Arthur Hayes Buys $973K Worth of PENDLE and $1.03M Worth of LDO, Lookonchain Reports
The Solana ecosystem is facing fresh turbulence after USX stablecoin, a synthetic stablecoin issued by Solstice, suffered a sharp but temporary depeg on secondary markets. The incident has reignited concerns around liquidity management, even as the issuer and independent analysts stress that USX’s collateral backing remained intact. Sudden sell pressure rattles secondary markets USX began losing its peg in the early hours of December 26, with market watchers noting unusual price movements shortly after 01:45 UTC. Sell pressure on decentralised exchanges, particularly Orca and Raydium, quickly overwhelmed available liquidity, and as pools were drained, the stablecoin’s price slipped well below its intended $1 mark. At the height of the disruption, USX reportedly traded as low as $0.1 on thin secondary markets, according to blockchain security firm PeckShield. PeckShieldAlert @PeckShieldAlert · Follow #PeckShieldAlert The stablecoin $USX on #Solana suffered a temporary depeg, dropping to $0.1 on secondary markets due to a liquidity drain. The peg was subsequently restored to $0.94 after @solsticefi injected liquidity. 8:54 am · 26 Dec 2025 89 Reply Copy link Read 11 replies Other traders and analysts observed prices in the $0.79 to $0.92 range as volatility rippled across Solana-based trading venues. The wide variation underscored how fragmented liquidity and panic-driven selling distorted the price discovery process. However, the depeg was confined to secondary markets, where the USX stablecoin trades freely on DEXs. These venues rely on liquidity providers rather than guaranteed redemption mechanisms. As sellers rushed to exit positions, arbitrage failed to stabilise prices quickly, allowing the discount to deepen before support arrived. Solstice steps in to restore the USX stablecoin stability Solstice acknowledged the volatility within hours and moved to address the imbalance. At approximately 04:30 UTC, the team and its partners began injecting fresh liquidity into the affected pools. On-chain data confirmed the intervention, and prices responded almost immediately. Following the liquidity injection, USX’s price rebounded sharply, and the stablecoin began trading closer to parity. Market data later showed the stablecoin hovering between $0.94 and $0.99, with some reports placing it near $0.987. While the peg was not restored cleanly in a single move, stability gradually returned as depth improved. Solstice has emphasised that the incident did not stem from a failure of backing. Solstice has also stated that assets under custody remained unaffected and that USX stayed over 100% collateralized throughout the episode. According to the team, the core protocol functioned as designed, and the disruption was purely a secondary market event. The issuer also highlighted the distinction between primary and secondary markets. Institutional partners with permissioned access can mint and redeem USX directly at a 1:1 ratio, subject to KYC requirements. Retail users, however, depend entirely on DEX liquidity, which can deviate from peg during periods of stress. Questions linger despite the prompt intervention Despite the swift response, the sharpness of the depeg raised eyebrows across the crypto community. For some users, the damage was already done. Those who sold USX during the downturn locked in losses, as secondary market trades are final. Others who bought at a discount benefited from arbitrage opportunities created by the dislocation. Although temporary depegs are not uncommon, a drop of this magnitude exposed vulnerabilities in how liquidity is distributed relative to circulating supply. casinokrisa @casinokrisa · Follow Replying to @PeckShieldAlert Temporary depegs often signal liquidity management issues, even if collateral remains intact. Watch for recurring volatility. 11:03 am · 26 Dec 2025 0 Reply Copy link Read more on Twitter Several traders warned that reliance on manual intervention could amplify risk if market conditions worsen. Actually, panic selling continued even after prices recovered, suggesting lingering unease among holders. Some users even publicly compared the event to past stablecoin failures, including the collapse of Terra’s UST , though analysts stressed the comparison was flawed. However, the USX stablecoin is neither algorithmic nor reliant on reflexive mint-and-burn mechanics, and its backing did not unravel. Solstice has, however, countered the narrative by promising greater transparency. The company has said that it has requested an immediate third-party attestation to verify reserves and pledged to deepen secondary market liquidity to reduce the chance of a repeat event, and stated that monthly proof-of-solvency reports are already available. The post Liquidity drain causes Solana-based USX stablecoin to depeg to $0.1 appeared first on Invezz
Shiba Inu price weighing its next course of action as quiet holiday trading shapes the market at 2025's close.
