Industry News

Tracks company news, strategic changes, funding activities, and personnel adjustments across the blockchain and crypto industries, delivering a full-spectrum industry overview for our users.

Why Are Crypto Project Acquisitions Now Excluding Tokens?

Recent acquisitions in the crypto space, such as Circle’s purchase of Interop Labs (developers of Axelar Network), have sparked controversy by focusing on acquiring teams and intellectual property while excluding the native tokens. In the Axelar case, the AXL token and network remain independent, leading to a 15% price drop and community backlash. Similar patterns emerged in other acquisitions: Kraken’s Ink acquired Vertex Protocol’s team and tech but abandoned the VRTX token, causing a 75% crash. Pump.fun acquired Padre and invalidated its token without compensation, and Coinbase integrated Vector.fun’s tech without involving the TNSR token. These cases reflect a broader “acquihire” trend common in Web2, where companies acquire talent and tech but avoid equity or token obligations. In crypto, however, this often leaves retail token holders with no rights or financial benefits, as tokens are designed to avoid regulatory scrutiny as securities—offering utility or governance instead of ownership or profit-sharing. This has led to growing tension between project teams and token holders, exemplified by Aave’s recent governance proposal to assert DAO control over IP, equity, and revenue—highlighting the misalignment between token-based incentives and traditional equity structures. The trend raises fundamental questions about the value and rights attached to tokens in decentralized ecosystems.

marsbit12/18 01:12

Why Are Crypto Project Acquisitions Now Excluding Tokens?

marsbit12/18 01:12

Coinbase rolls out stock trading, prediction markets in ‘everything app’ push

Coinbase has expanded its services by launching stock trading and prediction markets as part of its strategy to become an "everything app." The crypto exchange announced the availability of stock and ETF trading in the U.S., with plans for 24/7 global access. Additionally, Coinbase partnered with Kalshi to introduce prediction markets, initially rolling out outside the U.S. The company also revealed plans to offer 24/7 perpetuals with high leverage early next year, allowing bets on both crypto and stocks. These moves align with Coinbase's broader rebranding effort earlier this year to include apps, social features, and chat functionalities.

cointelegraph12/17 22:55

Coinbase rolls out stock trading, prediction markets in ‘everything app’ push

cointelegraph12/17 22:55

DWF Ventures Highlights Overall Crypto Market Movements of 2025

The crypto market in 2025 was marked by significant institutional adoption, regulatory progress, and infrastructure maturation. The year began with a pro-crypto shift from the Trump administration, including plans for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and the launch of a Trump-themed memecoin that drove unprecedented liquidity. DeepSeek's R1 model disrupted AI and Web3, while Binance secured a historic $2 billion investment from UAE-backed MGX. Regulatory clarity improved with a new SEC chair and the dismissal of the Ripple case. Public companies increasingly held crypto on balance sheets, and on-chain competition intensified with new token launch platforms and Coinbase’s x402 protocol. Circle’s IPO and the passage of stablecoin legislation provided further legitimacy. The Fed’s rate cut boosted risk assets, and Robinhood advanced crypto integration. Q4 saw a historic $19 billion liquidation event triggered by macro tensions, but prediction markets and new L1 blockchains gained traction. Real-world assets (RWAs) and yield-bearing stablecoins grew significantly. Despite volatility, 2025 demonstrated crypto’s evolution toward mature financial infrastructure, with expanded institutional participation and growing on-chain activity.

TheNewsCrypto12/17 21:33

DWF Ventures Highlights Overall Crypto Market Movements of 2025

TheNewsCrypto12/17 21:33

Beam crypto makes its Coinbase debut – Here’s what stands out!

Coinbase has expanded its offerings by integrating three new tokens—Beam (BEAM), Merlin Chain (MERL), and Theoriq (THQ)—into its trading ecosystem. BEAM, the native token of an Avalanche-based gaming subnet, is now available for full trading. MERL perpetual futures will launch on December 18, providing exposure to a Bitcoin Layer 2 solution. THQ, a token for AI agents in DeFi, was listed on December 16. Despite the rollout, THQ’s price fell sharply by 58.71%, while BEAM and MERL saw minor fluctuations. The expansion comes amid a cautious market, with Bitcoin facing downward pressure and weakened U.S. demand. Coinbase’s stock (COIN) rose nearly 3%, reflecting investor confidence in the exchange’s strategy.

ambcrypto12/17 18:12

Beam crypto makes its Coinbase debut – Here’s what stands out!

ambcrypto12/17 18:12

How YouTube’s stablecoin payouts could change creator monetization

YouTube now allows eligible US creators to receive payouts in PayPal’s stablecoin, PYUSD, through its existing Hyperwallet infrastructure. This does not change how creators earn—revenue is still generated in US dollars from ads and other features—but offers an alternative disbursement method. PayPal converts the dollar payout to PYUSD at the point of transfer. The option may provide benefits like faster settlement outside banking hours and future cross-border potential, but it also introduces fees, tax complexity, and platform risks. It reflects a broader trend of stablecoins being used as payment rails rather than speculative assets, integrating digital dollars into mainstream financial flows.

