1. Bitcoin mining difficulty increased by 1.16% to 109.78 T, setting a new historical high.
CloverPool (formerly BTC.com) data shows that the Bitcoin mining difficulty adjustment occurred at block height 876,960, with the difficulty increased by 1.16% to 109.78 T, setting a new historical high. The average network hashrate over the past seven days is approximately 781.04 EH/s.
2. Cryptocurrency and blockchain startups have received approximately $13.7 billion in venture capital this year, up 28% year-on-year.
According to The Block, as of Eastern Time on December 29, cryptocurrency and blockchain startups have received approximately $13.7 billion in venture capital this year, a 28% increase from $10.7 billion in 2023. Among them, Pre-Seed financing exceeded 1,180 deals (up 68% year-on-year), setting a new record; Seed round financing reached $3.4 billion, close to the $3.8 billion in 2021; Series A financing exceeded 175 deals (up 59% year-on-year), raising $2.8 billion (up 46% year-on-year).
In specific sectors, the infrastructure sector received approximately $5.5 billion in investments, involving over 610 transactions, an increase of 57% year-on-year; NFT and gaming startups raised $2.5 billion, slightly above the $2.2 billion in 2023; enterprise blockchain financing sharply decreased from $536 million in 2023 to $164 million, a 69% decline year-on-year; the DePIN sector saw over 260 transactions, with total financing of approximately $1 billion; the DeFi sector saw over 530 investments, an 85% increase year-on-year.
3. The Malaysian Securities Commission takes enforcement action against Bybit for illegal operations in the country.
The Malaysian Securities Commission (SC) recently took enforcement action against Bybit and its CEO Ben Zhou for operating a digital asset exchange (DAX) without registration in Malaysia.
The SC stated that since July 2021, Bybit and Ben Zhou have been listed on the SC's investor warning list. The SC has instructed Bybit to disable its website and mobile application or any other digital application platform in Malaysia within 14 working days from December 11, 2024; to immediately stop distributing, publishing, or sending any advertisements to Malaysian investors; and to immediately terminate Bybit's Telegram support group for Malaysians. Additionally, Ben Zhou has also been specifically instructed to ensure compliance with the above directives. Currently, Bybit has complied with all directives from the SC.
4. The chairman of the German Free Democratic Party calls for the inclusion of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in central bank reserves.
According to Handelsblatt, Christian Lindner, chairman of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and former finance minister, called on the European Central Bank (ECB) and the German Federal Bank to include cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in their reserves.
5. Wu Jiezhuang: Hong Kong should leverage the advantages of 'one country, two systems'; 'testing first' will incorporate Bitcoin into foreign exchange fund assets.
According to (Wen Wei Po), Hong Kong Legislative Council member Wu Jiezhuang stated in an interview that Hong Kong needs to study how to maintain national financial security amid the US's interference with Bitcoin and the impact on traditional asset markets. He suggested that Hong Kong should effectively utilize the advantages of 'one country, two systems' and 'test first' to incorporate Bitcoin into the foreign exchange fund's assets and explore ways to revitalize its Bitcoin holdings.
6. The People's Bank of China released a financial stability report mentioning compliance progress on cryptocurrencies in Hong Kong.
The People's Bank of China recently released the China Financial Stability Report (2024), which mentioned global cryptocurrency regulatory dynamics, including compliance progress on cryptocurrencies in Hong Kong.
The report indicates that, given the potential spillover risks that crypto assets pose to the stability of the financial system, regulators worldwide are ramping up their oversight of crypto assets. Currently, 51 countries and regions globally have enacted prohibitions on crypto assets, and some economies have adjusted existing laws or re-legislated regulations. Among them, Hong Kong is actively exploring the licensing management of crypto assets, categorizing virtual assets into two types for regulation: securitized financial assets and non-securitized financial assets. It implements a unique 'dual-license' system for operators of virtual asset trading platforms, applying to both the Securities and Futures Ordinance and the Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance for regulation and licensing. Institutions engaging in virtual asset operations must apply for a registration license from the relevant regulatory authorities to operate. At the same time, Hong Kong requires large financial institutions such as HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank to include cryptocurrency exchanges in their daily client supervision.
7. The Financial Services Agency of Japan plans to treat cryptocurrencies as 'financial assets' that the general public can invest in.
According to CoinPost, the Financial Services Agency of Japan recently announced the outline for tax reform in 2025. It pointed out that there is a need to consider treating cryptocurrencies as 'financial assets that the general public can invest in.' Currently, the country defines cryptocurrencies as 'payment tools' under the Payment Services Act.
8. US-listed company Janover will accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and SOL as payment methods for products.
US-listed company Janover Inc. (Nasdaq: JNVR) plans to start accepting Bitcoin, Ethereum, and SOL as payment methods for its products. Janover also stated that it is considering a fund allocation plan for these assets. Janover is an AI platform connecting the commercial real estate industry, serving over one million network users and more than 1,000 lenders annually.
9. AI-listed company Genius Group purchases $10 million worth of Bitcoin.
AI-listed company Genius Group (NYSE American: GNS) has increased its Bitcoin reserves by an additional $10 million, bringing its holdings to 319.4 Bitcoins, with a total value of $30 million and an average purchase price of $93,919.
10. MicroStrategy increased its holdings by approximately $209 million, acquiring 2,138 Bitcoins.
MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor stated that MicroStrategy has increased its holdings by approximately $209 million, acquiring 2,138 Bitcoins at an average price of about $97,837, with a year-to-date Bitcoin return of 74.1%.
As of December 29, 2024, the company holds 446,400 Bitcoins, with a total acquisition cost of about $27.9 billion and an average purchase price of about $62,428.
11. Hyperliquid mainnet has launched HYPE staking.
The Hyper Foundation tweeted that HYPE staking is now live on the Hyperliquid mainnet, allowing users to stake HYPE with trusted validators and earn HYPE staking rewards. The Hyper Foundation will launch a delegation program to support high-performance validators and further decentralize the network.
12. Grayscale adds six assets including HYPE, ENA, VIRTUAL, JUP to the Top 20 asset list for Q1 2025.
Grayscale Research released an insights report on the cryptocurrency industry for Q1 2025. The report indicated that Grayscale will focus on tokens that involve at least one of the following three core market themes in Q1 2025: the US elections and their potential impact on industry regulation, particularly in areas like DeFi and staking; ongoing breakthroughs in decentralized AI technology and the use of AI agents on blockchain; and the growth of the Solana ecosystem. Based on these themes, Grayscale added six assets to its Top 20 list for Q1 2025, namely HYPE, ENA, VIRTUAL, JUP, JTO, and GRASS.
13. Woori Bank of South Korea has reached a cooperation agreement with BDACS to enter the virtual asset custody field.
According to Korean media News1, Woori Bank of Korea has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Korean crypto asset custodian BDACS, planning to explore new business opportunities in the virtual asset field, including identifying new business opportunities in the digital asset market, sharing expertise in blockchain technology, and collaborating on projects in the virtual asset custody area. Additionally, Woori Bank has acquired shares in BDACS, but the specific shareholding ratio and investment amount have not been disclosed.
