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IMF Flags Stablecoins as Emerging Market Risk
The IMF warns that USD-pegged stablecoins could undermine local currencies in emerging markets, though experts say their market size is not yet significant.
The International Monetary Fund’s December 2025 report cautions that USD-pegged stablecoins could facilitate currency substitution and capital outflows in emerging markets, potentially weakening local currencies and central bank control. According to IMF, stablecoins could bypass traditional capital flow management measures, allowing transactions outside established financial intermediaries.
Despite these concerns, experts argue that the stablecoin market remains too small to produce systemic macroeconomic effects. The combined market capitalization of major stablecoins, including USDT and USDC, stands near $264 billion, a fraction of global foreign exchange flows and the US dollar’s entrenched role in the financial system. Most stablecoins continue to serve primarily as on-ramps for crypto trading rather than broad-based treasury tools.
Emerging markets, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean, account for notable stablecoin inflows relative to GDP. However, these flows remain a small portion of the overall global payments ecosystem, limiting immediate macroeconomic disruption despite the theoretical risk outlined by the IMF.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
PNC Introduces Direct Bitcoin Trading for Private Bank Clients
PNC began offering direct Bitcoin trading to its high-net-worth clients through a Coinbase integration, expanding beyond passive crypto exposure.
PNC Bank has begun offering spot Bitcoin trading to clients of its private bank, becoming one of the first major US lenders to allow direct digital asset transactions within existing investment accounts. The rollout marks the initial phase of a broader integration with Coinbase, following a partnership announced earlier this year.
The service connects Coinbase’s institutional trading and custody infrastructure to PNC’s platform, enabling clients to execute trades and hold balances without shifting assets to external platforms. Executives said the move is aimed at retaining client relationships as interest in digital assets grows, even if near-term trading demand remains limited. PNC had previously provided access only to passive Bitcoin and Ether ETFs.
The bank expects to expand direct trading access to institutional accounts, nonprofits, endowments, and foundations early next year. The launch aligns with a wider trend across Wall Street, as firms including Bank of America and Vanguard broaden their crypto offerings to meet evolving client expectations.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Tempo Launches Public Testnet for Payments-Focused Blockchain
Tempo, the Stripe- and Paradigm-incubated payments blockchain, launched its public testnet as it advances its stablecoin-first infrastructure for on-chain settlement.
Tempo, the payments-focused blockchain valued at roughly $5 billion following its recent Series A raise, launched its public testnet on December 9. The protocol is designed to provide instant settlement, low fees, and a stablecoin-native experience, targeting capabilities it says most general-purpose blockchains lack for financial applications.
The firm completed a $500 million Series A in October backed by Thrive Capital, Greenoaks, Sequoia Capital, Ribbit Capital, and SV Angel. Stripe and Paradigm, which incubated the project, did not participate in the round. Tempo is building an Ethereum-compatible Layer 1 optimized for high-throughput payments and is working with companies including OpenAI, Shopify, Visa, Anthropic, and Deutsche Bank.
Klarna recently issued KlarnaUSD, a USD-backed stablecoin on Tempo, with plans for a mainnet launch in 2026. Tempo positions itself as purpose-built for real-world payments, drawing on Stripe’s global payments expertise and Paradigm’s focus on crypto infrastructure.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
ASIC Broadens Stablecoin Relief for Intermediaries
Australia’s ASIC expands licensing and custody exemptions for stablecoin and wrapped token intermediaries, aiming to foster digital asset innovation and operational efficiency.
Australia’s Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has finalized a new phase of relief for stablecoin and wrapped token intermediaries, extending licensing and custody exemptions. The measures allow intermediaries engaged in secondary distribution to operate without separate licenses, provided they hold appropriate Australian Financial Services (AFS), market, or clearing facility authorizations. The relief also permits providers to maintain digital assets in omnibus accounts, subject to sound record-keeping and reconciliation processes.
This decision builds on ASIC’s September guidance and aims to streamline operations while supporting innovation in Australia’s digital asset and payment sectors. Eligible stablecoins must maintain full reserves and unconditional redemption rights, while wrapped tokens require equivalent backing. Issuers are mandated to publish quarterly and annual audited reserve reports to ensure transparency and compliance with financial product regulations.
