THORChain, a cross-chain DEX protocol, has publicly challenged crypto market data source website CoinGecko over how it defines and ranks “Bitcoin DEXs.” The protocol argued that the current list elevates custodial services while excluding the only protocol to process large-scale, non-custodial native BTC swaps.

The dispute follows CoinGecko data showing ChangeNOW controlling nearly all reported Bitcoin DEX volume, despite operating as a custodial intermediary.

Quick question for @CoinGecko: what's the definition of a Bitcoin DEX?

Your rankings show ChangeNOW at #1 with 99.8% market share. But ChangeNOW is a custodial aggregator, not a decentralised exchange.
Magic Eden is listed but trades Runes NFTs, not Bitcoin swaps.

THORChain has… pic.twitter.com/4wdTI4wVOr

— THORChain (@THORChain) January 30, 2026

ChangeNOW listing brings backlash

THORChain questioned CoinGecko’s criteria after the data site listed ChangeNOW, described by THORChain as a custodial aggregator, rather than a dominant Bitcoin DEX.

The protocol also highlighted Magic Eden’s inclusion, noting its activity centers on Runes NFTs rather than native Bitcoin swaps. According to THORChain, labeling such platforms as “decentralized” misrepresents where on-chain Bitcoin liquidity actually exists.

THORChain says the omission creates a “statistical blackout” that understates Bitcoin DeFi. Despite processing $118 billion in native cross-chain volume since 2019, its Bitcoin pools are unranked in the specific Bitcoin DEX subcategory. 

According to CoinGecko data, total volume across all DEXs hovers near $10.42 billion in the last 24 hours, representing 6.8% shares in global DeFi activity.

Nodes versus custodians

THORChain maintained that a validator-based system, secured by more than 100 independent node operators and roughly $51.28 million in bonded RUNE, cannot be grouped with services that custody user funds behind internal accounts.

From the protocol’s perspective, the issue isn’t rankings but definitions. If custodial aggregators qualify as “DEXs,” it says, then the label itself has lost meaning and needs to be reworked to reflect how decentralization actually functions on-chain.

CoinGecko has long been a widely trusted data source in the crypto market, used by traders, analysts, and developers to track prices, volumes, and on-chain activity across thousands of assets. The company is reportedly valued at around $500 million, reflecting its role in crypto market infrastructure and the growing competition in data and analytics.

Market context

THORChain’s RUNE is currently trading around $0.49, with roughly $37 million in daily volume and a market cap near $175 million, according to CoinMarketCap. The dispute comes as Bitcoin DeFi gains attention and data platforms face scrutiny over methodology, especially as CoinGecko itself is reportedly exploring strategic options amid a tougher data market.

Also read: XRP Ledger Token Escrow Amendment Enters Activation Countdown

Justin Sun, founder of the TRON network, says 2026 will be the year when major tradefi leaders, like asset manager BlackRock and stock exchanges Nasdaq and NYSE, begin to push for settlements and tokenized assets on the blockchain. Sun wants to position TRON as the settlement layer for that shift.

In an interview on January 29, Sun said TRON could support trillions of dollars in on-chain settlement as early as 2026. “Our focus is to support stablecoins, issuers, and developers with low fees and high throughput, and to keep upgrading the network so it can handle much larger settlement volumes in the future,” he said.

Stablecoin powers TRON’s trillion-dollar vision

For Sun, the signal of TRON’s relevance is not its native token TRX, but the scale of value moving across the network. USDT circulating on TRON has surpassed $83 billion, far exceeding the market value of TRX itself.

The network is built as a neutral infrastructure, prioritizing throughput, low fees, and reliability, while allowing applications and stablecoins to capture most of the economic value. This design has turned it into one of the most widely used settlement networks, especially for remittances and high-frequency stablecoin transfers.

A bid to become a global settlement layer

Looking ahead, TRON aims to serve as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain-based settlement. Sun said the network plans to work with major financial institutions and market infrastructure providers, including exchanges and asset managers, to support 24/7 settlement of tokenized dollars and securities.

If assets are to be traded and settled continuously across regions, from Asia to Africa, blockchain rails become unavoidable. In Justin’s view, stablecoins will be central to the transition, and TRON aims to be the network processing this flow.

Scaling for institutional volumes

To support that vision, TRON developers are exploring transaction batching and settlement-layer upgrades aimed at handling institutional-scale volumes more efficiently. Sun said these changes are critical if the network is to support millions of high-value transactions daily without sacrificing speed or cost.

TRON already processes an estimated tens of billions of dollars in daily transfer value, and the founder framed upcoming improvements as preparation for a much larger load rather than speculative growth.

Earlier this week, the network surpassed 4.59 million active accounts, marking a 36% increase month over month. The surge has been driven largely by the firm’s token dominance in USDT settlement and its recent Base integration, even as TRX price action remains under pressure.

High usage, muted price response

Despite growing activity, TRX has struggled to reflect that adoption. The token is trading near $0.29, down on the week, even as daily active accounts and transaction counts continue to rise.

Analysts say TRON’s fee model limits direct TRX demand, pushing growth toward stablecoin activity rather than price appreciation.

Sun acknowledged the gap but maintained that infrastructure-first growth is deliberate. Previous decisions, like cutting network fees by 60% in 2025, were framed as long-term investments in usage rather than short-term revenue optimization.

The founder also said Tron’s long-term ambition is to become a global settlement layer capable of hosting trillions of dollars in real-world financial assets, aligning with initiatives already being explored by major institutions like Nasdaq. 

According to him, traditional stock exchanges are moving toward 24/7, on-chain settlement infrastructure, and TRON aims to position itself as the blockchain network that can support that scale.

Also read: Hyperliquid Slashes Team Payouts 98% to Protect HYPE Floor

Nubank, one of Brazil’s most valuable companies, received conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to form a U.S. national bank. The approval, announced on Thursday, marks a major step that could expand its role in digital asset custody and crypto-adjacent services.

The move positions fintech to operate directly under U.S. federal oversight rather than relying on partnerships as it scales its presence in the world’s largest financial market.

A regulatory gateway to digital assets

Once fully licensed, Nubank would be able to fill other licenses to offer digital asset custody alongside deposits, cards, and lending. This would place the firm among a small group of federally regulated institutions capable of combining traditional banking with crypto infrastructure in the U.S., a space regulators have historically treated with caution.

The approval remains conditional, with additional sign-offs required from the FDIC and the Federal Reserve. Nubank said it expects to capitalize the bank within 12 months and open it within 18 months, following standard OCC requirements.

