Crypto News Round-Up — December 2025

December saw a flurry of significant events in cryptocurrency. Regulators in the UK introduced sweeping new rules, while major hacks and law enforcement actions made headlines. Institutional interest and celebrity partnerships continued to shape the market narrative. Below is a concise roundup of key crypto developments this month.

• UK Sets Out New Crypto Regulations
• North Korean Hackers Steal Record $2B+
• Europol Dismantles $700M Crypto Laundering Network
• JPMorgan Mulls Crypto Services for Clients
• Circle Launches Arc Stablecoin Blockchain Testnet
• Crypto.com’s Cronos Partners with Trump Media

UK Sets Out New Crypto Regulations

In mid-December, the British government proposed major legislation to regulate cryptocurrencies like traditional financial products (www.techradar.com) (MoneyWeek). The draft rules under the updated Financial Services and Markets Act would subject crypto trading platforms to tighter disclosure and trading standards, much as stock exchanges are regulated. The plan, announced on Dec 15, 2025, emphasizes transparency, consumer protections and reporting requirements for crypto firms (www.techradar.com).

If enacted, these rules would bring UK crypto regulations closer to those for stocks and bonds, filling a longstanding gap. The proposals also include stronger oversight of stablecoin issuers and anti-fraud measures, aiming to reduce scams and improve investor confidence.

• Aligns crypto oversight with traditional finance and EU standards.
• Could bolster investor protections, reducing fraud and market abuse.
• Might increase compliance costs for crypto firms, potentially limiting riskier products.

North Korean Hackers Steal Record $2B+

According to Chainalysis, in 2025 North Korean state-linked hackers stole an estimated $2.02 billion in cryptocurrency, about 60% of all crypto thefts worldwide this year (www.tomshardware.com) (Chainalysis). This represents a yearly high and a continuation of the DPRK’s sophisticated cybercrime campaign. Notably, the largest single heist was a $1.5 billion hack of the ByBit exchange, attributed to North Korean actors (www.tomshardware.com). Chainalysis reports that while fewer hacks occurred overall, North Korean attackers focused on bigger targets, resulting in larger haul values.

These figures push the total stolen by North Korea since tracking began to around $6.75 billion. The data underscores how state-sponsored groups are the primary force behind major crypto thefts, exploiting weak security in hot wallets and cross-chain bridges to drain massive sums in one go.

• Highlights North Korea’s outsized role in cryptocurrency cybercrime.
• Emphasizes the need for exchanges to beef up security and auditing.
• Expect regulators to push for stricter controls on crypto flows linked to sanctioned entities.

Europol Dismantles $700M Crypto Laundering Network

In a cross-border operation, Europol and partner law enforcement agencies shut down a massive crypto money-laundering network worth roughly $700 million (www.techradar.com) (TechRadar). The criminal ring ran fake cryptocurrency exchange platforms and fraudulent customer support centers in multiple countries. Authorities arrested several suspects and seized digital assets and cash, marking a major success against crypto-enabled crime (www.techradar.com). Investigators say stolen funds from scams and thefts were routed through this gang’s infrastructure.

The takedown demonstrates growing international cooperation in policing crypto fraud. Europol’s action targets the post-theft laundering phase, aiming to cut off criminals from easy cash-out methods. Experts believe this will slow down crypto-based scams and pump-and-dump schemes as law enforcement steps up coordination.

• Shows increased global coordination to tackle crypto crime.
• Disruption of laundering networks can deter large-scale thefts.
• May boost overall trust in crypto markets by cracking down on bad actors.

JPMorgan Mulls Crypto Services for Clients

Wall Street giant JPMorgan Chase is reportedly reconsidering its stance on cryptocurrency services for institutional clients (www.axios.com) (Axios). CEO Jamie Dimon, who has long called Bitcoin and similar assets “worthless” and “fraud” (www.axios.com), may be softening his position as wealthy clients demand crypto-related products. Recent reports suggest the bank is exploring crypto custody and trading support for certain clients, a reversal from its previous hardline rhetoric.

This potential shift reflects broader industry trends. Major banks and investment firms have seen persistent client interest in bitcoin and token-based products, pushing some sceptics to re-evaluate. If JPMorgan moves forward, it could lend legitimacy to cryptocurrency markets and unlock new institutional dollars, though any rollout will likely be cautious and regulated.

• Indicates traditional banks are yielding to crypto demand.
• Could open the door to more institutional crypto investment.
• Highlights tension between caution and innovation in finance.

Circle Launches Arc Stablecoin Blockchain Testnet

Financial startup Circle, known for its USDC stablecoin, announced a new blockchain focused on stablecoins. Named “Arc,” the network’s testnet went live to improve speed, transparency, and user experience for digital currencies (www.axios.com) (Axios). The Arc chain is designed to standardize how regulated stablecoins operate, potentially making transfers faster and more cost-effective. Circle’s goal is to enable clearer auditing and compliance for assets like USDC by using Arc’s native infrastructure.

In practice, Arc could attract more institutional stablecoin activity by offering built-in compliance tools. Supporters say a dedicated stablecoin blockchain may reduce congestion and lower fees, while skeptics note the competitive landscape. Still, Arc’s development highlights ongoing investment in blockchain infrastructure by established crypto companies.

• May boost confidence in stablecoins with better transparency and controls.
• If successful, Arc could streamline large-scale stablecoin payments.
• Represents how crypto firms are building new public chains to solve scaling issues.

Crypto.com’s Cronos Partners with Trump Media

An Associated Press report revealed a deal involving Crypto.com’s Cronos token and Trump Media, the company behind Truth Social (www.axios.com) (AP News). In the partnership, Crypto.com agreed to contribute roughly $1 billion worth of its Cronos tokens in exchange for media rights and marketing with the former president’s social platform. The agreement has raised eyebrows due to the large crypto investment and political implications of such a collaboration (www.axios.com).

Observers note this arrangement highlights how cryptocurrency firms are using token incentives in mainstream business ventures. On the one hand, it brings broad exposure to the Cronos token; on the other, it raises conflict-of-interest and regulatory questions given the political context. Such high-profile deals show tokens being used as marketing currency, blurring lines between tech and politics.

• Shows crypto tokens being used in non-traditional promotion deals.
• Raises regulatory scrutiny over crypto-political partnerships.
• Underscores volatility: political events can now drive token narratives.

Note: Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile and speculative. This summary is informational and not financial advice. Always do your own research (DYOR) and consider risks before making any investment.

Bottom Line

December’s headlines underscore crypto’s dual nature. On one hand, regulators and law enforcement are tightening oversight and cracking down on illicit activity. On the other, major companies and financial institutions continue to engage with crypto through new products, deals and blockchain projects. Investors should take note: evolving regulations and security threats can drive market swings, even as adoption by banks and firms pushes prices up. The bottom line is to stay informed, exercise caution, and weigh both the promises and perils in the crypto space.