DeFi’s $55B Plunge Isn’t the Disaster It Looks Like

The UAE has enacted a new financial law that integrates cryptocurrency and blockchain technology into traditional finance, placing them under the supervision of the Central Bank. This decree aims to solidify the UAE's position as a global leader in the cryptocurrency sector.

Aptos (APT) has been trading relatively unchanged, underperforming compared to the broader cryptocurrency market rally, with current support at $2.16 and resistance at $2.31. This stagnation occurs as Bitcoin leads a rebound in the market, recovering from earlier losses and rising above $86,000.

Coinbase Ventures has announced its top technology frontiers for 2026, focusing on areas such as real-world asset perpetuals, specialized exchanges, DeFi composability, and AI-driven development tools. This strategic initiative aims to position Coinbase at the forefront of cryptocurrency innovation.

Nasdaq ISE has filed to elevate the option limits for BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) to top-tier status, reflecting a surge in IBIT options activity and a shift of open interest towards U.S. regulated venues. This move comes amid a backdrop of fluctuating investor sentiment in the cryptocurrency market.

Bitcoin has recently reversed its downward trend, surpassing the $90,000 mark just ahead of Thanksgiving, a notable shift from the typical pre-holiday price declines observed in previous years. This rebound follows a period of volatility, where Bitcoin's price had dipped significantly earlier in the week.

U.S. Bank has selected the XLM network to conduct a pilot program for programmable digital currency, resulting in a 2.6% increase in XLM's value to $0.25. This initiative marks a significant step in the bank's exploration of digital assets and stablecoin issuance on the Stellar network.

Hedera's native token, HBAR, has risen by 1% to surpass the critical resistance level of $0.143, driven by institutional accumulation as the launch of futures approaches. This increase follows a period of volatility where HBAR faced significant downward pressure, including a recent drop below $0.1373.

S&P Global Ratings has downgraded Tether's USDT, citing the increasing vulnerability of the stablecoin due to its rising exposure to Bitcoin, which has been experiencing significant price declines. This downgrade reflects concerns about the stability of USDT's dollar peg amid a volatile cryptocurrency market.