Asia-Pacific reshapes the crypto world as Singapore claims top adoption rank

  • Vietnam and Hong Kong enter the global top 10.
  • Six Asia-Pacific markets appear in the top 20.
  • Tokenisation rises 63% to more than 25.7 billion dollars.

Singapore’s rise to the top of global crypto adoption signals a broader shift in how digital assets are becoming embedded across the Asia-Pacific.

A new index published on Tuesday by Bybit and DL Research shows the region gaining influence as regulatory clarity, retail participation and new blockchain use cases reshape where innovation is happening.

The findings also reveal that real-world asset tokenisation, local stablecoins and crypto payrolls are now spreading through markets that have traditionally relied on conventional financial systems, placing Asia-Pacific at the centre of the industry’s next phase.

Regional leadership intensifies

The World Crypto Rankings assessed 79 countries using 28 metrics and 92 data points that examined regulation, institutional readiness and levels of user engagement.

Singapore secured the top position, overtaking the US, which has fallen in the latest edition.

Lithuania, Switzerland and the UAE completed the upper tier of the list, marking a shift from the Western-heavy rankings seen in earlier years.

Asia-Pacific delivered one of the strongest performances, with six of its markets ranked within the global top 20.

Vietnam reached ninth place, while Hong Kong secured tenth as its regulatory reset took effect.

Australia followed closely in eleventh, and the Philippines and South Korea came in seventeenth and twentieth, respectively.

The distribution indicates that adoption patterns are broadening as regional economies align regulation with user demand and market development.

New drivers behind adoption

The report outlines how each market is advancing for different reasons.

Singapore’s top ranking reflects a clear regulatory framework, a structured licensing regime and high levels of participation.

Vietnam stands out for a different type of growth. Nearly 20% of its population owns digital assets largely for remittances, savings and inflation protection.

The index shows that Vietnam ranks first globally for transactional use and for the adoption of decentralised physical infrastructure devices.

This suggests that the country’s progress is being powered from the ground up, with retail users driving the majority of activity.

Hong Kong’s tenth-place ranking reflects its attempt to rebuild confidence following regulatory changes and the introduction of a new licensing system. Its user penetration level places it eighth globally.

The report notes that the city is positioning itself as a blend of Western and Asian financial structures, with stablecoins and tokenisation acting as key catalysts for recovery.

Emerging trends gain global traction

Beyond rankings, the findings point to three trends shaping global behaviour.

Real-world asset tokenisation has expanded by 63% to more than 25.7 billion dollars since January.

This indicates rising interest in converting traditional assets into blockchain-based formats for trading and settlement.

Local currency-pegged stablecoins are also gaining ground. These tokens are emerging in markets that want to reduce reliance on the dollar while supporting domestic and cross-border transactions.

Their growth suggests increasing comfort with digital settlement mechanisms across both institutional and retail users.

This reflects a shift toward integrating digital assets into everyday financial activity rather than treating them solely as investment instruments.

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Cardano price: why 11% spike puts ADA on breakout lane

  • Cardano price rose more than 11% as bulls touched the highest level in over three weeks.
  • Gains came as Bitcoin rebounded to $92,000 and as Cardano cheered two key developments.
  • The uptick to $0.47 could allow bulls to target the crucial $0.50 mark and higher in coming weeks.

Cardano topped the list of 24-hour gainers on Wednesday, with the token’s price jumping more than 11% as bulls looked to build on gains seen on December 9, 2025.

Those gains saw ADA touch its highest level since November 19 and came amid a broader crypto market rebound.

As Bitcoin flirted with resistance above $92,000, ADA price jumped to a high of $0.48.

Bulls are currently hovering at this level, with momentum helped by Cardano’s Midnight launch and ADA’s inclusion in the Bitwise crypto 10 ETF index.

These developments have fueled optimism among investors, positioning Cardano for a potential breakout as it seeks to reclaim critical price levels.

Cardano gains 11% as bulls touch $0.48

The Cardano token led op gainers across the top 100 coins by market cap.

ADA’s uptick in the previous session extended to early trading on December 10 as an 11% push over 24 hours helped prices climb to $0.48.

Bitcoin’s resilience has helped bulls. However, pivotal drivers of this upward momentum included the recent launch of Midnight.

The privacy-focused sidechain integrated with Cardano has its token trading on multiple exchanges as privacy coins show upward potential.

Midnight, which debuted on December 8, 2025, leverages zero-knowledge proofs and the Hydra scaling solution.

Its launch has sparked enthusiasm, including from Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano.

Hoskinson celebrated the milestone on X, stating, “Congratulations Midnight.”

The positive sentiment surrounding Midnight, combined with the market’s bullish turn, provided tailwinds for ADA.

