The largest private bank in Brazil has delivered one of the strongest institutional endorsements of Bitcoin in Latin America after recommending that investors allocate 1% to 3% of their portfolios to Bitcoin (BTC) as a shield against currency devaluation and foreign exchange volatility. The guidance marks a considerable change in tone from one of the country’s most influential financial institutions, reflecting Bitcoin’s growing role in mainstream portfolio construction. The recommendation comes as Brazil continues to grapple with inflationary pressures, a weakening real, and heightened global currency uncertainty. While the bank stopped short of framing Bitcoin as a core asset, its inclusion as a strategic hedge signals that digital assets are increasingly being treated as legitimate financial tools. Bitcoin’s Latest Endorsement As a Portfolio Hedge Comes from Latin America  For years, Bitcoin occupied an uneasy position within Brazil’s financial system due to its popularity among retail traders, but it has been viewed cautiously by large banks. That posture is now shifting after Itaú Unibanco, Brazil’s largest private bank and one of Latin America’s most influential financial institutions, said a modest Bitcoin allocation can serve as a good diversification instrument and hedge against depreciation of the Brazilian real, particularly during periods of global macroeconomic stress. The rationale is rooted in currency dynamics. Brazil’s real has faced recurring pressure from inflation cycles, external debt, and shifts in global capital flows. As U.S. monetary policy tightens or loosens, emerging-market currencies often absorb the shock first. Bitcoin, while volatile, operates outside sovereign monetary systems, which makes it attractive as a non-correlated asset during currency stress. A 1%–3% Bitcoin allocation, according to the analysis, is small enough to limit downside risk but large enough to contribute meaningfully during periods of currency weakness or market dislocation.  Importantly, the recommendation did not target crypto-native investors. It was directed at traditional clients, including long-term savers and diversified portfolio holders, suggesting that Bitcoin’s narrative is migrating deeper into conventional finance. A Signal With Broader Implications for Brazil and Emerging Markets The shift reflects broader structural forces reshaping Brazil’s financial landscape. Inflation concerns, combined with growing awareness of global macro risks, have pushed institutions to reassess how portfolios are built.  The recommendation also aligns with rising institutional participation in crypto markets globally. Spot Bitcoin ETFs (exchange-traded funds), regulated custody solutions, and clearer compliance frameworks have reduced the friction that once kept banks at arm’s length.  Still, the bank was careful to emphasize discipline. Bitcoin’s volatility remains a central risk, and allocations beyond a narrow range could introduce instability rather than protection. The message was not about buying Bitcoin aggressively, but acknowledging its role in a modern investor’s portfolio. By positioning Bitcoin alongside traditional hedging tools rather than speculative trades, Brazil’s largest bank is helping normalize BTC within wealth management, potentially influencing how advisors, pension funds, and asset managers approach digital assets going forward.

Ethereum validators running the Prysm consensus client lost an estimated 382 ETH in staking rewards after a software failure disrupted validator performance following the Fusaka upgrade on December 4, 2025. The incident was caused by a resource exhaustion issue that affected Prysm beacon nodes, preventing many validators from completing their duties during the affected period. What Went Wrong According to Prysm’s official post-mortem, the failure occurred when beacon nodes attempted to process certain attestations that referenced block roots from earlier epochs. An epoch on Ethereum is a fixed period of 32 slots (about 6.4 minutes) during which validators propose and attest to blocks, and network rewards and penalties are calculated. To validate these attestations, Prysm repeatedly reconstructed historical beacon states, a process that required intensive CPU and memory usage. Under mainnet conditions, this led to widespread resource exhaustion across nearly all Prysm beacon nodes. As a result, nodes became slow or unresponsive to validator requests. Between epoch 411439 and epoch 411480, the network recorded 248 missed block slots out of 1,344, translating to an 18.5% missed slot rate, while validator participation fell to around 75% at its lowest point. Although Ethereum’s finality was preserved, validators running Prysm missed out on approximately 382 ETH in attestation rewards during the disruption. The Prysm team later confirmed that the bug originated from a prior code change introduced in PR 15965, which had been deployed earlier but was not triggered until specific mainnet conditions emerged after the upgrade. Fixes and Broader Implications To contain the issue, Prysm developers first recommended a temporary mitigation using a runtime flag to disable the problematic behavior. This was followed by permanent fixes released in Prysm v7.0.1 and v7.1.0, which changed how attestations are verified. Under the new logic, attestations are validated against the current chain head without replaying historical states, eliminating the source of excessive resource consumption. Network participation recovered to above 95% shortly after the fix, but the incident has renewed concerns around consensus client concentration. Validators running other clients, including Lighthouse, Teku, and Nimbus, were largely unaffected, pointing to the importance of client diversity in maintaining Ethereum’s resilience. Prysm’s post-mortem highlighted the need for stronger testing under mainnet-like conditions, clearer feature flag defaults, and continued efforts to encourage validator operators to diversify client usage. While the outage did not threaten Ethereum’s security, it served as a reminder that software failures at the client level can still carry material economic consequences for validators.

Doha Bank has completed a $150 million digital bond issuance using Euroclear’s DLT (distributed ledger technology) platform, marking a notable step forward for tokenized capital markets in the Middle East. The transaction, which was settled instantly on-chain, demonstrates how traditional banks are increasingly adopting blockchain infrastructure to modernize issuance, settlement, and custody processes. The deal places Doha Bank among a growing list of global financial institutions experimenting with and executing real-world tokenization at scale. For Euroclear, it reinforces the role of regulated DLT rails as a bridge between legacy market plumbing and the next generation of digital securities. Doha Bank Moves from Conventional Debt to On-Chain Settlement  The issuance was structured as a fully digital bond, recorded and settled through Euroclear’s DLT platform rather than traditional clearing and settlement systems. This allowed the bond to be issued, allocated, and settled near-instantly, compressing what would normally take days into a streamlined on-chain process. For Doha Bank, the shift was less about experimentation and more about efficiency. Traditional bond settlement involves multiple intermediaries, reconciliation layers, and settlement delays that introduce cost and counterparty risk. By using Euroclear’s DLT infrastructure, the bank reduced operational friction while maintaining compliance with existing regulatory and custody standards. Crucially, the bond was not issued in a regulatory gray zone. Euroclear’s platform operates within established market frameworks, ensuring that ownership records, settlement finality, and investor protections remain aligned with institutional expectations. This is one of the key reasons why tokenized bonds are increasingly gaining traction among banks that would otherwise be cautious about blockchain-based instruments. Why Euroclear’s DLT Is Becoming a Trusted Institutional Rail Euroclear’s involvement is central to the significance of the deal. As one of the world’s most important post-trade infrastructure providers, Euroclear brings institutional credibility, regulatory alignment, and operational resilience to tokenized securities. Unlike permissionless blockchains, Euroclear’s DLT platform is designed specifically for regulated financial markets. Access is controlled, participants are vetted, and compliance requirements are embedded into the system. This design makes it attractive to banks and sovereign-linked institutions that want the efficiency benefits of blockchain without sacrificing regulatory certainty. For regulators, it offers a clear line of sight into transactions, ownership, and settlement finality. The transaction also reflects a broader trend of tokenization increasingly gaining traction within traditional financial institutions.  This model may prove critical for scaling tokenized securities beyond pilot programs. Institutional investors are far more likely to engage with digital assets when they are issued, settled, and custodied through names they already trust. By combining DLT efficiency with traditional regulatory safeguards, the deal offers a blueprint for how banks can modernize without disrupting trust. As more institutions adopt similar models, digital bonds may soon become a standard feature of global debt markets rather than a novelty at the margins.

