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Visa Crypto Card Spending Jumps 525% in 2025
Spending on Visa-issued crypto cards rose sharply in 2025, driven by higher stablecoin usage and growing adoption of crypto-linked payment products.
Spending on Visa-issued crypto cards increased 525% in 2025, according to Dune Analytics, with net spend rising from $14.6 million in January to $91.3 million by year-end. The data covers six crypto cards issued through partnerships with blockchain and DeFi projects, reflecting a sharp acceleration in crypto-linked consumer payments.
EtherFi led all issuers with $55.4 million in total spending, followed by Cypher at $20.5 million. Other contributors included cards from GnosisPay, Avici Money, Exa App, and Moonwell. The figures suggest crypto cards are gaining traction beyond niche use cases, particularly for stablecoin-based transactions.
The growth aligns with Visa’s broader push into stablecoin infrastructure. The payments firm now supports multiple blockchains and has expanded partnerships aimed at banks, fintechs, and merchants, signaling deeper integration of digital assets into traditional payment rails.
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.
PwC Expands Crypto Services after US Regulatory Shift
PwC has expanded its crypto business as clearer US regulation and stablecoin legislation reduce uncertainty for professional services firms operating in digital assets.
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has expanded its crypto-related services following shifts in the US regulatory environment, according to CEO Paul Griggs. He cited new leadership at key regulators and progress on stablecoin legislation, including the GENIUS Act, as factors that increased confidence in offering digital asset services.
Griggs said clearer rulemaking around stablecoins and tokenization has reduced uncertainty for firms advising institutional clients. PwC, one of the Big Four accounting firms, reported global revenues of $56.9 billion and has steadily increased its exposure to digital assets over the past year as client demand broadened.
The firm now provides crypto-related services across audit, consulting, cybersecurity, wallet management, and regulatory compliance. PwC works with crypto-native firms, traditional financial institutions entering the sector, and public-sector entities. Its expansion mirrors a wider trend among large professional services firms positioning for regulated growth in crypto 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.
Bitcoin DeFi Faces MiCA Stress Test Ahead of July 2026
The EU’s MiCA framework will fully apply by July 2026, tightening oversight on crypto intermediaries while testing the resilience of Bitcoin-linked DeFi activity.
The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation will reach full implementation by July 2026, forcing crypto exchanges, custodians, stablecoin issuers and portfolio managers to obtain EU authorization. The framework eliminates third-country equivalence, requiring non-EU firms to establish a local presence to serve European users.
While MiCA exempts fully decentralized protocols, regulators are focusing on intermediaries such as front-end operators and infrastructure providers. Guidance from the European Securities and Markets Authority introduces a spectrum of decentralization, allowing scrutiny of access points even when underlying smart contracts remain immutable. This approach mirrors earlier enforcement actions that targeted interfaces rather than code.
Self-custody wallets avoid direct classification as regulated entities, but related transfer rules require exchanges to log certain transactions from private wallets. For Bitcoin DeFi, the combined measures raise compliance costs and may restrict access, favoring larger platforms capable of operating within the new regulatory perimeter.
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 Integrates Benzinga Data for Equity Traders
Crypto.com has integrated Benzinga’s US equities data to expand market visibility for traders as crypto platforms broaden into traditional finance.
Crypto.com has partnered with financial media and data firm Benzinga to integrate US equities market intelligence directly into its trading platform. The collaboration adds access to datasets including earnings calendars, IPO activity, analyst ratings, insider and government trades, and company identifiers.
The move reflects Crypto.com’s push to deepen functionality for users trading beyond digital assets, particularly as retail investors increasingly seek unified access across asset classes. By embedding equities-focused data, the platform aims to provide greater context around corporate activity, macro signals, and event-driven market dynamics.
The integration highlights a broader industry trend as crypto-native platforms expand into traditional financial products while leveraging established data providers. As regulatory clarity improves and competition intensifies, access to institutional-grade market intelligence is becoming a differentiator for exchanges positioning themselves as multi-asset trading hubs.
