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As of the latest data, the global cryptocurrency market cap stands at $1.48 trillion, reflecting a 1.3% change in the last 24 hours. The total trading volume across all cryptocurrencies in the past day amounts to $55.7 billion. Bitcoin dominance remains at 49.4%, while Ethereum dominance holds at 16.7%. These metrics provide a snapshot of the current state of the cryptocurrency market, indicating market capitalization, trading activity, and the distribution of dominance among leading cryptocurrencies. Investors and enthusiasts monitor these figures for insights into market trends and overall health. (Source: Coin Gecko)

HTX, the crypto exchange associated with digital-asset entrepreneur Justin Sun, has successfully reinstated Bitcoin deposits and withdrawals after a recent hacking attack. The exchange, along with another platform backed by Sun, Poloniex, fell victim to separate exploits, potentially resulting in the loss of over $110 million in cryptocurrencies. Justin Sun acknowledged the HTX hack last week, with an HTX spokesperson revealing that approximately $30 million worth of cryptocurrencies were taken from the exchange wallet during the security breach. The restoration of Bitcoin services signals HTX's ongoing efforts to recover and strengthen its platform security. (Source Yahoo Finance)

The European Union's Data Act, recently approved by the European Parliament, includes a controversial provision requiring a "kill switch" for smart contracts, posing potential challenges for decentralized projects. The legislation, passed with 481 votes in favor and 31 against, mandates that smart contracts must be capable of being interrupted and terminated, introducing controls for resetting or halting contracts. The next crucial step for the Data Act is gaining approval from the European Council. The stipulation has sparked concerns within the blockchain community as it appears to deviate significantly from the foundational principle of decentralization. (Source: Coin Telegraph)

The Philippines is integrating blockchain and digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Cardano to enhance its financial infrastructure and digital finance. Collaborating with the Bureau of the Treasury, the Central Bank of the Philippines is pioneering the introduction of digital money for government securities. This initiative explores blockchain technology and has already seen the issue of the Philippines' first tokenized Treasury bonds, raising 15 billion pesos (US$271 million) through the Distributed Ledger Technology Registry. (Source: Blockchain Reporter)

Grayscale Investments has resubmitted its Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) application after engaging in consultations with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Grayscale's decision to resubmit the Bitcoin ETF application reflects its strategic intent to bring cryptocurrency investment products to a broader market. By addressing feedback from regulatory authorities and refining operational aspects, Grayscale aims to position itself at the forefront of the evolving digital asset landscape. (Source: Blockchain Reporter)

The total crypto market cap has just surpassed US$1.51 trillion, reaching highest levels since May 2022! This development is being seen as indicative of returning momentum and higher investor interest. (Source: X)

Axie Infinity, the popular blockchain game and metaverse project, has unveiled a novel initiative, allowing NFT owners the commercial rights to produce and sell authorized merchandise. (Source: Crypto News)

A historic moment in Bitcoin's 14-year history unfolded as a sender incurred a US$3.1 million transaction fee for a bitcoin transfer. The transaction, mined in block 818087 by Bitcoin miner Antpool, marked the largest fee ever paid. The sender's wallet, created minutes before the transfer, sent 139.42 BTC, with the recipient receiving only 55.78 BTC. Notably, Antpool, owned by Bitmain, has not issued a statement regarding the apparent overpaid fee, unlike a similar incident in September involving F2Pool's return of a mistakenly sent fee. (Source: Coin Desk)

In separate news, major cryptocurrency exchanges Bitfinex and Tether have shifted their stance on a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request. The firms, no longer opposing the request, expressed their commitment to transparent practices. However, they emphasized the need for a responsible document review before any information is publicly disclosed. The FOIL request originated from a February 2021 agreement between Bitfinex, Tether, and New York regulators over allegations of fund commingling. The companies paid fines and agreed to submit quarterly attestation reports as part of the settlement. (Source: Coin Telegraph)

The High Court of Podgorica has paved the way for the extradition of Kwon, with the legal prerequisites determined and officially announced on the court's website. Approval for Kwon's extradition to either the United States or South Korea has been granted, with the ultimate decision resting in the hands of Montenegro's minister of justice, according to an official statement released on November 24.Following a four-month jail sentence handed down by a Montenegro court in June 2023, Kwon faced charges related to using a forged Costa Rican passport in an attempt to flee to Dubai via a private jet. The recent decision by the High Court sets the stage for his potential extradition, leaving the final determination in the hands of Montenegro's minister of justice. (Source: Coin Telegraph)

The Bank of Korea (BOK) — South Korea’s central bank — As part of the innovative CBDC pilot, the selected participants will be granted the unique opportunity to utilize deposit tokens for the purchase of goods. The overarching objective of the pilot program is to rigorously assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the issuance and distribution of the CBDC. The Bank of Korea is strategically leveraging this real-world testing environment to gain invaluable insights into the practical applications and user dynamics of the digital currency. (Source: 2024)

Belgium intends to expedite the advancement of a European blockchain infrastructure during its presidency of the Council of the European Union in early 2024, focusing on utilising such technology for the the secure storage of official documents such as driving licenses and property titles. (Source: Crypto News)