Financial compatibility is now ranked alongside sexual chemistry and shared interests as one of the top three priorities for people seeking a partner in the UK, according to new research commissioned by Starling Bank. The study of 2,000 UK couples found that 74% are speaking different “money languages”, with mismatched communication styles around money creating tension for two-thirds of couples. As a result, finances are increasingly seen not just as a practical concern, but as a core component of relationship health. The research highlights how misaligned financial attitudes are directly impacting life decisions. One in seven couples has delayed buying a home due to poor financial alignment, while one in ten has postponed getting married or having children. These delays reflect how money conversations — or the lack of them — can stall long-term planning, even in otherwise stable relationships. In a climate of rising living costs and economic uncertainty, financial alignment has become harder to ignore. Starling’s findings suggest that compatibility is not about wealth or income level, but about how couples communicate and behave around money. Different priorities — saving versus spending, transparency versus privacy — can create friction when expectations are not aligned. As financial decisions increasingly shape lifestyle choices, compatibility in this area is emerging as a fundamental relationship requirement rather than a secondary consideration. How ‘Money Languages’ Are Fueling Conflict Between Couples The study introduces the concept of seven distinct “money languages”, ranging from Scarcity Mindset and Money Know How to Financial Avoidance and Lifestyle Enrichment. Each language reflects a set of beliefs and behaviours around spending, saving, and financial responsibility, with varying levels of compatibility. According to the data, 76% of couples argue about money regardless of approach, but conflict rises sharply when opposing money languages collide. Certain combinations are particularly volatile. Partnerships between Financial Avoidance and Acts of Finance report money-related conflict in 97% of cases, while pairings of Lifestyle Enrichment and Money Know How see disputes 92% of the time. These clashes often centre on everyday issues, such as non-essential spending or how much to save, but they can also escalate into deeper disagreements about long-term priorities and security. By contrast, couples who share the same money language tend to experience lower levels of conflict. Paired Scarcity Mindsets and Money Know Hows both report below-average disagreement levels, suggesting that shared financial perspectives reduce friction. However, the research also indicates that compatibility can develop over time, with couples together for more than ten years twice as likely not to argue about money compared to those in shorter relationships. Takeaway: Starling Bank’s research shows that mismatched “money languages” are a major source of relationship conflict, but understanding and respecting financial differences can help couples avoid delays to major life goals. Breaking the Taboo Around Money Conversations Despite the growing importance of financial compatibility, money remains a difficult topic for many couples to address openly. Nearly two-thirds of Brits say they would like to talk more about money with their partner, yet 26% admit that discussing finances on a first date would give them “the ick”. Even among established couples, secrecy persists, with 37% hiding financial information such as secret savings pots or undisclosed credit cards. Relationship and finance experts argue that awareness is the first step toward change. “We have Love Languages, and now we have Money Languages, which we’ve created to give couples the vocabulary they need to talk about their finances,” said Becca Stroud, personal finance expert at Starling. Dating coach Hayley Quinn added: “Most UK couples have a different money language, so rather than trying to fundamentally change your approach to money, the key is to understand and respect your partner’s.” Starling has launched an interactive Money Language tool designed to help couples identify their financial communication styles and learn how to work with different languages more effectively. Personal finance expert Ellie Austin-Williams said: “Money is rarely just about the numbers; it’s about our feelings and beliefs. By identifying your money language, you can start to understand why a certain spending habit might be a source of security for you, while it causes anxiety for your partner.” The initiative aims to accelerate shared financial goals by normalising money conversations and building a shared financial vocabulary.

Cybersecurity organisation Security Alliance (SEAL) warns of several daily attempts by North Korean hackers to swindle victims using bogus Zoom meetings. These assaults deceive victims into installing software that steals sensitive data, including passwords and secret keys. Taylor Monahan, a security expert, said that hackers have already stolen more than $300 million using this method.  Scam Mechanics  The operation begins with a message from a Telegram account mimicking someone known to the target, developing false trust through familiarity. Hackers then invite the target to a Zoom call and share a masked link that appears legitimate. During the conversation, victims see real recordings, not deepfakes, from earlier hacks or public sources like podcasts.  These recordings show the impersonated individual and their coworkers. Hackers pretend there are audio problems and send a "patch file" through chat. When the file is opened, it installs malware that breaks devices before the call ends, and then suddenly reschedules. After Infection Effects Taylor Monahan said that scammers often begin by telling victims, "I'm sorry, but your computer is already broken." To avoid raising suspicion, they remain calm and convincing. Over time, they gain access to victims’ cryptocurrency holdings, passwords, company or protocol data, and even personal accounts such as Telegram. By the time the breach is discovered, the damage is usually extensive, leaving victims locked out of their assets and accounts and exposed to further exploitation. This chain reaction worsens conditions for both professionals and amateurs in the crypto world. Immediate Action Steps Monahan says that anyone who thinks they might have been exposed should immediately unplug from WiFi and turn off their device. They should then use another device to recover. Transfer crypto to other wallets, update any passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and erase the infected device altogether.  Securing Telegram is critical: launch the app on a phone, terminate other sessions in settings, change the password, and add multifactor authentication to stop further access. Monahan highlighted that victims need to tell their contacts right away. "Lastly, if they hack your Telegram, you need to TELL EVERYONE ASAP." You are about to hack your buddies. "Put your pride aside and SCREAM about it." Broader Threat Landscape  SEAL's warning makes it clear that the scam happens every day and targets crypto users as state-sponsored cyber threats grow. Monahan observed on social media that DPRK actors continue to hold bogus Zoom and Teams meetings despite awareness-raising efforts. Victims risk losing all of their assets and having assaults perpetrated without their consent, which means they need to be extra careful when communicating online.

What Does HashKey’s IPO Pricing Reveal? HashKey Holdings, Hong Kong’s largest licensed crypto exchange, is expected to raise about HK$1.6 billion ($206 million) after pricing its initial public offering at HK$6.68 per share, according to a source with direct knowledge of the deal. The company launched the offering last week with a price range of HK$5.95 to HK$6.95 for 240.6 million shares. Bloomberg first reported the pricing. HashKey did not reply to a Reuters request for comment. The exchange, founded in 2018, runs an institutional-grade trading platform and operates divisions covering asset management, brokerage and tokenisation. Trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange is scheduled to begin on December 17. UBS, Fidelity and China-based investment group CDH appear among cornerstone investors in the deal, according to the company’s prospectus. The presence of large, traditional financial firms in the bookbuild adds weight to Hong Kong’s push to attract regulated digital-asset activity. Investor Takeaway HashKey’s HK$1.6B raise shows that Hong Kong continues to draw institutional backing for licensed crypto ventures, even as global markets remain volatile. Why Launch Now, Amid Sharp Crypto Market Swings? The IPO comes during a turbulent period for digital assets. Several major cryptocurrencies surged to record levels earlier this year before reversing sharply. Bitcoin, which hit an all-time high above $126,000 in early October, has since fallen as much as 36% in roughly one month. Despite the volatility, HashKey’s management is proceeding with the listing to take advantage of Hong Kong’s regulatory framework, which permits licensed crypto-trading platforms as part of the city’s broader ambition to attract fintech and digital-asset firms. For investors, the listing provides a rare opportunity to gain public-market exposure to a regulated exchange in a region where crypto oversight differs markedly between jurisdictions. The offering also tests whether institutional appetite can withstand swings in token markets. How Does Hong Kong’s Stance Differ From Mainland China? The IPO highlights a sharp contrast in policy between Hong Kong and mainland China. Beijing banned cryptocurrency trading in 2021 and has kept pressure on the sector. Last month, the People’s Bank of China restated its warnings about virtual currencies, noting risks tied to speculation and pledging renewed enforcement against illegal activity involving crypto. Hong Kong, which operates under a separate financial and legal system, has taken the opposite path. Authorities have promoted the city as a regulated hub for digital assets, aiming to reinforce its status as an international financial center. The framework includes licensing requirements for exchanges, risk disclosures and controls intended to distinguish the city’s market from unregulated offshore trading venues. HashKey was among the first platforms to receive a licence under the updated rules. Its public offering marks one of the highest-profile tests of Hong Kong’s bet that a regulated approach can attract capital while avoiding the speculative excesses seen elsewhere. Investor Takeaway China’s mainland continues to crack down on crypto, but Hong Kong is moving in the opposite direction. HashKey’s listing shows how wide the policy gap has become — and how the city hopes to use that gap to draw global firms. What Comes Next for HashKey After the Listing? Once trading begins on December 17, HashKey will join a small group of regulated crypto companies listed on major exchanges. Its performance will be watched closely as a gauge of both investor confidence and Hong Kong’s ability to convert regulatory frameworks into sustained capital inflows. The firm has expanded its services over the past year to capture institutional clients and corporate users. With the IPO, it gains a larger balance sheet and public-market visibility at a time when traditional financial firms are reconsidering how to integrate tokenised assets, stablecoin settlement systems and regulated crypto trading into their wider strategies. Much will depend on broader market sentiment. Volatility in Bitcoin and other large-cap tokens continues to frame risk appetite across the sector. Nevertheless, the successful raise suggests that institutional investors still see a pathway for regulated exchanges in Asia — a region with both rising demand for digital assets and highly diverse regulatory approaches. For Hong Kong, the listing is another step in its effort to separate itself from the mainland’s stance while drawing fintech firms back to the city after several years of capital outflow and geopolitical uncertainty. HashKey’s entry into the public market marks a milestone in that plan, even if market forces ultimately shape how the exchange trades once the shares open.

