Category: crypto

Shift4, a payment processor, now offers stablecoin settlement on the Polygon blockchain for merchants, allowing 24/7 access to digital currency payouts. This integration reduces banking frictions, supports Polygon’s price, and enhances liquidity management for businesses operating across time zones. The move reflects a broader trend towards blockchain-based payment rails.

A record $23 billion in Bitcoin options are set to expire on Dec. 26, with calls at high strikes and puts at lower levels. Max pain is near current prices, thin liquidity may lead to volatility, and institutional flows may reset. Traders seek upside exposure, and price swings are expected post-expiry.

MetaMask has added native Bitcoin support, SegWit, and multichain swaps to its platform. Users can now buy, transfer, and swap Bitcoin alongside other assets. The update aligns with Consensys’ Linea strategy and rewards program. MetaMask is also exploring Lightning Network and other Layer 2 solutions to bridge different blockchain ecosystems.

Bitmine Immersion Technologies, the largest corporate holder of Ethereum, now owns over 4 million ETH valued at $12 billion. Recent acquisitions include a 13,412 ETH purchase on Dec. 22. Bitmine aims to accumulate 5% of the total Ether supply and is already at 3.37%. Share prices have seen a 606% increase.

El Salvador and the IMF have made progress in negotiations over Bitcoin policy and economic reforms to access a $1.4 billion loan package. Talks focus on selling the state-run Chivo wallet and scaling back public sector involvement in Bitcoin. The IMF praised El Salvador’s reform commitments and projected 4% GDP growth.

Hong Kong’s insurance regulator is proposing rules allowing insurers to invest in crypto with a 100% risk charge, a first in Asia. Stablecoins are treated differently, with risk charges tied to fiat currency. The move contrasts with Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, positioning Hong Kong as a leader in insurer crypto allocations.

Aave Labs and the Aave DAO are in dispute over CoW Swap fee flows, with delegates pushing to transfer all Aave IP, brand, and assets to tokenholder control. Accusations of “stealth privatization” and $10 million in diverted revenue have emerged, leading to a governance battle over asset ownership within the Aave ecosystem.

Kalshi has launched Kalshi Research, a research unit offering academics access to its prediction market data. An internal study found their inflation forecasts outperformed Wall Street by 40%. The move comes amid rapid growth and regulatory scrutiny. The company aims to position itself as a data source for economic and policy analysis.

Bitcoin’s network hashrate has dropped by 4%, the steepest decline since April 2024. This decline is seen as a signal indicating market lows and has historically led to positive price gains for Bitcoin. There is pressure on miners, traders, and short-term holders, but long-term holders remain confident. Corporate treasuries have been buying Bitcoin while exchange-traded…

Curve Finance has gained attention for capturing 44% of Ethereum decentralized exchange fees in the past month, up from 1.6% a year ago. Growth is driven by crvUSD trading and deep Bitcoin liquidity pools. Despite DAO discussions, on-chain data shows Curve at the center of Ethereum’s DEX activity, reflecting increased usage.