The Week Ahead In Crypto: Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller Advocates For December Rate Cut

Bitcoin (BTC) has surged past the $96,000 mark this week, driven by significant inflows into U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and a favorable U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which alleviated inflation concerns. This price movement marks the end of a prolonged consolidation phase, leading to a wave of bearish liquidations as short sellers exited their positions.

Ripple has received preliminary approval for an Electronic Money Institution license from the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier in Luxembourg, marking a significant step in its expansion strategy across Europe. This early nod is seen as a crucial development for the company as it seeks to enhance its operational capabilities within the European market.

A solo Bitcoin miner has achieved a significant milestone by winning a $300,000 block, marking a notable event in the cryptocurrency mining landscape. This victory highlights the potential for individual miners to compete against larger mining operations in an increasingly competitive market.

Revolut has reported a remarkable 156% increase in stablecoin payments in 2025, indicating a growing acceptance and utilization of cryptocurrency in real-world transactions. This surge reflects the company's strategic initiatives to enhance its digital payment offerings and user engagement.

Bitcoin has made its debut alongside gold exchange-traded products (ETPs) on the London Stock Exchange, with BTC USD approaching the significant milestone of $100,000. This development highlights the growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies in traditional financial markets.

ZKsync has unveiled its 2026 roadmap, aiming to enhance privacy on the Ethereum blockchain to a bank-grade level. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to transition from its original Lite network to newer platforms, Era and Elastic, while maintaining essential functionalities for users.

The US Senate has introduced a bill that places restrictions on the rewards associated with idle balances in stablecoin accounts, aiming to regulate the burgeoning stablecoin market. This legislative move reflects growing concerns over the financial implications of stablecoin rewards and their potential impact on consumer protection and market stability.

JPMorgan has issued a warning regarding the risks posed by yield stablecoins, suggesting that these financial instruments could threaten the stability of traditional banks. The bank's concerns highlight the potential impact of these cryptocurrencies on the broader financial system.