According to ChainCatcher, the 171st Ethereum Consensus Layer Core Developers Meeting (ACDC) focused on several significant topics. The meeting addressed the retention of trusted payments as part of the embedded proposer-builder separation (ePBS) in the upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade, while officially removing the fork choice enforced inclusion list (FOCIL) feature. Additionally, the Fusaka upgrade was successfully deployed on the mainnet on December 3, followed by the activation of the blob parameter hard fork on December 9, with the network operating smoothly. The developers also discussed proposals EIP 7688, 8061, and 8080. Plans are underway to begin preparations for the Heka upgrade in January next year, with considerations to rename it in accordance with the standards of the International Astronomical Union.

According to Odaily, digital asset management firm Bitwise has expressed disappointment over MSCI's proposal to remove Strategy from its Global Investable Market Index. Bitwise argues that the index should accurately reflect the market without evaluating specific business models and should maintain neutrality. The firm believes that exchange-traded products cannot replicate Strategy's operational approach and that Strategy has created value for its shareholders. Bitwise contends that MSCI's proposed rule changes would deprive investors of opportunities to invest in the digital asset sector and its leading companies, putting them at a disadvantage.

According to Foresight News, Tether is planning to raise up to $20 billion through a stock offering and may consider tokenizing the shares after the sale. Insiders have revealed that Tether's executives are exploring various options, including stock buybacks and storing the company's shares digitally on the blockchain post-transaction. Sources indicate that at least one existing shareholder previously intended to sell shares at a price significantly lower than the company's $500 billion valuation, but Tether intervened to halt this plan. The management is concerned that such sales by current investors could impact their substantial fundraising efforts. Due to the confidential nature of the information, the sources requested anonymity. One insider mentioned that the company currently has no plans to allow existing shareholders to sell shares in this primary funding round. An insider also disclosed that Tether investor Blockchain Capital had considered selling some shares before Tether's fundraising plans were announced but later decided against it. The source added that Tether's management did not attempt to prevent Blockchain Capital from selling its shares.

Crypto wallet app Phantom announced the launch of Phantom Prediction Markets, a Kalshi-powered prediction market, on its X platform. This market allows users to participate in predictions across sports, cryptocurrencies, culture, and other fields. The service is expected to be rolled out to eligible users within the next week. Phantom cautions that its prediction market does not cover all jurisdictions, and risks may include, but are not limited to, price volatility, limited liquidity, and potential regulatory changes. Trading in the prediction market may incur transaction fees and other charges, and inaccurate predictions may result in the loss of all funds allocated to a particular activity.

According to the announcement from Binance, the company has achieved a significant regulatory milestone in Pakistan. This development follows strategic discussions between Binance's senior leadership and Pakistani government officials, led by Binance Co-CEO Richard Teng. These ongoing engagements underscore Binance's dedication to fostering a regulated and secure digital asset ecosystem within the country. Binance has successfully obtained an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) registration under the framework of Pakistan's PVARA. This achievement marks a crucial step towards full licensing and local incorporation in Pakistan. The phased approach adopted by Binance will allow the company to offer AML-registered cross-border services while preparing for full Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licensing, in accordance with Pakistan's regulatory roadmap. The company emphasizes its commitment to supporting digital economies across South Asia and is eager to continue collaborating with regulators and stakeholders in the region. The goal is to build a robust, transparent, and inclusive virtual asset ecosystem. It is important to note that these regulatory changes are structural and do not alter the way users interact with the platform. Users' day-to-day experience on the platform will remain largely unchanged.

Tether has disclosed plans to raise up to $20 billion through a stock offering and will consider tokenizing the shares after the sale. Company executives are reportedly considering various options, including stock buybacks and storing the company's shares digitally on a blockchain after the transaction is completed. (Bloomberg)

According to Christine Kim's summary of the 171st Ethereum Consensus Layer Core Developers Meeting (ACDC), the meeting primarily discussed: retaining trust payments as part of the embedded proposer-builder separation (ePBS) in the Glamsterdam upgrade, while formally removing the fork selection mandatory inclusion list (FOCIL) feature. Furthermore, the Fusaka upgrade successfully launched on the mainnet on December 3rd, and the subsequent blob parameter hard fork was successfully activated on December 9th, with stable network operation. The meeting also discussed proposals such as EIP 7688, 8061, and 8080, and plans to begin planning the Heka upgrade in January next year, while also considering renaming it to conform to the standards of the International Astronomical Union.

Digital asset management firm Bitwise published a statement on its X platform in support of Strategy, expressing deep disappointment with MSCI's proposed removal of Strategy from its global investable market indices. Bitwise stated that indices aim to faithfully reflect the market, not to assess the merits of specific business models, and should remain neutral. Bitwise believes that exchange-traded products cannot replicate Strategy's operating model, and that Strategy creates value for shareholders. The proposed rule change by MSCI deprives investors of investment opportunities in the digital asset class and its industry leaders, thus disadvantaging them.

According to Odaily, Jurrien Timmer, Fidelity's Global Macro Director, highlighted on the X platform that the current improvement in market sentiment follows a decline in excessive speculation within the crypto market. This change is occurring against the backdrop of the Federal Reserve's accommodative policies and stability in the bond and foreign exchange markets. Timmer suggests that Bitcoin's official closing in 2025 could be favorable. Previously, Bitcoin treasury companies provided 'returns' by issuing stocks to purchase Bitcoin, which might now pose a resistance to Bitcoin's rise and raise questions about the end of another four-year cycle. However, examining Bitcoin's mature network curve structure reveals that since 2010, Bitcoin has experienced five waves of upward trends, with each wave's increase being smaller than the previous one but lasting longer. From the recent bull market, which began around $16,000 in 2022, it is evident that Bitcoin has reached a significant level of maturity. According to the five-wave trend chart shared by Jurrien Timmer, the peak price in the fifth wave could be $151,360.

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