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Hong Kong SFC Reappoints Crypto-Friendly CEO Leung Fung-yee for Two-Year Term
## Executive Summary The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has announced the reappointment of Julia Leung Fung-yee as Chief Executive Officer for a two-year term, commencing January 1, 2026. This decision confirms her continued leadership at an agency that has actively shaped a regulatory framework for virtual assets. ## The Event in Detail Julia Leung Fung-yee's reappointment marks the continuation of a tenure characterized by proactive engagement with the digital asset sector. Having served as CEO since January 1, 2023, she has been instrumental in introducing a licensing system for virtual asset trading platforms and releasing a comprehensive roadmap for virtual assets. Her approach has consistently been supportive of the digital asset industry, with a stated belief that the future of digital assets is dynamic and promising. Under her leadership, the SFC introduced the "ASPIRe" roadmap on February 19, 2025, outlining an open regulatory framework for the virtual asset market. This framework operates under the principle of "same business, same risk, same rules," aiming to integrate traditional financial safeguards while adapting to the unique characteristics of virtual assets. The SFC emphasized that this roadmap is a "living blueprint," signifying continuous regulatory evolution. Notably, previously unregulated over-the-counter (OTC) trading platforms and custodial services are now able to obtain official licenses, providing a clear regulatory pathway for cryptocurrency businesses in Hong Kong. ## Market Implications The reappointment of **Leung Fung-yee** reinforces Hong Kong's strategic positioning as a significant global crypto hub. Her continued leadership is anticipated to attract more virtual asset businesses to the region, further legitimizing the digital asset space through established regulatory clarity. The SFC's recent upgrades, announced on November 3, 2025, allowing licensed Virtual Asset Trading Platform Operators (VATPs) to integrate their order books with affiliated OVATPs (Shared Order Books), are expected to deepen global liquidity for local investors. These VATPs can also now distribute tokenized securities and digital asset investment products beyond spot trading, provided they update their licensing conditions and comply with Hong Kong's investment distribution rules. Furthermore, VATPs can apply for SFC approval to provide custody for digital assets not traded on their platforms, subject to stringent risk management and compliance standards. This expansion of regulated services to include OTC trading and custody institutions under the "same business, same risk, same rules" principle reflects a comprehensive approach to virtual asset oversight. ## Expert Commentary Julia Leung Fung-yee has consistently advocated for the significance of crypto trading as an integral component of the virtual asset ecosystem. She has asserted that the SFC would adopt a regulatory approach that applies the principle of "same business, same risk, same rules" to bring cryptocurrency OTC trading and custody institutions under its supervision. Her statements consistently highlight a commitment to fostering innovation within a secure and regulated environment. ## Broader Context Hong Kong's proactive regulatory stance contrasts with or runs parallel to other global efforts to establish clear digital asset frameworks. For instance, in the United States, a draft cryptocurrency market structure bill is under consideration, aiming to clarify regulatory oversight between agencies for different digital asset classifications. These global initiatives underscore a growing trend towards integrating virtual assets into established financial systems through robust regulatory mechanisms, addressing concerns that arose from past market instabilities such as **FTX's** collapse.

Bitcoin Enters Wyckoff Distribution, Signaling Potential Decline to $86,000
## Executive Summary Bitcoin's price trajectory has entered a Wyckoff Distribution pattern, as of November 14, 2025, suggesting a potential shift towards a markdown phase. This technical development indicates that the cryptocurrency's bull market may be nearing its conclusion, with analytical models pointing to a potential decline to $86,000. ## The Event in Detail On November 14, 2025, Bitcoin's value dropped below $100,000, coinciding with the confirmation of a Wyckoff Distribution pattern. Analyst @follis_ on X identified this structure as tracking the classic five-phase Wyckoff Distribution, a pattern historically associated with macro market tops. The analysis details a sequence of events: a **Buying Climax (BC)** observed when Bitcoin surged above $122,000, followed by an **Automatic Reaction (AR)**. Subsequent **Secondary Tests (ST)** failed to establish new higher highs. A push towards $126,200 in early October was characterized as an **Upthrust After Distribution (UTAD)**, serving as a final bullish deviation indicative of demand exhaustion. Following these phases, Bitcoin printed multiple **Last Points of Supply (LPSY)** and breached its mid-range support near $110,000, confirming the initiation of **Phase D** of the distribution. The subsequent decline below the **AR/SOW (Sign of Weakness) zone** of $102,000–$104,000 transitioned BTC into **Phase E**, marking the markdown phase and accelerating the price decrease. By the end of the week, Bitcoin had traded below $95,000 on major exchanges. Based on Wyckoff's