21Shares, a Swiss wealth manager, has expanded its European offerings by adding four new exchange-traded products (ETPs) focused on various digital assets. Announced on 27 November, the new products are backed by Pyth Network, Ondo, Render, and the Near Protocol, representing sectors such as price oracles, asset tokenisation, decentralized computing, and artificial intelligence. These additions are part of a broader push by 21Shares to meet growing demand for crypto investment options in Europe.
The new ETPs, available for trading in cities such as Amsterdam and Paris, offer more flexibility, including the ability for investors to reinvest staking rewards from the Near Protocol ETP. By participating in Near’s proof-of-stake blockchain, investors can earn yield, potentially improving the performance of the ETP and driving greater returns.
This move follows 21Shares’ call for clearer regulatory guidelines for digital asset products in Europe. The company has been vocal about the need for comprehensive regulation, especially concerning crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and ETPs. Despite progress with stablecoin and exchange regulations, 21Shares believes the European Securities and Markets Authority could play a key role in bridging these regulatory gaps.
The introduction of these new ETPs also builds on 21Shares’ earlier rebranding of its Ethereum Core ETP, which now includes staking rewards, reinforcing the company’s focus on enhancing returns for investors in the evolving crypto market.
ZA Bank, Hong Kong’s largest virtual bank, has introduced a service allowing retail users to trade Bitcoin and Ethereum directly using fiat currency. Announced on 25 November, the new feature requires users to hold a ZA Bank account and complete a risk assessment before accessing the service via the bank’s app.
The service, launched in collaboration with cryptocurrency exchange HashKey, aims to comply with Hong Kong’s regulatory standards while merging traditional banking with digital assets. HashKey’s CEO, Livio Weng, emphasised the partnership’s role in driving the Web3 ecosystem’s growth and enhancing financial offerings for users.
Retail crypto trading in Hong Kong only became available in August 2023, with three licensed exchanges operating under the Securities and Futures Commission. The financial regulator has suggested that additional licences could be granted by the end of the year, signalling growth in the region’s digital asset sector.
Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have seen massive inflows, surpassing $1 billion in a single day. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF led the charge with $608 million, followed by Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund with $301 million. Other funds, including Bitwise and ARK 21Shares, also contributed to the growing trend.
The surge comes as Bitcoin approaches the $100,000 mark, with analysts predicting it will break the milestone later this month. The cryptocurrency’s rally has been further boosted since Donald Trump’s re-election, with some comparing recent ETF inflows to record-breaking numbers seen on 7 November 2020.
Bitcoin ETFs now manage over $100 billion in assets, putting them on course to rival Satoshi Nakamoto’s estimated holdings. With the recent approval of options trading for Bitcoin ETFs by the SEC, BlackRock has already capitalised on this by introducing options trading earlier this month.
Australia is seeking advice from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to shape its approach to taxing digital assets. The Treasury has asked the OECD for input by January, comparing two potential frameworks: adopting the OECD’s Crypto Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) or customising its own policy to suit local requirements.
CARF is an international standard designed to increase transparency by requiring crypto providers, such as exchanges and wallet services, to report tax-related data. It includes tracking high-value transactions exceeding $50,000 and sharing data between global tax authorities to combat evasion. The Australian government aims to assess whether a standardised or tailored system would best serve its growing crypto market.
Australia boasts one of the largest crypto ATM networks globally, reflecting its high adoption rates, with nearly 20% of the population owning digital assets. The average crypto profit per user rose 17% last year to $9,627, and the number of investors is expected to increase by over two million. Alongside this, the government is also considering policies for a potential digital pound.
Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao has alerted the crypto community about a new exploit targeting Intel-based Mac users, which could expose their digital assets. Zhao urged users to immediately patch their systems to protect sensitive data, following the discovery of zero-day vulnerabilities on 19 November. These vulnerabilities also affect iPhones and iPads, prompting Apple to release emergency fixes.
The flaws, tracked as CVE-2024-44308 and CVE-2024-44309, allow hackers to exploit JavaScriptCore and WebKit components on macOS Sequoia. This could lead to cross-site scripting attacks, where attackers inject malicious code into trusted websites, enabling them to steal sensitive information and hijack user sessions.
Despite Apple’s strong security reputation, users have been at risk from several high-profile exploits this year. Previous attacks have included crypto-focused malware and vulnerabilities in Apple’s iMessage framework. With hackers exploiting these flaws, crypto users must stay vigilant and update their systems to safeguard their digital assets.
The Japanese government has announced plans to move forward with a significant stimulus package and sweeping tax reforms, which are expected to gain approval before the end of 2024. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pledged to engage in bipartisan talks to overhaul policies, including changes to income tax, corporate taxes, and cryptocurrency taxation. It marks a notable shift from the ruling party’s earlier stance on increasing taxes.
