x
AI-powered no-code tools combined with blockchain technology could undermine Amazon Web Services’ dominance by enabling users to create and continuously update applications through natural language prompts without relying on centralized servers. According to Dfinity Foundation executive Lomesh Dutta, this shift would democratize app development and require infrastructure that is secure, tamper-resistant, and capable of operating autonomously, characteristics better suited to decentralized blockchain networks than traditional cloud providers.
Despite marketing themselves as decentralized, many crypto and Web3 projects still depend heavily on AWS to host applications and websites, a reliance highlighted by multiple AWS outages in 2025 that disrupted major exchanges and financial apps. These incidents exposed the fragility of centralized infrastructure and intensified criticism from industry leaders who argue that while decentralization has progressed at the ledger level, it has yet to be achieved at the infrastructure level, leaving the sector vulnerable to single points of failure. Source
Bitcoin began in 2009 as an open-source experiment aimed at creating a financial system without banks, gaining early traction among technologists and hobbyists before evolving into a broader ideological response to the 2008 financial crisis. Its fixed supply and decentralized design attracted users distrustful of traditional finance, but events like the Mt. Gox collapse in 2014 exposed vulnerabilities in centralized services built around the network. Subsequent boom-and-bust cycles, particularly the surge in 2017 and the downturn that followed, shifted focus from speculation toward building more resilient technology, while the rise of decentralized finance after 2018 showed new possibilities for financial activity without intermediaries.
In recent years, Bitcoin has become increasingly intertwined with mainstream finance and global politics, with institutions offering custody and investment products and political figures embracing digital assets as part of policy debates. This integration has caused Bitcoin to move more closely with traditional markets and react to macroeconomic events such as interest rate decisions and geopolitical conflicts, marking a departure from its early independence. Despite this shift, the core appeal of self-sovereignty and borderless value remains strong, particularly in regions facing currency instability, suggesting that Bitcoin’s original vision continues to resonate even as it matures into a globally recognized asset. Source
US lawmakers have introduced a discussion draft aimed at reducing the tax burden on everyday crypto users by exempting stablecoin transactions of up to $200 from capital gains taxes. The proposal, put forward by Representatives Max Miller and Steven Horsford, would apply only to regulated, dollar-pegged stablecoins issued under permitted frameworks and trading within a narrow price range. Safeguards are included to prevent abuse, excluding brokers and dealers from the exemption and granting the Treasury authority to impose anti-abuse measures and reporting requirements.
The draft also addresses taxation of crypto staking and mining by allowing taxpayers to defer income recognition on rewards for up to five years, easing concerns around being taxed on unrealized value. Additional provisions would extend securities lending tax treatment to certain crypto lending arrangements, apply wash sale rules to actively traded digital assets, and allow traders to use mark-to-market accounting. Alongside the proposal, industry groups have urged lawmakers to avoid expanding restrictions on stablecoin rewards, arguing that such limits could stifle innovation and unfairly advantage large financial incumbents. Source
Binance has surpassed 300 million registered accounts eight years after its launch, driven by early efforts to lower access barriers, provide deep liquidity, and support a wide range of trading products. From its early focus on fast asset listings and global reach, the exchange built a liquidity flywheel supported by professional market makers and the parallel growth of spot and derivatives markets. This structure improved execution quality, kept spreads tight during volatility, and allowed Binance to scale efficiently through major market cycles, including the high-volume bull run of 2020–2021.
The exchange maintained liquidity resilience through regulatory uncertainty and banking disruptions in 2022–2023, with order books recovering quickly after market shocks. Structural improvements in 2023–2024, combined with clearer regulations such as Europe’s MiCA framework and the approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs, helped attract institutional participation. Diversification beyond a single dominant stablecoin reduced issuer risk while preserving market depth, and high trade activity has continued to support efficient price discovery, tight cross-exchange spreads, and reliable execution even during periods of extreme volatility. Source
Tokenizing real-world assets is expected to reshape global finance more rapidly than digitization transformed media, by pushing traditional financial institutions to evolve rather than disappear. Major asset managers and banks are already deploying tokenized funds, money market products, onchain settlement systems and tokenized deposits, signalling that blockchain-based finance is moving beyond experimentation. Just as media companies survived the digital shift by adapting their models, large banks are likely to persist in new forms, with success favouring those that embrace tokenized infrastructure rather than resist it.
