According to a16z crypto's 2026 outlook, blockchain is expected to fade into the background as core infrastructure while AI agents, on-chain credit origination, and privacy-centric networks reshape the ecosystem. The report highlights KYAs for autonomous agents, a move from tokenized RWAs to programmable credit, and zero-knowledge-based privacy as key competitive advantages.

BitMine Immersion Technologies added 118,944 ETH (~$352.16M) to staking, raising its staked total to 461,504 ETH valued at $1.37B under its "Alchemy of 5%" plan. On-chain watchers flagged a new wallet receiving 32,938 ETH from FalconX, hinting at further buys. In 2025, Ethereum led net inflows above $4.2B as ETH traded near $2,980 and BMNR was around $27.15.

The U.S. Senate Banking Committee has scheduled a 15 January markup for the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, a bill intended to settle jurisdictional disputes between the SEC and CFTC and give the crypto sector clearer regulation. Lawmakers are still divided over DeFi oversight, token categorization and stablecoin rewards, while prediction markets price in a meaningful chance the proposal becomes law before May.

Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the Founder of Binance, highlighted Pakistan's rapid crypto adoption and recent regulatory advances, including the first No Objection Certificates from the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. He argued that Pakistan's young user base and policy shift could allow it to leapfrog legacy finance, while also sharing his own practice of living fully on Bitcoin and BNB as a model for a code-driven financial future.

BlackRock transferred $214 million in BTC and ETH to Coinbase Prime in year-end moves, according to Arkham, amid outflows from its IBIT and ETHA since 18 December. On 29 December, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $19.3 million in withdrawals, while Strategy bought 1,229 BTC for $108.85 million, lifting its holdings to 672,497 BTC.

At Russia's State Council meeting on 25 December, Vladimir Putin was reported to have discussed U.S. interest in using a stake in the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant for large-scale cryptocurrency mining. The plant, controlled by Russia since March 2022 but still operated by Ukrainian engineers, has become a potential bargaining chip in territorial talks and could support major mining farms if ever fully restored, despite currently being shut down.

Since 11 December, Ethereum ETFs have seen $853.9 million in net outflows, with a single rebound of $84.6 million on 22 December, according to Farside Investors. ETH traded around $2,964 at press time, with $2,500 flagged as a key level if redemptions persist. Bitcoin ETFs recorded $1.538 billion in outflows over the same span, despite brief inflows on 12 and 17 December.

USD1, issued by World Liberty Financial, has surpassed a $3 billion market value and now stands at $3.12 billion, ranking sixth among stablecoins and 32nd among cryptocurrencies. Binance has boosted adoption with a 20% APR 'Booster Program' and a 1:1 swap of BUSD-collateral into USD1. WLFI positions USD1 as a payment-first asset, with partnerships spanning Coinbase, FalconX, and Solana-based projects.

XRP closed December under pressure, trading near $1.86 after a 0.35% dip and a 15% monthly slide. Analyst Zach Rector links looming volatility to a $7.1 trillion global options expiry and warns of a brief sweep to $1.60–$1.70. Spot XRP ETFs launched on 13 November have attracted $1.14 billion in inflows and hold $1.25 billion in assets.