The world of cryptocurrencies is one of the most divisive topics in finance right now. On the one hand, figures like J.P. Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon have called it a "fraud" and dubbed those trading it "stupid." On the other hand, there are those who see cryptocurrencies as one of the most revolutionary forces in finance.

Interest in bitcoin and the blockchain has been building to a fever pitch, but mergers and acquisitions in cryptocurrency have been almost nonexistent.

Except for a short-term boost in capital spending, there are few reforms that will push growth above its current trajectory.

The bitcoin craze could pose a real risk to the broader market next year, according to Deutsche Bank.

Japan's economic growth rate doubled in the third quarter thanks to big gains in capital expenditure, revised data showed on Friday, with expansion seen to continue thanks to buoyant exports.

"For years, the Chinese government has had the effort to control the speed of the fast-rising property price, so there's always been policies coming out to control the market, but now this becomes a real nation-wide effort," said SOHO China CEO Zhang Xin.

Researchers at the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) have managed to develop a "graphene ball" which could transform the way we think about batteries.

Bitcoin's meteoric rise could be a sign that people are more worried about rising prices than most think, Paul added, saying there will be "a race to the exit."