Further boosting the price surge earlier in the week is Cardano’s inclusion in the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index ETF (BITW), launched on December 9, 2025.

BITW trades on the New York Stock Exchange and saw its assets under management (AUM) hit $1.25 billion on December 9, and allocates 0.65% of its holdings to ADA.

Cardano price outlook: breakout above $0.50 next?

ADA’s recent gains mean bulls could target the $0.50 mark, a level below which bears accelerated the downward pressure in mid-November.

The breach saw prices hit lows of $0.37 before staging a robust recovery that initially faded to around $0.45.

Amid the broader crypto market’s upward trajectory, buyers have pierced the supply wall, and technical indicators suggest a potential pump to the $0.50 threshold.

Cardano Price Chart
Cardano price chart by TradingView

Technical analysis highlights a positive Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator.

MACD on the daily chart shows a bullish crossover, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) has crossed above the critical 50 level.

In the event of a breakout, the key level to watch might be the 50-day exponential moving average (EMA) currently at $0.83.

As Cardano capitalizes on its technological advancements and institutional backing, the next target in a rallying market will be $1.00.

The cryptocurrency last reached this level in March 2025, when ADA exploded over 70% in a day to jump from around $0.65 to near $1.20.

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Hong Kong launches crypto consultation as worldwide reporting rules evolve

  • Seventy-six governments have pledged to share crypto data under CARF.
  • Fifty-three countries have signed the agreement enabling automatic exchange.
  • Switzerland delayed its timeline while the US continues its internal review.

Hong Kong has launched a public consultation on how it plans to introduce the international Crypto Asset Reporting Framework, known as CARF, as governments worldwide reshape their tax reporting systems for digital assets.

The consultation, announced on Tuesday, aims to gather feedback on both the technical rollout of CARF and related updates to local tax reporting rules.

It forms part of Hong Kong’s broader effort to align its crypto oversight with global transparency standards as authorities continue working to prevent cross border tax evasion.

The move builds on the city’s existing practice of exchanging financial account information with partner jurisdictions every year since 2018, rather than signalling a change in direction.

The consultation also invites feedback on potential transitional arrangements that could help reporting entities adjust to new requirements without disrupting existing compliance systems.

It reflects the government’s intent to manage industry adaptation smoothly while maintaining alignment with evolving international expectations for transparent digital asset reporting across interconnected financial markets globally today.

Hong Kong widens its regulatory review

The consultation examines how CARF would operate alongside the Common Reporting Standard, another Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development initiative that shapes international tax reporting.

By reviewing the two frameworks together, Hong Kong seeks to integrate crypto data sharing into established financial reporting systems.

The process reflects growing coordination between jurisdictions as they adapt policy tools to match the expansion of digital asset markets.

Global momentum influences the process

CARF has been gaining traction around the world. In early November, 47 governments issued a joint pledge to adopt the framework at pace. Brazil has also been reported to be considering participation in the programme.

Other jurisdictions are moving more slowly. Switzerland postponed its own implementation until 2027 and is still assessing which countries it will exchange data with.

In the same month, the US reviewed an Internal Revenue Service proposal linked to joining CARF. Even with varied timelines, participation continues to rise.

More jurisdictions commit to adoption

According to an OECD list updated on Dec. 4, 48 nations intend to adopt CARF by 2027 and another 27 by 2028, while the US has identified 2029 as its target year. This brings the total number of countries pledging to share crypto data to 76.

A separate OECD list confirms that 53 countries have already signed the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement, the legal foundation for automatic information exchange. These commitments signal widening global support for unified reporting standards.

Cayman Islands activity draws attention

Recent figures show a 70% annual increase in Cayman Islands foundation company registrations.

Legal professionals at Walkers noted that CARF likely excludes structures that solely hold crypto assets, including protocol treasuries, investment funds, or passive foundations.

This has raised questions about how certain entities may sit outside the data sharing perimeter as reporting rules continue to develop internationally.

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Dogecoin drops to $0.14 as bears gain control: is a bigger crash coming?

  • Dogecoin price was down 1.5% and changed hands near $0.14.
  • The top memecoin token risks bearish momentum as the broader market shows weakness.
  • DOGE below $0.10 could risk a revisit of $0.05.

Dogecoin (DOGE) tested support at the $0.14 level on Tuesday as the memecoin pared some of its recent gains. While losses on the day are limited, the dip over the past month sees DOGE flirt with the risk of bearish continuation.

Bullish investors may see further downside risks as an opportunity to buy, though, with the meme-inspired token likely to ride broader market tailwinds for an uptick.

Dogecoin price today

The price of Dogecoin as of writing on December 9, 2025, hovered near $0.14. Bulls are down about 1.5% over the past 24 hours.