KEY TAKEAWAYS Tesla does not have an official cryptocurrency or blockchain token Any “Tesla Coin” or “TSLA Token” is unofficial and potentially fraudulent Tesla’s real crypto exposure comes from Bitcoin treasury holdings Elon Musk’s crypto opinions do not equal Tesla's corporate policy Tesla stock is not a proxy for owning cryptocurrency Investors should verify announcements through Tesla’s official filings   Tesla is one of the most influential companies in the world, known for electric vehicles, clean energy solutions, and its outspoken CEO, Elon Musk. Because Tesla has repeatedly intersected with cryptocurrency, most notably through Bitcoin investments and Musk’s public comments, many investors and beginners still ask a simple but important question: Does Tesla have its own cryptocurrency? In this article, we break down the facts, separate rumors from reality, explain Tesla’s real relationship with crypto, and outline what investors should actually pay attention to when Tesla and digital assets intersect. Does Tesla Have Its Own Cryptocurrency? The short answer is no. Tesla does not have an official cryptocurrency, token, or blockchain project of its own. Despite years of speculation, viral social media claims, and scam tokens pretending to be “Tesla Coin” or “TSLA Token,” Tesla Inc. has never launched, endorsed, or announced a proprietary crypto asset. Any coin claiming to be issued by Tesla is unauthorized and potentially fraudulent. Tesla remains a publicly traded company whose primary financial instrument is its stock (TSLA), not a digital token. Why People Think Tesla Has a Crypto Coin The confusion largely stems from Tesla’s highly visible involvement with cryptocurrency in other ways. First, Tesla made headlines in early 2021 when it revealed a $1.5 billion Bitcoin purchase, instantly legitimizing crypto in the eyes of many institutional investors. This move alone fueled speculation that Tesla might one day create its own token. Second, Elon Musk’s public influence on crypto markets, especially Bitcoin and Dogecoin, has blurred the line between personal opinions and corporate strategy. Many investors mistakenly associate Musk’s crypto enthusiasm directly with Tesla’s product roadmap. Finally, the rise of meme coins and unofficial “brand tokens” has made it easy for scammers to exploit Tesla’s name, leading some investors to believe a legitimate Tesla-backed coin exists. Tesla’s Actual Relationship With Cryptocurrency While Tesla does not have a native cryptocurrency, its relationship with digital assets is still meaningful. Bitcoin on Tesla’s Balance Sheet Tesla is one of the few publicly traded companies to hold Bitcoin as part of its corporate treasury. Although the company has reduced its BTC holdings over time, it still treats Bitcoin as a reserve asset rather than a payment network or platform token. This exposure means Tesla’s earnings and balance sheet can be indirectly affected by Bitcoin price movements, which matters to equity investors. Bitcoin Payments (Past and Present) Tesla briefly accepted Bitcoin as payment for vehicles in 2021 before suspending the option due to environmental concerns related to mining. While Bitcoin payments have not returned globally, the episode demonstrated Tesla’s willingness to experiment with crypto adoption. Importantly, accepting crypto payments does not imply issuing a crypto coin. These are fundamentally different strategies. Elon Musk vs Tesla the Company A crucial distinction investors must understand is that Elon Musk’s personal views are not the same as Tesla’s corporate policies. Musk has repeatedly expressed support for Dogecoin, calling it a potential payment currency. However, Dogecoin is not owned, developed, or controlled by Tesla. Any future Dogecoin integration, such as for merchandise, would still not equate to Tesla launching its own crypto asset. What About “Tesla Coin” or “TSLA Token”? Numerous tokens using Tesla’s name have appeared on decentralized exchanges over the years. These coins typically fall into three categories: Some are outright scams designed to exploit brand recognition and lure unsuspecting investors. Others are community-created meme tokens with no affiliation to Tesla. A few are experimental “fan tokens” with zero corporate backing. None of these tokens is legitimate. Tesla has never issued a blockchain whitepaper, token contract, or roadmap related to a proprietary cryptocurrency. Investors should treat any token claiming to represent Tesla ownership, dividends, or governance with extreme caution. Could Tesla Launch a Cryptocurrency in the Future? While there is no official plan, it’s reasonable to explore hypothetical scenarios where Tesla could integrate blockchain technology more deeply. Tesla operates across energy grids, autonomous driving data, AI training, and global manufacturing. Blockchain could theoretically be used for supply chain tracking, energy credit systems, or machine-to-machine payments. However, such implementations would not necessarily require a public, tradable crypto coin. If Tesla ever did explore tokenization, it would likely be for internal utility, not speculative trading. Any official announcement would come directly from Tesla’s filings or leadership, not from social media rumors. Until then, investors should assume Tesla will continue engaging with crypto primarily as a corporate holder and experimental adopter, not a token issuer. How Tesla’s Crypto Exposure Affects Investors For investors, Tesla’s crypto relevance lies more in risk exposure than token speculation. Bitcoin price volatility can influence Tesla’s reported earnings due to accounting treatment. Large market swings may also affect investor sentiment toward the stock, especially during periods when crypto and tech equities move in tandem. Additionally, Tesla’s stance on crypto sustainability can shape broader narratives around ESG investing, which remains important for institutional capital. None of these factors requires Tesla to have its own coin, but they still matter for portfolio analysis. Tesla Stock vs Crypto Investments It’s important not to confuse Tesla stock ownership with crypto ownership. Buying TSLA gives investors equity exposure to Tesla’s business, revenue, and innovation. Buying crypto assets such as Bitcoin or Dogecoin offers exposure to decentralized networks, not corporate profits. Some investors view Tesla as a “crypto-adjacent stock” due to its Bitcoin holdings and Musk’s influence, but this is a secondary characteristic rather than a core investment thesis. Treating Tesla as a proxy for crypto is risky and often misleading. Avoiding Crypto Scams Using Tesla’s Name Because Tesla is a globally trusted brand, it is frequently impersonated in crypto scams. Common red flags include promises of “Tesla-backed tokens,” guaranteed returns, or private sales advertised through social media or messaging apps. Tesla does not conduct token sales, airdrops, or crypto giveaways. The safest rule is simple: if it didn’t come from Tesla’s official investor communications, it isn’t real. What Investors Should Focus on Instead Rather than chasing rumors of a Tesla crypto coin, investors should focus on real, verifiable developments. These include Tesla’s core business performance, regulatory environment, EV demand, AI and autonomous driving progress, and its evolving stance on digital assets as treasury instruments. Crypto investors, on the other hand, should evaluate blockchain projects on their own fundamentals rather than associating them with famous corporate brands. Tesla and Crypto Explained: Influence, Exposure, and Investor Reality Tesla does not have a cryptocurrency, and there is no credible evidence suggesting one is coming soon. The company’s relationship with cryptocurrency exists through Bitcoin holdings, limited payment experiments, and the public influence of its CEO, not through token issuance. For investors, the key takeaway is clarity. Tesla remains a stock investment, not a crypto project. Understanding this distinction helps avoid scams, misallocation of capital, and unrealistic expectations. As crypto markets mature and corporations continue to explore blockchain use cases, Tesla may remain an influential participant but not a token issuer. FAQs Does Tesla have its own cryptocurrency? No, Tesla does not have an official crypto coin or token and has never announced plans to launch one. Why do people think Tesla has a crypto coin? Confusion comes from Tesla’s Bitcoin investment and Elon Musk’s public support for cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin. Is Dogecoin owned or controlled by Tesla? No, Dogecoin is an independent cryptocurrency and is not owned, issued, or governed by Tesla. Are “Tesla Coin” or “TSLA Token” legitimate investments? No, these tokens are unauthorized and often scams using Tesla’s brand name without approval. How is Tesla actually exposed to crypto? Tesla’s exposure comes from holding Bitcoin on its balance sheet and experimenting with crypto payments, not from issuing tokens. References Phemex: Tesla Maintains $1.42 Billion Bitcoin Holdings in Q2 2025 Coingape: Elon Musk’s Tesla Reports $284 Million Gain on Bitcoin Holdings AInvest: Tesla's Bitcoin Holdings Surge 38% to $1.37 Billion