Cryptocurrency tax reforms are set to be a focal point, as current regulations impose a variable tax of up to 55% on transactions. The opposition party has proposed a more simplified 20% flat rate for digital assets. Additional measures under discussion include raising the tax-free income threshold, reducing fuel taxes, and temporarily slashing sales taxes to support economic recovery.
These reforms come amid growing interest in Japan’s digital assets market, which has shown promising growth. The Liberal Democratic Party, under Ishiba, is pushing these changes as part of efforts to recover from political losses and adapt to shifting voter sentiment following a contentious election in September.
Swiss and Nepalese regulators have raised red flags about the growing risks of cryptocurrency misuse. In its latest Risk Monitor report, Switzerland’s financial watchdog FINMA identified digital assets, especially stablecoins, as a high-risk area for money laundering. The agency highlighted their role in sanctions evasion, dark web transactions, and cyberattacks. FINMA has tightened oversight of financial institutions offering crypto-related services to safeguard the sector’s reputation.
Meanwhile, Nepal’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) reported a surge in crypto misuse for cross-border money laundering and fraudulent investment schemes. Despite a national ban on crypto trading, fraudsters continue exploiting digital assets to obscure illicit funds. Victims often avoid reporting crimes, fearing legal repercussions or social stigma, hindering enforcement efforts.
Authorities in both countries are calling for robust measures to combat these threats, emphasising the need for heightened vigilance and better reporting mechanisms.
BlackRock, the global investment firm and issuer of the spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), has secured a commercial licence to operate in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion into the crypto-friendly region. The approval, granted on 18 November, demonstrates BlackRock’s growing interest in the UAE’s financial landscape, which continues to embrace digital assets and emerging technologies. While the firm is also seeking a licence to operate in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), a financial hub that hosts various crypto businesses, BlackRock’s focus in the region will be on private markets and artificial intelligence infrastructure, according to Middle East head, Charles Hatami.
This move comes as part of the UAE’s broader strategy to position itself as a global leader in digital finance and technology. BlackRock’s decision to establish a presence in Abu Dhabi reflects the region’s proactive government policies and commitment to sustainable growth, which are seen as ideal for capital markets. The UAE has been steadily advancing its role in the crypto world, with institutions like Microsoft already making significant AI investments in the region.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF, which provides US-based investors with exposure to Bitcoin, has seen considerable success, surpassing $33 billion in net assets earlier this month. This marks a significant milestone, as the ETF outpaces the company’s gold trust. BlackRock’s new licence in Abu Dhabi underscores the firm’s ongoing ambition to further integrate digital assets into its investment offerings, aligning with the UAE’s growing stature in the global financial and cryptocurrency sectors.
The UAE continues to gain recognition in the crypto world, ranking third in Henley & Partners’ global crypto adoption index. With BlackRock’s entry, the UAE’s reputation as a key destination for digital finance is likely to strengthen even further.
Tether has introduced Hadron, a cutting-edge platform for asset tokenisation aimed at institutions, corporations, fund managers, and governments. The platform, announced on 14 November, enables clients to tokenise a variety of assets, including stocks, bonds, stablecoins, and loyalty points. Tether describes Hadron as a seamless solution for issuing, managing, and investing in tokenised assets within a secure and regulated framework.
CEO Paolo Ardoino highlighted Hadron’s potential to revolutionise the finance sector by offering an inclusive and transparent alternative to traditional closed financial systems. He noted that Tether’s robust infrastructure, already managing $125 billion in assets, ensures that tokenisation is secure, scalable, and accessible. The platform provides advanced compliance tools, such as KYC, AML, and risk management, alongside features for customising token lifecycles.
Hadron supports multiple blockchains, including Bitcoin layer-2 solutions like Blockstream’s Liquid, marking Tether’s continued expansion into diverse financial segments. Recently, Tether’s Trade Finance division funded a $45 million oil deal in the Middle East using USDT, reflecting its growing influence in global finance. With Hadron’s launch, Tether aims to further bridge the gap between traditional finance and blockchain innovation.
Pennsylvania’s legislature has unveiled a bold proposal to invest state funds in Bitcoin. Led by Representative Mike Cabell, the bill, known as the Pennsylvania Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Act, aims to allocate up to 10% of the General Fund, Rainy Day Fund, and State Investment Fund into the leading cryptocurrency. Cabell argues that Bitcoin could provide a hedge against inflation, helping to stabilise the state’s economy in uncertain times.
The initiative reflects growing interest in Bitcoin as a store of value across the United States. Prominent firms such as BlackRock and Fidelity have backed Bitcoin as a strategic asset, lending weight to Cabell’s vision. This legislative push coincides with discussions of a national Bitcoin reserve, particularly if President-elect Donald Trump’s administration follows through on its pro-crypto agenda.
Pennsylvania’s move follows its recently passed Bitcoin Rights bill, which ensures residents can securely hold digital assets. With the state embracing Bitcoin on multiple fronts, it could signal a shift towards broader cryptocurrency adoption in government policies.
