Category: crypto

Ghana has officially legalized cryptocurrency trading through the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) bill. The legislation establishes a national legal framework for digital asset activity, allowing individuals and businesses to engage in cryptocurrency trading within regulatory boundaries. Licensed firms must meet compliance standards for reporting, consumer protection, and risk controls.

BlackRock has named its Bitcoin ETF as a top 2025 theme alongside traditional financial instruments like Treasuries and U.S. blue chips. Despite negative performance, the ETF has attracted $25 billion in inflows, ranking sixth among all ETFs. This move could accelerate Bitcoin’s adoption in institutional portfolios and reset perceptions.

Michael Selig has been sworn in as the 16th chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, taking over from Caroline Pham who has left for MoonPay. Selig, a former SEC Crypto Task Force counsel, will be leading the CFTC during a period of technological transformation and potential congressional action on digital asset legislation.

The crypto market, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, is currently range-bound with reduced leverage and fragile sentiment. Traders are waiting for the US GDP print to determine if volatility will return or fade. Ethereum is in a consolidation phase with decreased open interest, while altcoins trade in narrow ranges with extreme fear sentiment. Open interest in…

A wallet linked to Justin Sun on World Liberty Financial remains blacklisted, freezing millions in tokens as their value drops, raising concerns about governance and decentralization. Sun still controls a significant amount of WLFI tokens and a stake in TRUMP, sparking debate over centralized controls in decentralized finance.

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.