KEY TAKEAWAYS Crypto markets are more volatile, creating clearer and more frequent technical setups Stocks are more efficient, so fundamentals often override technical signals Technical analysis in crypto is heavily driven by sentiment and momentum Continuous 24/7 crypto trading allows smoother pattern formation Lower liquidity in crypto can increase false signals and manipulation risks Technical analysis works best in both markets when paired with strong risk management   Technical analysis (TA) has long been a cornerstone of trading in traditional financial markets. From chart patterns and moving averages to momentum indicators, traders use historical price data to anticipate future movements. With the rise of cryptocurrencies, technical analysis has found a new and highly active testing ground. But a critical question remains: does technical analysis actually work better in crypto than in stocks? To answer this, investors must understand how crypto and stock markets differ in structure, behaviour, liquidity, and participant psychology. This article explores how technical analysis performs in both markets, where it excels, where it fails, and why many traders believe crypto is more responsive to technical signals. What Is Technical Analysis? Technical analysis is the study of price action and trading volume to forecast future market behaviour. Rather than focusing on a company’s financial health or macroeconomic fundamentals, TA assumes that all known information is already reflected in price. Common technical tools include trendlines, support and resistance levels, moving averages, RSI, MACD, Fibonacci retracements, and candlestick patterns. These tools aim to identify trends, momentum shifts, and potential entry or exit points. Both stock and crypto traders rely heavily on these techniques, but the effectiveness of TA can vary depending on the underlying market dynamics. Key Differences Between Crypto and Stock Markets To evaluate whether technical analysis works better in crypto, it’s important to understand how the two markets fundamentally differ. Market Structure and Trading Hours Stock markets operate within fixed trading hours and are influenced by opening gaps, earnings reports, and institutional flows tied to business calendars. Crypto markets, on the other hand, trade 24/7, with no opening or closing bell. This continuous trading environment allows technical patterns in crypto to develop more smoothly, without interruptions caused by overnight news or market closures. Many traders argue this makes technical indicators more reliable in crypto than in stocks. Market Maturity and Efficiency Stock markets, especially large-cap equities, are highly mature and efficient. They are dominated by institutional investors, algorithmic trading firms, and market makers with access to deep liquidity and advanced data. Crypto markets are still relatively young and less efficient. While institutional participation has grown, retail traders continue to play a major role. This relative inefficiency can lead to more pronounced technical patterns, as price reactions are often driven by crowd behaviour rather than long-term fundamentals. Why Technical Analysis Often Feels More Effective in Crypto Many traders believe technical analysis works better in crypto for several key reasons. Stronger Emotional and Momentum-Driven Moves Crypto markets are heavily influenced by sentiment, hype cycles, and narrative-driven speculation.  Technical indicators can easily pick up on strong trends that are often caused by price moves that are too big. During crypto bull and bear cycles, when people buy and sell based on their feelings, breakouts, trend continuations, and momentum indicators like RSI or moving averages tend to work well. Limited Fundamental Anchors Stocks are anchored to earnings, revenue growth, dividends, and balance sheets.  Even when technical patterns show up, fundamentals often take over after earnings reports or macroeconomic data. On the other hand, many crypto assets don't have clear ways to figure out how much they are worth. When there are fewer fundamental anchors, price action itself becomes the main source of information. Because of this, traders depend more on charts, which makes technical analysis have a bigger impact on how the market acts. Higher Volatility Creates More Trading Opportunities Cryptocurrencies change value a lot more than stocks do. This raises the risk, but it also makes it easier to set up trades. Technical indicators work best in markets that are volatile, where price changes make it easier to see breakouts, reversals, and trend strength. Regulation, circuit breakers, and institutional risk management often keep stock markets from being too volatile. This can reduce the frequency and magnitude of technical trading opportunities. Where Technical Analysis Performs Better in Stocks Despite crypto’s responsiveness to technical signals, technical analysis is not inherently weaker in stock markets. In fact, there are areas where TA can be more reliable in equities. Large-Cap and Highly Liquid Stocks Highly liquid stocks such as Apple, Microsoft, or major index ETFs often respect key technical levels with remarkable precision. Support and resistance zones, volume profiles, and moving averages tend to be respected because of consistent institutional participation. These markets are less prone to sudden manipulation, making technical levels more stable over longer timeframes. Event-Driven Technical Setups In stocks, technical analysis often works best around known events such as earnings reports, dividend announcements, or macroeconomic releases. Traders combine TA with event timing to structure high-probability setups. Crypto lacks structured event calendars, which can make price moves more unpredictable even when technical signals appear strong. The Role of Liquidity and Manipulation Liquidity plays a crucial role in how technical analysis performs. Crypto Market Challenges Lower-liquidity crypto assets are vulnerable to whale manipulation, spoofing, and sudden liquidity gaps. These factors can cause technical setups to fail unexpectedly, especially on smaller timeframes. False breakouts and stop hunts are more common in crypto, requiring traders to apply stricter risk management and confirmation techniques. Stock Market Stability Manipulation is harder and more expensive in regulated stock markets. Extreme anomalies still happen, but they happen less often because of liquidity and oversight. This stability can make technical patterns more predictable, particularly for swing and position traders. Timeframe Matters: Crypto vs Stocks Technical analysis performance varies significantly depending on the timeframe used. Short-Term Trading On lower timeframes (minutes to hours), crypto often favours technical analysis due to continuous trading, volatility, and momentum. Day traders and scalpers frequently find crypto charts more responsive to indicators like VWAP, RSI, and moving averages. Stocks, on short timeframes, are more sensitive to order flow imbalances at market open and close, making TA harder without access to professional tools. Long-Term Analysis For longer-term investing, technical analysis alone is rarely sufficient in either market. However, stocks benefit more from blending technical analysis with fundamentals, while crypto investors often rely on broader trend structures and market cycles. This reinforces the idea that TA in crypto is often more standalone, whereas TA in stocks works best as part of a combined strategy. Does Technical Analysis Actually Predict Crypto Better? Technical analysis does not predict the future in either market. Instead, it identifies probabilities and behavioural patterns. In crypto, where narratives and sentiment drive price more than intrinsic valuation, these patterns tend to repeat more visibly. However, this does not mean crypto TA is always superior. It simply means that crypto markets are more technically expressive, especially during trending phases. In sideways or low-volume crypto markets, technical signals can degrade quickly, just as they do in stocks. Professional Traders’ Perspective A lot of professional traders use technical analysis in both markets, but they do it in different ways. Traders in the crypto market often focus on strategies that follow trends, take advantage of volatility, and build on momentum. When it comes to stocks, they pay more attention to market structure, volume analysis, and how stocks relate to other indexes. The usefulness of technical analysis has less to do with the type of asset and more to do with the state of the market, how liquid it is, and how disciplined the traders are. Limitations of Technical Analysis in Crypto Despite its popularity, technical analysis in crypto has clear limitations: Sudden regulatory news can invalidate setups instantly. Exchange outages and liquidations can distort price action. Low-liquidity tokens can produce misleading signals. Social media-driven hype can override technical logic. These risks mean that even though TA may appear more effective in crypto, it also requires tighter risk controls. When Technical Analysis Works Best in Crypto and Stocks Technical analysis doesn't work better in crypto than in stocks, but crypto markets tend to react more strongly to technical signals. This is due to higher volatility, continuous trading, emotional participation, and weaker fundamental anchors. On the other hand, stocks work in more organised and efficient markets where fundamentals and institutional flows often take precedence over technical patterns. Because of this, technical analysis of stocks works best when it is used in conjunction with a larger market context. In the end, technical analysis is just a tool, not a sure thing. How well it works depends on the market structure, timeframe, liquidity, and how well the trader executes. For active traders, crypto may offer more frequent and clearer technical setups, while stocks provide more stable, lower-risk environments for disciplined strategies. FAQs Is technical analysis more accurate in crypto than stocks? Technical analysis often appears more effective in crypto due to higher volatility and sentiment-driven price action, but it is not inherently more accurate. Why do crypto charts seem to respect technical levels more? Crypto markets rely heavily on trader psychology and momentum, which makes support, resistance, and trend indicators more visible. Does technical analysis still work well in stock trading? Yes, especially in highly liquid stocks and indices, where institutional participation reinforces key technical levels. Can beginners rely only on technical analysis in crypto? Beginners can use TA, but they should combine it with risk management and market awareness due to sudden news-driven moves. Which timeframe is best for technical analysis in crypto vs stocks? Short-term timeframes often favor crypto due to 24/7 trading, while longer timeframes in stocks work better alongside fundamentals. References Thetechtrendy: Does Technical Analysis Work on Crypto? Valueofstocks: Is Technical Analysis the Same for Stocks and Crypto? iux: Crypto Analysis: Technical vs. Fundamental – Which One Works Best?

Stablecoin APYs have become a core strategy for investors who want exposure to yield without constant price volatility. As liquidity becomes more competitive and undeployed capital diminishes gradually in value, understanding which decentralized protocols consistently reward USDC, USDT and DAI holders across multiple chains becomes very important. This article outlines leading protocols in 2025 that deliver sustainable stablecoin yields through transparent mechanisms and realistic APY expectations. Key takeaways • Aave and Compound remain the go to choices for conservative lenders because it offers stable low to mid single digit Stablecoin APYs along with strong security track records. • Curve and Convex are ideal for liquidity providers seeking higher Stablecoin APYs by participating in concentrated stable pools and stacking rewards. • Yearn vaults provide automated strategy management, helping to smooth out yield fluctuations and delivering mid single digit Stablecoin APYs. • Solana lending protocols like Solend can offer appealing Stablecoin APYs on low fee chains, though they come with additional ecosystem and network risks. • Venus on BNB Chain and similar multichain lenders present opportunities for higher yields, but these come with increased protocol and oracle risks that users need to consider. Leading Decentralized Protocols Offering Stablecoin Yields in 2025 1. Aave Aave is a non custodial liquidity protocol deployed on Ethereum, several L2 and sidechains. The protocol adjusts interest rates based on how much liquidity is being used, keeping rates steady under normal market conditions. In 2025, typical supply APYs for major stablecoins on Aave range from about 2 to 6 percent depending on chain and market utilization. This positions Aave as a reliable choice for conservative stablecoin yields. 2. Compound Compound is an algorithmic money market that automatically balances supply and demand using on-chain interest rate curves. Supply APYs for USDC, USDT and DAI most often sit in the low single digits on mainnet with occasional incentive boosts when COMP rewards are active. Expect supply APY ranges roughly between 1.5 and 5 percent in steady conditions which places Compound alongside Aave for lower volatility Stablecoin APYs. 3. Curve Finance  These are specifically optimized for pegged assets and they offer returns from trading fees plus CRV emissions. The classic three pool that pairs USDC, USDT and DAI typically produces modest yields when fees are low but cross chain and specialized stable pools sometimes reach much higher ranges. In 2025, some niche Curve pools on alternative chains have shown APYs from 3 up to the high twenties for liquidity providers who accept concentrated risk. Providing liquidity to Curve remains one of the most efficient ways to target higher Stablecoin APYs when you can manage impermanent loss carefully. 4. Convex Finance Convex aggregates Curve liquidity and vote locking to capture boosted CRV and protocol fees without requiring individual users to lock CRV themselves. For Curve LPs who route through Convex, the effective yield can rise significantly because of stacking rewards. Typical Convex boosted positions in 2025 commonly push Stablecoin APYs above what Curve LPs earn and in certain rounds, the combined yield can be double or triple the base pool APY depending on emissions and veCRV dynamics. 5. Yearn Finance Yearn offers vaults that run automated strategies across lending markets and liquidity protocols to optimize returns and reduce user friction. Yearn vaults for DAI and other stablecoins aggregate yield opportunities and rebalance between platforms to capture the best net APY after fees. Vault APYs listed on Yearn often show mid single digit returns for conservative stable vaults while more aggressive strategies can push higher. Yearn is a solid tool to access Stablecoin APYs without active strategy management by the user. 6. Solend on Solana  Solend is the largest lending market on Solana and benefits from low transaction costs and fast execution. On Solana, stablecoin supply APYs can exceed those on Ethereum when demand rises or new incentive programs are active. In 2025, typical ranges for USDC on Solend moved between about 3 and 10 percent depending on utilization and reward programs. These markets offer compelling yield opportunities for those who can manage Solana specific operational and network risks while targeting Stablecoin APYs. 7. Venus on BNB Chain Venus provides algorithmic lending on BNB Chain and supports multiple stablecoins. Supply APYs for stable assets on Venus are more variable and sometimes higher than the major Ethereum lenders because of smaller TVL and targeted incentives. In 2025, observed supply APYs for stablecoins on Venus typically ranged from about 2 to 7 percent with occasional spikes when liquidity incentives were applied. Venus represents a trade off where elevated yield potential comes with increased protocol and oracle risk relative to larger lending markets. Final thoughts Stablecoin APYs in 2025 offer a wider range of opportunities than in previous cycles. Investors can balance safety and yield depending on their risk tolerance, choosing strategies that prioritize capital preservation or pursuing higher returns with more complex approaches. The key is understanding how much price stability and counterparty risk you are comfortable with while optimizing your yield.