Putting assets onchain enables continuous, 24/7 market access, global participation, faster settlement and lower transaction costs by reducing intermediaries. Regulators in the United States have begun laying the groundwork for round-the-clock capital markets, reflecting a broader shift away from limited trading hours. Most tokenized real-world asset value currently resides on Ethereum, and large-scale financial plumbing is beginning to adapt, with the DTCC approved to introduce tokenized financial instruments, starting with US Treasuries and stock indexes, as early as 2026. Source
After years of quantitative tightening that drained liquidity, raised capital costs and suppressed risk appetite, economic conditions are shifting toward a renewed easing cycle as inflation cools and growth slows. Falling yields and rising asset prices signal that markets are already positioning for the return of abundant liquidity, which historically accelerates capital movement, increases risk tolerance and revives demand for alternative assets. Unlike past cycles, this transition is occurring within a financial system that is now digitally interconnected, allowing capital to flow through programmable, near-instant settlement infrastructure rather than solely through traditional intermediaries.
In this environment, tokenized real-world assets are positioned to benefit disproportionately, as they align with the speed, transparency and efficiency demanded during periods of expanding liquidity. Tokenization enables fractional ownership, real-time issuance and settlement, embedded compliance and global access to private markets such as credit, real estate and infrastructure. Regulatory frameworks across Europe, the Middle East and Asia have matured, while institutional pilots in major markets signal growing acceptance and clarity. As standards for compliant tokenized assets emerge and accountability becomes embedded at the infrastructure level, tokenization is increasingly viewed not as a speculative innovation but as a core architecture capable of directing and absorbing global liquidity in the next easing cycle. Source
Klarna has partnered with Coinbase to raise short-term institutional funding denominated in USDC, marking a new approach to treasury and capital markets financing for the buy now, pay later firm. Using Coinbase’s crypto-native infrastructure, Klarna aims to access a broader pool of institutional investors and diversify its funding sources beyond consumer deposits, long-term debt and commercial paper. The company views stablecoin-based funding as a way to modernize how capital is raised, though it remains an early-stage initiative subject to regulatory, market and operational considerations.
The stablecoin funding effort is separate from Klarna’s consumer and merchant crypto plans, which may include wallets or additional digital asset services, and are expected to develop further in 2026. Klarna chose Coinbase for its experience supporting large enterprises with custody, settlement and blockchain services, and the move follows the recent launch of KlarnaUSD, a dollar-backed stablecoin issued on the Tempo blockchain testnet. Regulatory clarity in the United States, reinforced by recent stablecoin legislation, has contributed to growing institutional interest and experimentation with stablecoin-based financial infrastructure. Source
Markethive positions itself as a decentralized ecosystem that merges social networking, inbound marketing, e-commerce and cryptocurrency to empower entrepreneurs and foster financial independence. At the core of this system is a structured hierarchy of payment methods and digital assets designed to support commerce, rewards and participation across the platform. The ecosystem emphasizes user ownership, global accessibility and reduced reliance on traditional intermediaries, enabling individuals and businesses to interact, transact and grow within a unified digital environment.
The foundation of Markethive’s economy is Markethive Credit, a stablecoin pegged at one dollar and used for subscriptions, products and services, alongside staking incentives that reward long-term participation. Hivecoin functions as the primary cryptocurrency, offering transactional utility, discounts on platform services and incentives through gamification, content creation and community engagement. Additional layers include Bitcoin as a store of value for automated credit conversion, traditional cards and alternative payment systems to ensure accessibility, and faucets, micropayments and tipping mechanisms that reward merit-based participation. Together, these elements create a self-sustaining economy where liquidity, incentives and access are aligned to support growth, engagement and a decentralized business model. Source
Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan argues that Bitcoin is moving beyond its traditional four-year cycle as long-standing drivers weaken and new structural forces take over. He says the impact of the halving has diminished over time as each event removes a smaller portion of supply, making it far less influential as a primary price catalyst. According to Hougan, earlier downturns were also amplified by major industry failures such as Mt. Gox, the collapse of the ICO market and the FTX scandal, but those risks have faded as the market becomes more regulated and institutional-grade infrastructure becomes standard.
