Spotware has released cTrader Mobile 5.6, a targeted update that focuses on fixing long-standing friction points in mobile trading. The latest version improves chart readability, introduces clearer equity tracking, and tightens up the interface for traders who rely on their phones for analysis and execution. Rather than chasing flashy features, the update addresses everyday usability: how traders see their account performance, how they time entries, and how much usable space they actually get on a mobile screen. For a platform widely used across FX and CFD markets, those details matter. What’s new in cTrader Mobile 5.6? The most visible addition is the new equity chart embedded directly into the account dashboard. Traders can now see how their equity has evolved over time, with changes driven by trading activity, deposits, and withdrawals clearly reflected in a single view. The chart allows users to select specific time periods, turning the dashboard into more than just a balance snapshot. For active traders, this makes it easier to identify drawdowns, recovery phases, or the real impact of funding decisions—without exporting data or switching platforms. Alongside equity tracking, cTrader Mobile 5.6 introduces a candle countdown on charts. The feature shows exactly how much time remains before the current candle closes on the selected timeframe. While simple, this addition directly supports timing-sensitive strategies, particularly for scalpers and intraday traders who depend on candle closes for confirmation. According to Spotware, the countdown was developed in response to direct user feedback—an example of refinement driven by actual trading behaviour rather than theoretical design. Why Evolved Visual Clarity Matters for Mobile Traders? Mobile trading has matured. It’s no longer just for monitoring positions or closing trades in emergencies. Many traders now analyse, execute, and manage risk entirely from mobile devices. That shift raises the bar for clarity. Small design issues—crowded charts, unclear axes, wasted screen space—translate directly into execution mistakes. cTrader Mobile 5.6 addresses this with a redesigned landscape mode that prioritises chart space while keeping key tools accessible. The updated landscape view expands the chart area and compresses Quick Trade buttons and toolbar functions into a single row. The result is less clutter and more room to actually see price action, particularly useful on smaller screens. Charts themselves have also been refined. The price axis is now transparent, axis separators have been removed, and charts can be dragged and resized more freely. These changes sound cosmetic, but together they reduce visual noise and make fine adjustments to scale and positioning easier. How do live trading ribbons fit into the picture? Beyond charts and visuals, cTrader Mobile 5.6 introduces live trading ribbons—contextual prompts that guide users through account-related actions. These ribbons surface only when relevant, triggered by specific account states. Examples include switching from demo to live, opening a live account after strong demo performance, or prompting funding when a live balance drops too low. The prompts disappear automatically once the condition no longer applies and can be managed or disabled at the broker level. From a trader’s perspective, this reduces friction during common transitions. From a broker’s perspective, it provides an in-platform way to significantly increase conversion. The key point is restraint. The ribbons are designed to appear only when necessary, avoiding the constant alerts that can clutter trading apps and frustrate experienced users. What this says about cTrader’s direction cTrader Mobile 5.6 doesn’t reinvent the platform. It tightens it. The focus on equity transparency, time awareness, and interface clarity reflects a broader trend in trading software: fewer features, better execution. As competition intensifies among multi-asset platforms, usability becomes a differentiator, not a nice-to-have. For Spotware, the update reinforces its “Traders First™” positioning—reflecting enhancements made in direct response to trader requests and ongoing user feedback, while prioritising practical improvements that scale across brokers and asset classes. For traders, it’s a reminder that small interface changes can have an outsized impact on decision-making and performance. Investor Takeaway cTrader’s incremental upgrades signal maturity. Platforms that polish core workflows are better positioned to retain active users as mobile trading becomes the default, not the backup. Taken together, the changes in cTrader Mobile 5.6 improve visibility, reduce friction, and support more confident execution on the go. It’s not a headline-grabbing release—but for traders who live in charts, it’s the kind of update that actually gets used.

What Did Shareholders Approve? Shareholders of French payments company Worldline have approved a two-stage capital increase worth about €500 million, clearing the way for a balance-sheet rebuild after a prolonged period of market stress. The decision was taken at an extraordinary general meeting on Thursday. The transaction will start with a €110 million share placement reserved for three French institutional investors: state-backed Bpifrance, Crédit Agricole, and BNP Paribas. That tranche will be followed by a rights issue of roughly €390 million, open to all existing shareholders. Worldline expects the full operation to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2026. Management has framed the capital increase as a necessary step to restore financial flexibility and reassure investors after two difficult years marked by falling earnings visibility and pressure on the group’s balance sheet. Investor Takeaway The approved capital raise reduces near-term balance-sheet risk, but shareholder dilution and execution of the rights issue will remain central concerns. Why Has Worldline Come Under Pressure? Once viewed as one of Europe’s flagship payments companies, Worldline has struggled to regain investor confidence since peaking in 2021. Its share price has fallen sharply, reflecting a mix of operational setbacks, rising leverage and concerns over governance and compliance. The group’s challenges are closely tied to its expansion through acquisitions, most notably the 2020 purchase of Ingenico. That deal created a broad payments platform spanning merchant acquiring, terminals and transaction processing. It also added complexity, combining multiple systems, jurisdictions and regulatory regimes. While the enlarged group gained scale, it faced rising costs and integration hurdles. Competition in payments intensified at the same time, particularly from global rivals operating with more streamlined technology stacks. Investors questioned whether Worldline could turn its size into consistent earnings growth. How Did Compliance Concerns Affect Market Confidence? Confidence weakened further in 2025 after media investigations highlighted Worldline’s historical exposure to higher-risk merchants and raised questions about internal controls. The company disputed parts of the reporting and said it had strengthened its compliance framework, but the scrutiny triggered a sharp market reaction. For payments companies, trust from regulators, banks and card networks is critical. Any doubt over risk controls can translate quickly into higher costs, tighter oversight or lost business. The episode added to concerns already weighing on Worldline’s valuation. At the same time, rising interest rates and weaker cash generation brought renewed focus on leverage and liquidity. Credit rating agencies warned that prolonged pressure on cash flow could affect ratings, increasing funding costs when the group needs to invest in systems and controls. Investor Takeaway Payments firms are highly sensitive to compliance risk. Capital support helps, but lasting recovery depends on tighter controls and stable regulator relationships. Why Do the Backing Investors Matter? The choice of anchor investors for the first €110 million tranche has been closely watched. Bpifrance’s participation points to continued public-sector support for Worldline as part of France’s payments infrastructure. The involvement of Crédit Agricole and BNP Paribas also carries weight, given their roles as major banking partners in the ecosystem. Together, the three investors are expected to emerge with meaningful minority stakes once the transaction is complete. That could help stabilise the shareholder base at a time when confidence from long-term institutional holders is under strain. The rights issue that follows will give existing shareholders the option to maintain their holdings, though take-up will depend on pricing, market conditions and sentiment toward the company’s recovery plan. What Comes Next for Worldline? With shareholder approval secured, attention now shifts to execution. Investors will watch closely how the rights issue is structured and whether demand meets expectations. Progress on cost control, potential asset sales and further steps to simplify operations will also be under scrutiny. Worldline has said it is working to strengthen governance and refocus on core activities. The extra equity provides breathing room, but it does not remove the need for operational improvement in a competitive and tightly regulated payments market.

What Did Trump Say About a Pardon for SBF? US President Donald Trump said he has no intention of granting a pardon to Sam “SBF” Bankman-Fried, the former chief executive of collapsed crypto exchange FTX, according to an interview with The New York Times. Bankman-Fried is currently serving a 25-year federal prison sentence for his role in the misuse of customer funds. In the interview, Trump grouped Bankman-Fried alongside other high-profile figures he does not plan to pardon, including music producer Sean Combs and former New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez. The comments appear to shut down speculation that the former FTX executive could benefit from presidential clemency, despite past efforts to align himself with Republican figures. “I got a lot of votes because I backed crypto, and I got to like it,” Trump told the Times, responding to questions about his relationship with the digital asset industry. Bankman-Fried has been incarcerated since August 2023, when a federal judge revoked his bail ahead of trial. His conviction followed the rapid collapse of FTX in late 2022, an event that sent shockwaves through crypto markets and prompted renewed scrutiny of exchange governance and custody practices. Investor Takeaway Trump’s comments remove a key political tail-risk scenario that had lingered around the FTX case, reinforcing that legal outcomes—not politics—will determine Bankman-Fried’s future. Why Does the Decision Matter for Crypto Markets? Speculation around a possible pardon carried symbolic weight beyond Bankman-Fried himself. A presidential intervention could have reignited debate about accountability in crypto, particularly after one of the largest exchange failures on record. Trump’s rejection of that path keeps the FTX case firmly within the judicial system. The decision also comes as Trump faces questions about conflicts of interest with the crypto sector. His family has links to a Bitcoin mining venture, a stablecoin project known as World Liberty Financial, and his personal memecoin, Official Trump. Critics have argued these ties blur the line between policy and private interests. By drawing a clear line on pardons, Trump appears intent on separating support for the crypto industry from clemency for convicted figures tied to past failures. That distinction may matter to institutional investors watching how political leadership treats enforcement actions and criminal convictions tied to digital assets. How Did Bankman-Fried’s Case Reach This Point? Bankman-Fried was sentenced in March 2024 after being convicted on seven felony counts related to fraud and conspiracy. Prosecutors argued he directed the misuse of billions of dollars in customer deposits, funneling funds from FTX to its affiliated trading firm Alameda Research. Other executives involved in the case received shorter sentences after cooperating with authorities. Former Alameda Research chief executive Caroline Ellison was sentenced to two years in prison, while former FTX Digital Markets co-chief executive Ryan Salame also received a reduced sentence under a plea agreement. Since his conviction, reports suggested Bankman-Fried attempted to improve his chances of clemency by highlighting what he described as a “good relationship” with Republicans and appearing alongside right-wing media figures. Prediction market Polymarket reflected low expectations, assigning only a 6% probability that Trump would pardon him before 2027. Trump has shown willingness to grant clemency in other crypto-related cases. Shortly after taking office, he pardoned Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht. He also pardoned former Binance chief executive Changpeng “CZ” Zhao in October after Zhao served a four-month sentence, a move Trump later downplayed by saying he did not know Zhao personally. Investor Takeaway Selective pardons have not translated into blanket leniency. High-profile fraud cases tied to customer losses still face hard legal limits. What Legal Options Does SBF Still Have? Despite Trump’s stance, Bankman-Fried retains a path through the courts. In November, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit heard arguments from his legal team challenging both the conviction and sentence. As of Thursday, no ruling had been posted to the public docket. If the appellate court rejects the appeal, Bankman-Fried could seek review by the Supreme Court, though such cases are accepted only rarely. Until then, his sentence remains in effect. Meanwhile, Ellison is nearing the end of her sentence. Federal Bureau of Prisons records show she was transferred in October from a federal correctional institution in Connecticut to a Residential Reentry Management office in New York City as part of her transition toward release. She is scheduled to be released on Jan. 21.

