悉，据 Onchain Lens 监测，过去 9 个小时内，Circle 在 Solana 上再次铸造 10 亿枚 USDC。 过去 11 小时内，Circle 和 Tether 共计铸造了 20 亿美元的 USDC 和 USDT。 （来源：吴说） 来源：市场资讯 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article argues that a long-term trend of economic decline will be prevalent in society, leading individuals to seek alternative investment strategies, particularly in high-risk areas like cryptocurrency and prediction markets, as traditional wealth accumulation pathways have become blocked [1][3][5]. Group 1: Economic Disparities - The traditional wealth accumulation mechanisms have failed, with the Baby Boomer generation holding 50% of national wealth while Millennials only possess about 10% [3][5]. - The cost of living has increased significantly, with housing costs doubling while wages have only grown by 8%, leading to a 33% increase in debt burdens for younger generations [5][11]. - The current economic structure has created a sense of entrapment for many, as they struggle to find realistic paths to achieve financial stability and success [3][4]. Group 2: Changing Work Dynamics - The implicit contract of job security and loyalty in exchange for stable returns has broken down, making long-term employment a disadvantage rather than an advantage [4][5]. - The rise of artificial intelligence threatens white-collar jobs, leading to increased anxiety among workers about job security and the future of their careers [11][12]. - Social media exacerbates feelings of inadequacy, as individuals constantly compare themselves to others who appear to be more successful, further driving the desire for quick financial gains [13][14]. Group 3: Rise of High-Risk Investments - Younger generations are increasingly turning to high-risk investments like cryptocurrency and prediction markets as traditional career paths seem less viable [18][19]. - The gambling-like nature of these investments provides a sense of agency and control that is lacking in conventional job markets, making them appealing despite the inherent risks [19][24]. - The prediction market and sports betting industries are experiencing explosive growth, with significant increases in transaction volumes and participation rates among younger demographics [21][26]. Group 4: Investment Opportunities - Companies that facilitate high-risk investments, such as Polymarket and Coinbase, are positioned to benefit from the growing demand for these services, regardless of individual success rates [25][26]. - The entrepreneurial landscape is expanding, with many opportunities aimed at helping individuals escape traditional employment structures, further driving interest in high-risk ventures [25][27]. - The underlying economic conditions that drive young people towards speculative behavior are unlikely to change, suggesting a sustained demand for platforms that cater to these needs [27][28].

Cypherpunk Technologies has deepened its bet on Zcash, adding fuel to a growing debate over whether privacy-focused cryptocurrencies can play a role similar to Bitcoin in corporate treasuries. The Nasdaq-listed company said it purchased an additional 56,418.09 ZEC for about $29 million at an average price of $514.02 per token. With the latest transaction, Cypherpunk now holds 290,062.67 ZEC, equal to roughly 1.76% of Zcash’s circulating supply. The company said its total position was accumulated at a b ...

Users on the popular cryptocurrency trading platform, Lighter, are reportedly unable to withdraw funds currently, Wu Blockchain reported on Dec. 30. The development took place on a day when Lighter's native token made its debut. Related: Popular crypto company shuts down as Bitcoin crashes What is Lighter? Backed by investors like Coinbase (Nasdaq: COIN) and Robinhood (Nasdaq: HOOD), Lighter is a layer-2 decentralized crypto trading platform built on Ethereum (ETH). Lighter's decentralized nature means ...

Core Insights - The article highlights the significant institutional interest in XRP ETFs, demonstrating a shift from speculative trading to structural market changes driven by consistent allocations and liquidity constraints [6][23][24]. Group 1: Institutional Adoption and Flows - Grayscale's GXRP fund has successfully leveraged existing relationships, managing over $220 million with stable capital flows, indicating strong institutional commitment [2][4]. - Daily inflows into XRP ETFs have averaged $27.7 million, with a total of $1.3 billion absorbed in just 50 days, showcasing a durable allocation trend rather than event-driven trading [5][6][13]. - Canary Capital's XRPC fund launched with $250 million on day one and currently holds approximately $384 million, reflecting a preference for liquidity and early access among institutions despite lower-fee competitors [4][10]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Supply Constraints - XRP ETFs have locked 746 million XRP, representing 1.14% of the circulating supply, with minimal redemptions, indicating a tightening of available liquidity in the market [5][8][15]. - Exchange balances of XRP fell by 58% in 2025, further constraining liquidity as institutional capital moves into long-term custody [7][15]. - If XRP ETF inflows reach $5 billion, an estimated 2.6 billion XRP would be locked, increasing the locked supply to approximately 4% of the circulating total [14][24]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape and Future Projections - Franklin Templeton's XRPZ fund adopted a cost leadership strategy with a 0.19% expense ratio, raising over $190 million, which may attract cost-conscious investors [9][10]. - The potential entry of BlackRock into the XRP ETF market could significantly accelerate inflows, as the firm has a history of mobilizing substantial institutional capital [19][20]. - The expansion of Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin could create additional demand for XRP, shifting its narrative from a speculative asset to a payments infrastructure token [21][22].