US expansion and crypto footprint

The conditional approval strengthens Nubank’s presence in the U.S., where Nu Holdings Ltd. (NU) is already listed on Nasdaq. Shares are trading at $18.02, down 3.92%, as the fintech moves closer to operating under a full federal banking framework.

In 2025, Nubank hired Michael Rihani, formerly of Coinbase, to lead its crypto division. Together, the Nasdaq listing, bank approval, and crypto hires signal a push to expand regulated digital asset services in the U.S.

Institutional strategy over partnerships

By pursuing a full national bank charter, Nubank is opting for direct regulatory alignment instead of operating crypto services through intermediaries. This approach strengthens its credibility with regulators and institutional partners while giving it more control over products such as custody, payments, and potentially tokenized financial services.

Company executives have framed the decision as a long-term infrastructure play rather than a short-term expansion, signaling a focus on compliance-first growth in the U.S.

“When we started over a decade ago, our goal was to prove that technology and design could fundamentally change how people interact with their money. Today, this conditional approval validates our ability to scale that mission into the world’s largest financial market under a comprehensive federal framework,” said David Vélez, Founder and CEO of Nubank.

Global scale behind the US push

Nubank currently serves more than 127 million customers across Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, where it already operates under strict local regulation. Its U.S. entry builds on that foundation, potentially allowing crypto-related products developed under a federal framework to scale across multiple markets over time.

The strategy also follows recent crypto-focused hires and product expansions, reinforcing the view that Nubank is laying groundwork for deeper digital asset integration rather than treating crypto as a peripheral feature.

Also read: US DOJ Forfeits $400M from Dark Web’s Biggest Cryptocurrency Mixer

Midnight Foundation, a privacy-enhancing blockchain, and Spacecoin, a decentralized satellite internet provider, are partnering to push private communication beyond the reach of traditional censorship into orbit. The collaboration focuses on developing peer-to-peer communication that operates over low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, reducing dependence on centralized internet providers while preserving user privacy at multiple layers of the stack.

According to the announcement, Spacecoin’s satellite network coordinated through blockchain-based infrastructure will provide the connectivity layer, while Midnight’s zero-knowledge (ZK) privacy framework will protect message content, user identities, locations, and communication patterns.

Midnight 🤝 @spacecoin

We’re excited to announce we're partnering with Spacecoin to explore a privacy-enhancing, peer-to-peer messaging platform built on decentralized satellite infrastructure.

By combining Spacecoin’s low-Earth orbit satellite infrastructure and… https://t.co/FXCAMSvnKr pic.twitter.com/CWSegLSQve

— Midnight (@MidnightNtwrk) January 29, 2026

Unlike traditional encrypted messaging apps that still rely on centralized servers, the proposed system aims to eliminate single points of control that can be censored, monitored, or shut down.

Cutting the Earth-bound “kill switch”

Internet shutdowns in countries like Uganda and Iran have shown how quickly governments can silence digital communication by pulling centralized levers. Spacecoin’s decentralized satellite network is designed to route data without relying on national gateways, keeping connectivity alive even during nationwide blackouts.

Because the network is coordinated through blockchain logic rather than a single operator, there is no obvious choke point to subpoena or shut down.

Privacy without metadata trails

Most “secure” messaging apps still leak who you talk to, when, and from where. Midnight’s zero-knowledge system tackles that gap directly. Users can prove they are authorized to send or receive messages without revealing phone numbers, IP addresses, or physical coordinates to the network itself.

“Privacy is not a feature or a privilege — it is a fundamental human right. To protect this right, we need to think beyond the application layer. If the underlying infrastructure itself is exploitable, true privacy does not exist,” said Fahmi Syed, President of the Midnight Foundation.

That approach turns privacy into a default property of the system rather than a promise made by a service provider.

Direct-to-device, no servers required

Unlike satellite internet services that depend on proprietary dishes, Spacecoin is exploring direct smartphone connectivity using 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) standards. When paired with Midnight’s serverless architecture, the result is a communication layer with no central servers to seize, monitor, or quietly compromise.

The goal is resilience by design: fewer trust assumptions, fewer intermediaries, and fewer points of failure.

Recently, Spacecoin partnered with World Liberty Financial to use satellites for decentralized finance, expanding access to the internet and financial services. The company has launched three satellites to provide internet access without relying on traditional providers.

The announcement arrives amid volatility for both projects’ tokens. NIGHT is trading near $0.054, down about 4.8% on the week, while SPACE fell sharply to $0.011 over the same period despite elevated trading volume.

The partnership itself is still exploratory, but it signals a longer-term bet: pushing privacy beyond apps and into sovereign, censorship-resistant infrastructure.

Also read: AVAX Retests $11 Support, Can It Bounce Back to $13?

Hyperliquid, a decentralized exchange, is sharply reducing near-term token supply as it moves to protect HYPE’s price floor following a rapid rally. A message shared by a team member on Discord this week shows that only 140,400 HYPE will be unstaked and distributed to team members on February 6, marking a drop from prior months.

Initial projections had pointed to roughly 9 million HYPE per month entering circulation, a level that analysts warned could overwhelm spot demand. January’s distribution was already cut to 1.2 million tokens, making February’s payout an additional 88% drop month-over-month.

WTF lmao

Initially it was supposed to be 9M $HYPE ($290M) each month.

Then it was reduced to 1.2M $HYPE ($38.7M) the following month.

And now it’s down to 140k $HYPE ($4.5M) this month.

What a goated team.

Hyperliquid. pic.twitter.com/tjBEEuEkDU

— Alex (@alex_hunter20) January 29, 2026

Zero-VC structure enables unilateral supply control

Unlike many derivatives platforms, Hyperliquid launched without venture capital backing. This gives the core team the ability to alter or cancel vesting schedules without negotiating with external investors.

This supply move lands in a market where most HYPE is already constrained. Data from DeFiLlama shows roughly 59.25% of the token supply is locked, with only 40.75% circulating, meaning the team’s decision further tightens an already limited float.

In this context, cutting distributions doesn’t just reduce emissions, it amplifies the supply squeeze underpinning Hyperliquid’s current price structure. By doing so, the team is effectively absorbing short-term opportunity costs to avoid introducing heavy sell pressure during a sensitive phase of price discovery.

Liquidity tightens as demand accelerates

The timing of the cut aligns closely with a rise in activity across Hyperliquid’s markets. Open interest has climbed toward $790 million, while trading volumes have surged alongside the rollout of HIP-3 perpetuals, including traditional assets such as gold and silver.

