Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Friday (December 19) as of 9:00 pm UTC.
Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ether and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.
Bitcoin and Ether price update
Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$88,004.97, up by 3.6 percent over 24 hours.
Bitcoin price performance, December 19, 2025.
Chart via TradingView
Ether (ETH) was priced at US$2,991.30, up by 7.2 percent over the last 24 hours.
Altcoin price update
- XRP (XRP) was priced at US$1.91, up by 5.7 percent over 24 hours.
- Solana (SOL) was trading at US$126.85, up by 7.6 percent over 24 hours.
Today’s crypto news to know
MetaPlanet boosts US expansion efforts
American depositary receipts of Bitcoin treasury company Metaplanet (TSE:3350,OTCQX:MPJPY) began trading on the OTC market under the ticker symbol MPJPY, replacing the previously unsponsored MTPLF ticker.
This step builds on earlier US expansions. The Tokyo-based company established a wholly owned subsidiary called Metaplanet Treasury in Miami, Florida, in May to handle Bitcoin accumulation and treasury operations with up to US$250 million in capital. The launch is intended to enhance US investor participation in MetaPlanet’s Bitcoin strategy.
Poland parliament approves MiCA-aligned crypto bill
Poland’s lower house of parliament, called the Sejm, approved a crypto asset market bill, overriding President Karol Nawrocki’s prior veto. It now heads to the Senate for review, where it potentially faces another veto.
Nawrocki vetoed the bill earlier in December, citing threats to civil liberties like easy website blocks. Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government resubmitted the bill, unchanged. It passed with 241 votes.
The bill aligns Poland with the EU’s MiCA regulation by designating the Financial Supervision Authority to oversee crypto exchanges, impose sanctions and introduce criminal liability for offenses.
Senate confirms Selig as CFTC chair
The US Senate has confirmed Mike Selig as the next chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), bringing permanent leadership back to an agency that has operated for months in near limbo.
Selig’s confirmation passed 53 to 43 as part of a broader package of federal appointments. The CFTC had been functioning with a single commissioner, Acting Chair Caroline Pham, after multiple resignations hollowed out the five member panel. While Pham kept the agency operational, the lack of a Senate-confirmed chair constrained long-term planning, staffing and coordination with other regulators.
That gap was especially acute as lawmakers debated expanding the CFTC’s role in overseeing spot crypto markets.
Clarity Act heads for Senate markup in January
The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act is set to enter Senate markup in January, according to David Sacks, White House crypto and artificial intelligence (AI) adviser, putting the bill on a formal path toward passage.
‘We had a great call today with Chairmen @SenatorTimScott and @JohnBoozman who confirmed that a markup for Clarity is coming in January. Thanks to their leadership, as well as @RepFrenchHill and @CongressmanGT in the House, we are closer than ever to passing the landmark crypto market structure legislation that President Trump has called for,’ Sacks posted on X. ‘We look forward to finishing the job in January!’
Senate Committee on Banking Chair Tim Scott and Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chair John Boozman have agreed on the timeline.
The bill, which cleared the House earlier this year, aims to settle long-running jurisdiction disputes by spelling out when a token is a security versus a commodity. Lawmakers are expected to focus amendments on asset classification tests, investor protection standards and how quickly platforms must register under the new regime.
Another key issue will be how the US Securities and Exchange Commission and CFTC coordinate oversight during the transition period. If the schedule holds, Congress could finalize a reconciled version later during the year.
Bybit re-enters UK market after two years
Crypto exchange Bybit has resumed operations in the UK after a two year absence triggered by tighter rules on crypto marketing and promotions. The platform has restarted spot trading with 100 pairs, using a compliance structure designed to meet the Financial Conduct Authority’s financial promotion standards.
Rather than holding its own UK authorization, Bybit is operating under an arrangement with London-based exchange Archax, which is licensed to approve crypto promotions for unauthorised firms.
This route has previously been used by other major exchanges seeking access to British users.
Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.