The European crypto market is on the verge of a major transformation as the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) takes centre stage. The comprehensive framework aims to enhance transparency, anti-money laundering measures, and consumer protection, setting new standards for the industry. However, with the 2025 deadline approaching, concerns over readiness are mounting. Recent findings reveal that less than 5% of crypto businesses in countries like Poland, Czechia, and the Baltics are fully prepared, leaving many at risk of non-compliance.
While nations such as Malta, France, and Liechtenstein benefit from existing laws closely aligned with MiCA, others face steeper challenges. Poland, for example, must harmonise its lenient regulatory environment to meet the demands, impacting over 1,500 registered VASPs. On the other hand, Estonia stands out as a proactive leader, with fewer firms needing to adapt due to its stringent crypto regulations. The disparity in readiness underscores the urgent need for a cohesive effort across Europe.
For crypto companies, compliance is no longer optional but imperative. Non-compliance could mean losing access to the EU market or facing operational shutdowns, especially for smaller firms. Yet, embracing MiCA offers a significant upside, including greater consumer trust and competitive advantage. Companies like Kyrrex are stepping in to provide solutions, enabling a smoother business transition through sublicensing and advanced regulatory tools.
With 2025 drawing closer, the focus shifts to how quickly the industry can adapt to unlock MiCA’s potential. For Europe’s crypto market, this is not just about surviving regulatory changes but thriving in a future defined by transparency and innovation.
Swiss government-owned bank PostFinance is now offering Ether staking to its 2.7 million customers, representing about a quarter of the country’s population. With a minimum requirement of just 0.1 Ether, the service is accessible to retail investors and integrates staking rewards into customers’ asset statements for a seamless experience. The 12-week fixed term allows users to sell credited rewards after maturity.
PostFinance’s foray into Ether staking marks another step in its expanding cryptocurrency services. In April 2023, it launched crypto trading and custody in partnership with Sygnum, following its earlier initiatives in crypto custody platforms and digital stamp collectables. The bank plans to add more cryptocurrencies to its staking programme in the future.
According to the Beacon Chain, this development comes as Ether grows, with over 33 million Ether staked globally. Liquid staking platforms like Lido Finance and Coinbase currently dominate the market, but PostFinance’s native Ethereum staking could appeal to those seeking traditional banking options in the crypto space.
The incoming Trump administration is set to shape the future of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology in the United States with a wave of key appointments and nominations. As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, crypto advocates are hopeful that the new leadership will take a friendlier stance toward the industry, marking a departure from years of lawsuits and enforcement actions.
Among the prominent appointees, billionaire hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, slated to be Treasury Secretary, has voiced strong support for crypto, calling it “about freedom.” Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick, who leads Cantor Fitzgerald, is an active bitcoin proponent, while Elon Musk, heading the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has a well-documented history of championing cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and dogecoin. Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate, will work alongside Musk at DOGE, with a focus on integrating bitcoin into broader investment portfolios.
David Sacks, a former PayPal executive and crypto investor, was named the administration’s AI and crypto czar, tasked with creating a long-sought legal framework for digital assets. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and members of the Trump family, including Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Barron Trump, have also signalled strong support for cryptocurrency, further solidifying the administration’s pro-crypto stance. With SEC Chair nominee Paul Atkins advocating for deregulation, the industry is optimistic about a more innovation-friendly approach.
The Trump administration’s apparent focus on fostering a robust US crypto industry has already garnered attention, including a sold-out crypto-themed ball in Washington. While critics voice concerns about conflicts of interest and regulatory gaps, supporters believe these appointments could position the US as a global leader in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Coinbase has reintroduced crypto-backed loans, allowing US customers to borrow against their Bitcoin. The service, currently unavailable in New York, uses the decentralised finance (DeFi) protocol Morpho to handle lending operations. Customers can borrow USDC while Coinbase facilitates the process, removing the need to interact directly with complex DeFi systems.
The new programme marks a significant step in bridging traditional crypto exchanges with the DeFi world. By integrating a sleek, consumer-friendly interface, Coinbase makes over-collateralised loans more accessible, concealing the intricate mechanics of DeFi from users. The loans use cbBTC, a DeFi-compatible version of Bitcoin issued by Coinbase, as collateral.
The move follows the discontinuation of Coinbase’s previous loan offering in 2023 after regulatory challenges and waning demand. With this streamlined approach, Coinbase hopes to attract more users to DeFi lending, tapping into the billions of dollars worth of Bitcoin held by its customers.
Layer-1 stablecoin payments network 1Money has secured over $20 million in seed funding to advance its digital payments platform. The funding round saw participation from major investors, including Galaxy Ventures, Kraken Ventures, and Tribe Capital, highlighting growing confidence in stablecoins as a transformative financial tool.
Led by former Binance.US CEO Brian Shroder, 1Money aims to modernise global payments with its patent-pending Byzantine consistent broadcast design. The network promises instant transactions, fixed costs, and support for multiple stablecoins, removing the need for users to manage gas tokens and simplifying the payment process.