Reducing token emissions as leverage and participation increase creates a deliberate supply-demand imbalance. With fewer tokens entering circulation, incremental demand has a greater impact on price, reinforcing upward momentum rather than diluting it.

A signal of long-term alignment

At current prices, the change means the team is passing on what would have been massive monthly payouts. Instead of relying on token unlocks, Hyperliquid is leaning on protocol revenue, estimated at around $844 million in 2025, to keep things running.

According to CoinMarketCap, HYPE is trading around $33.69 after a sharp 58% weekly rally, pushing its market capitalization to roughly $10.2 billion. Trading volume remains elevated near $757 million over 24 hours, reflecting heavy positioning even as activity cooled slightly day over day.

The priority is clear. Rather than cashing out early, the team is choosing to limit supply and avoid putting extra pressure on the market. It’s a different approach from many 2024 launches, where heavy unlocks quickly weighed on price. For now, Hyperliquid is signaling that protecting HYPE’s market structure comes first.

Also read: Crypto Trader Makes $2M in 24 Hours on Hyperliquid Amid HYPE Rally

Multiplifi, the DeFi protocol, has seen its total value locked (TVL) surge to nearly $187 million this week after a single large on-chain inflow reshaped the protocol’s balance sheet almost overnight. The jump occurred as tokenized real-world assets were moved into the platform, following Multiplifi’s integration with Centrifuge and the launch of rwaUSD, rather than through steady user deposits.

The timing suggests a pipeline deployment of institutional assets, marking a deliberate shift in how capital is entering the protocol.

RWAUSD emerges as the largest TVL component

Token composition data shows that roughly 67% of Multiplifi’s TVL is now concentrated in rwaUSD, a stablecoin backed 1:1 by short-term U.S. Treasuries, dollar deposits, and cash equivalents. The asset is issued by BitGo, with branding and ecosystem services provided by World Liberty Financial.

The rwaUSD has grown fast. In the past 30 days, its market cap reached $4.93 billion, while monthly transfer volume jumped above $32 billion. Active addresses nearly doubled in the same period, reinforcing that the capital flowing into Multiplifi is operational liquidity rather than idle TVL.

Speculative chatter is happening on social media that the TVL surge stems from its strategic shift toward infrastructure-focused partnerships rather than traditional farming. Users point to the newly launched $50M RWA-backed stablecoin vault, a collaboration with AFI Protocol on Base, as the likely catalyst for this massive liquidity influx.

Seems this was the reason @multiplifi TVL surged soo much.

Thinking multiplifi would do more partnerships like this. Infra as opposed to the normal stablefarms we know.

Also today is the last day to sell your crystals. So sell now if you have thoughts of selling.

gMultipli https://t.co/9xGR1NVtpN pic.twitter.com/XoMviOnjqT

— Jux (@Jameel69420) January 28, 2026

RWA momentum extends beyond one protocol

Multiplifi’s partnership with Centrifuge brings tokenized AAA CLO exposure, including JAAA, alongside tokenized equity and Treasury instruments into a unified collateral framework. Instead of farming incentives, the protocol positions itself as infrastructure: enabling yield on tokenized stocks, borrowing against them, and turning RWAs into productive balance-sheet assets.

The surge comes amid broader expansion in tokenized real-world assets. Over the past 30 days, total on-chain RWA value climbed to $24.02 billion, with asset holders up more than 34%, according to RWA.xyz. Tokenized Treasuries, private credit, and equities are increasingly being treated as long-duration infrastructure flows rather than speculative DeFi rotations.

Solana’s real-world asset (RWA) ecosystem has crossed $1 billion in on-chain value, marking a key milestone for tokenized finance on public blockchains. The growth is coming from tokenized Treasury funds and yield products, which tend to be longer-term and help keep on-chain activity steady even as markets cool.

In that context, Multiplifi’s TVL jump looks less like a one-off anomaly and more like a preview. As large RWA pipelines move on-chain, growth may arrive in blocks—not drips—reshaping how TVL should be interpreted across DeFi.

Also read: Ethereum To Rollout ERC-8004 On Mainnet To Empower AI Agents

Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are stalling near $89,000 and $2,900 as institutional capital continues to exit the market. Both assets remain capped by key resistance levels, with price stability masking a broader shift toward risk reduction.

Between January 19 and 23, roughly $1.8 billion flowed out of U.S. crypto ETFs, the largest weekly outflow since late 2025. At the same time, on-chain data shows rising exchange inflows, increasing realized losses, and falling derivatives leverage, pointing to a market moving decisively from profit-taking into active de-risking.

A market stabilizing, not recovering

Bitcoin’s slide toward $89,782 reflects sustained selling pressure. Repeated failures in the $90,000–$93,000 range confirm that demand has not been strong enough to reclaim higher ground.

From its October 2025 all-time high (ATH) of approximately $125,000, BTC has seen a significant drop of 30%. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is currently sitting at 46.56, indicating a neutral-to-bearish momentum that lacks the “oversold” signal needed for a sharp reversal.

On the other hand, Ethereum is hovering near $3,000, but failing to reclaim the $3,300 area that would signal real momentum returning.

Ethereum is down about 42% from its ATH near $4,800. Its Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 46.34 confirms a similar lack of buying pressure at these local resistance zones.

Both assets are now sitting in a “dead zone” where buyers are present, but not aggressive, and sellers don’t need to do much to keep the lid on.

Technically, momentum has cooled. The RSIs of BTC and ETH read neutral-to-soft rather than “washed out.” Markets typically need either fresh demand or true exhaustion selling to reverse cleanly. Right now, neither is obvious.

The ceiling is technical, and the pressure is flow

The $1.8 billion weekly outflow from U.S. ETFs suggests institutions aren’t simply trimming profits. They are reducing risk exposure into strength and using liquidity windows to exit.

That’s a classic “loss-realization” phase: prices can stop falling fast, but money is still walking out the door.

Despite the recent weekly crash, 2026 started on a high note for Ethereum, which reached $11 billion in YTD inflows by mid-January, outperforming Bitcoin on a proportional basis relative to assets under management.

Stabilization after tough Q4, but momentum still lags

Bitcoin has started 2026 on a steadier footing after a brutal end to last year. Following sharp losses in November and December, BTC is up about 2% in January, signaling stabilization rather than a rebound.

While Bitcoin remains roughly 30% below its late-2025 peak near $128,000, year-to-date inflows of around $678 million suggest institutional support is still stronger than in prior bear markets.