Although DOGE has bounced off lows of $0.138 on the day, it still prints a sharp 19% drop in the past month. Declines have left its market capitalization standing at around $22.8 billion.

Meanwhile, the token, ranked ninth among the largest cryptocurrencies, has seen a 17% dip in  daily trading volume to about $1.08 billion.

Dogecoin’s volume signals decreased investor activity, though, with price capped on the upside amid the turmoil that also sees top coins toil under pressure.

For instance, Bitcoin touched $92k but has quickly retreated to the $90k mark.

Analysts expect BTC to bounce amid key macroeconomic tailwinds and DOGE could follow.

Despite a fragile sentiment, the memecoin has seen key developments in recent weeks to suggest a spark could ignite a major rally.

The launch of DOGE perpetual futures pairs opens up the market for traders. Meanwhile, the buzz around Dogecoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) continues.

Even without outflows for Bitcoin and Ethereum, the hype remains as multiple spot crypto ETFs launch in the US.

Dogecoin price forecast

The Crypto Fear and Greed Index hovers at 25, signalling extreme fear. Most altcoins trade in this territory due to investor caution.

However, amid an anticipated US Federal Reserve rate cut decision this week, sentiment is not overly negative.

Dogecoin’s trajectory will thus take on an ominous outlook if bulls fail to keep bears off at the current price level of $0.14.

If sellers knock buyers off this perch, a move in the negative direction will strengthen.

Technical indicators paint this gloom. As can be seen on the chart below, the token has recently shattered the pivotal support zone established in March and June 2025.

This has come as DOGE accelerated losses following the breach of the 50-week exponential moving average.

Dogecoin Price Chart
Dogecoin price chart by TradingView

A downward channel is in place, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and Stochastic RSI both flashing signals of increased bullish exhaustion.

Should DOGE fracture the $0.10 mark, the loss of this historical inflection point will add to bearish pressure. Dogecoin’s next major support levels are in the $0.05 zone.

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Standard Chartered expands into tokenised gold with Libeara in Singapore

  • Libeara developed the fund with FundBridge Capital for Singapore’s market.
  • Standard Chartered is expanding digital-asset activity through SC Ventures.
  • A separate physically backed gold fund was recently launched in Singapore.

Institutional investors in Singapore are being offered a new digital route into gold exposure as Standard Chartered broadens its presence in tokenised assets through Libeara’s MG 999 fund.

The product arrives during a period of rising demand for safe-haven assets, shaped by geopolitical tension, shifting currency expectations, and tariff moves under President Donald Trump.

The fund blends a synthetic link to gold prices with a lending feature designed for jewellery retailers in the city-state.

With interest in real-world asset tokenisation growing across global markets, MG 999 reflects how traditional financial groups are testing new digital structures without altering core investment themes.

The approach broadens investor access while encouraging further experimentation across evolving digital asset markets globally.

Tokenised access

Libeara developed the MG 999 fund with FundBridge Capital to give professional investors exposure to gold in the form of blockchain-based tokens.

Each token is designed to track the spot price of gold on Libeara’s ledger.

The fund removes the need for vaulting or transport but still aims to reflect market performance, creating a synthetic alternative to physical bullion.

FundBridge has described the structure as a way to connect regulated fund design with digital systems while keeping governance at the level expected for institutional products.

Institutional shift

The fund is open only to institutional and accredited investors. MG 999 is different from physical gold funds because it does not store metal.

Instead, it uses a token mechanism engineered to mirror market movement.

Standard Chartered’s involvement fits into broader expansion in Asia through SC Ventures, which also holds majority stakes in Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets.

These platforms focus on institutional digital-asset access, strengthening the bank’s position in real-world asset tokenisation as the sector gains momentum across treasuries, bonds, funds, and commodities.

Global demand conditions

The launch comes at a time when central banks have been increasing gold reserves. Market watchers have linked this trend to concerns about the long-term role of the US dollar and a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty.

Experts have also cited Trump’s tariff policies as a driver of interest in safe-haven assets.

Last month, Standard Chartered joined other firms in launching a physically backed gold product in Singapore.

In that fund, the bank acts as custodian for bullion stored at the Le Freeport facility near Changi Airport. That offering targets investors wanting allocated metal rather than tokenised exposure.

Jewellery market lending

MG 999 also includes a lending element tied to Singapore’s jewellery sector.

Mustafa Gold has been named as the first borrower. The structure lets the retailer use its jewellery inventory as collateral while keeping the pieces available for customers.

Libeara and FundBridge say this design shows how tokenisation can connect investment products with working-capital needs in traditional retail markets, expanding digital use cases beyond asset tracking alone.

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