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 Exchange Volume Slides to 15-Month Low
Spot trading activity across centralized and decentralized crypto exchanges declined sharply in December, reflecting muted volatility and year-end positioning.
Spot trading volume on centralized crypto exchanges fell to $1.13 trillion in December, the lowest level since September 2024, according to market data. The figure represented a 32% decline from November and a nearly 50% drop from October, with Binance retaining the largest share of activity among major platforms.
Decentralized exchanges also recorded weaker volumes, with monthly trading falling to $245 billion, down 20% from the prior month. Analysts cited seasonal factors, reduced volatility, and year-end portfolio adjustments as key drivers behind the broad slowdown. Capital migration away from centralized venues further weighed on activity.
Despite the pullback, decentralized platforms gained relative share, with the DEX-to-CEX volume ratio rising to nearly 18%. The shift reflects ongoing structural changes toward self-custody and on-chain execution, even as overall market participation remains cautious amid a wider crypto market consolidation.
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.
Bitcoin ETF Momentum Builds in South Korea
South Korea’s main exchange signaled operational readiness for crypto ETFs, even as regulatory approval remains unresolved under current securities laws.
South Korea’s Korea Exchange said it is prepared to support cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds as part of a broader effort to modernize domestic capital markets. Speaking at the exchange’s New Year opening ceremony, Chairman Jeong Eun-bo highlighted crypto ETFs and derivatives as potential new products, alongside initiatives such as extended trading hours and digital finance upgrades.
Despite the operational readiness, regulatory approval remains a key obstacle. Under current rules, digital assets are not recognized as eligible underlying assets for securities, preventing the launch of crypto ETFs. The Financial Services Commission has indicated it is reviewing potential reforms through a dedicated crypto committee, including changes to the Capital Markets Act.
Momentum for crypto ETFs has been building across South Korea’s financial sector and political landscape. Industry groups have publicly backed Bitcoin and Ether ETFs to meet growing demand for regulated exposure, while recent political commitments have further elevated the issue. For now, market infrastructure appears ready, but regulatory clarity remains the decisive factor.
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.
Turkmenistan Legalizes Crypto Mining and Exchanges
Turkmenistan has enacted new legislation legalizing cryptocurrency mining and exchanges, aiming to attract foreign investment and support economic development under a regulated framework.
Turkmenistan has formally legalized cryptocurrency mining and exchange operations after putting into effect its new Law on Virtual Assets. The legislation, signed by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, establishes a legal framework for the creation, use and exchange of virtual assets as part of a broader effort to support economic growth and attract foreign capital.
Under the law, virtual assets are classified strictly as property rather than legal tender or securities. The framework divides assets into secured tokens backed by underlying assets and unsecured tokens. Cryptocurrencies cannot be used to pay for goods or services and are limited to investment and ownership purposes.
The legislation permits both individual and corporate crypto mining, provided operators register with the Central Bank of Turkmenistan and comply with technical standards. Crypto exchanges and custodial services are also authorized to operate under central bank licensing, with mandatory know-your-customer and anti-money-laundering requirements, reinforcing regulatory oversight while opening the sector to regulated participation.
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.
Trump Media Plans Digital Token Distribution to Shareholders
Trump Media said it will issue a new digital token to DJT shareholders using Crypto.com’s Cronos blockchain, linking equity ownership with blockchain-based rewards.
Trump Media and Technology Group said it plans to distribute a new digital token to shareholders, marking a rare intersection between a publicly listed media company and on-chain token issuance. Under the program, shareholders will be eligible to receive one token for each whole share of DJT held once the initiative launches.
The token will be issued on Crypto.com’s Cronos blockchain and may include periodic rewards tied to Trump Media’s products, including Truth Social, the Truth+ streaming service, and Truth Predict. The company said further details on the structure and timing of the distribution will be announced in the new year.