Ethereum is seeing a similar, weaker recovery. After a 28% drop in Q4 2025, ETH is up just 0.9% in January, with choppy price action and about $630 million in recent weekly outflows. The market continues to struggle to reclaim the $3,000 level.

Despite being roughly 42% off its highs, Ethereum pulled in about $12.6 billion of inflows over 2025, pointing to lingering institutional interest, just not enough yet to drive a sustained breakout.

ETF flows turn risk-off in January

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs reversed sharply in January, posting about $1.33 billion in net outflows for the week ending January 23, the worst since early 2025 and a sharp flip from the prior week’s inflows. The sell-off peaked on January 21 with a $709 million single-day redemption, signaling broad institutional de-risking.

BlackRock’s IBIT showed late-month resilience with a $15.9 million inflow on January 26 and still leads with $63.4 billion in cumulative inflows. Meanwhile, Fidelity’s FBTC and Grayscale’s GBTC saw the heaviest exits, highlighting how ETF demand remains fragile as Bitcoin trades below key resistance.

Ethereum spot ETFs followed Bitcoin into risk-off mode, logging $611 million in net outflows for the week of January 19–23. The pullback erased much of January’s early gains after a $229.9 million single-day redemption on January 20, underscoring choppy institutional positioning around current price levels.

BlackRock’s ETHA led withdrawals with $432 million exiting over the week, though it still holds $12.4 billion in cumulative inflows. Fidelity’s FETH and Grayscale’s ETHE also saw steady redemptions, while Grayscale’s mini ETH product was a rare bright spot. Despite the volatility, total ETH ETF AUM sits near $18.1 billion, suggesting long-term institutional interest remains intact even as short-term risk is trimmed.

What would change the setup

Bitcoin and Ethereum are no longer just consolidating; they are being stress-tested. With BTC pinned near $89,000 and ETH struggling around $2,900, both assets remain trapped beneath heavy resistance as institutional flows turn decisively defensive.

The $1.8 billion pulled from U.S. crypto ETFs in a single week signals a shift from passive profit-taking to active risk reduction, marking a broader loss-realization phase. Until flows stabilize and these core ceilings are reclaimed, rallies are likely to fade quickly, leaving the market in a fragile balance between consolidation and deeper downside.

Also read: Ethereum Stakers Wait 61 Days for 2.8% Yield: Why Demand Is Rising

The 1inch Network token (1INCH) dropped nearly 20% this week after on-chain data showed an investor’s wallet liquidating its remaining vested tokens in a single $14M transaction. The sale hit thin liquidity on Ethereum markets, sparking panic selling that erased close to $40 million in market value.

The move came despite a public statement from 1inch denying that any tokens were sold by the team, treasury, or wallets under its control.

Vesting wallet exit, not random volatility

Blockchain data shows the selling address had previously received around 15 million 1INCH tokens through early team or investor vesting. Over time, portions of that allocation had already been distributed. This week’s transaction marked a full exit of the remaining balance.

While the wallet is not controlled by the 1inch team, its history ties it directly to early allocations, making the sell-off look less like market noise and more like a delayed vesting unwind finally hitting thin liquidity. 

Thin liquidity meant one large exit quickly snowballed into fear-driven selling, pushing the price down far more than the initial sale alone would suggest.

1inch denies team involvement

In response to speculation, 1inch stated that the sell-off did not come from team wallets, treasury multisigs, or any entities it controls. The project stressed that third-party holders trade independently and are outside its reach.

Statement

With respect to yesterday’s activity, no 1INCH was sold from wallets controlled by 1inch entities or our team, or our treasury multisigs. We do not control third-party holdings or their trading decisions.

Our mission and vision remain unchanged. It is that focus which…

— 1inch (@1inch) January 28, 2026

The team also said nothing has changed internally. The roadmap is intact, operations are ongoing, and the team plans to revisit parts of its tokenomics later this year to make the system more resilient when liquidity thins out.

Market reaction overshadows fundamentals

At the time of writing, 1INCH was hovering around $0.116, down around 20% from recent highs, even though nothing broke. The decline occurred without any exploit, outage, or partnership fallout.

Throughout 2025, 1INCH steadily slid, ending the year down nearly 64%. The decline reflected ongoing vesting pressure and fading demand for DeFi governance tokens, with the latest sell-off accelerating an already established trend.

The weakness in price has persisted even as 1inch continued shipping new integrations. In mid-2025, the protocol added support for Uniswap’s Unichain, expanding swap routing and MEV protection and extending its developer tooling.

While 1inch framed the incident as unrelated to internal activity, the on-chain evidence tells a narrower story. In this case, the sell-off was driven by an early investor having a large amount of tokens vested in the project, which raised concerns for the community and traders.

Also read: 4.5 Million Users, Zero Price Growth: What’s Wrong With Tron?

Ripple, a U.S.-based enterprise blockchain developer, has unveiled Ripple Treasury, which is powered by its recently acquired GTreasury platform, marking a strategic push into the $120 trillion global corporate treasury market.

The launch, announced on Wednesday, positions the blockchain infrastructure firm to target Fortune 500 finance teams worldwide. The firm aims to modernize how companies manage, move, and deploy liquidity by replacing slow, bank-centric systems with real-time, blockchain-based infrastructure.

Today, we're proud to introduce Ripple Treasury, Powered by GTreasury: the world's first comprehensive treasury platform combining 40 years of proven enterprise expertise with cutting-edge digital asset infrastructure.

Many finance teams are stuck managing growing complexity… pic.twitter.com/4scNUggARS

— GTreasury (@GTreasury) January 27, 2026

A calculated strike at idle capital

At the core of Ripple’s strategy is how hundreds of billions of dollars sit idle every day inside corporate balance sheets, trapped by slow settlement cycles, pre-funding requirements, and fragmented banking infrastructure. Ripple estimates that around $700 billion in corporate capital remains effectively stagnant, not because companies want it that way, but because legacy systems leave them few alternatives.

By absorbing GTreasury and rolling out Ripple Treasury as a unified platform, Ripple is positioning itself as an operating system for CFOs, one that spans traditional cash, digital assets, and real-time liquidity management under a single roof.

What Ripple Treasury changes for users

Ripple Treasury shifts treasury operations from fragmented systems to a single, always-on platform. By merging GTreasury’s enterprise tooling with Ripple’s blockchain rails, finance teams gain real-time visibility across cash, FX exposure, payments, and digital assets, without being limited by banking hours or geography.

