Business Daily Media

The Times


.

Regulation of Cryptocurrency Market in 2025 and Beyond by Global Broker Octa

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 February 2025 - The global cryptocurrency market has seen unprecedented growth in the previous year, spearheaded by Bitcoin and Ethereum. Institutional participation was very important in driving prices higher, with Bitcoin reaching an all-time high above $100,000 in December 2024.

With the spreading adoption of crypto assets, regulators have paid even more attention to the industry. Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker, explains what regulation can be expected in 2025 and beyond.

Octa

Key Events Shaping the Cryptocurrency Market in 2024–2025
The cryptocurrency market has entered a new phase, defined by record-breaking milestones and regulatory shifts that are reshaping opportunities for traders and institutional investors. Bitcoin's surge past $100,000 in December 2024 underlined the increasing mainstream acceptance of digital assets. Institutional adoption played a leading role in this rally. Companies such as MicroStrategy expanded their Bitcoin holdings, cementing the asset's store-of-value status, while Bitcoin ETFs made access easier for retail and institutional investors alike, boosting liquidity and demand.

This trajectory is also framed through regulatory changes. The friendly crypto attitude taken by the Trump administration, from its Crypto Task Force to the plan for a national Bitcoin reserve, has put the grounds on a much friendlier landscape for institutional investments. Meanwhile, Europe has moved in a structured manner with the full implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets framework in January 2025, bringing legal clarity and market stability across EU member states. Yet, in Asia, the regulations are mixed: Hong Kong has been trying to reaffirm ambitions to be a digital-asset hub by issuing fresh licenses for new crypto exchanges, while China is tightening restrictions on crypto-related financial activities in its bid to cut high-risk transactions.

Factors Influencing Cryptocurrency Prices Factors Influencing Cryptocurrency Prices
Regulatory decisions, institutional involvement, and macroeconomic conditions will interact in complex ways to determine the prices of cryptocurrencies in 2025.

Regulatory Factors: Frameworks and Compliance Standards
Regulatory oversight has remained one of the most significant drivers of market sentiment. The FATF revised its guidelines on virtual assets to include a more robust framework toward compliance to mitigate illicit financial activity. While such efforts bring greater transparency, they simultaneously affect transaction privacy and how decentralised exchanges function, shifting how market participants operate.

Yet, in the United States, the SEC's relaxing of restrictive accounting rules on cryptocurrency holdings has given corporations a clearer pathway for putting Bitcoin on their balance sheet. This, along with the expected acceleration of institutional adoption, will likely increase the presence of digital assets in corporate portfolios.

According to Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker, 'Regulation is going to make the difference to crypto market stability in 2025: even as clearer rules can boost investor confidence, rigid measures may affect liquidity and innovation'. Critical decisions on regulation, macroeconomic factors, and the rise of institutional investors' participation in the digital asset space will shape the outlook for this year.

Macroeconomic Factors: Interest Rates, Inflation, and Monetary Policy
Besides regulation, broader economic trends are driving investor behaviour toward crypto assets. For example, the Federal Reserve's monetary tightening in 2024 to contain inflation accelerated demand for alternative assets such as Bitcoin. Many investors now consider Bitcoin digital gold, a hedge against inflation and a store of value during periods of economic turmoil. This trend has been most pronounced in countries with weak fiat currencies, where crypto adoption has accelerated to preserve purchasing power.

Institutional Investors and Market Liquidity
With the increased participation of corporations and investment funds, crypto markets have become more liquid, thus increasing stability and raising concerns about over-centralisation and regulatory control.

With the launch of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, has further consolidated its position and opened up crypto assets to traditional investment channels. This has helped legitimise cryptocurrency further and fed demand for regulated crypto investments. Meanwhile, speculation continues to build over potential government Bitcoin accumulation. Some analysts say the U.S. Treasury could consider adding Bitcoin to its reserves, which would change market dynamics and speed up institutional adoption.

While institutional involvement strengthens market stability, it also concentrates Bitcoin holdings in fewer hands, increasing the risks of regulatory intervention and market manipulation and challenging the decentralised foundation of digital assets.

The Road Ahead for Crypto Markets
In 2025, the cryptocurrency market is defined by regulatory shifts, institutional expansion, and macroeconomic forces. Bitcoin's surge past $100,000 reflects growing confidence, but its long-term trajectory depends on global policy decisions. The EU's MiCA framework fosters stability, while the U.S. adopts a more crypto-friendly stance. Meanwhile, Asia remains divided between regulatory tightening and innovation. Institutional players like BlackRock continue to drive liquidity, but the industry must balance mainstream adoption with decentralisation. Staying adaptable will be key for investors looking to navigate and capitalise on emerging opportunities.

