The U.S. Federal Reserve has taken a notable step in reshaping how banks under its supervision can engage with crypto, reversing guidance introduced in 2023 that had sharply limited such activities. Related Reading The decision reflects a broader reassessment inside the central bank about how regulation should adapt to financial innovation, especially as digital assets continue to intersect with traditional banking infrastructure. Under the earlier framework, uninsured state-chartered banks were required to follow the same constraints as federally insured institutions in order to remain under Federal Reserve supervision. That approach effectively barred some crypto banks from accessing core payment systems or Federal Reserve membership.

The U.S. senators negotiating the crypto market structure bill have rarely been so openly eager to find a bipartisan solution for that legislation. Even as political noise and clashes with President Donald Trump rage around them, lawmakers and staffers have met for an earnest series of talks seeking to hash out the industry's regulatory destiny in the U.S. Despite this increasingly rare bipartisan exercise and the confidence expressed by some of the leading players, the unresolved details of the legislation are significant, and some of the coming headwinds are out of their hands.

Crypto crash prediction after BOJ rate hike: Cryptocurrency markets are facing heightened volatility this week as investors await the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) interest rate decision, scheduled for December 19. Bitcoin and other major digital assets have pulled back in recent sessions amid rising odds of a historic rate hike. Bitcoin price USD today dips to $84,567 amid BOJ rate hike expectations Bitcoin was trading at 84,567 on Thursday, down about 7% from this month’s high and roughly 30% below its all-time peak. Meanwhile, Polymarket assigns a 99% probability to a BOJ rate increase, reflecting growing market expectations, as per a Crypto.News report.

Bitcoin (BTC) moved closer to reclaiming $90,000 after US inflation cooled more than expected, with the November CPI coming in at 2.7% year-over-year versus forecasts of 3.1%. The softer print narrows the gap to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, easing near-term inflation pressure and reviving risk appetite across markets. Key takeaways: The lower-than-expected CPI print generated a positive response from Bitcoin as new positions opened versus the usual short covering. Onchain data shows “balance-sheet” repair and loss absorption for BTC, not capitulation. CPI print lifts BTC price as positioning rebuilds near $90,000…

The SEC's approval of generic listing standards for crypto ETPs on Sept. 17 cut the launch timeline to 75 days and opened the door to plain-vanilla products. Bitwise predicts more than 100 crypto-linked ETFs will launch in 2026. James Seyffart, senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg, backed the call but added a caveat: “We're going to see a lot of liquidations.” That pairing of explosive growth and swift culling defines the next phase, as generic standards solve a timing problem rather than a liquidity problem. For Bitcoin, Ethereum, and…

SoFi Technologies has launched SoFiUSD, a fully reserved US dollar stablecoin issued by its banking subsidiary, SoFi Bank. According to Thursday’s announcement, SoFiUSD is backed one-to-one by cash held by SoFi Bank, a nationally chartered and insured depository institution, and is redeemable on demand. It is designed to support low-cost settlement for banks, fintechs and enterprise platforms. A SoFi spokesperson told Cointelegraph that SoFiUSD will initially be issued on the Ethereum network, with plans to add support to other blockchains over time. The company said SoFiUSD can be used across a range of payment and settlement functions, including card networks, retailers, remittances through SoFi Pay and transactions on its Galileo platform, with potential use as a dollar-denominated asset in markets with volatile currencies. 

The Indian market ended largely unchanged on Thursday, as the Sensex and Nifty struggled for direction after three consecutive sessions of losses, paring early declines as gains in IT and financial stocks helped steady the market. The S&P BSE Sensex slipped 78 points, or 0.09%, to close at 84,481.81, while the NSE Nifty 50 edged down 3 points, or 0.01%, to 25,815.55. Here's how analysts read the market pulse: Domestic equities navigated a volatile session amid subdued global cues, with large-cap stocks lagging behind mid-cap and small-cap counterparts, said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Investments, adding that after three consecutive declines, early gains were supported by value buying and a rupee recovery aided by central bank intervention.

ICP$2.9922 rose about 2.2% over the past 24 hours to trade around $3.01, reclaiming the $3 level after several sessions of consolidation just below that threshold. The move marks a continuation of the token’s recent recovery, with price action showing a steady series of higher lows, according to CoinDesk Research's technical analysis data model. The push above $3 came after ICP held support near the $2.90–$2.95 zone, where trading activity picked up. Volume increased during the advance, although it did not spike to levels typically associated with strong breakout momentum, suggesting the move was driven by incremental positioning rather than a shift in market conviction.

