Circle and Bybit deepen USDC partnership as stablecoin nears $80B

Cointelegraph

Circle, the publicly-listed issuer of one of the largest US dollar stablecoins globally, has entered into a strategic partnership with cryptocurrency exchange Bybit.

Bybit has entered a strategic partnership with an affiliate of Circle to expand liquidity and usability of its USDC stablecoin, according to a joint announcement on Monday.

“The partnership aims to expand USDC access across Bybit’s global ecosystem, strengthen liquidity of the world’s largest regulated stablecoin, and reinforce Bybit’s position as a regulatory-compliant platform committed to transparency and trust,” the companies said.

The partnership comes as USDC is gaining momentum, with its market capitalization surging to historic records and nearing $80 billion.

Bybit to deepen USDC integration across spot, derivatives and payment channels

“Bybit’s partnership with Circle allows us to deepen USDC integration across spot, derivatives, and payment channels within a transparent and compliant framework,” a spokesperson for Bybit told Cointelegraph.

The crypto exchange is working closely with Circle to enhance liquidity provisioning, strengthen fiat on-ramps and off-ramps, as well as expand crosschain support, the representative said, adding:

“This collaboration is just the beginning — especially in the EEA region, where Circle has a strong regulatory presence under MiCA. We see meaningful opportunities to expand USDC’s utility and deliver even more reliable settlement options for global users.”

Bybit’s spokesperson mentioned that the exchange started to integrate USDC several years ago, starting with spot and perpetual trading pairs and expanding it to savings products, institutional settlement, conversion tools and fiat payment channels.

“Today, USDC is already embedded across our ecosystem, and this new strategic partnership strengthens the underlying infrastructure with better liquidity, faster settlement and broader use cases,” Bybit said.

USDC market cap nearing $80 billion

The Bybit–Circle partnership caps a year of strong growth for USDC, with the stablecoin nearly doubling its market cap since the beginning of 2025.

Since Jan. 1, 2025, USDC market capitalization has surged by 77% from around $44 billion to $78 billion as of Dec. 7, according to data from CoinGecko.

The growth aligns with Circle increasingly pushing partnerships in traditional finance, including collaborations with the global exchange organization Deutsche Börse, payment giant Mastercard and more.

Circle, Transparency, Stablecoin, Partnerships, Companies, Bybit

By comparison, Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin by market capitalization, has seen its market cap rise about 36% since the start of the year, climbing from roughly $137 billion to $186 billion.

“Bybit supports multiple stablecoins and remains committed to giving users choice. Our collaboration with Circle is not about exclusivity,” a spokesperson for Bybit said, adding: “It reflects our focus on transparency and regulatory clarity as the industry matures.”

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Sonami Launches First Layer 2 Token on Solana to Ensure Transaction Efficiency and End Congestion Spikes

Chainwire

New York, United States, December 8th, 2025, Chainwire

$SNMI Pioneers Transaction Bundling Technology to Future-Proof Solana Ecosystem Against Peak Demand

Sonami ($SNMI), the first Layer 2 token built on the Solana blockchain, today announced its mission to dramatically enhance network reliability and transaction efficiency during periods of high demand. Sonami's solution leverages cutting-edge Layer 2 transaction bundling to minimize congestion and support the continued growth of high-frequency decentralized applications (dApps) on Solana.

The move addresses a critical scaling challenge: while Solana is celebrated for its speed, the network can experience congestion during moments of high activity, such as meme coin surges, NFT mints, or rapid-fire decentralized trading. These episodes, while signaling strong user interest, can stress the network, leading to delayed transactions and inconsistent user experiences.

Sonami aims to solve this by evolving the scaling architecture. Its Layer 2 network uses transaction bundling to intelligently group multiple user interactions into a single, optimized transaction that is ultimately processed on Solana’s Layer 1. This significantly reduces the network load, ensuring scalability without compromising the base chain’s speed or security.

"The expectation in Web3 is quickly shifting from 'fast most of the time' to 'fast all the time'," said Zakit Mobad, founder of Sonami Foundation. "Sonami is committed to being the performance multiplier that unlocks Solana’s full potential. By integrating a Layer 2 solution, we ensure developers can build more ambitious real-time apps and users can enjoy a seamless experience, even during periods of high market volatility."

A Stronger Ecosystem for Next-Gen dApps

The project confirms its focus on real-world use cases where split-second interactions matter most, including:

Real-time multiplayer gaming.
High-volume decentralized trading.
Microtransaction-powered utility applications.

