Tech Headlines

1. Ethereum Foundation: Driving zkEVM to 128-bit Security Strength by 2026, Emphasizing "Security First, Performance Second"

https://techub.news/flash/3e77c96e-f6e7-44dc-9ff6-f875880f2361

The Ethereum Foundation recently tells developers that it will shift the ecosystem's development focus from speed to security and plans to drive zkEVM to meet a minimum 128-bit security strength standard by 2026. The Foundation warns that without formally verified reliability, attackers may rewrite on-chain state, turning "high-performance proofs" into a risk. The Foundation also states that it will provide security review and evaluation tools and prioritize formal verification and attack resistance while advancing scalability.

2. MetaMask Adds Native Support for Bitcoin

https://news.cnyes.com/news/id/6276396

MetaMask adds native support for Bitcoin, including on-chain Bitcoin network transfers and swaps between EVM-native assets and SOL with BTC. It also launches a Polymarket gateway, the release of the mUSD stablecoin, and in-app perpetual contracts powered by Hyperliquid.

3. Tether Develops AI-Integrated Mobile Wallet with Initial Support for BTC and USDT

https://techub.news/flash/e051cb3b-b408-4e1b-81e5-d2003874d1d2

According to the tweet by Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, Tether is developing an AI-integrated mobile cryptocurrency wallet that initially supports only Bitcoin (including Lightning Network), USDT, USAT, and XAUT. He also states that the wallet will integrate on-device private AI capabilities via QVAC.

Industry Dynamics

1. Hong Kong's Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau: First Stablecoin Licenses to Be Issued in Early 2026 with Strict Controls on Reserves and Anti-Money Laundering

https://techub.news/flash/a2e10f8a-8491-4a45-92dc-899ac57d6bee

According to the Hong Kong Economic Journal, Hong Kong's Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui Ching-yu, stated at an event on Friday (the 19th) that as of the end of September this year, 36 stablecoin license applications have been received from various sectors. He said that some licenses are expected to be issued in early next year, with priority given to robust reserve management, price stability, and anti-money laundering measures. He noted that these measures not only protect investors but also reduce ambiguities that could lead to transactional conflicts by establishing a clear compliance pathway, thereby helping to resolve potential disputes.

2. U.S. Banking Industry Authorized to Issue Stablecoins, Accelerating Convergence of Traditional Finance and Web3

https://www.mexc.com/en-NG/news/286109

The U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) releases its first regulatory proposal on stablecoins. The proposal, under the framework of the GENIUS Act, outlines how regulated banks can apply for and issue stablecoins pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar. This move is seen as a critical step in the United States' approach to cryptocurrency regulation, providing a clear pathway for traditional financial institutions to enter the Web3 space legally and compliantly. This development not only significantly enhances the fiat redemption efficiency and trustworthiness of stablecoins but also signals that banks may soon directly offer customers services to purchase, hold, and use stablecoins, thereby accelerating large-scale capital inflows into blockchain networks.

3. Spain's CNMV Releases MiCA Implementation Guidelines, Pushing Platforms to Clarify "Comply or Exit"

https://www.jinse.cn/lives/491799.html

Spain's securities regulator, the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV), releases a dedicated Q&A document outlining how it intends to implement the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). The document sets out what crypto-asset firms can expect regarding authorization, notifications, day-to-day conduct, and transitional arrangements, pushing platforms to make a clear "comply or exit" decision when MiCA takes effect. This move aligns Spain with other EU member states, such as Italy, in actively leveraging MiCA's transitional flexibility rather than allowing regulatory uncertainty to persist. It clarifies which firms fall within the regulation's scope, how MiCA interacts with existing national registrations, and how entities should navigate CNMV's established authorization and notification procedures. The Q&A also explains how notifications related to authorization and cross-border activities should be handled during the transition period and stresses that firms must take the transitional deadlines seriously.

In-Depth Analysis

1. Zero-Knowledge Technology Becomes Key to Defending Bitcoin Against Quantum Computing Attacks

https://www.coindesk.com/opinion/2025/12/16/zero-knowledge-tech-is-the-key-to-quantum-proofing-bitcoin

Advances in quantum computing pose a potential threat to Web3 and could break existing cryptographic systems. According to Coindesk, zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) are regarded as central to building quantum-resistant blockchains; by combining ZKPs with post-quantum cryptography, transaction security can be ensured while preserving privacy, making it a strategic priority for the industry.