Cryptocurrency

Steak ’n Shake is positioning Bitcoin as both a customer payment option and a long-term treasury asset, signaling a deeper integration of cryptocurrency into its business model. The fast-food chain reported that its corporate Bitcoin holdings increased by $10 million in notional value, fueled by customer payments and rising same-store sales.

Crypto markets appear to have moved past the leverage-driven stress seen in October, according to asset manager Grayscale. Recent research shared by the firm suggests derivatives activity has stabilized, supply pressure has eased, and market direction is now more closely tied to fundamentals and policy developments. As a result, price action may be better positioned to respond to upcoming regulatory and institutional shifts rather than past disruptions.

U.S. lawmakers have put a major crypto market structure bill on hold after strong pushback from Coinbase. Fresh criticism from the exchange’s chief executive raised doubts about whether the proposal could move forward without changes. As a result, Senate Banking Committee members delayed a planned markup while reassessing industry and regulatory concerns tied to the draft.

Crypto scams reached a new level of speed and scale in 2025 as artificial intelligence tools made fraud more convincing and harder to detect. A new report from blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis shows that scammers are stealing more money per victim while running cheaper and wider operations. Losses tied to crypto scams are now estimated at $17 billion for the year, the highest level ever recorded.

U.S. Senate lawmakers are advancing efforts to establish a clear regulatory framework for crypto markets, marking a pivotal moment for digital asset oversight in the United States. Two Senate committees are preparing to debate competing versions of a long-anticipated market structure bill, setting the stage for negotiations that could determine how the industry is governed for years to come.

Outset Data Pulse continues to map global shifts in the crypto mediascape. Following our in-depth reports on Asia, Latin America, and individual European subregions, we now turn our focus to Europe as a whole, examining how crypto-native and mainstream outlets performed across Eastern and Western Europe in Q3 2025 amid regulatory execution and changing discovery dynamics.

A new advertising campaign tied to crypto policy has stirred debate in Washington as lawmakers prepare to review a major market structure bill. Ads airing on Fox News urge viewers to pressure senators to support legislation that excludes decentralized finance provisions. The timing of the campaign coincides with key Senate activity on crypto regulation.

A crypto user known as “The Smart Ape” lost about $5,000 from a hot wallet during a short hotel stay. No phishing links were opened, and no fake sites were used. Instead, a chain of small missteps created the conditions for a delayed wallet drain. Security researchers say the case shows how everyday actions, both online and offline, can combine into a serious loss.

Rising global sanctions and increased state involvement drove illicit cryptocurrency activity to record levels in 2025. Data indicates that sanctioned entities were the primary source of these flows, even though illegal use continued to account for only a small portion of total crypto transactions. Analysts describe the shift as a response to mounting geopolitical pressure rather than a breakdown in compliance.

Iran now offers to sell advanced weapons systems to foreign governments in exchange for cryptos. These include ballistic missiles, armed drones, and warships. Iran aims to bypass Western financial controls and maintain its military exports despite sanctions.

Stablecoins are booming in institutional crypto. Moody’s announces a major turning point to watch in finance in 2026.

Efforts to establish clear rules for the U.S. crypto market are likely to take longer than many industry participants expect. An analysis from TD Cowen indicates that while passage remains possible in the near term, political dynamics in Washington increase the likelihood of delays. Approval may not occur until 2027, with full implementation extending to 2029.

Altcoins may be positioning for a rebound after months of subdued price performance. Market data indicates that many tokens are trading above key support levels established in October. Analysts say these signals could point to a renewed appetite for risk across the broader cryptocurrency market.

Russia is moving to impose tougher penalties on illegal cryptocurrency mining after officials reported low compliance with new registration rules. A draft bill from the Justice Ministry proposes fines, forced labor, and prison terms for miners operating outside the law. Officials say the measures are intended to bring a rapidly expanding sector under state oversight and into the tax system.

Bitcoin lost momentum during U.S. trading hours, keeping the broader crypto market confined to a narrow range. XRP followed the same pattern, slipping to $1.86 even as demand through spot exchange-traded funds remained steady. The gap between rising ETF assets and muted price movement suggests the market is still absorbing supply near key levels.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has warned US lawmakers against reopening the recently passed GENIUS Act, arguing that changes could reduce competition in the stablecoin market. He accused major banks of pushing Congress to weaken the law to protect their own interests. The comments come as debate grows over how stablecoins should be regulated in the United States.

Global crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) saw a sharp pullback last week amid a return to regulatory uncertainty. New data from CoinShares shows investors withdrew nearly $1 billion, ending a three-week streak of inflows. Delays around the U.S. Clarity Act played a key role in weakening sentiment, especially among U.S.-based institutions. Market activity also pointed to rising caution around large holders and near-term policy risks.

Crypto transactions are becoming more common due to their borderless nature. And with the festive season here, some are looking to gift digital assets to their loved ones. For beginners, however, the whole process of sending these modern Christmas presents might feel a bit complex. This article explains the main ways to gift crypto and how various jurisdictions regulate such transactions.

The Christmas season often raises the same question each year: what gift will have lasting value? For people involved in crypto, interests extend far beyond standard tech gadgets. Crypto users form a global community focused on digital ownership, financial independence, and long-term participation in blockchain networks. And as such, selecting a crypto-related gift shows awareness of these priorities. This article presents practical, beginner-friendly crypto gift ideas suited to different interests while remaining useful long after the holidays.

Regulatory pressure on the US crypto sector has eased sharply since President Donald Trump returned to office. Enforcement priorities at the Securities and Exchange Commission have shifted, with crypto firms now facing far fewer legal actions than in previous years.

CoinShares reports $716 million in weekly inflows into its digital asset ETPs, marking the second consecutive week of positive flows. This growth brings assets under management to $180 billion, up 7.9% from their November low. Data show increased investor participation, with significant contributions from the United States, Germany, and Canada.

Ether has entered an important phase as exchange balances drop to their lowest level in nearly ten years. Supply continues moving into staking and long-term holding, leaving fewer tokens available for trading. Market structure is tightening even as investor sentiment remains cautious. Recent network events and steady institutional demand are also adding to this overall market trend.

Crypto mergers and acquisitions reached $8.6 billion in 2025, with Coinbase, Ripple, and Kraken among the major firms expanding their operations.

Momentum around Coinbase is rising as the company enters a new phase of financial stability and public-sector experimentation. Latest data show revenue increasing while costs remain controlled. And as expected, this combination has created a sturdier foundation than in earlier market cycles.

Crypto markets are showing signs of strain as several key measures of capital flow turn negative. Recent data points to a broad cooling of demand across Bitcoin ETFs, stablecoins, and corporate treasury activity. And as expected, this trend has raised concerns that the rally’s core drivers have stalled.

Strong inflows returned to major crypto ETFs at the end of the week after several days of uncertainty across digital asset markets. Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana products all posted gains on Friday, hinting at early stabilization following sharp swings and heavy withdrawals earlier in the week. Sentiment remains cautious, but renewed allocations to key products suggest that some investors are selectively re-entering the market.

A sharp shift in sentiment has taken hold across digital assets after a week of sell-offs, weaker macro signals, and thinning liquidity. Markets now sit in a cautious posture, with fear climbing as large-cap tokens retreat toward multi-month lows.

A muted end to 2025 may be laying the groundwork for a stronger crypto breakout in 2026. Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan says the absence of a late-year rally strengthens his view that next year will bring the next major upswing for digital assets.