In a revised paper published on December 5th, Blockstream researchers Mikhail Kudinov and Jonas Nick proposed that hash-based signature technology may be a key solution to protect Bitcoin from the threat of quantum computers. The researchers argue that hash-based signatures are a compelling post-quantum solution because their security relies entirely on a mechanism similar to the hash function assumptions already present in Bitcoin's design. This scheme has undergone extensive cryptanalysis during the post-quantum standardization process at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), enhancing the credibility of its robustness. It is estimated that older Pay-To-Public-Key Bitcoin wallets created before 2012 (including Satoshi Nakamoto's $98 billion holdings) contain approximately $600 billion worth of BTC, and these wallets will be the first to face the threat of quantum computers. (DL News)

According to BlockBeats, U.S. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott announced significant progress in advancing a comprehensive cryptocurrency bill into law following a meeting with top banking CEOs. On Thursday, Scott met with Brian Moynihan of Bank of America, Jane Fraser of Citigroup, and Charlie Scharf of Wells Fargo to discuss this landmark legislation. The proposed bill aims to establish regulatory guidelines for the digital asset industry and empower agencies like the SEC and CFTC. This week, the three banking CEOs are expected to meet with senators to further discuss the cryptocurrency legislative proposal. The meetings are reportedly held separately with Democrats and Republicans, both described as "cordial." Insiders revealed that discussions covered topics such as yields, decentralized finance, and anti-money laundering measures. The banking association has identified gaps in the GENIUS Act, which became law this summer. They argue that the law inadequately restricts stablecoin issuers from paying interest to holders, potentially making these assets more attractive as value storage and credit mechanisms rather than just payment tools, thus creating "market-distorting incentives" for the banking sector. Additionally, banking groups believe that the restrictions imposed by the GENIUS Act can be easily circumvented by exchanges, brokers, and other related parties.

According to PANews, Glassnode recently analyzed on the X platform that the unrealized losses across the cryptocurrency ecosystem have surged to approximately $350 billion. Of this, Bitcoin alone accounts for about $85 billion in unrealized losses. As several on-chain indicators suggest a contraction in overall liquidity, the market is likely to experience high volatility in the coming weeks.

The CFTC has reversed its 2020 guidance that was centered on the 'actual delivery' of digital assets. source: https://www.cryptopolitan.com/cftc-withdraws-old-crypto-rules/

PANews reported on December 12th that Hex Trust plans to issue and custody a wrapped version of XRP—wXRP. wXRP is a token pegged 1:1 to XRP, designed to expand the asset's use in DeFi and cross-chain applications. Hex Trust stated that this move will allow XRP to break free from the limitations of the XRP Ledger and trade as a liquidity pair with RLUSD on chains such as Ethereum, where Ripple's stablecoin RLUSD is already listed. At launch, wXRP's total locked value will exceed $100 million. (The Block)

Coinbase will launch prediction markets and tokenized stocks on December 17. source: https://www.cryptopolitan.com/coinbase-to-launch-prediction-markets/

1. Do Kwon sentenced to 15 years in prison by a US judge; 2. Coinbase to stop offering USDC interest rewards to non-paying users; 3. The US Senate nears final vote on the chairpersons of the CFTC and FDIC; 4. The US CFTC withdraws its 2020 guidance focusing on the "physical settlement" of digital assets; 5. The US CFTC issues no-action letters to four prediction markets, including Polymarket, regarding data rules; 6. Chairman of the US Senate Banking Committee: "Substantial progress" made on the crypto market bill after meetings with bank executives; 7. Coinbase developers release x402 V2; 8. Coinbase may launch prediction markets and tokenized stocks on December 17; 9. Jupiter's stablecoin JupUSD is expected to launch next week; 10. Crypto investment firm Blockstream to acquire TradFi hedge fund Corbiere Capital.

According to PANews, Blockstream researchers Mikhail Kudinov and Jonas Nick have examined various methods to upgrade the Bitcoin blockchain for quantum resistance in a revised paper published on December 5. They propose hash-based signatures as an attractive post-quantum solution due to their security relying solely on hash function assumptions, similar to Bitcoin's foundational design. Kudinov shared his findings with the Bitcoin developer mailing list, noting that these schemes have undergone extensive cryptanalysis during the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) post-quantum standardization process, boosting confidence in their robustness. Hash-based signatures depend on hash functions, which are considered quantum-resistant mathematical algorithms. Unlike Bitcoin's public key encryption, quantum algorithms struggle to break hash functions. By simply increasing the output size, hash functions can counteract brute-force searches by quantum computers, ensuring the security of applications like digital signatures. However, the implementation of hash-based signatures remains under discussion. Decisions are needed on issues such as maintaining low verification costs, standardizing various hash-based signature implementations, and whether the entire network's historical record is necessary for transaction verification.

Why is it that the same strategy is a legend when it works for Strategy, but a joke when others try it? In an era where AI narratives are crushing everything like freight trains, is Bitcoin still the best safe haven for assets?

OpenAI unveiled GPT-5. 2, featuring upgrades for scientific, mathematical, and software tasks, as employers mull AI for technical work. source: https://decrypt.co/352081/gpt-5-2-launched-as-openai-expanded-major-contracts

null source: https://x.com/lookonchain/status/1999288129006764271

The Federal Reserve's shift to easing will spill over globally. Emerging markets will benefit from a weaker dollar, but the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan may follow suit with interest rate cuts. Crypto assets may become beneficiaries of liquidity.

Jinse Finance launches its daily cryptocurrency and blockchain news bulletin, "Jinse 8 AM," issue 2906, providing you with the latest and fastest news on the digital currency and blockchain industry.

机器人 AI 可以像人类一样有自己的账户进行货币支付。AI Agent 支付的底层 Infra，x402 协议究竟是什么？为什么 Google、Visa 都在积极布局 x402 赛道？

17 Observations on Crypto Trends in 2026 by Several Partners of the a16z Crypto Team

Market predictions about when a “cryptography-related quantum computer (CRQC)” will be born are often too radical and exaggerated—leading to calls for an immediate and comprehensive migration to post-quantum cryptography.

Surf is an AI-powered investment research assistant for the cryptocurrency field. It recently completed a $15 million funding round led by Pantera, with participation from Coinbase Ventures and others.

The UAE, particularly Abu Dhabi, is rapidly emerging as a compliance hub and “new Switzerland” for the global cryptocurrency industry.

Federal Reserve, BTC: When the Fed is hijacked by politics, is a historic opportunity for Bitcoin coming? Golden Finance: The Fed cut interest rates, but the market is panicking.

Similar to the role of Coinbase or Binance, national banks in the United States can directly provide intermediary services for cryptocurrency trading to their clients.