What Did the CFTC Approve? The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has issued a no-action letter to crypto derivatives exchange Bitnomial, allowing the platform to offer event contracts and prediction markets in the United States. The letter removes a major regulatory barrier by exempting Bitnomial from certain reporting obligations that apply to asset swaps under current rules. Those requirements, designed for traditional derivatives markets, are widely seen as unworkable for prediction markets, where tens of thousands of small, short-duration contracts can trade in a single day. By granting relief, the CFTC is allowing Bitnomial to operate within US rules without forcing the platform into compliance processes built for slower, lower-frequency markets. The relief is not unconditional. Bitnomial must publish consumer-facing data on its website, including timestamps and sales information for each contract market. It must also supply detailed data directly to the CFTC upon request, preserving regulatory oversight while reducing day-to-day reporting friction. Investor Takeaway The no-action letter lowers operational barriers for US-based prediction markets, opening a clearer path for regulated platforms to compete with offshore venues. What Rules Still Apply to Bitnomial? The CFTC’s letter keeps tight controls around risk. All positions on Bitnomial’s platform must be fully collateralized. That means no leverage and a strict one-to-one backing for every contract. The goal is to ensure liquidity at all times and to avoid the kind of forced liquidations that can destabilize trading venues during volatile periods. This structure limits speculative excess but fits the core design of prediction markets, where contracts often settle quickly and are tied to binary outcomes rather than open-ended price movements. By enforcing full collateralization, the CFTC is signaling that prediction markets are acceptable so long as they avoid leverage-driven risk. The letter also reinforces transparency. While Bitnomial avoids constant swap reporting, it must still make market activity visible to users and regulators. That balance reflects the agency’s attempt to adapt existing rules to new market structures without rewriting the regulatory framework from scratch. Why Are Prediction Markets Gaining Regulatory Acceptance? The decision comes as prediction markets gain traction in the US, both commercially and culturally. Interest surged during the 2024 election cycle, when supporters argued that market-based forecasts often tracked outcomes more closely than traditional polls. Since then, event-based trading has expanded beyond politics into sports, economics, and broader real-world outcomes. Platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi have drawn attention from institutional players, while also breaking into mainstream awareness. In 2025, both platforms were referenced in a South Park episode, a signal that prediction markets had moved from niche financial tools into popular culture. Institutional interest followed. In October 2025, Intercontinental Exchange, the owner of the New York Stock Exchange, invested $2 billion in Polymarket at a reported $9 billion valuation. The deal marked one of the largest endorsements of prediction markets by a traditional market operator. Investor Takeaway Regulatory tolerance and institutional capital are converging around prediction markets, turning what was once a fringe product into a serious financial category. How Does Bitnomial Fit Into a Crowded Market? Bitnomial is entering a space that is quickly filling with both crypto-native platforms and traditional finance players. Coinbase agreed in December to acquire The Clearing Company, a prediction market startup, as part of its expansion beyond spot crypto trading. That deal is expected to close in January 2026, the same year the US midterm elections are set to take place. Election cycles have proven to be major volume drivers for prediction markets, and 2026 is expected to bring another surge in activity. For regulated platforms, clarity from the CFTC could be a deciding factor in whether they can scale in time to capture that demand. The no-action letter suggests that US regulators are becoming more comfortable supervising prediction markets built on modern infrastructure, rather than forcing them into outdated derivatives frameworks. While the relief applies specifically to Bitnomial, it sets a reference point other platforms are likely to study closely.

