KEY TAKEAWAYS MT5 supports cryptocurrency trading via CFDs offered by regulated brokers, allowing users to add symbols such as BTC/USD after account setup and login.  The trading process on MT5 involves selecting a broker, funding an account, conducting technical analysis using indicators, placing orders with risk controls, and monitoring positions in real time.  Advantages include 24/7 access, leverage up to 500:1, customizable charts, and no need for crypto wallets, making MT5 ideal for speculating on volatile assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.  Key risks include high volatility, amplified losses from leverage, regulatory gaps that could lead to fraud, and market manipulation.  Analysts like Tom Lee forecast significant Bitcoin growth, viewing it as an economic hedge, but emphasize the need for platforms like MT5 to handle rapid market changes.    MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is now a flexible platform that lets you trade a wide range of financial instruments, such as cryptocurrencies, using contracts for difference (CFDs). As digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum become more popular, traders are increasingly asking how to add them to MT5. This post examines whether it is possible to introduce crypto to MT5 by looking at how other brokerages implement it and what the platform can do.  We give traders a complete picture of how to use both classic trading tools and new crypto markets by focusing on brokers that follow the rules and leverage MT5's enhanced features. MT5 offers more than 80 technical indicators and advanced analytical objects, enabling the use of complex crypto trading techniques. However, you need to choose your broker carefully to get to these assets. Learning About MT5 and How it Works with Crypto MetaQuotes produced MT5, a powerful multi-asset trading platform that lets you trade FX, equities, commodities, and cryptocurrencies through CFDs. MT5 is better than MT4 because it has faster execution speeds, additional timeframes, and an economic calendar. This makes it a good choice for crypto, which is very volatile.  MT5 doesn't support cryptocurrencies natively, but brokers can add them by providing crypto CFD symbols like BTC/USD or ETH/USD. Traders can bet on price changes without owning the assets themselves by using the platform's hedging and algorithmic trading features. Authorities like CySEC and ASIC need to monitor brokers to ensure these tools are safe to use. How to Put Crypto Tools on MT5 To add cryptocurrencies to MT5, you first need to choose a trustworthy broker that offers crypto CFDs on the platform. You can download the MT5 software from the broker's website or the official MetaQuotes site once you open an account, either for practice (demo) or for genuine trading (live). After installing the software, traders can log in using the information provided by their broker.  This gives them access to the market watch window. Users can right-click in this area to view all symbols, or type the names of specific crypto pairs, such as BTC/USD, ETH/USD, Litecoin, or Ripple. If you can't see symbols, you may need to contact the broker's support team to enable them. Ensure the account type (standard or professional) supports crypto trading. Brokers often need you to prove your identity with documentation before you can trade live. With demo accounts, you can start selling right away without putting money down. This approach makes it easy to add crypto to MT5's interface, where traders can change charts and use indicators to analyze data. Before you can trade, you need to put money into your account. The minimum deposit varies by broker. How to Trade Crypto on MT5: A Step-by-Step Guide When you trade cryptocurrencies on MT5, you follow a set process to reduce risk in a market that changes quickly. First, use MT5's built-in tools, including moving averages, RSI, and MACD, available in the Insert menu or toolbar, to perform a comprehensive market analysis. Choose the crypto symbol you want to trade from the market watch, then open the new order window. From there, you can choose the sort of order you want: market for instant execution or pending for conditional entry. Set the trade volume based on how much risk you're willing to take, the stop-loss to limit possible losses, and the take-profit to lock in profits. You can see your open positions under the trade tab, which shows your real-time profit or loss and how much margin you are using. Change your positions as needed by changing your orders or employing trailing stops. Finally, choose the position and carry out the close order. Use MT5's history and reporting functions to review your performance and refine your methods. Leverage, which can reach 500:1 depending on the broker and account, increases exposure but must be carefully managed to avoid margin calls. You can use Expert Advisors (EAs) to automate algorithmic trading and test them on past data in MT5. Benefits of Trading Crypto Using MT5 MT5 is excellent for trading cryptocurrencies because it lets you trade many different ones, like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance Coin, and Solana, against the US dollar, making it easier to predict price movements. The platform's customisable interface, which includes trade-through charts and plug-ins, makes it easier to use on all platforms. Traders can trade 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with open, competitive spreads and no need to hold physical coins, which reduces storage and security concerns.  Stop losses and hedging are two advanced risk management methods that protect against volatility. Leverage lets you take bigger positions with less money. MT5 is a powerful tool for both new and experienced traders in the crypto industry, as it offers multi-timeframe analysis and an integrated economic calendar, which helps traders make intelligent decisions. Considerations and Risks Even if trading crypto on MT5 has its perks, it also comes with significant risks because the assets are highly volatile. Prices can change quickly in response to news, legislation, or market sentiment. Leverage magnifies both profits and losses, which can quickly drain your cash if you don't use stop losses correctly. Cryptocurrencies are still largely unregulated, making them more vulnerable to fraud, market manipulation (e.g., pump-and-dump scams), and cybersecurity threats (e.g., hacking). Different assets have different levels of liquidity. Less popular coins may have bigger spreads and longer execution times. Traders should start small, use demo accounts, and stay up to date on global events. For example, China's attitude on specific issues can affect pricing. Expert opinions indicate that Bitcoin has significant room to grow, but they also caution about the risks in this market. Market Outlook and Expert Insights Analysts in the cryptocurrency field are cautiously optimistic about trading in these currencies. Tom Lee from Fundstrat Global Advisors said Bitcoin might hit $100,000, underscoring its ability to protect against economic downturns and a weakening dollar. Experts generally agree that cryptocurrencies are poised to rise in value due to media attention, institutional acceptance, and supply-and-demand dynamics.  But they warn that prices can change quickly, so they suggest using systems like MT5, which offer deep analytical capabilities, to keep up with these movements. Regulated brokers make trading safer, but traders need to focus on risk management to capitalize on opportunities and limit losses in this evolving field. FAQs Can I trade actual cryptocurrencies on MT5, or is it only CFDs? MT5 primarily facilitates crypto trading via CFDs, allowing speculation on price movements without owning the coins, though some brokers may offer additional options. What are the minimum requirements to start trading crypto on MT5? You need a regulated broker account, MT5 software, a stable internet connection, and a funded account with a minimum deposit; demo accounts require no funding for practice. How does leverage work for crypto on MT5? Leverage allows larger positions with less capital, such as 500:1, but it magnifies both gains and losses, requiring careful risk management, such as stop-loss orders. Are there any fees associated with adding crypto to MT5? Fees vary by broker and include spreads, commissions, and potential swap charges for overnight positions, with no direct cost for adding symbols to the platform. Which MT5 tools are best for crypto analysis? MT5 offers indicators such as RSI, MACD, and moving averages, along with multiple timeframes and charting tools, making it ideal for analyzing crypto volatility and trends. References How to trade Bitcoin cryptocurrency with Metatrader: FP Markets Trade Cryptocurrencies on MetaTrader with your OANDA: Oanda How to Trade Cryptocurrencies on MetaTrader 5: Blueberry Markets

KEY TAKEAWAYS Abu Dhabi's ADGM provides a comprehensive regulatory framework for virtual assets, including prohibitions on specific tokens and streamlined AVA approvals, fostering institutional confidence. Tax exemptions on income and capital gains in the UAE make Abu Dhabi an economically attractive destination for crypto firms compared to high-tax regions. Strategic investments by sovereign wealth funds, such as $2 billion in Binance, underscore Abu Dhabi's commitment to digital finance. The integration of stablecoins and RWA tokenization under clear rules positions Abu Dhabi as a leader in innovative financial products. Firms like Binance and MicroStrategy are relocating to ADGM due to its global licenses and pro-business environment, as highlighted by industry leaders.   The United Arab Emirates, especially Abu Dhabi, has become a top destination for bitcoin companies seeking stable, supportive regulatory environments. In 2025, the UAE's crypto industry grew a lot. There were more than 80 licensed virtual asset service providers, and the regulators shifted their priority from development to operational monitoring. This change has attracted big names like Binance, Circle, and Tether, which are interested in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This structure grants full licenses for trading, custody, and tokenization activities.  Abu Dhabi is appealing because it offers a mix of predictable regulations, economic diversification goals, and institutional backing. This makes it different from other places that are more rigid. As more people throughout the world utilize cryptocurrency, with about 3 million users in the UAE making up approximately a third of the population, businesses are moving to take advantage of these benefits for long-term growth. Regulatory Framework Moving People The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) oversees ADGM in Abu Dhabi. In 2025, the ADGM put in place forward-thinking rules that made it a global leader in the regulation of digital assets. The FSRA's last regulatory amendments, which go into effect on January 1, 2026, expanded the activities stablecoins are permitted to undertake. They also added risk-based standards that set payment tokens apart from speculative assets.  This framework has allowed large stablecoin issuers to get licenses, such as Circle's full Financial Services Permission to operate as a money services provider. This has made it easier for USDC to be used in the UAE's financial system. Tether has received permission for its USDT stablecoin to be treated as a fiat-referenced token on nine blockchains, including Aptos and TRON. This lets licensed businesses do business in a compliant multi-chain environment. The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai works with the ADGM to finish rulebooks for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and stablecoins. They also sort virtual assets linked to tangible assets that require a license and disclosure. VARA's supervision-first approach emphasizes compliance after a license is granted, including governance and operational resilience. This appeals to companies that want institutional-grade control instead of deregulation.  Analysts say this precise regulation reduces risk and makes things more predictable. UAE courts are also beginning to treat crypto as property and enforce transactions involving it. Ronit Ghose, who is in charge of Citi Global Insights' future of finance department, talked about the blooming ecosystem. He said, "We have a very thriving crypto and blockchain ecosystem growing up in Dubai and Abu Dhabi." He went on to stress how important it is to have rules, adding, "We always have to do things that are regulated: it's not a nice-to-have, it's a must-have." Binance's purchase of three important licenses in ADGM for its exchange, clearinghouse, and broker-dealer activities demonstrates the appeal of the framework. It allows both spot and futures trading as well as custody services. Richard Teng, the CEO of Binance, called this "an important milestone" and said it provides "regulatory oversight of ADGM" for users worldwide.  Teng also praised Abu Dhabi's environment, saying, "The city's push on cryptocurrency in recent years has made it 'compelling' for companies like Binance... It has a very pro-business environment... The regulators here started regulating crypto about seven years ago … (it has) the fastest-growing capital markets and the fastest-growing financial center in the world. So, this is a great place for us to help ourselves. Tax Breaks and Other Economic Incentives Abu Dhabi's attractiveness goes beyond rules and regulations. It also has tax policies and economic incentives that make it easier for crypto companies to do business. The UAE has no personal income tax and minimal company taxes. It also offers long-term residency options, such as the Golden Visa, which make it easier for investors and entrepreneurs to move there.  Sovereign wealth funds, which manage $2 trillion in assets, are investing in decentralized finance to reduce their dependence on oil and the US dollar. This opens up new possibilities for using cryptocurrencies in cross-border payments. This focus on digital finance aligns with the broader goal of diversifying the economy. For example, the state-backed $2 billion investment by MGX in Binance is an example of this. Tokenization of RWA makes it even more appealing from an economic standpoint. Regulators have made it clear that tokens are not securities unless the underlying assets meet certain criteria, which opens the door to initiatives in real estate and commodities. For example, Zand Bank issued the AED-backed stablecoin, while Prypco's real estate tokenization pilot project with the Dubai Land Department is underway.  Paolo Ardoino, the CEO of Tether, said about the growth, "Adding USDT to ADGM's regulated digital asset framework strengthens the role of stablecoins as essential parts of today's financial landscape." ADGM boosts Abu Dhabi's position as a global hub for compliant digital finance by recognizing USDT on many major blockchains. Benefits For Lifestyle and Infrastructure Abu Dhabi's sophisticated infrastructure, impartial stance on global politics, and high quality of life make it a great place for crypto experts to live and work. The city's position connects East and West, and its reputation as a safe, innovative hub with advanced financial ecosystems makes it easy for businesses to run smoothly.  Ghose from Citi talked about the forward-thinking leadership, saying, "You have the leadership of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, who are forward-thinking, relatively young in mind and spirit, and they want to adopt and embrace these new technologies." This setting encourages institutions to adopt new technologies, as seen by RAKBANK's retail crypto trading app. Examples of Companies That Have Moved Well-known moves show how appealing Abu Dhabi is. Circle's ADGM license lets it expand its USDC business in the US. CEO Jeremy Allaire said, "Regulatory clarity is the foundation of a more open and efficient internet financial system." It is an honor for us to cooperate with the FSRA in ADGM. Binance's licenses don't specify its headquarters, but they do provide a regulatory foundation.  A spokeswoman said, "An HQ is a physical or symbolic concept that doesn't fully capture how Binance operates... It feels a bit old-fashioned to us." Ahmed Jasmin Al Zaabi, the chairman of ADGM, praised this move and called Binance "a key global player in digital assets and financial innovation." Tether's certification on many chains is another example of how businesses may benefit from Abu Dhabi's ecosystem. Problems and the 2026 Outlook Even though there are benefits, there are also problems, such as stricter enforcement and fines for breaking the rules, which indicate less tolerance for mistakes. The 2026 view focuses on governance and following financial rules. It rewards sustainable models and eliminates speculative ones.  Peter Schiff, the chief global strategist at Euro Pacific Capital, criticized the overall trends in crypto but said that tokenized assets could be helpful. He said, "Tokenized gold would be real currency." People call Bitcoin "digital gold," but it's not. It's not like gold at all. FAQs What is the Abu Dhabi Crypto License? It refers to licenses issued by ADGM's FSRA for activities like trading, custody, and token issuance, providing a regulated framework for digital assets. Why are crypto firms choosing Abu Dhabi over other locations? Firms are drawn by regulatory predictability, tax benefits, and institutional support, offering stability amid global uncertainties. What role does VARA play in UAE crypto regulations? VARA oversees virtual assets in Dubai, finalizing rules for RWAs and stablecoins while emphasizing post-licensing compliance. Are there tax advantages for crypto businesses in Abu Dhabi? Yes, the UAE features no personal income tax and low corporate rates, enhancing profitability for relocating firms. What is the future outlook for crypto in the UAE? 2026 will focus on enforcement and institutional adoption, with continued growth in tokenized assets and stablecoins. References UAE Crypto Regulations 2025 Recap: VARA, RWA Tokens And 2026 Outlook: Forbes Why the UAE has set its sights on digital finance: CNN Business Did Binance just make Abu Dhabi its global HQ? ‘Feels a bit old-fashioned’: DL News Tether gains Abu Dhabi's approval to expand USDT use across nine major chains: The Block Circle Wins Full ADGM License to Expand USDC Across the UAE: Yahoo Finance

