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dren

Dren Hima

ABOUT AUTHOR

Dren Hima is Head of Research at Coincub, leading research across digital asset regulation, licensing, market structure, tokenization and institutional adoption.

CryptoCrypto TaxExchangeRegulationTaxTradingWallet
Your Exchange Will Tell On You: CARF & DAC8 End Crypto Secrecy
From 1 January 2026, EU-licensed crypto platforms must collect user and transaction data for tax reporting under DAC8.  CARF makes this automatic across 51+ jurisdictions, including many classic offshore hubs that agreed to exchange data from 2027.  The OECD CARF XML schema reports not just trades but also wallet transfers, linking KYC’d users to on-chain […]...
12 months ago
CryptoCryptocurrenciesCryptocurrencyExchangeRegulation
Revolut MiCA License in Cyprus: EU Crypto Services, Explained
Summary Revolut now holds MiCA authorization in Cyprus to passport crypto services across the EU. The same app and Revolut X continue, now backed by a single EU supervisor. MiCA improves disclosures and custody rules, but price risk is unchanged. Stablecoin talk is separate and would require new approvals and filings. Trust official product pages […]...
12 months ago
CryptoCryptocurrenciesCryptocurrencyEducationExchangeLegalRegulation
7 Cheapest Countries for Crypto Licensing in 2026
Summary A license is not a trophy. It’s your bank and PSP unlock, so build for bankability first. “Application fee” is not “total cost” since the bill lives in people, substance, and real AML. Start narrow to ship fast, then expand scope once you have flow. Partners trust regimes that enforce. Predictability beats hype every […]...
12 months ago
CryptoCrypto CrimeCryptocurrenciesCryptocurrencyEducationExchangeSafety
12 Crypto Hacks That Made History
Summary Most damage starts with keys or validators. Bridges mix speed and trust, so they stay fragile until proofs and governance harden. Multisig works only when signer separation and staged flow are enforced. Fast attribution and coordinated freezes now change outcomes in real time. One giant breach can still define a year. The word “hack” […]...
1 year ago
CryptoExchangeTrading
BNB Sets New All-Time High After Record Liquidations
Summary BNB hit a fresh all-time high days after a record liquidation event. The wipeout was venue-driven, and most forced selling landed outside BNB pairs. Binance absorbed part of the shock locally, while BNB books stayed deeper than long-tail alts. Lower fees and active dApps kept baseline demand for BNB intact when the dust settled. […]...
1 year ago
CryptoCryptocurrenciesCryptocurrencyExchangeRegulationSafetyTax
Does Gemini Report to the IRS? – 2026 Guide
Summary Gemini reports certain customer activity to the IRS, including eligible income and digital asset sales. For 2025 activity, Gemini reports proceeds from sales and trades on Form 1099-DA during the 2026 filing season. Gemini does not report cost basis to the IRS for 2025 Form 1099-DA activity, so users still need their own records. […]...
1 year ago
CryptoExchange
The MEXC Engine Room: How the Exchange Runs Thousands of Tokens
Summary MEXC runs more than 3,000 tokens by combining zero-fee promos, market maker programs, and its DEX+ aggregator. Execution speed and uptime are central to the platform’s pitch, with orders filling in milliseconds even during peak traffic. The no-KYC entry model fueled global adoption, especially in markets where other exchanges block unverified users. Risk-control freezes […]...
1 year ago
Exchange
5 Best eToro Alternatives in 2026: Low Fees, Security & Features Compared
eToro has built a strong reputation as a social trading platform, boasting over 35 million users across more than 140 countries. Its standout feature, CopyTrader, allows users to mimic the trades of experienced investors, making it popular among beginner and intermediate traders seeking a hands-off approach. The platform supports commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs […]...
1 year ago
Exchange
5 Best KuCoin Alternatives in 2025: Low Fees, Security & Altcoin Access
KuCoin is known for its extensive token selection, offering over 900 cryptocurrencies to trade. The platform appeals to many traders with its competitive fees and a suite of trading bots that help automate strategies. These features make KuCoin a popular choice for users seeking access to a broad range of altcoins and flexible trading options. […]...
1 year ago
Exchange
Top 10 Bybit Alternatives in 2026: Low Fees, More Coins & Better Features
Bybit has established itself as a major player in crypto trading since its launch in 2018. The platform supports spot trading, futures contracts, and offers copy trading features that connect experienced traders with newcomers. Its mobile app provides access to markets anytime, supporting over 10 million active users worldwide. Bybit’s combination of high leverage, a […]...
1 year ago
Exchange
10 Best Kraken Alternatives with Lowest Fees in 2026
Kraken has long held a reputation as one of the most trusted crypto exchanges in the world. Launched in 2011 and operating under tight regulatory oversight in the U.S. and Europe, it’s often seen as a safe entry point for crypto investors who value compliance, fiat access, and transparency. Its clean interface, support for major […]...
1 year ago
Exchange
5 Best OKX Alternatives in 2025: Compare Features, Coins & KYC Rules