KEY TAKEAWAYS Automated rebalancing maintains target allocations by systematically selling high and buying low, outperforming HODL in volatile crypto markets as evidenced by Shrimpy's 64% median advantage. Threshold-based strategies, such as a 15% deviation trigger, are supported by data as optimal for capturing volatility premiums while reducing unnecessary trades and fees. Tools like 3Commas and Altrady automate monitoring and execution across exchanges, eliminating emotional biases and enhancing efficiency for consistent risk management. While beneficial for pure crypto portfolios, rebalancing incurs hidden costs like taxes and fees, making it less ideal for small holdings or mixed-asset strategies. Integrating rebalancing with diversification categories, such as market cap or asset types, aligns portfolios with investment goals and mitigates concentration risks.   Keeping a balanced portfolio is important for reducing risk and getting the best returns. Crypto rebalancing software takes the guesswork out of changing asset allocations to meet predetermined goals. This means you don't have to make decisions based on your feelings and ensures you stick to your investment plans.  This article examines how automated portfolio rebalancing works, drawing on industry studies and the implementation of specific tools. Investors can learn how these systems work to take advantage of volatility and keep their crypto holdings diverse by examining data-backed benefits, tactics, and popular tools. What is The Process of Rebalancing A Crypto Portfolio? Crypto portfolio rebalancing is a way to manage risk by adjusting the proportions of assets in a portfolio regularly so they revert to their original intended allocation. Cryptocurrency values fluctuate a lot, which can shift the relative weights of holdings. For example, if Ethereum outperforms Bitcoin in a 50/50 split, the portfolio might shift to 70% Ethereum and 30% Bitcoin, increasing exposure to Ethereum's risks.  This drift changes the total risk profile, which could cause some assets to become too concentrated without meaning to. Rebalancing stops this by selling parts of assets that are doing well and buying parts of assets that are not doing well, which enforces the "buy low, sell high" rule. Crypto's extreme volatility makes rebalancing even more important than in traditional markets.  If you don't keep an eye on your investments, they can drift too far, leading to bigger losses during downturns or limiting gains during uptrends. Studies show that in portfolios consisting solely of cryptocurrencies, rebalancing can outperform buying and holding (HODL) by capitalizing on market movements and mean reversion. Why Should You Rebalance Your Crypto Portfolio? Rebalancing is important because Bitcoin markets can change quickly, which might disrupt planned diversification. If nothing is done, the risk level of a portfolio might rise if dominant assets rise too much, putting investors at risk of downturns in specific sectors. For instance, during bull runs, high-performing altcoins could appreciate, while in bear markets, stable holdings could decline in value. Backtesting data supports the idea that rebalancing works: During the bear market of 2018, Shrimpy found that rebalanced portfolios outperformed HODL in 78.67% of cases, with a median outperformance of 64%. CoinShares also found that Bitcoin-inclusive portfolios had higher Sharpe ratios and smaller drawdowns when rebalanced every three months.  These results show how important rebalancing is for taking advantage of volatility, as profits from price spikes are consistently locked in and reinvested in undervalued assets. But rebalancing may not work in all situations, especially when you have a mix of traditional assets in your portfolio, as selling high-growth crypto could hurt your overall returns. Advantages of Automated Rebalancing Automated rebalancing software offers many benefits over human approaches, the most important being that it maintains consistency and efficiency in volatile markets. Some of the primary benefits are maintaining a consistent risk level, ensuring investments are spread across different categories, such as market cap or asset type, and aligning results with long-term goals. Automation takes away emotions like fear and greed, which can lead to bad choices, and gives you an organised way to deal with the chaos of crypto. Research shows that volatility capture can lead to higher returns: Rebalancing can provide a "rebalancing premium" by selling assets that have risen in value and buying those that have fallen. In Shrimpy's experiments, a 15% threshold strategy achieved a 77.1% median outperformance relative to HODL. Other benefits include lower concentration risk, automatic monitoring across exchanges, and the possibility of tax optimisation through strategic harvesting. How to Use Automated Portfolio Rebalancing Automated rebalancing software uses APIs to connect to exchanges and monitor holdings in real time. It then trades based on rules set by the user. Users first choose how much of each coin they want to own, like 40% Bitcoin, 30% Ethereum, and 30% altcoins. The algorithm then looks for imbalances using triggers, which might be based on time (like every week) or a threshold (like a 5% difference). When triggered, the software determines which changes are needed and places buy and sell orders, typically using market or limit orders to minimize slippage. If Bitcoin's price rises and exceeds its target, for example, the bot sells some Bitcoin and buys more Solana, an asset that isn't getting enough attention. Multi-exchange platforms improve this by bringing portfolios together and addressing liquidity differences across venues. Moving averages and other indicators are used in advanced tools to make changes on the go. Common Ways to Rebalance There are two types of effective strategies: those that occur at specific times and those that depend on a threshold. Rebalancing happens on a set timetable, such as once a month, which makes it easy but could mean paying extra fees while the market is stable. Threshold-based, which is better for crypto, only turns on when variances exceed a certain threshold, say 15%. This keeps the system efficient and responsive. Data supports threshold methods: Shrimpy's backtests show that a 15% threshold is best because it captures volatility without excessive trading. Hybrid techniques mix the two for more options. Some ways to diversify your portfolio are by looking at the top cryptocurrencies by market cap, by category (such as staking or AI blockchains), or by time frame. Best Software and Tools for Crypto Rebalancing There are a number of technologies that make automated rebalancing easier, and each one has its own set of capabilities. 3Commas lets you make a full portfolio with customisable intervals, which is great for people who utilise more than one exchange. The free bot from Binance uses time or deviation triggers, which are good for people who are loyal to the platform. Pionex lets you use multiple coins with predefined indexes, while Coinrule lets you use technical indicators and backtesting. Altrady's sophisticated bots watch exchanges in real time and set off threshold triggers, all with the goal of making things more efficient. Zignaly's Profit Sharing lets trusted managers handle rebalancing, and it uses success-fee models for investors who don't want to do anything. Spreadsheets and other manual choices give you control, but don't automate things. Things to Think About and Risks Rebalancing has benefits, but it also costs money to trade, which can eat into profits, especially in high-frequency setups. Sales are classified as capital gains events, which have tax consequences. In strong bull markets, rebalancing could limit gains by selling winners too soon. API integrations can be unsafe, and the best frequencies depend on the situation; therefore, backtesting is needed. Don't rebalance when costs are high or when trends are going up quickly. The Best Ways to do Rebalancing Start by deciding how much to invest based on your goals and how much risk you can handle. Choose threshold strategies to keep costs down, and employ tools with backtesting to make sure they work. Review and make changes on a regular basis to account for changes in the market, including tax-loss harvesting. For people who are new to the game, predefined indexes in tools like Pionex make it easier to set up. FAQs What is the ideal frequency for crypto portfolio rebalancing? Threshold-based rebalancing at 15% deviation is often optimal, as it responds to market movements without excessive trading, according to backtest data. How does automated rebalancing differ from manual methods? Automated tools monitor and execute trades in real-time based on rules, reducing errors and time compared to manual calculations and trades, which are prone to emotional decisions. Can rebalancing improve returns in bear markets? Yes, studies show rebalanced portfolios outperformed HODL in 78.67% of cases during the 2018 bear market by buying undervalued assets for potential recovery. What are the main costs associated with rebalancing? Primary costs include trading fees from exchanges and capital gains taxes on sales, which can accumulate and potentially offset benefits in high-frequency scenarios. Is rebalancing suitable for Bitcoin-only portfolios? Yes, research indicates that quarterly rebalancing enhances Sharpe ratios and reduces drawdowns in Bitcoin-focused portfolios by managing volatility. References Zignaly: Crypto Portfolio Rebalancing: The Data-Backed Guide Altrady: Effortless Portfolio Management: Master Rebalancing with Smart Bots CoinSutra: Top Crypto Portfolio Rebalancing Tools (Automated & Manual)

Crypto in 2025 stopped behaving like an experiment. What defined the year was not a single bull run, protocol upgrade, or macro shock, but a quieter and more consequential shift: the industry began operating like real financial infrastructure. Two milestones captured this transition. Binance crossed 300 million registered users globally, and, almost simultaneously, became the first global exchange to secure full authorization under Abu Dhabi’s ADGM regulatory framework. Together, these events signalled something deeper than growth or compliance milestones. They marked the point where scale and regulation stopped being opposing forces and started reinforcing each other. The story of crypto in 2025 is not one of hype cycles. It is a story of liquidity concentration, institutional integration, risk discipline, and a user base that increasingly treats digital assets as part of everyday financial life rather than speculative side bets. Where does liquidity really live in 2025? Liquidity has always been the hidden axis of crypto markets. In 2025, it became the defining one. As volatility flared at several points during the year, trading activity consistently gravitated toward the deepest venues. Independent market data shows that during both risk-off and risk-on phases, a disproportionate share of BTC and ETH trading volume consolidated on Binance, often accounting for between one-third and nearly half of global activity. This migration was not purely institutional. Binance processed significantly more individual trades than any other centralized exchange, indicating that liquidity was being supplied not only by large desks but by millions of retail and professional users placing real orders. This “human liquidity” proved more resilient than algorithmic flow during periods of stress. Investor Takeaway In stressed markets, liquidity consolidates fast. Execution quality now depends more on venue depth than fee schedules. How spot markets quietly regained strategic importance Spot trading was often overshadowed by derivatives during the last cycle. In 2025, it reasserted itself as the foundation of market stability. Binance recorded over $7 trillion in spot trading volume during the year, expanding market share despite intensifying competition. Rather than chasing endless listings, the focus shifted toward maintaining deep liquidity across core pairs while supporting a carefully curated long tail of assets. Crucially, tools evolved alongside liquidity. AI-driven token summaries, structured risk indicators, and sentiment overlays changed how users interacted with spot markets. Instead of relying solely on narratives, traders increasingly approached spot exposure as a risk-managed allocation decision. Investor Takeaway Spot markets became less speculative and more strategic, anchoring liquidity across market cycles. What changed in derivatives and futures trading? Derivatives remained central to crypto price discovery in 2025, but their role evolved. Futures platforms shifted from being pure execution venues into information layers. Advanced analytics such as real-time positioning data, aggregated whale flows, and smart-money indicators reshaped how traders interpreted market sentiment. More than a million users actively followed such signals during the year, reflecting growing demand for transparency rather than raw leverage :contentReference. At the same time, tools like derivatives DCA strategies and demo trading environments lowered the barrier to participation, allowing users to test structured approaches without immediate capital risk. Investor Takeaway Derivatives are maturing into decision-support markets, not just leverage engines. Why Web3 discovery moved back onto centralized rails One of the more surprising developments of 2025 was the re-centralization of Web3 discovery. Rather than navigating fragmented on-chain interfaces, millions of users accessed airdrops, points programs, and early-stage tokens directly through centralized platforms. Binance Alpha alone processed over $1 trillion in volume and onboarded more than 17 million users within a single year. This hybrid model challenged the assumption that decentralization and user experience must be in conflict. For many users, the ability to explore on-chain ecosystems without sacrificing speed, security, or custody clarity proved decisive. Investor Takeaway Web3 adoption accelerates when discovery is frictionless, even if infrastructure remains centralized. How institutions moved from pilots to production Institutional crypto adoption crossed an important threshold in 2025: operational integration. Asset managers, banks, and wealth platforms moved beyond exploratory pilots and began embedding digital assets into existing workflows. Tokenized U.S. Treasuries and real-world assets were accepted as collateral. Fund account structures mirrored traditional managed accounts. White-label crypto infrastructure allowed institutions to offer digital assets without rebuilding entire stacks from scratch. This shift reframed crypto from a standalone asset class into a modular financial component. Investor Takeaway Institutional adoption now focuses on integration, not experimentation. Why regulation stopped being a drag on growth The ADGM authorization was not merely symbolic. It represented one of the most comprehensive regulatory approvals ever granted to a global crypto exchange. Alongside dozens of international certifications covering information security, privacy, business continuity, and AI governance, Binance effectively aligned its operations with standards expected of systemically important financial institutions. Rather than slowing growth, regulatory clarity reduced friction. Illicit exposure declined sharply even as volumes grew, demonstrating that scale and compliance can coexist. Investor Takeaway Regulation is becoming an enabler of trust and liquidity, not a constraint. How AI quietly reshaped market safety AI did not dominate headlines in 2025, but it quietly reshaped market operations. Hundreds of models now power fraud detection, compliance triage, and trading insights. These systems prevented billions in potential losses while reducing friction for legitimate users. Importantly, governance frameworks kept pace with deployment, aligning AI usage with emerging global standards. For traders, AI summaries and structured insights reduced information overload, turning data abundance into practical signals. Investor Takeaway AI’s biggest impact is not prediction, but risk reduction and decision clarity. Crypto’s expansion into everyday finance Perhaps the clearest sign of maturation was crypto’s growing role in daily transactions. Stablecoins dominated payments. Merchant adoption surged into the tens of millions. Earn products distributed over $1 billion in rewards, turning crypto platforms into savings and yield layers rather than pure trading venues. For many users, crypto was no longer something to trade occasionally, but something to earn, spend, and hold through cycles. What 2025 ultimately revealed 2025 did not eliminate volatility or risk. It redefined how they are managed. Liquidity consolidated around trusted venues. Institutions embedded crypto into familiar structures. Regulation strengthened rather than suffocated growth. Users interacted with markets through integrated ecosystems instead of isolated tools. The industry did not become safer by accident. It became safer because incentives, infrastructure, and oversight finally aligned. Looking ahead The outlines of crypto’s future are already visible. Markets will be more global, more regulated, more programmable, and more deeply woven into everyday finance. The experiment phase is over. What comes next is execution. Full report: https://public.bnbstatic.com/reports/2025_EOY_Report.pdf

