What Did the SEC Clarify for Broker-Dealers? The SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets has released long-requested guidance explaining how broker-dealers should handle the custody of “crypto asset securities,” including tokenized versions of stocks and debt instruments. The customer protection rule requires broker-dealers to maintain “physical possession or control” of customer assets — a standard that predates blockchain rails and has been a sticking point for firms exploring tokenized products. In Wednesday’s notice, the Division said it is issuing these views as an interim measure while the Commission evaluates broader custody rules and industry feedback. The guidance arrives at a time when the SEC is paying closer attention to the fast-growing tokenization segment, which SEC Chair Paul Atkins has repeatedly highlighted in recent remarks. Under the update, the SEC defines “crypto asset securities” to include “tokenized versions of an equity or debt security,” drawing a clear line between these assets and other digital tokens. Broker-dealers handling such instruments must be able to show exclusive control over the private keys used to move the tokens on a blockchain. Investor Takeaway The SEC has now confirmed that tokenized stocks and bonds fall squarely under “crypto asset securities.” Any broker-dealer touching them must meet strict custody and key-management standards. How Does a Broker-Dealer Prove “Physical Possession or Control” Onchain? The SEC says a broker-dealer can regard itself as having “physical possession or control” if it maintains exclusive access to the private keys for a given asset. This means the broker’s systems, personnel, and policies must prevent anyone — internally or externally — from being able to move customer tokens without authorization. The SEC notes that this requires written policies to protect keys from theft, loss, or misuse, alongside operational controls designed to prevent unauthorized transfers. If a firm cannot guarantee that exclusivity, it cannot claim custody. Likewise, if the broker is aware of any “material security or operational problems” in the blockchain network hosting the asset, it cannot count the asset toward custody requirements. “A broker-dealer does not deem itself to possess a crypto asset security if the broker-dealer is aware of any material security or operational problems or weaknesses with the distributed ledger technology and associated network … or is aware of other material risks posed to the broker-dealer’s business by custodying the crypto asset security,” the SEC wrote. What Risks Must Broker-Dealers Plan For? The guidance stresses that custodying onchain securities involves more than key control. Firms must prepare for protocol-level disruptions such as network attacks, consensus failures, hard forks, or “blockchain malfunctions.” The SEC expects broker-dealers to maintain written plans for handling such events, ensuring assets remain protected and that the firm can meet regulatory obligations. In addition, the SEC notes that firms must be able to comply with court orders to freeze, burn, or seize assets — actions that may not be trivial on certain chains. Broker-dealers handling tokenized equity must also monitor governance proposals, upgrade schedules, or other protocol changes that could affect asset integrity or transferability, and “take appropriate action to reduce its exposure to such risks.” This expectation may require custodians to follow chain-level governance discussions and factor those developments into their risk frameworks. The SEC did not prescribe how this monitoring should occur, but the message is clear: custody of tokenized securities requires continuous technical and operational vigilance. Investor Takeaway Broker-dealers must treat onchain securities as live systems, not static instruments. The SEC expects them to follow network health, governance changes, and chain behavior to manage custody risk. What Comes Next? The Division called the guidance an “interim step,” suggesting that broader rulemaking around crypto asset custody is still underway. For now, the update clarifies how traditional intermediaries can participate in tokenized equity and debt markets without violating the customer protection rule. The move also signals that tokenized securities are no longer treated as edge-case experiments. By framing them directly within the customer protection rule and requiring real custody standards, the SEC is outlining a path for broker-dealers to support tokenized assets while staying inside the existing regulatory framework. Whether this guidance unlocks broader participation remains to be seen, but it reduces one of the major compliance uncertainties for firms exploring tokenization and onchain settlement.

Crypto.com is strengthening one of the most important — and often overlooked — parts of its business: fiat banking access. The exchange announced an expansion of its partnership with DBS Bank, giving users in Singapore new and improved ways to deposit and withdraw both Singapore dollars (SGD) and U.S. dollars (USD). While product launches and token listings tend to grab attention, access to reliable banking rails is what keeps crypto platforms functional in regulated markets. In Singapore, where oversight is strict and expectations are high, that access is increasingly hard to secure. What’s changing for users in Singapore? Under the updated arrangement, DBS will support additional SGD and USD deposit and withdrawal channels for Crypto.com users. Transfers will move through DBS-backed banking rails, adding redundancy and speed to how funds flow between traditional bank accounts and the Crypto.com App. A notable addition is the use of dedicated virtual accounts. These accounts allow users to move funds more directly, reducing friction and minimizing the delays that often come with shared or intermediary-based banking setups. For everyday users, that typically means faster deposits, cleaner reconciliation, and fewer failed transfers. The DBS integration sits alongside Crypto.com’s existing banking relationship with Standard Chartered. Together, the two partnerships give Crypto.com one of the most robust fiat infrastructures among crypto platforms operating in Singapore. Why does this matter beyond convenience? Over the past few years, banking access has become one of the biggest points of failure for crypto companies. Even large exchanges have seen services disrupted when banks pulled back or regulators tightened rules. Singapore has taken a different approach. Rather than banning crypto activity outright, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has focused on regulation, licensing, and risk controls. That framework allows crypto firms to operate — but only if they meet high standards. By expanding its relationship with DBS, Southeast Asia’s largest bank by assets, Crypto.com is signaling that it plans to stay firmly inside that framework. This isn’t a workaround or a temporary solution. It’s long-term infrastructure built with a systemically important financial institution. Investor Takeaway Stable banking access reduces headline risk. For traders and investors, this lowers the chance of sudden fiat freezes that can disrupt trading or withdrawals. How does Crypto.com stack up against competitors? Many global exchanges still rely on payment processors or offshore banking routes for fiat access in Asia. Others have quietly scaled back services after failing to secure local banking partners. Crypto.com’s setup in Singapore stands out because it combines two major international banks under a single regulatory umbrella. That level of redundancy matters. If one rail slows or tightens, users aren’t left stranded. This doesn’t guarantee higher volumes overnight, but it strengthens Crypto.com’s credibility with regulators, institutional clients, and risk-conscious retail users — a group that continues to grow as the market matures. What’s the strategic angle from here? Singapore is more than just another market for Crypto.com. It’s the company’s headquarters and a core base for regional expansion. Enhancing fiat access here suggests further investment rather than consolidation. That could mean broader currency support, deeper integration with traditional financial services, or expanded offerings for institutional and high-net-worth clients — all within MAS guidelines. Across the industry, the message is becoming clear: crypto platforms that want to survive the next regulatory cycle need real banking partners, not temporary fixes. Crypto.com’s move with DBS puts it on the right side of that divide. Investor Takeaway Singapore remains a benchmark market. Exchanges that expand under MAS oversight may be better positioned as regulation tightens globally.

The Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Equiti Group, marking a strategic step toward strengthening food security and accelerating digital transformation across agriculture and food-related investments in the Arab region. The agreement was signed at AAAID’s head office by His Excellency Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of AAAID, and Iskandar Akef Najjar, Group Chief Executive Officer of Equiti. The partnership brings together AAAID’s long-standing mandate in agricultural development with Equiti’s expertise in financial technology and digital market infrastructure. The collaboration is aimed at modernising how agricultural and food security projects are evaluated, funded and managed, with a focus on scalability, transparency and long-term sustainability. Takeaway: The MoU positions digital finance and advanced technology as core enablers of food security investment across the Arab region. Digital Platforms, Blockchain and AI at the Core Under the agreement, AAAID and Equiti will collaborate on exchanging data and information needed for feasibility studies, financial modelling, capital planning and operational design. This foundation is intended to support the development of advanced market infrastructure for companies operating in food security, sustainable agriculture and related sectors. A central element of the partnership is the exploration of a digital investment and project management platform powered by Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), blockchain and AI-driven tools. The proposed platform would enhance investment analysis, streamline project oversight and enable more efficient capital mobilisation for AAAID’s portfolio companies. By leveraging these technologies, the initiative aims to broaden access to accredited investors, improve transparency across agricultural value chains and accelerate decision-making in capital-intensive, long-term projects. Strengthening Regional Food Security Through Innovation Commenting on the agreement, Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi said the partnership represents a major milestone in AAAID’s innovation-driven strategy. He noted that digital solutions will play a critical role in building resilient and inclusive food security infrastructure while supporting sustainable agricultural development across member countries. Equiti Group CEO Iskandar Najjar highlighted the opportunity to apply fintech capabilities beyond traditional financial markets. He said the collaboration would help unlock new investment opportunities, enhance market structures and support the long-term food security of the Arab region through technology-led transformation. Both organisations confirmed their intention to expand cooperation through future initiatives, reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainable growth, strategic investment and technological innovation within the regional food security ecosystem.  

TAP, Inc., the AI-driven multi-asset investment and payments platform, has expanded its international brokerage connectivity, significantly extending its reach across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. The move strengthens TAP’s ambition to reduce fragmentation in global investing by allowing users to connect existing brokerage accounts into a single interface. Through new integrations with Questrade, Wealthsimple, Trading212 and Stake, the TAP Platform now enables users in multiple regions to consolidate portfolio visibility, market research, and insights without abandoning the brokers they already use. The expansion builds on TAP’s existing integrations with platforms such as Webull, Coinbase, Kraken, Binance, Gemini, E*TRADE, and Public. All connected brokerage accounts remain custodied and managed directly by the customer’s broker, with TAP acting as a unifying layer for information, analytics and, where supported, trade requests transmitted via broker APIs. Takeaway: TAP’s expanded brokerage connectivity reflects growing demand for unified, cross-border investment visibility without disrupting existing brokerage relationships. Cross-Border Coverage Spanning Multiple Continents The latest integrations significantly broaden TAP’s geographic footprint. Across Europe, the platform now supports users in more than 30 jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the Nordics and several smaller markets such as Malta, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein, subject to local brokerage availability. Beyond Europe, TAP’s connectivity now extends into key Middle Eastern markets including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, alongside selected African countries such as Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia. In Asia-Pacific, the Philippines is supported, while Latin American access includes Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, among others. This breadth of coverage allows internationally mobile investors and globally diversified portfolios to be monitored in one place, helping users contextualise holdings across currencies, regions and asset classes without repeatedly switching platforms. Reducing Fragmentation in a Global Investment Landscape Commenting on the expansion, Brian Foote, CEO of TAP, said: “As investing becomes increasingly global, investors need platforms that work across borders without sacrificing the brokerages they already trust. This international expansion reflects TAP’s commitment to reducing fragmentation and providing a more unified, simple way to access global investing around the world.” Where supported by brokerage APIs, TAP users can also initiate trade requests that are transmitted directly to their connected brokers, while execution, clearing, settlement and custody remain fully with the brokerage provider. This model aims to balance convenience with regulatory clarity and operational integrity. The expansion underscores TAP’s broader strategy of positioning itself as a global aggregation and intelligence layer across traditional investments, digital assets and tokenized finance, while preserving the role of established brokerage infrastructure.  

Oracle’s share price fell by around 5% yesterday after news emerged that Blue Owl Capital had pulled out of financing a $10bn data centre project in Michigan. The failed funding agreement has cast doubt on Oracle’s capacity to honour its large-scale commitments — including a reported $300bn partnership with OpenAI — without further weakening its financial position. Media reports indicate that the company’s total debt has climbed to roughly $111bn. The sell-off in ORCL reflects growing investor anxiety that Oracle’s expanding leverage could become a vulnerability in the intensifying AI investment race, making it harder to fund its ambitious infrastructure plans. As a consequence: → ORCL shares dropped below $180 for the first time since mid-June; → a return to the previously defined upward channel now appears unlikely. That said, the ORCL chart offers several technical arguments in favour of a potential bounce: 1 → The share price has now fully filled the bullish gap left in mid-June; 2 → ORCL has declined by nearly 50% from its record high reached in early September, a level that may attract bargain-hunters willing to take on higher risk; 3 → Prices are hovering near the lower boundary of the descending channel that has guided the recent sell-off; 4 → A sharp increase in trading volumes suggests capitulation-style selling, which often occurs close to short-term lows. An additional supportive factor could be oversold readings on momentum indicators. However, even if a recovery takes shape, upside progress may be constrained by a significant resistance area (highlighted in blue), formed after a bearish gap above the psychological $200 mark following the latest earnings report. FXOpen offers spreads from 0.0 pips and commissions from $1.50 per lot. Enjoy trading on MT4, MT5, TickTrader or TradingView trading platforms! The FXOpen App is a dedicated mobile application designed to give traders full control of their accounts anytime, anywhere. This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.  

A federal judge of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York has approved a second amended complaint in the class action lawsuit against memecoin platform Pump.fun, Solana Labs, and several executives. The ruling allows plaintiffs to expand claims following allegations of a coordinated scheme, referred to as the “Pump Enterprise,” which allegedly manipulated token launches to benefit insiders while disadvantaging ordinary investors. The lawsuit comes amid the platform’s rapid growth. Pump.fun recently recorded $273.91 million in annualized fees, while Solana’s decentralized ecosystem has grown to a total value locked (TVL) of about $8.7 billion. Yet, plaintiffs claim that ordinary investors were repeatedly disadvantaged in what was marketed as a fair marketplace. Investor Takeaway The court’s approval of expanded claims increases legal overhang risk for Pump.fun and could weigh on sentiment across Solana-based memecoin platforms. Allegations Against Pump.fun and Solana Filed by Diego Aguilar, Kendall Carnahan, and lead plaintiff Michael Okafor, the lawsuit targets Solana Labs co-founders Anatoly Yakovenko and Raj Gokal, Solana Foundation executives Dan Albert, Austin Federa, and Lily Liu, and Pump.fun co-founders Alon Cohen, Noah Tweedale, and Dylan Kerler. Plaintiffs allege the defendants profited from token launches by giving insiders priority access while misleading ordinary users. Pump.fun promoted its launches as “fair” and “rug-pull proof” and charged a 1% platform fee. In practice, insiders reportedly bought large volumes at low prices before retail investors, triggering rapid price spikes and crashes. Central to the alleged “Pump Enterprise” was Solana Labs’ blockchain, which relies on validators to process transactions and maintain network integrity. Plaintiffs claim Solana’s validator system and Jito Labs’ transaction-ordering tools allowed insiders to jump ahead in token launches, securing profitable trades before ordinary investors. Pump.fun’s bonding curve, an automated pricing mechanism, amplified this effect. Plaintiffs argue that “what appeared to be a fair, automated marketplace was structurally tilted to extract value from ordinary users while rewarding those with privileged access to Solana’s infrastructure and Jito Labs’ transaction ordering tools.” Insiders faced minimal risk and near-guaranteed profit, while ordinary investors bore almost all the downside. Investor Takeaway Allegations against Pump.fun and Solana-linked entities highlight how infrastructure-level privileges can translate into asymmetric returns for insiders, raising governance concerns for investors. Internal Logs, Potential Damages and Next Steps The second amended complaint will incorporate thousands of internal logs and communications, which allegedly show coordination between Solana, Pump.fun, and associated actors. These records detail insider trades and token launch timings, supporting claims of market manipulation and racketeering. Plaintiffs claim the scheme generated billions of dollars for insiders, while ordinary investors suffered losses. Under RICO, damages could be tripled, potentially exposing defendants to multi-billion-dollar liabilities. Plaintiffs seek to represent a class of all individuals who purchased tokens through Pump.fun from March 1, 2024, through July 23, 2025, as well as a narrower Pump Tokens Subclass for purchasers of twenty specific tokens. Legal claims include violations of the Securities Act of 1933, alleged coordinated fraud and racketeering under RICO, deceptive acts and false advertising under New York’s General Business Law, and unjust enrichment. With the court granting leave to amend, plaintiffs will incorporate the internal logs into the complaint. Defendants will respond, likely with motions to dismiss, shaping the next phase of litigation into early 2026.

