KLEA Crypto Daily: Friday, December 12, 2025

Published: December 13, 2025 – 00:04 UTC

Here’s a look back at the key stories from December 12, 2025.

Inside Putin’s Crypto Cold War: How Russia Evaded Western Sanctions In 2025

The investigation reveals how Russia and Russia-linked actors rebuilt payment routes using crypto to survive financial isolation caused by Western sanctions. The resilient system was designed to withstand freezes, seizures, and enforcement delays, reconstructed through on-chain forensic analysis and interviews.

Bitcoin Miners Shift to Renewable Energy Amid Economic Challenges

Bitcoin mining companies are increasingly turning to renewable energy sources to mitigate costs as they face a record-low hash price. This critical metric for miner profitability has fallen below the $40 threshold, prompting miners to seek sustainable energy solutions to maintain operations.

Tether Moves to Buy Juventus in Landmark Crypto Sports Deal

Tether has submitted a binding all-cash proposal to acquire Exor’s entire 65.4% stake in Juventus Football Club, marking a significant move for the stablecoin company into elite global sports. If approved, Tether plans to invest up to €1 billion to support and develop the club post-acquisition.

Ripple Partners With Swiss Bank Amina to Power Faster Stablecoin Payments

Ripple’s payments arm has entered a new collaboration with Swiss lender Amina, giving the bank access to its blockchain-based payment infrastructure. The agreement aims to make transactions faster, lower cost, and more reliable, enhancing transparency in settlements.

Ripple, Circle and BitGo Win Conditional Approval to Become U.S. Crypto Banks

The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has granted conditional approval to Ripple, Circle, BitGo, and others to pursue full chartering as national trust banks, a significant step towards federally regulated crypto banking. This approval provides these firms direct access to federal oversight and a regulatory pathway akin to traditional financial institutions.

Hackers Compromise Zerobasezk Frontend, Stealing Funds from Over 270 Users

Over 270 users fell victim to hackers who compromised the Zerobasezk frontend, resulting in the theft of over $240,000. This incident serves as a reminder for users to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect their assets.

Crypto Investor Faces Significant Losses Amid Liquidation

Huang Licheng, known as ‘Machi Big Brother,’ has experienced significant losses with another liquidation involving 6,489 ETH, resulting in a loss of $720,000. Currently holding a long position with only 2,500 ETH, valued at $7.79 million, Huang has suffered a total loss of $2.44 million over the past week.

China’s Massive Gold Spree Reveals Shift in Risk Management

The People’s Bank of China's continued gold purchases for the thirteenth straight month signal a shift towards sovereign-controlled, seizure-resistant assets, impacting global reserve strategies. This move is seen as a macro signal reinforcing the logic behind traditional assets, rather than a bullish spark for Bitcoin.

KYMAi Could Be the Most Credible AI Crypto Project Launching This Year

The team behind KnowYourMarket.ai has unveiled the KYMAi Continuity Benefit Program, a new incentive structure designed to reward long-term holders committed to the KYMAi ecosystem. This initiative aims to differentiate KYMAi from other AI tokens and attract genuine supporters.

YouTube To Roll Out PayPal Stablecoin Payout Option For US Creators

YouTube will now allow U.S. creators to receive their payouts in stablecoins through PayPal's stablecoin, a move reflecting the increasing adoption of cryptocurrencies by major platforms.

USDC Treasury Burns Over 78 Million USDC on Ethereum

The USDC Treasury recently burned over $78.9 million worth of USDC on the Ethereum blockchain, showcasing a significant reduction in the stablecoin's circulating supply.

Solana Flips Ethereum in New Developer Activity: Is SOL the True Consumer Chain for 2026?

Solana has surpassed Ethereum in new developer activity, adding 11,534 developers compared to Ethereum's 16,181 in the first nine months of 2025. While Ethereum still leads in total developer count globally, Solana's focus on building consumer applications like payment systems and gaming platforms signals a fundamental shift in the industry.

Bank of Japan Considers Prolonged Rate Hike Cycle

The Bank of Japan is contemplating extending its interest rate hike cycle until rates exceed 0.75%, with the exact neutral rate level yet to be determined. This decision reflects a broader strategy to maintain a broad range for the neutral rate, potentially impacting the country's economic landscape.

Trust Wallet Launches Instant Crypto Purchases With Revolut Across Europe

Revolut partners with Trust Wallet to enable seamless, fee-free cryptocurrency buying for European users. Trust Wallet has integrated Revolut as a payment provider, allowing users across the European Economic Area (EEA) to instantly purchase cryptocurrencies like bitcoin (BTC), ethereum (ETH), and solana (SOL).

US Financial Markets ‘Poised to Move On-Chain,’ Amid DTCC Tokenization Greenlight

In comments Thursday, SEC Chair Paul Atkins doubled down on his vision for tokenized US financial markets and onchain settlement. This historic move by the DTCC received a no-action letter from the US financial watchdog, paving the way for tokenization of real-world assets like stocks, ETFs, and bonds.

Tim Scott Highlights ‘Real Progress’ on Crypto Bill

Senate Banking Committee Chair Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) expressed optimism about passing cryptocurrency legislation, aiming to establish the U.S. as the global "cryptocurrency capital." Scott met with top banking executives to discuss creating a federal framework for regulating digital assets.

China Adds 30,000 Ounces of Gold in November

China increased its gold reserves by 30,000 ounces in November, reaching a total of 2,305 tonnes valued at a record $311 billion. This marks the country's 25th consecutive month of accumulating gold reserves, showcasing its continued focus on diversifying its holdings.

Source: KLEA News