Zcash and other privacy-focused assets emerge as defensive winners amid market stress The crypto market closed the fourth quarter under pressure, weighed down by price declines, liquidity stress, and investor frustration. Yet amid the turbulence, one segment delivered notable relative strength: privacy-focused cryptocurrencies. Assets designed to enhance transactional confidentiality outperformed much of the broader market, suggesting a shift toward defensive positioning as investors navigated uncertainty. Privacy-focused token Zcash stood out as the quarter’s top performer. Its price climbed sharply from around $50 in mid-September to nearly $700 by mid-November, before stabilizing. This surge coincided with a marked increase in the…
Author: Blockto Team
Monetary easing seen as crucial trigger for renewed crypto market participation The pace and scale of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts in 2026 could play a decisive role in determining whether retail investors return to the crypto market. After a challenging period marked by volatility and declining sentiment, analysts suggest that easier monetary conditions may reignite interest across both retail and institutional segments. Interest rate cuts are generally viewed as bullish for risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. When yields on bonds and savings products fall, investors often seek higher returns elsewhere, increasing demand for assets such as Bitcoin and alternative cryptocurrencies.…
Rapid regulation, youth adoption, and tokenization plans fuel bullish outlook Pakistan’s accelerating pace of crypto adoption and regulation could position the country as a global crypto leader within the next five years, according to Changpeng Zhao, former CEO of Binance. He pointed to Pakistan’s ability to move quickly on policy and infrastructure as a decisive advantage in an industry where speed often determines leadership. Fast-Moving Crypto Regulation in Pakistan Pakistan has made notable progress in formalizing its digital asset ecosystem throughout 2025. Key developments include the creation of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, approval for major international crypto exchanges…
Interest rate divisions at the Federal Reserve could shape crypto liquidity and risk appetite The U.S. Federal Reserve remains a dominant force behind crypto market momentum, and its divided outlook for 2026 interest rates is setting the stage for heightened uncertainty. While the Fed delivered three rate cuts in 2025, policymakers now appear far less aligned on the path forward, a dynamic that could significantly influence Bitcoin and broader crypto trends next year. As of December, benchmark interest rates stand between 3.5% and 3.75%, still near their highest levels since 2008. Despite easing this year, projections suggest only one additional…
Developer activity surges as Ethereum strengthens role as global settlement layer Ethereum has quietly reached a major milestone, recording 8.7 million smart contracts deployed in a single quarter, underscoring a strong rebound in onchain development despite muted price performance for Ether. The surge highlights Ethereum’s growing importance as a foundational settlement layer for digital assets, infrastructure, and tokenized finance. Smart Contract Deployments Reach All-Time High During the fourth quarter of 2025, the number of newly created and published smart contracts on Ethereum climbed to a record-breaking 8.7 million, far exceeding levels seen earlier in the year. This represents a sharp…
Large investor bets on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana recovery despite smart money staying net short A closely watched $11 billion Bitcoin whale has made a bold move in the crypto market, signaling renewed confidence in a potential short-term rebound. After selling a substantial amount of Ether, the whale deployed capital into massive leveraged long positions across Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, even as broader market sentiment remains cautious. Blockchain data shows the whale sold approximately $330 million worth of Ether before opening three leveraged long positions totaling $748 million. The largest position is a $598 million long on Ethereum, entered near…
New draft law targets illegal mining as most operators remain outside tax system Russia is moving to tighten control over its cryptocurrency mining sector by introducing criminal penalties for unregistered miners, signaling a tougher stance on an industry that authorities say remains largely informal. A new draft bill from the Ministry of Justice aims to deter illegal mining activity and push operators into the official tax framework. Details of Proposed Criminal Penalties Under the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code, individuals engaged in illegal crypto mining could face fines of up to 1.5 million rubles (around $19,000), along with up…
Global crypto reporting framework reshapes compliance across 48 jurisdictions Starting January 1, 2026, crypto users and exchanges in 48 jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom and the European Union, will face the first operational phase of the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF). Developed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), CARF introduces standardized data collection aimed at improving cross-border tax transparency in digital assets. What CARF Requires From Crypto Platforms Under CARF, crypto exchanges and other in-scope service providers must collect detailed customer information, including verified tax residency, and report annual balances and transaction activity to domestic tax authorities. That…
Regulatory filing signals growing institutional interest in AI-focused crypto assets Grayscale has taken a significant step toward expanding regulated access to emerging digital assets by filing for a spot Bittensor exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the United States. The move comes shortly after Bittensor’s first-ever halving event, a milestone that reduced the issuance rate of its native token, TAO, and heightened market attention on the network. Details of the Bittensor ETF Filing The filing seeks approval to convert the existing Grayscale Bittensor Trust (TAO) into a publicly traded spot ETF, marking the first U.S. ETF designed to offer direct exposure to…
Regulatory changes force temporary pause on card-based withdrawals while core crypto services remain available Global cryptocurrency exchange Binance has confirmed a temporary suspension of Visa and Mastercard withdrawals for users in Ukraine, following changes tied to its fiat payment infrastructure. The update affects users who relied on card-based withdrawal services, while most other exchange functions remain operational. Card Withdrawals Paused Due to Payment Provider Changes The suspension took effect earlier this week and applies specifically to direct withdrawals to bank cards issued by Visa and Mastercard. According to the exchange, the change impacts Ukrainian users who previously used Bifinity, Binance’s…