The latest in digital assets, markets and regulation.
Chainlink Labs, the Cardano Foundation, and four other blockchain groups urged the SEC to formally classify digital commodities as non-securities in its proposed Regulation Crypto Assets framework. The joint letter argues that interpretive guidance alone creates legal uncertainty for developers and secondary-market participants.
Kalshi partners with BitGo to offer bitcoin-backed margin loans for perpetual futures, targeting crypto-native traders who prefer holding digital assets. Simultaneously, it integrates these contracts into Webull’s platform for over six million users, aiming to compete with offshore rivals despite rising state legal challenges.
Solana activated its Alpenglow consensus protocol on mainnet, cutting transaction finality from 12.8 seconds to 150 milliseconds. The upgrade replaces TowerBFT after validator approval, aiming to enhance suitability for exchanges and banks while raising centralization concerns over future capacity changes.
Bitcoin-backed loans enable holders to borrow against BTC without selling, preserving tax advantages and market exposure. The sector has matured post-2022, featuring investment-grade securitizations and major bank participation, though borrowers still face liquidation risks due to Bitcoin's volatility.
Bitcoin rose past $84,000 as US stocks gained on SpaceX's Q3 earnings beat, which eased AI spending fears. Short liquidations hit $110M as BTC broke above its 200-day moving average, aligning with broader market optimism.
Trump will spotlight crypto scam crackdowns at a White House event, citing $11.3 billion in 2025 U.S. fraud losses. Enforcement includes site seizures and a strike force targeting Southeast Asian compounds, amid rising global illicit crypto flows.
Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Morgan Stanley captured nearly 80% of top-tier equities revenue, totaling $52 billion, driven by AI stock trading and hedge fund leverage. Their dominance stems from relaxed capital rules and superior risk absorption, though IMF warnings on $13 trillion in hedge fund assets highlight systemic vulnerabilities.
Crypto traders created an unofficial Solana meme coin named after a fictional currency in the GTA 6 trailer, pumping its market cap to $15 million. Speculation stems from leaked gameplay showing protagonists promoting the coin, though Rockstar has no official ties to the token.
Over $200 million in crypto thefts from tampered hardware wallets have shaken confidence in self-custody. Alternatives like ETFs, passkeys, and multisig setups offer reduced physical risk but introduce counterparty and regulatory dependencies.
CertiK warns that crypto apps may remain exposed to the eMudhra certificate flaw despite Google, Apple, and Microsoft blocking eight vulnerable certs. Security gaps exist for applications outside browser ecosystems that do not enforce Certificate Transparency, potentially allowing attackers to impersonate HTTPS connections and manipulate deposit addresses.
Solana launched Alpenglow, its first major consensus upgrade, aiming to cut transaction finality by 99% to roughly 150 milliseconds. The Votor phase introduces direct validator voting, while future updates plan to replace data distribution protocols.
The OCC finalized GENIUS Act stablecoin rules effective January 2027, easing reserve limits and leaving third-party reward legality unresolved. The framework removes presumptive bans on exchange incentives, opting for case-by-case review while allowing longer-dated Treasury holdings.