CoinDesk

A major bond deal achieved **same-day settlement** using a permissioned distributed ledger instead of a public blockchain. This marks a significant shift toward **regulated digital bond infrastructure** in the region, moving away from public networks. The development builds on previous automated settlement innovations, including last year's bond issuance on the Polygon network. **Key implications:** - Faster settlement times (T+0 vs traditional T+2) - Increased regulatory compliance - Growing institutional adoption of private blockchain solutions This trend suggests traditional finance is embracing blockchain technology while maintaining regulatory oversight.

**Social media traders transformed their X profiles into live trading shows in 2025**, broadcasting real-time wins and losses to massive audiences. **Key developments:** - Traders publicly shared their profit and loss (PnL) statements on X dashboards - **Billions in trading volume** flowed through memecoins and perpetual DEXs - Real-time transparency created a new form of financial entertainment **This builds on 2025's DEX momentum:** - DEXs captured 25% of global spot trading volume ($410B+) by May - Perpetual DEXs hit **$1 trillion in monthly volume** by October - Non-custodial trading became mainstream **The shift represents a fundamental change** in how crypto trading happens - from private exchanges to public, social experiences where traders build audiences around their performance. This transparency trend could reshape retail trading behavior and platform design.

**Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood continues her steadfast support for cryptocurrency** despite the industry's volatile price swings and market uncertainties. Wood has maintained her bullish stance on crypto throughout various market cycles, demonstrating consistent confidence in the sector's long-term potential. Her unwavering position stands out in an industry known for dramatic sentiment shifts and changing investor attitudes during bull and bear markets.

**Polymarket's remarkable turnaround story** Shayne Coplan, founder and CEO of Polymarket, has successfully navigated through significant legal challenges in 2025. The prediction market platform faced: - Federal investigations - Law enforcement raids - Intense regulatory scrutiny **From crisis to growth** Despite these obstacles, Coplan has managed to: - Clear regulatory hurdles - Expand the prediction market platform - Position Polymarket for continued development The transformation marks a significant milestone for the decentralized prediction market, which allows users to bet on real-world events and outcomes. *This comeback demonstrates the resilience of web3 platforms in overcoming regulatory challenges.*

**BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes** has solidified his position as one of crypto's most influential macro economic thinkers in recent years. Hayes has successfully transitioned from his role as exchange founder to become a **respected voice** in cryptocurrency market analysis and macroeconomic commentary. His insights on market trends and economic policy have gained significant traction within the crypto community, establishing him as a **go-to source** for macro perspective.

A major figure who shaped Korea's dominant crypto exchange has stepped down this year, but the country's **highly active retail trading market** shows no signs of slowing. Korea's crypto ecosystem has become known for its: - Intense retail participation - High trading volumes - Market-moving activity Despite leadership changes at the key exchange, the **hyperactive retail engine** that drives Korea's crypto market momentum is expected to maintain its pace. This transition highlights the resilience of Korea's crypto trading culture, which has developed beyond dependence on individual leaders.

A new integration with **Chainlink's oracle networks** allows users to seamlessly transfer assets across different blockchain networks and applications. The integration provides: - Secure cross-chain asset movement - Access to multiple networks through one interface - Enhanced interoperability between different blockchain ecosystems This development addresses a key challenge in the multi-chain landscape by simplifying how users interact with assets across various networks.

**Major cryptocurrencies declined last month** as market activity cooled across multiple sectors. **Bitcoin and Ethereum led the downturn**, with most major digital assets posting losses during the period. **Trading activity decreased significantly:** - Spot trading volumes dropped - Derivatives markets saw reduced activity - Stablecoin transaction volumes declined **U.S. crypto ETPs experienced substantial outflows**, indicating reduced institutional and retail investor interest in crypto-focused investment products. The broad-based decline suggests a shift in market sentiment, with investors pulling back from crypto exposure across various investment vehicles and trading platforms.

**Nexo has acquired Buenbit**, gaining access to the Argentine crypto platform's established user base. The acquisition enables Nexo to offer: - Crypto-backed loans - High-yield savings accounts - Trading tools **Strategic expansion** into Latin America positions Nexo to serve more users with comprehensive crypto financial services through Buenbit's existing infrastructure.

A prominent decentralized exchange is making a **significant strategic pivot** by expanding beyond its core derivatives business. The platform, previously known almost exclusively for derivatives trading, is launching new services that mark a notable shift in its business model. This expansion comes as the broader crypto derivatives market sees increased institutional adoption, with recent moves to align Bitcoin derivatives with traditional equity markets. **Key implications:** - Diversification of revenue streams for the DEX - Potential increased competition in non-derivatives DeFi sectors - Signal of maturation in decentralized trading infrastructure The launch represents the exchange's effort to capture market share beyond its traditional derivatives stronghold.