___

Disclaimer: Trading involves risks and may not be suitable for all investors. Use your expertise wisely and evaluate all associated risks before making an investment decision.

Hashtag: #Octa

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Octa

is an international CFD broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.

The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.

In the APAC region, Octa received the 'Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024' and the 'Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023' awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.

News from Asia

Nanyang Optical Co. Pte Ltd (In Liquidation) Announces Tender Sale of Optical Inventory Located in Shenzhen, China

SHENZHEN, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 July 2026 - Nanyang Optical Co. Pte Ltd (In Liquidation) is inviting expressions of interest from optical retailers, distributors, wholesalers, expor...

Hong Kong Disneyland Continues to Enhance Guest Experience Through Flexible Weather Adaptation Measures

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 July 2026 - As Hong Kong's summer weather becomes increasingly unpredictable, with periods of extreme heat, high humidity, and occasional rain showers ...

A Pandastic Summer Birthday Celebration at Ocean Park Chance to win the all-new MAXUS MIFA 7 PLUS Pure Electric 7-Seater MPV

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 July 2026 - Ocean Park is set to ignite a summer of joy with the Pandastic Summer Birthday Celebration for its entire family of six beloved giant pand...

Thailand Secures $43.6bn 1H 2026 Investment Surge as Big Tech Accelerates Southeast Asia AI Infrastructure Push

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 July 2026 - Thailand's foreign and domestic investment applications surged 37% year-on-year to hit $43.6 billion (approx. 1.47 trillion baht) acros...

STAMPEDE creates 11,000 free business pages to bring Singapore’s AI push to local F&B operators

Hawkers, cafés and restaurants can claim their pages and set up no-app loyalty and referral programmes at no upfront costSINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 July 2026 - As Singapore commits m...

Alylytiq launches AI-powered research solutions to make big-brand insights affordable for Singapore SMEs

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 July 2026 - Market research consultancy Alylytiq LLP today announced the launch of Automytiq, a suite of AI-powered research solutions designed to make pro...

Watsons Unveils "Watsons Evergreen" with Pantone to Celebrate 185 Years of Trusted Care and Everyday Vitality

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire – 23 July 2026 - Watsons, the flagship health and beauty brand of AS Watson, today announced the launch of Watsons Evergreen, as part of AS Watson's 185th ...

HKU Launches First Community Pharmacist-Led Osteoporosis Screening Programme in Hong Kong

COSA Risk Assessment Tool Deployed Across Community Pharmacies to Identify Undiagnosed PatientsHONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 July 2026 - The Department of Pharmacology and Pharmac...

"Across the Table" - Iconic Chefs Come Together for Luxury Dining Series at The Naka Island, Phuket

Four nights of refined coastal gastronomy and creative collaborations will be staged from August 12-15, 2026, featuring highly acclaimed Michelin-starred chefs from Bo.lan, Andō, Maison Dunand and ...

A Defining Milestone for Gene Solutions: SPOT-MAS Multi-Cancer Screening Test Receives U.S. FDA Breakthrough Device Designation

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 22 July 2026 - Gene Solutions – a global biotechnology company advancing accessible genomic solutions for cancer detection and precision oncology, announc...

Selling a Small Business in Australia: Understanding the Capital Gains Tax Concessions

For many Australian business owners, selling a business represents the reward for years—sometimes decades—of hard work. Unlike employees who may bu...

Australian businesses lean into global strategic partnerships (GCCs) for next wave of outsourcing

The Australian corporate landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation in how it sources talent and innovation. While businesses have traditi...

The New Pressure Gap Crushing Small Businesses

Starting any business and making it prosper is a major undertaking. Part of the challenge is managing the uncertainty, but the financial pressures o...

Click Frenzy returns with a free EOFY sale event for retailers this month

New owners Gabby and Hezi Leibovich bring back Australia’s leading ecommerce sales event with Australia Post as Major Sponsor   Click Frenzy is ...

The 95 Per Cent Failure Rate Is Not An AI Problem

Most Australian SMEs I speak with are already having a go at AI. Some are running formal pilots, others have a team member quietly experimenting o...

New AR tech helping to solve field service skills crisis

AI-enabled augmented reality (AR) smart glasses are emerging as a new practical solution to fill a shortage of field service technicians maintaini...