cointelegraph12/17 14:59

How YouTube’s stablecoin payouts could change creator monetization

cointelegraph12/17 14:59

Breaking Away from Traditional Investment Paths: Cryptocurrency Emerges as the Primary Battlefield for Wealth Among the Younger Generation

Coinbase's latest industry report, in collaboration with Ipsos, reveals a significant generational shift in investment strategies. Younger investors, including Gen Z and millennials, are increasingly moving away from traditional wealth-building paths like buying real estate and investing in stocks. The survey of over 2,000 U.S. investors found that 73% of young people believe it's harder for their generation to build wealth through conventional means compared to their parents' generation. This sentiment is reflected in their portfolios: younger investors allocate 25% of their investments to non-traditional assets like cryptocurrencies, derivatives, and NFTs—three times the allocation of older investors. Nearly half (45%) of young investors already hold cryptocurrency, compared to just 18% of older investors. They view crypto not as a speculative side investment but as a core component for catching up financially, with 80% believing it offers more opportunities outside the traditional financial system. Younger investors are also more active, trade more frequently, and are willing to take higher risks for greater returns. They express strong interest in emerging crypto products like derivatives, prediction markets, and DeFi lending. This trend is pushing the financial industry toward 24/7, multi-asset platforms that better serve this internet-native generation.

比推12/17 14:34

Breaking Away from Traditional Investment Paths: Cryptocurrency Emerges as the Primary Battlefield for Wealth Among the Younger Generation

比推12/17 14:34

Securitize announces ‘real’ tokenized stocks, touts DeFi integration

Securitize has announced plans to launch what it claims will be the first compliant, on-chain trading experience for tokenized public stocks, representing real share ownership rather than synthetic exposure. The product, expected in Q1 2026, will use tokens issued directly on the issuer’s cap table and recorded onchain. Trading will occur through a DeFi-style swap interface, enabling real-time transactions even outside traditional market hours. The company criticized existing tokenized stock offerings for lacking true ownership, compliance, and proper KYC/AML controls, often relying on offshore structures. In contrast, Securitize emphasizes regulatory compliance, whitelisted wallets, and its role as an SEC-registered transfer agent to ensure tokens represent legally recognized shares. Beyond faster settlement, the firm highlights programmability—enabling integration with DeFi and smart contracts while maintaining investor protections—as a key upgrade to traditional finance.

cointelegraph12/17 14:25

Securitize announces ‘real’ tokenized stocks, touts DeFi integration

cointelegraph12/17 14:25

WEEX Launches Global AI Trading Hackathon With $880,000 Prize Pool Including a Bentley for Champion, Registration Gaining Strong Momentum

WEEX Labs, an affiliate of crypto exchange WEEX, has launched the global AI trading hackathon "AI Wars: WEEX Alpha Awakens" with a total prize pool of $880,000. The champion will receive a Bentley Bentayga S. Over 300 participants and 50 teams have already registered. The competition includes pre-registration until December 30, followed by an online Pre-Season and live Finals in Dubai in February. Participants will engage in AI-driven trading challenges using real capital. The event is supported by partners including Alibaba Cloud and DoraHacks, emphasizing innovation in AI-powered crypto trading.

TheNewsCrypto12/17 14:15

WEEX Launches Global AI Trading Hackathon With $880,000 Prize Pool Including a Bentley for Champion, Registration Gaining Strong Momentum

TheNewsCrypto12/17 14:15

Binance names alleged fake listing agents, offers up to $5M whistleblower reward

Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, has issued a warning about fraudulent third parties falsely claiming to be "listing agents" who solicit fees in exchange for token listings. The exchange explicitly named several entities and individuals—including Central Research and BitABC—as unauthorized agents. Binance emphasized that projects must apply for listings directly through official channels and never via third parties. The company is offering a whistleblower reward of up to $5 million for valid information about such fraudsters and warned that it will take legal action against perpetrators. This move addresses long-standing criticism of Binance's listing process, which founder Changpeng Zhao has acknowledged as "broken."

cointelegraph12/17 13:23

Binance names alleged fake listing agents, offers up to $5M whistleblower reward

cointelegraph12/17 13:23

Bitcoin miner Hut 8 lands $7B Google-backed AI data center lease

Bitcoin mining company Hut 8 has signed a 15-year, $7 billion lease agreement to provide 245 megawatts of AI data center capacity at its River Bend campus in Louisiana. Infrastructure provider Fluidstack will lease the capacity, with Google acting as a financial backstop to cover payments if Fluidstack defaults. The project, partially financed by major banks, is already under construction, with the first data hall expected to be operational by Q2 2027. This deal highlights Hut 8's strategic expansion into the AI sector, following similar large-scale moves by other crypto-native firms like Core Scientific and Galaxy Digital into AI infrastructure.

cointelegraph12/17 13:09