Hougan believes institutional adoption and regulatory progress now represent dominant, one-time forces that outweigh remnants of the old cycle model. He adds that interest rate cycles, once closely tied to Bitcoin downturns, appear less relevant as expectations point toward easing rather than tightening through 2026. From a macroeconomic perspective, he sees Bitcoin positioned to benefit whether growth remains strong or policymakers respond to slowdowns with increased liquidity, while emphasizing that his view reflects a structural trend higher rather than a specific price prediction. Source
Uniswap’s long-awaited fee switch proposal, known as UNIfication, is set to go live this week after surpassing the required governance vote threshold. Nearly 62 million votes have been cast in favor of the proposal, comfortably exceeding the 40 million needed, with voting scheduled to close on Christmas Day. Following approval, a short timelock period will activate fee switches on Uniswap v2 and v3 on the Unichain mainnet, enabling protocol fees and initiating token burns. The upgrade represents one of the most significant changes in Uniswap’s seven-year history and is designed to improve the supply-demand dynamics of the UNI token.
The proposal includes burning 100 million UNI tokens from the Uniswap Foundation’s treasury and introducing a Protocol Fee Discount Auctions system aimed at enhancing returns for liquidity providers. Market reaction has been positive, with UNI rising around 25% since voting began, recovering from recent lows after broader market weakness. The initiative has drawn strong backing from prominent figures in the crypto industry and faced minimal opposition in the vote. Uniswap Foundation leaders have emphasized that protocol development will remain a priority, supported by a planned Growth Budget that will distribute 20 million UNI tokens to fund builders and ecosystem expansion. Source
BitMex co-founder Arthur Hayes predicts that Bitcoin will range between $80,000 and $100,000 through the end of the year before surging to $200,000 by March, eventually settling at a local bottom above $124,000. He attributes this potential spike to the Federal Reserve’s new Reserve Management Purchases policy, which he likens to quantitative easing, seeing it as a driver for money supply expansion that historically boosts asset prices. Hayes believes that continued money printing could further accelerate Bitcoin adoption and position it as an alternative to the traditional fiat system, while also benefiting holders of assets like gold and mining stocks.
Hayes notes that the initial rally will coincide with the market equating RMP to QE, pushing Bitcoin past $124,000 toward his $200,000 target, with March marking the peak of these expectations. Despite recent data from CryptoQuant suggesting Bitcoin has entered a bear market due to weakening demand and slower accumulation by large investors, Hayes remains optimistic about the cryptocurrency’s trajectory. He also highlights opportunities in other tokens such as Ethena’s ENA, framing them as plays tied to the intersection of traditional finance and crypto rates, reflecting his broader bullish view on digital assets. Source
Northern Data, majority-owned by Tether, has sold its Bitcoin mining unit, Peak Mining, to three companies controlled by Tether executives Giancarlo Devasini and Paolo Ardoino. The deal, valued at up to $200 million, involves Highland Group Mining, Appalachian Energy, and an Alberta-based company, with filings showing Devasini and Ardoino as directors of the first two companies. The sale follows an earlier attempt in August to sell Peak Mining to a Devasini-controlled firm for $235 million, which collapsed amid whistleblower allegations. Northern Data had initially disclosed the divestment in November without naming the buyers, as German regulations did not require it.
The transaction occurs against a backdrop of Northern Data’s broader financial entanglements and regulatory scrutiny. The company faces investigation by European prosecutors for suspected tax fraud, and its offices were raided in September. Tether has deepened its involvement in Northern Data and related ventures through loans, advertising deals, and acquisitions, including its stake in video-sharing platform Rumble and plans for GPU services purchases. Beyond Bitcoin mining, Tether is expanding into AI, media, and sports, though a recent $1.1 billion bid to acquire Juventus Football Club was rejected. Source
The Federal Reserve is soliciting public feedback on a proposed “payment account,” also called a “skinny master account,” designed to give fintechs and crypto companies limited access to the Fed’s payments infrastructure under a streamlined approval framework. Fed Governor Christopher Waller emphasized that these accounts aim to support innovation while maintaining the safety of the payments system, reflecting rapid developments in banking and payments technology. The accounts would undergo a tailored review process to lower risk, allowing eligible financial institutions to clear and settle certain transactions more efficiently, though some Fed officials, including Governor Michael Barr, have expressed concerns about potential money laundering and terrorist financing risks.
