Coinbase Rolls Out Stock Perpetual Futures for International Users

PayPal's PYUSD stablecoin payout option for YouTube creators is now live in the U.S., offering faster settlement times and reduced friction in cross-border transactions. This integration reflects the mainstream adoption of stablecoins as payment infrastructure, potentially unlocking efficiency in on-chain finance for creators.

Elliptic's Global Crypto Regulation Review 2025 reveals a global shift towards comprehensive regulatory frameworks prioritizing innovation, notably seen in the U.S. with the passage of the GENIUS Act. Major financial institutions in the EU and Hong Kong are planning stablecoin offerings, signaling increased institutional participation.

Accumulator wallets have been buying up Bitcoin, with 75,000 BTC purchased in early December, despite short-term holders facing 20-30% losses. The market is experiencing significant stress, with unrealized losses totaling around $350 billion.

Stablecoins are increasingly crucial in blockchain gaming economies, handling payouts, rewards, and transactions. They processed $27.6 trillion in 2024, surpassing Visa and Mastercard combined. Despite barriers like UX fragmentation, they are seen as a foundation for in-game purchases and economies.

The SEC has granted approval for a three-year pilot program allowing a clearinghouse to test recording certain securities on select blockchains. The program will involve minting and burning blockchain-based tokens representing security entitlements already held in custody, starting in the second half of next year.

Terraform Labs founder Do Kwon was sentenced to 15 years in prison for committing an "unusually serious" fraud that led to the collapse of UST and Luna. Judge Engelmayer compared Kwon to a cult leader who traded on victims' trust, impacting investors' lives.

Save the Children is utilizing cryptocurrency to accelerate aid delivery by launching a Bitcoin fund to hold donations for up to four years. The initiative aims to bypass traditional banking channels that often hinder aid efforts during crises.

Bitcoin Treasuries' report revealed that many Bitcoin-buying firms faced unrealized losses as the asset's price fluctuated, with some companies stacking more Bitcoin while others sold off. The report highlighted the impact of aggressive buying strategies by dedicated treasury companies, leading to mark-to-market pressure for some firms.

OSL Group and Anchorage Digital are collaborating to launch a new U.S. dollar stablecoin, USDGO, backed by liquid U.S. dollar assets and featuring compliance measures like KYC and AML protocols. The token will cater to cross-border payments and on-chain settlements, targeting enterprise users seeking a compliant digital asset solution.

Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) has been chosen by Coinbase as the exclusive bridge for all Coinbase Wrapped Assets, connecting them to Chainlink oracle networks. This partnership covers tokens like cbBTC, cbETH, cbDOGE, cbLTC, cbADA, and cbXRP, with a combined market value of $7 billion.