What Did FINRA Find? FINRA has ordered American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. to pay $4.6 million in restitution to customers after finding the firm misrepresented how it calculated fees and retained undisclosed interest in its bank deposit program. FINRA also fined the firm $550,000 for related violations. The case covers activity between April 2018 and September 2022, a period during which roughly 85,000 customers were enrolled in the broker-dealer’s bank deposit program. These programs automatically sweep uninvested cash from brokerage accounts into interest-bearing, FDIC-insured bank accounts, allowing customers to earn interest on idle balances. According to FINRA, APFS provided customers with inaccurate disclosures about how per-account fees were determined. While disclosures stated that fees were tied to the Federal Funds Target rate, the firm actually set customer yields using other factors, including competitor rates. APFS then kept the remaining interest paid by participating banks, after certain administrative costs, as its fee. Investor Takeaway Cash sweep and bank deposit programs are often viewed as low-risk. This case shows how disclosure gaps can materially affect returns even in conservative products. How Much Did Customers Lose? FINRA found that over the relevant period, APFS collected more than $3 million in fees above what customers would have paid had the firm applied the formula described in its disclosures. In addition, the firm retained about $1.25 million in surplus interest that arose when interest rate changes created excess proceeds. FINRA said APFS failed to disclose that it was keeping this surplus interest. As a result, customers did not receive the full benefit of interest earned on their swept cash balances, despite believing fees and yields were calculated according to the disclosed methodology. The regulator also found that APFS improperly treated the retained excess fees and surplus interest as revenue for net capital purposes. This led the firm to file inaccurate monthly financial reports with FINRA, compounding the compliance failures beyond customer-facing disclosures. What Went Wrong in Supervision? From April 2018 through May 2023, FINRA said APFS lacked a supervisory system reasonably designed to oversee the bank deposit program. The firm did not maintain written supervisory procedures to confirm that customer disclosures accurately reflected how fees were calculated or that the fee calculations matched those disclosures in practice. Without those controls, the inaccurate disclosures and interest retention practices continued for years without detection. FINRA concluded that the supervisory failures allowed the fee structure and surplus interest retention to persist unchecked, resulting in customer harm that required substantial restitution. “While bank deposit programs may offer useful features to customers, it is important for firms to ensure compliance with a range of relevant FINRA and SEC rules,” said Bill St. Louis, FINRA’s Executive Vice President and Head of Enforcement. “Firms must ensure accuracy in customer communications, including how fees are calculated and what interest customers will earn.” Investor Takeaway Regulators are closely scrutinizing cash sweep programs. Firms that treat them as low-risk back-office products may underestimate enforcement exposure. What Role Did Osaic Play? APFS was acquired by Osaic Holdings, Inc. in November 2022 and later merged into Osaic Wealth, Inc. in October 2024. FINRA said the penalty reflects Osaic’s cooperation during the investigation, including assistance in calculating restitution owed to customers. FINRA also noted that APFS disclosed the underpayments to the regulator in October 2022 and began applying the disclosed fee formula at that time. Osaic started paying restitution to affected customers before the settlement was finalized, which contributed to the final penalty determination. As part of the settlement, APFS consented to FINRA’s findings without admitting or denying the charges. FINRA said details of the action will be available through its disciplinary databases and monthly enforcement summaries.

DAG Network hosted a public AMA on December 29, 2025, during which it discussed significant changes to its executive team, technical developments, and next steps for its blockchain project. The event addressed the community's concerns about leadership, network readiness, and the project's future. Change in Leadership Nick Vandenberg was announced as the new CEO, while Jeremy Harkness was confirmed as the new CTO. Gurhan Kiziloz, who started the project, said he invested roughly $14 million at the start and assembled the technical team. He said he would stop running the business every day and instead take on a supportive role in funding and oversight. Kiziloz said that a previous CEO, Antony Turner, was hired to keep the endeavor separate from his former failed businesses. Kiziloz said during the AMA, "I gave about $14 million in initial funding and put together a technical team to work on the blockchain's development," stressing his role as a transition. Technical Progress and Partial Centralization Harkness provided updates on the state of the blockchain, noting that the core network and ASIC mining functionality work in a development environment. But important parts, like staking mechanisms and third-party audits, are still not in place. The network will start off largely centralized, and the first mining will occur in a closed system controlled by the project. This method is used to make sure that things are stable before more people can use them. Harkness explained how it would work, noting that the blockchain would open up more mining chances when the hardware was sent out.  He verified that "the core blockchain network is operational in a development environment with functional ASIC mining capabilities," but he also said that staking and audits are still not finalized. Representatives also said that purchasers had not yet received all of the ASIC miners, including the X10 and X100 variants. Kiziloz noted that payments for hardware purchases will be completed within a week, allowing phased rollouts. End of Presale and Start of Launch The AMA said the BDAG token presale will end on January 26, 2026, and that a token creation event will take place about a week afterward. Exchange listings are planned for the beginning to the middle of February, though this depends on the audit outcomes and the technology's readiness. These deadlines were shown to be adjustable, depending on how well the meetings were prepared. Harkness reiterated that these dates were conditional and stressed that audits needed to be completed and all miners distributed before moving forward. The goal of the project is to finish these parts so that the transition to public trading goes smoothly. Community Control and Future Changes DAG Network wants to create an oversight committee, including community members, to promote openness. Kiziloz invited Reed and Muhammad, two long-time contributors, to join the group, thanking them for their help with planning and talking. But the committee's governance powers and decision-making processes are still unclear. The team promised to have more AMA sessions before launch milestones, during which they will give updates on audits, hardware, and network status. This action shows that the project is trying to keep people involved during its most important stages. In general, the session showed a project that was changing, with leaders changing, technical problems, and centralized controls to make sure the rollout went smoothly. As the presale for DAG Network comes to an end, stakeholders are awaiting further information on audits and the timescales for decentralization.

What Happened at Unleash Protocol? Unleash Protocol disclosed a security breach that resulted in the loss of roughly 1,337 ETH, valued at close to $4 million, after an attacker gained unauthorized control over the project’s multisig governance system. The incident was first flagged through onchain activity and later confirmed by the Unleash team, which said it has paused protocol operations and launched a forensic investigation. According to the project, an externally owned address obtained administrative control through the multisig and executed an unauthorized contract upgrade. That upgrade allowed the attacker to withdraw assets outside Unleash’s intended governance and approval process. “Our initial investigation indicates that an externally owned address gained administrative control via Unleash’s multisig governance and carried out an unauthorized contract upgrade,” Unleash wrote on X. “This upgrade enabled asset withdrawals that were not approved by the Unleash team and occurred outside our intended governance and operational procedures.” In practical terms, the attacker was able to bypass internal checks and move user funds directly out of the protocol. While the exact method remains under review, the project said the breach may have involved social engineering or another form of security compromise targeting governance access. Investor Takeaway Multisig governance remains a critical point of failure in DeFi. Administrative access, not smart contract math, was the weak link in this attack. Where Did the Funds Go? Blockchain security firms tracking the incident said the attacker bridged the stolen assets to Ethereum and began routing funds through Tornado Cash, a privacy protocol used to obscure transaction trails. PeckShield reported that the attacker sent the ETH in repeated 100 ETH increments, a pattern commonly seen in laundering attempts. CertiK separately flagged suspicious withdrawals of Wrapped ETH and IP-related tokens that were sent to an externally owned account. The address appears to have been created using the SafeProxyFactory, a tool frequently used to deploy multisig wallets. The affected assets include WIP (Wrapped IP), USDC, WETH, stIP, and vIP. Most of those tokens were converted or bridged before being sent to Tornado Cash, reducing the likelihood of recovery and complicating any legal or technical intervention. The use of Tornado Cash highlights a recurring challenge for post-exploit response. Once assets enter a mixing service, tracing ownership becomes far more difficult, especially when funds are split across multiple transactions and addresses. Was Story Protocol Affected? Unleash emphasized that the breach was limited to its own contracts and administrative controls. The project said there is no indication that Story Protocol itself, its validators, or its underlying infrastructure were compromised. “The incident originated within Unleash Protocol’s governance and permission framework,” the team said. “The impact appears limited to Unleash-specific contracts and administrative controls.” Unleash is one of the more visible applications built on Story Protocol, a relatively new Layer 1 focused on tokenized intellectual property. PIP Labs, the core team behind Story, has raised $140 million to date, positioning the network as a specialized chain for IP-related use cases. While Story’s base layer was not affected, the incident is likely to raise questions about application-level security practices on newer networks, particularly where governance controls rely on a small number of signers or offchain processes. Investor Takeaway Application-layer failures can create reputational risk for entire ecosystems, even when the underlying chain remains secure. What Comes Next? The Unleash team has warned users not to interact with the protocol while the investigation continues. It said further updates on remediation steps and potential recovery efforts will be shared once more information becomes available. At this stage, recovery prospects appear limited. The routing of funds through Tornado Cash, combined with cross-chain movements, reduces the chances of clawing back assets unless centralized chokepoints are identified later in the laundering process. The incident adds to a growing list of attacks in which governance access, rather than contract bugs, has been exploited to drain funds. As DeFi protocols add layers of upgradability and administrative control, those systems increasingly resemble high-value targets for attackers.

