Companies that pivot to Bitcoin treasuries face crackdown in Asia, China doubles down on crypto ban. Asia Express 2025 in review. With the end of the year in sight, Asia Express looks back at some of the most significant developments for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in the region in 2025. The rise of Bitcoin treasury firms was a major development in Asia in 2024, after Japan-based Metaplanet adopted the blueprint popularized by Michael Saylor’s Strategy. In 2025, the model gained a formal label with the firms now known as digital asset treasury companies, or DATs. But for many DATs, the embrace of Bitcoin was really just a last-ditch attempt to revive moribund share prices. Several had little to do with crypto prior to their pivots, and DAT announcements often triggered short-lived stock rallies before prices normalized. Read more
Hong Kong’s FSTB and SFC will introduce licensing requirements for virtual asset dealing and custody firms, expanding the city’s policy push that already includes a stablecoin licensing blueprint and tokenization guidance. Hong Kong regulators will proceed with legislating licensing regimes for crypto dealers and custodians after wrapping up consultations, as part of a broader push to tighten oversight. In a Wednesday announcement, the city’s Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) said that they had concluded consultations on proposed licensing regimes, which would require firms providing crypto dealings or custody services in Hong Kong to obtain licenses once the framework takes effect. The move adds to the city’s expanding crypto licensing framework. Earlier in 2025, Hong Kong brought its Stablecoin Ordinance into force, opening a new licensing regime for stablecoin issuers. Read more
Crypto enters 2026 with mature infrastructure; now DApps must prove real utility, win users without incentives and compete directly with Web2. As the crypto space headed into the last month of 2025, the mood was different from previous cycles. The year didn’t bring another decentralized finance (DeFi) summer or non-fungible token (NFT) euphoria, but instead ushered in a slow and sober pivot toward utility. Decentralized applications (DApps) are software programs that run on blockchain networks, rather than centralized servers. By using smart contracts, DApps allow users to interact directly with apps for payments, finance, gaming or social media while retaining greater control over identities and assets. Active builders held steady in 2025 but shifted their priorities to a longer-term outlook. According to Electric Capital’s Developer Report, the number of full-time crypto developers — defined as contributors committing code at least 10 days per month — rose 5% year-on-year, even as total developer counts di...
Aave founder Stani Kulechov is facing criticism after a $10 million AAVE purchase ahead of a key DAO vote, as critics raise concerns over voting power concentration. Aave founder Stani Kulechov is facing scrutiny over his recent $10 million purchase of AAVE tokens, with some in the crypto community claiming it was used to boost his voting power in a key governance proposal. In a Wednesday post on X, Robert Mullins, a decentralized finance (DeFi) strategist and liquidity specialist, argued that the purchase was meant to increase Kulechov’s “voting power in anticipation to vote for a proposal directly against the token holders best interests.” He added: “This is a clear example of tokens not being equipped to adequately disincentivize governance attacks.” Read more
The USD1 stablecoin added $150 million to its market capitalization after Binance announced an incentive program offering up to 20% yield. The World Liberty Financial USD (USD1) stablecoin linked to the family of US President Donald Trump gained $150 million in market capitalization on Wednesday after Binance announced a yield program centered around the token. The stablecoin’s market capitalization climbed from $2.74 billion to $2.89 billion on Wednesday after Binance announced its “booster program,” offering up to 20% annual percentage rate (APR) on USD1 flexible products for deposits exceeding $50,000. The “first promotion” was designed to “help USD1 holders to maximize their rewards” and runs until Jan. 23, 2026, with passive yield for the bonus tiered APR distributed directly in Binance users’ earn accounts daily, according to the announcement. Read more
Four years ago, El Salvador started its ambitious Bitcoin adoption strategy. But in 2025, that plan came to a head with the International Monetary Fund. El Salvador, the first country in the world to recognize Bitcoin as legal tender, was seen by many in the industry as a pioneer. In 2025, the small country’s Bitcoin ambitions met reality. The Central American country made waves in 2021 when the Legislative Assembly approved a bill that required all merchants, stores and places of business to accept Bitcoin (BTC) as a form of payment. Proponents believed it would set off a chain of Bitcoin adoption and be a boon for the country’s economy. Ambitious adoption plans, including the issuance of bonds to fund a “Bitcoin City,” met lukewarm adoption from Salvadorans. Adoption was further muddied by concerns from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Read more
Bitcoin’s selling pressure may be easing as momentum stabilizes, miners capitulate and liquidity conditions turn supportive. Bitcoin (BTC) may establish a local bottom after dropping by over 35% from its record high of around $126,200 established two months ago, based on a mix of technical and on-chain indicators. Key takeaways: Momentum, miner capitulation and liquidity indicators point to fading selling pressure. Read more
Bitcoin price predictions include an initial $100,000 target after completion of the Boxing Day options expiry, worth a record $23.7 billion. Bitcoin (BTC) frustrated traders on Christmas Eve as rangebound BTC price action contrasted with record highs in gold and silver. Key points: Bitcoin plays a “waiting game” as bidders stay focused on precious metals. Read more