The announcement was followed by a positive market reaction. DJT shares rose in pre-market trading, while the CRO token also moved higher before moderating. The move comes as Trump Media positions itself amid growing corporate interest in blockchain-based engagement tools and as regulatory clarity around digital assets continues to evolve.
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.
Strategy Shares Post First Six-Month Losing Streak
Strategy shares recorded their first six-month losing streak since adopting Bitcoin as a treasury asset in 2020, diverging from past drawdown patterns.
Strategy shares declined in each of the final six months of 2025, marking the first uninterrupted half-year losing streak since the company adopted Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset in 2020. The persistence of the decline contrasts with prior selloffs, which historically included sharp rebound months.
The stock posted significant monthly losses between July and December, even as Strategy continued to add to its Bitcoin holdings. During earlier market cycles, similar drawdowns were typically followed by rallies, particularly during the 2022 bear market. The absence of a recovery in late 2025 suggests a more sustained repricing by equity investors.
Strategy’s shares underperformed both Bitcoin and the broader equity market. While Bitcoin declined modestly over the same period, the Nasdaq 100 advanced strongly in 2025. The divergence highlights growing investor sensitivity to balance-sheet risk and equity valuation, despite continued institutional interest in Bitcoin exposure through corporate treasuries.
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.
Solana Whale Accumulation Leads Early 2026 Crypto Trends
Whale accumulation tied to Solana tokens emerged as the most discussed crypto trend at the start of 2026, according to onchain analytics firm Santiment.
Cryptocurrency markets opened 2026 with heightened attention on Solana, as Santiment data identified whale accumulation of SOL-linked tokens as the leading crypto trend. The analytics firm reported repeated purchases of 10 or more SOL by large wallets across multiple Solana-based assets.
Santiment noted that while market capitalizations among these tokens vary, liquidity conditions remain relatively strong. Behavioral heuristic scores for the tracked assets averaged around 70%, suggesting steady engagement from larger holders despite broader market volatility. Solana has declined significantly over the past three months, underscoring a divergence between recent price performance and accumulation activity.
Beyond Solana, Santiment highlighted continued discussion around corporate Bitcoin accumulation strategies and broader institutional developments shaping digital asset markets. Early 2026 social data reflects ongoing interest in how large holders, corporate balance sheets, and regulated investment vehicles are influencing crypto market structure, even as risk sentiment remains measured.
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.
Pi Network Suspends Wallet Requests amid Scam Surge
Pi Network has temporarily disabled wallet payment requests after rising scams targeted users with large PI balances, prompting network intervention.
Pi Network has temporarily suspended wallet payment requests after a surge in scams targeting accounts with high PI balances. Attackers used social engineering techniques, impersonating trusted contacts to trick users into approving token transfers, rather than exploiting protocol vulnerabilities. Once approved, transfers are irreversible, prompting the network to intervene to prevent further losses.
Community reports indicate coordinated scams, with one wallet reportedly receiving over 838,000 PI in December 2025. Overall, users have lost millions of tokens throughout the year. The Pi Core Team emphasized that losses occur only when users approve requests and advised rejecting all incoming requests regardless of the sender’s identity.
The pause comes amid broader network developments, including AI-enhanced KYC processes and a hackathon highlighting new ecosystem initiatives. Despite these efforts, PI trades near $0.20, pressured by low liquidity and ongoing token unlocks, leaving market participants cautious. Analysts expect the token to remain range-bound without a sustained improvement in user adoption and investor confidence.
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.
NFT Supply Hits 1.3 Billion as Sales Decline
The NFT market saw supply rise to 1.34 billion in 2025, while total sales fell 37%, reflecting a high-volume, lower-price market dynamic.
The NFT market expanded in 2025 as total supply reached 1.34 billion tokens, up 25% from 2024, even as sales declined by 37% to $5.63 billion. Average sale prices also fell, dropping from $124 in 2024 to $96, indicating weaker buyer participation amid growing token availability.
