Stablecoin

Cryptocurrency funding reached nearly $25 billion in 2025, representing a surge of over 150% compared to 2024. Centralized exchanges attracted approximately $4.4 billion, followed by prediction markets with $3.2 billion and DeFi platforms with $2.9 billion, data show. The influx signals a marked shift in institutional sentiment toward blockchain and digital-asset ventures.

Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has submitted formal recommendations to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission requesting updated regulatory frameworks for digital assets. The submission addresses decentralized finance oversight, stablecoin collateral use, and standards for integrated trading platforms. Coinbase argues that current U.S. rules do not reflect the structure of modern crypto markets and proposes practical oversight measures that balance innovation with investor protection.

Uzbekistan will launch a regulatory sandbox on January 1, 2026, allowing stablecoin-based payments and issuance of tokenized stocks and bonds under supervised conditions. The National Agency for Perspective Projects and the central bank will manage the framework to test digital payment systems while maintaining strict oversight. Licensed entities will be authorized to issue tokenized equities and bonds, with stock exchanges preparing dedicated platforms for these digital securities.

ETH deposits on Aave reached a record high above 3 million tokens, doubling over the past year. The protocol now holds approximately 50% of total DeFi lending value with $21.4 billion in active loans. Users increasingly leverage Ethereum-based collateral for borrowing as the platform approaches its 92% utilization threshold.

Uzbekistan will introduce a regulatory sandbox enabling stablecoin use in payments from January 1, 2026, the Ministry of Justice announced. The Central Asian nation will also permit domestic firms to issue tokenized stocks and bonds under the new framework. Authorities will establish a $50 million venture fund to support fintech development.

Animoca Brands will prioritize stablecoin issuance and real-world asset tokenization as core initiatives in 2026, Chief Strategy Officer Keyvan Peymani said. The Hong Kong-based Web3 investor announced plans for an RWA marketplace and stablecoin venture while pursuing a Nasdaq listing via reverse merger with Singapore fintech firm Currenc Group Inc.

Visa partnered with Aquanow on November 28, 2025, to bring USDC stablecoin settlement services to financial institutions across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The collaboration enables banks in the region to access near-instant, year-round settlements through Visa's payment infrastructure and Aquanow's blockchain liquidity solutions. Visa's global stablecoin settlement activity currently runs at a $2.5 billion annualized rate.

MegaETH, an Ethereum Layer 2 project, will refund all capital from its Pre-Deposit Bridge following operational failures during Tuesday's launch. The event encountered service outages, multiple deposit cap adjustments, and a multisig configuration error that caused unplanned early reopening. Deposits exceeded $400 million before the team halted further expansions.

Visa has deployed USDC-based settlement infrastructure across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, partnering with crypto infrastructure provider Aquanow. The system enables approved financial institutions to execute 24/7 cross-border settlements outside traditional banking hours, bypassing correspondent banking networks.

Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin has secured regulatory approval from the Abu Dhabi Global Market, marking a significant milestone for institutional adoption in the Gulf region. The authorization enables Financial Services Regulatory Authority-licensed entities to deploy RLUSD for cross-border payments, lending operations, and collateral management. The stablecoin currently maintains a market capitalization of approximately $1.03 billion.