Guwahati: Assam cabinet meeting on Thursday approved the allotment of land required for the Ammonia-Urea Project, the foundation stone of which will be laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 21. The cabinet has considered the importance of biodiversity conservation, the Cabinet approved the declaration of Kumari Beel (270 hectares) and Dhamar Beel (337 hectares), both located in Goalpara district, as Proposed Reserved Forests under the relevant provisions of The Assam Forest Regulation, 1891. The Cabinet approved the transfer of 607 bighas of government land at Kareng Chapori in Dhemaji district for the construction of a new Group Centre of the…

In 2025, crypto hacks increased significantly. The cybercriminals associated with the North Korean government stole more than $2 billion in digital currencies, particularly Ethereum and Solana. According to investigators, their attacks had fallen by 74% relative to the previous year, but was significantly more impactful. Hence, the total theft was higher despite security improvements by crypto firms. Why North Korean Crypto Attacks Are Getting Bigger This dramatic shift shows how the isolated nation has perfected its crypto theft strategy. Instead of launching many small attacks, they now focus on massive heists that yield billions.

Micron Technology shares rose nearly 16% on Thursday, following an outsized profit forecast on the back of a worldwide supply crunch of memory chips amid robust demand from AI data centres. A memory shortage across industries - from smartphones to sprawling data centres - has boosted prices, prompting Micron to forecast second-quarter adjusted profit at nearly double of Wall Street expectations. This dynamic "is boosting incredible market pricing for Micron and its memory chip peers," Morningstar analysts wrote in a note. "The current cyclical upswing is generating tremendous shareholder value."

Pi Coin price rose by 1.05% today, Dec. 18, mirroring the performance of Bitcoin and other altcoins. It has jumped by 5.8% from its lowest level this week. However, there is a likelihood that it may retreat as an analyst warns that Bitcoin may drop to $70,000 after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) interest rate hike. Pi Coin Price at Risk as Analyst Warns of a Bitcoin Crash After the BoJ Rate Hike  A top crypto analyst has warned that the Bitcoin price may crash in the near term as odds that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) will deliver its first interest rate hike in eleven months.

While most countries attempting to experiment with tokenization get bogged down in regulatory indecision over tokenization, the United Arab Emirates focuses on the real-world application of tokenized assets. That distinction is what makes the UAE arguably the world’s most advanced living lab for tokenized economies. From policy experiment to economic engine Don’t get me wrong: laws and investor protection measures are necessary foundations for trust and participation, but they’re the scaffolding, not the structure, for successfully creating a tokenized economy. The UAE’s strategy goes further than rule-making. It sees tokenization not as a speculative financial niche, but as a foundation for how its economy will create, verify, and exchange value in the coming decades.

SoFi (SOFI) has launched a U.S. dollar stablecoin, SoFiUSD, in a bid to bring faster, cheaper money movement to banks, fintechs and enterprise platforms. The coin is issued by SoFi Bank, a nationally chartered and FDIC-insured institution, making it the first U.S. national bank to offer open access to its stablecoin infrastructure. Last month, JPMorgan launched its deposit token, JPM Coin, on Base. SoFiUSD will be available for internal use for now with a broader rollout to SoFi members expected in the coming months. Unlike stablecoins issued by crypto-native firms, SoFiUSD is fully backed 1:1 by cash held at the Federal Reserve, meaning users can redeem it immediately without facing credit or liquidity risk.

Fresh IPOs racing higher for days after listing may not just be about demand and hype. According to Zerodha founder and CEO Nithin Kamath, a less visible technical factor is increasingly driving these sharp post-listing moves and punishing traders who bet against them. In a detailed post on X, Kamath said he has noticed that many recent IPOs continue to rise for two to three sessions after debut, even when valuations appear stretched. While limited free float and strong demand are obvious reasons, he pointed to settlement mechanics and…

Crypto market down today: The crypto market is under pressure today as broader financial markets turn cautious. Total cryptocurrency market value fell sharply over the past 24 hours, mirroring losses in U.S. technology stocks. Bitcoin is struggling to regain momentum. Major altcoins are seeing deeper declines. At the center of today’s move is risk aversion. Investors are reducing exposure to volatile assets as equity markets weaken. The Nasdaq fell more than 1.8%, and crypto followed closely. Data shows the total crypto market cap now has a correlation of nearly 0.9 with U.S.

