Crypto News

Crypto market maker DWF Labs has completed its first physical gold trade involving a 25-kilogram bar, signaling an expansion into legacy commodities as gold prices hit record highs above $4,500 per ounce. This strategic pivot by a prominent cryptocurrency firm into traditional hard assets reflects pragmatic capital allocation amid gold's 69% year-to-date rally vastly outperforming digital assets, though the move raises questions about commitment to cryptocurrency's value proposition and whether it signals broader industry loss of confidence in digital-only strategies.

Gold has reached a new all-time high, surpassing $4,500 per ounce for the first time in history. This milestone extends gold's remarkable 2025 rally that has seen the precious metal gain approximately 69% year-to-date, far outperforming cryptocurrencies and traditional equities while drawing capital away from digital assets and challenging Bitcoin's narrative as superior inflation hedge and store of value.

JPMorgan is considering offering spot and derivatives cryptocurrency trading services to its institutional clients, building on recent blockchain activities and following competitors like Morgan Stanley into the digital asset space. This potential move by America's largest bank represents significant validation of cryptocurrency markets' maturation and institutional demand, though the bank's historical skepticism toward crypto under CEO Jamie Dimon creates tension with this strategic evolution.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, commonly known as CZ, recently stated "you need Bitcoin more than Bitcoin needs you," emphasizing the cryptocurrency's independence from any individual participant and its value proposition as decentralized, censorship-resistant money. The statement reflects Bitcoin maximalist philosophy while promoting the asset amid market challenges, though critics question whether self-promotional messaging from exchange executives serves investor interests.

Scott Bessent, President-elect Trump's nominee for Treasury Secretary, has criticized the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing policies for creating a "two-tier economy" that benefited asset holders while leaving others behind, calling the Fed the "engine of inequality." However, this critique appears contradictory given reported Trump administration plans to install a Federal Reserve Chair willing to cut rates to 1%, potentially amplifying the same asset price inflation Bessent condemns.

ETF data reveals Bitcoin maintained dominant market position throughout 2025 while Ethereum gradually increased its share of cryptocurrency investment flows, reflecting evolving investor preferences and institutional allocation strategies. The data demonstrates Bitcoin's enduring status as primary crypto asset while Ethereum's growing utility and ecosystem development attract incremental capital despite challenging market conditions.

Russia is considering relaxing cryptocurrency regulations to allow non-qualified investors to purchase digital tokens, marking a potential shift in the country's approach to retail crypto participation. This regulatory evolution would expand access beyond accredited investors to ordinary citizens, reflecting Russia's growing interest in leveraging cryptocurrency for economic purposes amid international sanctions.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed charges against operators of a $14 million cryptocurrency investment scam that targeted victims through social media platforms. The enforcement action highlights ongoing fraud risks in cryptocurrency markets and the SEC's continued focus on protecting retail investors from schemes exploiting crypto's popularity and complexity.

The number of wallets holding at least 1 Bitcoin has declined 2.2% since March, but remaining holders collectively accumulated 136,670 additional BTC during the same period, according to on-chain analytics firm Santiment. This divergence signals growing concentration among committed Bitcoin holders who are increasing positions while smaller holders exit, reflecting typical accumulation patterns during market uncertainty.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has announced that x402 adoption is "taking off," with the protocol enabling over $50 million in transactions during the last 30 days. This significant milestone demonstrates growing real-world usage of the payment standard and validates Coinbase's efforts to expand cryptocurrency utility beyond speculative trading into practical everyday transactions.