Japan’s government, through the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), has revealed plans to nearly quadruple its budgeted support for cutting-edge semiconductors and artificial intelligence development in the upcoming fiscal year 2026 budget, which begins in April 2026. The recently announced plans by Japan’s industry ministry will see its budgeted support for cutting-edge semiconductors and artificial intelligence development increase to about ¥1.23 trillion ($7.9 billion) for the fiscal year starting in April. The overall METI budget has risen by almost 50% from the previous year, largely due to the jump in chips and AI spending. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet has signed off on it; however, there are still plans to debate the government’s initial budget plan in parliament in the new year. Japan quadruples AI spending plans for the upcoming fiscal year Japan is paying more attention to its chips and AI spending in a bid to strengthen its capacities in frontier technology so it can catch up with the U.S. and China. Both countries have remained on tense terms even though they are no longer lobbing tariffs at each other, and Japan has been trying to secure better supply chain access for key technologies. In the upcoming fiscal year, Japan’s ministry will also reportedly work to secure most of the additional funding for chips and AI in regular budgets from the onset. In the past, the ministry used a more ad-hoc approach, funding it through supplementary budgets drafted later in the year. The move is expected to provide more stable funding to the sectors. Of the total amount set aside for semiconductor and AI development, ¥150 billion has been earmarked for state-backed chip venture Rapidus, bringing the cumulative government investment in the venture to ¥250 billion. For AI, ¥387.3 billion will go towards the development of domestic foundation AI models, strengthening data infrastructure and “physical AI” where AI controls robots and machinery. In the broader budget, ¥5 billion will go towards securing key minerals, including rare earths, while ¥122 billion has been earmarked for decarbonization and the development of so-called next-generation nuclear power plants. About ¥1.78 trillion of special bonds will also be issued to aid the state-backed Nippon Export and Investment Insurance to support Japanese investment into the U.S. as part of both countries’ trade agreement. Japan’s fiscal stimulus package expected to drive growth next year The revelation of plans to increase the METI budget for AI and semiconductors comes after Japan’s government revised its economic forecast for the upcoming fiscal year on projections that growth will accelerate in the following year, as reported by Cryptopolitan. This claim is based on the view that its massive stimulus package will boost consumption and capital expenditure. The stimulus package was compiled by the administration in November and funded by a supplementary budget for the current fiscal year that focused on cushioning the blow to households from rising living costs. It was worth about ¥21.3 trillion ($136.7 billion) and included payouts to families with children, subsidies to cut utility bills, and fiscal spending to promote investment in areas such as infrastructure, artificial intelligence and semiconductor chips. As a result of the package, the latest projections approved by the cabinet see Japan’s economy expand 1.1% in the current fiscal year, up from 0.7% growth estimated in August due to the smaller-than-expected hit from U.S. tariffs. Growth is also expected to accelerate to 1.3% in fiscal 2026 as consumption and capital expenditure are encouraged by the stimulus offsetting soft overseas demand, according to the projections. As for consumption, the government expects it to rise 1.3% next fiscal year, while capital expenditure may likely increase 2.8% in fiscal 2026, faster than an estimated 1.9% rise for the current fiscal year. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .
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Trust Wallet has confirmed a hack that led to millions of dollars in user funds being drained. What initially appeared as scattered wallet losses quickly hardened into something far more serious: a confirmed supply-chain compromise of Trust Wallet’s official Chrome browser extension. The Christmas Trust Wallet hack The incident traces back to December 24, 2025, when Trust Wallet released version 2.68.0 of its Chrome browser extension. The first major public alarm came from on-chain investigator ZachXBT, who linked the wallet drains directly to the v2.68 update while funds were still in motion. His warnings helped frame the incident as an extension compromise rather than a user-level mistake. In many cases, wallets were emptied within minutes of importing a seed phrase or accessing an existing wallet through the extension. By December 26, the picture was clearer, and Trust Wallet publicly confirmed that only the browser extension version 2.68 was affected. Trust Wallet @TrustWallet · Follow We’ve identified a security incident affecting Trust Wallet Browser Extension version 2.68 only. Users with Browser Extension 2.68 should disable and upgrade to 2.69.Please refer to the official Chrome Webstore link here: chrome.google.com/webstore/detai… Please note: Mobile-only users 1:21 am · 26 Dec 2025 2 Reply Copy link Read more on Twitter Although mobile users were not impacted, the company advised all extension users to immediately disable version 2.68 and upgrade to version 2.69 through the official Chrome Web Store. What really went wrong Researchers and on-chain investigators described the exploit as a straight supply-chain attack, not phishing and not user error. According to