Crypto News Round-Up — November 2025

Cryptocurrency markets have seen a flurry of major developments over the past week, from regulatory milestones to industry deals and new products. This round-up covers recent headlines, including significant ETF launches, regulatory shifts in key jurisdictions, big moves by financial firms, and emerging security threats. Each story is followed by concise analysis and “why it matters” bullet points.

• U.S. Launches First Altcoin ETFs
• 21Shares Files for “Hype” Token ETF
• UK–US Stablecoin Collaboration Boost
• Kenya Passes Crypto Law
• Mastercard to Acquire Crypto Firm
• Citigroup Partners with Coinbase
• N. Korean Hackers Embed Malware on Blockchain

U.S. Launches First Altcoin ETFs

U.S. fund managers Canary Capital and Bitwise are rolling out the first exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for major altcoins, including litecoin, hedera, and solana (Reuters). These spot crypto ETFs take advantage of newly finalized SEC rules that allow “generic” listing standards, meaning funds no longer need an individualized lengthy review process (www.reuters.com). The offerings will enable investors to gain exposure to non-Bitcoin tokens through familiar stock-market vehicles. Canary Capital’s CEO noted that the firms had extensive preparation before a recent regulatory shutdown, and they feel confident proceeding with launches even amid slower SEC staffing.

• Allows mainstream investors to buy litecoin, hedera and solana via regulated ETFs.
• Reflects SEC’s evolving stance – streamlined approvals for crypto ETFs (Reuters).
• May prompt other firms to prepare more altcoin-based funds for market.

21Shares Files for “Hype” Token ETF

Swiss asset manager 21Shares this week filed for approval of an ETF tracking the “Hype” token (www.reuters.com). The proposed fund would be a passive, spot-market ETF mirroring Hype’s price, with Coinbase and BitGo appointed as custodians (www.reuters.com). Hype is the flagship token of the Hyperliquid network and has surged over 15-fold in value in the past year, making it the 11th-largest crypto by market cap. The filing comes shortly after 21Shares’ acquisition by crypto firm FalconX, and taps into significant investor demand for crypto-linked ETFs: 21Shares now manages over $11 billion in crypto assets (Reuters).

• Highlights booming interest in token-based ETFs among institutions.
• Hype token’s recent rally and prominence helped justify the new fund.
• Situtation benefits from broader ETF reforms; however, regulatory approval is still pending (Reuters).

UK–US Stablecoin Collaboration Boost

At the SALT conference in London, Bank of England Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden urged closer UK–US cooperation on stablecoin regulation (Reuters). With the BoE gearing up to launch a public consultation on stablecoin frameworks in the coming days, Breeden emphasized that aligning standards across which two of the world’s largest markets would promote safer stablecoin adoption. This appeal for harmonized rules reflects growing concern among regulators about the systemic risks of global stablecoins, especially after recent market turbulence.

• Points to the need for international regulatory consistency on stablecoins (Reuters).
• Could lead to clearer cross-border rules, giving issuers and investors more confidence.
• Signals that stablecoin oversight is a priority as major economies formalize guidelines.

Kenya Passes Crypto Law

Kenya’s parliament has approved a new Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) law to regulate cryptocurrency firms, aiming to attract investment by providing clear legal frameworks (www.reuters.com). Once signed by the president, the bill will bring trading platforms, exchanges and other crypto businesses under official oversight. This makes Kenya one of the first African countries to enact comprehensive crypto regulation, and it aligns with Nairobi’s strategy to become a fintech hub. Supporters say the law should boost investor confidence, though stringent licensing requirements will follow.

• Establishes official crypto rules in Kenya, reducing regulatory uncertainty (Reuters).
• May draw more crypto startups and funding into East Africa’s largest economy.
• Shows a global trend of countries regulating rather than banning crypto outright.

Mastercard to Acquire Crypto Firm

Financial news reports indicate that Mastercard plans to acquire crypto payment provider Zerohash for roughly $2 billion (Reuters). Zerohash builds blockchain infrastructure and stablecoin products for institutional clients, complementing Mastercard’s existing crypto initiatives. This would be one of the largest deals in the crypto industry this year. By bringing Zerohash’s technology in-house, Mastercard aims to enhance its digital asset services, continuing the trend of traditional finance firms expanding into crypto.

• Marks a major legacy fintech company doubling down on crypto (Reuters).
• Zerohash’s stablecoin and blockchain tools could bolster Mastercard’s digital currency offerings.
• Signals growing M&A activity as global finance firms race to build crypto capabilities.

Citigroup Partners with Coinbase

Citigroup has announced a partnership with Coinbase to integrate crypto services for Citi’s institutional clients (Reuters). Under the deal, Citi customers will be able to deposit and withdraw U.S. dollars directly through Coinbase accounts, making it easier to move funds between traditional banking and crypto trading. Initially targeting U.S. institutions, the collaboration reflects Citigroup’s strategy to bridge banking with digital assets, and it comes amid increasing demand from corporate clients for regulated crypto on-ramp solutions.

• Eases fiat movement between banks and crypto exchanges (Reuters).
• Lends further legitimacy to crypto by involving a major Wall Street bank.
• May prompt other banks to offer similar crypto access services to clients.

North Korean Hackers Embed Malware on Blockchain

Security researchers reported that North Korean state-sponsored hackers are embedding undetectable crypto-stealing malware directly into smart contracts on public blockchains (Tom’s Hardware). By hiding malicious JavaScript payloads (nicknamed “JADESNOW”) in Ethereum and BNB contracts, the hackers deploy a backdoor called “INVISIBLEFERRET” that can autonomously siphon funds out of wallets. Because the malware resides on-chain, traditional antivirus and exchange security systems struggle to detect it. This novel technique demonstrates an evolving cybersecurity threat from nation-state actors (Tom’s Hardware).

• Represents a new type of threat: malware concealed in blockchain code.
• Underscores that exchanges and DeFi platforms need advanced monitoring of on-chain data.
• Highlights ongoing risks in crypto, especially from skilled hacking groups.

Remember, cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile and speculative. This update is for informational purposes only and not investment advice. Always do your own research and stay alert to market risks before making any financial decisions.

Bottom Line

The recent headlines illustrate an industry at a crossroads: innovation and adoption continue to grow (new ETFs, major deals, clearer laws), even as security and regulatory challenges remain paramount. Together, these developments signal mainstream momentum but also suggest caution. Investors should note both the opportunities (eased market access, expanding product lineup) and the risks (emerging hacks, policy uncertainty) as the crypto landscape evolves. Stay informed, and remember that markets can change quickly.