🌍✨ Binance Gets Global License

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Hey Fintech Explorers—Welcome back to Money Explored, the essential Sunday newsletter to stay ahead in fintech!

It’s the second Sunday of December 2025, and fintech is closing the year in full power mode.

This week, a global crypto heavyweight lands a landmark regulatory win, a U.S. exchange pushes deeper into markets once reserved for Wall Street, and a European banking giant makes one of the boldest AI workforce bets we’ve seen yet. Together, they point to a future where regulation, AI, and digital assets aren’t colliding — they’re converging.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• Binance secures a first-of-its-kind global crypto license under a major regulator. 🌍

• Coinbase prepares to launch prediction markets and tokenized stocks. 🚀

• BBVA rolls out enterprise-grade AI to 120,000 employees worldwide. 🤖

You’ll also want to keep reading for this week’s sponsor, Levanta, and new data on how AI discovery still needs human trust to convert.

Plus: A Middle East digital bank doubles down on payments, a cross-border deal strengthens China–UAE flows, and a new cluster aims to reshape finance, insurance, and digital assets for decades.

It’s all happening—and that’s just the start…

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Let’s dive in!

🌎 3 Major Stories

Dive into this week’s top Fintech developments.

Binance Secures Global Crypto License! 🌍✨

The Big Story 📰: Binance has made waves in the cryptocurrency space by becoming the first crypto exchange to secure a global license under the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This groundbreaking approval allows Binance.com to operate within a comprehensive regulatory framework, enhancing its credibility and operational capabilities across a multitude of markets beyond the UAE. With three regulated entities approved for various financial services, including trading and asset management, Binance is positioning itself at the forefront of regulatory compliance in digital assets. This achievement reflects a shift towards greater transparency and regulation in the crypto industry, promising significant changes for how digital finance will operate.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: Binance's regulatory approval is a game-changer for the cryptocurrency market, establishing a new standard for compliance and consumer protection. With this license, Binance not only enhances its global operations but also sets a precedent for other exchanges to follow suit. This move could lead to increased trust among users and regulators alike, stirring a wave of similar initiatives across the industry. As more companies seek to establish regulatory legitimacy, the landscape of digital finance will likely evolve, emphasizing compliance and security, which could attract more institutional investment in crypto markets. For investors and fintech professionals, understanding these shifts will be crucial for navigating future opportunities in the digital asset space.

Coinbase Set to Unveil Prediction Markets & Stocks 🚀

The Big Story 📰: Coinbase, the leading cryptocurrency exchange in the United States, is set to unveil two exciting products: prediction markets and tokenized equities. This announcement will occur on December 17 during a showcase event, marking a significant stride for Coinbase into the rapidly evolving financial landscape. Tokenized stocks, expected to be launched in-house rather than through partnerships, will allow users to trade shares of companies in a blockchain-enabled format. The introduction of these markets aligns with growing interest in innovative financial products, positioning Coinbase at the forefront of the fintech revolution.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: The launch of prediction markets and tokenized equities by Coinbase signifies a bold move that could reshape online trading and investing. For fintech enthusiasts and investors, these offerings present new opportunities for diversification and participation in financial markets. Prediction markets could lead to more data-driven insights, while tokenized stocks promise easier access to stock trading through blockchain technology. This move not only cements Coinbase's commitment to innovation but also reflects a broader trend towards democratizing finance. Stakeholders in the sector should pay close attention, as these developments might alter competitive dynamics and user engagement in both crypto and traditional finance markets.

BBVA Goes All-In on AI with OpenAI Partnership 🤖

The Big Story 📰: BBVA and OpenAI are taking their partnership to the next level with a multi-year strategic AI transformation program that will see the rollout of ChatGPT Enterprise to all 120,000 employees within the bank. This ambitious expansion follows successful initial deployments, which already improved employee productivity significantly. With OpenAI's advanced AI capabilities, BBVA aims to revolutionize customer service, enhance internal operations, and facilitate smarter, more personalized banking experiences. This collaboration presents BBVA as a leader in adopting AI within the financial sector, paving the way for innovations in how banks operate on a global scale.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: This bold move by BBVA underscores the transformative potential of AI in banking, setting a precedent for other institutions to follow. By integrating AI deeply into both customer interactions and internal workflows, BBVA is not only optimizing its operations but also improving the user experience significantly. This strategic partnership illustrates a growing trend of financial firms prioritizing AI to stay competitive, maximize productivity, and meet evolving customer expectations. As the finance landscape shifts towards AI-native solutions, other banks must take heed and consider similar integrations or risk falling behind in the digital age.