A well-known venture capitalist says the cryptocurrency market will see significant changes in 2026, driven by traditional IT companies and the continued dominance of established public blockchains. Haseeb Qureshi, managing partner at Dragonfly, a VC firm focused on crypto, shared his thoughts in late December 2025. He discussed both the prospects for mainstream adoption and the challenges new companies will face. Qureshi thinks that at least one major tech giant, such as Google, Meta, or Apple, will launch or acquire a native crypto wallet next year. He said this approach might give billions of regular people access to digital assets through the platforms they already use every day. Doubt About Blockchains Led by Fintech Qureshi said that, even as businesses become more interested in blockchain, he has serious concerns about fintech startups competing directly with established networks by building their own Layer 1 (L1) chains. He said that these attempts would likely have a hard time getting anywhere. Qureshi said, "Even though there is a lot of excitement about the new crop of fintech chains, their metrics will be disappointing." He specifically mentioned projects like Tempo, Arc, and Robinhood Chain, saying that key metrics such as daily active addresses, stablecoin flows, and real-world asset (RWA) activity would not meet expectations. Qureshi, on the other hand, thought that Ethereum and Solana would do better. He claimed, "Ethereum and Solana will overdeliver," and he also remarked, "Best developers will keep building on neutral infra chains." His position shows that he believes developer preferences and network effects will make open, decentralized infrastructure better than closed, walled-garden alternatives run by financial companies. A Bigger Look at 2026 and a Bitcoin Price Prediction Qureshi's predictions go beyond wallets and L1s. He also thinks that more Fortune 100 organizations, especially in the banking and fintech industries, would use their own private blockchains. However, these will probably not be as big as public networks. The Dragonfly CEO said Bitcoin would trade above $150,000 by the end of 2026. He also said Bitcoin's dominance would decline as money moves into other sectors. The prognosis comes at a time when more businesses and institutions are getting involved with crypto. For example, Galaxy Digital predicted that at least one major Fortune 500 company may launch an L1 that would settle over $1 billion in real economic activity. As the sector approaches the new year, Qureshi's comments highlight a key conflict: Big Tech's ability to accelerate mass adoption through familiar interfaces vs. the strength of crypto-native ecosystems in retaining developers and keeping users active. People in the market will be very interested to see whether these predictions come true, especially as the rules are becoming clearer and technology is improving all the time.

Silver can be expected to rise further to the next round resistance level 80.00 (which revere the price earlier this month).   Silver  reversed from support zone Likely to rise to resistance level 80.00 Silver recently reversed from the support zone located between the round support level 70.00, support trendline of the sharp daily up channel from November and the 38.2% Fibonacci correction of the previous sharp upward impulse from November. The upward reversal from support zone continues the active short-term impulse wave 3 – which is part of the sharp upward impulse sequence (3) from the end of November. The price earlier broke out of the sharp narrow up channel from November – which signals the acceleration of the daily uptrend. Given the prevailing daily uptrend and the continuation of the panic buying on worries of limited supply from China, Silver can be expected to rise further to the next round resistance level 80.00 (which revere the price earlier this month). [caption id="attachment_180940" align="alignnone" width="800"] Silver Technical Analysis[/caption] The subject matter and the content of this article are solely the views of the author. FinanceFeeds does not bear any legal responsibility for the content of this article and they do not reflect the viewpoint of FinanceFeeds or its editorial staff. The information does not constitute advice or a recommendation on any course of action and does not take into account your personal circumstances, financial situation, or individual needs. We strongly recommend you seek independent professional advice or conduct your own independent research before acting upon any information contained in this article.

What Did Grayscale File—and Why Now? Grayscale has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to convert its Grayscale Bittensor Trust into an exchange-traded fund, marking the first attempt to launch a U.S. spot ETF offering direct exposure to Bittensor’s native token, TAO. The proposed ETF would trade on NYSE Arca under the ticker GTAO, according to the filing submitted Tuesday. The move comes just weeks after Bittensor completed its first halving event, cutting the rate at which new TAO tokens are issued. While the trust has existed in private form since 2024, it only became publicly quoted earlier this month. The ETF filing follows that step, signaling Grayscale’s intent to widen access to the asset through a regulated wrapper. Coinbase Custody Trust Company LLC and BitGo Trust Company, Inc. are listed as custodians. Grayscale said the filing reflects growing interest in diversified crypto exposure beyond bitcoin and ether. “We’re pleased to take this early step as we continue to expand the tools available to investors and further develop Grayscale’s product platform to meet the growing investor demand for digital asset exposure,” a Grayscale spokesperson said in a statement. Investor Takeaway This is the first attempt to package Bittensor into a U.S. spot ETF, giving traditional investors a regulated path to TAO without direct token custody. What Is Bittensor—and Why Is TAO Drawing Attention? Bittensor is a decentralized, AI-focused network built around a hub-and-spoke blockchain design. The system supports application-specific subnets where participants earn TAO by contributing computing resources that help train and improve AI models. In practice, the network attempts to tie token issuance to useful machine-learning work rather than simple block production. TAO’s issuance schedule includes a halving mechanism similar in structure to bitcoin’s, though applied within a different economic model. In mid-December, Bittensor reduced the pace of new TAO creation for the first time. Following the halving, TAO’s price dipped before stabilizing around $222, based on recent market data. The halving has sharpened investor focus on Bittensor’s token economics. Supporters view the supply cut as a way to reinforce scarcity while the network grows. Critics argue that valuation will ultimately depend on whether demand for decentralized AI compute continues to rise in a crowded field. How Does This Fit Grayscale’s Broader ETF Push? Grayscale has spent the past year converting several single-asset trusts into exchange-traded funds after securing approvals for spot bitcoin and ether products. The firm has also pushed into altcoin-linked ETFs, including the recent launch of a Chainlink-focused fund. The Bittensor filing extends that playbook into the AI-crypto crossover, a theme that has gained traction as investors look for exposure to machine learning infrastructure on-chain. Unlike broader crypto indexes, the proposed ETF would track a single asset tied to a specific network and use case. By listing on NYSE Arca, Grayscale is again targeting the same venue used for its flagship crypto ETFs. That consistency suggests the firm expects demand from advisors and institutions already familiar with its structure and reporting. Investor Takeaway Grayscale is extending its ETF strategy beyond major tokens into niche networks tied to AI, testing how far investor appetite reaches past bitcoin and ether. What Are the Regulatory and Market Hurdles? Despite progress on spot bitcoin and ether ETFs, the regulatory path for single-asset altcoin products remains uncertain. The SEC has not yet approved a spot ETF tied to a token outside the two largest cryptocurrencies, and timelines for review are unclear. Approval will likely hinge on market surveillance arrangements, liquidity considerations, and how regulators view the underlying token’s structure. Bittensor’s AI focus adds another layer of scrutiny, as policymakers continue to assess how decentralized compute networks fit within existing frameworks. Even if approval takes time, the filing itself places Bittensor on the radar of traditional markets. It also sets a reference point for other issuers considering ETFs tied to smaller networks with defined use cases rather than broad crypto exposure. What Comes Next? The SEC will review the registration statement in the coming months, with potential requests for amendments or additional disclosures. Grayscale has not given a timeline for a possible launch, and approval is not guaranteed. For now, the filing highlights how quickly product development is moving at the intersection of crypto, AI, and traditional finance. If approved, GTAO would give investors a new way to express a view on decentralized AI infrastructure through a familiar ETF format. Whether that demand proves durable will depend on how Bittensor’s network activity, token economics, and broader AI narrative evolve after its first halving.

The number of net inflows into United States-listed spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has now reached 29 days in a row. Even though December saw significant volatility and industry-wide selling, this trend persists. This shows that investors have diverse feelings about different digital assets. Steady Growth in XRP Funds According to investment tracking company SoSoValue, spot XRP ETFs saw $8.44 million in net inflows on the most recent Monday. This brings the total to $1.15 billion since they started. The funds' total net assets are now about $1.24 billion. This remains stable even as XRP prices and the broader crypto ecosystem decline. Vincent Liu, the chief investment officer at Kronos Research, said this pattern was due to XRP's unique features. Liu told reporters that "XRP inflows are a function of regulatory clarity and steady accumulation into a less crowded trade than BTC/ETH." He also said that XRP's use case in cross-border settlements "offers differentiated exposure that continues to attract longer-horizon capital." Even though inflows have slowed from their December highs, when they ranged from $30 million to over $40 million a day, the funds have continued to bring in money in the last few days of the month. Overall, XRP ETFs raised $478 million in December alone, indicating that both institutional and individual investors remain interested. Bitcoin and Ether ETFs are Struggling Amid Heavy Outflows In sharp contrast, spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs have seen large net withdrawals this month. This is because people are being more careful as the market shifts at the end of the year and becomes more volatile. In December, spot Bitcoin ETFs lost more than $1.1 billion. The most significant single-day withdrawal occurred on December 15, totaling $357.7 million. Days when money comes in now and then haven't been able to offset the constant selling pressure in the second half of the month. Also, spot Ether ETFs have recorded net outflows of almost $612 million over this period. The most significant drop happened on December 15, when $224.8 million left the accounts. The next day, there was another significant drop. A recent analysis from blockchain analytics company Glassnode said that the 30-day moving average of net flows into US spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs has been negative since early November. This means fewer people are participating, and the overall liquidity of the crypto market is declining. What Experts Think About How the Market Works Liu discussed what might happen to the largest cryptocurrencies in the future. He said, "Expect BTC to trade in a broad, range-bound bull market profile with continued institutional positioning and macro sensitivity. ETH may capture stronger fundamental upside tied to network adoption and real-world utility, potentially outpacing BTC." Liu said over the weekend that the outflows from Bitcoin ETFs during the holiday season are not unusual. He said they are due to "holiday positioning" and lower liquidity, not a change in demand. He went on to say, "As desks come back in early January, institutional flows usually start up again and return to normal." This difference in ETF flows shows that XRP's unique position continues to attract investors seeking options beyond the dominant Bitcoin and Ether stories, even as the overall market mood remains cautious. As the new year approaches, people who keep an eye on the market will be keen to see whether this flow of money continues despite changes in the economy and the rules that govern it.