Solana Mobile has announced Jan. 21 as the official launch date for its long-anticipated SKR token, a digital asset tied to Solana Mobile’s Seeker smartphone ecosystem. The announcement confirms an airdrop for eligible users and signals an expansion of token utility beyond decentralized finance (DeFi) into mobile-focused engagement and loyalty rewards. With the SKR token launch, Solana Mobile seeks to blend hardware, consumer experience, and on-chain incentives to integrate cryptocurrency into everyday devices. The rollout will start with an airdrop for Seeker phone users, offering them early access and governance participation while reinforcing Solana’s narrative of decentralized, mobile-first ecosystems. Solana Mobile Builds Token Launch Around Mobile Engagement and Airdrop Strategy  Solana Mobile’s Jan. 21 launch of the SKR token comes after months of anticipation within the Solana ecosystem. Designed as a native digital asset for Solana Mobile’s Seeker smartphone, SKR is positioned as a utility and engagement asset for users within the mobile ecosystem. The initial distribution mechanism will be an airdrop to eligible Seeker phone holders. While crypto airdrops are popular in the crypto industry, Solana Mobile’s strategy ties the token directly to hardware adoption, which is a relatively unique approach compared to purely software-based issuance models. Eligible users will be determined based on ownership of Seeker phones, wallet interactions, and possibly other engagement metrics that Solana Mobile has indicated as qualifiers for the airdrop. Once distributed, SKR holders may be able to participate in governance decisions, access premium features, or earn additional rewards tied to ecosystem participation. For Solana enthusiasts, the token’s linkage to consumer hardware bridges an important gap between DeFi and everyday utility. This strategy mirrors a broader industry push to bring crypto closer to mainstream user experiences by leveraging everyday devices as on-ramp platforms for blockchain interaction. Strategic SKR Distribution Could Impact Broader Blockchain Trends The announcement of the SKR token launch has stirred notable interest in both crypto circles and among mobile technology observers. Tokens tied to smart devices represent how modern crypto projects think about utility. Rather than limiting tokens to trading and financial yield, Solana Mobile is using SKR to encourage adoption of its Seeker phones, potentially increasing long-term user retention and ecosystem participation. Additionally, by rewarding early users and integrating SKR with device features, Solana Mobile taps into network effect dynamics. Owners of Seeker devices may be more inclined to hold SKR, use wallet features regularly, and engage with Solana dApps that optimize for mobile experiences. Crypto airdrops could also be redefined by the mobile-focused approach that the project is driving, encouraging other blockchain ecosystems and mobile firms to flirt with token incentives tied to usage.  As the launch unfolds, the market will be watching whether SKR can deliver sustained utility and engagement that justify its role in the Solana Mobile ecosystem and influence future efforts to integrate blockchain tokens with everyday devices to boost mobile crypto adoption.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, January 8th, 2026, FinanceWire Reflecting its strategic business direction, STARTRADER seals a deal with the National Basketball Association (NBA) and becomes the league’s Official Partner, which marks a significant milestone in the company’s continued growth and expansion. Fans will see STARTRADER’s brand integrated across key NBA touchpoints. From in-arena backdrops to broadcast-visible placements and select league media platforms, STARTRADER will benefit from high-impact visibility as audiences experience year-round storytelling across digital, broadcast, and select live events. These activations strengthen the brand’s global presence and reinforce its innovative narrative, in addition to joint Social Impact initiatives between the NBA and STARTRADER. “This collaboration reflects the direction STARTRADER is taking as a global brand,” said Mr. Peter Karsten, CEO of STARTRADER. “Aligning with the NBA reinforces the trust placed in our brand and supports our vision of operating on an international stage alongside institutions that share a commitment to long-term growth.” “We look forward to working closely with STARTRADER as we continue to grow basketball and the NBA’s presence across the Middle East,” said NBA Head of Middle East Strategy & Development, David Watts. “The region is a key priority for the league, and this cooperation reflects our ambition to work with brands that share our commitment to engaging fans using the latest technological innovations.” The collaboration aligns with STARTRADER’s repositioning, “Built on Trust, Driven by Growth." It reflects the growth that the brand has achieved as it continues to cooperate with global-level institutions that carry long-standing influence across cultures and markets. At the core of this direction is STARTRADER’s focus on making global trading accessible and trusted, and empowering principles that mirror the NBA’s role in connecting hundreds of millions of fans worldwide around the game of basketball. Through transparent access, advanced tools, and trusted support, STARTRADER builds a trading environment that enables traders and partners to grow with confidence. As the NBA celebrates its 80th season, STARTRADER remains committed to the strong foundations it has built over the years to support long-term growth in an evolving financial landscape. The collaboration signals STARTRADER’s continued evolution as a global brand operating on the world stage. About STARTRADER As a globally leading broker, STARTRADER provides a transparent trading environment and exceptional services to clients in over 200 regions worldwide. We offer a wide range of trading products, including forex, precious metals, stocks, indices, commodities, and ETFs, along with diverse platforms. Additionally, we showcase our comprehensive service capabilities by providing tailored liquidity solutions for institutional clients, securing a unique position in the industry. STARTRADER is regulated by five top-tier authorities—SCA, ASIC, FSCA, FSA, and FSC—ensuring the highest standards of security and trust for our clients. Contact PR Manager Janna Magabilen STARTRADER janna.magabilen@startrader.com

Raanana, Israel, January 8th, 2026, FinanceWire Founder & CEO Gil Ben-Hur Leads Key Panels Discussing the Future of Prop Trading and Industry’s Architecture The5ers, a leading global provider of trader-focused proprietary trading services, has been named “Best Funded Trading Service (B2C)” at the annual Finance Magnates London Summit 2025 (FMLS:25), one of the industry’s premier events for trading, fintech, and market-infrastructure professionals. The three-day summit, held last week in London, convened executives, technology innovators, and market infrastructure leaders to discuss emerging trends in proprietary trading, fintech, and market structure. Gil Ben-Hur on the Structural Shifts Defining Prop Trading’s Next Chapter 5% group founder and CEO Gil Ben-Hur took part in several on-stage discussions, including the flagship “State of the Prop 2026” panel, where he joined industry leaders to address sustainability, trader pathways, technological shifts, and the evolving dynamics between prop firms and brokers. His insights aligned with the group’s mission to build transparent, opportunity-driven trading environments that support long-term trader growth. The award recognizes The5ers’ commitment to creating structured and sustainable trader programs. Industry observers noted that the accolade underscores the firm’s operational rigor, focus on long-term trader development, and growing influence in the competitive proprietary trading market. “The recognition at FMLS:25 reflects both the progress we’ve made and the direction we’re helping shape in the industry,” said Ben-Hur. “As prop trading evolves, transparency, integrity, operational standards, and sustainable trader pathways will be key drivers of long-term success.” About FMLS:25 The Finance Magnates London Summit is an annual event that brings together executives, regulators, technology innovators, and financial services leaders for panels, workshops, and networking opportunities, providing insights into trends shaping the trading and fintech industries. About Five Percent Group Five Percent Group operates a portfolio of trading-focused brands built around transparency, trader development, and operational excellence. The group continues to expand globally through strategic partnerships and technology-driven solutions, providing structured environments designed to support sustainable trader success. For more information, users can visit www.the5ers.com or contact support@the5ers.com. Contact SENIOR SEO-GEO Zeev Bherenshthein the5ers zeev@the5ers.com 0546000747

