South Korean regulators are advancing proposals to apply bank-style consumer protection frameworks to cryptocurrency exchanges. Under the proposed reforms, platforms would be required to compensate users for losses caused by system failures without requiring proof of negligence. Exchanges would also face penalties reaching 3% of annual revenue for serious violations.

Bitcoin Cash has gained nearly 40% in 2025, outperforming all top-tier Layer-1 networks while Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, Cardano and Polkadot posted losses exceeding 50%, data show. Analysts attribute BCH's strength to its complete circulating supply with no vesting unlocks or venture capital allocations creating sell pressure. The performance occurred without active centralized marketing, as the project does not maintain an official X account.

Bitcoin trades within a $86,000–$92,000 range, with the $87,400–$88,700 zone identified as critical support containing key Fibonacci levels from the recent decline. Analysts MakroVision and Michaël van de Poppe suggest the market may be approaching a bottom, but warn that failure to break above $92,000 could trigger another decline toward the low-$80,000s. Both emphasize that sustained recovery depends on holding current support or completing a double-bottom formation before reversing.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao and economist Peter Schiff debated the merits of Bitcoin and gold as stores of value, focusing on verification methods and practical utility. CZ highlighted Bitcoin's instant blockchain verification and global payment capabilities, while Schiff defended gold's physical properties and industrial applications. Bitcoin has gained 377% over five years compared to gold's 127%, though gold leads in 2025 with approximately 59% year-to-date gains.

Charles Schwab plans to introduce spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading during the first half of 2026. CEO Rick Wurster announced the phased rollout at the Reuters Next conference, stating employees will test the platform first, followed by select clients before broader availability. The initiative responds to substantial client demand for digital asset access.

Bitcoin has reclaimed the $90,000 level following an intraday surge that reversed recent declines. The rally was accompanied by over $147 million in short position liquidations, data show. The cryptocurrency had dropped to the mid-$87,000 range in the prior 48 hours before buyers drove prices more than 3% higher.

Elon Musk argued that Bitcoin derives value from energy consumption, making it harder to manipulate than fiat currencies, according to a resurfaced interview with Nikhil Kamath. Peter Schiff countered that Bitcoin lacks inherent value and criticized MicroStrategy's business model. Derivatives data shows more than $7.8 billion in short positions could be liquidated if Bitcoin breaks above $100,000, according to CoinGlass and Whale Insider.

Uzbekistan will introduce retail stablecoins through licensed financial institutions starting January 2026. Each stablecoin will be backed 1:1 by a wholesale central bank digital currency held by banks and fintech firms. The framework creates a two-tier structure where citizens use stablecoins for transactions while institutions settle with the CBDC. This approach differs from other jurisdictions that have positioned CBDCs as stablecoin replacements or embraced stablecoins without developing central bank digital currencies.

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes projects Bitcoin could reach $500,000 by the end of 2026, driven by anticipated quantitative easing policies. He identifies the November decline to $81,000 as the cycle's probable bottom rather than structural weakness. Hayes argues the strongest rally phase has not yet begun, contingent on Federal Reserve policy shifts including potential leadership changes.