Coinbase Eyes 30 New Cryptocurrencies as Bitcoin Futures Hit Record Lows

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The cryptocurrency market continues to navigate volatility and regulatory developments, with major exchanges expanding their digital asset offerings while key assets face downward pressure. In recent news, Coinbase is considering listing over 30 new cryptocurrencies, including high-profile tokens like XRP, EOS, and Cardano (ADA), signaling a broader push toward market expansion despite ongoing price declines in Bitcoin futures.

At the same time, Bitcoin futures on major U.S. exchanges hit new record lows, reflecting sustained bearish sentiment across the market. This article explores these developments in depth, covering exchange expansions, blockchain innovation in traditional finance, upcoming Ethereum upgrades, and regulatory milestones shaping the future of digital assets.

Ethereum’s Constantinople Upgrade Nears Activation

In a significant update for the Ethereum network, core developers have finalized plans to activate the long-awaited Constantinople hard fork at block 7,080,000. This upgrade marks a critical step in Ethereum’s evolution, aiming to improve scalability, security, and efficiency through a series of protocol changes.

According to Afri Schoedon, Parity Ethereum’s client release manager, the fork is expected to go live between January 14 and January 18, assuming normal block production rates. The decision follows months of testing and delays due to bugs discovered in earlier testnet versions. Originally slated for November, the upgrade was postponed to ensure network stability—a move that underscores the development team’s cautious approach.

To mitigate risks during deployment, go-ethereum (Geth), the most widely used Ethereum client, will include an emergency switch that allows developers to delay the upgrade if critical issues arise. This safety mechanism reflects growing maturity in blockchain engineering practices and enhances confidence among users and institutions relying on Ethereum’s infrastructure.

👉 Discover how Ethereum’s next upgrade could impact your digital asset strategy.

Sberbank Executes World’s First Blockchain OTC Repo Transaction

In a landmark use case for enterprise blockchain adoption, Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, has completed what it calls the “world’s first” blockchain-based over-the-counter (OTC) repurchase agreement using smart contracts.

The transaction involved three parties:

Using distributed ledger technology (DLT) and self-executing smart contracts, the process automated key aspects of the repo agreement—such as settlement execution—increasing transparency and reducing counterparty risk. While the total value of the government loan securities traded was not disclosed, the successful trial highlights blockchain’s potential to modernize traditional financial instruments.

Andrey Shemetov, Deputy President and Head of Global Markets at Sberbank, emphasized that combining smart contracts with DLT enhances both security and transparency, positioning this model as a possible new standard for OTC transactions.

This development aligns with broader trends of institutional integration of blockchain solutions, particularly in clearing, settlement, and compliance automation.

Poland Launches Europe’s First Blockchain Arbitration Court

Poland has taken a pioneering step in legal innovation with the establishment of the first blockchain arbitration court in Europe—and the second globally—by the Polish Chamber of Blockchain and New Technologies (IGBNT).

Founded in August 2018, IGBNT aims to represent the interests of Poland’s blockchain industry. The new arbitration body will resolve disputes related to blockchain projects, smart contracts, and digital asset transactions. Its panel includes lawyers experienced in blockchain law and professionals with practical experience in crypto trading and development.

Beyond dispute resolution, the court seeks to influence national legislation by providing expert input on regulatory frameworks for emerging technologies. This initiative could serve as a blueprint for other jurisdictions aiming to create legal clarity in the decentralized economy.

Bitcoin Futures Sink to New Lows Amid Prolonged Downturn

Despite brief rallies above $3,400 in early December, Bitcoin remains under intense downward pressure. On December 7, U.S. Bitcoin futures hit fresh record lows on two major exchanges:

Both contracts have now declined for six consecutive weeks, with weekly losses exceeding 16%. The broader market context shows a steep correction throughout November and early December, driven by macroeconomic concerns, reduced retail interest, and ongoing regulatory scrutiny.

Binance briefly saw BTC/USDT trade above $3,400 before retreating rapidly. Just hours earlier, Bitcoin had surged from around $3,250 to nearly $3,550 within 20 minutes—an intraday spike highlighting extreme volatility even in a bearish trend.

These dynamics suggest that while short-term rebounds are possible, structural support remains weak without strong institutional inflows or regulatory clarity.