What makes this one of the most volatile trading weeks of the year? Global markets are heading into what may be the most consequential trading week of the year—a true “super week” in which labour data, central bank decisions, and inflation indicators collide to shape monetary policy expectations across all major economies. This unusual concentration of market-moving events includes: • a double Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) release following the 43-day U.S. government shutdown, • three major central bank decisions (ECB, BoE, BoJ), • multiple PMI and inflation reports, • and the possibility of a tentative U.S. CPI release that could significantly shift interest-rate expectations. Such a cluster of catalysts is rare, and with liquidity likely to thin around data releases, traders should anticipate sudden breaks, unpredictable reversals, and wider spreads. Octa broker provides the following expanded market outlook and strategic considerations to help traders prepare for the turbulence ahead. Key macro events to watch: a packed global schedule Throughout the week, the markets will digest releases from Canada, Australia, Japan, the UK, Germany, the Eurozone, and the United States. Several of these indicators—PMIs, inflation readings, and consumer data—have a track record of shifting currency pairs sharply, especially when they come in the middle of monetary policy decision-making cycles.   Monday, 15 December Canada Consumer Price Index Tuesday, 16 December Australia S&P Purchasing Managers Index Japan S&P Purchasing Managers Index United Kingdom Claimant Count / Unemployment Rate Germany S&P Purchasing Managers Index Eurozone S&P Purchasing Managers Index United Kingdom S&P Purchasing Managers Index United States Retail Sales United States Nonfarm Payrolls United States S&P Purchasing Managers Index Wednesday, 17 December United Kingdom Consumer Price Index Germany Ifo Business Climate United States FOMC Members’ Speeches (Waller, Williams, Bostic) Thursday, 18 December United Kingdom BoE Interest Rate Decision Eurozone ECB Interest Rate Decision United States Consumer Price Index (tentative) United States Jobless Claims Friday, 19 December Japan BoJ Interest Rate Decision United Kingdom Retail Sales Canada Retail Sales United States Existing Home Sales Investor Takeaway This week’s data density increases the risk of overlapping volatility. Even routine releases may trigger outsized moves due to the market's hypersensitivity to labour, growth, and inflation trends. Theme #1: The double NFP release — a rare and potentially explosive event The centerpiece of the week is the long-delayed Nonfarm Payroll report, scheduled for Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. UTC. Due to the government shutdown in October and November, the Bureau of Labor Statistics cancelled the October report entirely. As a result, the upcoming release will combine two months of labour data, offering the first official view of the job market in nearly eight weeks. The report will include: • October NFP (previously cancelled) • November NFP • November unemployment rate • Average hourly earnings This “double release” arrives just after the Federal Reserve delivered a potentially controversial interest-rate cut to 3.50%–3.75% before signalling a pause. The Fed’s message emphasized caution, stating inflation remains “somewhat elevated” and noting that the economy is cooling but not collapsing. However, Chair Powell recently hinted that headline job gains may be overstated, suggesting labour market weakening is more advanced than official estimates imply. The market expects: • 40,000 new jobs • 3.6% YoY earnings growth If NFP is stronger than expected A robust print would contradict the Fed’s dovish messaging, strengthen the U.S. dollar sharply, and reduce expectations of any early-2026 rate cuts. Risk assets—equities, gold, crypto—would likely face downward pressure. If NFP is weaker than expected A weak reading supports the Fed majority’s position and increases the probability of further cuts. USD would likely fall, lifting EURUSD, GBPUSD, gold, and higher-yielding currencies. Theme #2: Central bank decisions — ECB, BoE, BoJ take center stage Bank of England (BoE) The BoE is widely expected to cut rates from 4.0% to 3.75%. With inflation cooling to 3.6% and growth slowing, policymakers are prioritising economic support. The rate cut would push GBP lower, especially against EUR and USD, given divergence with ECB and Fed policy stances. European Central Bank (ECB) The ECB is expected to hold rates steady at 2.00% (deposit facility) and 2.15% (refinancing). Inflation is stabilising and GDP surprised to the upside at 1.5% YoY. An ECB hold combined with a BoE cut sets up a clean EURGBP long narrative for traders. Bank of Japan (BoJ) Markets expect the BoJ to raise rates to 0.75%, marking the highest level in 30 years. While a large-scale unwind of carry trades is unlikely, even a modest tightening in Japan can ripple globally, affecting liquidity and risk appetite. Bitcoin, NASDAQ tech stocks, and JPY-crosses may experience heightened volatility as yen funding dynamics shift. Investor Takeaway Central bank divergence creates directional opportunities: EURGBP (BoE cut vs ECB hold) and USDJPY (sensitive to BoJ hawkishness) are likely to be the cleanest trading setups. Theme #3: Wildcards — CPI uncertainty and Fed speakers Two additional catalysts could destabilize markets further: Fed speeches on Wednesday — Governor Waller, NY Fed’s Williams, and Atlanta’s Bostic will speak after NFP. Their tone could reshape rate expectations overnight. Possible CPI release on Thursday — still unconfirmed, but if published, CPI could deliver another volatility shock. If Fed officials express concern about labour softness, markets may interpret this as an early signal toward additional cuts. If they emphasize inflation risks instead, the USD could surge. How to trade the super week: Octa broker’s risk-first strategy 1. Reduce exposure and avoid over-leveraging With spreads widening and liquidity thinning during releases, smaller position sizes help withstand volatility spikes. 2. Use stop-loss orders — strategically Stops should remain in place, but traders may widen them before key announcements to avoid premature whipsaw exits. 3. Trade high-liquidity pairs Focus on EURUSD, USDJPY, GBPUSD—pairs that absorb volatility more cleanly. For divergence plays, EURGBP remains attractive. 4. Leverage Octa’s market insights Octa provides real-time analysis, release confirmations, and in-platform updates that help traders avoid surprises and adapt rapidly to new information. Conclusion: Prepare for turbulence, but don't fear it This week represents a rare confluence of labour data, monetary-policy pivots, and inflation uncertainty. While the environment is challenging, it also offers significant opportunity for disciplined traders who prioritize risk management and stay attuned to macro shifts. By using Octa’s analytical tools, reducing leverage, and respecting volatility triggers, traders can not only navigate the chaos but potentially profit from the emerging trends. Stay focused. Stay liquid. Trade safe. Octa is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 61 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.  The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including improving educational infrastructure and funding short-notice relief projects to support local communities. Since its foundation, Octa has won more than 100 awards, including the 'Most Reliable Broker Global 2024' award from Global Forex Awards and the 'Best Mobile Trading Platform 2024' award from Global Brand Magazine.

