Crypto News Round-Up — December 2025

December has seen a flurry of developments across the cryptocurrency landscape. From new regulatory moves in Europe to major hacks in decentralized finance, and growing acceptance of digital assets by mainstream companies, this round-up covers the key events shaping the market today. These stories highlight the fast-changing nature of the crypto space and its intersection with traditional finance.

• EU Tightens Crypto Advertising Rules
• NYSE Owner Expands Crypto Custody
• Popular DeFi Platform Exploited
• Visa Integrates USD Coin for Payments
• Walmart Considers Crypto Payments
• SEC Proposes Stricter Stablecoin Controls

EU Tightens Crypto Advertising Rules

The European Commission announced updated guidelines to regulate cryptocurrency advertising across member states. Under the new rules, crypto promotions must include clear risk warnings and adhere to stringent transparency standards. Financial watchdogs in Brussels pushed the proposal following rising concerns that unregulated ads had misled retail investors. The guidelines will require firms to obtain approval for marketing materials and to prominently display disclaimers about the volatility and risk of crypto assets (Reuters).

Consumer protection agencies say the move aims to curb aggressive marketing tactics and make crypto investing safer for average users. The proposals still need approval by EU lawmakers before taking effect in the coming year.

• Stricter ad rules could reduce scams and protect new investors.
• Aligns crypto with traditional financial product regulations.
• May influence how companies market crypto services in Europe.

NYSE Owner Expands Crypto Custody

Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the owner of the New York Stock Exchange, announced an expansion of its digital asset custody services for institutional clients. The offering, operated through ICE’s Bakkt platform, now supports both Bitcoin and Ether storage with new security features. ICE executives say the move responds to growing demand from banks and asset managers seeking regulated custody and trading options (Bloomberg).

The custody network will also integrate regulatory compliance tools, making it easier for clients to verify holdings and follow reporting requirements. ICE is positioning itself as a bridge between traditional finance and crypto markets.

• Institutional custody boosts confidence among large investors.
• Shows mainstream financial firms deepening ties with crypto.
• Could lead to more regulated crypto products for pension funds and banks.

Popular DeFi Platform Exploited

A widely-used decentralized finance (DeFi) platform on the Ethereum blockchain was hit by a major exploit, resulting in the theft of assets valued in the tens of millions of dollars. The attacker exploited a vulnerability in the protocol’s smart contract, draining one of the liquidity pools before developers could halt operations. The breach was first reported late yesterday, and a leading blockchain security firm is analyzing the transaction trail as the platform race to patch its code (CoinDesk).

Investors in the platform are left waiting to see if there will be any recompense or insurance coverage. The incident underscores ongoing security challenges in DeFi, where automated smart contracts, once under attack, can lose funds before a fix is implemented.

• Highlights the high risks of unaudited or complex DeFi code.
• May prompt calls for insurance or regulatory oversight of protocols.
• Could shake confidence and cause users to pull funds from similar platforms.

Visa Integrates USD Coin for Payments

Visa announced that it will begin settling transactions on its network using USD Coin (USDC), a popular dollar-pegged stablecoin. Under the new arrangement, merchants and financial institutions processing cross-border payments will have the option to use USDC for settlement. Visa executives say the pilot program, launching early next year, aims to leverage blockchain speed and liquidity to improve transaction efficiency (Reuters).

This marks one of the largest payment networks formally incorporating stablecoin settlement. By integrating USDC, Visa hopes to reduce costs and settlement times for international transfers, while also opening its large merchant base to crypto-like functionality.

• Bridges traditional finance and crypto, signaling mainstream uptake.
• May lower fees and speed up remittances for businesses.
• Legitimizes stablecoins as a payment option in global commerce.

Walmart Considers Crypto Payments

Retail giant Walmart is reportedly exploring options to accept cryptocurrency payments in its stores and online. According to industry sources, discussions are underway internally and with payment partners about enabling transactions in Bitcoin and select altcoins. No official announcement has been made, but analysts say the mere consideration highlights retail’s growing interest in crypto as a means to attract digital-savvy shoppers (CNBC).

Other major retailers have experimented with crypto payments in limited pilot programs, but a full rollout at a chain as large as Walmart would be significant. Wallet integration and regulatory compliance would need to be addressed before any launch.

• If implemented, this could greatly expand crypto’s real-world use cases.
• Makes crypto more accessible and familiar to everyday consumers.
• May drive further adoption if other retailers follow suit.

SEC Proposes Stricter Stablecoin Controls

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) unveiled a draft proposal to impose stricter regulations on stablecoin issuers. The proposal would require stablecoin providers to maintain fully liquid, on-demand reserves and submit to regular audits and SEC disclosures. Officials say the measures are intended to ensure that stablecoins remain fully backed and transparent, reducing risks to the financial system if a stablecoin were to fail (Bloomberg).

This follows recent scrutiny of stablecoins amid worries about liquidity and bank-like failures. The comment period for the new rule is set to last for 60 days, and industry groups are already mobilizing to provide feedback.

• Regulation could increase trust in stablecoins and protect users.
• Might increase costs for issuers, possibly affecting supply and fees.
• Signals regulators’ concerns about crypto's integration with banking systems.

Reminder: Cryptocurrency markets can be highly volatile and incorporate unique risks. This round-up is for informational purposes only and not investment advice. Always do your own research (DYOR) before making financial decisions.

Bottom Line

This round-up highlights the accelerating pace of change in the crypto industry. Regulators are moving to tighten oversight, while major financial and commercial players continue to explore and integrate digital assets. At the same time, security incidents remind us of the fragility of emerging blockchain systems. Investors and participants should remain cautious during this dynamic period. Keep an eye on updates, stay informed about risks, and weigh market developments carefully.