measured-move method, which analyzes the $122,000–$104,000 distribution band, an $18,000 downside projection targets $86,000 as the primary objective. ## Market Implications This technical development implies a significant market correction for Bitcoin. The identified **$86,000 target** suggests substantial downside risk from current levels. Furthermore, the **$93,000 to $94,000 range** has been identified as a critical psychological and structural support level. Analyst Ki Young Ju of CryptoQuant noted that investors who acquired Bitcoin in the preceding 6–12 months possess an average cost basis near $94,000, rendering this zone a crucial point for market stability. A sustained break below this level could intensify selling pressure and negatively impact broader investor sentiment, potentially leading to further market uncertainty across the digital asset ecosystem. ## Expert Commentary Analyst @follis_ on X indicated that the alignment with the Wyckoff Distribution schematic is sufficiently strong to suggest that the current Bitcoin bull market "might actually be over." This assessment is based on the pattern's historical reliability in forecasting significant market shifts. Ki Young Ju of CryptoQuant provided insights into investor positioning, highlighting the importance of the $94,000 support level due to the average cost basis of recent investors. ## Broader Context Prior to this recent price action, Bitcoin had experienced a period of significant bullish momentum throughout 2025, with prices exceeding previous all-time highs of $112,000. This rally was fueled by substantial inflows into spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), increased institutional adoption, regulatory clarity, and political support. Public company holdings of Bitcoin nearly doubled from 476,000 BTC to 869,000 BTC within the year. While a sustained bullish sentiment previously projected a cycle high of $175,000, current technical indicators suggest a potential reversal of this trend. Institutional investors, as reported by Sygnum Bank on November 11, 2025, continue to increase cryptocurrency allocations, with 61% planning to raise digital asset investments. However, the report also indicated an anticipation of a downturn heading into 2026. The primary motivation for institutional investment has shifted from speculation to diversification, with actively managed strategies and broader ETF exposure gaining prominence. Despite this long-term institutional interest, the immediate technical outlook points to a period of distribution and potential price markdown, underscoring the volatility inherent in the digital asset market.

Dallas Fed's Logan Signals Difficulty in Supporting December Rate Cut Amid Persistent Inflation Concerns
## Executive Summary Dallas Federal Reserve President Lorie Logan has signaled significant difficulty in supporting an interest rate cut in December, citing ongoing concerns about high inflation and the pace of labor market cooling. This stance, from a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee (**FOMC**), introduces caution into market expectations that had previously priced in more aggressive rate reductions. ## The Event in Detail Ms. Logan explicitly stated that given current economic conditions, it would be “difficult” to endorse another December rate cut. Her position is notable due to her role as a voting member on the **FOMC**, reflecting a growing caution within the Federal Reserve. This contrasts with earlier market sentiment which had anticipated more aggressive rate cuts. Logan emphasized her intent to closely monitor incoming data and financial conditions before any decisions are made. The Fed's hesitation is rooted in several critical macroeconomic indicators, including persistent inflation trends, price stability metrics, prevailing labor market conditions, and global economic developments. ## Market Implications The Federal Reserve's cautious approach to interest rate adjustments, driven by inflation and employment data, has direct implications for risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. Traditionally, tighter monetary policy tends to decrease investment in such assets. Despite this, persistent global inflation continues to drive investor interest in cryptocurrencies as a potential hedge against the erosion of purchasing power. A **MEXC** survey from Q1-Q2 2025 indicated that 46% of global crypto users view digital assets as an inflation hedge. This sentiment emerged even as Bitcoin experienced a 3.03% drop over 24 hours in August 2025, falling to $117,000 after briefly topping $122,000, following gloomy inflation data. Q3 2025 witnessed a significant surge in crypto activity, with average daily trading volume jumping by 43.8% to $155.0 billion, underscoring continued market engagement despite broader economic uncertainties. ## Expert Commentary Most analysts anticipate the Federal Reserve will delay the first interest rate cut until at least May 2025, primarily due to core inflation remaining at 3.1%. While **Bitcoin** has stabilized near $82,700 in some periods, experts caution about potential crypto market volatility, citing external risks such as tariffs that could fuel future inflationary pressures. Conversely, some predictions suggest **BTC** could reach $175,000 in 2025, with Blockware Solutions forecasting a potential price of $400,000 per **BTC**. The downside risk is projected to find strong support around the $70,000 mark. Furthermore, **Ethereum** (**ETH**) is predicted to reach $5,400 by year-end, driven by a potential