Barclays thinks 2026 will be a challenging year for the cryptocurrency sector, with spot trading volumes declining and fewer retail traders on key exchanges.  The bank's year-end research report says the next year will be a transition year, moving away from the boom-and-bust cycles of the past, driven by speculation and volatility. Retail-focused platforms like Coinbase and Robinhood are under pressure to generate revenue as spot trading, a significant source of income, is declining with no apparent signs of a rebound. Falling Spot Volumes Barclays analysts said, "It looks like spot crypto trading volumes are going down in FY26, but we don't know what might change this trend." In the past, bull markets depended on tremendous volatility and speculative retail demand.  Right now, though, there are fewer active traders and prices are moving less. There haven't been any more big jumps like the ones that happened when the March 2024 spot Bitcoin ETF approvals and the pro-crypto U.S. election results came out. This means that exchanges could stay weak for a long time. Coinbase's Outlook Has Changed The bank lowered its price target for Coinbase shares because spot volumes were falling and operating costs were rising, even though the exchange was trying to diversify into derivatives and tokenized stocks.  Barclays thinks Coinbase's latest purchases are long-term moves that won't be enough to offset short-term losses. Retail platforms are still struggling with declining participation, suggesting the industry as a whole faces challenges that will persist until 2026. Regulatory and Tokenization Tailwinds Barclays discusses potential advances in U.S. regulations, such as the proposed CLARITY Act, which aims to clarify how the SEC and CFTC should oversee digital assets and whether they are securities or commodities.  Clearer laws could lead to more compliant tokenised asset launches, but analysts say that the effects will happen slowly over time rather than right away. BlackRock, Robinhood, and crypto companies are all working on tokenization, which could be a good business move. However, it's still too early for these efforts to have a significant impact on earnings in 2026. Changing Market Conditions The market has already priced in the optimism that will come after the election for digital assets. The CLARITY Act and other legislative gains are facing problems in the Senate and possible court challenges.  Exchanges need to make compliance, infrastructure, and tokenised finance their top priorities because there aren't many other ways to grow. Barclays thinks there will be a period of consolidation, when companies invest for future profits while dealing with the decline in spot trade.

Michael Egorov, the founder of Curve Financial, a decentralised financial technology, has suggested allocating 17.45 million CRV tokens to support core development through 2026. The project aims to increase security, infrastructure, and software research, and to support the ecosystem for a 25-person team at Swiss Stake AG.  This proposal, submitted to the Curve DAO governance forum on December 14, is similar to a 2024 grant that ended in August. Its goal is to keep operations independent even as new sources of income become available. The Purpose of the Grant and the Recipient In the proposal, Egorov said, "This proposal asks for a grant for software research and development work, as well as other activities that will help Curve in the future." The grant would go to Swiss Stake AG, based in Zug, and the company that built Curve Finance. It runs its own software infrastructure and is separate from the DAO.  Egorov said that Swiss Stake AG has established revenue streams, but "these earnings alone do not yet make the company sustainable." He also said, "This grant will fund software research and development, infrastructure, security, and ecosystem support, ensuring that the 25-member team at Swiss Stake AG can continue its ongoing contributions to Curve." Important Development Projects In 2026, Swiss Stake AG aims to focus on a few key initiatives, such as Llamalend V2, which adds admin fees for the DAO and provides additional collateral support. The team will continue working on crvUSD and other loan systems while also advancing FXSwap, Curve's on-chain foreign exchange platform for low-volatility assets such as tokenised gold.  The maintenance of Curve's innovative contract ecosystem and core software repositories will go on. All of the grant's intellectual property will be made available under an open-source license that works with Curve's repositories. Staking and Reporting Rules The proposal states that Swiss Stake AG must publish updates on the governance forum every six months that show how the grants were spent and list the projects sponsored. Funds that have been approved but aren't needed right now can be staked on liquid locker platforms like Convex and Yearn, but the yields can only be used in accordance with the terms of the grant.  Voting is open until December 22, 2025, and as of press time, all votes cast so far are in favour of approval. CRV rose more than 3% from multi-week lows around $0.37, but it still lost money each week, even after posting strong third-quarter results.  Curve Finance said its protocol revenue more than doubled from one quarter to the next, driven by increased DEX trading volume and stablecoin activity. This funding surge shows that people believe Curve will keep growing, even though DeFi is quite competitive.

BBVA and OpenAI are expanding their collaboration into a multi-year AI transformation program that will extend ChatGPT Enterprise to BBVA’s full global workforce. The bank says the rollout will reach all 120,000 employees across 25 countries, representing a tenfold expansion from its current deployment as it moves from pilots into enterprise-wide adoption. The program is positioned as a broad operating model shift rather than a point solution. BBVA plans to create new AI-powered capabilities with OpenAI that reshape customer interactions, help bankers support clients more effectively, streamline and enhance risk analysis, and redesign internal processes such as software development and employee productivity support. Carlos Torres Vila, Chairman, BBVA, said: “We were pioneers in the digital and mobile transformation, and we are now entering the AI era with even greater ambition. Our alliance with OpenAI accelerates the native integration of artificial intelligence across the bank to create a smarter, more proactive, and completely personalized banking experience, anticipating the needs of every client,“ framing the initiative as a continuation of the bank’s previous digital playbook—but at a larger scale. Why Rolling Out to 120,000 Employees Is a Big Signal for Banking AI Deploying generative AI across an entire workforce is still unusual in financial services, where security, governance, and model risk management can slow experimentation. BBVA’s decision to standardize on ChatGPT Enterprise for all staff puts it among the largest enterprise GenAI deployments in the sector and highlights how major banks are shifting from “innovation labs” to everyday workflow tooling inside regulated environments. BBVA is presenting the expansion as a build on measurable usage and productivity results. The bank began working with OpenAI in May 2024 with 3,300 ChatGPT accounts, then expanded to 11,000 employees, where it created thousands of custom GPTs for collaboration and work. BBVA says employees saved nearly three hours per week on routine tasks and that more than 80% of users engaged daily—figures the bank is using to justify moving to universal availability. Sam Altman, CEO, OpenAI, said: “BBVA is a strong example of how a large financial institution can adopt AI with real ambition and speed. With this expansion of our work together, BBVA will embed our AI into the core of their products and operations to enhance the overall banking experience for their customers,” reinforcing the message that the partnership is designed to land AI in core processes—not only back-office experimentation. Takeaway: BBVA’s decision to roll ChatGPT Enterprise out to all 120,000 employees is a clear “scale signal” for financial services: the winners won’t just pilot GenAI—they’ll operationalize it with strong controls, measurable productivity gains, and direct links to customer outcomes. What’s Next: From Internal Productivity to AI-Native Customer Banking Beyond internal productivity, BBVA is already applying OpenAI models to customer-facing experiences. The bank has rolled out a virtual assistant called Blue, built on OpenAI models, to help customers manage cards, accounts, and everyday questions using natural language—an early example of how banks are trying to reduce friction in service journeys while keeping interactions compliant and auditable. Under the expanded agreement, BBVA will establish a dedicated team working directly with OpenAI’s product, research, and technology success teams. The two organizations also plan specialized training programs and a structured adoption model, aiming to integrate tools consistently and securely across areas and functions. The groupwide ChatGPT Enterprise rollout is expected to include security and privacy controls, access to OpenAI’s latest models, and tools for creating internal agents connected to BBVA systems. Strategically, BBVA is also exploring deeper distribution: integrating products and services so customers can interact with the bank directly through ChatGPT. If executed, that would push banking toward an “AI-native” service layer where conversational interfaces become an entry point to account actions and financial guidance—raising the bar for authentication, permissions, and oversight, but also creating a new battleground for customer acquisition and engagement.  

What Is Visa’s New Stablecoin Advisory Practice? Visa has launched a “stablecoins advisory practice” to support banks, fintechs, merchants and corporates that are exploring stablecoin products or payment flows. The unit, housed inside Visa Consulting & Analytics, will provide training, market assessments, use-case sizing, and technical planning for firms evaluating how stablecoins fit into their businesses. The rollout comes as Visa reports a $3.5 billion annualized run rate in stablecoin settlement volume. The company said rising interest from financial institutions prompted the creation of a dedicated advisory group, noting that stablecoins have become one of the most active areas inside its consulting division. “Having a comprehensive stablecoins strategy is critical in today’s digital landscape,” said Carl Rutstein, global head of Visa Consulting & Analytics. “We are proud to help our clients stay agile and competitive as this space evolves at an unprecedented pace.” Investor Takeaway Visa is moving beyond pilot programs and treating stablecoins as core infrastructure. By creating an advisory arm, the company is setting up a pipeline for enterprise-level adoption. Which Firms Are Already Using the Service? Visa said early participants include Navy Federal Credit Union, Pathward and VyStar Credit Union. Navy Federal, which serves nearly 15 million members worldwide, is reviewing how stablecoins might fit into its payments strategy. Its senior vice president, Matt Freeman, said the credit union is evaluating the role stablecoins could play across its product set. Pathward president Anthony Sharett said the bank received “impressive work, insights, and actionable recommendations” as part of its early engagement with Visa. The company did not disclose the focus areas of each client but noted that most early interest centers on settlement flows, cross-border use cases, liquidity operations and member benefits. Visa said the advisory unit is open to both regulated financial institutions and large enterprises seeking to build on-chain payment functions or integrate stablecoin rails into existing products. How Does This Fit Into Visa’s Stablecoin Strategy? The advisory launch extends years of work Visa has been doing around stablecoins and tokenized money. In 2023, the company piloted USDC-based settlement on select merchant transactions. It now supports more than 130 card-issuing programs linked to stablecoins across more than 40 countries. Visa is also testing stablecoin-based cross-border payouts through Visa Direct. Qualified businesses can pre-fund transfers and deliver funds to users’ stablecoin wallets rather than traditional bank accounts. The company said this flow is especially relevant for marketplaces, global payroll providers and remittance firms seeking faster disbursements. Stablecoins have gained traction as a practical tool for payments, trading and remittances, and are now widely viewed as one of crypto’s most active use cases. Total stablecoin market capitalization recently climbed above $300 billion, reflecting high on-chain payment activity across both retail users and institutions. Investor Takeaway Stablecoins are no longer experimental for global payments networks. Visa’s stablecoin settlement run rate and advisory buildout suggest wider integration is underway. Why Are Financial Institutions Paying Closer Attention? Traditional finance firms have increased their work with tokenized deposits and on-chain settlement tools. JPMorgan has been running intraday and cross-border settlement through tokenized bank deposits on its private blockchain. Payment companies such as Stripe are adding stablecoin payout options for global freelancers and merchants. Regulatory clarity has also played a role. The GENIUS Act, passed in July, created a national framework in the U.S. for issuing and supervising stablecoins. The law gives banks and fintechs clearer ground to build products tied to fiat-backed tokens. Forecasts for the market vary, but several institutions expect strong growth. Citi projected stablecoins could reach $1.9 trillion by 2030 under its base case, with potential for $4 trillion in a more aggressive scenario. Standard Chartered estimated stablecoins could reach $2 trillion by 2028. Visa’s advisory practice sits at the intersection of these trends: rising enterprise demand, clearer rules, and the shift toward on-chain value transfer inside global payment systems. What Comes Next? Visa expects more banks and large merchants to explore stablecoins as a method for settlement, payouts and user benefits. The company said its advisory team will continue adding sector-specific workstreams as interest grows across credit unions, challenger banks, payment processors and cross-border platforms. With settlement volume already crossing a multi-billion-dollar annual pace, Visa’s next phase will focus on scaling on-chain rails for commercial use and building direct links between stablecoins and existing card networks.

