1. Bitcoin mining difficulty increased by 1.16% to 109.78 T, setting a new historical high.
CloverPool (formerly BTC.com) data shows that Bitcoin mining difficulty underwent an adjustment at block height 876,960, increasing by 1.16% to 109.78 T, setting a new historical high. The average hash rate across the network over the past week is approximately 781.04 EH/s.
2. Cryptocurrency and blockchain startups have received approximately $13.7 billion in venture capital this year, a 28% increase year-over-year.
According to The Block, as of December 29 Eastern Time, 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 round financing exceeded 1,180 deals (up 68% year-over-year), setting a new historical high; Seed round financing totaled $3.4 billion, close to $3.8 billion in 2021; Series A financing exceeded 175 deals (up 59% year-over-year), raising $2.8 billion (up 46% year-over-year).
In specific sectors, the infrastructure field received approximately $5.5 billion in investments, involving more than 610 transactions, a 57% year-over-year increase; NFT and gaming startups raised $2.5 billion, slightly above $2.2 billion in 2023; corporate blockchain financing sharply declined from $536 million in 2023 to $164 million, a year-over-year decrease of 69%; the DePIN sector had over 260 transactions, with a total financing amount of approximately $1 billion; the DeFi sector received over 530 investments, an 85% year-over-year increase.
3. The Securities Commission of Malaysia took enforcement action against Bybit for illegal operations in the country.
The Securities Commission of Malaysia (SC) recently took enforcement action against Bybit and its CEO Ben Zhou for operating a digital asset exchange (DAX) in Malaysia without registration.
The SC stated that since July 2021, Bybit and Ben Zhou have been listed on the SC's investor alert list. The SC has instructed Bybit to disable its website and mobile apps or any other digital application platforms in Malaysia within 14 working days from December 11, 2024; immediately stop distributing, publishing, or sending any advertisements to Malaysian investors; and immediately terminate Bybit's Telegram support group for Malaysians. Additionally, Ben Zhou has been specifically instructed to ensure compliance with the above directives. Bybit has currently complied with all SC directives.
4. The chairman of the German Free Democratic Party calls for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to be included in central bank reserves.
According to Handelsblatt, Christian Lindner, chairman of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and former finance minister of Germany, called for the European Central Bank (ECB) and the German Federal Bank to include Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in their reserves.
5. Wu Jiezhuang: Hong Kong should leverage the advantages of 'one country, two systems,' and 'try first' to include Bitcoin in the 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 under the U.S. interference in Bitcoin and its impact on traditional asset markets. He suggested that Hong Kong should leverage the advantages of 'one country, two systems' and 'try first' to include Bitcoin in the foreign exchange fund assets and explore ways to activate Bitcoin holdings.
6. The People's Bank of China released a financial stability report, mentioning compliance progress for cryptocurrencies in Hong Kong.
The People's Bank of China recently released the China Financial Stability Report (2024), mentioning global cryptocurrency regulatory dynamics, including compliance progress for cryptocurrencies in Hong Kong.
The report points out that given the potential spillover risks of crypto assets on the stability of the financial system, regulatory authorities in various countries are continuously increasing their regulatory efforts on crypto assets. Currently, 51 countries and regions worldwide have issued prohibitions on crypto assets, and some economies have adjusted existing laws or re-legislated regulations. Among them, Hong Kong is actively exploring cryptocurrency licensing management, categorizing virtual assets into two types for regulation: securitized financial assets and non-securitized financial assets, implementing a distinctive 'double license' system for virtual asset trading platform operators, which applies to both the Securities and Futures Ordinance and the Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance's regulatory and licensing system. Institutions engaging in virtual asset business must apply for registration licenses from the relevant regulatory authorities to operate. Meanwhile, Hong Kong requires large financial institutions such as HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank to include cryptocurrency exchanges in their daily customer 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 published the outline for tax reform in 2025. It pointed out the need to consider treating cryptocurrencies as 'financial assets that the general public can invest in.' According to the Payment Services Act, the country currently defines cryptocurrencies as 'payment instruments.'
8. U.S. listed company Janover will accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and SOL as payment methods for its products.
The U.S. listed company Janover Inc. (Nasdaq: JNVR) plans to begin accepting Bitcoin, Ethereum, and SOL as payment methods for its products. Janover also stated that it is considering developing a fund allocation plan for these assets. Janover is an AI platform connecting the commercial real estate industry, serving over one million web users and more than 1,000 lenders annually.
9. AI listed company Genius Group purchased $10 million worth of Bitcoin.
AI listed company Genius Group (NYSE American: GNS) has increased its Bitcoin reserves by an additional $10 million, raising 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 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 yield of 74.1%.
As of December 29, 2024, the company holds 446,400 Bitcoins, with a total acquisition cost of approximately $27.9 billion and an average purchase price of approximately $62,428.
11. The 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 added six assets, including HYPE, ENA, VIRTUAL, and JUP, to the Top 20 asset list for Q1 2025.
Grayscale Research released an insight report on the cryptocurrency industry for Q1 2025. The report indicates that Grayscale will focus on tokens involving at least one of the following three core market themes in Q1 2025: the U.S. elections and their regulatory impact on the industry, especially in areas like DeFi and staking; ongoing breakthroughs in decentralized AI technology and the use of AI agents in blockchain; and the growth of the Solana ecosystem. Based on these themes, Grayscale added six assets to the Top 20 list for Q1 2025: HYPE, ENA, VIRTUAL, JUP, JTO, and GRASS.
13. Woori Bank of South Korea has partnered with BDACS to enter the virtual asset custody field.
According to South Korean media News1, Woori Bank has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with South Korean cryptocurrency custody service provider BDACS, planning to explore new business opportunities in the virtual asset field, including discovering new business opportunities in the digital asset market, sharing expertise in blockchain technology, and undertaking project cooperation in the virtual asset custody field. Additionally, Woori Bank has acquired shares in BDACS, but the specific shareholding ratio and investment amount have not been disclosed.
