Monthly Lightning Network volume reached an estimated $1.1 billion in November 2025 across 5.2 million transfers. The report notes 2025 transaction counts trail 2023’s peak of 6.6 million and projects new growth as individuals and businesses test AI-driven payment agents, alongside rising institutional use and a capacity of 5,606 BTC in December 2025.

Dash said it will bring Zcash's Orchard shielded pool to the Dash Evolution chain, a smart contract layer, with activation planned after cybersecurity audits and an expected March launch. The first phase will enable basic ZEC transfers, with later updates adding Orchard-based privacy for tokenized real-world assets.

Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao argues that insufficient onchain privacy is preventing broader use of cryptocurrencies for payments, saying transparent payrolls and expenses deter enterprises. He previously told All-In Podcast host Chamath Palihapitiya that such openness can pose physical security risks. Avidan Abitbol and Eran Barak contend that business confidentiality needs and advancing AI make privacy tools increasingly essential.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said in an X post that prediction markets are tilting toward "unhealthy" short-term speculation and should evolve into hedging platforms that stabilize consumer prices. He proposed onchain markets, guided by local LLMs, to build personalized baskets of contracts tied to household expenses.

The government of the Marshall Islands launched a Universal Basic Income program in November 2025 that delivers quarterly payments to citizens via a mobile wallet linked to its USDM1 tokenized bond. Hong Kong, Thailand and the Marshall Islands are also testing tokenized government debt and onchain social benefits to cut settlement delays and fees, while experts warn that AML, sanctions and KYC rules remain major hurdles.

White House crypto adviser Patrick Witt said banks should not view stablecoin yield offerings as a threat and urged compromise between lenders and crypto platforms. He argued the debate has delayed the CLARITY market structure bill, which defines SEC/CFTC roles, and warned lawmakers face a narrowing window ahead of the 2026 US midterms.

The Netherlands' House of Representatives advanced a proposal to impose a 36% capital gains tax on savings and liquid investments, including cryptocurrencies. The measure cleared the 75-vote hurdle with 93 lawmakers in favor and would apply starting in the 2028 tax year if the Senate also approves it. Exemptions include equity in qualifying start-ups and physical property used for non-investment.

On Wednesday, a Federal Reserve staff working paper proposed treating crypto as a distinct asset class for setting initial margin in uncleared derivatives, citing higher volatility and a poor fit with SIMM categories. It recommends separate risk weights for floating coins like Bitcoin and Ether and pegged stablecoins, plus a benchmark index to calibrate those weights.

At a House Financial Services Committee hearing on Wednesday, Democratic lawmakers pressed SEC Chair Paul Atkins about a reported 60% decline in enforcement actions since Donald Trump appointed him to lead the agency. Lawmakers highlighted dismissed crypto-related lawsuits, foreign investment in Trump-linked World Liberty Financial and memecoin projects, and alleged political motivations behind pardons and dropped cases.