What New Products Is Robinhood Adding for Retail Traders? Robinhood has expanded its event-contract offering to allow customers to wager on the individual performances of professional football players, according to a Dec. 16 Reuters report. Users could already place contracts tied to a game’s final outcome, but the new batch lets them take positions on specific metrics such as touchdowns or total yards gained by a player. The launch pushes Robinhood deeper into a competitive segment where trading platforms and prediction-market firms are racing to capture retail interest. “There are a plethora of competitors. But with us being early to market, we've been able to fine-tune our product,” said Adam Hickerson, senior director of futures at Robinhood. The company framed the move as an expansion of event-based trading rather than a pivot into traditional sports betting. Each contract settles at $1 if the prediction proves correct, mirroring how political and macro-themed prediction markets operate. Investor Takeaway Robinhood is widening its catalogue of event contracts at a moment when prediction-market volumes are hitting new highs, but state-level scrutiny of these products is also rising. Is This Sports Betting—or Regulated Derivatives? The expansion arrives during a period of mounting debate over whether event contracts resemble sports wagering. Critics say tying payouts to touchdowns or yardage could pull retail users into speculative patterns similar to betting apps. They also argue that the line between entertainment and trading becomes harder to define when contracts revolve around athletic performance rather than economic data or elections. Industry participants counter that the contracts fall under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s oversight. They note that the CFTC already supervises event contracts tied to political outcomes, economic indicators and other real-world events. Robinhood said it will follow all CFTC rules, though Hickerson declined to comment on ongoing legal challenges surrounding the sector. The regulatory backdrop is fluid. Several states have been weighing tighter guardrails on prediction markets, especially after last year’s U.S. presidential election cycle helped drive record trading activity across platforms. How Big Has the Prediction-Market Boom Become? Event-contract trading has grown from a fringe category to a major volume driver across 2024 and 2025. The monthly value of trades in prediction markets now exceeds $13 billion, according to data from Keyrock and Dune — compared with less than $100 million in early 2024. Growth has been driven by a mix of macro uncertainty, election cycles and the ease of $1-settled contracts. Sports-linked contracts appear to be the next frontier. They offer constant event flow, fast settlement and clear outcomes, making them attractive for retail users familiar with fantasy sports or prop bets. By giving traders the ability to target a specific player’s performance, Robinhood is leaning into this trend while still classifying the instruments as regulated derivatives. The company also added “preset combos,” which package multiple predictions from a single game into one contract. The payout only occurs if every component hits, mirroring parlay-style logic common in sports betting but embedded inside a regulated derivatives wrapper. Investor Takeaway Event-contract trading is scaling fast, and platforms are experimenting with more granular ways to capture retail flow. The regulatory path remains uncertain, but user demand is rising. What Comes Next for Robinhood and Its Competitors? The rollout could help Robinhood carve out a stronger identity in a space attracting a wave of new entrants. The company is betting that structured, CFTC-regulated contracts tied to real-world outcomes will appeal to traders looking for low-cost, binary-payout products. At the same time, the move arrives as regulators in several states revisit how these instruments should be classified. Platforms argue that event contracts are a legitimate derivatives category, not gambling. Critics insist the products mirror sports betting too closely and could pull retail users toward rapid-fire speculative behavior. How regulators draw those lines will influence the next stage of growth for the sector. But for now, trading platforms are continuing to expand their catalogues as user demand climbs and prediction markets become a core component of retail derivatives activity.

BitMine Immersion Technologies has increased its Ethereum holdings again. According to on-chain activity reports over the past week, the top Ethereum treasury company acquired approximately 48,049 ETH worth about $140 million. The accumulation adds to the firm’s growing crypto reserve, positioning BitMine as arguably the most aggressive institutional holder of Ethereum outside of core protocol community treasuries. With this move, BitMine is doubling down during an Ethereum price dip, showing bullish conviction in ETH’s long-term use case as a store of value. BitMine Continues Its Strategic ETH Accumulation Despite Volatility For BitMine, the purchase aligns with a broader accumulation strategy the firm has pursued since early 2025. Previously known for its innovative positioning in Ethereum staking and treasury diversification, BitMine has now established a sizeable ETH reserve, likely to complement its staked ETH positions, staking derivatives, and implied yield strategies.  This timing is noteworthy because Ethereum has experienced bouts of price volatility tied to macroeconomic pressures. Rather than stepping back amid uncertainty, BitMine’s continued purchases suggest confidence that Ethereum’s fundamentals, including smart contract adoption and layer-2 scaling support, remain robust enough to justify large treasury allocations even during pullbacks. According to blockchain analytics, the 48,049 ETH purchase is one of the largest single treasury increases recorded outside of institutional ETFs and sovereign-level allocations this year. It also happens at a time when large market participants are consolidating their yield-bearing positions. This supports the school of thought that ETH is cementing its place in the broader institutional cryptocurrency ecosystem.   Continuous Institutional Demand Boosts Confidence and Liquidity BitMine’s new ETH accumulation sends several signals to the market and institutional participants, especially those investing in smart contract assets. Though Bitcoin remains the top choice for corporate and institutional treasuries, Ethereum is fast rising as a multipurpose asset due to its dominance in DeFi, NFTs, and tokenization infrastructure. Also, accruing ETH during a market pullback demonstrates a contrarian style of accumulation. Instead of selling off its assets, BitMine’s approach may embolden other holders to buy the dip, as the volatility can be an opportunity for scaling their positions. If other institutions follow suit, Ethereum could see renewed institutional interest that strengthens liquidity, deepens markets, and broadens its appeal beyond purely DeFi or blockchain circles. However, despite the bullish signals, the strategy carries inherent risks, including price volatility, market liquidity, and exit risks. So, as BitMine’s $140 million Ethereum purchase and expanded ETH treasury illustrate a bold institutional stance in a maturing digital-asset market, increasing its holdings during a price dip isn’t enough.  The company must continually demonstrate its strategic conviction in Ethereum’s long-term role as a foundational blockchain asset and also mitigate the various risks involved in that process. For now, BitMine’s move stands as one of the clearest institutional accumulation signals of 2025 and a compelling reminder of the evolving nature of crypto’s institutional adoption.