For day-to-day operations, the most significant changes are speed and control, according to the official release. Cross-border payments settle in seconds instead of days, FX risk is compressed to near-zero during transfers, and companies no longer need to pre-fund overseas accounts just to keep vendors paid on time. In practice, users gain:

• One view across fiat, stablecoins, and tokenized assets
• 24/7 settlement and liquidity, including weekends
• Reduced FX exposure and faster vendor payments
• Yield generation on cash that previously sat idle

The result is a treasury stack designed to operate at internet speed rather than traditional banking speed.

Beyond cross-border payments

Ripple’s purchase of GTreasury marks its third major acquisition in 2025, following deals for Hidden Road and the stablecoin platform Rail. Together, these moves signal a shift beyond bank-focused payments toward a broader role as a full-stack financial infrastructure provider for large enterprises.

If successful, Ripple Treasury could reshape how Fortune 500 companies manage cash, turning treasury from a back-office safeguard into an active tool for unlocking and deploying capital.

For Ripple, the goal is to modernize how corporations move and deploy money, and the rest of enterprise finance will follow.

Also read: Ripple Enters Saudi Banking Sandbox With Riyad Bank’s Jeel

Trump family-backed Bitcoin mining firm American Bitcoin Corp. (ABTC) expanded its Bitcoin reserves to roughly 5,843 BTC, according to a treasury update released this week. The move reflects a broader accumulation trend led by firms like Strategy Inc and includes purchases made through January 25, 2026, following the company’s most recent Bitcoin buy earlier this month.

In an X post on Wednesday, Eric Trump praised the company’s accumulation strategy, writing, “​​$ABTC is leading the charge, building America’s Bitcoin infrastructure faster than anyone.”

In 4 months and 22 days since our public debut on NASDAQ, American Bitcoin Corp (@ABTC) has sprinted past company after company:

30. DeFi Technologies — 2,452 BTC (passed September 2, 2025)

29. The Smarter Web Company PLC — 2,674 BTC (passed September 8, 2025)

28. Capital B —… pic.twitter.com/CHxT3eQ2T1

— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) January 27, 2026

ABTC treasury growth and BTC yield

American Bitcoin said its BTC yield reached about 116% since its Nasdaq debut. The figure is based on the company’s Satoshis Per Share metric, which shows how much Bitcoin backs each outstanding share.

As of late January, SPS climbed to 586 satoshis per share, up sharply from levels recorded at listing. The steady increase reflects a combination of direct Bitcoin purchases and operational gains rather than short-term trading activity.

Market reaction

Shares of American Bitcoin Corp. traded higher following the disclosure, rising 5.8% after reports of the January 25 reserve increase. The move extended a period of elevated volatility, as investors continue to price ABTC largely as a proxy for Bitcoin exposure.

Even after the recent pop, the shares are still far from past highs, underscoring how ABTC’s price moves tend to mirror crypto market sentiment more than classic stock fundamentals.

The same sharp jump happens every Monday when Strategy CEO Michael Saylor announces new BTC purchases. Yesterday, the notice seemed to drive prices 2.1% up.

The update follows American Bitcoin’s shift after its September 2025 Nasdaq listing, when it leaned fully into a Bitcoin treasury model and began judging progress by how much BTC backs each share, rather than by traditional operating metrics.

A smaller stack, a similar playbook

With roughly 5,843 BTC on its balance sheet, American Bitcoin now sits around 18th among public Bitcoin holders, according to BitcoinTreasuries. Its market cap hovers near $1 billion, putting it in the mid-cap tier of Bitcoin treasury companies. That scale is modest compared to the giants on the top 3 holders, but the strategy is familiar.

Just yesterday, Strategy Inc. added 2,932 BTC for about $264 million, pushing its total holdings to 712,647 BTC, or roughly 3.4% of Bitcoin’s fixed supply. Strategy’s approach is relentless and mechanical: constant capital recycling, steady equity issuance, and zero concern for short-term price moves.

American Bitcoin is playing the same game, just on a very different board. Where Strategy leverages massive access to capital markets, American Bitcoin is focused on incremental accumulation and growing Bitcoin per share as its core.

Also read: BlackRock Files for iShares Bitcoin Premium Income ETF

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have rescheduled their upcoming joint crypto policy event, pushing it back by two days as regulators continue efforts to align oversight of digital assets.

According to a notice posted today, the event, titled “SEC–CFTC Harmonization: U.S. Financial Leadership in the Crypto Era”, will now take place on Thursday, January 29, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET at CFTC headquarters in Washington, D.C. The session will remain open to the public and livestreamed online.

EVENT UPDATE 🚨: Our upcoming harmonization event with the @CFTC has been rescheduled to this THURSDAY, January 29, at 2:00 PM ET.

Please register in advance for in-person attendance or tune in to our livestream at the link below. https://t.co/EIEvAdJanb

— U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (@SECGov) January 26, 2026

What the event is about

The meeting will be led by SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and CFTC Chairman Michael Selig, with a fireside chat moderated by crypto journalist Eleanor Terrett.

At its core, the discussion is meant to address one of the crypto industry’s longest-running problems in the U.S.: unclear and overlapping jurisdiction between securities and commodities regulators. By appearing together, Atkins and Selig aim to signal tighter coordination and a shift away from fragmented oversight.

The rescheduling does not change the substance of the event, but it comes as lawmakers and regulators move more quickly on digital asset policy. A revised crypto market structure bill is already circulating in Congress, and both agencies have framed harmonization as essential to keeping innovation, and capital, inside the United States.

The event also aligns with President Donald Trump’s stated goal of positioning the U.S. as the global “crypto capital,” a theme both chairs have referenced repeatedly since taking office.

Selig’s role in pushing coordination

Selig, confirmed as CFTC chairman in December, has made regulatory clarity for crypto a central priority of his tenure. With prior experience inside the SEC, he is widely seen as a bridge between the two agencies, particularly on questions like when a digital asset should be treated as a security versus a commodity.

That background has fueled expectations that the SEC–CFTC relationship could shift from turf disputes toward a more unified federal framework.

While the delay itself is minor, the substance of the conversation is not. Market participants will be listening closely for concrete signals on how responsibilities could be divided, how enforcement may change, and whether harmonization will translate into clearer rules rather than continued case-by-case action.

For now, the message from regulators is that coordination remains on track, even if the calendar moved.