Transaction fees are a fundamental measure of a blockchain’s usability, affecting everything from simple transfers to complex DeFi operations. High fees often signal congestion or network demand, but underlying factors such as design, consensus, and scaling solutions play a critical role. Cheaper fees are essential for accessibility, adoption, and sustainable growth, especially for users and developers who rely on frequent on-chain interactions. Key Takeaways Blockchain fees are determined by a combination of architecture, consensus, demand, and transaction complexity. Efficient base-layer design, parallel execution, and sharding help reduce costs and improve throughput. Layer-2 solutions are crucial for scaling and making frequent transactions economically viable. Smart contract optimization and predictable fee markets further lower fees for users and developers. Sustainable low fees enhance adoption, financial inclusion, and the ability to scale decentralized applications. Base Layer Architecture and Execution Model The way a blockchain processes transactions at its base layer significantly impacts fees. Blockchains that rely on sequential execution—where transactions are processed one after the other—have inherent bottlenecks. When transaction demand spikes, users must compete for limited block space, driving fees upward even for simple transfers. In contrast, blockchains that implement parallel execution or transaction sharding can handle multiple transactions simultaneously. Sharding divides the network into smaller units, each processing a portion of transactions independently, effectively increasing overall capacity. For example, Solana uses a parallel processing mechanism called Proof-of-History, allowing thousands of transactions per second at low cost. Similarly, Ethereum’s future sharded architecture aims to split transaction load across multiple shards to reduce congestion. Efficient architecture reduces artificial scarcity, keeping fees predictable and affordable. Consensus Mechanisms: The Cost of Security A blockchain’s consensus mechanism affects both operational costs and transaction fees. Proof-of-Work (PoW)networks, like Bitcoin, rely on miners who expend significant energy and hardware resources. These costs are offset through block rewards and transaction fees, which can rise sharply during network congestion or periods of low issuance. Proof-of-Stake (PoS) networks, such as Ethereum after the Merge, reduce operational overhead by requiring validators to stake capital rather than expend energy. This lowers the baseline cost for securing the network, which translates into lower transaction fees. PoS also allows faster transaction finality, meaning users do not need to pay extra to ensure timely confirmations—a critical factor for applications like decentralized exchanges or payment networks. Block Space Scarcity and Demand Dynamics Transaction fees are influenced by the simple economic principle of supply and demand for block space. When the number of transactions exceeds available space, users compete by offering higher fees to prioritize their transactions, creating spikes in cost. Networks that enforce rigid block sizes, like Bitcoin, inherently limit capacity, resulting in high fees during congestion. Conversely, blockchains with adaptive block sizes or flexible throughput can handle surges more efficiently. For example, Binance Smart Chain and Polygon adjust network capacity to meet temporary spikes, smoothing fee volatility. Managing block space scarcity is not just about lowering fees—it also enhances predictability, enabling developers and users to plan for costs in applications where microtransactions or frequent trades are common. Layer-2 Solutions and Off-Chain Scaling Layer-2 solutions have emerged as one of the most effective ways to reduce transaction fees while maintaining base-layer security. Rollups, sidechains, and state channels bundle multiple transactions and settle them collectively on the main chain, spreading costs across many users. For example, Optimistic and ZK rollups on Ethereum allow hundreds of DeFi transactions or NFT transfers to be confirmed with minimal base-layer fees. Payment channels, like Lightning Network for Bitcoin, enable instantaneous peer-to-peer transfers at near-zero cost, while still leveraging the security of the main network. Layer-2 adoption not only lowers fees but also allows networks to support high-volume applications, including gaming, micropayments, and decentralized finance, which would otherwise be economically infeasible on a congested base layer. Transaction Complexity and Smart Contract Efficiency Not all transactions are created equal. Fees also depend on the computational and storage resources required. Simple token transfers consume minimal resources, but interacting with complex smart contracts—such as decentralized exchanges, lending platforms, or NFT marketplaces—requires more gas or computational units. Optimized contract design can significantly reduce fees. Developers can minimize redundant calculations, limit storage writes, and design predictable loops. Ethereum’s EVM, Solana’s Sealevel, and other virtual machines reward efficiency by consuming fewer computational units, keeping costs manageable even during periods of high network activity. Poorly designed contracts, on the other hand, can dramatically inflate fees, creating an economic barrier for users and discouraging adoption. Validator Incentives and Fee Structure The way validators or miners are compensated directly affects the baseline for transaction fees. Networks that rely heavily on fees to reward validators create a natural floor beneath which costs cannot fall, regardless of network efficiency. Other networks supplement validator rewards through inflationary issuance or protocol subsidies, allowing users to pay lower fees without undermining network security. For instance, Solana and Ethereum (post-Merge) reduce reliance on transaction fees as the primary validator incentive, supporting cheaper fees while maintaining robust security. A well-balanced incentive model ensures that fees reflect actual network usage rather than artificially high compensation requirements. Fee Market Design and Predictability Fee structures and auction mechanisms determine how costs are distributed among users. Poorly designed fee markets—like simple first-price auctions—often result in overbidding, where users pay far more than necessary to prioritize transactions. This drives unpredictable spikes and reduces usability. Modern networks implement dynamic base fees, which adjust gradually based on demand, along with optional tips for transaction prioritization. Ethereum’s EIP-1559, for example, stabilizes fees by burning a portion of the base fee while allowing users to add priority tips if desired. Predictable fee markets reduce unnecessary competition, making the network more user-friendly and economically sustainable. Why Lower Transaction Fees Matter Lower fees expand the practical use of blockchains. They enable microtransactions, high-frequency trades in DeFi, gaming economies, and everyday payments without prohibitive cost. For emerging markets, where transaction sizes are small, low fees can make the difference between adoption and exclusion. Developers benefit as well: affordable execution encourages experimentation, testing, and iteration, fueling innovation across decentralized applications. In essence, low fees are a prerequisite for scalability, usability, and broad adoption. Trade-Offs Behind Low Fees Reducing fees is not without trade-offs. Some blockchains achieve low fees by increasing centralization, raising hardware requirements, or subsidizing costs temporarily. These approaches can compromise security or decentralization. The most sustainable path to cheaper transactions relies on architectural efficiency, consensus innovation, smart contract optimization, and balanced incentive design. These factors reduce fees structurally rather than relying on temporary or external interventions. Conclusion Cheaper blockchain fees are the result of intentional design choices across architecture, consensus, scaling solutions, and incentive structures. They impact adoption, innovation, and financial inclusion, determining whether a network can compete with traditional payment systems or scale effectively. As blockchain usage grows, transaction fees will increasingly serve as a key measure of network viability—highlighting which chains are structurally prepared for the future. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What determines blockchain transaction fees?Transaction fees depend on network demand, block space availability, consensus mechanism, transaction complexity, and validator incentives. Why do fees rise during network congestion?When block space is limited and demand is high, users compete to have their transactions included, driving fees up. How do Layer-2 solutions reduce fees?Layer-2 networks bundle multiple transactions and settle them on the main chain, spreading costs across users and lowering per-transaction fees. Does smart contract complexity affect fees?Yes, more computationally intensive contracts consume more gas or resources, increasing transaction costs compared to simple transfers. Can low fees compromise network security?Low fees alone don’t compromise security if the network balances incentives through efficient consensus and validator rewards. Unsustainable subsidies or centralization, however, can create risks.

KEY TAKEAWAYS The 24 Crypto Boost scheme promises unrealistic returns, such as doubling Bitcoin in 24 hours, which is a classic indicator of investment fraud, as no legitimate crypto opportunity guarantees profits without risk. Common crypto scams, including Ponzi schemes like OneCoin and BitConnect, rely on recruitment and internal exchanges to create illusions of profitability before collapsing and leaving investors with losses. Warning signs include unsolicited offers, vague operational details, and demands for upfront crypto payments, as highlighted in federal consumer protection guidelines. Scammers exploit the irreversible nature of crypto transactions, making recovery difficult, and often use social media to initiate contact and build false trust. Thorough research, including checking for regulatory warnings and user reviews, is crucial before engaging with any crypto platform to avoid falling victim to schemes like doubling boosts.   Cryptocurrency schemes that promise quick, easy gains continue to draw investors seeking large returns with little risk. One of these programs, called the 24 Crypto Boost, says that it can quadruple your Bitcoin holdings in just 24 hours using powerful trading algorithms or its own boosting methods. But amid more and more reports of crypto-related fraud, it's important to scrutinize these kinds of offers closely.  This article uses reliable sources on cryptocurrency fraud to assess the validity of 24 Crypto Boost by comparing it to known patterns of fraud in the crypto world. We want to give consumers a data-driven assessment to help them make smart choices by examining prevalent fraud strategies, warning indicators, and past events. What The 24 Crypto Boost Scheme Is All About The 24 Crypto Boost is marketed as an automated platform that allows users to deposit Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. The system supposedly uses advanced bots or smart contracts to make quick gains, frequently doubling the initial investment in less than a day. It is sometimes pushed through social media, unsolicited messages, or online forums.  Users usually have to transmit money to a specific wallet address or internal exchange, with promises of quick returns and low entry hurdles. While the exact details of how it works remain unclear, it is quite similar to investment scams that exploit people's desire to get rich quickly in unstable markets. According to research by federal authorities, these kinds of scams often lack verifiable technology or clear operations. Instead, they use hype and a sense of urgency to get people to join. Types of Cryptocurrency Scams  There are many different ways that cryptocurrency scams try to trick investors into giving up their money. For example, investment scams claim assured profits or risk-free returns, and they often use Bitcoin as both the investment vehicle and the payment method. These often come from social media or from people who contact you out of the blue and lead you to fraudulent platforms where you can't get your money back.  Federal consumer protection resources say that scammers may pretend to be famous people or investment advisors and say they may increase your crypto holdings through special opportunities. Ponzi schemes are another common type. In these schemes, money from new investors is used to pay returns to early investors, making it appear the plan is profitable until it fails. These tendencies are very clear in historical examples. Between 2014 and 2017, the OneCoin scam took almost $4 billion from investors. It worked like a multi-level marketing pyramid, without any real blockchain technology, selling worthless tokens on an internal exchange with stringent withdrawal limits. In the same way, BitConnect offered up to 40% monthly returns through a fake trading bot, but it turned out to be a Ponzi scheme, which led to a $2.4 billion fraud action by regulators. These stories show how crooks make fake businesses look real by making sophisticated websites and marketing materials. There are also many scams in which people pretend to be the government and ask for crypto payments to fix bogus problems or offer fake jobs that involve currency conversion. People who are victims of blackmail operations are told that they will be exposed unless they pay a ransom in cryptocurrencies. In general, these scams exploit the fact that crypto transactions can't be reversed, making it almost impossible to get your money back once it's been sent. Signs That a Crypto Scam Like 24 Crypto Boost is Going on To spot potential scams, you need to be on the lookout for signs often associated with them. Investment scams often include promises of guaranteed rewards, like doubling investments in 24 hours. This is because real Bitcoin markets are always changing and don't make such promises. If a system doesn't have clear explanations of how it works, extensive whitepapers, or relies on internal exchanges without public trading alternatives, it could be a scam.  For example, PlusToken stole billions using a fake wallet that promised rewards from operations that never took place. Another sign is receiving unsolicited offers via social media, email, or dating apps, especially those that blend personal ties with investment advice. Scammers typically use pressure tactics, claiming there are only a few opportunities to act quickly.  Also, fraud is likely if the project asks for payment in crypto up front, doesn't let you withdraw funds without extra fees, or has anonymous teams. If you search for the scheme using terms like "scam" or "review," you might find user complaints or regulatory warnings. For example, the Squid Game rug pull led to a $4 million robbery due to all the buzz. How Scammers Work in Doubling Plans Doubling techniques like the 24 Crypto Boost usually follow a set plan. Victims are lured in with fake testimonials or dashboards showing fake growth, then told to send crypto to a wallet the crooks control. Once the money is received, it is sent to addresses that can't be traced, and communication stops, or more payments are asked for "withdrawals."  This is similar to what others say happens in online forums, where they send Bitcoin to sites that promise to double it right away, but get nothing back. Chainalysis investigations have shown that these schemes use over-the-counter transactions to launder money, which affects market pricing. Social engineering is a big part of it; scammers cultivate trust over time before telling people about the scheme. In scams like the Malone Lam scam, criminals pretended to be support workers to acquire seed words, costing people more than $230 million. Because blockchain transactions are permanent and anonymous, they make these activities easier because no one can step in. The Verdict: Real or Not? The 24 Crypto Boost has all the signs of a scam, based on what has been seen in other recorded crypto scams. The claims of quick doubling with no risk are exactly what federal regulators and industry experts say are typical of Ponzi schemes and other investment scams. There is no verifiable proof that it is real, such as public audits, regulatory compliance, or transparent operations.  The failures of platforms like FTX and LUNA in the past show how risky it is to invest based on excitement without good fundamentals. Cryptocurrency does offer real opportunities, but scams like this one prey on people who don't know what they're doing and are greedy, often leading to the loss of all their money. FAQs What is the 24 Crypto Boost? The 24 Crypto Boost is a purported investment platform that claims to double cryptocurrency holdings, such as Bitcoin, within 24 hours using automated tools, but lacks verifiable evidence and aligns with known scam patterns. How can I tell if a crypto scheme is a scam? Look for red flags like guaranteed returns, unsolicited promotions, anonymous teams, and withdrawal restrictions; always research independently using terms like "scam" or "fraud." What should I do if I've already invested in 24 Crypto Boost? Report the incident to authorities such as the FTC or FBI immediately, as recovery is unlikely due to the irreversible nature of crypto transactions. Documenting it helps prevent further fraud. Are there legitimate ways to boost crypto investments quickly? No, legitimate crypto investments involve market volatility and risk; quick boosts are typically scams, and sustainable growth comes from researched, diversified strategies. Why are crypto scams so common? Crypto's decentralized and pseudonymous features make transactions hard to reverse, attracting scammers who exploit low regulation and public unfamiliarity with the technology. References Federal Trade Commission: "What To Know About Cryptocurrency and Scams." Trakx: "7 Most Famous Crypto Scams: How Do Criminals Steal Money?" Quora Discussion: "I was told about a Bitcoin doubling scheme where I'd receive double my BTC within 24 hours." SEC: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings on crypto fraud cases.

