Cryptocurrency Market Weekly Report | New Stablecoin Players Enter the Market, Institutional Financing Continues to Warm Up

This week’s cryptocurrency market activity has been frequent, with positive signals coming from infrastructure innovation, industry regulation, and capital deployment across multiple levels.

Stablecoin Sector Heating Up, Multiple Institutions Increasing Investment

Cryptocurrency wallet provider Exodus and fintech company MoonPay announced a partnership to jointly launch a USD-backed stablecoin, expected to go live in January 2026. This stablecoin will become the core of Exodus’s upcoming “Exodus Pay” product, aiming to enable everyday cryptocurrency payments while safeguarding users’ self-custody rights. Supported by M0, MoonPay will handle the issuance and management of the stablecoin.

This move indicates that the stablecoin market is attracting more and more non-exchange institutions, signaling industry diversification.

Institutional Capital Continues to Enter, Funding Reaches New Highs

OpenAI is negotiating with Amazon for at least $10 billion in funding, which will be used for its AI chips. It is reported that this round of investment will push OpenAI’s valuation beyond $500 billion. The two sides are also exploring commercial cooperation opportunities such as ChatGPT shopping features.

Ethereum’s block space futures market ETHGas completed a $12 million seed round led by Polychain Capital, with participation from notable institutions like Stake Capital. Additionally, Ethereum validators, block builders, and relays have committed approximately $800 million in block space liquidity support. This reflects long-term optimism from institutions regarding Ethereum’s ecosystem infrastructure.

Accelerating Innovation in Project Governance

Ethereum DeFi leader Aave is advancing multiple governance reforms. Former CTO Ernesto Boado proposed transferring control of Aave’s brand assets to AAVE token holders, managed through a DAO-controlled entity. Meanwhile, Aave founder Stani revealed that the three strategic pillars for 2026 are Aave V4, the institutional-focused Horizon lending scheme, and the mobile Aave App.

The Hyper Foundation also officially recognized that the HYPE held by the aid fund has been burned through validator voting, and will be permanently removed from circulation and total supply. This enhances transparency and governance standards for the project.

Infrastructure Iteration, Emphasizing Security and Usability

Tether launched PearPass, an open-source password manager utilizing end-to-end encryption and peer-to-peer device synchronization. All credentials are stored locally and not uploaded to the cloud. The tool has passed independent security audits, supports cross-platform free use, and demonstrates progress in Web3 security tools.

A certain exchange recently published a project listing pathway framework, clarifying options at different stages such as Launchpool and Megadrop, and emphasizing that all applications must go through official channels to combat fraud. Industry leaders have openly stated that any third-party claiming to assist with coin listings is a scam, and requests from even national-level figures are explicitly rejected, reflecting a market purification effort.

Capital Betting on Digital Assets, Clear Trend of Crypto-ification Among Listed Companies

Over 250 listed companies have incorporated cryptocurrencies into their balance sheets this year. MemeStrategy disclosed a purchase of 2,440 SOL for HKD 2.4 million, with a total holding of 12,290 SOL, and plans to stake SOL via Solana validators. American Bitcoin, a US mining company, became the 20th largest publicly traded Bitcoin reserve company worldwide in just 39 days, surpassing many competitors in the short term.

These actions reflect a growing recognition of digital assets by institutions and listed companies.

Market Observation: From Retail Cycles to Institutional Capital

Several in-depth analyses this week point out that 2025 will be a structural turning point for the crypto space. The dominant market forces are shifting from retail-driven sentiment to institutional capital, with prices no longer relying on emotional surges but driven more by compliant channels and long-term fundamentals. The crypto ecosystem is gradually integrating into mainstream finance.

Additionally, Robinhood CEO predicts that the market is in the early stages of a super cycle, with future annual trading volumes potentially reaching trillions. Podcast host Natalie Brunell and MicroStrategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor discussed “Rebuilding the Credit Market with Bitcoin,” exploring Bitcoin’s new role in traditional finance.

Overall, this week’s market features ongoing institutional deployment, accelerated infrastructure innovation, and improved governance standards, marking a move toward a more mature and regulated industry.