Industry observers welcomed the update as a pragmatic balance between regulatory oversight and operational efficiency. By clarifying custody and licensing frameworks, ASIC seeks to reduce friction for intermediaries, promote responsible stablecoin issuance, and foster the growth of Australia’s blockchain ecosystem.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Exodus Launches Exodus Pay to Mainstream Stablecoin Spending
Exodus introduces Exodus Pay, a self-custodial payments platform enabling users to hold, spend, and send digital dollars via stablecoins, integrated into its existing wallet.
Exodus Movement, Inc. has unveiled Exodus Pay, a self-custodial payments platform designed to simplify stablecoin usage for everyday consumers. Integrated into the existing Exodus wallet, the platform allows users to spend digital dollars with a card or Apple Pay, send stablecoins to friends using phone numbers, and earn rewards, all while maintaining full self-custody. This development positions Exodus at the forefront of expanding crypto beyond investment into daily financial transactions.
The rollout addresses a broader trend of digital currency adoption and the rising demand for unified money management solutions. By consolidating holding, spending, and sending of assets within a single app, Exodus Pay reduces friction for users with little to no crypto experience. The platform also supports future asset classes, reinforcing Exodus’ long-term strategy to become a central hub for digital financial management.
Operationally, Exodus Pay allows instant stablecoin payments and balance funding, with users retaining complete control over their assets. Scheduled to begin early 2026, the platform highlights Exodus’ emphasis on intuitive design, security, and regulatory compliance. By merging self-custody with mainstream usability, Exodus aims to make stablecoin payments as seamless as traditional money, bridging digital finance and everyday commerce.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Related Articles
MoonPay Partners with Tangem to Expand DeFi Access
MoonPay and Tangem integrate to enable seamless crypto on- and off-ramping, allowing Tangem Wallet users to buy, sell, and manage digital assets directly.
MoonPay, a global leader in crypto payments, has partnered with Tangem, the NFC-enabled hardware wallet provider, to broaden access to decentralized finance. The integration allows Tangem Wallet users to purchase and sell digital assets directly within the app using traditional payment methods, including credit cards, bank transfers, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
The collaboration combines Tangem’s secure, seedless hardware wallets with MoonPay’s payment infrastructure, delivering a full-service onramp and offramp for digital assets. Users can now fund their wallets, swap tokens across supported blockchains, and cash out to a bank account or card, all without leaving the Tangem ecosystem. The integration aims to simplify self-custody while maintaining high security standards.
This partnership underscores the growing institutional and retail demand for frictionless access to DeFi. By embedding regulated payment solutions into Tangem Wallet, MoonPay and Tangem provide an integrated experience that supports mainstream adoption while ensuring regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions, including the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Tether Wins Abu Dhabi Approval to Expand USDT Across Nine Blockchains
Abu Dhabi’s financial regulator authorized licensed firms in ADGM to support USDT across nine additional blockchains, expanding the stablecoin’s regulated presence.
Tether has secured approval from Abu Dhabi Global Market to expand regulated use of USDT across nine additional blockchains. ADGM’s framework now allows licensed firms to support activities involving USDT on Aptos, Celo, Cosmos, Kaia, Near, Polkadot, Tezos, TON, and TRON.
The recognition broadens USDT’s footprint within Abu Dhabi’s financial center and follows earlier approvals covering Ethereum, Solana and Avalanche. Tether said the decision strengthens stablecoins’ role in digital finance while providing institutions with a multi-chain foundation for trading, settlement and decentralized applications.
The move comes as Abu Dhabi advances its ambitions as a global crypto hub. Binance announced this week that it received full authorization to operate its main platform under the ADGM regime, with separate licenses for exchange, clearing and broker-dealer operations. The exchange is expected to begin regulated activity on January 5, 2026, further reinforcing the emirate’s drive to build a compliant digital asset ecosystem.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Saylor Says Strategy Won’t Issue Preferred Equity in Japan for 12 Months
Michael Saylor said Strategy has no plans to issue perpetual preferred equity in Japan over the next year, giving Metaplanet time to advance its own digital credit offerings.
