Sberbank, Russia's largest bank, has issued the country's first loan secured by crypto assets to Intelion Data, a major local Bitcoin mining company. Sberbank stated that the loan was secured by digital currency mined by Intelion Data, but did not disclose the loan amount, the quantity of collateral, or the term, defining it as a "pilot" operation. Sberbank indicated that such products are not only applicable to mining companies but could also be promoted to businesses holding crypto assets. The bank used its own crypto asset custody solution, Rutoken, in the transaction to ensure the safety of the collateral assets during the loan period. Sberbank Vice Chairman Anatoly Popov stated that Russian digital asset regulation is still in its early stages, and the bank is willing to cooperate with the central bank to improve relevant rules and use this pilot project as a reference for future regulation and infrastructure development. Intelion Data CEO Timofey Semenov stated that this transaction is an important practical case for industry development, and if successful, it could be further promoted in the Russian mining sector. (DL News)

According to PANews, Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, has issued the country's first loan backed by cryptocurrency to Bitcoin mining company Intelion Data. This transaction is described as a 'pilot,' though details regarding the loan's size, duration, and specific collateralized cryptocurrencies have not been disclosed. Sberbank hinted at the possibility of offering similar loans in the future. The bank utilized its proprietary cryptocurrency custody solution, Rutoken, to ensure asset security during the loan period.

Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu stated that 2025 will be known as "Trump's Year," not because it benefits the crypto industry, but because the market over-bet on political expectations and misjudged tariffs, interest rates, and macroeconomic policy directions, leading to overall pressure on risk assets. He pointed out that the "crypto deal" surrounding Trump did not materialize as expected, and 2026 will force the industry to shift towards compliance and real-world applications. Siu believes that a key theme for 2026 is the institutionalization and functionalization of the crypto industry. On the one hand, as regulatory frameworks such as the Clarity Act and the GENIUS Act become clearer, traditional institutions and large enterprises will be more motivated to enter the crypto market; on the other hand, the market focus will shift from speculative tokens and Meme Coin to utility tokens with clear uses. He stated that the previous Meme Coin rally consumed a large amount of retail liquidity, prompting the industry to enter a period of reflection. At the capital market level, Siu revealed that Animoca plans to go public through a reverse merger with Nasdaq-listed fintech company Currenc Group, positioning itself as a public market vehicle for "altcoin exposure," providing investors with a broader range of Web3 and altcoin exposures than a single underlying public chain token. He emphasized that as token issuance and trading rules become clearer, the tokenization of real-world assets and security tokens will become an important bridge connecting traditional finance and the on-chain economy. Siu concluded that against the backdrop of increased regulatory certainty and changes in market structure, the crypto industry can no longer rely on narratives and speculation to drive growth, and 2026 will be a turning point centered on real-world use and user value. (Cointelegraph)

According to PANews, gold and silver have reached new historical highs this week, showcasing the strong performance of precious metals. However, this development poses challenges for cryptocurrency investors, as Bitcoin, once dubbed 'digital gold,' has fallen by 6.25% this year after hitting a record price earlier. Ethereum has also seen a decline of 12%. The overall sentiment in the cryptocurrency market is notably low, impacting the stock prices of publicly listed crypto asset management companies. Louis Navellier, founder of Navellier & Associates, highlighted that with gold prices rising nearly 70% in 2025, while most cryptocurrencies continue to fall, it may be time for investors to shift towards gold. He emphasized gold's advantages, including central bank purchases, lower volatility, and improved liquidity. Meanwhile, renowned investor Peter Schiff expressed on the X platform that if Bitcoin does not rise alongside tech stocks or during gold and silver surges, it may never increase in value.

null source: https://x.com/wublockchain/status/2005249091245089037

A major Russian bank, working with the Ministry of Finance and the central bank, is backing a tiered framework to let more non‑qualified investors access crypto assets. The plan would expand access under strict limits and tests. source: https://coinpaprika.com/news/russia-plans-tiered-crypto-rules-for-non-qualified-investors

A Bithomp label reading "NotSatoshi" on an XRP wallet sent the community into theory mode, then Ripple CTO David Schwartz stepped into debate and killed the mystery with one sentence. source: https://u.today/not-satoshi-ripple-cto-ends-speculations-around-his-xrp-wallet

null source: https://x.com/cointelegraph/status/2005247419366199534

null source: https://x.com/cointelegraph/status/2005247416824484170

Solana and Aptos are testing post-quantum cryptography to protect blockchain networks from future quantum computing threats, offering optional measures for long-term security. source: https://catenaa.com/markets/cryptocurrencies/solana-and-aptos-begin-quantum-resistant-blockchain-initiatives/

Grok, Elon Musk’s AI chatbot on X, has been praised by Vitalik Buterin for giving unpredictable responses that challenge users’ political biases and promote more truthful interactions.

A massive hack has struck Trust Wallet, one of the most widely used crypto wallets, resulting in estimated losses exceeding $6 million.

Italy’s competition authority has ordered Meta to allow rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp while investigating possible abuse of its dominant position. Meta plans to appeal, saying the policy protects its systems, but regulators worry it could limit competition and innovation in the AI market.

Nvidia has announced a $20 billion acquisition of Groq’s core assets, a landmark move that strengthens its already commanding position in the artificial intelligence chip market and reshapes the competitive landscape for AI infrastructure.

Keonne Rodriguez, co-founder of Samourai Wallet, began serving a five-year federal prison sentence and shared a personal account of his first days, describing the intake process and adjusting to prison life just before Christmas.

The Philippines has escalated its crackdown on unlicensed cryptocurrency platforms, with internet service providers beginning to block access to major global exchanges, signaling a decisive shift toward stricter enforcement of local crypto regulations.

Pudgy Penguins projected its animated characters on the Las Vegas Sphere for a week-long holiday campaign, promoting its physical products rather than NFTs. The display helped the crypto-born brand reach mainstream audiences, supporting merchandise sales and boosting recognition despite a struggling NFT market.

Kraken has officially launched the Krak Card, a Mastercard crypto debit card for residents living in the EU countries and the United Kingdom. The Krak card would allow users to spend more than 400 cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies seamlessly.

Trust Wallet confirmed a security incident affecting version 2.68 of its Chrome extension after users reported unauthorised wallet drains following a recent update. The company told users to disable the extension and upgrade immediately, saying its mobile app and other versions were not affected while the investigation continues.

Kyrgyzstan has taken another step toward embedding digital assets into its financial system after cryptocurrency exchange Binance listed the country’s first som-pegged stablecoin, a move that signals growing state-level confidence in blockchain-based payments and infrastructure.