This digest covers key developments shaping the cryptocurrency landscape worldwide.
Valour expands its digital asset ETP offerings to Brazil with Solana listings, StraitsX brings Singapore and U.S. dollar stablecoins to Solana for instant on-chain swaps, Bitcoin Bancorp plans 200 licensed Bitcoin ATMs across Texas, and Tajikistan criminalizes unauthorized crypto mining amid severe energy shortages.
But first, let's check our weekly gainers and losers.
Top gainers and losers
- Midnight (Night) - Significant rish of 34.18% up to a price of $0.06741
- AB (AB) - Grew 5.99% this week to a price of $0.004959
- Monero (XMR) - Showed a 5.42% growth to an end price of $431.11
- Pump.fun (PUMP) - Lost 31.74% this week, dropping to $0.001979 end price
- Aster (ASTER) - 26.15% drop to a price of $0.7071
- SPX6900 (SPX) - Dropped to a price of $0.4828 with a weekly loss of 23.57%
Valour secures approval to list Solana ETP on Brazil’s B3 exchange
DeFi Technologies is expanding into Latin America after its subsidiary, Valour, received approval to list a Solana-linked exchange-traded product on Brazil’s main stock exchange, B3. The product, Valour Solana (VSOL), is scheduled to begin trading on December 17 and will offer BRL-denominated exposure to the Solana network through a locally listed instrument.
VSOL will launch alongside Valour’s Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Sui ETPs, which are also expected to begin trading on B3 the same day. The products provide access to major crypto assets through existing brokerage and custody infrastructure, without requiring direct wallet interaction.
Brazil marks Valour’s first major expansion outside Europe.
The firm currently lists close to 100 digital asset ETPs across regulated venues in Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Euronext markets. The Brazilian listing places Valour’s product range into Latin America’s largest capital market, operating under a single exchange and unified regulatory framework.
Brazil is also the region’s largest crypto economy, with growing participation from both retail and institutional investors. Regulated, exchange-listed crypto products have increasingly been used as a channel for onshore exposure, particularly for institutions seeking transparent pricing and local settlement.
StraitsX to launch SGD and USD Stablecoins on Solana
StraitsX plans to launch its Singapore dollar stablecoin, XSGD, and U.S. dollar stablecoin, XUSD, on the Solana blockchain in early 2026, enabling instant on-chain swaps between the two currencies. The rollout, developed with the Solana Foundation, would introduce blockchain-based foreign exchange between SGD and USD on a high-speed public network.
The launch would give Solana its first tokenized version of the Singapore dollar. While the network already hosts $15.7 billion in stablecoins tied to currencies such as the U.S. and Australian dollars, it has not previously supported an SGD-pegged asset, according to DeFiLlama.
StraitsX said the expansion is aimed at real-time payments, cross-border transfers, and automated on-chain transactions. Solana’s infrastructure is designed for fast settlement and low fees, with support for machine-driven payments and application-to-application transfers.
XSGD and XUSD are already live on multiple blockchains. XSGD operates on Ethereum, Polygon, Avalanche, Arbitrum, Zilliqa, Hedera, and the XRP Ledger, while XUSD is available on Ethereum and BNB Smart Chain. Together, the two stablecoins have processed more than $18 billion in on-chain transaction volume. As of the latest data, XSGD has a market capitalization of roughly $13 million and XUSD about $50 million, according to CoinGecko.
Bitcoin Bancorp to deploy 200 licensed Bitcoin ATMs across Texas in 2026
Bitcoin Bancorp announced plans to deploy up to 200 licensed Bitcoin ATMs across Texas starting in the first quarter of 2026. The company, one of three publicly traded Bitcoin ATM operators in the U.S., holds foundational patents for Bitcoin ATM technology.
Texas has emerged as a major hub for digital assets and fintech, with updated money-transmitter laws, business-friendly regulations, and no personal income or capital gains taxes. These conditions have made the state attractive for blockchain and crypto infrastructure companies.
The expansion is part of Bitcoin Bancorp’s broader national growth strategy. The company intends to add features across its ATM network, including support for digital asset payments, stablecoins, and Web3-enabled functionality. By integrating patented Bitcoin ATM technology with blockchain infrastructure, Bitcoin Bancorp aims to offer a network of micro-banking locations within retail environments.
Eric Noveshen, Director of Bitcoin Bancorp, noted that the rollout is a step in executing the company’s growth plans while maintaining compliance and scalable infrastructure.
Tajikistan criminalizes unauthorized crypto mining amid severe energy shortages
On Dec. 3, 2025, Tajikistan’s parliament approved amendments to the criminal code making it illegal to use electricity for unlicensed cryptocurrency mining.
Article 253(2), “Illegal use of electricity for the production of virtual assets,” imposes fines of $1,650–$4,070 for individuals. Coordinated group offenses carry fines of $4,125–$8,250 or two to five years in prison, while large-scale operations can lead to up to eight years behind bars.
Attorney General Habibullo Vohidzoda said unlicensed mining had caused regional power outages, $3.52 million in losses, and a rise in related crimes. Mining farms often bypass meters or connect illegally to the national grid, drawing 3.5–6 kW per ASIC device, which strains infrastructure. Officials also noted illegal mining can facilitate tax evasion, untraceable transactions, and laundering attempts. Once signed by President Emomali Rahmon, the law will take effect.
Tajikistan faces severe energy shortages, with low reservoir levels forcing electricity rationing of two to four hours daily in many areas.
The crackdown aligns with a global trend: Malaysia and Kuwait recently targeted illegal mining to protect strained power grids, and China and Kazakhstan have tightened rules amid environmental and energy concerns.
Gunel Ismayilova
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