Stablecoins are gaining momentum as a cornerstone of the blockchain industry, with the market currently valued at $214 billion. Industry experts predict this figure could surpass $300 billion as adoption rises. Companies like Visa and fintech platforms are eyeing stablecoins to revolutionise payment systems, further cementing their role in the future of finance.
A recent survey by CryptoQuant reveals that a significant portion of the cryptocurrency market is made up of younger, well-educated investors, with over 60% of participants aged between 25 and 44. The survey also highlighted that nearly half of crypto investors hold at least a bachelor’s degree, and most invest less than $10,000 annually, showing that retail investors are the dominant force in the market.
Binance emerged as the preferred exchange for 53% of respondents, with the platform also being the most profitable for many, with 51% of users reporting their largest gains through it. Other platforms like Bybit and OKX were popular among full-time traders, while Coinbase and Kraken were favoured by part-time investors. Regionally, Binance leads in Asia, Africa, and South America, while Coinbase remains the top choice in North America.
Bitcoin continues to be the most sought-after cryptocurrency, followed by Ethereum and other assets like Solana and XRP. The survey underscores the growing confidence in blue-chip cryptocurrencies, with investors focusing on established projects to limit risk.
Indian telecom giant Jio Platforms, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has launched its reward-based token, JioCoin, on the Polygon network. The token was integrated into Jio’s proprietary JioSphere browser, which allows users to earn JioCoins while browsing. However, Jio has not made an official announcement regarding the token’s full utility or potential use cases.
While JioCoin is currently not transferable or redeemable, industry experts speculate it may eventually serve as a currency within Jio’s vast network of companies. Users could potentially redeem the token for services such as mobile recharges or purchases at Reliance gas stations. Despite the potential, the community has raised questions about the token’s transparency, including concerns about its block explorer, smart contracts, and listing on price trackers.
Critics have compared JioCoin to the Brave browser’s Basic Attention Token (BAT), while some view it as a marketing gimmick. Meanwhile, supporters highlight the token’s integration with blockchain and Web3 technology, noting it could bring practical utility to users in the future. The launch comes amid a strict regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies in India, with a flat 30% tax on crypto gains and no loss offsets.
Block Inc has agreed to pay $80 million to 48 US state financial regulators over inadequate money laundering controls on its Cash App platform. The settlement follows findings that the company’s compliance measures were insufficient for policing money laundering risks effectively.
An independent consultant will review Block’s Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering programme and report any deficiencies to regulators. The company has also committed to making internal corrections to strengthen its compliance framework.
A Block spokesperson stated the concerns primarily related to past compliance measures and highlighted significant investments made since then to improve risk management. Cash App, which had 56 million monthly users in December 2023, processed over $248 billion in inflows last year.
Republican officials at the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are preparing to overhaul the agency’s cryptocurrency policies following the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Commissioners Hester Peirce and Mark Uyeda, who will soon hold the majority at the SEC, are expected to begin reviewing crypto enforcement cases and initiating rule-making efforts to clarify when digital assets are considered securities. Trump’s pick for SEC chair, Paul Atkins, is widely expected to roll back the tough regulatory approach taken under outgoing chair Gary Gensler.
Gensler’s SEC pursued 83 crypto-related enforcement actions, targeting companies like Coinbase and Kraken. Many of these cases argued that cryptocurrencies function as securities and should comply with SEC regulations. Peirce and Uyeda are expected to review and potentially freeze some litigation that does not involve fraud. Industry leaders have long called for clearer regulations, and the new SEC leadership may start a public consultation process to shape future crypto policies.
Trump’s administration is also expected to issue executive orders directing financial regulators to reassess their crypto policies. Bitcoin surged past $100,000 in December amid optimism about a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment. Legal experts caution that dismissing numerous enforcement actions would be unprecedented and could set a controversial precedent. However, settlement negotiations may offer a pathway to resolving disputes while maintaining accountability for fraudulent activities in the sector.
Polygon Labs has partnered with Reliance Jio, India’s largest telecom operator, to bring blockchain and Web3 capabilities to its extensive infrastructure. Serving over 450 million users, Jio plans to integrate Polygon’s technology to enhance its applications and services, creating seamless access to Web3 innovations without exposing users to its complexities.
Jio Platforms CEO Kiran Thomas expressed enthusiasm for exploring the vast potential of Web3 to deliver exceptional digital experiences. Meanwhile, Polygon CEO Marc Boiron noted the collaboration is already live on the network, reflecting significant strides for blockchain adoption in India. The development has also boosted confidence within the Polygon community, with its native token, POL, rising over 5% in response.
Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, has a strong history of technological innovation, from revolutionising India’s 4G sector to exploring blockchain’s potential in energy trading. Akash Ambani, Mukesh Ambani’s eldest son, has also championed blockchain and cryptocurrency, hinting at further blockchain-driven projects from the telecom giant.