What Did Cypherpunk Buy—and How Large Is the Position Now? Cypherpunk Technologies has expanded its Zcash treasury with a $29 million purchase, lifting its total holdings to 290,062 ZEC and roughly 1.8% of the cryptocurrency’s circulating supply. The Nasdaq-listed firm said it acquired 56,418 ZEC at an average price of $514 per coin, following a series of buys over the past two months. The latest purchase brings the company more than one-third of the way toward its stated goal of accumulating 5% of Zcash’s supply. Zcash has a capped maximum of 21 million coins, with about 16.5 million currently in circulation. Cypherpunk’s position has grown quickly since November, when it first unveiled a Zcash-focused treasury strategy after rebranding from biotech firm Leap Therapeutics. That pivot was paired with a $58.9 million investment from Winklevoss Capital and a shift in how the company frames its balance sheet: away from operating assets and toward digital assets tied to privacy and censorship resistance. Investor Takeaway With nearly 2% of circulating ZEC already secured, Cypherpunk is moving quickly from thesis to execution. The pace suggests the 5% target is not symbolic but operational. Why Is Cypherpunk Doubling Down After the Pullback? The added exposure comes after a sharp cooling in both Zcash and Cypherpunk’s own shares. ZEC traded near $650 when the company began building its position in November, shortly after the privacy coin hit a multi-year high. Since then, prices have slid to the mid-$500s, down roughly 17% from those levels. Cypherpunk’s stock has fared worse. Shares traded just under $3 around the time of the strategy shift and have since fallen to about $1.20, a drawdown of roughly 60%. The disconnect between the treasury build and market pricing has not slowed the company’s accumulation. “We continue to execute on our goal of accumulating 5% of the Zcash network,” Chief Investment Officer Will McEvoy said, adding that the market is “repricing the societal importance of privacy.” Management has positioned Zcash as a long-term hedge rather than a momentum trade, arguing that privacy-focused assets could regain relevance as surveillance expands and compliance pressures intensify across financial systems. How Does This Strategy Compare to Other Crypto Treasuries? Cypherpunk’s approach differs from the more common bitcoin-heavy treasury model. While bitcoin remains the default reserve asset for most public companies holding crypto, Cypherpunk is concentrating on a single altcoin tied to a specific use case: privacy. Zcash shares bitcoin’s fixed supply schedule but diverges sharply in functionality, using zero-knowledge proofs to shield transaction details. That design has historically limited institutional adoption, given compliance concerns, but it has also kept ZEC positioned as a niche hedge against transparency-by-default blockchains. By targeting a fixed percentage of total supply, Cypherpunk is also adopting a scarcity-driven framework similar to strategies seen in commodity accumulation or activist equity stakes. At 5%, the company would hold a position large enough to matter to network economics, liquidity conditions, and market perception—without attempting to control governance. Investor Takeaway A concentrated ZEC treasury ties Cypherpunk’s valuation closely to one asset and one narrative. That increases upside if privacy themes return—but raises volatility if they do not. What Are the Risks—and What Comes Next? The strategy carries clear risks. Zcash remains a smaller, more volatile market than bitcoin, and liquidity can thin quickly during risk-off periods. Regulatory treatment of privacy coins also remains uneven across jurisdictions, which could affect exchange access and institutional participation. There is also equity-market risk. With Cypherpunk’s shares down sharply since its Nasdaq debut, investors may question whether the treasury build alone can support valuation without a broader operating story or clearer path to cash flow. Still, the company has signaled it plans to continue expanding its ZEC position while exploring investments linked to privacy-preserving technologies more broadly. If accumulation continues at the current pace, Cypherpunk could approach its 5% target sooner than expected, further tightening the float available to the market.

KEY TAKEAWAYS AIP-137 introduces SLH-DSA-SHA2-128s as an optional quantum-resistant signature scheme, prioritizing security over performance to protect Aptos against future quantum threats without mandatory migration. Quantum computing could compromise traditional cryptographic signatures, making proactive upgrades, such as AIP-137, essential to maintaining blockchain integrity and investor confidence in networks like Aptos. The upgrade may attract institutional investors by demonstrating advanced security, potentially driving APT adoption despite trade-offs in signature size and verification speed. As of late 2025, APT's price stands at $1.69, with bullish sentiment, but year-end predictions range from $1.18 to $4.70, influenced by market volatility and technological developments. Analysts view AIP-137 positively for long-term growth, with potential price impacts including upward momentum from enhanced adoption, though implementation challenges could temper immediate gains.   With the latest proposal of AIP-137, Aptos has put itself at the forefront of security innovation. This project aims to deploy quantum-resistant signatures across the network to address growing concerns about quantum computing's ability to break existing cryptographic methods. To determine how these changes would affect the price of Aptos' native token, APT, in a research setting, we need to examine the technical aspects of the proposal, the broader picture of quantum threats, and past examples of blockchain security upgrades.  This article examines existing statistics and expert opinions to predict where APT will go for the rest of 2025 and beyond. The proposal was made just a few weeks ago, and the date has now been set for December 30, 2025. We look at federal guidelines, industry analysis, and market performance metrics to determine whether this proactive security solution could encourage adoption, boost investor confidence, and, ultimately, drive price increases in a market that is always changing. Aptos' Quantum-Resistant Proposal: What You Need to Know About AIP-137 Aptos Labs proposed AIP-137 on December 18, 2025. It adds the SLH-DSA-SHA2-128s signature scheme as an optional post-quantum cryptography layer for the Aptos network. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has standardized this approach as FIPS 205. It is a stateless, hash-based signature method that uses only the SHA-256 hash function, which is already a core part of Aptos' infrastructure. S LH-DSA, on the other hand, focuses on conservative security to reduce risks. Other post-quantum options, like ML-DSA or Falcon, prioritize efficiency but rely on additional mathematical assumptions that conventional methods could attack. Aptos Labs Head of Cryptography Alin Tomescu wrote the proposal, which doesn't require everyone to switch from the current Ed25519 scheme. Instead, users can choose to do so without affecting network operations. Experts have noted that this strategy shows people are preparing for quantum threats. For example, Tomescu points out that earlier post-quantum possibilities like Rainbow were broken on normal hardware. This shows how important it is to use established hash-based methods rather than untested structures. If the community agrees, SLH-DSA might be activated when quantum threats become real.  This would make Aptos one of the first big blockchains to use NIST-standardized post-quantum cryptography at the account level. Reports on blockchain security show that such changes are increasingly important as quantum computing advances. For example, IBM has laid out scaling scenarios that might make present signatures useless in just a few decades. How Quantum Computing Could Hurt Blockchain Security Quantum computing poses a significant threat to cryptographic systems that use elliptic curve digital signatures, like those used in most blockchains. Theoretically, algorithms like Shor's might factor large numbers and solve discrete logarithm problems much more quickly than classical computers.  This could let attackers fake signatures and steal wallets. Experts in the field think that useful quantum computers for cryptography could appear in the next five to fifty years. This has led to preemptive measures in fields such as finance and data security. This issue is worse for cryptocurrencies because blockchain transactions can't be reversed; therefore, stolen keys could result in permanent asset theft. Aptos uses a Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) consensus algorithm to process many transactions quickly. However, quantum flaws could make people less trusting and slow down adoption. Comparative studies indicate that networks such as Bitcoin, which do not implement proactive updates, may face heightened long-term risks, as an analysis contrasting Aptos' strategy with Bitcoin's complacency highlights. NIST's finalization of post-quantum standards in 2024 has accelerated their implementation by businesses. Aptos' AIP-137 aligns with these standards, helping the ecosystem stay safe in the future. The Advantages of Aptos's Quantum-Resistant Security Using AIP-137 to add quantum-resistant signatures has many benefits, the most important of which is that it makes the network more resilient to new threats. Aptos lowers the risk of quantum attacks by adding SLH-DSA, which doesn't need new cryptographic primitives. This makes it easier to implement and keeps compatibility. Analysts stress that this cautious approach offers "ironclad security guarantees" because hash-based systems have been tested more thoroughly than lattice-based systems. The improvement could lead more institutions to use it, in addition to making it safer. Research shows that quantum readiness is becoming a more critical factor in choosing a business blockchain. This might lead to cooperation in banking and cross-border payments. This feature might make Aptos's already strong points even stronger.  For example, its block times are less than 50 milliseconds, and by December 2025, it will have a stablecoin supply of $1.43 billion. This would put it in a strong position against competitors like Solana. Trade-offs, on the other hand, include bigger signature sizes and slower verification. These may hurt short-term performance, but they are considered acceptable for long-term survival. What APT's Market Performance Will Be Like in 2025 On December 30, 2025, APT is worth $1.69 USD, a 5.92% drop over the past 24 hours due to market volatility. The token's market cap is about $1.27 billion, and there are 750 million APT in circulation. The token trades for $101 million every 24 hours.  APT has been strong throughout 2025, staying above critical demand zones and making higher lows. The community is 74% positive. Stablecoin development has been spurred by initiatives such as cross-border payment collaborations in Africa. However, there is still a problem with low on-chain activity, with 94% of it being APT transfers. How Quantum-Resistant Security Could Affect the Price of APT The release of AIP-137 could have a mix of effects on APT's price in 2025, but most will be positive. Analysts say that quantum-resistant improvements could attract institutional capital by demonstrating that security is ahead of the curve. This could lead to more adoption and liquidity. However, execution problems, such as trade-offs between performance and price, could slow immediate price increases.  Traders initially ignored the news because APT was around previous lows. This characteristic could set Aptos apart in a year when regulations are tight and technology is improving. If governance permission is granted, prices could reach $1.24 to $1.61 by early 2026. Historical data from similar upgrades in other networks suggests that security improvements generally lead to price hikes of 10% to 20% after the announcement, thanks to increased investor confidence. If quantum concerns worsen in 2025, this might put upward pressure on Aptos. Analysts' Predictions for APT in 2025 and Beyond The price predictions for APT are all over the place because the market is unsure what will happen. Changelly says that by December, the price will be at least $1.41, on average $1.56, and at most $1.71. The potential return on investment is 4.3%. CoinCodex says the price could range from $1.18 to $4.70, meaning it could rise by as much as 174% if the highest targets are met.  More positive predictions from Godex.io suggest the price could reach $31.85 by the end of the year, driven by technical improvements such as AIP-137. CoinMarketCap analysts say that quantum enhancements have had mixed effects, with partnerships and on-chain growth being the most important ones. Long-term, estimates are more extreme, with targets for 2030 averaging $13.34. Aptos's AIP-137 is a key step in reducing quantum risks. It might improve its market position and raise APT's pricing by increasing trust and adoption. Even though short-term volatility remains a problem, the proposal's compliance with NIST standards and proactive approach could yield significant gains in the ever-changing crypto landscape of 2025. FAQs What is AIP-137 in Aptos? AIP-137 proposes integrating the quantum-resistant SLH-DSA signature scheme into the Aptos network, enabling optional adoption to safeguard against quantum computing threats. How could quantum computing affect APT's price? Quantum threats could erode trust in unsecured blockchains, but Aptos' proactive measures, such as AIP-137, may boost investor confidence and increase APT's value through greater adoption. What are the predicted prices for APT in 2025? Analyst forecasts for 2025 range from $1.56 to $4.70, depending on market conditions and the successful implementation of security upgrades. Why is SLH-DSA chosen for Aptos' quantum resistance? SLH-DSA is selected for its conservative security, based on proven hash functions like SHA-256, minimizing risk compared to other post-quantum schemes that rely on untested assumptions. Will AIP-137 immediately impact APT's market performance? While it could attract institutional capital in the long term, initial trader reactions have been muted, potentially delaying short-term price movements due to implementation challenges. References Finance.Yahoo.com: "Aptos Proposes Quantum-Resistant Signatures to Future-Proof Blockchain Security" Bitget.com: "Aptos announces AIP-137 proposal to introduce quantum-resistant signatures" Bitdegree.org: "Aptos Labs Proposes Quantum-Ready Upgrade with AIP-137" Binance.com: "Aptos proposes to introduce post-quantum signatures to enhance network security"