SnapTrade, a technology provider specialising in brokerage connectivity and embedded trading, has announced a partnership with Webull to integrate directly with Webull’s trading API. The collaboration allows SnapTrade-powered apps to move beyond portfolio aggregation and offer live trade execution, real-time portfolio visibility and advanced trading tools within third-party consumer finance platforms. Through the integration, investors using SnapTrade partner apps can view Webull accounts holistically, monitor positions in real time and respond quickly to market movements without switching platforms. The partnership covers both the U.S. and Canada and reflects SnapTrade’s broader mission to democratise access to professional-grade trading capabilities. Brendan Wood, CEO of SnapTrade, said the partnership marks a shift from read-only account connectivity to “a new era of frictionless trading,” giving app users the ability to trade in real time and manage portfolios with deeper insight and visibility. Takeaway: The SnapTrade–Webull partnership enables embedded, real-time trading inside third-party apps, reducing friction for investors and expanding the reach of advanced trading tools. From Account Aggregation to Full Trade Execution SnapTrade’s integration with Webull significantly broadens what developers can build into their applications. Instead of limiting users to portfolio data and analytics, apps can now support buying and selling directly, creating a single, streamlined trading experience. By combining SnapTrade’s aggregation infrastructure with Webull’s execution and market data capabilities, investors gain faster access to insights and the ability to act on them instantly. This model supports personalised education, automated investing strategies and real-time options insights, all delivered without requiring multiple logins or platform switches. Anthony Denier, Group President and U.S. CEO of Webull, said the partnership aligns with Webull’s goal of widening access to modern, technology-driven investing tools, while giving users more flexibility in how and where they engage with markets. Growing Activity and Broader Ecosystem Impact The partnership also benefits brokerage and app partners within SnapTrade’s ecosystem by driving higher engagement and trading activity. In October 2025 alone, SnapTrade facilitated data access for more than one million investment accounts representing $40 billion in connected assets, alongside the execution of 330,000 option contracts. By enabling embedded trading across consumer finance apps, SnapTrade and Webull are positioning themselves at the centre of a growing trend toward modular, API-driven investing experiences. For developers and fintech innovators, the integration provides a foundation to build comprehensive, insight-led investment products that combine analysis and execution in a single interface. Together, SnapTrade and Webull aim to give investors greater control, speed and convenience—while preserving the security and regulatory protections of a full-service brokerage environment.  

What Is Securitize Building—and Why Does It Matter? Securitize plans to launch what it describes as the first fully compliant onchain trading platform for real public stocks in early 2026, allowing investors to buy and hold tokenized shares recorded directly onchain. The company says the system offers full legal ownership, not synthetic exposure or offshore wrappers. Shares are issued by the company itself, logged on its official cap table, and tradable through a Web3-style interface backed by SEC-registered infrastructure. “This is not a synthetic price tracker or an IOU against a custodian,” the firm wrote. “These are real, regulated shares: issued onchain, recorded directly on the issuer’s cap table, and tradable through a familiar Web3 swap-style experience.” Token holders receive standard shareholder rights—dividends, proxy voting—and can keep assets under self-custody. Transfers, however, remain permissioned and may only move between compliant, whitelisted wallets. The platform blends blockchain interoperability with regulated securities oversight, attempting to bridge two systems that rarely operate under the same framework. Investor Takeaway Securitize is not offering wrapped stocks or derivatives. The tokens represent actual regulated shares with full rights, issued onchain and supported by SEC-registered entities. How Will Trading Work on a 24/7 Onchain Stock Market? The platform uses a swap-style interface modeled after DeFi tools, but executions run through Securitize Markets, the firm's SEC-registered broker-dealer and transfer agent. During U.S. market hours, trades must match the National Best Bid and Offer, mirroring how public equities trade on major exchanges. Securitize notes that onchain settlement happens instantly, supported by exemptions that allow real-time clearing while still meeting NBBO obligations. Outside market hours, pricing shifts to an automated market maker governed by Securitize’s smart contracts. The AMM adjusts based on onchain order flow, creating a continuous market for tokenized stocks that does not pause for weekends or holidays. This system combines traditional market rules with the always-on nature of blockchain networks. The company says only select stocks will be available at launch, but it expects to expand the list as issuers adopt onchain cap-table structures. The platform expands on earlier work with Exodus (EXOD), the first public company to issue stock natively onchain in late 2024. Why Is Securitize Rejecting Synthetic Token Models? Securitize’s announcement sharply contrasts its approach with today’s common tokenized stock options, noting that many products “offer exposure, not ownership.” It pointed to models that rely on derivatives, offshore SPVs or bearer-style tokens without KYC/AML controls—structures that introduce counterparty risk or fall outside securities rules. Robinhood’s program on Arbitrum uses derivatives tied to real shares, while Backed’s xStocks rely on custodied, fully backed assets held through regulated entities. Kraken, an early distributor of xStocks, is in talks to acquire Backed. Other firms—including Superstate—are exploring ways for public companies to issue equity natively onchain, bypassing traditional underwriting channels. The broader push reflects the rapid expansion of the real-world asset tokenization sector. U.S. regulators have encouraged experimentation, and Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins has said tokenization represents an advancement on the traditional system, though he cautioned it comes with risk. The agency is working on a new token taxonomy as more financial instruments move into programmable environments. Investor Takeaway Most tokenized stock products track prices synthetically. Securitize’s model removes that layer: the token itself is the legally recognized share, recorded onchain as the authoritative record. How Will “Stocks on Securitize” Operate in Practice? Under the model, the blockchain becomes the official ledger of ownership while Securitize acts as the SEC-registered transfer agent. Trades route through either Securitize Markets in the U.S. or Securitize Europe Brokerage & Markets. Settlement happens instantly onchain, and transfers remain restricted to compliant wallets to preserve regulated-security handling. During market hours, trades follow federal rules requiring execution at the best available price. When exchanges close, the platform switches to AMM-style pricing driven by liquidity and activity onchain. Securitize says this hybrid setup creates a trading environment unavailable in traditional markets, especially when combined with smart-contract interactions. “Once public equities exist as tokens, they can interact with smart contracts, liquidity protocols, and on-chain financial infrastructure,” the firm wrote. The company says this opens the door to new collateral models, automated corporate actions, and deeper visibility into ownership and transfers. The launch is targeted for Q1 2026, placing Securitize among the first companies attempting to bring regulated U.S. public equities fully onchain while keeping them interoperable across Web3 tools.

Smartstream has relocated its North American headquarters to new offices in Manhattan’s Financial District, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the US market and its expanding regional client base. By maintaining a strong presence in New York, the data and technology provider is positioning itself closer to major financial institutions as demand for advanced data management and AI-enabled solutions continues to grow. The move reflects Smartstream’s view of North America as a core growth engine, particularly as financial firms accelerate digital transformation and look for tools that can handle rising data volumes, operational complexity, and regulatory scrutiny. Manhattan’s Financial District remains a central hub for banks, asset managers, and market infrastructure providers, making it a strategic location for client engagement and talent development. Smartstream said the relocation also supports the expansion of its regional team, providing a modern workspace designed to accommodate growth while enabling closer collaboration with clients operating across capital markets, payments, and post-trade services. Regional Leadership Focused on Efficiency, Risk, and AI Adoption The company’s North American operations will continue to be led by Samuel Hyman, Regional Head Americas, who joined Smartstream last year and has played a key role in driving momentum across the region. Under his leadership, Smartstream has focused on deepening client relationships and aligning its solutions with evolving operational and regulatory requirements. Hyman said: “This region remains one of Smartstream’s most strategic growth markets. Our Manhattan location still allows us to better serve our clients and support our expanding team. Our focus is on delivering exceptional results while helping clients achieve greater efficiency, reduce costs, and manage risk in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.” He also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in shaping client demand, noting that AI has moved from experimentation to practical deployment. Smartstream has invested for years in research and development, positioning its offerings as mature, production-ready AI solutions rather than early-stage proofs of concept. Takeaway: Smartstream’s move to new Manhattan offices underscores North America’s importance to its growth strategy, aligning regional expansion with rising demand for AI-driven data, risk, and operational efficiency solutions. AI-Driven Platforms Target Back-Office Automation and Data Intelligence Smartstream’s technology portfolio is designed to help financial institutions and enterprises streamline operations and improve control over increasingly complex data environments. One of its flagship offerings, Smart Agents for Investigations, applies augmented and autonomous workflows to exception handling across reconciliations and back-office processes, reducing manual intervention and accelerating resolution times. The company also offers Air, its AI-driven data intelligence platform, which processes and analyses large volumes of financial data in real time. By delivering actionable insights across datasets, Air is aimed at helping firms identify risk, improve transparency, and make faster, more informed decisions across operations. With its North American headquarters now firmly established in Manhattan’s Financial District, Smartstream is positioning itself to scale these AI-enabled solutions alongside its regional clients, supporting transformation initiatives that span cost reduction, risk management, and operational resilience in a rapidly evolving financial services landscape.  