Intel (INTC) shares climbed above $44.30 yesterday, reaching their highest level in 21 months. The rally followed announcements made at CES 2026, where the company introduced its new Core Ultra Series 3 processors, codenamed Panther Lake. These chips are Intel’s first consumer products manufactured using the advanced Intel 18A process technology. Investors interpreted the announcement as a sign that Intel’s ambitious turnaround strategy aimed at regaining technological leadership is beginning to gain momentum. The successful rollout of the 18A node suggests that Intel may once again be able to compete with TSMC at the cutting edge of semiconductor manufacturing. According to media reports, several analysts have raised their price targets for INTC shares, noting that the new technology increases the likelihood of Intel securing contract manufacturing business from major industry players such as Nvidia and Apple. Technical Analysis of INTC Shares On 3 December, during our analysis of the INTC chart, we: identified a broad, long-term price channel; highlighted the significance of the $20 level, which appeared to serve as support from institutional investors; noted that the line dividing the upper half of the channel into two quarters could act as resistance. As shown by the red arrow, this line has indeed functioned as a strong barrier to further upside. Volume dynamics are particularly noteworthy: on two occasions when INTC shares advanced towards this level, we observed: a sharp increase in trading volume; followed by a subsequent pullback in price. It is possible that the break above the psychological $40 level, combined with a positive news backdrop, triggered FOMO-driven buying. Institutional investors may be using this wave of demand to take profits on long positions accumulated near the $20 support zone. Given the long upper wick on yesterday’s candlestick, it is reasonable to assume that the identified resistance level may continue to hold. A third attempt to break above it could once again result in a corrective pullback. FXOpen offers spreads from 0.0 pips and commissions from $1.50 per lot (additional fees may apply). Enjoy trading on MT4, MT5, TickTrader or TradingView trading platforms! The FXOpen App is a dedicated mobile application designed to give traders full control of their accounts anytime, anywhere. This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Why Is Kalshi Supporting New Legislation? Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour publicly backed a new bill from U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres that seeks to ban insider trading on prediction market platforms. Writing on LinkedIn, Mansour said Kalshi supports the proposal because the company already applies similar restrictions under existing regulatory rules. “Kalshi is supportive of the bill Ritchie Torres is looking to introduce to affirm the ban on insider trading on prediction markets,” Mansour wrote. “Why? Because we already implemented it.” The legislation, titled the Public Integrity in Financial Prediction Markets Act of 2026, would prohibit federal elected officials, political appointees, and executive branch employees from placing bets on prediction markets tied to government policy, government action, or political outcomes. Torres introduced the bill earlier this month following renewed debate over whether prediction markets can be misused by individuals with access to non-public government information. Investor Takeaway Support from a federally regulated exchange signals that U.S.-based prediction markets want clearer legal separation from offshore platforms facing integrity concerns. What Triggered the Insider Trading Debate? The bill follows a high-profile episode involving Polymarket, a decentralized prediction market platform. Earlier this month, a single account reportedly made $400,000 by betting that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro would be removed from office by the end of January. After Maduro was captured, the wager paid out, prompting questions about whether the trade relied on inside or privileged information. The incident reignited concerns about prediction markets tied to geopolitics, especially when platforms operate without U.S. regulatory oversight. Critics argue that political prediction markets may create incentives for misuse of confidential government information or blur the line between forecasting and speculation with real-world consequences. Mansour used his LinkedIn post to separate Kalshi from those concerns, arguing that reporting has failed to distinguish between regulated U.S. platforms and offshore operators. “This should be obvious, but some recent reporting has been conflating regulated prediction markets with unregulated, offshore prediction markets,” he wrote. “What non-American, unregulated platforms do has no relationship to what regulated, American platforms do.” How Does Kalshi Handle Insider Trading Rules? Kalshi operates as a federally regulated prediction market in the United States and follows insider trading standards borrowed from traditional financial exchanges. Mansour said the platform applies rules similar to those used by the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, barring users from trading if they possess material, non-public information related to a given market. According to Mansour, those controls are already embedded in Kalshi’s compliance framework, making the proposed legislation more of a legal affirmation than a structural change for the company. He also noted a key limitation of the bill: it would only apply to regulated American platforms. Offshore and non-U.S. companies would remain outside its reach, even though those venues are where many of the alleged insider trading issues have surfaced. Investor Takeaway Stricter U.S. rules may widen the gap between regulated and offshore prediction markets, pushing institutional and compliance-sensitive users toward domestic platforms. Why Prediction Markets Are Drawing More Attention The debate comes as prediction markets post record activity. In December, Kalshi and Polymarket both reported all-time highs in monthly trading volume. Kalshi recorded $6.26 billion, while Polymarket reached $2.28 billion, according to data from The Block. Since March 2025, Kalshi has steadily extended its lead as the largest prediction market exchange by volume. The surge has attracted new entrants. Crypto firms and traditional betting companies alike are testing prediction markets as a hybrid between financial trading and event-based wagering. Crypto.com, Gemini, and DraftKings have all entered the space, increasing competition and regulatory attention at the same time. As volumes grow, lawmakers and regulators appear more willing to treat prediction markets as financial instruments rather than novelty products. Torres’ bill reflects that shift, focusing on conflicts of interest and public trust rather than market mechanics alone.

DTCC has received approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to launch a new Agent Clearing (ACS) Triparty Service within the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation’s (FICC) existing Agent Clearing Service framework. The approval follows a rule filing submitted to the SEC in September 2025 and marks a significant expansion of cleared triparty repo capabilities. The new service will be delivered using BNY’s Global Collateral Platform, enabling both “done-with” and “done-away” triparty repo transactions to be centrally cleared. This development comes as market participants prepare for the SEC’s expanded U.S. Treasury clearing mandate, which takes effect in 2026 and 2027. Alongside the regulatory approval, DTCC reported record volumes at FICC’s Government Securities Division (GSD), underscoring growing adoption of central clearing across the U.S. Treasury market. Takeaway: SEC approval of FICC’s ACS Triparty Service strengthens market infrastructure ahead of mandatory Treasury clearing rules, while record GSD volumes highlight accelerating buyside and dealer adoption of central clearing. Expanded Triparty Repo Clearing via BNY Infrastructure With SEC approval secured, FICC can now offer cleared triparty repo services to Agent Clearing Members and their Executing Firm Customers. Eligible transactions include repos executed directly with the Agent Clearing Member (“done-with”) or with another GSD Netting Member or its client (“done-away”). The ACS Triparty Service leverages BNY’s Global Collateral infrastructure, allowing triparty repo transactions to benefit from centralized clearing while continuing to use established collateral management workflows. This integration is designed to support a broad range of market participants without disrupting existing operational models. By combining FICC’s clearing framework with BNY’s collateral platform, the service aims to deliver operational efficiency, greater scalability, and improved risk management for triparty repo activity. Preparing the Market for Expanded Treasury Clearing Rules The new ACS Triparty Service was developed in anticipation of the SEC’s expanded U.S. Treasury clearing requirements, which will mandate central clearing for cash Treasury trades beginning in December 2026 and for repo transactions starting in June 2027. DTCC said the service is designed to broaden access to central clearing, particularly for market participants that rely on agent clearing models. For Agent Clearing Members, the offering may deliver enhanced margin efficiency, reduced capital requirements, and balance sheet relief. As regulatory timelines approach, the service provides a pathway for firms to adapt their repo activity to a cleared environment while maintaining flexibility in how trades are executed and intermediated. FICC Volumes Reach New Highs In parallel with the service launch, FICC reported record activity in its Government Securities Division. Overall GSD volumes reached a new peak of $13.2 trillion on December 1, 2025, reflecting elevated trading and financing activity in U.S. government securities. Buyside participation also hit new highs. On December 31, 2025, FICC recorded a peak of $3.1 trillion in buyside activity across its Sponsored and Agent Clearing Services, highlighting growing engagement from asset managers and other institutional investors. DTCC said the combination of rising volumes and expanded clearing services underscores the industry’s shift toward greater central clearing, improved risk management, and enhanced resilience in the U.S. Treasury market.

Russia has started the large-scale introduction of its central bank digital currency (CBDC) called the digital ruble across the state budget system and within the banking sector. The move is in place to step up preparations for a nationwide rollout ahead of scheduled deadlines later in 2026. Government agencies and financial institutions are now processing digital ruble transactions for budget flows, federal agency payments, and tax and fee settlements, marking a tangible era of broad public sector use of CBDCs. This shift reflects a broader strategy by the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) and federal authorities to integrate the digital ruble into core public finance and commercial payment infrastructures.  Russian Government and Budget Systems Lead CBDC Adoption With Zero Fees According to reports, Russia’s Treasury is set to accept digital ruble payments in 2026. This includes the ability for payers with digital wallets to settle payments into the federal budget and for federal institutions to receive transfers in digital rubles for certain functions. In a bid to encourage usage and lower barriers to adoption, the CBR has waived fees on digital ruble-based transactions involving taxes, fees, and government-related payments. This zero-fee phase is designed to boost adoption among individuals and corporate entities while systems continue to scale. By integrating the digital ruble into state fiscal operations, Russia is demonstrating how central bank digital currencies can work alongside core public-sector financial systems and eventually become a part of them. This reflects a shift toward programmable money models, where the state can efficiently disburse funds, collect revenues, and manage transfers on blockchain-enabled rails, potentially at lower operational costs.  Banks, Businesses, and Timelines Get Integrated Into the Digital Economy Alongside budget systems, Russia’s banking sector is gearing up for broader CBDC integration. Regulators have laid out a phased timetable requiring the country’s largest banks and their institutional retail clients to support digital ruble transactions by September 1, 2026. These banks must ensure that customers can open digital ruble accounts, make transfers, and pay for goods and services using the new CBDC. Smaller banks and commercial entities will follow a slower schedule, with full compliance expected between 2027 and 2028 as infrastructure upgrades are completed. This phased approach mirrors broader trends in major CBDC initiatives worldwide, where central banks collaborate with commercial institutions to scale digital currency infrastructure gradually.  However, analysts suggest that a widely adopted CBDC may challenge existing payment networks, including established card systems, by offering a blockchain-enabled alternative that could slow the growth of traditional payment instruments by an estimated 7–9% annually. This transformation also raises questions about data privacy, user experience, and the role of digital currencies in everyday economic life. As the rollout advances toward mass use in 2026 and beyond, the digital ruble could reshape how public funds are managed, how payments flow through banks, and how businesses and citizens interact with state-issued digital money.

