KLEA Crypto Daily: Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Published: December 17, 2025 – 00:04 UTC

Here’s a look back at the key stories from December 16, 2025.

Paypal Seeks Approval to Launch Paypal Bank as Lending, Deposits, and Capital Control Tighten

Paypal is pursuing the establishment of its own bank to enhance small-business lending, reduce reliance on partners, and unlock new growth avenues in U.S. financial services.

Trump Is ‘Open’ to Democrats at SEC, CFTC in Glint of Hope for Senate Crypto Bill

President Trump expresses openness to nominating Democrats to key financial regulators, potentially impacting the Senate crypto bill.

Elizabeth Warren Demands Investigation Into ‘Improper Political Influence’ By Trump Ties To World Liberty Financial

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is calling for a national security probe into decentralized finance platforms tied to President Donald Trump, specifically focusing on tokens connected to World Liberty Financial Inc. This move comes as Senate negotiations over a crypto market structure bill are ongoing, as reported by CoinDesk.

SEC Ends Probe Into Aave After Four Years, CEO Says

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has closed its four-year investigation into the decentralized finance lending protocol Aave without recommending any enforcement action. Aave's founder and CEO shared a letter confirming the SEC's decision, marking a significant development for the project and the DeFi sector as a whole, according to Cointelegraph.

Bitcoin Bounces Back Above $87K, but Analysts Warn the Market Is Still Fragile

Crypto markets stabilized after a sharp sell-off, with bitcoin bouncing above $87,000. Ether lagged behind, while BNB, XRP, and SUI saw gains. The market recovery occurred despite U.S. equities slipping, showing a temporary decoupling.

Chainalysis Unveils Hexagate: Enhancing Blockchain Security with Real-Time Protection

Chainalysis introduces Hexagate, a real-time security platform aimed at protecting blockchain foundations and developers, amid increasing threats to decentralized finance and web3 protocols.

SEC Commissioner Peirce, Crypto Experts Say Privacy Is Key to Crypto Adoption

The recent SEC Crypto Task Force roundtable discussed the rising demand for privacy tools and the need for compliant solutions as crypto adoption grows.

Tether Leads $8 Million Round in Lightning-Based Payment Processor Speed

Tether has taken the lead in an $8 million funding round for Lightning-based payment processor Speed. The initiative aims to enhance instant global settlement capabilities based on the Bitcoin Lightning Network and stablecoins.

Ken Griffin Discusses Federal Reserve Chair Selection

Castle Investment founder Ken Griffin has stated that U.S. President Donald Trump has identified a suitable candidate for the position of Federal Reserve Chair. Griffin emphasized the importance of maintaining a separation between the White House and the Federal Reserve.

Prediction Market Monthly Volumes Grew 130x Since 2024: Keyrock, Dune

A joint report reveals significant growth, accuracy, and adoption in the prediction market sector.

Visa Brings USDC Settlements to US Banks, Wider Rollout Set for 2026

Visa initiates USDC settlement services for U.S. financial institutions, starting with Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, with plans for a broader expansion in 2026.

U.S. Interest Rate Futures Predict Two Rate Cuts by 2026

Interest rate futures in the United States are anticipating two rate cuts by 2026, following the release of U.S. employment and retail sales data. The projected easing for the upcoming year is expected to be 58 basis points.

VECTOR Goes Live as Cardano’s Institutional Expansion Chain

Apex Fusion has launched VECTOR, a Cardano-aligned blockchain providing immediate performance improvements for Cardano-native projects. This expansion chain offers faster execution without deviating from Cardano's design philosophy, addressing the need for lower latency and deeper liquidity.

ChainGPT Launches AI Hub V2, Introducing a New Intelligence Engine for Web3 Users

ChainGPT has announced the launch of AI Hub V2, a rebuilt intelligence platform designed to help crypto users research more effectively, trade with greater clarity, and understand market movements through a unified AI-driven system.

Bitcoin’s Decline Is Bear Market Evidence, Not a Dip: 10x Research

Bitcoin is not resting within a bull market but is firmly in a bear market, according to 10x Research head Marcus Thielen. The real question isn’t whether Bitcoin is bearish, but how long the downturn will last, as highlighted in a recent Coin Bureau podcast.

Tom Lee Buys $300M Ethereum as JP Morgan Debuts Tokenised Fund on the Network

Bitmine Chair Tom Lee continues to show confidence in the crypto sector by purchasing $300 million worth of Ethereum, bringing the firm's total holdings to $12 billion. Lee cites positive developments in digital assets, including regulatory changes and Wall Street adoption, as reasons for the bullish outlook.

Source: KLEA News