multiple analyses shared publicly, the compromised extension contained a malicious JavaScript payload embedded in what appeared to be routine analytics code. The script, often referenced as a file similar to “4482.js,” allegedly masqueraded as a PostHog-style integration. Its function was simple and devastating. When users entered or accessed their recovery phrase, the data was silently exfiltrated to attacker-controlled infrastructure using domains that closely resembled legitimate Trust Wallet metrics endpoints. Once attackers had the seed phrase, no further interaction was needed. There were no approvals to trick and no transactions to sign. The wallet could be restored elsewhere and drained across every supported blockchain. That is exactly what investigators observed, with rapid multi-chain sweeps affecting Bitcoin, EVM networks, Solana, and BNB Chain. Money trailed to instant exchange services and CEXs While some reports pointed to roughly $2.8 million in confirmed drains, others tracked more than $4 million passing through identified services. Trust Wallet has, however, confirmed that the total impact stood at approximately $7 million . Binance founder CZ, whose company acquired Trust Wallet in 2018, also stated that losses were around $7 million and confirmed that users would be made whole. CZ also highlighted the most uncomfortable issue raised by the incident: how a malicious build was able to reach the Chrome Web Store under an official wallet brand. On-chain analysis reveals that the stolen funds are being transferred quickly, with a significant portion routed through instant exchange services and centralised platforms. Public trackers cited flows into services such as ChangeNOW and FixedFloat, as well as exchanges including KuCoin and HTX. Lookonchain @lookonchain · Follow Trust Wallet( @TrustWallet ) has been exploited, with hundreds of users affected and over $6.77M stolen so far.The hacker has already sent ~$4.25M to ChangeNOW, FixedFloat, KuCoin, and HTX.CZ( @cz_binance ) has stated that Trust Wallet will fully cover the losses.Check hacker 9:02 am · 26 Dec 2025 616 Reply Copy link Read 93 replies As investigations continue, Trust Wallet has warned users to ignore any messages that did not come from official Trust Wallet channels. The post Trust Wallet just got hacked on Christmas, $7M drained appeared first on Invezz
Speed has become a defining factor in crypto-backed lending. For European users, access to liquidity on the same day—without selling assets—can matter more than headline rates or promotional terms. This is where crypto credit lines differ from traditional crypto loans. Instead of locking funds into fixed contracts, crypto credit line models allow users to draw liquidity when needed, repay flexibly, and keep collateral working in the background. Not all platforms handle this equally well. This article reviews how same-day crypto credit lines work in Europe and how Clapp platform delivers real-time access. What “same-day” means in crypto lending In practice, same-day access means two things: Credit becomes available immediately after collateral is posted Funds can be drawn without manual approval or waiting periods Most European platforms meet the first condition. Fewer meet the second consistently. Delays often come from fixed loan issuance, internal approvals, or rigid repayment schedules. Credit lines remove these frictions by separating credit availability from credit usage. Clapp: same-day crypto credit lines built around usage Clapp operates a credit-line model designed for immediate access and controlled borrowing. Once collateral is deposited, the credit line becomes available without fixed draw schedules or mandatory loan issuance. Borrowers pay interest only on the amount they withdraw. Any unused portion of the credit line carries a 0% APR. When funds are repaid, the available limit is restored instantly, without reapplying or restructuring the position. Clapp supports multi-collateral borrowing, allowing users to combine up to 19 assets into a single credit line. This includes BTC, ETH, SOL, and major stablecoins. Collateral can be adjusted without closing the line, which helps users manage exposure as markets move. There is no fixed repayment schedule. Funds can be drawn or released at any time directly from the Clapp Wallet, making the setup suitable for short-term liquidity needs as well as ongoing access. From a regulatory standpoint, Clapp holds a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license in the Czech Republic. This confirms its status as a licensed crypto loan provider operating within the EU framework. Taken together, the structure prioritizes availability and cost control. Liquidity is accessible the same day, interest accrues only when capital is in use, and collateral is not locked into rigid terms. What to pay attention to in same-day borrowing Speed alone is not enough. Effective same-day credit lines share several traits: Immediate credit availability after collateral deposit No fixed loan issuance required Interest charged only on used capital Instant restoration of credit after repayment Clear liquidation thresholds Platforms that combine these features reduce both cost and operational friction. Closing thoughts Same-day crypto credit lines reflect a shift away from rigid lending structures toward on-demand liquidity. For European users, this shift matters most when EUR access is reliable and borrowing costs track actual usage. Clapp’s credit-line model aligns closely with these priorities. By separating credit availability from credit usage, it allows users to manage liquidity without unnecessary interest or structural lockups. As crypto lending matures in Europe, flexibility and timing are becoming as important as rates. Credit lines built for same-day access reflect that change. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