Growth and Roadmap

The Sonami presale phase continues, signaling proactive development. The project is focusing on its upcoming Token Generation Event (TGE) and subsequent planned listings on both decentralized and centralized exchanges (DEX/CEX) after the presale concludes. This expansion ensures the ecosystem is resilient and ready for its next era of mainstream adoption.

About Sonami ($SNMI)

Sonami is a pioneering Layer 2 project built on the Solana blockchain, driven by a collective of seasoned blockchain developers and ecosystem architects. The team is united by a shared vision of solving scalability challenges at the protocol level. Sonami’s core mission is to enhance Solana's transaction efficiency and reliability, ensuring the network remains resilient, capable, and ready for its mainstream future.

Website | X | Instagram | Telegram

Contact

David Dylan

contact@sonami-so.io

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4 Key US Economic Data to Shape Bitcoin Sentiment This Week

Beincrypto

Bitcoin traders are preparing for a pivotal week, as four major US economic releases, including the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision and essential labor market data, stand to influence market sentiment and determine the crypto’s next move.

This convergence of monetary policy updates and employment figures finds Bitcoin trading near technical levels that may result in notable volatility, upward or downward.

FOMC Interest Rate Decision

The FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee’s) interest rate decision, scheduled for Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. ET, is widely viewed as the most significant event for Bitcoin and risk assets this week.

Market pricing implies an 87% probability of a rate cut, based on CME Group data, reflecting broad expectations for accommodative monetary policy that often benefits cryptocurrencies.

Speculation is growing on social media about the scope of any rate change, with some saying that the market is already pricing a rate cut.

This assumption comes as the Bitcoin price is already showing strength, holding well above the $90,000 psychological level after the weekend’s whipsaw event.

Beyond the interest rate decision, the actual impact on Bitcoin may depend less on the decision and more on the Fed’s guidance for future policy.

Fed Chair Powell Press Conference

After the announcement, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will hold a press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET. Powell’s commentary on future policy, inflation, and the economy is likely to provide important cues for crypto investors.

Historically, his statements have shaped positioning across markets, with Bitcoin being especially sensitive to changes in monetary policy direction.

Market analysts caution that unexpected hawkish comments could put pressure on Bitcoin, even if the rate decision itself appears positive for crypto.

Job Openings (JOLTS) and Initial Jobless Claims

Job openings data for October will be released on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. ET, with economists anticipating 7.2 million openings, unchanged from last month.

This data measures labor market tightness and influences Federal Reserve policy. Strong job openings could discourage aggressive rate cuts, possibly limiting Bitcoin’s short-term gains.

Initial jobless claims for the week ending December 6 will be published Thursday at 8:30 a.m. ET. Analysts expect 220,000 claims, up from the prior week’s 191,000, which was a near two-year low.

Large departures from this forecast could spark swift market moves as traders reassess economic strength and policy outlooks.

The jobs market’s status can cut both ways for Bitcoin. Strong figures can suggest economic health, which typically supports risk appetite, yet may lessen the push for monetary easing. Conversely, weaker data could prompt more rate cuts but signal risk-off sentiment in speculative markets.

Technical analysts are focusing on Bitcoin’s key levels in advance of these releases. The $86,000 mark is a crucial support; consistent moves below it may open a path toward $80,000. Conversely, reclaiming $92,000 could fuel momentum toward the headline $100,000 level.

Additional Federal Reserve officials, such as Philadelphia Fed President Anna Paulson and Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack, are due to speak on Friday after the FOMC meeting. Their remarks could further clarify policy and influence how markets interpret recent decisions, extending the Bitcoin impact beyond Wednesday.

This compressed timeline of major economic updates sets the stage for amplified reactions. Bitcoin’s response will likely determine its path in December, impacting year-end investor positioning and testing the resilience of recent institutional interest.

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Argentina weighs allowing domestic banks to offer crypto services

The Block

Argentina is considering allowing domestic banks to trade digital assets and offer crypto-related services, a move that could accelerate crypto adoption in the country.

The Central Bank of the Argentine Republic (BCRA) is working on changes to its existing rule, which currently prohibits banking institutions from engaging in digital asset-related activities, local news outlet La Nacion reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

While sources declined to disclose details or timeline, an unnamed major crypto exchange operating in Argentina told La Nacion that the changes could be approved as early as April 2026.

The Block has reached out to BCRA for comment.

Local experts and exchanges reportedly said that allowing local banks to access cryptocurrencies and offer digital asset services would ignite a new era of mass adoption in the region.

According to an October report from Chainalysis, Argentina saw $93.9 billion in crypto transaction volume between July 2022 and June 2025, the second-largest total in Latin America.

Meanwhile, Brazil — Latin America's leading country by crypto volume — recently expanded its financial regulations to cover the digital asset industry. The new rules mandate that crypto service providers obtain central bank authorization to operate.

Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.

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HTX Group's Affiliate HBGL Announces Soft Launch in Australia, Introducing Compliant Fiat-Stablecoin Services

Chainwire

PANAMA CITY, Panama, Dec. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HBGL, a licensed digital asset service provider in Australia and an affiliate in the HTX Group, today announced its soft launch, introducing fiat–stablecoin trading services. The milestone marks HBGL's formal entry into the Australian market with a mission to build a secure, compliant, and efficient bridge between digital assets and traditional finance.

During the soft launch phase, HBGL will offer USDT and USDC to fiat trading pairs, providing retail, institutional, and professional clients with a streamlined pathway to convert between stablecoins and fiat currencies. This phased rollout enables the company to validate core infrastructure, deepen liquidity channels, and support early-stage market activities ahead of full commercial availability.

HBGL is registered with AUSTRAC as a Digital Currency Exchange (DCE) and operates under a comprehensive Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) compliance framework. The company has implemented rigorous Know-Your-Customer (KYC) procedures, ongoing transaction monitoring, and robust risk management measures, ensuring that all services are secure and meet Australian regulatory standards for digital asset providers.

Fully supported by the HTX Group, one of the world's leading digital asset ecosystems, HBGL benefits from institutional grade technological capabilities, liquidity support, and operational expertise. At the same time, HBGL maintains an independent governance and compliance structure tailored specifically to the Australian regulatory environment.

"Our objective is to establish a trustworthy, compliant, and reliable on-and-off-ramp for stablecoin liquidity in Australia," said a spokesperson for HBGL. "The soft launch phase allows us to test, refine, and scale our service offering in a controlled setting, ensuring that we meet both regulatory expectations and client needs."

HBGL will initially focus on fiat settlement services, OTC execution, and liquidity sourcing. The company is also preparing to pursue additional Australian financial services licensing to support the expansion of future product offerings.

A targeted marketing rollout will accompany the soft launch, with broader awareness campaigns planned as service capabilities grow.

About HBGL

HBGL is an Australian-based digital asset financial services business providing secure, compliant, and efficient fiat-to-stablecoin-to-fiat conversion and settlement solutions. HBGL operates with the support of the HTX Group, a global digital asset business delivering exchange, custody, and financial infrastructure to millions of users worldwide.

HBGL is registered with AUSTRAC as a Digital Currency Exchange (DCE), implementing rigorous compliance standards including systematic controls for KYC, AML/CTF, sanctions and risk management.

To learn more, please visit www.hbgl.au.

About HTX

Founded in 2013, HTX (formerly Huobi) has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.

As a world-leading gateway to Web3, HTX harbors global capabilities that enable it to provide users with safe and reliable services. Adhering to the growth strategy of "Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance," HTX is dedicated to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.

To learn more about HTX, please visit https://www.htx.com/ or HTX Square , and follow HTX on X, Telegram, and Discord.

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Ethereum ‘smart’ whales open $426M long bets as ETH price chart eyes $4K

Cointelegraph

Ethereum whales have opened massive long positions on Ether , totalling $425.98 million, in what looks like a bold bet that the downside is over.

Key takeaways:

Ethereum whales opened leveraged long positions totaling $426 million.
Ether’s ascending triangle targets $4,030 ETH price.

Top traders open new ETH long positions

Data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView showed the pair trading at $3,140, 20% above the $2,621 low reached on Nov. 21.

Holding above $3,000, Ether offered some cause for optimism ahead of some key volatility triggers.

Related: Vitalik Buterin floats gas futures on Ethereum to hedge fee spikes

The Fed rate cut decision is expected on Wednesday, Dec. 10, where markets are pricing in a 25-basis-point rate cut.

As market participants waited for triggers, attention has shifted to three “smart” whales with impressive track records, who have opened long positions, totaling 136,433 ETH, worth about $425.98 million, according to data from Lookonchain.

One whale, BitcoinOG (1011short), has a long position of $169 million in ETH, while Anti-CZ has a long exposure of $194 million.

Lookonchain
@lookonchain
Smart whales are all unanimously going long on $ETH!#BitcoinOG(1011short), with $105M in total PNL, is long 54,277 $ETH($169.48M).
Anti-CZ whale, with $58.8M in total PNL, is long 62,156 $ETH($194M).
pension-usdt.eth, with $16.3M in total PNL, is long 20,000 $ETH($62.5M).… pic.twitter.com/idHbyTePTv
Dec 08, 2025

A third whale, pension-usdt.eth, is long 20,000 ETH, worth approximately $62.5 million at current rates.

