Binance Alpha has announced the upcoming featuring of RateX (RTX), expanding its lineup of early-stage Web3 projects available to Alpha users.According to an official post on X, RateX (RTX) will be featured on Binance Alpha on December 19, with Alpha trading opening on the same day. The listing gives eligible users early access to RTX and the opportunity to participate in an associated token airdrop.RateX (RTX) Airdrop DetailsFollowing the opening of Alpha trading, eligible users will be able to claim the RTX airdrop using Binance Alpha Points via the Alpha Events page.Key points to know:The airdrop will be claimable after Alpha trading goes liveClaims will be processed through the Binance Alpha Events pageEligibility is determined by users’ Binance Alpha Points balanceAdditional details, including claim thresholds and allocation mechanics, will be announced separately 

The SEC's shift in attitude toward cryptocurrencies is boosting RWA's growth, but jurisdictional and revenue restrictions still constrain compliance models.

According to the official announcement, Gate will launch VOOI (VOOI) perpetual contract live trading (USDT settlement) on December 18th at 21:10 (UTC+8), supporting leverage from 1x to 20x. Gate Perp DEX will also be launched simultaneously. Gate will add VOOI unified account lending and isolated margin trading pairs on December 18th, 2025 at 21:10 (UTC+8), and simultaneously launch VOOI savings accounts, flexible collateralized lending, and fixed-term collateralized lending functions. VOOI trading bots and copy trading will be available within one hour of the perpetual contract launch. VOOI instant swaps and dollar-cost averaging will be launched gradually one hour after spot trading begins.

According to on-chain analyst Ai Yi, the "1011 Insider Whale" has further increased its long positions in ETH, now holding 203,340.64 ETH, with a single-coin position value of $578 million. The average opening price was $3,147.39, and the current unrealized loss is $61 million. The total position value is $697 million, with a total unrealized loss of $69.42 million.

The SEC has issued new guidance allowing broker-dealers to custody crypto assets by maintaining physical possession of private keys. This update clarifies compliance with Rule 15c3-3 and replaces previous 2019 statements regarding non-custodial models. source: https://coinpaprika.com/news/sec-crypto-custody-guidance-broker-dealer-rule-15c3-3-update

Coinbase secures regulatory approval to acquire a stake in CoinDCX, strengthening its presence in India’s growing crypto market. source: https://coincu.com/news/coinbase-gains-approval-for-investment/

On Dec 18, 2025, 08:27 AM(UTC). According to Binance Market Data, Bitcoin has crossed the 87,000 USDT benchmark and is now trading at 87,014.117188 USDT, with a narrowed 0.44% increase in 24 hours.

Binance has introduced Indication of Interest (IOI), a new institutional trading tool designed to enable private liquidity discovery for large spot and loan transactions without exposing intent to public markets.The IOI feature is part of Binance’s OTC and Execution Services suite, complementing existing Request-for-Quote (RFQ) and high-touch execution offerings. It is available exclusively to VIP and institutional clients, addressing long-standing challenges around block trading, financing efficiency, and information leakage in crypto markets.What Is Binance Indication of Interest (IOI)?An Indication of Interest (IOI) is a private, non-binding signal that a trader intends to:Buy or sell a specific crypto asset, orBorrow or lend capital under defined termsIOIs are widely used in traditional financial markets to gauge liquidity and counterparties without committing to a trade or revealing intentions on public order books.On Binance, all IOIs are submitted off-book and handled through the Binance OTC Desk, ensuring that trading or financing intentions remain confidential and invisible to the broader market.Two Core IOI Functions on BinanceSpot IOI: Private Block Trade DiscoverySpot IOI allows institutional traders to discreetly signal interest in buying or selling a crypto asset at a targeted size and price level.By submitting a Spot IOI:Traders avoid placing large orders on public order booksThe Binance OTC Desk actively seeks suitable counterpartiesLiquidity is sourced from Binance’s global institutional networkThis approach helps reduce slippage, minimize market impact, and improve execution quality—particularly for mid-cap and less liquid assets.Loan IOI: Confidential Borrowing and LendingLoan IOI is integrated with Binance’s Fixed Rate Loan infrastructure and enables users to privately signal:Borrowing needs, orLending availabilityUsers can specify custom loan parameters, including size, duration, and rate. Binance’s OTC Desk then matches participants with suitable counterparties under separately governed fixed-rate loan agreements.Loan IOI is designed to improve capital efficiency for institutions managing large balances or scaling trading operations.IOI Blotter for Institutional Workflow ManagementAll registered IOIs—both active and completed—are displayed in the IOI Blotter, accessible via the IOI product page.The blotter provides:Centralized tracking of interest registrationsImproved reporting and internal coordinationDirect visibility for communication between client teams and the Binance OTC DeskThis functionality supports professional trading desks and treasury teams managing multiple strategies simultaneously.Why Binance IOI Matters for Institutional Crypto TradingPrivate Signaling Without Market ImpactPublic order books can widen spreads and attract adverse price movements when large orders appear. IOIs allow institutions to signal interest privately, avoiding unnecessary volatility and information leakage.Early Liquidity IdentificationIOIs help traders quickly assess whether genuine counterparties exist at desired price and size levels. If no interest emerges, strategies can be adjusted without leaving footprints on the market.Improved Trade MatchingBy acting as an initial, discreet point of contact, IOIs allow institutions to review terms and negotiate efficiently—particularly valuable in illiquid or volatile markets.Enhanced Capital FlexibilityLoan IOIs address inefficiencies such as idle capital or constrained liquidity by enabling customizable borrowing and lending arrangements tailored to institutional needs.How to Register an Indication of Interest on BinanceStep 1: Access the IOI PlatformNavigate to Binance OTC & Execution Services via the VIP Portal or mobile app, then select the IOI tab.Step 2: Choose Spot IOI or Loan IOISelect the product aligned with your trading or financing strategy.Step 3: Set Custom ParametersDefine asset, size, price range, or loan terms. Review carefully before submitting.Step 4: Track via the IOI BlotterMonitor active and completed IOIs, adjust strategies, and coordinate with the Binance OTC Desk.A New Standard for Institutional Crypto ExecutionWith the launch of Indication of Interest, Binance is bringing a traditional institutional trading mechanism into crypto markets, offering greater discretion, improved liquidity discovery, and more efficient execution.As crypto markets mature and institutional participation deepens, tools like IOI are becoming essential infrastructure for large-scale trading and financing—bridging the gap between traditional market practices and digital assets.