NFT minting accelerated over recent years, rising from 38 million in 2021 to over 1.3 billion in 2025. While platforms lowered entry barriers and creators scaled production, the market struggled to absorb the influx of assets, creating a high-volume, low-price environment.
Market capitalization continued to contract, closing the year near $2.4 billion compared with a peak of $17 billion in 2022. The data suggest that the NFT sector is transitioning from speculative-driven pricing toward more utility-focused or low-cost offerings, with increased competition for buyer attention across a larger token base.
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.
Lighter $675M Airdrop Ranks 10th Largest in Crypto
Lighter’s $675M LIT airdrop became crypto’s 10th largest, with most recipients holding tokens, highlighting early adoption despite tokenomics concerns.
Lighter, a decentralized exchange specializing in perpetual futures, airdropped $675 million worth of LIT tokens to early participants, marking the 10th largest airdrop in cryptocurrency history. Blockchain data shared by Bubblemaps indicates that only $30 million of the distributed tokens were withdrawn immediately, with roughly 75% of recipients retaining their holdings.
The airdrop surpassed 1inch Network’s $671 million distribution, although it remains behind Uniswap’s $6.43 billion record from 2020. Some early participants, including pseudonymous crypto investors, reportedly received six-figure allocations, signaling significant initial engagement with the platform.
Despite the strong uptake, market observers have raised concerns over Lighter’s tokenomics. Half of LIT’s supply is allocated to the ecosystem, while the remaining half is reserved for the team and investors under a one-year cliff and multi-year vesting schedule. As of reporting, the LIT token traded above $2.71 with a market capitalization of nearly $678 million, suggesting early confidence but limited liquidity for long-term market expansion.
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.
Cypherpunk Acquires $28 Million in Zcash, Expands Holdings
Winklevoss-backed Cypherpunk Technologies purchased $28 million of Zcash, increasing its holdings to roughly 1.76% of the cryptocurrency’s circulating supply.
Cypherpunk Technologies, backed by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, acquired $28 million of Zcash, bringing its total holdings to 290,062 ZEC, approximately 1.76% of the cryptocurrency’s circulating supply. The firm purchased 56,418 tokens at an average price of $514, building on prior acquisitions, including an $18 million purchase in November.
The company’s average cost basis of $334.41 per ZEC places it among the few digital asset treasury firms with unrealized gains following recent market volatility. Zcash has gained more than 1,200% since September, benefiting from renewed investor interest in privacy-focused coins and growing attention to digital asset confidentiality.
Cypherpunk’s chief investment officer, Will McEvoy, noted that the firm continues to target 5% of the Zcash network. The move signals strategic accumulation of privacy assets and reflects institutional interest in coins, emphasizing secure, private transactions amid broader market repricing.
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.
Spot Bitcoin ETFs See $355 Million Inflows
US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $355 million in net inflows, ending a seven-day stretch of outflows amid renewed institutional demand.
US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded $355 million in net inflows on December 30, ending a seven-day period of sustained outflows. The rebound was led by BlackRock’s IBIT, Ark, and 21Shares’ ARKB, and Fidelity’s FBTC, with smaller contributions from funds managed by Grayscale, Bitwise, and VanEck.
Market participants attributed the shift to easing year-end pressures, including tax-loss harvesting and portfolio de-risking. Analysts noted that positive flows during a holiday period with reduced liquidity suggest continued institutional engagement rather than short-term retail activity.
The improvement in Bitcoin ETF flows coincided with renewed inflows across other crypto-linked products. Spot Ethereum ETFs returned to positive territory, while recently launched spot ETFs tied to XRP, Solana, and Dogecoin also reported net inflows. The broader pattern reflects gradual normalization in crypto ETF markets as issuers expand product offerings and institutional investors maintain measured exposure to digital assets.
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.