As crypto lending matures in Europe, regulation has shifted from a marketing claim to a practical filter for borrowers. After several cycles of lender failures and opaque risk-taking, users increasingly want to understand what compliance actually delivers—and which platforms translate regulation into safer, more usable products. This review explains how regulated crypto lending works in Europe, what borrowers realistically gain from compliance, and why some platforms such as Clapp.finance have emerged as trusted options by aligning regulation with borrower-friendly design. Why Compliance Matters in European Crypto Lending Europe still does not issue a single, universal “crypto lending license.” Instead, regulation applies through a mix of: Registration as a crypto-asset service provider (CASP) Mandatory AML/KYC compliance Custody and client-asset handling rules Disclosure and consumer-protection standards Ongoing supervisory oversight at the national or EU level For borrowers, regulation does not eliminate risk. What it does is define responsibilities—who holds your collateral, how liquidations work, and which legal framework applies if something goes wrong. Clapp: A Regulated Crypto Credit Line Built for Europe Clapp stands out among European crypto lenders because its regulatory status and product design are closely aligned. Clapp holds a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license in the Czech Republic, confirming that it operates as a licensed crypto-asset service provider within the European Union. This places the platform under EU AML and compliance obligations and subjects it to oversight by an EU member state regulator. Borrowers can: Draw funds when needed Repay partially or fully at any time Pay interest only on the amount actually used Leave the credit line unused at zero cost This structure significantly reduces unnecessary interest exposure and aligns well with consumer-protection principles around transparency and fairness. Clapp Fits the “Trusted Regulated Lender” Profile Clapp’s approach reflects several traits borrowers typically associate with regulated financial providers: Transparent cost structure No interest on unused credit, no hidden compounding, and clear visibility into borrowing costs. Conservative LTV framework Credit limits are designed to absorb market volatility rather than maximize leverage. Clear liquidation logic Risk thresholds are defined in advance, giving users time to react. Euro-native design Support for euro withdrawals and SEPA transfers positions Clapp as a European financial product, not just a crypto wrapper. Compliance-first onboarding Identity checks and AML procedures are part of the platform’s baseline, not optional add-ons. Rather than competing on headline rates or extreme borrowing limits, Clapp competes on predictability—a quality that matters more the longer a credit relationship lasts. What Regulation Still Does Not Guarantee Even with trusted, compliance-aware lenders, borrowers should remain realistic. Regulation does not: Prevent liquidation if collateral value drops Remove exposure to crypto market volatility Guarantee profitability Eliminate all platform risk What it does is ensure that outcomes follow known rules, not ad-hoc decisions. Final Thoughts In European crypto lending, regulation increasingly separates tools for liquidity from tools for leverage. Platforms that embrace compliance tend to design for durability, not short-term growth. Clapp exemplifies this shift. By pairing a flexible credit-line model with conservative risk management and regulatory alignment, it demonstrates what a trusted crypto lender in Europe looks like in practice. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
XRP and Cardano are far ahead of their legacy competitors, and it could be a deciding factor in the future.
As the year comes to a close, we got the chance to sit down with Ignacio Aguirre Franco, Chief Marketing Officer at Bitget. In our discussion, we explored his work experience, Bitget’s rebranding, and their distinctive branding and marketing strategies that have kept them ahead of the competition. Ignacio also gave us a hint of the biggest opportunities for crypto exchanges in the coming years. Working experience Coming from a computer engineering background, Ignacio began his coding journey at a young age. He later transitioned to consulting, where he identified a gap for professionals with a technological and marketing background. He would later work in various sectors, including entertainment at Universal Pictures, gaming, and companies such as Adobe and SAP. “I’ve been in the crypto space for almost ten years now, and working professionally in crypto for six. I’ve worked in crypto compliance, DeFi, and even a Bitcoin bank before joining Bitget.” Each experience built a knowledge layer. According to Ignacio, his primary goal in the space is to create narratives and storytelling that connect with people. “For me, marketing isn’t just about features—it’s about the business case and the value people can relate to.” We then asked Ignacio how it is working at Bitget. While at Bitget for only three months, Ignacio highlighted the exchange’s rebranding into a universal exchange, which he delves into later in the interview. He also lauded the exchange’s global team, which is heavily remote, comprising highly specialized individuals. “In my past roles, I learned different things from different companies, and Bitget is similar in that sense — we have specialists who understand their functions down to the smallest detail.” Bitget CMO Ignacio Aguirre Franco on the left and Cryptopolitan’s Rohan on the right Marketing a