CoinDesk

Financial advisors are increasingly using cryptocurrency indices to provide clients with broader digital asset exposure beyond Bitcoin. **Key developments:** - Advisors are moving away from single-asset crypto investments - Index products offer diversified exposure across multiple cryptocurrencies - This approach helps manage risk while capturing sector growth - Indices provide a more familiar investment structure for traditional finance professionals The shift reflects growing institutional adoption and maturation of crypto investment products. By using indices, advisors can offer clients exposure to the broader digital asset ecosystem without the complexity of managing individual tokens. This trend signals continued integration of cryptocurrencies into mainstream investment portfolios.

Bitcoin has dropped below $69,000, yet traders on Bitfinex are showing increased confidence through leveraged long positions. **Key Points:** - Bitfinex margin longs have reached their highest level in two years - This surge occurs as Bitcoin trades below the $69K mark - The divergence suggests traders are positioning for a potential price recovery The increase in margin longs indicates that some traders are betting on Bitcoin's price to rise, despite the recent decline. This contrarian positioning could signal either strong conviction in a near-term reversal or increased risk-taking in the market. Margin trading amplifies both potential gains and losses, making this development worth monitoring as it may influence short-term price volatility.

**Market Shift for Sui** Sui (SUI) has experienced a notable decline, falling 9.5% since Wednesday. The token now finds itself among the market's underperformers, sharing this position with Ripple (XRP). **Context** This downturn marks a reversal from April 2025, when SUI was among top performers with a 5.2% weekend gain. The current drop reflects broader market volatility affecting major altcoins. **Key Points:** - SUI down 9.5% since Wednesday - Joins XRP as market underperformer - Contrasts with previous strong performance

**Samson Mow, a prominent Bitcoin maximalist, has characterized the current market drawdown as particularly painful - not due to its size, but because he perceives it as 'unfair.'** The comment reflects growing frustration among long-term Bitcoin holders as the market experiences another downturn. While Mow didn't elaborate on what makes this drawdown specifically 'unfair,' his sentiment suggests concerns about market manipulation or external factors beyond typical price volatility. **Context:** - Previous drawdowns in 2024 resulted in significant futures liquidations - Market newcomers were particularly affected by sudden price movements - The current situation appears to be testing even seasoned Bitcoin advocates Mow's statement highlights the emotional toll that market cycles can take, even on those who have been in the space for years and typically maintain bullish long-term outlooks.

**Anchorage Digital** has been selected to issue Tether's new **USAT stablecoin**, specifically designed for the U.S. market. - Tether has invested **$100M** in Anchorage Digital - The partnership aims to develop secure digital asset infrastructure - Anchorage Digital is reportedly eyeing a **U.S. IPO** This collaboration could strengthen market stability by combining Tether's stablecoin expertise with Anchorage's regulated custody and infrastructure capabilities. The USAT stablecoin represents Tether's strategic push into the U.S. market with a compliant product offering.

A coalition of blockchain companies issued a direct warning to European policymakers on Thursday: the EU's current pilot regime for digital assets needs immediate reform, or risk a permanent shift of capital markets activity to the United States. The firms argue that regulatory uncertainty and restrictive frameworks are pushing blockchain-based financial services across the Atlantic, where clearer guidelines and more favorable conditions exist. **Key concerns:** - Current pilot regime creates barriers for blockchain innovation - U.S. regulatory environment becoming more attractive for digital asset firms - Risk of permanent capital flight from European markets This warning comes as Europe continues developing its digital euro while U.S. stablecoin adoption accelerates, creating a competitive dynamic between the two regions' approaches to blockchain-based finance.

**Hex Trust expands institutional crypto services** Custodian Hex Trust is launching support for FXRP minting/redemption and FLR staking, providing institutions with their first streamlined way to generate yield on XRP holdings. **Key features:** - Direct FXRP minting and redemption through Hex Trust's platform - FLR token staking capabilities - Institutional-grade custody throughout the process This follows Hex Trust's September 2025 integration of Lido's stETH, showing continued expansion of institutional staking infrastructure across major crypto assets.

**Institutional crypto interest is shifting away from DeFi and smart contracts** toward more traditional financial approaches, according to GlobalStake co-founder Thomas Chaffee. **Key drivers of institutional adoption:** - Collateralized lending structures - Market-neutral strategies that minimize directional risk - Focus on risk management over speculative DeFi yields This marks a notable evolution from 2024, when institutional lending recovery was driven by innovative structures and attractive yields. **The current wave prioritizes capital preservation and familiar financial instruments** over experimental blockchain protocols. The trend suggests institutions are entering crypto through **conservative, regulated pathways** rather than embracing decentralized finance's more experimental offerings.

ETHZilla is shifting its business strategy toward tokenization after experiencing significant losses in its core cryptocurrency holdings. This strategic pivot comes months after the company's stock fell over 5% following a 1-for-10 reverse stock split announcement in October 2025. The move suggests ETHZilla is adapting its business model in response to market pressures and seeking new revenue streams beyond traditional crypto treasury management.

New legislation now mandates that all stablecoins must be fully backed by reserve assets, marking a significant shift in regulatory oversight. **Key Requirements:** - All stablecoins must maintain 100% reserve backing - Issuers face penalties for operating with unbacked tokens - Builds on framework proposed in March 2025 covering audits and licensing This regulation addresses long-standing concerns about stablecoin solvency and consumer protection. The law establishes clear consequences for non-compliance, aiming to prevent situations where users cannot redeem their tokens. The legislation follows months of debate since the initial framework was introduced in March 2025, which outlined reserve requirements, audit standards, and licensing procedures for stablecoin issuers.