Spain plans to fully apply EU crypto frameworks in 2026, targeting mid‑2026 for MiCA enforcement and January 1, 2026 for DAC8. The CNMV will supervise MiCA, and firms must secure authorization by July 1, 2026. DAC8 will require automatic reporting of transactions and balances and grant seizure powers to tax authorities.

On December 22, 2025, Galaxy Digital researcher Alex Thorn said Bitcoin’s nominal all-time high of $126,000 equates to $99,848 when adjusted using 2020 dollars, leaving it just under the $100,000 threshold. Over the same period, U.S. inflation data indicates the dollar’s purchasing power has fallen by about 20%, while gold and silver have hit fresh records and some analysts warn of potentially higher inflation ahead.

ZOOZ Strategy Ltd said on Monday it received a December 16 notice from Nasdaq's Listing Qualifications Department stating it no longer meets Rule 5550(a)(2)'s $1.00 bid minimum on the Capital Market. The company has until June 15, 2026 to achieve at least 10 straight sessions at or above $1 and is evaluating a reverse split. Google Finance shows the stock down over 84% in 12 months.

The Japan Fair Trade Commission plans a fact-finding investigation into AI-driven search services provided by companies including Google, Microsoft and Japan’s LY Corp., focusing on potential antimonopoly law violations related to the use of news content. The probe, described by an official as a move to better understand current practices, will also cover conversational AI operators such as OpenAI and Perplexity AI and will extend a 2023 investigation into online news distribution contracts. In parallel, European and UK regulators are tightening scrutiny of large US tech firms over generative AI training data, adtech practices and competition rules.

Crypto.com is recruiting quantitative traders to staff an internal market‑making desk that will trade sports‑linked prediction contracts directly against customers on its exchange. The role, described in a recent job posting, focuses on buying and selling event‑based financial contracts to boost liquidity and “maximize profits while carefully managing risks.” The move has intensified debate over potential conflicts of interest, as rivals Kalshi and Polymarket face lawsuits and criticism over similar in‑house trading operations.

The Federal Reserve has released a proposal and opened a public feedback portal on creating so-called "skinny" payment accounts that would let certain fintech and crypto firms access its payment systems on a limited basis. Under the plan, non-bank institutions could clear and settle their own transactions via designated accounts linked to Fed master accounts, with strict caps, no interest, and risk controls, while some policymakers have raised concerns over safeguards against financial crime.

On December 23 2025, Santiment reported that XRP's social media sentiment fell to one of its most negative readings in two months as the token traded more than 30% below recent highs. The article adds that a similar fear spike on November 21 was followed by a roughly 22% three-day rebound, while price recently slipped under $1.93.

On December 19, 2025, SWIFT detailed progress on integrating a blockchain-based ledger into its global payment network. The effort involves collaboration with more than 30 banks and aims to enable real-time, 24/7 cross-border payments with transaction validation and smart-contract features for tokenized assets. Thierry Chilosi cited prototype work with Consensys and consultations on settlement models.

Hyundai Group's headquarters in Seoul received an email demanding 13 Bitcoins and threatening detonations at 11:30 AM if unpaid, according to South Korea's police. The message cited sites in Jongno-gu and Seocho-gu; 13 BTC is worth $1.1 million (KRW 16.4 billion) at current prices. Police searched facilities and said no explosive devices were found.