crypto exchange Good code eliminates friction, good branding eliminates doubt. Ignacio weighed the balance between product and marketing. A good product can survive without great marketing, but a bad product cannot survive even with the best marketing. While technical teams highlight metrics, real value is in translating technical capabilities into human, relatable value. “We build storytelling around our brand… the kind of storytelling that connects the product to a real human experience. “ We then asked him about the unique challenge of marketing a crypto exchange. Ignicio shared that compliance and regulation were a must when entering a new market. The biggest challenge, however, was that the rules varied across borders. “What’s acceptable in one jurisdiction might be restricted in another. Some markets are extremely tough; others have different sets of requirements entirely.” This meant that all forms of messaging had to conform to all the varying regulations. While frustrating at first, it became easier with time, he confessed. In regions where crypto adoption was fragile or regulatory frameworks were evolving, they simply never marketed there. On blockchain principles and terminologies. “Communication has to strike a balance. We aim to attract new people to crypto, so our messaging needs to be simple and approachable. At the same time, there is a strong existing cryptocurrency community, and our company’s DNA is deeply rooted in the crypto space. So we can’t ignore advanced users either.” Bitget as a universal exchange On Bitget becoming a universal exchange, Ignacio discussed the three main things people look for in an exchange: asset variety, usability, and liquidity. All these were at Bitget. The exchange also included a decentralized exchange and access to real-world asset tokens (RWAs). “The idea is to bring more products from TradFi and real-world assets into the play. Because we see a place where you don’t have to jump between apps, a central place where everything sits together.” He also highlighted Bitget’s security systems, which have never been hacked, its $700 million Protection Fund, and 1.8x Proof of Reserves. “To scale, there are two things: compliance and innovation. Because if you don’t innovate, you’re not relevant. So that’s where we sit, and then the whole marketing comes after it.” Ignacio went on to talk about Bitget’s flagship product, GetAgent. According to Ignacio, GetAgent was a natural step for Bitget, as it incorporates artificial intelligence as a trading assistant. “GetAgent is an AI assistant. So you can ask, ‘Is it a good time to enter the market?’ or ‘Can you tell me the situation with this blockchain?’ And you can also ask it to trade. If you’re a beginner, it takes the friction out because you can ask, ‘Is this a good time to enter Bitcoin?’ It’s not going to tell you ‘yes, enter’ or ‘no, don’t.’ It’s going to say, ‘Here are the indicators — based on these indicators, it could be a good time to jump in.’ And then you can ask it to make the buy for you.” For advanced traders, GetAgent helped in trade analysis and validation. In addition to trading, GetAgent also serves as a knowledge base, collecting real-time information from multiple channels, including social media, real-time price data, and news. “So I think it’s essential to have a tool that helps you clarify things. For beginners, it enables you to gain a better understanding. For advanced users, it allows you to make a more educated decision.” Bitget CMO Ignacio Aguirre Franco and Cryptopolitan’s Rohan Maintaining brand identity With most of the crypto exchanges offering similar products, we wanted to know how Bitget managed to stand out. Ignacio discussed attention as a scarce resource in exchanges; therefore, there was a need to be different. “We differentiate by bringing the best experience we can.” Bitget pioneered copy trading, which has over 200,000 elite traders and is also the first exchange to become a universal exchange. Staying ahead of the pack was crucial. He also emphasized the importance of improved communication and fostering trust with their clients. When it came to working with key opinion leaders, Ignacio said that they only collaborated with individuals who shared the company’s values. “For us, the most important part is to stay honest and stay true. So we work with people who align with our culture.” Looking ahead We asked Ignacio about the most significant opportunities for crypto exchanges in the next 2 to 3 years. Ignacio identified massive adoption and RWAs as significant opportunities for crypto exchanges in the coming years. As a universal exchange, Bitget would become a platform, not only for crypto, but also for traditional financial assets and RWAs. “When it’s tokenized — like tokenized stocks — the beauty is you don’t even have to buy the whole thing; you can opt for fractional buying. And it’s also available all day. Because stock trading in the U.S., for example, is Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 4:00. We don’t want you to trade on their time — we want you to trade on yours.” He also observed that adoption will increase among the younger generation, digital natives who will interact with these assets as their first financial products. “I see people who may never have a bank account, because now you can have a debit card linked to your crypto. So I see a huge opportunity of not just seeing it as a crypto exchange, but as their financial product.” Ignacio closed off by telling us about how much they value their users. “We always listen to and take feedback from customers about what they like or what they don’t like. For us, it’s about delivering the best experience on a platform with all the necessary assets. That’s the reason why we’re going to grow.”