Coinbase Expands Digital Asset Support

Amid market turbulence, Coinbase announced plans to evaluate the listing of more than 30 new digital assets, including:

The move reinforces Coinbase’s commitment to becoming a comprehensive platform for compliant crypto trading. The exchange stated it aims to support all digital assets that meet its rigorous standards for security, regulatory compliance, and technical robustness.

Coinbase is actively collaborating with banks and regulators across multiple jurisdictions to facilitate broader access. This strategy positions it well for future growth as global adoption matures and regulatory frameworks evolve.

👉 See which upcoming digital assets might soon be available for trading.

SEC Halts Unregistered Crypto Fund, Fines CoinAlpha $50K

Regulatory enforcement remains active in the U.S. On December 7, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a cease-and-desist order against CoinAlpha Advisors LLC, fining the firm $50,000 for offering unregistered securities.

The SEC found that CoinAlpha raised over $600,000 last October through a digital asset fund without proper registration. Although the firm filed for an exemption under Regulation D, regulators determined it failed to meet eligibility criteria—particularly regarding Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures and verification of accredited investor status.

Following an SEC warning in October 2018, CoinAlpha voluntarily dissolved the fund and refunded investors—all actions noted in the SEC’s final ruling.

This case serves as a cautionary tale for crypto fund managers: compliance with securities laws is non-negotiable, even in decentralized markets.

VanEck Remains Optimistic on Bitcoin ETF Approval

One of the most anticipated events in crypto regulation is inching closer: the SEC’s decision on the VanEck SolidX Bitcoin Trust ETF application.

Gabor Gurbacs, VanEck’s Director of Digital Asset Strategy, expressed cautious optimism in a recent interview with Cheddar. He stated that VanEck believes it has provided sufficient evidence on market structure, pricing mechanisms, and custody solutions to justify approval.

The final decision is expected by February 28, 2025, giving regulators several months to assess risks related to market manipulation and investor protection.

Gurbacs noted recent improvements in OTC market transparency as a positive signal. If approved, this would be the first physically backed Bitcoin ETF in the U.S., potentially unlocking billions in institutional capital.

Gemini Adds Bitcoin Cash Support for New York Residents

Crypto exchange Gemini received approval from the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) to offer Bitcoin Cash (BCH) trading and custody services to state residents.

Notably, Gemini supports only the Bitcoin ABC chain, not Bitcoin SV (BSV). Eric Winer, Vice President of Engineering at Gemini, said the team will continue evaluating BSV in the coming weeks but has made no commitment to support withdrawals or trading for that network.

This selective approach reflects ongoing fragmentation in the BCH ecosystem and highlights exchanges’ careful stance toward contentious forks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the Constantinople hard fork?
A: Constantinople is a major Ethereum network upgrade designed to enhance scalability and efficiency through protocol optimizations like reduced block rewards and improved smart contract execution.

Q: Why did Bitcoin futures hit record lows?
A: A combination of macroeconomic factors, weak investor sentiment, lack of institutional inflows, and technical selling pressure contributed to sustained declines in Bitcoin futures throughout late 2018.

Q: Is Coinbase planning to list XRP?
A: Yes—Coinbase has publicly stated it is evaluating over 30 new assets for listing, including XRP. However, availability depends on regulatory clearance in each jurisdiction.

Q: Can I trade Bitcoin Cash on Gemini in New York?
A: Yes—Gemini now offers Bitcoin Cash (ABC) trading and custody for New York residents following NYDFS approval.

Q: What happened to CoinAlpha’s crypto fund?
A: The SEC halted it for violating securities laws by selling unregistered investment contracts without proper KYC checks. The fund was later dissolved and investors were refunded.

Q: When will we know if the VanEck Bitcoin ETF is approved?
A: The SEC must make a final decision by February 28, 2025. Until then, market participants await clarity on whether regulatory concerns have been sufficiently addressed.

👉 Stay ahead of ETF developments and potential market-moving approvals.

Core Keywords:

These keywords reflect current market priorities: technological advancement, regulatory compliance, institutional adoption, and exchange innovation—all critical drivers shaping the next phase of cryptocurrency evolution.