Crypto-focused payment firms such as Circle, Coinbase, Kraken, and Block could benefit from access to these accounts, potentially strengthening ties between the crypto sector and traditional banking. However, the accounts would come with significant limitations compared to standard Fed master accounts, including no interest earnings, restricted Fed credit access, and balance caps. The public comment period for the proposal will remain open for 45 days after its publication in the Federal Register, with Waller noting that the payment accounts are expected to become operational in the fourth quarter of 2026. Source
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson emphasized that while post-quantum cryptography standards already exist, implementing them on blockchain networks today would come at a significant cost. He explained that post-quantum solutions are currently much slower, require larger proofs, and reduce network throughput, which could harm blockchain efficiency if adopted prematurely. Hoskinson highlighted that timing is critical, suggesting that the industry should monitor programs like DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative to gauge when quantum threats become practical, rather than acting on hype or speculative corporate timelines. Cardano is exploring staged mitigation strategies while waiting for hardware acceleration to make post-quantum cryptography more viable.
Hoskinson also discussed the two main approaches to post-quantum security, with Cardano focusing on lattice-based cryptography and Ethereum leaning toward hash-based solutions. He described lattice cryptography as supporting advanced functions such as encryption and digital signatures, while hash-based systems are simpler and conservative but limited in scope. Rather than pushing for immediate protocol changes, Hoskinson advocates for incremental measures, such as creating post-quantum-signed checkpoints of the ledger, recognizing that all approaches involve trade-offs between security, speed, and network functionality. Source
A new malware called Stealka has been discovered targeting Windows users by masquerading as game mods, cracks, and cheats to steal sensitive information. First identified in November, the malware is designed to hijack accounts, steal cryptocurrency, and install crypto miners on infected computers. Attackers have spread Stealka through legitimate platforms such as GitHub, SourceForge, and Google Sites, often focusing on Roblox mods and pirated software for applications like Microsoft Visio. Some campaigns even create sophisticated fake websites, potentially using AI tools, to make the scams appear professional and convincing.
Stealka is particularly dangerous because it targets data from over 100 Chromium- and Gecko-based browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Brave, and Yandex. Its primary focus is on autofill data such as credentials, addresses, and payment card information, as well as the settings and databases of 115 browser extensions for crypto wallets, password managers, and two-factor authentication services. Among the 80 crypto wallets at risk are Binance, Coinbase, MetaMask, Trust Wallet, and Exodus. Messaging apps, email clients, gaming clients, and VPN applications are also vulnerable. Kaspersky advises using trusted antivirus software, password managers, and avoiding pirated software or unofficial game mods to reduce exposure to such threats. Source
A bipartisan group of 18 US House lawmakers, led by Republican Mike Carey, is urging the IRS to review and update its guidance on crypto staking taxes before 2026. They argue that current rules impose an administrative burden and can result in double taxation, as stakers are taxed when they receive rewards and again when they sell them. The lawmakers propose that staking rewards should be taxed at the time of sale, reflecting the actual economic gain of taxpayers, and emphasize that the existing system discourages participation in staking, which is essential for the security and operation of certain blockchain networks.
The lawmakers’ letter also asks the IRS to identify any administrative barriers to updating guidance before year-end, framing the changes as supportive of US leadership in digital asset innovation. Separately, Representatives Max Miller and Steven Horsford introduced a discussion draft that would ease tax obligations for crypto users by exempting small stablecoin transactions from capital gains taxes and allowing a deferral option for staking and mining rewards. Their approach lets taxpayers defer income recognition on such rewards for up to five years, offering flexibility without immediately overhauling current taxation rules. Source
Disclaimer: These articles are provided for informational purposes only. They are not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other advice.
Featured Image - Source: Pixabay