Strategy will not issue perpetual preferred equity in Japan within the next year, according to executive chairman Michael Saylor. Speaking at a recent industry event, Saylor said the company has no near-term plans to bring its digital credit products to the Japanese market, effectively giving Metaplanet a one-year head start.
The comments come as Metaplanet prepares to expand Japan’s small perpetual preferred market with two new instruments, Mercury and Mars. The company says Mercury will offer a 4.9 percent yen-denominated yield with convertibility, far above typical Japanese deposit rates. Mars is positioned as a short-duration, higher-yield credit product, modeled after Strategy’s US-listed offerings.
Regulatory differences also shape the competitive landscape. Japan does not permit at-the-market share issuance, pushing Metaplanet to use a moving strike warrant structure to support its preferred offerings. While Saylor encouraged broader industry participation in digital credit issuance, Metaplanet emphasized balance sheet strength and said it plans to focus primarily on Japan and parts of Asia.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Robinhood Expands Fee Tiers, Boosts Leverage for Altcoin Futures
Robinhood is rolling out lower fees for high-volume US traders and expanding leveraged altcoin futures access in the EU as it targets more sophisticated crypto users.
Robinhood is broadening its appeal to advanced crypto traders by introducing lower fees and expanding leveraged futures access across the US and EU. The platform increased its US fee tiers from three to seven, with pricing that can reach 0.03 percent for high-volume customers. The changes are designed to position the company more competitively against exchanges that have long catered to professional traders.
In Europe, Robinhood is adding perpetual futures trading pairs for XRP, SOL, DOGE, and SUI, with eligible users able to access up to 7x leverage. Executives say the enhancements address gaps that previously pushed sophisticated traders to alternative venues offering deeper product suites and derivative tools.
The rollout follows continued growth in Robinhood’s crypto-driven revenue, which surged over 300 percent year-over-year in the third quarter. Executives also noted that recent market volatility has driven users toward platforms perceived as more regulated, boosting demand for the company’s expanded offering.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
US Spot XRP ETFs Extend 15-Day Inflow Streak Toward $1 Billion
US spot XRP ETFs have logged 15 consecutive days of inflows and are approaching $1 billion in net investments, supported by renewed institutional confidence following regulatory clarity.
US spot XRP exchange-traded funds are nearing a major milestone after recording 15 straight days of net inflows. This positioned the products to surpass $1 billion in assets in the coming days. According to industry data, the funds have accumulated $897 million since their launch on November 14, with allocations from issuers including Grayscale, Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, and Canary Capital driving most of the activity.
The inflow momentum follows the resolution of Ripple’s court dispute with the US Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this year, which confirmed that XRP is not a security while imposing penalties for earlier violations. Market analysts say the regulatory clarity has elevated institutional comfort with the asset, allowing XRP ETFs to attract steady inflows even as broader crypto markets experienced volatility.
Institutional desks have also supported the inflows through over-the-counter channels, which have provided liquidity during periods of pressure in bitcoin and ether ETFs. The sustained interest places XRP ETFs among the fastest-growing crypto investment vehicles launched in 2025 and signals expanding acceptance of the asset within traditional financial markets.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Crypto.com and 21Shares Partner to Expand Regulated Access to Cronos
Crypto.com and 21Shares have formed a strategic partnership to launch new investment products tracking the Cronos (CRO) token, including a private trust and ETF.
Crypto.com and 21Shares announced a strategic partnership to expand regulated access to the Cronos ecosystem through new investment vehicles tied to the CRO token. The firms plan to introduce both a private trust and an ETF.
Cronos, an Ethereum-compatible Layer 1 network built on the Cosmos SDK, has grown its developer base through dual EVM and Cosmos interoperability, low transaction costs, and scalable infrastructure. The initiative positions both companies to capitalize on rising institutional interest in diversified blockchain ecosystems beyond the major networks.
Executives from both firms emphasized the importance of regulated access and product innovation. 21Shares highlighted the ability to offer transparent investment pathways, while Crypto.com underscored its long-standing involvement in supporting Cronos. The partnership follows an existing collaboration between the companies and reinforces the broader trend of asset managers expanding offerings tied to emerging crypto networks.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
BlackRock Files for Staked Ethereum ETF
BlackRock has submitted an SEC filing for a staked Ethereum ETF, signaling a shift in regulatory attitudes toward staking products under new agency leadership.