Robinhood:- When Robinhood founder Vlad Tenev’s name surfaces in headlines, it is almost always tied to Robinhood. Well that makes senses too. The company is emerging as the rapidly growing crypto trading app, expanding deeper into prediction markets recently. From crypto trading to sports event contracts and international expansion into markets like Indonesia, its founder Vlad Tenev is aiming to make Robinhood ‘the financial superapp’. But behind the familiar Robinhood narrative lies a quieter, far more radical bet. Away from trading screens and market forecasts, Tenev has been pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into an obscure but ambitious frontier – “mathematical superintelligence”.

Veteran chartist Peter Brandt is flagging what he calls a “potential double top” on XRP’s weekly chart, a classic reversal setup that, if confirmed, would argue for materially lower prices — even as other traders point to a washed-out weekly RSI reading that has historically aligned with prior bottom zones. Peter Brandt Flags XRP Double Top Pattern Brandt posted the chart to X on Dec. 17 and didn’t bother softening the message for XRP’s online faithful. “I know in advance that all you Riplosts $XRP will forever remind me of this post — ask me if I care,” he wrote, before adding: “This is a potential double top.

India’s free trade agreement with Oman has, for the first time, included the country’s traditional medicine systems, a move expected to significantly expand market access for Ayush products in the Gulf nation. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed on Thursday, includes a dedicated annexe recognising trade in health-related and traditional medicine services. An official statement described this as a landmark provision, noting that Oman’s commitment to traditional medicine spans all modes of supply — the first such comprehensive commitment made by any country — and opens up new opportunities for India’s Ayush and wellness sectors in the region.

Pernod Ricard’s return to product innovation with the launch of its new Xclamat!on spirits range is expected to intensify competition in India’s fast-growing premium alcohol segment, though the near-term impact on incumbents is likely to be gradual, said Karan Taurani, Executive Vice-President at Elara Securities. Speaking to ET Now, Taurani said the launch marks Pernod’s first major new product series in several years, after a prolonged focus on renovating existing brands. The Xclamat!on range spans vodka, gin, whisky and tequila, positioned in the upper-prestige price segment, rather than ultra-luxury.

Bitcoin price continues to weaken after breaking below its recent consolidation range, now trading within a descending channel on lower timeframes.  The broader crypto market dropped 1.51% in 24 hours, deepening the week’s losses to 7%.  Any fall below the current support could cause a drop to $74,000. This fall follows in anticipation of the decision by Japan in December 19 to increase its rates, and hence this may affect the global liquidity. Key altcoins such as ETH, SOL, and XRP experienced considerable losses as well. Bitcoin is at risk of falling by a significant margin to $74,000 ahead of a critical rate ruling by the…

The US Federal Reserve (Fed) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announce key crypto policy changes and guidance, reducing crypto adoption barriers. It provides a major boost for institutional investor participation, tokenization, and overall crypto market liquidity. Will it trigger a Bitcoin and a broader crypto market recovery? The US Fed Boosts Bank-Crypto Market Ties The Fed has withdrawn its 2023 policy statement and issued a new directive regarding the treatment of certain supervised banks. The new policy allows insured and uninsured member banks to engage in crypto-related activities.

Hudson Williams, 24, the rising star of Heated Rivalry who plays Shane Hollander, is opening up about the regimen behind his fit physique, glowing skin, and overall wellness. In an exclusive interview with The Cut, Williams detailed his diet, workout routines, supplements, and skincare habits, including a playful mission to “grow that Connor Storrie butt,” a nod to his co-star. Hudson Williams is a Canadian actor, writer, and director, best known for playing Shane Hollander in the Crave series Heated Rivalry (2025). Born in Kamloops, British Columbia, he grew up playing basketball and practicing mixed martial arts and earned an acting certificate.

India’s competition regulator has approved Coinbase’s plan to acquire a minority stake in CoinDCX, allowing the U.S.-based exchange to deepen its exposure to one of the world’s fastest-growing crypto markets. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) cleared the transaction on Wednesday, giving Coinbase the green light to invest in DCX Global Limited, the parent company of CoinDCX. Loading... Coinbase has been an investor in CoinDCX since 2020. The latest capital infusion signals a renewed commitment to India after the exchange reopened user registrations in the country last week following a two-year hiatus.

Japanese government bond (JGB) yields edged higher on Thursday as investors awaited signals on future interest rate hikes from Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda's comments at his post-policy meeting news conference on Friday. The 10-year JGB yield inched up 0.5 basis point (bp) to 1.980%, matching the 18-year high reached in the previous session. With the BOJ widely expected to raise interest rates by 25 basis points to a three-decade high of 0.75% at the end of its two-day policy meeting on Friday, the market awaits signals from Ueda on the future rate-hike path.