What Has Binance Launched? Binance has introduced its first regulated perpetual futures linked to traditional financial assets, starting with contracts tracking gold and silver. The new products are settled in USDT and offered through Nest Exchange Limited, a Binance entity regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market. The contracts, branded as TradFi Perpetual Contracts, allow traders to gain continuous exposure to gold and silver through the same perpetual futures structure commonly used in crypto markets. The initial pairs, XAUUSDT and XAGUSDT, track the price of gold and silver respectively, with Binance saying additional traditional-asset contracts are planned. Perpetual contracts do not have an expiry date and are widely used for hedging and leveraged trading. Binance said the TradFi versions follow the same settlement currency and fee framework as its crypto perpetuals, while applying pricing and risk controls suited to periods when traditional markets are closed. Investor Takeaway Gold and silver are now tradable on Binance through regulated, USDT-settled perpetuals, giving traders round-the-clock access to commodities without leaving crypto derivatives markets. Why Is Binance Moving Into Traditional Assets? The launch reflects a broader push by major crypto exchanges to widen their product range beyond digital assets. Trading volumes across spot crypto markets have fluctuated in recent quarters, pushing platforms to look for new sources of activity and liquidity. Traditional assets, especially commodities, offer a familiar hedge during periods when crypto price momentum slows. Binance said it is the first global digital asset platform to secure a full suite of licenses under the ADGM framework that allows regulated derivatives tied to traditional markets. By using its Abu Dhabi-regulated entity, the exchange is able to offer these products under a clearer supervisory structure than many offshore derivatives venues. In December, updates to Binance’s API hinted that stock-linked perpetual contracts were under development. The gold and silver launch confirms that the exchange is testing demand for TradFi-linked derivatives before expanding into other asset classes. “We were beta-testing and can now announce the launch of TradFi Perpetuals — a new product category bringing TradFi assets into crypto through USDT-settled contracts,” a Binance spokesperson said after the announcement. How Do TradFi Perpetuals Work When Markets Are Closed? Unlike spot gold or silver markets, which close overnight and during holidays, Binance’s perpetual contracts trade continuously. The exchange said it has adapted pricing and risk-management mechanisms to account for periods when underlying markets are shut, reducing the risk of sharp dislocations when traditional venues reopen. This approach mirrors how crypto perpetuals already function during periods of thin liquidity, but applied to assets whose reference markets follow fixed trading hours. Traders can hold, hedge, or adjust positions at any time, rather than waiting for commodity exchanges to reopen. Jeff Li, Binance’s vice president of product, said the launch gives users continuous access to traditional assets through a derivatives format they already know, bringing commodities into the same trading environment as crypto. Investor Takeaway Perpetual access removes time-zone and market-hour constraints, but it also concentrates risk during off-hours when price discovery relies more heavily on derivatives flows. Is Capital Rotating Away From Crypto? The timing of the launch comes as trading interest has shifted across asset classes. Capital flows into bitcoin have slowed compared with earlier cycles, while demand for equities and commodities has remained steady. Precious metals, in particular, have attracted renewed attention as macro uncertainty persists. CryptoQuant founder Ki Young Ju commented on Thursday that liquidity has spread across a wider range of markets. “Capital inflows into bitcoin have dried up,” he wrote. “Liquidity channels are more diverse now, so timing inflows is pointless. Money just rotated to stocks and shiny rocks.” This rotation helps explain why crypto exchanges are expanding into commodities and tokenized traditional assets. Beyond derivatives, onchain representations of stocks and commodities have grown rapidly over the past year. Data from a Dune dashboard curated by Gate Research shows tokenized traditional assets surpassed $1 billion in total value by late 2025, up roughly fifty-fold year over year. What Comes Next? Binance has not said which traditional assets will follow gold and silver, but its earlier API signals point toward equities and other commodities. If uptake is strong, TradFi Perpetual Contracts could become a parallel derivatives layer where crypto-native traders access conventional markets without switching platforms. The launch also adds pressure on rival exchanges to respond. Regulated perpetuals tied to traditional assets blur the line between crypto and conventional derivatives, especially when offered around the clock and settled in stablecoins.

ATFX has announced a regional sponsorship partnership with the Argentine Football Association (AFA), marking a strategic move that links elite sport with global trading culture. Built around ATFX’s “Road to Goals” theme, the collaboration highlights preparation, discipline, and resilience as shared foundations between professional football and successful trading. The partnership positions ATFX alongside one of football’s most storied institutions as global attention builds toward the next World Cup cycle. With Argentina’s national team representing excellence at the highest level of competition, the sponsorship reinforces ATFX’s ambition to associate its brand with long-term performance rather than short-term results. By combining finance and sport, ATFX aims to engage a broader international audience, particularly in regions where football culture plays a central role in shaping community identity and aspiration. Takeaway: ATFX’s partnership with AFA reflects a broader trend of financial firms using elite sport to reinforce values of discipline, strategy, and long-term performance while expanding brand reach in key global markets. Shared Foundations of Strategy and Discipline ATFX and AFA are aligned around a common philosophy: success is built on preparation, informed decision-making, and adaptability under pressure. In professional football, tactical discipline and execution define outcomes; in trading, structured strategies and risk management play the same role. Argentina’s football legacy, shaped by three World Cup titles and iconic players such as Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, provides a powerful narrative of resilience and excellence. Current stars, including Rodrigo de Paul and Enzo Fernández, continue that tradition, reinforcing the team’s relevance for a new generation. For ATFX, aligning with AFA strengthens its message that sustainable performance—whether on the pitch or in financial markets—comes from consistency, learning, and disciplined execution over time. Education as the Central Link Between Sport and Trading Education sits at the core of ATFX’s global strategy, and the partnership uses football as a relatable framework to communicate trading principles. By drawing parallels between match preparation and market analysis, ATFX aims to make financial education more accessible and engaging. Just as players must adjust tactics in response to changing conditions during a match, traders are required to navigate volatility and uncertainty in financial markets. The collaboration frames education as the assistance that helps individuals progress toward their goals, rather than focusing solely on outcomes. According to ATFX Chairman Joe Li, the partnership reflects a commitment to empowering communities through knowledge, ensuring traders are supported with tools and education as they pursue long-term financial objectives. Global Brand Expansion and Long-Term Vision From AFA’s perspective, the sponsorship supports its continued international expansion strategy. Since 2021, the association has built commercial operations across multiple regions, strengthening its global brand and creating partnerships beyond traditional football markets. AFA Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer Leandro Petersen noted that collaborations such as ATFX validate the federation’s long-term vision of global engagement, particularly across Asia and the Americas. The partnership will include joint marketing initiatives designed to amplify the reach of both organisations. As ATFX and AFA move forward together, the collaboration underscores how finance and sport can intersect to inspire ambition, resilience, and global participation—on the field and in the markets.