Also read: SEC Abandons Gemini Lawsuit: 100% Crypto Recovery Ends Legal Battle

Kraken has rolled out a new DeFi Earn integration that lets users tap on-chain yield opportunities directly from the exchange interface, removing many of the technical hurdles that have kept decentralized finance niche.

Announced today, the update connects Kraken’s DeFi Earn product with curated vaults from Sentora that allocate capital into lending strategies built on Morpho. The system is powered by infrastructure from Veda and overseen by risk teams including Chaos Labs.

The result is a product that promises up to 8% APY while keeping everything inside Kraken’s familiar app experience.

We’re making DeFi rewards simple.

Meet DeFi Earn, powered by @Veda_labs, @SentoraHQ and @ChaosLabs.

Earn up to 8% APY on your assets all within the Kraken app experience you already know & trust.

No complicated setup. No technical steps. Just start earning ⤵️… pic.twitter.com/qD9UnwYkus

— Kraken (@krakenfx) January 26, 2026

How DeFi Earn works

With DeFi Earn, users deposit cash or stablecoins, which are converted to USDC and routed automatically into professionally managed on-chain vaults. These vaults supply liquidity to lending protocols such as Morpho and Aave, collecting interest from borrowers and passing returns back to users.

Kraken makes sure everything runs in the background, with balances and rewards updating in real time, and withdrawals usually available quickly as long as liquidity is there. The crypto exchange is clear that DeFi Earn is not a regulated financial product. Yields are variable, not guaranteed, and depend on market demand across lending venues.

Why Morpho matters

Morpho has emerged as one of DeFi’s most capital-efficient lending layers, optimizing how liquidity is matched between lenders and borrowers. By routing funds through Morpho-based strategies, Kraken gains exposure to on-chain yields that are driven by real borrowing activity rather than token incentives.

Morpho gained roughly 8% in the past 24 hours, with trading volume surging over 80% as interest in DeFi lending picked up, according to CoinMarketCap.

For Sentora and its risk managers, the focus is on active allocation—shifting liquidity to where demand is strongest while managing downside risk during volatile periods.

CeFi convenience meets DeFi yield

The integration reflects a broader strategy by Kraken to lower the barrier between centralized platforms and decentralized markets. Rather than asking users to choose between custody and yield, Kraken is trying to merge both.

It also fits with the exchange’s wider push up the value stack, from launching VIP services for high-net-worth clients to expanding lending, staking, and now DeFi yield under one roof.

Kraken’s DeFi Earn launch shows how major exchanges are repositioning themselves as gateways, not just trading venues. As on-chain lending matures, the competitive edge may shift toward who can package those returns in the simplest, safest way.

For users, the appeal is obvious: DeFi-native yields, minus the complexity. For Kraken, it’s another step toward making on-chain finance feel like a default feature rather than a specialist tool.

Also read: Kraken-Backed SPAC Heads to Nasdaq With $250M IPO Plan

Consensys, a blockchain software company has acquired MEV Blocker RPC through its Special Mechanisms Group (SMG), bringing one of Ethereum’s most widely adopted MEV protection tools directly into its ecosystem. The acquisition was announced on January 26 and marks a strategic step to expand user-aligned transaction execution across the network.

MEV Blocker, originally developed alongside CoW DAO, is designed to prevent harmful forms of maximal extractable value (MEV) such as frontrunning and sandwich attacks. Instead, it routes transactions through transparent backrunning auctions that aim to return value to users rather than intermediaries.

CoW DAO is passing the torch for MEV Blocker to the Special Mechanisms Group (SMG) at @Consensys.

From protecting 4.5M+ users to returning 6,177 ETH in rebates, MEV Blocker set the standard for RPC user-searchers-builder aligned transactions.

We’re thrilled to hand the reins to…

— CoW DAO (@CoWSwap) January 26, 2026

Why MEV Blocker matters

Since launch, MEV Blocker has been used by more than 4.5 million unique wallets and has distributed roughly 6,177 ETH in rebates, according to Consensys. Benchmark studies have also shown it delivers faster transaction inclusion compared with public mempool routing, helping users avoid exploitative execution while maintaining speed.

By absorbing MEV Blocker, SMG takes ownership of infrastructure that already operates at scale. SMG is Consensys’ internal mechanism design unit, focused on building censorship-resistant and economically aligned systems across Ethereum.

“MEV Blocker set the standard for user-aligned MEV protection,” said Wanyi Dai Li, head of SMG, adding that the acquisition allows the team to push transparent backrunning auctions further across the ecosystem.

Transition from CoW DAO

CoW DAO, which pioneered MEV-protected decentralized trading through CoW Protocol and CoW Swap, said it will support the transition to ensure continuity for users. While MEV Blocker moves under Consensys’ umbrella, CoW DAO plans to remain focused on scaling MEV protection directly at the DEX and protocol level.

Anna George, co-founder of CoW DAO, said SMG was selected for its technical depth and alignment with MEV Blocker’s original mission, emphasizing that stewardship mattered as much as scale.

Consensus eyes for an IPO

The move comes as Consensys accelerates a broader growth push. The company behind MetaMask, Infura, and Linea has been expanding across wallets, infrastructure, and Layer 2 scaling, while also laying the groundwork for a potential IPO reportedly backed by JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs.

With regulatory pressure easing and institutional interest returning to Ethereum infrastructure, folding MEV Blocker into SMG positions Consensys to offer deeper execution guarantees at the RPC layer, an increasingly critical battleground as on-chain activity grows more competitive.

What comes next

Under SMG, MEV Blocker is expected to remain operational while being expanded to reach a broader share of Ethereum users and builders. The long-term goal, Consensys said, is to make fair execution the default rather than an opt-in feature.

As MEV concerns shift from niche research topic to mainstream user issue, the acquisition signals that execution quality, and who benefits from it, is becoming core infrastructure, not an afterthought.

Also read: Polygon Labs Acquires Coinme and Sequence to Launch Open Money Stack

The first Avalanche exchange-traded fund began trading on Nasdaq on Friday, as asset manager VanEck launched the VanEck Avalanche ETF to give investors regulated exposure to AVAX. The fund, listed under the ticker $VAVX, tracks the price of Avalanche’s native token and reflects a broader push by institutions to access crypto infrastructure through familiar market vehicles rather than holding tokens directly.

The debut places Avalanche alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum in the expanding universe of crypto-linked ETFs, reflecting a market increasingly willing to look beyond the two largest digital assets.

The first-ever AVAX ETF is now tradable on @Nasdaq.

