This explainer outlines the core terms new creators should learn before minting NFTs, covering wallets, smart contracts, royalties, gas fees, and token standards. It clarifies marketplace concepts like listings and floor price, plus safety topics such as phishing and rug pulls. Understanding this vocabulary helps first-time projects avoid costly missteps and launch with confidence.

Gemini has rolled out its Gemini Predictions platform across all 50 US states after its affiliate Gemini Titan received a designated contract market license from the CFTC. PancakeSwap has introduced Probable, a BNB Chain-based prediction market backed by YZi Labs that will initially charge no fees and use UMA's Optimistic Oracle for event resolution. Trading volumes on platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket have reached billions of dollars per month since October, drawing interest from both crypto firms and traditional financial players.

The Marshall Islands introduced a nationwide UBI that pays roughly $200 per quarter (about $800 a year), with residents choosing bank transfers, checks, or a government-backed blockchain wallet. First disbursements occurred in late November, and officials say the program uses a US dollar–pegged stablecoin; early uptake of the digital wallet has been limited.

Visa said on Tuesday that U.S. issuer and acquirer partners can settle VisaNet obligations in Circle's USDC, enabling seven-day, blockchain-based settlement. The company reported a $3.5 billion annualized stablecoin settlement run rate as of late November, with Cross River Bank and Lead Bank among early participants on Solana.

On December 16, 2025, Exodus unveiled plans for a fully reserved, USD-backed stablecoin with MoonPay, targeting a January 2026 launch. MoonPay will issue and manage the asset with M0 supporting the infrastructure, and access will roll out based on regulatory approvals to power self-custodial payments through Exodus Pay.

On December 17, 2025, Securitize announced plans to issue real, regulated shares directly on-chain, with rollout targeted for Q1 2026. The tokens will place buyers on issuers' cap tables and confer proxy voting and dividend rights, and trading will occur via Web3 swap-style flows through its SEC-registered broker-dealer and ATS.

Neo launched the Message Bridge on MainNet, adding a cross-chain messaging layer between Neo X and Neo N3. The system enables arbitrary data transfer, remote smart contract execution, and multi-step workflows beyond asset movement. BaneLabs also released open-source contracts and a TypeScript SDK to help developers integrate cross-chain capabilities.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands executed the first on-chain universal basic income payout using USDM1, a dollar-backed sovereign bond, on the Stellar blockchain. The ENRA program delivers instant digital transfers to residents on remote atolls, replacing physical cash deliveries. The rollout was updated on December 17, 2025.