Japan is moving closer to a flat 20% crypto tax rate under its 2026 reform plan, though the lower levy will apply only to assets deemed “specified” under new regulatory rules.
A proposed California wealth tax targeting billionaires has drawn criticism from crypto founders and investors, who warn it could accelerate capital flight and undermine innovation.
China will allow commercial banks to pay interest on digital yuan holdings starting January 1, marking a shift in the central bank digital currency’s role within the financial system.
Bitcoin lagged broader markets during the year-end Santa rally, as equities and precious metals climbed to record highs while crypto traders reduced risk amid thin holiday liquidity.
Trust Wallet will cover roughly $7 million in user losses after a compromised browser extension led to a Christmas Day exploit affecting desktop users.
Clear Street named Coinbase a top fintech stock for 2026, citing stablecoin revenue, tokenization efforts, and expanding AI-driven products.
BNB Chain will activate its Fermi hard fork on Jan. 14, cutting block times to 250 milliseconds as the network targets higher throughput and time-sensitive applications.
NFT markets continued to weaken in December, with valuations, trading activity, and participation falling to their lowest levels of 2025.
US-listed Bitcoin ETFs recorded $825 million in net outflows over five trading days, underscoring seasonal selling pressure and reduced institutional risk appetite.
Crypto-related equities posted sharply mixed results in 2025, with miners and trading platforms outperforming broader markets while treasury-driven strategies lagged amid weaker token prices.
Crypto industry mergers and acquisitions hit a record $8.6 billion in 2025, driven by large strategic deals and a more supportive regulatory backdrop.
Spain will fully implement the EU’s MiCA framework by mid-2026, alongside stricter crypto reporting rules under the DAC8 directive starting earlier that year.
The Philippines has begun blocking access to Coinbase and Gemini as regulators intensify enforcement against crypto platforms operating without local licenses.
Prediction market Polymarket said recent account breaches were linked to a third-party login provider, after users reported missing funds and unauthorized access.
Hong Kong regulators have finalized licensing rules for crypto trading and custody providers, aligning oversight more closely with traditional securities regulation while launching a new consultation on advisory and asset management services.