On the latest episode of The Market Report, Cointelegraph analyst Marcel Pechman delves into Grayscale’s victory against the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Even though there’s still no decision regarding the firm’s application for a spot Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund, the decision was favorable for Grayscale and its Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, which has over $16 billion in assets under management.
Next, Pechman discusses the impact of Chinese real estate giant Evergrande’s bankruptcy and questions why it took almost two years to announce the company’s inability to repay its debt. According to The Kobeissi Letter, it seems related to China’s recent unexpected cut in interest rates.
Pechman reminds viewers that China recently announced several measures to stimulate the stock market. Ultimately, he agrees that an eventual collapse of the Chinese markets would be negative for risk-on assets, including stocks, cryptocurrencies and commodities.
Still, Pechman argues that in a separate movement, maybe one to 10 months later, there could be a shift toward Bitcoin as investors realize they’re being diluted by the government’s inability to sustain itself without injecting liquidity, which could benefit cryptocurrencies.
Lastly, Pechman explains what happened to the 16 trillion Pepecoin (PEPE) tokens reportedly stolen and gives advice on how to avoid getting rug-pulled on altcoins. For further insights into all of these matters, tune in to the latest episode of The Market Report, exclusively available on the newly launched Cointelegraph Markets & Research YouTube channel.
A new poll conducted on behalf of the UK’s financial watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), suggests that cryptocurrency ownership in the country decreased over the previous 12 months, but the overall amount of digital assets held is growing.
According to the results of a YouGov poll released by the FCA on Tuesday, the percentage of the UK adult population holding cryptocurrency dropped to 8% in 2025 from 12% in 2024. The data was based on 2,353 interviews conducted Aug. 5 to Sept. 2.
While crypto ownership in the country declined, the share is still double that based on data from 2021: 4% ownership. In addition, the poll cites a “continuing trend” in holdings, with small-value ownership declining and large-value holdings growing. According to the report, 21% of respondents held $1,343 to $6,708 in crypto, and 11% had $6,709 to $13,416.
Percentage of UK adult crypto ownership from 2021 to 2025. Source: FCA
“More people are moving away from small holdings and are instead making larger investments,” said the FCA, adding: “Notably, those participating in [lending and borrowing] tend to be more knowledgeable, more comfortable with risk, and more aware of our warnings than the average crypto user.”
Among respondents in the YouGov poll who said they held crypto, about 57% said they owned Bitcoin (BTC) and 43% said they had Ether (ETH). Altcoin ownership was significantly lower than that of the two largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, but approximately 21% of UK holders reported owning Solana (SOL).
Launching consultations on crypto rules
The results of the YouGov poll were made public the same day the FCA launched three consultations on crypto market rules for exchanges, staking, lending and DeFi. The financial watchdog asked for feedback from relevant entities by February as part of the UK government’s efforts to establish a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies.
The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched a series of consultations on proposed rules for digital asset markets, marking the next phase in the government’s effort to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto assets.
The proposals, published across three consultation papers, cover crypto trading platforms, intermediaries, staking, lending and borrowing, market abuse, disclosures and decentralized finance (DeFi). The FCA said consultation responses will be open until Feb. 12, 2026.
The regulator said the proposals aim to support innovation while ensuring that consumers understand the risks associated with crypto investment. It added that regulations should not eliminate risks entirely, but should ensure that participants operate responsibly and transparently.
“Our goal is to have a regime that protects consumers, supports innovation and promotes trust,” said David Geale, the FCA’s executive director for payments and digital finance, adding that industry feedback will help shape the final rules.
From advertisements to market structure
The consultations mark the next step in the UK’s push toward full “market structure” rules for crypto, moving beyond earlier requirements focused on financial promotions and Anti-Money Laundering compliance.
Under the proposals, exchanges would face clearer standards regarding admissions, disclosures and trading integrity. In addition, measures against insider trading and market manipulation would align crypto markets more closely with traditional finance.
The consultation also focuses on crypto staking services. The regulator seeks views on how firms should disclose risks when offering yield-bearing products that lock up customer assets. Crypto lending and borrowing are also included in the consultation, with proposed safeguards intended to protect borrowers and lenders.
Another element is decentralized finance (DeFi). The FCA consults on whether DeFi activities, including trading, lending and borrowing without intermediaries, should be subject to the same regulatory expectations as traditional financial services.
While consultations are ongoing, Geale reminded users that the assets are currently unregulated.
“While we work closely with partners to deliver the UK’s crypto rules, people should remember crypto is largely unregulated – except for financial promotions and financial crime purposes,” Geale warned.
The consultation was launched the day after the UK government announced its plan to introduce a bill to extend the country’s financial sector laws to crypto assets by 2027.
On Monday, the UK Finance Ministry reportedly announced that it will introduce legislation to bring crypto companies under existing financial laws by October 2027. This would put crypto under the oversight of the FCA.
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves said bringing crypto into the regulatory perimeter is a “crucial step” in securing the UK’s position as a financial center in the digital age.
Gemini, the cryptocurrency exchange founded by billionaire twins Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, has rolled out prediction markets in the United States after securing key regulatory approval.
Gemini launched its in-house prediction market, Gemini Predictions, across all 50 US states, the exchange announced in an X post on Monday.
Provided via affiliate Gemini Titan, Gemini Predictions enables users to trade on the outcomes of real-world events with “near instant execution” and full transparency.
The launch came shortly after Gemini Titan obtained a designated contract market license from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on Wednesday, authorizing the company to offer prediction markets in the US.
Rising trend for building “everything apps”
The arrival of Gemini Predictions marks the company’s latest step in building a “one-stop super app,” allowing users to not only trade crypto, but also stake assets, earn rewards, buy tokenized stocks and participate in prediction markets.
The move aligns with a broader industry trend toward all-in-one platforms in crypto, with rival exchanges like Coinbase also rushing to introduce a wide range of services, including trending prediction markets and tokenized stocks.
Gemini Prediction’s market on the price of Bitcoin on Dec. 31. Source: Gemini
The project adds to a growing portfolio of prediction markets backed by YZi Labs, the venture capital firm founded by Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, including Opinion, which topped volume rankings in November.
Major providers had faced issues in the US
The industry’s push to launch prediction markets follows years of regulatory uncertainty in the United States, with major providers such as Polymarket resuming local operations after previously facing a ban in 2022.
In another sign of a warming US stance toward prediction markets, a group of providers, including Kalshi, Robinhood and Crypto.com, recently received a temporary reprieve after a judge intervened following cease and desist orders issued by the state of Connecticut in early December.