Why Is Kalshi Looking Beyond the United States? Kalshi’s interest in Brazil is not a sudden land grab tied to a newly regulated betting market. It is the product of a longer regulatory story—one shaped by unresolved legal theory in the United States and growing resistance from state authorities. As prediction markets gain scale, Kalshi is searching for a jurisdiction where its model can take root before legal boundaries fully solidify. Founded in 2018, Kalshi was built around a narrow interpretation of US commodities law. Its founders argued that event-based contracts—even those linked to non-financial outcomes—could qualify as regulated derivatives under the Commodity Exchange Act if structured properly. That argument gained official backing in 2020, when the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission approved Kalshi as a designated contract market, the first prediction market to receive federal oversight. The approval settled one question but opened another. Federal commodities law governs derivatives, while gambling oversight in the US sits largely with individual states. As long as Kalshi focused on elections, inflation data, or macroeconomic indicators, the conflict stayed abstract. The tension sharpened once sports-linked contracts entered the picture. Investor Takeaway Kalshi’s expansion is driven by regulatory friction, not just growth. Brazil offers a chance to test its model outside the US legal standoff over sports betting. How Did Sports Contracts Trigger Legal Resistance? Sports betting occupies a sensitive legal space in the United States. After the repeal of PASPA in 2018, states spent years building licensing, tax, and consumer-protection frameworks. Kalshi’s sports contracts challenged that structure by routing wagers through federally regulated markets rather than state gaming systems. Pushback followed. State regulators in Nevada, Massachusetts, and Connecticut moved against Kalshi’s sports offerings, arguing that prediction markets tied to sports outcomes amount to unlicensed gambling. The issue escalated when Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford filed a court brief on behalf of 38 states and Washington, DC, warning that federally regulated prediction markets could sidestep state authority entirely. The dispute goes beyond consumer protection. At its core is a jurisdictional fight over whether federal market oversight can override state control of sports wagering. That question remains unresolved, and its outcome could define the future of prediction markets in the US. Why Is Brazil Different? Brazil’s betting market developed along a very different path. Fixed-odds sports betting was legalized in 2018, but meaningful enforcement arrived years later. Only in 2023 and 2024 did the federal government begin putting structure around licensing, taxation, and oversight for an industry that had long operated offshore. Unlike the United States, Brazil does not divide gambling authority across states. Regulation is centralized, and many definitions are still being written. That creates space for new categories to be defined before entrenched interests harden the rules. For Kalshi, Brazil offers a chance to argue that prediction markets are distinct from sportsbooks at the outset, rather than trying to carve out exceptions later. In this sense, Brazil functions less as a growth market and more as a regulatory testing ground. The question is whether prediction markets can be folded into a national betting framework without triggering the same jurisdictional clash seen in the US. Investor Takeaway Brazil’s centralized oversight gives Kalshi a chance to define prediction markets early, rather than fighting state-by-state battles as it has in the US. What Role Does Kalshi’s Leadership and Capital Play? Kalshi’s strategy in Brazil is reinforced by its leadership. Co-founder Luana Lopes Lara, a Brazilian national, brings local knowledge and familiarity with the country’s political and business environment. Her framing of Brazil as a “frontier” mirrors Kalshi’s earlier approach in the US: engage regulators early, set definitions, and defend them if challenged. The company’s financial position also matters. Kalshi’s valuation, reported to be around $11 billion after multiple funding rounds in 2025, gives it the resources to pursue regulatory battles across jurisdictions. That scale, however, increases scrutiny. As prediction markets draw more attention, they also attract competitors and regulators. Traditional sportsbook operators are watching closely. Firms such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics have explored prediction-style mechanics, not out of legal alignment with Kalshi, but because a market-driven pricing model threatens the bookmaker’s central role. Crypto-native platforms see similar overlap, especially in regions like Brazil where crypto adoption and retail trading activity are already high. What Risks Does a Brazil Launch Carry? Brazilian regulators have a history of tolerating gray areas before acting decisively once boundaries are crossed. If prediction markets are viewed as bypassing licensing fees, taxes, or consumer safeguards applied to sportsbooks, political pressure could rise quickly. Unlike the US court system, Brazil’s executive regulators have wider discretion to intervene. That makes a Brazilian rollout symbolic as much as commercial. Success would support Kalshi’s argument that prediction markets can operate as a distinct financial product on a global basis. Failure would suggest the model depends heavily on the specific legal ambiguities that allowed it to emerge in the US. Brazil, then, is more than Kalshi’s next destination. It is a test of whether prediction markets can travel—or whether they remain tied to a uniquely American regulatory gap.

TradingView has expanded its fixed income capabilities with the addition of over-the-counter (OTC) government bond data from Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), giving traders and investors access to a segment of the bond market that has historically been opaque. The new dataset covers 4,734 global government bonds and brings off-exchange pricing directly onto TradingView charts, significantly enhancing transparency in sovereign debt analysis. The move reflects a broader trend in market data: as macro conditions become more complex and interest rate cycles remain uncertain, demand for deeper, more granular fixed income insights is growing. Government bonds are no longer just passive benchmarks for risk-free rates; they are active trading instruments tied to inflation expectations, fiscal sustainability, currency dynamics, and geopolitical risk. By integrating ICE’s OTC bond data, TradingView is positioning itself as a more comprehensive cross-asset platform—one that allows users to analyze bonds with the same technical and comparative rigor typically reserved for equities, forex, and crypto. Why OTC Data Matters in Government Bond Markets Unlike equities or futures, most government bond trading does not occur on centralized exchanges. Instead, transactions are negotiated bilaterally between banks, asset managers, and institutional investors. This OTC structure means that price discovery can be fragmented, with yields and spreads varying across trades depending on size, timing, and counterparty relationships. As a result, relying solely on indicative prices or end-of-day reference rates can obscure real market conditions. Liquidity can dry up unevenly, bid-ask spreads can widen suddenly, and stress often shows up first in OTC pricing before it becomes visible in benchmark yields. ICE’s OTC bond data captures actual transaction activity, offering a more accurate reflection of how government debt is trading in real time. For market participants, this enables better assessment of liquidity conditions, detection of stress points, and identification of relative value across maturities and jurisdictions. Takeaway OTC data reveals the true mechanics of government bond trading, where liquidity and pricing often diverge from headline benchmarks. How ICE Enhances the Quality of Fixed Income Analysis Intercontinental Exchange is one of the most trusted providers of fixed income data globally, operating regulated exchanges, clearinghouses, and extensive market data services across asset classes. In fixed income, ICE’s strength lies in its ability to aggregate, normalize, and validate OTC transaction data at scale. For sovereign bonds, this matters because trading activity can be episodic rather than continuous. ICE’s datasets provide depth across thousands of instruments, allowing analysts to move beyond a narrow focus on flagship benchmarks like U.S. Treasuries or German Bunds and instead examine pricing behavior across the full curve and across regions. By embedding ICE data directly into TradingView charts, users can apply technical indicators, overlays, and cross-market comparisons to bonds in ways that were previously difficult without institutional-grade terminals. This lowers the barrier to sophisticated fixed income analysis for a broader audience. Takeaway ICE’s OTC bond data brings institutional-grade transparency into a charting environment accessible to a global user base. What Traders and Investors Can Do With OTC Bond Charts With access to OTC pricing for thousands of government bonds, TradingView users can analyze yield movements, price volatility, and liquidity shifts with greater precision. This is particularly valuable during periods of monetary policy transition, when rate expectations can change rapidly and impact different parts of the yield curve unevenly. Macro traders can use the data to compare sovereign risk across countries, spotting divergences between core and peripheral markets or identifying stress in emerging market debt. Fixed income relative-value strategies—such as curve steepeners, flatteners, or cross-country spread trades—can be informed by actual OTC pricing rather than synthetic proxies. Equity and forex traders also benefit indirectly. Government bond yields influence currency valuations, equity risk premiums, and sector performance. Having direct visibility into bond market dynamics allows for more informed cross-asset positioning, especially in environments where correlations are unstable. Takeaway Direct access to OTC bond pricing strengthens cross-asset analysis, linking rates, currencies, and equities more coherently. Liquidity, Sentiment, and Early Warning Signals One of the most underappreciated aspects of OTC bond data is its value as an early warning system. In fixed income markets, liquidity often deteriorates before prices move sharply. Wider bid-ask spreads, declining trade frequency, or abrupt price gaps can signal stress well ahead of headline yield changes. During recent years, episodes of bond market volatility—such as sharp sell-offs driven by inflation surprises or fiscal concerns—have underscored the importance of monitoring liquidity conditions, not just yields. OTC data provides the raw material needed to detect these shifts early. For portfolio managers, this can inform risk management decisions, such as adjusting duration exposure or reallocating capital toward more liquid instruments. For traders, it can highlight opportunities arising from temporary dislocations in pricing. Takeaway OTC bond data can act as a leading indicator of market stress, revealing liquidity shifts before they appear in benchmarks. How to Access OTC Bond Data on TradingView TradingView has made the integration straightforward. Users can access OTC government bond symbols by opening the symbol search and typing the OTCB: prefix. This unlocks charts for thousands of sovereign bonds, enabling immediate analysis using TradingView’s full suite of technical and analytical tools. The addition builds on TradingView’s broader data strategy, which connects to hundreds of data feeds and provides access to more than two million instruments worldwide. By incorporating OTC fixed income data alongside equities, derivatives, forex, and crypto, the platform continues to evolve toward a unified view of global markets. For users who previously relied on fragmented sources or delayed reference prices, this represents a meaningful upgrade in both convenience and analytical depth. Takeaway Simple access via the OTCB prefix lowers the barrier to advanced sovereign bond analysis. Why This Matters in a Higher-for-Longer World As global interest rates remain elevated and fiscal dynamics come under closer scrutiny, government bond markets are regaining prominence. Debt sustainability, refinancing costs, and investor demand are central themes shaping macro narratives in 2026. In this environment, having transparent, granular bond data is no longer optional for serious market participants. TradingView’s integration of ICE OTC data acknowledges that fixed income deserves the same analytical attention as other asset classes—and that understanding bonds is essential to understanding the broader financial system. For traders, investors, and analysts alike, the addition of OTC government bond data represents not just a new dataset, but a step toward more holistic market intelligence. Takeaway In a volatile rate environment, deeper visibility into sovereign bond markets is a strategic advantage.