Road Town, British Virgin Islands, December 15th, 2025, FinanceWire 1inch, the leading DeFi ecosystem, announces that its 1inch Cross-chain Swap scanner, built together with Blockscan, the cross-chain arm from the team behind Etherscan, is now live. This provides the first dedicated, explorer-grade view into 1inch cross-chain transactions. The scanner aims to improve transparency and traceability for cross-chain settlement. Via a single link users can now view their entire cross-chain swap end-to-end. The innovation enables more efficient debugging and support for integrators, while strengthening trust through transparent, independent, explorer-style verification of 1inch Cross-chain activity. Through this strategic relationship with Blockscan and creation of cross-chain scanner, 1inch reinforces its position as transparent, verifiable cross-chain infrastructure. “Abstracting complexity from cross-chain transactions is essential, yet transparency and traceability must not be sacrificed. The launch of the 1inch Cross-Chain Swap Scanner directly addresses this challenge by providing clear, end-to-end visibility into cross-chain transactions. With this, 1inch continues to set the standard for the industry,” said Sergej Kunz, 1inch co-founder. “As multichain adoption accelerates, clear cross chain transaction visibility is essential and we’re excited to support 1inch in powering seamless cross chain DeFi activity for users across every network supported by Etherscan,” said Harith Kamarul, Product of Blockscan. About 1inch 1inch accelerates decentralized finance with a seamless crypto trading experience for 26M users. Beyond being the top platform for low-cost, efficient token swaps with $500M+ in daily trades, 1inch offers a range of innovative tools, including a secure self-custodial wallet, a portfolio tracker for managing digital assets, a dedicated business portal giving access to its cutting-edge technology, and even a debit card for easy crypto spending. By continuously innovating, 1inch is simplifying DeFi for everyone. Website | 1inch Business | Follow on X | Explore Blog About Blockscan From the team behind Etherscan, Blockscan lets users track addresses across 30+ leading networks including Ethereum, Solana, BNB Smart Chain, and L2s, extending Etherscan’s mission of providing equitable access to human-readable data across multiple blockchains. Contact PR lead Pavel Kruglov 1inch p.kruglov@1inch.io

Hackers have exploited a flaw in the React JavaScript library to inject code that drains crypto wallets onto websites, primarily on cryptocurrency platforms. The React team released a patch on December 3 for CVE-2025-55182, a flaw that allows code to run on a remote computer without authentication.  Cybersecurity NGO Security Alliance (SEAL) cites a considerable surge in such attacks on reputable crypto sites, stressing that attackers are uploading harmful drainers through this exploit. These drainers trick people into approving fake transactions by mimicking real pop-ups or reward claims on reputable domains. Details About The Vulnerability Lachlan Davidson, a white-hat hacker, found a security hole in React's server-side modules, including react-server-dom-webpack, react-server-dom-parcel, and react-server-dom-turbopack. This issue allows attackers to insert and execute malicious code without authentication, compromising front-end assets on vulnerable sites.  SEAL says the vulnerability extends beyond Web3 protocols, meaning other websites that use the compromised React components are at risk of similar drain attacks. Attackers utilise this to host disguised JavaScript that requests wallet signatures, silently stealing funds from unwary users. Because the exploit is so easy to use, occurrences have risen quickly as hackers hunt for unpatched servers. SEAL's Urgent Alerts The SEAL Team saw a "big uptick in drainers uploaded to legitimate crypto websites through exploitation of the recent React CVE," and they instructed all sites to check their front-end code right away for any suspicious assets. They stressed that "All websites should review front-end code for any suspicious assets NOW," and told users to be very careful about any permission signatures that appear out of nowhere.  According to SEAL's extensive instructions, websites that suddenly get marked as phishing without a clear cause should scan for CVE-2025-55182, look for unrecognised asset hosts and obfuscated JavaScript, and ensure that the signature recipients are who they claim to be. This proactive approach tries to stop the spread of these risks before more people become victims. What React Did and How It Fixed It React developers patched CVE-2025-55182 on December 3 and strongly encourage immediate upgrades for all vulnerable modules to prevent further exploitation. The company made it clear that "If your app's React code doesn't use a server, this vulnerability doesn't affect your app."  If your app does not employ a framework, bundler, or bundler plugin that supports React Server Components, your app is not affected by this vulnerability.” This quick patch fixes the main remote code execution issue, but people need to stay alert, as attackers are still targeting unpatched systems. The incident shows how important it is to fix problems in the fast-changing world of web development quickly.

Euronext is advancing its European fixed-income strategy by expanding a streamlined government bond settlement model aligned with TARGET2-Securities (T2S). The exchange group said Euronext Securities Milan has asked LCH SA for the opening of settlement of all European government debts currently cleared by the CCP, a move designed to increase settlement options and improve cross-border efficiency for market participants. The initiative aligns trading, clearing, and settlement capabilities across MTS, Euronext Clearing, and Euronext Securities, tightening the integration of Euronext’s fixed-income stack. Government bond settlement across Europe has long been fragmented, with workflows split among multiple domestic central securities depositories (CSDs), driving operational complexity, inconsistent processes, and avoidable cost for dealers, banks, and buy-side firms. Euronext’s stated aim is to offer a more harmonised settlement path by leveraging T2S as the pan-European settlement engine for euro-denominated securities. By shifting activity into a unified T2S environment, Euronext is positioning itself as a central marketplace not only for trading and clearing, but also for more standardised post-trade processing of sovereign debt. The expansion builds on an existing footprint. Euronext said the service is already available for Italian, French, Dutch, Belgian, German, Spanish and Austrian government bonds cleared at Euronext Clearing, and is now set to extend to all European government debts currently cleared by LCH SA. In practical terms, the goal is to enable settlement of this government bond activity directly in Euronext Securities, giving firms another route to process trades and collateral flows while simplifying post-trade decisioning across jurisdictions. Why T2S Matters for Efficiency, Liquidity, and Risk Management T2S, launched in 2015 by the Eurosystem, was built to reduce settlement fragmentation and improve safety and efficiency by providing a single pan-European settlement platform. Euronext’s approach leans on the core attributes of T2S: real-time delivery-versus-payment in central bank money, a single set of settlement functionalities, and high operational resilience. For cross-border activity, those characteristics matter because they can reduce the friction of moving euro-denominated securities across markets and counterparties, particularly for high-volume government bonds and repo-style financing flows. Euronext is pitching the model as “unified, competitive and capital-efficient,” with specific balance-sheet and liquidity advantages for clients. The company said clients will benefit from balance sheet netting, optimised cash and liquidity management, and lower capital consumption, while also accessing advanced T2S features such as auto-collateralisation. For dealers and repo desks, these are not abstract benefits: netting and collateral efficiency can translate into lower funding costs and greater flexibility when managing inventory, hedges, and client facilitation—especially during periods of rate volatility or stress-driven collateral demand. Operationally, standardising settlement via T2S can also reduce operational risk and increase transparency, particularly for firms that currently maintain multiple domestic settlement connections. A harmonised environment may simplify exception management, settlement fails processes, and reconciliation, while making it easier to scale activity across European sovereign curves. In an environment where fixed-income market participants are increasingly measured on efficiency, resilience, and cost-to-serve, post-trade design decisions can be as strategically important as trading venue selection. Takeaway: Euronext’s T2S-aligned settlement expansion is a bid to reduce Europe’s post-trade fragmentation in government bonds, offering firms more choice in where they settle while targeting netting, liquidity optimisation, and lower capital usage. How This Fits Euronext’s Broader Fixed-Income and Post-Trade Playbook The initiative is designed to strengthen European market consolidation while giving clients greater flexibility and control over post-trade workflows. Euronext is effectively tying together its fixed-income pillars—MTS for trading, Euronext Clearing for CCP services, and Euronext Securities for settlement and custody—so that participants can access a more integrated, end-to-end sovereign bond ecosystem. If the model scales as intended, it could make onboarding easier for international firms that want pan-European access without duplicating settlement infrastructure country by country. Pierre Davoust, Head of Euronext Securities, framed the change as a direct response to what fixed-income firms are prioritising right now. “Firms in the fixed-income market are looking for real solutions that support capital efficiency, reduce costs, simplify operations and align with evolving regulatory requirements. With this initiative, Euronext establishes a truly European settlement model for fixed-income markets, building on TARGET2-Securities, Europe’s common settlement platform. This complements both our ambitious Repo Expansion initiative – positioning Euronext as a leading CCP for European repo markets – and our Euronext Securities European Offering for equities and ETFs. Clients will be able to manage all their asset classes through a single point of entry, gaining the benefits of scale, choice and operational simplicity.” That positioning matters because sovereign bond settlement is tightly linked to repo, collateral mobility, and intraday liquidity. By extending settlement coverage to the full set of European government debts currently cleared by LCH SA, Euronext is not only increasing optionality—it is also setting up infrastructure that could support deeper participation in European repo and collateral workflows. For the market, the key watchpoint will be execution detail: onboarding requirements, operational timelines, and how seamlessly participants can route activity across clearing and settlement choices without adding new layers of complexity.