Exodus, the popular non-custodial cryptocurrency wallet provider, has announced a strategic partnership with global payments infrastructure firm MoonPay to launch a regulated US dollar-pegged stablecoin targeted for release in 2026. The collaboration aims to create a compliant digital dollar instrument that can be used for payments, remittances, in-wallet liquidity, and decentralized finance (DeFi) use cases across global markets. Rather than a token developed purely within the crypto community, this stablecoin initiative is being designed with regulatory compliance, reserve transparency, and institutional-grade controls in mind. It also reflects how mainstream wallet providers and payments firms are increasingly embracing regulated digital money products as part of their long-term strategies. Why Exodus Is Betting on a Digital Dollar for 2026 Exodus has spent much of the last decade building a trusted platform for retail crypto users who want self-custody, portfolio tracking, and easy access to digital assets without relying on centralized exchanges. But as stablecoins, especially dollar-pegged tokens like USDT and USDC, become a cornerstone of on-chain finance and digital payments, Exodus appears to be positioning itself at the intersection of wallets and regulated money. In partnering with MoonPay, the company is tapping into a payments stack capable of onboarding fiat, facilitating compliance checks, and settling digital dollars into mainstream rails. MoonPay’s infrastructure already supports fiat-to-crypto flows on multiple global platforms, and combining that with Exodus’s user base creates a potential network effect for stablecoin adoption. Also, the company's CEO and co-founder, JP Richardson, said stablecoins are emerging as one of the most practical ways to move dollars on-chain, but noted that user experience remains a key barrier. He said the new digital dollar aims to make global payments simpler by integrating stablecoin functionality directly into consumer payment workflows within the Exodus app. For everyday users, this could mean holding, sending, and receiving a regulated US dollar stablecoin directly in a wallet without first converting to other cryptocurrencies or passing through multiple intermediaries. A New Chapter in Stablecoin Competition and Wallet Integration The Exodus and MoonPay partnership to launch a regulated US dollar stablecoin in 2026 is a welcome addition to the stablecoin ecosystem. By bridging self-custody wallets with compliant money instruments and mainstream payment rails, the initiative reinforces how stablecoins are increasingly becoming core components of the global digital financial infrastructure. The broader stablecoin landscape will likely feel the impact. As more regulated stablecoins enter the market, users and developers may have more choices, potentially creating competitive pressure on existing issuers to improve transparency, reserve disclosures, and integration features. As the project advances towards launch, key questions will centre on reserve transparency, compliance, integration breadth, and user adoption. If successfully executed, this stablecoin could expand digital dollar availability far beyond trading platforms, embedding it directly into everyday wallets and payment experiences.

What Triggered Binance’s Latest Warning? Binance has issued a detailed warning about individuals and firms posing as “listing agents” after a rise in fraudulent intermediaries claiming to influence token listings. As part of the update, the exchange is offering up to $5 million for verifiable evidence of fake brokers or illicit listing offers. The move comes amid growing scrutiny of Binance’s listing practices, especially after recent insider trading concerns involving leaked information about a memecoin known as the “year of the yellow fruit.” In a transparency notice released Wednesday, Binance laid out how projects must navigate its listing process across Alpha, futures and spot markets. The company said it has repeatedly seen people misrepresenting themselves as connected to Binance while charging token teams fees or demanding payments for alleged access. Binance stressed that all applications must go through its official channels and that “the company does not authorize external brokers or intermediaries” for listings. The exchange said an internal audit identified multiple people and firms using Binance’s name without permission. Legal action will follow where warranted. Investor Takeaway Fake listing agents are becoming a real threat to token teams. Binance’s $5M reward signals a push to expose intermediaries who charge fees in exchange for promises they cannot deliver. Who Was Blacklisted—and Why? Binance named seven entities and individuals now on its internal blacklist: BitABC, Central Research, May/Dannie, Andrew Lee, Suki Yang, Fiona Lee and Kenny Z. These names were identified through the company’s in-house audit for either implying ties to Binance or claiming they could arrange listings. According to the exchange, these groups pitched services that suggested inside access or influence over outcomes. Binance said it has zero tolerance for such conduct and urged founders to report anyone making claims of representation outside verified channels. Data provider RootData shows that Central Research, one of the blacklisted groups, has invested in multiple crypto projects, including Fireverse, Nebula Revelation, AKI Network, Fusionist and Artyfact. Only Fusionist (ACE) currently trades on Binance. The exchange did not tie the blacklist result to prior listings and did not suggest any wrongdoing on the part of those projects. How Does This Fit Into Broader Concerns About Listing Integrity? The warning lands shortly after Binance said an employee leaked confidential listing details to a third party, triggering internal disciplinary action and new controls. That incident involved a memecoin known informally as the “year of the yellow fruit,” which saw speculation spike after hints of a potential listing circulated online. Listing rumors often move markets, and Binance’s size gives its decisions outsized influence. Misconduct—whether internal or external—creates opportunities for front-running and paid scams targeting founders seeking exchange access. This environment provides fertile ground for false promises from self-described listing agents who charge hefty fees to new projects. To combat this, Binance published a revised version of its listing framework. The document outlines evaluation steps, communication rules and what token teams should expect at each stage. The exchange encouraged founders to rely only on direct communication channels and to treat anyone offering “special access” as a red flag. Investor Takeaway Listing-related misconduct can sway markets and expose teams to scams. With stronger controls and public naming of bad actors, Binance is trying to push these schemes into the open. What Happens Next for Token Teams and the Exchange? Token founders often face intense pressure during the listing phase, and the absence of public criteria has fueled a cottage industry of brokers offering introductions, strategy advice or supposed insider connections. Binance’s latest update indicates that the exchange wants to shut down these third-party networks and assert that listing decisions cannot be swayed by off-platform actors. With the $5 million reward in place, Binance is encouraging whistleblowers to expose fraudulent agents, fee solicitations and forged documents. The exchange has also called on founders to document any suspicious outreach and submit it through official reporting channels. Whether the crackdown reduces scams depends on how deeply such networks have rooted themselves in Telegram groups, OTC circles and private-founder communities. But public naming, combined with the threat of legal action, sets a clearer boundary for any team approaching the listing process. For Binance, the challenge now is ensuring internal controls match the expectations it sets for the industry. Wednesday’s update suggests the exchange is trying to close both external exploitation and internal leaks as token listings remain one of the most sensitive processes in the crypto sector.