Webull has launched Vega AI for Australian users, introducing an artificial intelligence-powered investment assistant designed to help retail investors navigate markets with greater speed, clarity, and confidence. Available from today at no additional cost, the new tool delivers real-time analysis across stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies, reinforcing Webull’s push to embed advanced analytics directly into the trading experience. Takeaway: Vega AI signals Webull’s shift from being a trading platform with tools to a decision-support platform with intelligence. By offering AI-driven insights for free, Webull is raising competitive pressure in Australia’s retail brokerage market while accelerating the mainstream adoption of AI-assisted investing. AI Moves From Optional Add-On to Core Trading Feature Vega AI is positioned as a 24/7 investment assistant that transforms complex market information into accessible insights. The tool summarises corporate disclosures and SEC filings, tracks real-time price movements, and explains the drivers behind market changes as they happen. This approach is designed to reduce the cognitive load on investors who may struggle to process raw data, filings, and fragmented news flows. Unlike traditional research tools that require users to actively search for information, Vega AI proactively surfaces relevant updates and delivers daily summaries during trading hours and after-market sessions. By combining live market data with AI interpretation, Webull aims to help investors understand not just what is moving, but why it is moving. Rob Talevski, CEO of Webull Securities Australia, described Vega AI as one of the most significant product upgrades introduced locally, emphasizing its role in giving everyday Australian investors access to capabilities that were previously the preserve of institutional desks. From Options Intelligence to Smart News Filtering One of Vega AI’s standout features is its options statistics insight engine, which highlights unusual activity in options chains and translates that data into actionable context. For active traders, this can surface potential opportunities that might otherwise remain buried in large datasets. The platform also integrates smart news aggregation, curating and summarising updates from premium sources such as Reuters. By filtering out market noise and focusing on relevance, Vega AI addresses a common pain point for retail investors: information overload during volatile market conditions. For U.S. equities, Vega AI adds an additional layer through intelligent financial report analysis. Dense SEC filings are distilled into clear, digestible summaries, enabling users to quickly identify material developments without needing to interpret lengthy regulatory documents. Democratising AI-Driven Investing in Australia Webull’s decision to make Vega AI available to all Australian users at no extra cost is strategically significant. As AI tools increasingly become embedded in trading platforms, pricing and accessibility are emerging as key differentiators. By offering Vega AI as a standard feature, Webull is positioning itself as an intelligence-first platform rather than a premium, paywalled research provider. The tool is designed to serve both novice and experienced investors. Beginners benefit from simplified explanations and guided insights, while more sophisticated traders gain continuous analysis across multiple asset classes. This dual focus aligns with Webull’s broader goal of democratising access to markets without diluting analytical depth. Regulated by ASIC and operating as a trading participant on both the ASX and Cboe Australia, Webull is integrating Vega AI within an established regulatory framework. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in retail investing, the launch highlights how brokerages are competing not just on execution and fees, but on who can best augment investor decision-making in real time.

For most of the last cycle, crypto perpetual swaps were a remarkably forgiving market. Funding rates rewarded passive positioning, delta-neutral strategies felt structurally protected, and exchanges sold the illusion that liquidation engines existed purely to preserve stability. In 2025, that illusion broke. The year marked a turning point for perpetual swaps—not because of a macro shock, but because of internal failures in market structure. What followed was not simply volatility, but a reckoning that forced traders, market makers, and exchanges to confront uncomfortable truths about leverage, incentives, and trust. This is the state of crypto perpetual swaps in 2025: a market that survived its most destructive internal crisis, shed its weakest participants, and began evolving toward something more complex—and less forgiving. Why was the October crash a structural failure, not a price event? The defining moment of 2025 was not driven by inflation data, central bank policy, or geopolitical headlines. It was driven by a breakdown in exchange-level risk management. The 10–11 October crash triggered an estimated $20 billion liquidation cascade—the largest in crypto history—and inflicted unprecedented damage on professional liquidity providers. What made this event different was not the size of the price move, but who bore the losses. For the first time, market makers running textbook delta-neutral strategies were forced into losses by the very systems designed to keep markets orderly. Auto Deleveraging (ADL) mechanisms—meant to socialise risk during extreme conditions—entered feedback loops. As long positions failed, exchanges forcibly closed short hedges held by market makers to offset bankrupt accounts. Neutral books became directional exposures overnight. Investor Takeaway The October crash was a microstructure failure. Risk engines broke their promise of neutrality, permanently changing how professionals view exchange risk. How delta-neutral strategies were dismantled Delta-neutral trading has long been the backbone of crypto market making. By pairing long spot exposure with short perpetuals, firms could earn funding while remaining insulated from price direction. On 10 October, that insulation failed. As liquidation pressure mounted, ADL systems aggressively closed profitable short positions held by market makers. This left firms long spot assets in a collapsing market, with no hedge in place. Losses cascaded not because strategies were flawed, but because infrastructure forcibly rewrote risk exposure. The result was immediate and lasting. Market makers pulled liquidity across venues in Q4. Order books thinned to levels not seen since 2022. Spreads widened. Slippage increased. The cost of trading rose for everyone. Investor Takeaway Neutral strategies are only neutral if exchanges honour them. Infrastructure risk is now a first-order consideration. Did funding rate arbitrage finally hit its limits? If 2024 was the year funding arbitrage went mainstream, 2025 was the year it became unprofitable. The long spot / short perp trade did not explode—it suffocated under its own popularity. What began as a clever yield mechanism was rapidly productised, scaled, and embedded directly into exchange infrastructure. Exchange-issued delta-neutral assets flooded the market with automated short flow. Every dollar minted into these products sold perpetual exposure. The supply of shorts overwhelmed organic long demand. Funding rates collapsed. By mid-2025, yields that once exceeded 15–20% annualised compressed to around 4%, often underperforming U.S. Treasury bills. For the first time in a bull-leaning market environment, funding consistently traded below the historical baseline. Investor Takeaway Funding arbitrage is no longer “free money.” Scale and automation eliminated excess returns. Why trust became the most valuable currency in 2025 As yields disappeared and volatility rose, another fracture emerged: trust. 2025 exposed the risks of opaque B-Book exchange models, where platforms internalise user flow and profit from client losses. When volatility surged, several venues invoked vague “abnormal trading” clauses to void profitable trades or freeze accounts. For traders, this was a wake-up call. Volume metrics proved meaningless if profits could be confiscated. Where you traded became as important as what you traded. The divide between fair matchers and predatory platforms widened. Exchanges operating true peer-to-peer matching engines gained credibility. Others lost it permanently. Investor Takeaway In stressed markets, counterparty integrity matters more than leverage, fees, or UI. Did perpetual DEXs solve the problem—or create new ones? As centralised exchanges faltered, trading activity flowed toward high-performance perpetual DEXs. On-chain transparency promised fairness. In practice, it introduced new vulnerabilities. Public order books and visible liquidation thresholds turned into attack surfaces. In illiquid pre-TGE markets, coordinated actors manipulated internal prices to trigger forced liquidations. Transparency became a map for predation. Decentralisation did not eliminate risk—it redistributed it. Unlike centralised venues, many protocols disclaimed responsibility when systems failed, leaving users with no recourse. The lesson was sobering: decentralisation is not immunity, and transparency without safeguards can be dangerous. Investor Takeaway On-chain transparency can expose traders to targeted attacks. Risk management still matters. Why liquidity fragmentation reshaped trading behaviour Following the October crash, liquidity became scarce and selective. Market makers reduced exposure. Leverage declined. Depth vanished outside of major venues. Traders adapted by shifting from passive yield strategies to active risk management. Relative-value trades, volatility positioning, and tactical execution replaced set-and-forget approaches. The perpetual market stopped rewarding inertia. Investor Takeaway 2025 rewarded activity, not passivity. Alpha moved from structure to skill. Are equity perpetuals the next product-market fit? One of the clearest growth areas in 2025 was the convergence of crypto derivatives and traditional equities. Demand to trade U.S. stocks outside of market hours surged. Crypto exchanges filled the gap by offering equity-linked perpetuals, allowing traders to speculate on earnings, macro events, and momentum 24/7 using crypto collateral. For many traders, this became the most compelling use case for perpetual swaps since Bitcoin itself. Investor Takeaway Equity perps reflect genuine demand—not leverage addiction. This is structural, not cyclical. Funding rates as a tradable asset class As funding arbitrage compressed, traders stopped farming rates and started trading them. Markets emerged that allowed participants to speculate directly on funding volatility—hedging spikes, betting on reversals, or capturing dislocations across venues. This shift marked a maturation of the derivatives ecosystem. Funding became information, not income. Investor Takeaway Funding volatility is now a tradeable signal, not a guaranteed yield stream. What 2025 changed permanently The perpetual swaps market that emerged from 2025 is leaner, harsher, and more honest. Easy yield is gone. Blind trust in exchange risk engines is gone. Passive strategies no longer survive volatility. In their place is a market that rewards transparency, infrastructure resilience, and active risk management. The winners will not be the loudest or fastest-growing platforms—but the ones that can survive stress without rewriting the rules. Conclusion: A more grounded derivatives market 2025 was painful, but necessary. The ADL crisis forced the industry to confront structural weaknesses. The collapse of funding arbitrage exposed false assumptions about “risk-free” yield. Trust failures reshaped venue selection. The result is a derivatives market that is smaller in illusion, but larger in substance. Perpetual swaps are no longer a casino. They are a professional market again. Learn More: bitmex.com/blog/state-of-crypto-perps-2025