U.S. Representative Maxine Waters has officially asked incoming SEC Chairman Paul Atkins to hold an oversight hearing. The California Democrat, who has been critical of the crypto industry for a long time, said she was worried about what she called the agency's sudden change of heart on high-profile enforcement cases and broader policy changes since the Trump administration took office. On December 29, 2025, Waters wrote a letter to French Hill, who chairs the House Financial Services Committee, requesting that the panel schedule the hearing as soon as possible. She pointed out that although former Chairman Gary Gensler testified twice in his first year, the committee has not yet had a single meeting with Atkins, even though she says there have been "rapid, significant, and questionable policy shifts." Worries About Dropped Enforcement Actions The SEC's decision to terminate or pause major enforcement cases against well-known crypto companies is at the heart of Waters' demand. She particularly mentioned Coinbase, Binance, and Justin Sun, the founder of Tron, saying that these companies and people "had been credibly accused of major violations of our securities laws." Waters wrote, "The SEC has stopped or ended major enforcement actions against several crypto companies and individuals who had been credibly accused of major violations of our securities laws, such as Coinbase, Binance, and Justin Sun." She made a powerful point when she said, "In some of these cases, the defendants had said that the SEC had stopped enforcement actions even before the Commission had voted to do so." These changes came when Atkins was named head of the SEC in April 2025. Since then, the SEC has been much more open to digital assets. Actions have included withdrawing lawsuits and investigations, making it easier for crypto exchange-traded funds to launch, and moving forward with projects like Project Crypto to promote sound regulation. Call For A Close Look At Independence and Market Protection Waters listed 10 specific topics she thinks the oversight hearing should address. These include dropping charges against crypto companies, concerns about the SEC's independence and potential political involvement, and the notion that market surveillance powers are being weakened. She highlighted that it is the committee's job to examine how the agency expects to protect investors going forward. Waters wrote, "The FSC needs to look closely at the agency to find out exactly how it plans to stop fraud and manipulation." This shows how she thinks the current course of action could weaken important protections for investors. This current move fits with Waters' long-standing distrust of Bitcoin and related legislative changes. In the past, she has vocally opposed big crypto laws, saying they might "open the floodgates to massive fraud and financial ruin," and she has also spoken out against pardons and what she sees as tolerance toward people in the field. Broader Context and Effects on the Industry The request comes at a time when the Trump administration is making significant changes to government crypto policy. Compared to the Gensler era's heavy-handed enforcement approach, the Trump administration has focused on innovation and lowered regulatory burdens. The announcement didn't say anything about how the committee leadership or the SEC would react right away. Still, Waters' position as a senior Democrat on the Financial Services Committee gives her significant power to set oversight priorities.

Zoomex has taken a clear step toward expanding crypto’s role beyond trading by opening early registration for the Zoomex Card, a new payment product designed to connect digital assets directly with global fiat payment rails. Announced at the end of December, the card aims to give users a unified crypto–fiat account experience, enabling cross-border spending, subscriptions, and transfers without constantly moving funds between exchanges and traditional banks. The launch reflects a broader shift across the crypto industry. As trading volumes mature and regulatory scrutiny increases, exchanges are increasingly focused on utility-driven products that embed digital assets into everyday financial activity. By pairing its trading platform with a regulated banking partner, Zoomex is positioning itself not just as an exchange, but as a gateway between on-chain assets and real-world payments. With official rollout expected in early 2026, the Zoomex Card will serve as a test of whether crypto-native platforms can deliver payment experiences that match the reliability, compliance, and familiarity of traditional financial services. How the Zoomex Card Bridges Crypto and TradFi At the core of the Zoomex Card is a global multi-currency bank account powered by UR, a fully licensed and regulated financial platform operating under Swiss financial institution SR Saphirstein AG. This partnership provides Zoomex with composable banking infrastructure that connects crypto ramps with established payment rails. Users can deposit USDC into their UR-linked multi-currency account and spend it directly for daily purchases, subscriptions, or cross-border transactions. Supported fiat currencies include USD, EUR, CHF, JPY, SGD, and HKD, allowing users to manage balances across regions without opening multiple bank accounts. This structure addresses a long-standing pain point in crypto adoption. Historically, digital assets have been easy to trade but cumbersome to spend. By abstracting away repeated conversions and transfers, the Zoomex Card aims to make stablecoins behave more like cash equivalents, particularly for international users who face high fees and delays with traditional cross-border banking. Takeaway The Zoomex Card reframes stablecoins as spendable balances rather than trading instruments, narrowing the gap between crypto and everyday finance. Why Regulation and Infrastructure Matter for Crypto Payments One of the most notable aspects of the Zoomex Card is its emphasis on compliance and custody. All assets are held by UR, which operates within a regulated Swiss financial framework and applies bank-grade risk management and security standards. This is a deliberate contrast to earlier crypto card models that struggled with regulatory uncertainty or abrupt service disruptions. For users, this structure offers clearer accountability. Funds are custodied by a licensed entity, while Zoomex focuses on the user interface, crypto integration, and trading connectivity. For regulators, the separation of roles helps align crypto-enabled payments with existing financial oversight expectations. The card’s compatibility with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay also signals a pragmatic approach. Rather than forcing users into crypto-specific payment flows, Zoomex is embedding digital assets into familiar payment ecosystems, reducing friction and behavioral resistance. Takeaway Crypto payment products that prioritize regulated infrastructure are better positioned to scale sustainably across jurisdictions. What the Zoomex Card Means for Cross-Border Users Cross-border payments remain one of the most compelling use cases for crypto. Traditional international transfers are often slow, expensive, and opaque, particularly for users operating across multiple currencies. By allowing USDC deposits to flow directly into multi-fiat accounts, the Zoomex Card offers a streamlined alternative. Instant global payment capability via mainstream wallets means users can transact both online and offline without revealing the underlying complexity of crypto–fiat conversion. For freelancers, digital nomads, and globally distributed businesses, this can significantly reduce operational friction. The ability to move funds back to the Zoomex trading platform also preserves flexibility. Users are not locked into a one-way flow from crypto to fiat; instead, they can cycle capital between spending and trading as market conditions change. Takeaway Integrated crypto–fiat accounts are particularly valuable for cross-border users who need speed, transparency, and currency flexibility. Early Incentives and Competitive Positioning To drive early adoption, Zoomex is offering a bundle of launch incentives, including a limited-time Pro account upgrade, 1% cashback on spending, a “spend $5, get $10 back” reward for new users, no card issuance fee, and a custom card design. These incentives mirror strategies used by fintech challengers to seed initial transaction volume and habitual usage. From a competitive standpoint, the Zoomex Card places the platform among a growing cohort of exchanges and wallets competing to become primary financial interfaces rather than secondary trading tools. With over 3 million users across 35+ countries and more than 700 trading pairs, Zoomex has a sizable base to cross-sell payment functionality. However, execution will matter. Crypto cards have historically faced challenges around uptime, fee transparency, and regulatory continuity. Delivering a consistent user experience through 2026 will be critical if Zoomex wants the card to become a core product rather than a peripheral feature. Takeaway Incentives can accelerate adoption, but long-term success will depend on reliability, pricing clarity, and regulatory durability.