The crypto presale market in 2025 feels increasingly difficult to navigate. Projects like IPO Genie ($IPO), BlockchainFX, Pepeto, and DeepSnitch AI are gaining attention at the same time that dozens of lesser-known launches flood timelines and inboxes. The result is not a lack of opportunity, but an excess of noise, too many presales, too many narratives, and too little clarity about which ones are built to last. As capital becomes more selective and investors look beyond surface-level momentum, one question matters more than any other: among today’s most talked-about crypto presales, which ones actually make sense for 2025 based on growth signals, structure, and long-term positioning? 2025’s Top Crypto Presales With IPO Genie setting a high structural benchmark, the other projects reveal how different growth models compete for investor attention in 2025. Here are the 2025’s top crypto presales 1. IPO Genie ($IPO): Ranked #1 for Growth Momentum In 2025 What IPO Genie Does IPO Genie is built to address a growing shift in crypto markets: private investments are moving on-chain, and access to early-stage opportunities is becoming tokenized. Rather than operating as a single application, IPO Genie positions itself as infrastructure for AI-assisted private-market participation. The platform uses autonomous AI systems, called Sentient Signal Agents, to analyze deal flow, behavioral data, and participation signals across private opportunities. The $IPO token coordinates access, staking, governance, and incentives across this ecosystem. Key functional pillars include: AI-driven discovery of private-market opportunities Token-gated access to early-stage deals Staking and governance tied to platform participation A design focused on compliance and institutional readiness This structure places IPO Genie closer to early infrastructure plays like Ethereum or Avalanche than to typical presale launches. That distinction is why analysts increasingly classify it as a fast growing crypto project based on structural demand rather than promotional cycles. Who IPO Genie Is For IPO Genie is designed for participants who view crypto as a long-term allocation rather than a short-term trade. The platform appeals to: Investors seeking exposure to tokenized private markets Users interested in AI-assisted decision frameworks Participants who prioritize access and structure over speculation Much like early adoption phases of Solana or Toncoin, IPO Genie focuses on being foundational before becoming mainstream. Why Analysts Are Watching IPO Genie Closely Analysts tracking IPO Genie often point to three overlapping signals. First, participation behavior. Staking and governance engagement suggest users are committing capital to the ecosystem rather than simply holding tokens. Second, structural discipline. IPO Genie emphasizes audits, third-party custody, and compliance-minded architecture, features that align with institutional expectations. Third, narrative alignment. Tokenized private markets are projected to grow into a multi-trillion-dollar sector over the coming decade. In discussions comparing IPO Genie vs other presales, analysts tend to focus on which platforms are positioned closest to capital formation. These factors explain why IPO Genie continues to be cited as a fast growing crypto project grounded in participation depth. The Bloomberg Terminal Moment For Crypto Presales IPO Genie is often compared to a Bloomberg-style access layer for private crypto markets, centralizing intelligence, access, and participation. Supporting its visibility, the project is also leveraging global attention through sponsorship of a major Misfits Boxing event in Dubai, aligning brand exposure with mainstream awareness rather than promotional incentives. 2. BlockchainFX (BFX): A Volume-Driven Trading Narrative What BlockchainFX Does BlockchainFX focuses on creating a multi-asset trading environment that brings crypto, forex, and commodities together on-chain. The platform emphasizes speed, liquidity, and execution efficiency. Core elements include: Cross-market trading infrastructure High-throughput transaction design Unified access to multiple asset classes Who BlockchainFX Is For BlockchainFX is designed for users who prioritize trading activity and liquidity. It primarily targets: Active traders Users focused on short- to mid-term execution Participants seeking market variety in one interface Why Analysts Are Watching BlockchainFX Analysts see BlockchainFX as a project with clear upside tied to volume. Trading platforms can scale quickly if liquidity and user engagement remain consistent. However, growth is closely linked to sustained activity. In IPO Genie vs BlockchainFX comparisons, the contrast is often framed as infrastructure depth versus transactional velocity. BlockchainFX still qualifies as a fast growing crypto candidate, but with higher sensitivity to market conditions. Built Like A Digital Trading Floor BlockchainFX resembles a modern trading floor, efficient, fast, and volume-oriented. That clarity defines both its strength and its limits. 3. Pepeto (PEPETO): Community-Led Momentum What Pepeto Does Pepeto blends meme culture with light utility, relying heavily on branding, community engagement, and viral narratives to drive interest. Key characteristics include: Community-first positioning Narrative-driven visibility Social engagement as the primary growth lever Who Pepeto Is For Pepeto is built for participants who value cultural relevance and community energy over technical infrastructure. It appeals to: Narrative-driven traders Social-media-native crypto users Community-focused participants Why Analysts Are Watching Pepeto Analysts track Pepeto as a sentiment signal. Strong communities can generate rapid liquidity, but sustainability depends on ongoing engagement. In IPO Genie vs Pepeto discussions, the difference is clear, structural platforms versus cultural momentum. Pepeto’s growth potential exists, but it is cyclical rather than foundational. A Social Signal Disguised As A Token Pepeto reflects collective attention. When engagement is high, momentum follows. When narratives shift, growth can slow just as quickly. 4. DeepSnitch AI (DSNT); Intelligence-Led Blockchain Analytics What DeepSnitch AI Does DeepSnitch AI focuses on blockchain intelligence, offering tools that monitor on-chain activity for risks, anomalies, and emerging patterns. Its toolkit emphasizes: AI-powered data analysis Early detection of suspicious activity Insight-driven decision support Who DeepSnitch AI Is For The platform targets users who prioritize data clarity. This includes: Analysts and researchers Developers and security teams Risk-aware crypto participants Why Analysts Are Watching DeepSnitch AI AI-based analytics remain a strong theme in 2025. DeepSnitch AI benefits from this trend and is often referenced as a fast growing crypto project within the intelligence niche, though competition in AI tooling continues to increase. The Early-Warning Radar For On-Chain Activity DeepSnitch AI operates like radar, precise, specialized, and most valuable when accuracy matters. 5. SpacePay (SPY): Payments-Focused Crypto Infrastructure What SpacePay Does SpacePay is focused on a practical problem crypto has struggled with for years: everyday payments. The project aims to bridge digital assets with real-world commerce by enabling crypto payments at the point of sale, without forcing merchants to overhaul existing systems. Rather than positioning itself as a consumer-facing app alone, SpacePay emphasizes infrastructure that merchants can integrate quietly in the background. Its model centers on reducing friction between crypto wallets and traditional payment rails. Core elements include: Crypto-to-fiat payment processing Merchant-friendly integrations Emphasis on speed and settlement reliability This approach places SpacePay closer to utility-driven networks than speculative platforms. Who SpacePay Is For SpacePay is built for participants who believe adoption happens through usage, not narratives. It appeals to: Merchants exploring crypto payments without technical complexity Investors interested in real-world utility Users focused on transactional use cases rather than governance or speculation The positioning echoes early payment-focused narratives seen during Ethereum’s early expansion into decentralized finance and applications. Why Analysts Are Watching SpacePay Analysts tracking SpacePay focus less on hype and more on execution risk. Payments is a competitive sector, but it is also one of the few areas where sustained usage can translate into long-term relevance. In IPO Genie vs SpacePay comparisons, the difference is role-based. IPO Genie targets access and private-market coordination, while SpacePay concentrates on transactional infrastructure. SpacePay is sometimes described as a fast growing crypto candidate if merchant adoption materializes, but growth depends heavily on partnerships and real-world integration. The Quiet Layer Behind Everyday Transactions SpacePay’s strength lies in its subtlety. If successful, it becomes invisible infrastructure, used frequently, noticed rarely. Quick Shot: 2025’s Top Crypto Presales By Growth Signals  Project Core Focus Ideal User Growth Driver Analyst Outlook IPO Genie ($IPO) Tokenized private markets Institutional-minded investors AI + participation Strong BlockchainFX Multi-asset trading Active traders Liquidity & volume Moderate Pepeto Community token Narrative participants Social momentum Speculative DeepSnitch AI Blockchain intelligence Analysts & developers AI adoption Niche SpacePay (SPY) Crypto payments infrastructure Merchants & utility-focused users Real-world usage Developing Which One Looks Strongest Heading Into 2025? When comparing IPO Genie vs other projects, the defining difference is role. IPO Genie positions itself at the access layer of emerging private markets, while others compete within narrower functional or narrative niches. That distinction becomes more important as capital grows selective.  Of all the projects covered, IPO Genie stands out as the one most aligned with the direction crypto markets are taking in 2025, appealing to investors focused on access, and lasting relevance rather than quick trends. Final Thoughts No presale is without risk. Market volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and execution challenges apply across the board. Community-driven tokens can outperform during attention cycles. Trading platforms depend on liquidity. Analytics tools require sustained adoption. IPO Genie’s top ranking reflects alignment rather than certainty. Its focus on private-market access, AI-driven intelligence, and participation mechanics places it among the best crypto presales to watch in 2025, particularly for those evaluating long-term positioning over short-term noise. Join the IPO Genie presale today:   Official website Telegram Twitter (X)  Disclaimer: Information provided here is for educational use only. Always assess your risk before making financial decisions.

