Strategy Inc. has overtaken Standard Chartered in market capitalization, with its valuation reaching approximately $52–53 billion compared to the bank's $51 billion. MSCI is conducting a review of Strategy's inclusion in its equity indices, driven by concerns about the company's substantial Bitcoin exposure. A decision could be announced as early as January, according to JPMorgan analysts.

The cryptocurrency sector recorded mergers and acquisitions exceeding $12.9 billion in 2025, with U.S.-based deals alone surpassing $8.60 billion by November 20, according to PitchBook data. Major transactions included Coinbase's $2.9 billion acquisition of Deribit and Ripple's $1.25 billion purchase of Hidden Road. The surge reflects growing institutional confidence driven by reduced interest rates and clearer regulatory frameworks in the United States.

Binance elevated co-founder Yi He to co-CEO on December 11, establishing a dual leadership structure with Richard Teng. The appointment, announced at Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai, marks the exchange's most significant executive restructuring since Teng assumed the CEO role in November 2023. Yi He previously served as Chief Customer Service Officer and has been with Binance for over eight years since its 2017 founding.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has formally rejected multiple applications for 3x and 5x leveraged exchange-traded funds, citing violations of the 200% Value-at-Risk limit under Rule 18f-4. The regulator notified issuers on December 2, 2025, requesting they revise their strategies to comply with federal leverage restrictions or withdraw their filings. Rule 18f-4 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 caps leveraged ETF exposure at 2x under standard conditions, effectively barring ultra-leveraged products from registration.

The United Kingdom officially recognized cryptocurrencies and digital assets as personal property on December 2, 2025, when King Charles granted royal assent to the Property (Digital Assets, etc.) Bill. This legislative milestone establishes a distinct legal framework for digital holdings, enhancing ownership rights and investor protections across the UK market.

Huione Pay, a payment subsidiary of Huione Group, suspended all withdrawal operations in Cambodia on December 1, 2025. The halt follows liquidity challenges and intensified regulatory scrutiny from U.S. authorities targeting alleged money laundering activities, according to a FinCEN representative. Tether's USDT trades at $1.00 with a market cap of $184.74 billion.

The United Kingdom has enacted legislation formally classifying cryptocurrencies and stablecoins as personal property. The Property (Digital Assets etc) Bill received royal assent this week, establishing legal ownership rights for digital asset holders equivalent to those for traditional property.

Ten major European banks have formed Qivalis, a Dutch-based entity, to launch a regulated euro stablecoin in the second half of 2026. The consortium includes BNP Paribas, ING, UniCredit, and seven other lenders. Qivalis is seeking an Electronic Money Institution license from the Dutch central bank to issue a fully backed token under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets framework.