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is expected to hold a policy meeting on December 18 focused on the country’s monetary stance, with a potential interest rate hike under discussion. The widely anticipated policy meeting could result in a 25 basis point rate increase, pushing rates to 0.75%, according to a recent report. A basis point increase implies higher interest rates, making it more expensive to borrow the Japanese yen (JPY) to fund investment activities. This, in turn, could reduce capital inflows into global markets. This expected rate hike follows a significant rise in Japan’s 10-year government bond yield, which climbed to a two-year high of about 1.972% on December 8 and currently stands near 1.959%. Rising bond yields typically signal that money is becoming more expensive, liquidity conditions are tightening, and markets are reassessing risk exposure. This tightening does not affect only the Japanese market. It could spill over into global risk assets, including the cryptocurrency market, with Bitcoin particularly exposed. Bitcoin Could be Exposed Bitcoin is not immune to this shift. Historically, the asset has reacted aggressively whenever the Japanese government introduced rate hikes, often resulting in a hawkish outlook for price action. On average, Bitcoin has declined by roughly 28% following each rate hike, a move that could drag the asset down to around $64,559 from its press-time level of $89,666.39. It is also worth noting that during one of the last three rate hikes, Bitcoin recorded its deepest correction, falling by 31%, the steepest decline across those instances. [caption id="attachment_177070" align="alignnone" width="1383"] Source: X[/caption] Analysts and crypto market investors across social media X have largely expressed a bearish outlook in their commentary. However, this sentiment has yet to fully reflect in price action, as Bitcoin has posted a modest gain of about 1.35%. This response mirrors the market’s reaction to the recent Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on December 10, when the U.S. Federal Reserve delivered a 25 basis point rate cut, a move widely viewed as dovish. Following that decision, market reaction remained muted, with Bitcoin neither posting a significant gain nor a notable loss. Price action shows the asset continuing to consolidate within the $88,000 to $93,000 range. A global Perspective While the Bank of Japan’s potential rate hike presents a bearish risk for Bitcoin, based on previous occurrences, global liquidity conditions tell a more balanced story. Global money supply (M2) refers to the total amount of money circulating across major economies, measured using the M2 metric, which includes both liquid cash and near-cash assets. This effectively represents deployable capital available for spending and investment. Global M2 has now reached a record level of approximately $130 trillion, marking an all-time high. Historically, rising M2 supply has supported risk assets, including Bitcoin. This trend offers a bullish signal and suggests the possibility of capital rotation into the crypto market. Such liquidity expansion could partially offset the impact of a potential BOJ rate hike, helping to balance tightening pressures with broader global monetary support.

London, United Kingdom, December 15th, 2025, FinanceWire L Marks, in partnership with the City of Jacksonville, has launched JAX Hub, a 10-week innovation programme designed to connect international startups and scale-ups with global payments provider Paysafe. The programme invites emerging companies to test new financial technologies, explore commercial opportunities, and accelerate innovation in the payments sector. The initiative provides startups and scale-ups with an opportunity to pilot solutions such as digital wallets, buy now pay later systems, loyalty tools, and family finance platforms. Participation is equity-free and fee-free, giving founders direct access to mentorship, commercial validation, and collaboration opportunities with Paysafe while supporting Jacksonville’s growing fintech ecosystem. “JAX Hub brings together the best of startups, corporates, and academia to accelerate fintech innovation. We’re excited to partner with Paysafe and the City of Jacksonville to create a platform that drives growth, tests emerging technologies, and strengthens the local economy,” said Daniel Saunders, CEO of L Marks. Jacksonville has become one of the fastest-growing financial-services and technology hubs in the southeastern United States. With increasing demand for digital payments, financial tools, and real-world technology adoption, JAX Hub positions the city at the center of a global push toward modern financial solutions, helping attract international talent and new investment. “This programme gives international startups an incredible opportunity to pilot cutting-edge solutions in the financial sector and collaborate with a global leader like Paysafe, all while supporting Jacksonville’s vision as a fintech innovation hub,” said Donna Deegan, Mayor of Jacksonville. JAX Hub serves as a long-term blueprint for corporate-startup collaboration, enabling companies like Paysafe to accelerate innovation and explore future growth opportunities. The programme is designed to strengthen the local economy through job creation, technology commercialization, and the development of high-growth financial solutions talent. About L Marks L Marks is the market leader in corporate innovation, trusted by many of the world’s most well-respected brands to identify, validate, and implement transformative solutions. As the innovation partner behind JAX Hub, L Marks brings over a decade of experience designing and delivering 100+ award-winning innovation programs across Europe, North America, and Asia. Contact Innovation Scout Noam Silva L Marks noam@lmarks.com

What has XM launched for its 15th anniversary? XM is marking 15 years in the online trading industry with a promotion that focuses on something traders care about most: reducing costs. From December 15, 2025, through January 15, 2026, clients can earn unlimited cashback when trading selected assets on the platform. There are no tiers, caps, or complicated milestones to unlock. Traders simply trade the eligible instruments during the promotional period, and cashback accumulates based on activity. The offer runs through the end of the year and into the start of 2026, a period when liquidity conditions and trading volumes often fluctuate. Participation is automatic for eligible users. Traders log into their XM accounts, trade as usual, and earn cashback without having to opt into complex bonus structures or lock up funds. Why does this type of promotion matter? Many trading promotions focus on headline numbers that look attractive but come with tight restrictions. Cashback works differently. It directly offsets trading costs, which makes it easier to measure its real value. For active traders, especially those trading frequently or at higher volumes, even small reductions in costs can add up over time. Unlimited cashback removes the frustration of hitting reward ceilings just as trading activity increases. By keeping the structure simple, XM avoids encouraging unnecessary risk-taking. Traders earn rewards by trading normally, not by chasing artificial targets or altering strategies to meet promotional conditions. Investor Takeaway Cashback is one of the few incentives that directly improves trading efficiency. When uncapped, it benefits disciplined traders without changing how they approach the market. What 15 years says about XM as a broker Fifteen years is a long time in the retail trading industry. Market cycles, regulatory changes, and shifting client expectations have pushed many brokers out of business over the past decade. XM’s ability to reach this milestone reflects a focus on scale, compliance, and long-term client relationships. Rather than relying solely on short-term promotions, the company has consistently invested in education, support, and platform stability. This anniversary promotion fits that pattern. It rewards existing traders instead of aggressively targeting new sign-ups, and it does so in a way that aligns with how professional and semi-professional traders evaluate value. What traders should keep in mind While the promotion is simple, trading always involves risk. Market conditions around the holiday period can be uneven, with periods of lower liquidity or sudden volatility. Traders should review which assets are included in the promotion and continue to follow their usual risk management rules. Cashback can improve net results, but it should not be a reason to overtrade or abandon discipline. XM has published full terms and conditions outlining eligibility and settlement details. As always, understanding the mechanics ensures there are no surprises. Investor Takeaway Used correctly, cashback rewards steady participation rather than speculation. It works best when paired with consistent position sizing and risk controls. The 15th anniversary cashback promotion runs from December 15, 2025, to January 15, 2026. For traders already active on XM, it offers a practical way to close out the year with lower effective trading costs and carry momentum into the new one. Global Cashback Promo, December 2025