The Audi Revolut F1 Team has officially revealed its team name and logo, confirming that its global launch will take place in Berlin on January 20, 2026. The announcement represents a key milestone in Audi’s preparations to enter the Formula One World Championship in 2026 and formalises the title partnership between Audi F1 and global fintech Revolut, first announced in July 2025. The Berlin event will be the first time the Audi Revolut F1 Team presents its full identity to the world. Designed as an immersive brand experience, the launch will highlight the team’s core values of clarity, technical intelligence, and emotion. Following the invite-only event on January 20, a public opening on January 21 will allow fans to participate in the team’s inaugural moment. A major highlight of the launch will be the unveiling of the team’s full 2026 race livery, building on the Audi R26 Concept revealed in November. With fewer than 50 days remaining before the opening race of the 2026 season, the team plans to show how Audi’s design language will translate into a distinctive visual presence on the Formula One grid. Revolut Partnership Extends Beyond Branding Into Operations and Fan Engagement The partnership with Revolut is positioned as a strategic pillar of the team’s identity rather than a traditional sponsorship. Audi and Revolut said the alliance is built around shared ambitions for innovation, performance, and global reach, aiming to challenge conventions both on and off the track. Beyond branding, the collaboration will integrate Revolut’s technology directly into the team’s operations. Revolut Business will be embedded into the Audi Revolut F1 Team’s financial operations, while Revolut Pay will be used in the team’s online store to provide a seamless checkout experience. The partnership also targets new forms of fan engagement, with plans for exclusive activations, race access, and app-based benefits for Revolut users. Nik Storonsky, CEO and Co-Founder of Revolut, said: “Revolut and Audi are uniting in Formula 1 with a global ambition to challenge the status quo and a shared obsession with engineering excellence. The Audi Revolut F1 team name and logo are the first symbols of a powerful alliance that will accelerate Revolut’s global growth.” Takeaway: The unveiling of the Audi Revolut F1 Team name and logo formalises a deep partnership that blends motorsport, fintech, and technology, setting the stage for a highly visible Formula One debut in 2026. Organisational Changes Signal Audi’s Full Commitment to Formula One The formation of the Audi Revolut F1 Team is accompanied by structural changes within the organisation. Sauber Motorsport AG will be renamed Audi Motorsport AG, while the team’s Technology Centre in Bicester, UK, will become the Audi Motorsport Technology Centre UK. At the same time, Audi said it will retain the names Sauber Holding AG and Sauber Technologies AG to honour the team’s heritage. Senior leadership emphasised the significance of the announcement in uniting teams across multiple countries. Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, said: “Unveiling the Audi Revolut F1 Team name and logo marks another major milestone on our journey into the pinnacle of motorsport. Both give our ambition a clear identity, reflecting a strong vision and innovative spirit.” Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley added: “Today, our project takes on its official identity. The Audi Revolut F1 Team name is a symbol of the combined strength of our teams in Germany, UK and Switzerland, together with our partners.” As Audi and Revolut build toward the 2026 season, the partnership is expected to play a central role in Revolut’s push toward 100 million customers while aligning the fintech brand with one of the world’s fastest-growing global sports.  

U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Jerry Moran of Kansas have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening federal efforts to combat cryptocurrency-related fraud, as scams tied to digital assets grow more frequent and complex. The bill, known as the Strengthening Agency Frameworks for Enforcement of Cryptocurrency (SAFE Crypto) Act, proposes the creation of a federal task force to coordinate the government’s response to crypto scams. The task force would bring together the U.S. Treasury Department, law enforcement agencies, financial regulators, and private-sector experts to improve the identification, tracking, and disruption of fraudulent activity across the crypto ecosystem. Federal Task Force to Coordinate Anti-Fraud Efforts According to the senators, the initiative is designed to close coordination gaps between agencies, support local law enforcement with better investigative tools, and improve public awareness to help Americans protect themselves from crypto-related scams. The task force would also provide Congress with regular updates on emerging threats and enforcement progress. “It’s critical we protect Americans against scams in all industries, but especially cryptocurrency as it becomes more popular,” Senator Slotkin said. She added that the legislation focuses on equipping local law enforcement with the tools needed to combat crypto scams while ensuring the public understands how to safeguard their money. “This task force, established by the SAFE Cryptocurrency Act, will allow us to draw upon every resource we have to combat fraud in digital assets.” Public-Private Collaboration to Disrupt Crypto Scams Senator Moran said the bill responds to the growing scale of payment fraud and financial scams across the United States. “With fraud and other payment scams continuing to grow, protecting the financial security and well-being of Kansans is critical,” he said. Moran noted that the proposed task force would strengthen coordination between government agencies, law enforcement, and the financial services industry as cryptocurrency adoption expands. The legislation also emphasizes public-private collaboration, particularly the use of blockchain intelligence to detect and disrupt illicit activity in real time. Ari Redbord, vice president and global head of policy at TRM Labs, said billions of dollars in scams and fraud have been tracked across the crypto sector in recent years, underscoring the need for faster intervention. “This legislation enables public-private collaboration using blockchain intelligence to track, interdict, and disrupt illicit networks as activity is occurring,” Redbord said, adding that such coordination could help protect victims and improve overall financial security. The SAFE Crypto Act now awaits consideration in Congress as lawmakers continue to weigh broader measures to address fraud risks in the rapidly evolving digital asset market.

BTCUSD drops to lower bound of one-month range Tests rebound from lower Bollinger band Momentum indicators maintain bearish bias BTCUSD is attempting a rebound near 86,300, which marks the floor of a relatively wide one-month range between 86,000 and 94,000, after slumping more than 7.3% over the past four sessions following strong rejection at the range ceiling, which coincides with the short-term downtrend line. The subdued sentiment persists as flows into Bitcoin exchange-traded funds have remained weak in recent weeks, capping upward momentum after the largest crypto asset tumbled from its record peak above 126,163 on October 20 to a trough of 80,615 on November 21. The momentum indicators reinforce the current negative bias with the stochastics in oversold territory, the RSI hovering just above the 30 oversold threshold, and the MACD below zero and its red signal line. Early warnings came from a bearish divergence in the RSI, signaling weakening buying pressure even as Bitcoin attempted to push higher in recent sessions. If the price rebounds from the lower Bollinger band, immediate resistance lies at the 20-day SMA near 90,359, followed by the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level of the October-November pullback at 91,364. A break above this level, and hence above the short-term descending trendline, could target the range ceiling near the psychologically significant 94,000 level. Conversely, rejection at the lower Bollinger band could pave the way for a retest of previous swing lows near 84,500 and potentially even 80,500. To sum up, Bitcoin is likely to remain in its current consolidation phase for now, lacking the conviction to enter a strong bullish trend toward its 100,000 year-end target. However, prolonged weakness could amplify downside risks toward 80,000.