BlackRock has filed for a staked Ethereum exchange-traded fund. The firm submitted an S-1 registration statement to the SEC, beginning the review process for the proposed iShares Ethereum Staking Trust. A separate 19b-4 filing from the listing exchange will be required before regulators face a formal approval deadline.
The move reflects a material shift in SEC posture under Chair Paul Atkins. Under previous leadership, the agency pushed ETF issuers to exclude staking features, citing concerns that staking services could resemble unregistered securities offerings. The updated climate has encouraged several issuers to revisit their earlier filings.
BlackRock already manages an $11 billion Ethereum fund, which will remain distinct from the new product. If approved, the staked version would allow investors to access Ethereum’s yield-generating mechanism without directly participating in staking operations.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
NEAR Reaches 1 Million TPS in Public Benchmark
NEAR Protocol has achieved 1 million transactions per second in a publicly verifiable benchmark using real code and consumer-grade hardware.
NEAR Protocol reported achieving 1 million transactions per second in a publicly verifiable benchmark designed to reflect realistic network conditions. The test used actual NEAR core code, 70 shards, and cost-efficient Google Cloud C4D machines, replicating hardware setups accessible to independent validators. The result supports NEAR’s architectural approach, which relies on horizontal scaling through sharding rather than monolithic block production.
The benchmark reinforces the protocol’s long-standing thesis that distributing execution and state across parallel shards allows throughput to increase as demand grows. NEAR’s recent upgrades, including Nightshade 2.0 and stateless validation, have contributed to higher efficiency and lower hardware requirements for network participants.
According to the engineering team, most optimizations applied during the benchmark will be included in upcoming releases. The milestone underscores NEAR’s intent to support high-volume applications, including cross-chain activity and emerging onchain AI systems, without compromising decentralization or cost efficiency.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Bybit and Circle Announce Strategic USDC Adoption Partnership
Bybit has formed a strategic partnership with an affiliate of Circle Internet Group, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, to expand global USDC access and liquidity across its ecosystem.
Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has announced a strategic partnership with an affiliate of Circle to drive the global adoption and utility of the USDC stablecoin. The agreement focuses on strengthening USDC liquidity across Bybit’s spot and derivatives markets, aiming to create a more efficient trading environment for its extensive user base. This move aligns with Bybit’s goal of enhancing its platform’s regulatory compliance and market stability.
The collaboration will also see an expansion of USDC integration across Bybit’s product suite, including Bybit Earn for savings, Bybit Card for rewards, and Bybit Pay for daily transactions. Furthermore, the partnership includes integrating Circle’s infrastructure to improve fiat on- and off-ramp solutions, which will streamline deposits and withdrawals for users converting between local currencies and digital assets in key markets.
This strategic move follows Bybit’s recent regulatory expansion, including securing a full Virtual Asset Platform Operator License from the UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority. The partnership with Circle, a key player in regulated digital finance, underscores Bybit’s commitment to responsible innovation and bridging traditional finance with the digital asset economy using a fully reserved, transparent stablecoin.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Robinhood Moves into Indonesia with Dual Acquisition
Robinhood is set to acquire Indonesian brokerage PT Buana Capital Sekuritas and crypto trader PT Pedagang Aset Kripto, which will mark its entry into Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
Robinhood is set to enter the Indonesian market through agreements to acquire brokerage PT Buana Capital Sekuritas and digital asset trader PT Pedagang Aset Kripto. The deals, announced on December 7, are subject to approval from the Indonesian Financial Services Authority and are expected to close in the first half of 2026.
The move positions Robinhood to expand its global footprint in a fast-growing trading market. The company plans to continue serving Buana Capital’s existing brokerage clients while preparing to introduce its own suite of services, including access to US equities and digital assets. Patrick Chan, head of Asia at Robinhood, said Indonesia’s rise as a retail trading hub aligns with the firm’s broader strategy.
Indonesia has seen increasing interest from international crypto firms, supported by rising retail participation and expanding local infrastructure. The deal also keeps majority owner Pieter Tanuri involved as a strategic advisor once the acquisitions are completed.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.