Introducing $VAVX from @vaneck_us. pic.twitter.com/CwfzDTefaL

— Avalanche🔺 (@avax) January 26, 2026

What the VAVX ETF offers

VAVX is designed to track the price of AVAX while incorporating staking activity into the fund’s net asset value. As of January 23, the ETF reported net assets of roughly $2.5 million and a gross staking yield of about 5.6%, with rewards and costs reflected directly in performance rather than paid out separately.

Shares opened near $24.58 before easing slightly lower in early trading, highlighting the volatility that still characterizes crypto-linked products, even as they move deeper into regulated venues.

Why Avalanche, and why now

Avalanche has spent years pitching itself as a blockchain built for institutions, with a focus on scale, custom networks, and real financial use cases. For firms like VanEck, that story lines up with investors who want exposure to blockchain infrastructure, not just another speculative trade.

The ETF format makes that bet easier to place, letting investors track AVAX through a familiar product without dealing with wallets, custody, or the mechanics of staking themselves.

VAVX isn’t set up like a typical stock ETF. It operates as a grantor trust and sits outside the Investment Company Act of 1940, with cash-only creations and redemptions that mirror the structure regulators have favored for recent crypto products.

To help kickstart trading activity, VanEck is also waiving sponsor fees on early assets, a familiar playbook designed to draw in initial capital and build liquidity.

A broader shift in crypto ETFs

The debut lands at a moment when crypto ETFs are starting to feel less exotic. Nasdaq is already pushing to ease options limits on Bitcoin and Ethereum funds, a sign that regulators and exchanges are getting more comfortable with these products.

In that context, Avalanche’s ETF arrival sends a clear message: institutional crypto exposure is beginning to stretch beyond just Bitcoin and Ether.

VAVX’s first trading session may have been quiet, but the milestone itself carries far more weight than the early volume suggests. 

By bringing Avalanche into an ETF format on Nasdaq, VanEck is testing how far investor appetite extends beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, and whether the next phase of crypto adoption will be built on broader blockchain infrastructure rather than single-asset bets.

Also read: Japan May Allow Crypto ETFs by 2028 as Global Markets Move Ahead

World Liberty Financial’s USD1 stablecoin has overtaken PayPal’s PYUSD by market cap, marking a notable shift in the stablecoin landscape. In an X post on Friday, Eric Trump highlighted the milestone, framing the growth as part of a broader push to build a global digital dollar infrastructure.

According to CoinMarketCap data, USD1’s market capitalization climbed to roughly $4.09 billion, surpassing PYUSD’s $3.7 billion, while trading volume surged sharply over the past 24 hours.

A major milestone for USD1. We are now larger than PayPal’s digital dollar (PYUSD) and growing into one of the most significant digital dollar platforms in the world.

This isn’t just about crypto. It’s about building the future of global money.

The shift is happening.… pic.twitter.com/j26JlP5kKU

— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) January 23, 2026

A rapid climb powered by utility, not branding

USD1’s growth hasn’t been accidental. World Liberty Financial recently added real on-chain utility by launching lending and borrowing markets with Dolomite, letting users earn yield or borrow directly inside the USD1 ecosystem.

That functionality is showing up in the data. USD1’s 24-hour volume has surged past $6.1 billion, dwarfing PYUSD’s roughly $171 million and pointing to active use across exchanges and DeFi, not just idle balances.

Exchange incentives add fuel

Momentum picked up after Binance launched a $40 million WLFI rewards campaign for users holding USD1 across spot, margin, and futures. Weekly airdrops turned simple balances into yield-like positions, boosting liquidity and keeping capital parked during the program.

History shows this kind of exchange-led push can scale a stablecoin fast, especially when it’s paired with real DeFi uses that give holders a reason to stay put.

How USD1 pulled ahead of PYUSD

PYUSD launched with strong brand recognition and direct access to PayPal’s payment rails. On-chain, though, it has moved carefully, with fewer DeFi integrations and slower turnover.

USD1 took the opposite route, pushing hard into DeFi, exchange campaigns, and yield-driven liquidity. That approach appears to be clicking with traders and yield hunters, even as the regulatory picture around stablecoins continues to shift.

Bigger implications for the stablecoin market

The shift highlights how the stablecoin race is changing. Name recognition matters less than real usage, yield, and where a token actually works across trading and DeFi.

PYUSD is holding close to its dollar peg at $0.9995, with a market value around $3.7 billion and daily trading volume near $171 million. The numbers suggest steady demand, but far less on-chain activity than faster-growing, incentive-heavy rivals. If USD1 can keep liquidity once incentives cool and keep building everyday utility, it may stick as more than a quick challenger.

Also Read: Ripple’s Stablecoin Is Now Live on Binance for Trading

Crypto investigator ZachXBT exposed a network of crypto wallets allegedly holding stolen funds this week after tracing transactions tied to U.S. government seizure addresses across Ethereum and Tron.

The findings emerged after leaked recordings from late 2025 showed a threat actor publicly flaunting wallet balances during a dispute with another hacker, inadvertently providing proof of control. Using the recordings and on-chain analysis, ZachXBT linked the addresses to millions in funds, turning a flex into an easy trail for investigators.

1/ Meet the threat actor John (Lick), who was caught flexing $23M in a wallet address directly tied to $90M+ in suspected thefts from the US Government in 2024 and multiple other unidentified victims from Nov 2025 to Dec 2025. pic.twitter.com/SBAFU5hTnE

— ZachXBT (@zachxbt) January 23, 2026

A public flex turns into an on-chain trail

ZachXBT said a threat actor known as “John” was caught showing off roughly $23 million in crypto during a recorded argument with another hacker in a private group chat. The exchange, described as a “band for band” contest, prompted John to screen-share wallet balances, handing investigators the proof needed to trace ownership.

According to ZachXBT, the recordings show John controlling multiple addresses, including Ethereum and Tron wallets that later consolidated funds into a single address holding tens of millions of dollars.

Funds traced back to seized government assets

Following the recordings, ZachXBT traced the wallet’s inflows backward. The onchain trail points to a wallet that received nearly $25 million from a U.S. government–linked address in March 2024, tied to seized crypto from earlier cases. Later inflows from suspected victims in late 2025 push the total traced amount beyond $90 million.

In one case, over 4,000 ETH, worth about $12 million at the time, was sent from a centralized exchange into the wallet, further tying the recorded owner to the funds.

Why investigators say the case is unusually clear

What sets this case apart isn’t just the money, but the mistake behind it. Instead of staying quiet, the attacker openly showed wallet balances on video, making ownership hard to deny. As ZachXBT pointed out, that kind of proof is exactly what investigators usually struggle to get.