What was deployed Orbs said Atlantis has integrated its Perpetual Hub Ultra product to enable onchain perpetual futures trading on the Monad network. The deployment expands Atlantis’ trading offering beyond spot markets and introduces a managed perpetuals stack without requiring the platform to build custom backend infrastructure. The integration is built on Atlantis’ modular V4 architecture and uses Orbs’ Layer-3 execution layer. According to the companies, the setup allows Atlantis to offer perpetual futures through a plug-and-play framework while retaining flexibility to adjust or expand features over time. With the launch, Atlantis positions itself as a broader DeFi venue on Monad, covering both spot and derivatives trading within a single interface. How Perpetual Hub Ultra works Perpetual Hub Ultra is Orbs’ latest iteration of its perpetual futures infrastructure. It provides a full derivatives stack, including liquidation logic, hedging mechanisms, oracle support, and a professional trading interface, delivered through a modular integration layer. The protocol is designed to aggregate liquidity from multiple sources rather than relying on a single pool. This allows decentralized exchanges to access deeper liquidity without maintaining their own market-making infrastructure. Ultra also supports intent-based execution, a model that separates trade intent from execution, aiming to improve efficiency and execution quality while keeping settlement onchain. Investor Takeaway Onchain perps are moving toward shared infrastructure. Execution layers, not individual DEXs, are increasingly where performance is defined. What Atlantis gains from the integration For Atlantis, the integration removes the need to build and maintain a proprietary perpetuals backend. Instead, the platform can deploy derivatives trading as a modular extension of its existing architecture. Users gain access to adjustable leverage, aggregated liquidity, and faster execution compared with typical onchain derivatives designs. Atlantis, meanwhile, retains control over product configuration and can adapt as Monad’s ecosystem evolves. The model reflects a broader trend in DeFi toward composable trading infrastructure, where platforms assemble capabilities from specialized providers rather than building everything internally. Orbs’ role as an execution layer Perpetual Hub Ultra builds on earlier Perpetual Hub deployments that are already live across several decentralized trading venues. The Ultra version extends the model by routing liquidity from both onchain and offchain sources, including major centralized exchanges, while keeping settlement and execution decentralized. Orbs operates as a Layer-3 network secured by a public set of permissionless validators using delegated proof-of-stake. The network is positioned as an execution layer optimized for advanced trading logic rather than a general-purpose base chain. According to Orbs, this structure allows DeFi protocols to approach centralized exchange-level execution quality without abandoning onchain composability. Context: intent-based trading and onchain derivatives Intent-based models have gained traction in spot markets as a way to improve execution efficiency and reduce user-facing complexity. Applying the same approach to perpetual futures has been more difficult due to liquidation risk, leverage, and funding mechanics. The Atlantis deployment demonstrates how intent-based execution can be extended to derivatives using shared infrastructure. Whether the model scales will depend on liquidity sourcing, risk controls, and user demand for onchain alternatives to centralized perpetuals. For Monad, the launch adds a derivatives use case to its DeFi stack at an early stage in the network’s growth. Investor Takeaway The competitive edge in DeFi perps is shifting from individual DEX design to execution layers that aggregate liquidity and manage complexity.

Ethereum (ETH) still finds itself among the top performers in the market, but it is one of the slowest-performing assets in the market. ETH has been relegated between increased support levels and strong resistance levels, while trading volume has been low, an indication of weakness. For investors looking for the top crypto to buy now, such a market is calling for a move towards new cryptocurrencies with more immediate gains. Among the emerging cryptocurrencies making headlines is Mutuum Finance (MUTM) which is undervalued at just $0.04 in presale phase 7. With over $19.68 million already raised and presale moving at a rapid pace, the project has taken over as the top crypto to buy now. Ethereum’s (ETH) Momentum Stalls Although the basics for Ethereum are good in the long run, it is also observed that the present market trend is a pause in the market. The present market trend for ETH is in the form of a leading diagonal since 2022, and the token might go as high as $8.5k to $11k, but is now losing steam as it finds it difficult to re-enter key resistances. For the active investor, MUTM offers a more defined market trend for gains, making it the best crypto to buy today, as well as the best cheap cryptocurrency in the presale phase. MUTM Presale  Mutuum Finance is seeing rapid growth during its presale. The DeFi crypto is currently priced at $0.04 during the 7th phase of the presale. The presale features increasing prices that will see MUTM cost nearly 20% higher in phase 8 while launch price is set at $0.06. This creates a profit mechanism for investors long before MUTM launches on exchanges. Experts predict that as more adoption grows, MUTM's price may rise to rise toward $1.20, delivering a 2900% profit for an investor during phase 7. More than 18,730 people have already taken part. For investors seeking the top crypto to buy now, phase 7 presents a cheap opportunity with huge upside. MUTM Community Incentives Mutuum Finance engages their community with the help of reward systems which promote constant interest in the token. An ongoing event with a $100,000 giveaway will see ten individuals get $10,000. In addition, the project is rewarding its biggest buyer every day with a  $500 MUTM bonus. What’s more there is a leaderboard for the biggest 50 MUTM holders who also stand to gain rewards.  Revenue-Sharing Model  Every transaction within Mutuum Finance generates fees. A fraction of these fees will then be used by the project to buy back MUTM tokens from the market. However, rather than burning them, these tokens will be shared among Mutuum Finance stakers. Stakers are normally market players with a longer-term commitment to the project. This means they might choose to hold the tokens, which will drive the price of MUTM higher. If the project, for instance, generates $1 million in fees, a fraction of these will go to them. Lending APYs  MUTM features a dual lending mechanism that features peer-to-contract and peer-to-peer lending. With P2C, lenders deposit their funds in liquidity pools with an APY of as high as 15%, depending on the platform’s usage. This means an investor with idle 10 ETH in their wallet may choose to deposit in the pools to take advantage of the yields. For more volatile assets, like Shiba Inu, they may choose peer-to-peer lending to negotiate higher APYs that could even reach 20%.  MUTM Provides A Rare Early-Stage Open While the hype surrounding Ethereum continues to wane, MUTM is still in a nascent stage of development and has strong upside fueled by a rapidly selling presale, community rewards, a buyback & redistribute mechanism, and juicy lending APYs. It not only gives presale participants an early shot at a dwindling token supply but also has a scalable multi-chain strategy that makes it ideal for long-term holding. As one of the most promising cheap crypto tokens currently available, MUTM is attracting investors looking for early-stage opportunities with high growth potential. For more information about Mutuum Finance (MUTM) visit the links below: Website: https://mutuum.com/  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/mutuumfinance 

Fireblocks has agreed to acquire TRES Finance, adding enterprise-grade accounting, reporting, and audit capabilities to its digital asset infrastructure platform. The deal brings together transaction execution, custody, and onchain operations with financial reconciliation and compliance, positioning Fireblocks as a unified operating system for institutional digital asset activity. The acquisition reflects how digital assets are moving deeper into regulated financial workflows. As banks, fintechs, and crypto-native firms expand onchain operations, the ability to align blockchain activity with traditional accounting, ERP, and reporting systems has become a baseline requirement rather than a differentiator. By integrating TRES Finance, Fireblocks aims to close the long-standing gap between onchain execution and back-office finance, enabling institutions to manage digital asset lifecycles from transaction creation through to audit-ready financial statements within a single platform. Takeaway: Fireblocks’ acquisition of TRES Finance signals that infrastructure alone is no longer enough in institutional crypto. Accounting, auditability, and regulatory reporting are becoming core components of digital asset platforms as onchain activity converges with traditional finance. From Secure Transactions to Financial-Grade Reporting Fireblocks has built its reputation as secure infrastructure for digital asset transfers, custody, tokenization, and settlement, supporting trillions of dollars in transaction volume annually. TRES Finance adds the financial intelligence layer required to translate that activity into structured, contextualised records that meet enterprise accounting and regulatory standards. TRES automates reconciliation and reporting across hundreds of blockchains, exchanges, custodians, and banks, enabling institutions to maintain accurate ledgers, prepare audits, and comply with tax and disclosure requirements across jurisdictions. Integrating these capabilities directly into Fireblocks embeds compliance and reporting into the transaction lifecycle rather than treating them as downstream processes. This unified workflow links middle-office operations with back-office finance, reducing manual reconciliation, operational risk, and data fragmentation. For institutions scaling digital asset activity, this alignment is critical as regulatory expectations increasingly mirror those applied to traditional financial instruments. Meeting Rising Regulatory and Enterprise Standards Regulatory clarity around digital assets is advancing globally, bringing higher expectations for financial controls, transparency, and audit readiness. Institutions operating onchain must now demonstrate the same levels of accuracy and governance expected in traditional markets, including clean financial records and integration with existing ERP and ledger systems. Fireblocks CEO Michael Shaulov said the combination enables customers to run both operations and finance on a single, secure, and compliant stack. Crypto-native firms face growing tax and disclosure obligations, while banks and fintechs require reconciliation frameworks that fit seamlessly into established enterprise processes. TRES Finance’s existing client base includes exchanges, market makers, banks, and infrastructure providers, underscoring the demand for institutional-grade reporting as digital assets become part of everyday financial operations rather than isolated experimental activities. Building an Operating System for Onchain Finance The acquisition positions Fireblocks beyond infrastructure provider and toward a full operating system for onchain finance. Transactions carry financial context from inception, enabling real-time visibility into balances, exposures, and reporting outcomes as activity occurs on blockchain rails. TRES Finance CEO Tal Zackon said joining Fireblocks allows the platform’s financial record-keeping capabilities to scale globally, supporting institutions as more financial activity migrates onchain. Together, the platforms aim to provide the end-to-end stack required for institutional adoption at scale. As digital assets continue to converge with traditional financial systems, platforms that unify execution, custody, and financial reporting are likely to set the standard. Fireblocks’ move highlights how the next phase of institutional crypto adoption will be defined less by access to blockchain technology and more by operational maturity and regulatory alignment.