KEY TAKEAWAYS The 401(k) to Crypto IRA strategy enables investors to rollover retirement funds into a Self-Directed IRA for cryptocurrency investments, such as Bitcoin. Eligibility for the rollover often requires leaving a job or qualifying for in-service distributions, with direct trustee-to-trustee transfers ensuring a tax-free process. Benefits include diversification against traditional market risks, inflation hedging through Bitcoin's limited supply, and potential for higher returns based on historical cryptocurrency performance. Tax implications favor deferral or exemption within the IRA, with no immediate taxes on rollovers or internal gains, though withdrawals follow standard retirement account rules. Risks involve market volatility, varying security levels across providers, and the need for professional consultation to avoid compliance issues.   More and more investors are seeking strategies to diversify their retirement portfolios beyond stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. The 401(k) to Crypto IRA technique is a planned way to add cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to your retirement funds. This strategy involves moving funds from a 401(k) plan to a Self-Directed Individual Retirement Account (SDIRA), also known as a Crypto IRA or Digital IRA. This type of account lets you invest in other assets, such as digital currencies. The IRS says that cryptocurrencies are personal property under Notice 2014-21.  This means that you can keep them in these accounts, and they may grow without being taxed. Researchers from specialized companies have shown that this method can protect against inflation and capitalize on the rise of blockchain technology. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the rollover process, covering how it works, its benefits, and key considerations. It does this by leveraging information from cryptocurrency IRA platforms to help people make smart retirement-planning decisions in the digital age. What You Need to Know About 401(k) Plans and Crypto IRAs A 401(k) is a retirement savings plan that employers offer to their employees. Employees can contribute to the plan before taxes, and employers may match some of those contributions. The money is usually invested in a small number of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Most 401(k) custodians, on the other hand, don't let you invest directly in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. To get to these assets, you have to roll them over.  A Crypto IRA, on the other hand, is a sort of SDIRA that lets you invest in more than 75 digital currencies, like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others, in addition to traditional assets. Qualified custodians manage these accounts and ensure they comply with IRS rules, classifying digital assets as property for tax purposes. The plan leverages blockchain technology's decentralization, enabling secure, direct transactions between people without the need for banks or governments. Bitcoin is often called "digital gold" because it has a fixed supply cap of 21 million coins and is rare. It could be a good way to store value against the devaluation of fiat currency and geopolitical instability.  This strategy appeals to investors who want to spread their money around, since stock market corrections occur about every 6 to 10 years and can eat away at traditional retirement savings. People can access over 1,600 cryptocurrencies and other options, such as precious metals, real estate, and private equity, by switching to a Crypto IRA. This makes their portfolios more stable. A Step-by-Step Guide to the Rollover Process To start the 401(k) to Crypto IRA strategy, you need to make sure you are eligible. This usually means you have to have left a job or be over 59.5 years old for in-service distributions, but the rules differ by plan type, such as a Traditional IRA, a Roth IRA, a 403(b), a 457, or a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The first thing you need to do is register a Self-Directed IRA with a company that specializes in Crypto IRA services. This will ensure your assets are safe and that trades go through. These providers connect consumers with certified custodians, such as Equity Trust Company, and handle the required documentation. Then, start a direct rollover or transfer from the 401(k) to the SDIRA. Choose a trustee-to-trustee transfer if you want to avoid paying taxes. This way, the money goes straight from one custodian to the other without going through the account holder. This avoids taxes and penalties right away.  On the other hand, receiving a personal distribution, such as a check in your name, means you have to pay income taxes and a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you are under 59.5. If you have a Traditional 401(k), the money will go into a Traditional SDIRA. If you have a Roth 401(k), the funds will be transferred to a Roth SDIRA. This keeps the tax treatment the same. Once you have money in your account, you may use the provider's platform to send it to Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. The platform works with exchanges to make trading easy. Finally, put the digital assets in insured cold storage wallets, a unique approach that makes them safer against hacks and theft. This process is simple, but it can be helpful to get free advice from experts to ensure you understand how to apply for and transfer your money correctly. Benefits of the 401(k) to Crypto IRA Strategy One big benefit is that it helps diversify portfolios, lowering the risks of traditional markets by adding assets that don't move with stocks and bonds. Over the past 10 years, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have outperformed many traditional assets. They have also acted as a hedge against inflation because their supply is limited and their structure is decentralized. There were only about 2 million Bitcoins left to mine as of May 2022, underscoring how rare it is, even with adaptive scaling techniques. Tax-free or tax-deferred growth in an IRA makes these benefits even better, because profits from buying, selling, or holding cryptocurrencies aren't taxed right away until they are distributed. This structure allows reinvestment in other qualifying assets, preserving the retirement account's integrity. The technique also protects against central bank policies and currency devaluation, making cryptocurrencies a secure bet in times of economic uncertainty. Secure custody alternatives, such as fully insured cold storage, enhance asset protection by addressing common concerns in the volatile crypto market. Tax Effects and Following the Rules The main reason for this method is its tax efficiency. If you roll over money from a 401(k) to an SDIRA directly, you won't have to pay any taxes or penalties right away, which keeps the money's tax-advantaged status. With a Traditional SDIRA, you don't pay taxes on your investments until you withdraw them. With a Roth SDIRA, you don't have to pay taxes on eligible distributions. Cryptocurrency gains are taxed like regular property, and there are no taxes on transactions within the account as long as the money stays there. But following the rules is really important. Providers stress that the rollover is legal under IRS guidelines, but some taxes may apply in certain situations, and following the rules is essential to prevent fines. These platforms don't operate as fiduciaries, so it's best to talk to certified tax, legal, or investing consultants. They only help you connect with custodians, wallets, and exchanges. Risks and Considerations Even though it seems reasonable, the strategy has risks. Cryptocurrency markets are pretty volatile and can lead to significant losses, but this is tempered by the fact that they have performed better than other markets in the past. Not all plans allow in-service payouts, and eligibility varies, so it's essential to review the plan to avoid unexpected tax events. Different providers have different security procedures, but the safety of your assets depends on the custody option you choose. Investors should consider the fees for services such as security, trade execution, and support. They should also know that these platforms are neither custodians nor exchanges. Professional counsel is necessary because the information is intended solely for teaching, and because different people may achieve different results. The 401(k) to Crypto IRA approach is a way to add new digital assets to your retirement plan. It combines tax benefits with chances to diversify. It looks good, but you need to do extensive research and get professional help to address its problems. FAQs What is a Crypto IRA? A Crypto IRA is a Self-Directed Individual Retirement Account that allows investments in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, offering tax advantages similar to traditional IRAs while expanding beyond conventional assets. How do I roll over my 401(k) to a Crypto IRA tax-free? Perform a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer from your 401(k) to the SDIRA, avoiding personal distributions to prevent taxes and penalties; consult providers for eligibility and paperwork assistance. What are the benefits of investing in Bitcoin through a Crypto IRA? It provides diversification, acts as an inflation hedge due to Bitcoin's scarcity, and allows tax-deferred growth, potentially outperforming traditional investments in volatile markets. Are there risks associated with the 401(k) to Crypto IRA strategy? Yes, including cryptocurrency volatility, eligibility restrictions, and varying security measures; professional advice is recommended to mitigate these and ensure compliance. Can I invest in other assets besides Bitcoin in a Crypto IRA? Absolutely, many providers support over 75 cryptocurrencies, as well as alternatives such as precious metals, real estate, and private equity, enhancing portfolio flexibility. References BitIRA: "How to Buy Bitcoin with a 401(k): What You Need to Know." Bitcoin IRA: "How to Rollover Your 401(k) to Bitcoin Tax-Free."

A growing number of Web3 founders are turning to KPI bonds as a way to raise capital based on what their startups actually deliver on-chain. This model replaces optimistic forecasts and milestones with smart contracts that track verifiable performance data. Investor returns depend on measurable outcomes, making execution the central requirement for repayment. As Web3 ecosystems continue to develop with improved data availability and automation, this approach is becoming a viable funding option for startups seeking capital structures based on transparent and verifiable performance. For Web3 startups, this funding structure aligns capital directly to measurable progress while ensuring that all performance conditions are fully auditable on chain. While it does not replace traditional fundraising methods, it represents a larger shift toward accountability-driven finance in decentralized ecosystems and highlights how KPI bonds are introducing new standards for transparency and execution in startup funding. Key Takeaways • KPI bonds link investor returns to verifiable on-chain performance metrics. • Smart contracts automate payouts and enforcement without intermediaries. • Founders gain credibility by committing to transparent and measurable goals. • Investors gain clearer downside protection tied to real execution. • This model introduces new operational and data integrity responsibilities for startups. On-Chain KPI Bonds On-chain KPI bonds are financial instruments designed to tie debt repayment directly to measurable performance metrics recorded on the blockchain. Essentially, they are smart contract‑governed bonds where returns for investors are contingent on predefined key performance indicators. These KPIs are monitored through on chain data or reliable decentralized oracles, and when the agreed thresholds are met, the bond automatically pays out according to the rules encoded in the contract. Unlike conventional venture debt, these bonds do not rely on periodic updates or subjective assessments of progress. Performance is either achieved or it is not, based on verifiable data that anyone can access. This clear, objective structure makes KPI bonds particularly attractive in Web3, where transparency and automation are central to operational design. However, the metrics used as KPIs can vary widely depending on the startup and its goals. Examples include protocol revenue, total value locked, active users interacting with a smart contract, or transaction volume over a specific period. The key requirement is that the chosen metric can be reliably measured and securely fed into the smart contract, ensuring that performance tracking remains tamper‑proof and fully auditable on chain. How On-Chain KPI Bonds Work The lifecycle begins when a startup defines its funding needs and selects specific KPIs that reflect meaningful progress. These KPIs are written into a smart contract alongside repayment terms, timelines, and yield conditions. Investors purchase the bond, providing capital upfront. Once deployed, the contract periodically checks performance data through on-chain sources or oracle networks. If the startup meets or exceeds the KPI targets, repayments are triggered automatically. If targets are missed, the contract may reduce yield, delay repayment, or enforce alternative outcomes depending on how the bond was structured. This automation removes discretionary power from both founders and investors. KPI bonds operate more like deterministic financial instruments than negotiated agreements. For startups, this approach allows teams to dedicate more time to delivering results rather than preparing frequent investor updates, while investors benefit from reduced reliance on subjective judgment and manual monitoring. Why KPI Bonds Are Becoming Essential for Web3 Startups New Web3 startups often face challenges in establishing credibility, especially when products are experimental and markets are volatile. By leveraging KPI bonds, founders can demonstrate certainty in their roadmap while showing a commitment to achieving measurable results. This funding model allows startups to raise capital without immediately giving up ownership. Unlike traditional equity financing, KPI‑based debt does not dilute token supply as long as performance targets are met and obligations are fulfilled. For protocol teams generating early revenue, KPI bonds can complement token launches or grants, promoting financial discipline and encouraging a focus on sustainable metrics. Challenges and Operational Considerations 1. Selecting appropriate KPIs  Metrics must be relevant, resistant to manipulation, and aligned with long‑term value creation, as poorly chosen indicators can compromise the effectiveness of the bond. 2. Ensuring reliable data feeds Oracles and other data sources can introduce risks such as latency, outages, or inaccurate reporting. Poorly designed dependencies can compromise the bond’s integrity. 3. Legal and regulatory considerations While the logic of KPI bonds operates on-chain, startups must still address jurisdictional compliance and understand how these instruments are classified under existing financial regulations. 4. Radical transparency requirements Founders must accept that missed targets are visible to everyone, and smart contracts enforce outcomes automatically without room for negotiation or excuses. Conclusion On‑chain KPI bonds provide Web3 startups with a way to secure funding that is directly tied to measurable performance, bringing transparency and accountability to the process. By linking capital to real outcomes, this model changes focus from speculation to execution and encourages sustainable growth. For startups that embrace this approach, KPI bonds have the potential to redefine how capital is allocated and measured in the Web3 ecosystem.

Haseeb Qureshi, a managing partner at the crypto-focused venture firm Dragonfly, has released a comprehensive market outlook projecting that Bitcoin will finish 2026 above the $150,000 mark. In a detailed analysis published on December 29, 2025, Qureshi argues that while the asset may account for a smaller share of the total crypto market cap, its role as the industry’s central anchor will only be solidified by the end of next year. This forecast is rooted in the belief that the "four-year cycle" theory is dissolving in favor of a sustained institutional growth model driven by spot ETFs and corporate treasury adoption. Qureshi highlights that the current market structure is transitioning from retail-led speculation to a more durable phase where Bitcoin serves as a primary collateral asset for the global financial system. By the end of 2026, Dragonfly expects Bitcoin to be fully integrated into the treasury operations of numerous Fortune 100 companies, providing a level of price support that was absent in previous cycles. Institutional Momentum and the End of the Historical Halving Cycle A primary pillar of the Dragonfly thesis is the emergence of "digital asset treasuries" (DATs), which have raised nearly $30 billion in 2025 to scale their Bitcoin holdings. This institutional momentum is expected to reach a crescendo in 2026 as regulatory clarity in the United States enables bipartisan market structure legislation. Qureshi notes that the supply shock from the 2024 halving is now fully realized, and with exchange reserves at their lowest levels since 2018, the market is poised for a significant supply-side squeeze. Unlike previous years where price action was largely driven by internal crypto-native hype, the path to $150,000 is now being paved by macroeconomic shifts, including global monetary easing and a flight toward scarce digital commodities. As institutional capital goes "vertical," Dragonfly anticipates that Bitcoin will successfully decouple from traditional tech stocks, further enhancing its appeal as a unique, non-correlated diversification tool for global wealth managers. The Rise of High-Throughput Infrastructure and Corporate Integration While Bitcoin serves as the value anchor, Dragonfly’s 2026 outlook also emphasizes the rapid growth of high-throughput networks like Solana and the newer "Solana-killer" Monad. Qureshi expects these platforms to capture the lion's share of on-chain activity, particularly as major technology firms begin acquiring or launching their own crypto wallets to facilitate stablecoin settlements. The prediction that Bitcoin will hit $150,000 is inextricably linked to this broader infrastructure maturation; as the "application layer" of crypto becomes more usable for the average person, the demand for the underlying settlement asset naturally scales. Dragonfly remains non-ideological regarding specific chains, focusing instead on the innovation of market structures that make blockchain capabilities "invisible" to the end-user. By late 2026, the firm expects the convergence of AI-driven digital commerce and institutional-grade custody to create a "perfect storm" for Bitcoin’s valuation, cementing its status as a trillion-dollar pillar of the modern economy.