Coinbase has launched live pilot programs with JPMorgan, Citigroup, and Bank of America to test stablecoin services, custody solutions, and cryptocurrency trading capabilities. CEO Brian Armstrong announced the trials on December 3, 2025, noting that participating banks view crypto as a core business line rather than an experimental project. The programs cover stablecoin operations, digital asset custody, and crypto trading infrastructure within the banks' regulated frameworks.

Bitcoin has climbed above $92,000 with a 5% gain over 24 hours, while the Crypto Fear and Greed Index improved to 22 from levels between 10 and 17 last week. SUI, Chainlink, and DoubleZero posted double-digit gains amid increased participation. Broader altcoin season conditions remain constrained, though selective rotation into tokens with established use cases has emerged.

Three companies have positioned themselves as leading candidates for S&P 500 inclusion as the index prepares its quarterly rebalance announcement Friday after market close. Ares Management Corporation oversees $596 billion in assets across credit, real estate, and private equity. Vertiv Holdings recorded 60% organic order growth in Q3 driven by data center demand, while AppLovin has surged 92% year-to-date despite facing regulatory scrutiny.

Strategy Inc. has overtaken Standard Chartered in market capitalization, with its valuation reaching approximately $52–53 billion compared to the bank's $51 billion. MSCI is conducting a review of Strategy's inclusion in its equity indices, driven by concerns about the company's substantial Bitcoin exposure. A decision could be announced as early as January, according to JPMorgan analysts.

The cryptocurrency sector recorded mergers and acquisitions exceeding $12.9 billion in 2025, with U.S.-based deals alone surpassing $8.60 billion by November 20, according to PitchBook data. Major transactions included Coinbase's $2.9 billion acquisition of Deribit and Ripple's $1.25 billion purchase of Hidden Road. The surge reflects growing institutional confidence driven by reduced interest rates and clearer regulatory frameworks in the United States.

Binance elevated co-founder Yi He to co-CEO on December 11, establishing a dual leadership structure with Richard Teng. The appointment, announced at Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai, marks the exchange's most significant executive restructuring since Teng assumed the CEO role in November 2023. Yi He previously served as Chief Customer Service Officer and has been with Binance for over eight years since its 2017 founding.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has formally rejected multiple applications for 3x and 5x leveraged exchange-traded funds, citing violations of the 200% Value-at-Risk limit under Rule 18f-4. The regulator notified issuers on December 2, 2025, requesting they revise their strategies to comply with federal leverage restrictions or withdraw their filings. Rule 18f-4 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 caps leveraged ETF exposure at 2x under standard conditions, effectively barring ultra-leveraged products from registration.

The United Kingdom officially recognized cryptocurrencies and digital assets as personal property on December 2, 2025, when King Charles granted royal assent to the Property (Digital Assets, etc.) Bill. This legislative milestone establishes a distinct legal framework for digital holdings, enhancing ownership rights and investor protections across the UK market.