OKX became a breakout platform during the last market cycle. Traders looking for deep altcoin markets, DeFi integrations, and flexible KYC found it hard to beat. The built-in Web3 wallet and access to decentralized apps made it stand out from legacy exchanges, especially for users who wanted more than just spot trading. It also delivered […]...
1 year ago
Exchange
Top 5 Crypto.com Alternatives in 2025 for Staking, Privacy, and Rewards
Crypto.com built one of the most recognizable brands in crypto. Between stadium sponsorships, Formula 1 ads, and a sleek mobile app, it positioned itself as the entry point for millions of first-time users. Its Visa card, fiat gateways, and app-centric approach made it easy to spend, earn, and trade without needing much technical knowledge. That […]...
1 year ago
Exchange
5 Best Coinbase Alternatives in 2025: Lower Fees, More Features
Coinbase has been one of the greatest platforms for crypto newcomers since 2012. Its clean interface, easy fiat on-ramps, and regulatory compliance made it the first stop for millions of retail users, especially in the U.S. For a long time, simplicity mattered more than features. People just wanted a safe way to buy Bitcoin or […]...
1 year ago
Exchange
Top 5 Binance Alternatives for 2026: Secure, Low-Fee Crypto Exchanges
Binance has been the go-to exchange for millions of traders since 2017. It built its dominance on low fees, high liquidity, and support for hundreds of cryptocurrencies. For a long time, it was the obvious choice, especially for users who wanted fast execution, deep order books, and access to altcoins before they went mainstream. That […]...
1 year ago
Exchange
Best Bitget Alternatives in 2025: Top Crypto Exchanges Compared
Bitget built its reputation on two things: copy trading and mobile-first design. It appeals to traders who want fast access to derivatives and strategy mirroring without digging into complex interfaces. For many, that’s enough. But in 2025, the bar has moved. As crypto trading matures, so do user expectations. Many traders now look for exchanges […]...
1 year ago
CryptoCryptocurrenciesCryptocurrencyEducationExchangeLegalRegulationTrading
Binance vs. Coinbase: A 2025 Review
Binance and Coinbase are the two most widely used centralized crypto exchanges, but they operate with very different priorities. Binance focuses on low fees, broad asset support, and trading flexibility, making it the go-to for global users and high-volume traders. Coinbase takes a more conservative approach, emphasizing regulatory compliance, security, and simplicity, especially for U.S. [&hellip...
1 year ago
CryptoCryptocurrenciesCryptocurrencyExchangeTrading
Gemini vs. Coinbase: Which Exchange Wins?
Coinbase and Gemini have been part of the U.S. crypto landscape for over a decade, but their approaches couldn’t be more different. Coinbase is the larger of the two, a publicly traded company with global reach, heavy trading volume, and a strong focus on mainstream accessibility. Gemini, on the other hand, built its reputation around […]...
1 year ago
CryptoExchangeTrading
Kraken vs. Coinbase: Pros, Cons & Fees Compared
Kraken and Coinbase have become the two pillars of U.S. crypto trading. While their origins go back over a decade, both platforms have evolved alongside the digital asset industry, adapting to shifting regulation, changing user needs, and increasing competition. Today, they serve millions of retail and institutional users worldwide, though their approaches are fundamentally different. […]...
1 year ago
CryptoCryptocurrenciesCryptocurrencyExchangeWeb 3.0
Crypto-Backed Loans Explained
Liquidity Crunch Liquidity has quietly become one of the biggest challenges in crypto. After years of expansion, 2024 and 2025 have been marked by sharp slowdowns. Venture funding that once flooded Web3 projects has thinned out. Central banks, meanwhile, have kept monetary conditions tight, making capital across the board harder to access, both in traditional […]...
2 years ago
CryptocurrenciesCryptocurrencyExchangeWeb 3.0
Building Trust in Crypto Exchanges: Why Figure Markets Took a Different Route
The Cracks in Crypto Trust If there’s one thing 2024 and 2025 have made painfully clear, it’s that trust in crypto exchanges remains fragile. For all the progress in market maturity, the same risks keep resurfacing. The Bybit breach earlier this year was a fresh blow, exposing once again how even the biggest players can […]...
2 years ago
CryptocurrenciesCryptocurrencyDeFiExchangeRegulationWeb 3.0
What is an ICO?
The crypto market continues to grasp the attention of investors globally, and there are plenty of opportunities for massive gains every day that traditional markets can rarely match. In the previous bull cycle, many altcoins soared and provided massive returns from their initial coin offering (ICO) stages to their all-time highs. Many early investors became […]...
2 years ago
BlockchainCryptoCrypto TaxCryptocurrenciesCryptocurrencyDeFiEducationExchangeLegalRegulationTaxWalletWeb 3.0
What is KYC in Crypto? A Guide to Crypto Compliance
With crypto changing by the day, compliance and security have become important aspects for the market to grow sustainably. Perhaps the most important regulatory practice involving crypto would be Know Your Customer (KYC). KYC aims to combat illegal activities such as money laundering and fraud, and it is a mandatory process for most centralized crypto […]...
2 years ago