Besides these whales, Arkham Intelligence noted that another whale, “0xBADBB,” is using two accounts to go long for a total of $189.5 million in ETH.

These moves coincide with BitMine’s continued push into Ethereum. Last week, the company added $199 million more ETH, bringing its total holdings to 3.73 million ETH ($13.3 billion), thereby cementing its position as the largest corporate holder of ETH.

This reinforces the narrative that whales and institutions view the recent ETH price rebound above $3,000 as a good entry point.

Ether’s ascending channel targets $4,000 ETH price

Ether’s price action has formed a classic ascending triangle on the daily chart, as shown below. The break above the multimonth downtrend line on Dec. 2 increased the prospects of a sustained recovery.

The pattern will resolve once the price breaks above the triangle’s resistance line at $3,250. If this happens, the price could rise by as much as the maximum distance between the triangle’s trendlines.

That puts Ether’s breakout target at about $4,020, up by more than 28% from current price levels.

The relative strength index has increased to 50, from oversold conditions at 28 on Nov. 28, suggesting increasing upward momentum.

However, the recovery could be curtailed by resistance from the $3,350-$3,550 resistance zone, where both the 50-day and 100-day SMAs currently sit. Beyond that, the next major hurdle is the 200-day SMA at $3,800.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

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Bybit and Circle Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Global USDC Adoption

Chainwire

DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, today announced a strategic partnership with an affiliate of Circle Internet Group, Inc. ('Circle') , a global financial technology firm and the issuer of USDC through its regulated entities. The partnership aims to expand USDC access across Bybit's global ecosystem, strengthen liquidity of the world's largest regulated stablecoin[1], and reinforce Bybit's position as a regulatory-compliant platform committed to transparency and trust.

As part of this partnership, Bybit will enhance USDC liquidity across spot and derivatives markets, enabling a more efficient trading environment for retail and institutional users. The two companies will also roll out a series of campaigns and initiatives to increase the utility of USDC across Bybit's products and services.

The partnership will further extend to fiat on- and off-ramp solutions, combining Circle's infrastructure and networks of partners with Bybit's global reach to simplify deposits and withdrawals across key markets. Bybit users will then benefit from greater speed, transparency, and efficiency when converting between local currencies and digital assets.

Bybit also plans to expand USDC integration across its ecosystem, including Bybit Earn for savings, Bybit Card for cashback rewards, and Bybit Pay for everyday transactions — while reinforcing its commitment to compliance and responsible innovation.

In addition, Bybit was among the first wave of more than one hundred companies to join the public testnet of Circle's Arc network, a new layer-1 blockchain purpose-built for stablecoin-native finance. Arc's public testnet launched in October 2025, with broad-based engagement and collaboration from across the financial and economic system, deep infrastructure support, and global participation.

Regulatory Compliance as a Cornerstone of Innovation

Bybit recently secured a full Virtual Asset Platform Operator License from the UAE's Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), marking a major milestone in its expansion in the Middle East and positioning it as the first global exchange to secure this level of regulatory approval in the region.

In addition, Bybit has expanded its regulatory oversight across the European Economic Area (EEA), Turkey, and other jurisdictions around the world. These developments demonstrate Bybit's long-term commitment to aligning with global regulatory standards and bridging traditional finance with the digital asset economy.

USDC is a digital asset fully backed by highly liquid cash and cash-equivalent assets, and is redeemable 1:1 with the U.S. dollar. The reserve assets are held with trusted financial institutions, and monthly attestation by independent third parties provide a high degree of transparency.

Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit, said: "Bybit's partnership with Circle represents a major milestone in our mission to offer a fully compliant, liquid, and user-friendly ecosystem. From trading to payments to savings, we are integrating USDC to power the next phase of our platform's growth and stability."

Jeremy Allaire, Chairman, Co-founder and CEO of Circle, added: "At Circle, we are powering the future of internet activity with enterprise-grade infrastructure and stablecoins built for scale. Together, Circle and Bybit are making it easier for retail and institutional users to access and use USDC with the confidence, transparency, and speed they expect."

Looking ahead, Bybit and Circle continue to explore deeper integrations to unlock new opportunities for cross-chain liquidity and institutional-grade financial solutions.

[1] USDC is an internet-native, fully-reserved, regulated digital dollar that leverages blockchain networks to enable businesses, developers, and individuals to conduct near-real-time, low-cost global transactions. It is a leading, fully-reserved global stablecoin issued through Circle's regulated affiliates. To learn more about using or accessing USDC, visit USDC.com. To learn more about Circle's regulatory authorizations, visit Circle's Licenses page.

#Bybit / #CryptoArk

About Bybit

Bybit is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 70 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com

For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media

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