According to Odaily, Nobel laureate and former New York Times columnist Paul Krugman has analyzed the U.S. non-farm employment report released on December 16, indicating that while it may be premature to declare an economic recession, the data suggests the economy is in a pre-recession phase. Krugman noted that the overall unemployment rate for November was 4.6%, higher than the average rate of 4% in April 2024. This figure is nearing the threshold of the 'Sahm Rule.' Due to a government shutdown, the Department of Labor was unable to collect crucial data for October. However, by interpolating the September unemployment rate of 4.4% and the November rate of 4.6%, it is estimated that October's unemployment rate was approximately 4.5%. These three months' unemployment data closely align with the Sahm Rule's prediction of an impending recession indicated by rising unemployment rates. Odaily notes that the Sahm Rule, proposed by former Federal Reserve economist Claudia Sahm, is an immediate recession indicator based on unemployment rates. The indicator is triggered when the U.S. three-month moving average unemployment rate rises by 0.5 percentage points or more compared to the lowest three-month average of the previous 12 months, typically signaling the early stages of a recession.

Nobel laureate and former New York Times columnist Paul Krugman analyzed the November non-farm payrolls report released on December 16th, stating that while it's too early to declare a recession, the data at least indicates the economy is in the early stages. He noted that the overall unemployment rate in November was 4.6%, higher than the 2024 average of 4%, a figure close to triggering the "Sahm ​​Rule." Although the Department of Labor couldn't collect key October data due to the government shutdown, interpolating the September (4.4%) and November (4.6%) unemployment rates estimates the October rate at approximately 4.5%. These three months' unemployment rates closely match the predicted recessionary rise in unemployment according to the Sahm Rule. (Note: The Sahm Rule, proposed by former Federal Reserve economist Claudia Sahm, is an immediate recession indicator based on the unemployment rate.) The indicator is triggered when the U.S. three-month moving average unemployment rate rises by 0.5 percentage points or more from the lowest three-month average of the previous 12 months, and is generally considered a signal that the economy has entered the early stages of a recession.

Researchers from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOG) have accused the Central African Republic's government of exploiting ordinary citizens to push for cryptocurrency in order to further its own political agenda and support criminal activities.

RWA is not only the path HashKey will take in the future, but also the path Hong Kong will follow in the future.

2025 saw many milestones in the crypto industry, with increasingly clear policies driving large-scale institutional entry, but also accompanied by hacker attacks and market volatility. The following is a timeline of the most noteworthy industry events of the year.

A Singaporean investor lost S$100,000 after downloading a beta game launcher that contained malware, which emptied his crypto wallets. Despite using strong security measures, he was targeted by a sophisticated scam, highlighting risks for crypto users.

Hong Kong Prosecutors have asked for more time to organize the sprawling evidence collected during the two-year investigation.

Tax authorities have recently increased their scrutiny of overseas investments by Chinese residents. This article, from the perspective of those working in the crypto industry, provides actionable suggestions for compliance self-assessment and reporting.

The window of opportunity for stablecoins is closing. More institutionally backed stablecoins may emerge in the future, but the landscape of stablecoins with the potential for widespread adoption across the entire industry ecosystem, such as USDC and USDT, has largely solidified.

Pantera partner Paul Veradittakit made nine predictions for the crypto industry in 2026, including RWA assets, continued institutional expansion, prediction markets, and the application of artificial intelligence.

A Singaporean man accused of leading a major crypto fraud ring returned to a US court as plea talks with prosecutors continued. The case has expanded with more arrests and charges, while lawyers work towards a possible deal.