On December 29, 2025, California advanced a plan for a 2026 one-time 5% tax on net assets above $1 billion, including unrealized gains. Crypto and tech leaders warn the measure could propel wealth and talent to lower-tax jurisdictions. Supporters contend it would bolster funding for programs such as Medi-Cal.

In a 2025 interview, Pact Swap co-founder Toby Gilbert explains how the platform aims to reduce custody-related risks that have cost the crypto industry billions. Pact Swap uses collateralized smart contracts on Coinweb and relies on native blockchain consensus to offer cross-chain swaps that can be up to 90% cheaper than many existing solutions. The discussion also covers the $PACT governance and utility token, which manages value capture and ecosystem incentives without being used directly for transaction fees.

China's central bank, the People's Bank of China, announced on December 29 that a new action plan for managing the digital yuan will take effect on January 1. The framework aims to strengthen monitoring and measurement of e-CNY as it moves into full-scale domestic and cross-border use, with transaction volumes reaching RMB 14.2 trillion by September 2025. Governor Pan Gongsheng also outlined measures to expand bank participation, enhance international operations centers, and maintain strict enforcement against domestic virtual currency speculation.

Over the weekend, Ubisoft suspended Rainbow Six Siege's live services after attackers allegedly exploited a vulnerability to distribute around 2 billion R6 Credits and rare items, valued at roughly $13.33 million, to player accounts. The company initiated a rollback of all affected transactions after 11:00 AM UTC on December 27, has reopened servers following live tests, and says players will not be banned for spending the unauthorized credits while the in-game Marketplace remains closed during ongoing investigations.

Deputy Governor Lu Lei of the People's Bank of China has announced that, starting January 1, 2026, digital renminbi wallet balances will earn interest under a new management framework. Chinese banks will handle e-CNY balances in a way that is comparable to traditional savings deposits, a move industry leaders view as strategically important for wider digital currency adoption.

On December 26, 2025, MEET48 held a launch event in Seoul to present its 2026 AI UGC and Web3 strategy, including partnerships with Zanybros and Gaudio Lab. The company outlined releases set for the first half of 2026, featuring ParoAI, MEET48.ai, Auditions GO using $IDOL on BNB Chain, and the AIGC-focused POChain.

From January 1, 2026, China's digital RMB will shift to an interest-bearing model with partial reserve management, as outlined in new regulations. Bank-operated institutions will move digital RMB balances onto their balance sheets, allowing interest payments and extending deposit insurance protection. These changes mark a notable adjustment in asset-liability management and bring the e-CNY closer to traditional banking products.

Trust Wallet CEO Eowyn said on December 29 the team is validating compensation claims after a browser extension v2.68 breach. The forensic review confirmed 2,596 affected wallets and roughly 5,000 claims, with mobile users unaffected. Losses are about $7 million, and verification focuses on filtering duplicate and fraudulent submissions.