What’s actually happening KuCoin has signed a multi-year agreement with Tomorrowland, becoming the festival’s exclusive crypto exchange and crypto payments partner for both Tomorrowland Winter and Tomorrowland Belgium from 2026 to 2028. The deal covers two of the most visible electronic music events in the world. Tomorrowland Winter will take place in Alpe d’Huez in March 2026, while the main Belgium festival returns in July across two weekends. There’s no flashy product launch attached to the announcement. No NFTs, no token drops, no technical roadmap. Instead, this is a long-term brand and infrastructure partnership, positioning KuCoin as the crypto platform associated with Tomorrowland’s global audience over several years. Why this partnership matters Crypto exchanges have spent years chasing attention through sponsorships. Sports teams, stadiums, racing series — most of it has blended into the background. Tomorrowland is different. Its audience is international by default. People travel from over 200 countries, often crossing borders, currencies, and payment systems just to attend. That makes the festival a natural fit for a company whose core pitch is moving value globally. For KuCoin, the value isn’t short-term user acquisition. It’s association. Being present in a cultural environment where crypto doesn’t feel like a trading product, but part of a modern digital lifestyle. Investor Takeaway Brand partnerships with global events tend to support long-term user trust rather than immediate volume spikes. That matters in slower market cycles. How KuCoin fits into Tomorrowland’s world Tomorrowland has spent years building a brand around connection, creativity, and a borderless identity. Its “People of Tomorrow” narrative isn’t marketing fluff — it’s the reason people keep coming back. KuCoin, originally launched as the “People’s Exchange,” has been quietly repositioning itself in a similar direction. Less noise around speculation, more emphasis on infrastructure, security, and real-world usage. That alignment explains why this partnership feels deliberate rather than opportunistic. KuCoin isn’t trying to dominate the festival experience. It’s attaching itself to it and letting familiarity build over time. What comes next — and what probably won’t Over the next few years, the partnership could evolve into crypto-enabled payments, loyalty mechanics, or digital access tied to Tomorrowland experiences. Or it could stay mostly behind the scenes. What’s clear is that this isn’t a short-term experiment. Running through 2028, the agreement gives both sides room to adapt as regulation, payments infrastructure, and user behaviour change. For the wider crypto market, deals like this point to a shift in strategy. Exchanges are no longer just competing on fees or listings. They’re competing for relevance outside trading screens. Investor Takeaway Crypto platforms expanding into culture and payments may see steadier engagement than trading-only models, especially during quieter markets. Tomorrowland connects people through music. KuCoin wants to connect them through value. This partnership is a bet that those two worlds are closer than they used to be.

European retail trading is entering a transition phase as brokers reassess how much of their growth can stay anchored to OTC products such as CFDs and turbo-style instruments. A new study based on surveys and interviews with 41 retail brokers and neobanks points to a structural shift: listed futures and options are increasingly being treated as a core part of the retail proposition, not a niche add-on. Regulation has become the dominant strategic risk for retail brokers operating across Europe’s fragmented supervisory environment. In the survey, regulatory compliance was the most-cited top-three challenge, reflecting both the pace of policy change and the uneven approach taken by national regulators despite EU-level frameworks. For brokers that still rely heavily on CFDs, the pressure is sharper. When asked directly about the threat of future regulatory changes restricting retail access to CFDs and equivalent markets, 62% of CFD-offering firms said they were “very concerned,” while only a small minority said they were not concerned at all. Recent national actions illustrate why brokers are building contingency plans. Spain’s CNMV has moved against CFD advertising, Belgium has implemented an outright CFD ban, and the UK has tightened marketing restrictions. Germany’s BaFin has also introduced new marketing rules for turbos, including stronger risk warnings and limits on certain new-customer incentives—reinforcing the direction of travel toward tighter retail distribution controls. What’s Pulling Retail Flow Toward Futures and Options? Listed derivatives bring attributes that brokers can credibly position as “institutional-grade” retail access: transparent price formation, deeper visible liquidity, and materially reduced counterparty risk through clearing. The report also highlights a persistent concern embedded in the OTC model—conflicts of interest that can arise when brokers internalize client flow under B-booking. Momentum is now measurable at the business-strategy level. In the survey, 67% of retail brokers said futures and options are “very important” to their retail strategy over the next two years, with brokers citing client demand, higher customer retention, additional revenue streams, and product diversification as key drivers. At the same time, adoption is still in an acceleration phase rather than a completed migration. Among firms not currently offering futures and options, 79% said they are either planning to offer them or actively considering doing so—suggesting the competitive baseline for a “full-service” European retail brokerage is shifting toward multi-asset, multi-venue access that includes listed derivatives. What Could Slow Adoption—and What Might Speed It Up? The biggest friction point is not market appetite so much as suitability and education. Brokers view options in particular as complex products requiring stronger client screening, clearer risk communication, and better learning pathways—especially for newer traders who may be drawn in by leverage without fully understanding nonlinear payoff profiles. Operational complexity and data integration also matter, especially for firms entering listed markets for the first time. However, the study suggests these hurdles are becoming easier to manage as clearing members build retail-focused onboarding models—letting brokers connect through a single clearing relationship while outsourcing key operational workflows such as exchange connectivity and the handling of clearinghouse margin processes. Competitive dynamics may ultimately be the accelerator. The report notes that US retail brokers expanding into Europe are intensifying pressure, with 39% of surveyed firms viewing US entry as a “significant challenge.” As US-style product design (smaller contract sizes, retail-friendly platforms, and education-led marketing) spreads, European futures and options participation could rise quickly—especially among experienced traders and crypto traders looking to diversify into regulated listed markets. Takeaway Listed derivatives are gaining momentum in Europe because they combine transparent pricing and lower counterparty risk with a clearer regulatory framework than many OTC retail products. The next 12–24 months look pivotal as more brokers weigh launching futures and options to defend share against new entrants and to retain increasingly sophisticated clients.

Trive has connected its brokerage services to TradingView, allowing clients to trade contracts for difference (CFDs) directly from TradingView’s charting and strategy platform. Through the integration, traders can access CFDs across multiple underlying asset classes, including foreign exchange, commodities, indices, and stocks, without leaving the TradingView environment. The move places Trive among a growing group of brokers embedding execution into TradingView, reflecting rising demand from traders for platforms that combine advanced charting, strategy testing, and order execution in a single interface. By linking their Trive account, users can move from analysis to execution seamlessly within TradingView. Once connected, orders are executed instantly through TradingView’s trading panel, enabling traders to deploy and manage strategies directly from live charts while maintaining access to Trive’s pricing and liquidity. European Broker Targets Simplicity and Competitive Trading Conditions Founded in 2013, Trive is licensed in Europe by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and operates from its headquarters in Malta, with additional branches in Italy, Spain, and Germany. The broker currently serves approximately 16,000 clients across Europe, positioning itself as a regulated provider focused on accessibility and reliability. Through the TradingView integration, Trive clients gain access to more than 300 tradable instruments. The broker is offering commission-free trading alongside low spreads and stable market connectivity, aiming to attract traders who value cost efficiency as well as execution speed. Trive’s brand positioning centres on helping clients “thrive” by providing straightforward access to global markets. Integrating with TradingView aligns with that approach by placing Trive’s execution capabilities inside a widely used analysis platform familiar to both retail and more advanced traders. Takeaway: By integrating with TradingView, Trive is giving its European client base direct access to multi-asset CFD trading from a single analysis-and-execution platform, reflecting the broader convergence of charting, strategy testing, and brokerage services. One-Click Setup Aims to Lower Barriers for Active Traders Getting started with Trive on TradingView is designed to be simple. Traders can open the TradingView trading panel, select Trive from the list of supported brokers, and sign in using their existing broker credentials. Once connected, they can begin trading immediately without additional software installations. The integration allows traders to test ideas, analyse markets, and execute trades within the same workflow. This setup is particularly attractive to active traders who rely on TradingView’s charting tools and indicators but want direct market access without switching between platforms. As TradingView continues to expand its broker ecosystem, integrations such as Trive’s highlight how European CFD providers are using third-party platforms to extend distribution, improve client experience, and compete on usability as much as on pricing and product range.