By Shikha SIngh
UK Tests Digital Bond Issuance; Eyes Digital Asset Leadership.
The U.K. is piloting digital gilts (government bonds) using digital ledger technology as part of its Digital Securities Sandbox, running until 2029.
Two approaches are being considered: a gradual rollout or a “Big Bang” shift to on-chain trading. The initiative aims to improve transparency, reduce fees, and speed up settlements.
The U.K. has been a leader in digital assets, treating them as property under law and creating a strong regulatory framework.
The UK’s financial sector is seeing digital gilts as another step toward strengthening and solidifying its position as a global hub for digital innovation.
Trillion-Dollar Firm Charles Schwab President Reveals Plans To Enter The Spot Crypto Market.
Charles Schwab, with $7 trillion in assets, plans to offer spot crypto trading to clients, allowing them to decide how to incorporate digital assets into their portfolios.
President and incoming CEO Rick Wurster announced the move, aiming to attract younger investors under 40. While Wurster doesn’t plan to personally invest in crypto, he expressed excitement about the space and regrets not getting in earlier.
Schwab is also leveraging AI to enhance operations. The move reflects the growing trend of institutional interest in crypto.
FINRA Launches New Crypto Resource Section on Risks and Investor Protections.
FINRA has launched a section on its website dedicated to cryptocurrency, covering asset classifications, trading risks, and investor protections.
It illustrates how legal definitions like the Howey Test may classify some crypto assets as securities or commodities.
The resource highlights the incomplete regulatory framework for crypto and the risks of trading without typical securities protections. It also provides links to resources from agencies like the SEC and CFTC, along with educational materials to help investors understand the risks.
XRP Soars 25% in Wake of Gary Gensler’s SEC Resignation.
XRP rose 25% after SEC Chair Gary Gensler announced his resignation, with the price hitting $1.37 and a 65.7% increase over the past week.
The news also boosted Bitcoin, as investors anticipate a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment under President-elect Trump.
Gensler’s exit could positively impact Ripple’s ongoing legal battle with the SEC over XRP’s status, possibly leading to the dismissal of the appeal or a settlement, which would reduce uncertainty and boost XRP’s value.
ETH Open Interest Surge To All-Time High After Recent Price Rally.
Ethereum’s derivatives market is signaling bullish momentum, with futures open interest reaching an all-time high of $20.8 billion, a 12% surge.
This follows a 7% price increase, pushing ETH to $3,365. Analysts attribute the rise to increased bullish sentiment among traders as the Ethereum OI-weighted futures funding rate hit new highs, indicating dominance of long positions.
Ethereum’s open interest has grown 40% in the last four months, and its leverage ratio has reached a record high, suggesting increased risk-taking.
However, analysts warn that high leverage and long-position dominance could lead to a potential long squeeze if volatility triggers liquidations.
MetaMask Introduces Gas Station Feature for Token Swaps, Raising Questions on Future ETH Demand.
MetaMask’s new Gas Station feature allows Ethereum users to complete token swaps without needing ETH for gas fees, as the fees are included in the swap price.
This simplifies DeFi interactions and supports tokens like USDT, USDC, and DAI.
Although the feature has garnered positive feedback, its potential to decrease the demand for ETH in transactions raises concerns.
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