On Monday, the CFTC introduced a pilot program that lets qualified futures commission merchants use Bitcoin, Ether and payment stablecoins such as USDC as margin collateral in regulated U.S. futures and swaps markets. Acting Chairman Caroline Pham framed it as a controlled test of tokenized collateral, with enhanced reporting, a no-action letter permitting segregated custody of certain digital assets, and withdrawal of 2020 guidance that discouraged crypto collateral. If successful, the trial could extend the role of stablecoins and tokenized Treasuries across clearing, margining and settlement infrastructure on Wall Street.

CoinShares’ 2026 Digital Asset Outlook, published Monday, argues hybrid finance is embedding public blockchains into core market infrastructure. The report cites more than $90 billion in U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF inflows and over one million BTC held by corporate treasuries. It expects broader access via wealth platforms alongside accelerating tokenization.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has ended its multi‑year investigation into New York–based tokenization platform Ondo Finance without bringing enforcement action, removing a major legal overhang for the firm, according to the company. The probe, launched in October 2023 under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler and carried into 2024, examined whether certain tokenized real‑world assets and the ONDO token complied with federal securities laws. With the case now closed, market focus is shifting to how quickly regulators will issue detailed rules that could support large‑scale tokenized equity and bond offerings in the US.

Former People’s Bank of China monetary policy adviser Liu Shijin has urged China to increase imports and settle more foreign trade in yuan over the next five years to narrow its trade surplus and boost offshore yuan liquidity. He also called for more yuan-denominated financial products to be launched in overseas markets, according to his recent remarks. At the same time, China’s top leadership has outlined plans to prioritize domestic demand from 2026. The comments come as the European Union, led by French President Emmanuel Macron, signals the possibility of strong measures over trade imbalances.

BPCE, France’s second-largest banking group, opened in-app crypto trading on Monday for selected Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Épargne customers. The limited rollout lets about 2 million users across four regional banks buy and sell Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and USDC. BPCE aims to extend availability by 2026 across 25 remaining regional entities.

On December 8, 2025, the U.S. CFTC launched a pilot allowing Bitcoin, Ether and USDC to be used as collateral in regulated derivatives markets, according to the agency. For the first three months, futures commission merchants may accept only these assets and must submit weekly reports. The agency also issued guidance on tokenized collateral and withdrew a 2020 advisory.

On December 9, 2025, Fitch Ratings cautioned that U.S. banks expanding into crypto and digital-asset services face reputational, liquidity, operational, and compliance risks that could weigh on their ratings. The report cited initiatives at large institutions including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo. It highlighted that rapid stablecoin growth may threaten financial stability and affect U.S. dollar and Treasury markets. Moody's has likewise flagged systemic risks if USD-linked stablecoins see widespread adoption.

On Tuesday, Bitcoin traded around $90,000 while major Asian equity benchmarks in Korea, Japan and Australia opened lower amid caution over upcoming Federal Reserve policy moves. Traders broadly expect a 25 basis-point rate cut this week but have scaled back projections for further easing through 2026, weighing on crypto prices and broader risk assets.