Major Wall Street institutions, including JPMorgan and Bank of America, have reportedly begun issuing loans secured by Bitcoin at around 65–70% loan-to-value ratios. These BTC-backed products can generate 2–4% annual returns for banks on potentially tens of billions in credit while giving investors liquidity without selling their holdings, underscoring the deeper integration of crypto into traditional finance.

British cybercrime suspect Danny Khan, also known as Danish Zulfiqar, has reportedly been detained in Dubai after authorities allegedly seized $18.58 million in cryptocurrency tied to transfers of about 3,670 ETH, according to on-chain investigator ZachXBT. He has been linked to a $243 million theft from a Genesis creditor in August 2024 and to the 2023 Kroll SIM swap incident that exposed creditor data and allegedly led to losses exceeding $300 million. Investigators have followed the funds across multiple exchanges and blockchains, but authorities have not yet issued formal confirmation of his arrest.

Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan said Strategy will not be forced to sell its Bitcoin as MSCI reviews digital asset treasury companies. He cited JPMorgan, which estimates index funds could sell up to $2.8 billion of MSTR if Strategy is excluded. MSCI's final decision is set for January 15, he said. Hougan added debt service is covered by $1.4 billion in cash, with the first maturity in February 2027.

The UK Financial Conduct Authority set out retail investment reforms, replacing EU PRIIPs disclosures with a Consumer Composite Investments framework and revising client classifications. The CCI rules, covering products held by about 12.5 million UK adults, will take effect in June 2027. Professional clients will lose consumer duty protections, while individuals with at least £10 million ($13.3 million) in cash may opt out.

Tether said Abu Dhabi Global Market has recognized USDT as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token, allowing institutions licensed by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority to use the stablecoin for regulated services on multiple blockchains. The designation is intended to enhance interoperability, liquidity, and cross-border settlement, while strengthening the UAE’s oversight of digital assets, according to Tether.

The piece explains seven widespread misconceptions about crypto airdrops, outlining what they are, how they typically work, and which expectations are unrealistic. It stresses that airdrops are rarely pure "free money", often require users to complete certain actions, and can involve security risks if sources are not properly verified. The article also notes that basic knowledge and cautious participation are generally enough to start using airdrops without being misled by hype or scams.

Public companies holding cryptocurrency in their treasuries posted a median 43% stock decline year-to-date, underperforming Bitcoin's 7% drop and major equity indexes. More than 100 firms borrowed billions through convertible bonds to buy digital assets, creating mismatches between interest-bearing debt and non-yielding holdings. The financing structure has raised concerns about sustainability as volatility persists across the sector.

Federal prosecutors have requested a 12-year prison sentence for Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon following his guilty plea to orchestrating the TerraUSD collapse that wiped out $40 billion in market value. Kwon admitted to defrauding investors and concealing Jump Trading's role in supporting the stablecoin. His defense team is seeking a reduced five-year term, citing nearly three years already spent in detention in Montenegro. Sentencing is scheduled for December 11.

South Korea's Financial Services Commission is reviewing regulations to impose no-fault compensation requirements on cryptocurrency exchanges following a November hack at Upbit that involved $30 million in Solana-based tokens. The proposed framework would align virtual asset providers with traditional financial institutions in terms of liability and operational standards. More than 900 users were impacted by the breach, which saw over 104 billion tokens transferred to external wallets within one hour.