# Crypto Related Articles

Trump lauds Chris Waller as ‘great’ after Fed chair interview, will pick within weeks

President Donald Trump praised Federal Reserve chair nominee Chris Waller as "great" and "fantastic," confirming he will announce his selection for the role within weeks. Waller, who has expressed crypto-friendly views, is among three or four candidates on the shortlist. According to prediction platform Polymarket, Waller currently has a 14% chance of selection, trailing crypto-supportive White House adviser Kevin Hassett (53%) and former Fed governor Kevin Warsh (28%). The crypto industry is closely monitoring the appointment due to the Fed's influence on interest rates, which significantly impact digital asset markets. Lower rates often drive investors toward higher-risk investments like cryptocurrencies.

cointelegraph12/19 02:12

Bank of Japan’s expected rate hike – How will it affect Bitcoin and crypto traders?

The market sentiment is in "extreme fear" ahead of the Bank of Japan's (BoJ) expected 25 basis point rate hike on December 19th. Historically, such fear has marked market bottoms, but past BoJ hikes have triggered 20-30% Bitcoin sell-offs by making yen borrowing more expensive and forcing institutional liquidations. Market positioning is bearish, with traders accumulating puts targeting a drop below $85k. Analysts note high volatility and a negative skew, signaling continued downside risk into early 2026. At press time, BTC was trading at $87k after a brief spike to $90k. Key liquidity levels to watch are at $90.8K, $94.5K-$95K on the upside, and $83K on the downside. ETF demand has been mixed. While a rejection at $90k could present a shorting opportunity, Grayscale expects a strong rebound and new all-time highs in H1 2026, suggesting current levels may be a discount for long-term holders.

ambcrypto12/19 02:03

Crypto CLARITY Act set for Senate markup in January, says Sacks

The long-awaited Crypto CLARITY Act is set for a Senate markup in January, according to White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks. Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott and Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman confirmed the bipartisan bill will advance next month. The legislation aims to define crypto securities and commodities, clarify regulatory roles between the SEC and CFTC, and reduce uncertainty for crypto firms. Supporters say it will establish clearer compliance pathways, encourage innovation, and strengthen investor protections. Work on the bill continued during the recent government shutdown, with regulators meeting executives from major crypto companies and venture firms.

cointelegraph12/18 22:33

Federal Reserve Withdraws Crypto Rules, Banks Get More Freedom

bitcoinist12/18 22:01

Brazilian stock exchange to launch tokenization platform and stablecoin

Brazil's primary stock exchange, B3, announced plans to launch a tokenization platform for traditional assets and its own stablecoin for settlements, starting in 2026. The initiative aims to create a seamless transition between traditional and digital markets by ensuring asset fungibility and shared liquidity. This move follows recent regulatory changes by Brazil’s central bank, which classifies stablecoin transactions as foreign-exchange operations. Additionally, B3 plans to introduce weekly options for Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana, as well as event contracts. The exchange has previously offered cryptocurrency exposure through ETFs earlier than the US market.

cointelegraph12/18 21:48

NYSE parent in talks to invest in crypto company MoonPay: Report

Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, is reportedly in talks to invest in cryptocurrency payments firm MoonPay, which is seeking a $5 billion valuation in its latest funding round. This follows ICE’s recent $2 billion investment in prediction platform Polymarket. MoonPay provides infrastructure for buying and selling crypto using traditional payment methods. The move reflects growing convergence between Wall Street and crypto, as seen in ICE's earlier partnership with Circle to explore stablecoin integration and the DTCC’s approval to offer tokenized bonds and stocks. These developments highlight the increasing institutional adoption of blockchain and tokenization technologies.

cointelegraph12/18 21:23

LEO crypto slides 25%, nears 2-year low: Rebound possible ONLY IF…

LEO has plummeted 25% in 24 hours, erasing its yearly gains and nearing a critical two-year low. With its market cap at $6.26 billion, the token faces intense selling pressure as bearish sentiment surged from 28% to 86% among investors. A key demand zone from mid-2024 is the next major support level. If broken, prices could fall to 2022 lows. However, technical indicators like the positive Accumulation Distribution and oversold Money Flow Index suggest the sell-off may be corrective. This hints at a potential rebound once selling pressure subsides, though the timing remains uncertain.

ambcrypto12/18 20:02

Bitcoin Policy Institute reps sound alarm on de minimis tax exclusion

The Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) has raised concerns that proposed U.S. legislation for a de minimis tax exemption on small cryptocurrency transactions may exclude Bitcoin, applying only to stablecoins. BPI’s head of strategy, Conner Brown, called this a "severe mistake," arguing that such an exemption would encourage Bitcoin’s use as a medium of exchange, not just a store of value. The bill, introduced by Senator Cynthia Lummis, proposes exemptions for crypto transactions under $300, with a $5,000 annual cap, and includes provisions for charitable donations and deferred taxes on mining and staking rewards. Critics question the need for stablecoin exemptions since their value is stable. High transaction fees, block times, and tax implications currently limit Bitcoin’s use as everyday cash, though the Lightning Network offers a faster, cheaper payment solution.

cointelegraph12/18 19:07

Top Expert Predicts When XRP Will Flip Ethereum

A crypto expert, YoungHoon Kim, has predicted that XRP could surpass Ethereum in market capitalization by 2026. He suggests this would require XRP to reach a price of $5.64, a new all-time high, driven by increased institutional adoption. Kim, who claims to have the world's highest recorded IQ, has recently shifted his focus from Bitcoin to XRP, stating he is now exclusively buying XRP. He has also made other bullish predictions, including XRP reaching $100 within five years. However, some critics, including prominent XRP supporters, view these forecasts as overly optimistic.

bitcoinist12/18 19:02

Intuit to use Circle’s stablecoin for financial platforms

Intuit, the company behind TurboTax, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp, has entered a multi-year strategic partnership with Circle to integrate its stablecoin infrastructure and USDC. The collaboration aims to enable faster and lower-cost payments across Intuit’s platforms for business transactions, tax refunds, and marketing. Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire emphasized that the deal will extend the efficiency of USDC for everyday financial use. USDC is the second-largest stablecoin with a market cap exceeding $77 billion. The U.S. stablecoin market is expected to grow significantly following the passage of the GENIUS Act, which provides regulatory clarity for issuers. This announcement follows the OCC’s conditional approval of Circle for a national trust bank charter, a move also extended to other crypto firms like Ripple and Paxos, signaling broader institutional adoption of digital assets.

cointelegraph12/18 18:23