After the thread went public, John reportedly scrubbed usernames and identifiers from his Telegram account.

Update: John quickly removed all of the NFT usernames from his Telegram account and change his screenname after my post. pic.twitter.com/nRJcGRAJ0p

— ZachXBT (@zachxbt) January 23, 2026

The incident highlights that the blockchain never forgets, and showing off usually speeds up attribution. While there are rumors that the individual may already be on law enforcement’s radar, ZachXBT noted that more confirmation is still needed.

Also read: Makina Finance Hacked: MEV Bot Snipes 1,299 ETH in $4M Protocol Exploit

Video game retailer GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) appears to be unwinding its Bitcoin bet after on-chain data showed the company moving all of its BTC holdings to Coinbase Prime this week. The custody platform is typically used ahead of large sales, according to CryptoQuant. 

The transfer comes as risk aversion spreads across crypto and equities, prompting speculation that the video game retailer may be exiting its short-lived Bitcoin treasury bet.

CryptoQuant data shows GameStop bought 4,710 BTC over nine days in May 2025, paying about $504 million at an average of $107,900 per coin. With Bitcoin now hovering near $91,000, selling at current prices would mean crystallizing roughly $76 million in losses.

GameStop throws in the towel?

Their on-chain wallets just moved all BTC holdings to Coinbase Prime, likely to sell.

Between May 14–23, 2025, they bought 4,710 BTC at an avg. price of $107.9K, investing ~$504M.

Now selling for around $90.8K, potentially realising approximately… pic.twitter.com/Bp7MwRVQ43

— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) January 23, 2026

From bold treasury move to quiet unwind

GameStop’s move into Bitcoin came during a sharp pivot in early 2025. In March, the board approved adding BTC to the company’s balance sheet, mirroring a move adopted by several crypto-leaning corporates following MicroStrategy’s lead.

To fund the purchase, GameStop expanded a private convertible note sale to $2.25 billion. Management pitched the Bitcoin purchase as a strategic treasury position, not a quick trade tied to price swings.

Moving the coins to Coinbase Prime doesn’t automatically mean a sale is underway. But in practice, large firms usually don’t shift holdings to prime brokerage accounts unless they’re preparing to rebalance, hedge, or unwind part of the position.

Timing collides with a macro shock

The potential exit comes during one of the sharpest global risk-off moves of the year. Bitcoin has fallen below key technical levels, while equities have been hit by a broad sell-off tied to geopolitical tension, rising bond yields in Japan, and renewed trade friction between the U.S. and Europe.

GameStop’s own stock has not been immune. Shares of GME were trading near $22.80, giving the company a market capitalization of roughly $10.2 billion, down sharply from earlier highs.

For a company already dealing with weakening retail sales and jumpy investors, sticking with a high-beta asset like Bitcoin during a macro sell-off may have stopped making sense pretty fast.

GameStop’s situation underscores a widening split in how companies approach Bitcoin. Firms that truly commit tend to lean in during downturns, while others react quickly to volatility and the pressure of balance-sheet optics. If GameStop completes a sale, it would mark one of the fastest retreats from a Bitcoin treasury play by a public company, going from heavy buying to a likely exit in less than a year.

Also read: Waltio Files Complaint Over Extortion and Crypto Data Breach

Waltio, a France-based crypto tax and portfolio tracking platform, said it filed a formal complaint after a cyberattack led to an attempted extortion. The incident, confirmed on Friday and detected on January 21, involved unauthorized access to limited company data during a sophisticated intrusion. 

The breach may have potentially affected tens of thousands of users, though no funds or sensitive credentials were compromised. The company said the attack appears to be tied to previously generated 2024 tax reports and stressed that its core infrastructure remains secure and fully operational.

Ce vendredi matin, nous avons déposé plainte pour tentative d'extorsion et atteinte à un système de traitement automatisé de données.

Le 21 janvier 2026, nous avons été destinataire d’une tentative d’extorsion. Celle-ci semble faire suite à une attaque particulièrement…

— Waltio (@Get_Waltio) January 23, 2026

What data was accessed, and what wasn’t

According to Waltio, the compromised information may include user email addresses and aggregated figures from 2024 tax reports, such as gains, losses, and account balances as of December 31, 2024. For many users, the data was incomplete and limited to basic counters rather than full tax calculations.

In a blog post, Waltio emphasized that no sensitive credentials or asset-related information were exposed. Passwords, exchange API keys, wallet addresses, transaction histories, and banking details were not affected. The company also noted it does not store personal identity data beyond email addresses.

“Our investigations show that this is not an active intrusion into our current production infrastructure. Waltio services are operating normally; user accounts and the production infrastructure are secure. Initial internal investigations indicate that the causes of this intrusion have been resolved,” said Waltio CEO Pierre Morizot.

Alleged extortion and the “Shiny Hunters” link

Local media reported that the extortion attempt may be connected to Shiny Hunters, a group previously linked to high-profile data breaches. Sources cited by the outlet said the attackers demanded a ransom after alleging access to data tied to roughly 50,000 users, many of them based in France.

Waltio has not publicly confirmed the identity of the attackers but said it has filed a complaint for attempted extortion and illegal access to an automated data processing system.

Focus shifts to phishing and social engineering risks

While the breach does not expose funds, Waltio warned that the main risk now lies in targeted fraud attempts. Attackers could use contextual tax-related information to make phishing emails, calls, or messages appear more credible.

The company reminded users that it will never ask for transfers, sensitive information, or urgent actions via unsolicited messages. As a precaution, Waltio urged users to strengthen email security, enable two-factor authentication, and consider using a dedicated email address for crypto-related services.

Moreover, Waltio said it has notified France’s data protection authority, the CNIL, and is working with national cybercrime investigators. The firm has also engaged external cybersecurity specialists to conduct a full review of historical configurations and reinforce internal controls.

Also read: Binance Files for Greek MiCA License to Secure EU ‘Passport’

The American Bankers Association (ABA) on January 20 outlined a plan to prohibit yield-bearing stablecoins, arguing that interest-paying digital dollars could undermine bank deposits, local lending, and financial stability in the United States.

The position, published in the ABA’s 2026 Blueprint for Growth, puts stablecoin yields at the center of a broader policy agenda as Congress and regulators debate how far digital assets should be allowed to compete with traditional banking products.

Just released – ABA’s 2026 Blueprint for Growth outlines key policy priorities: https://t.co/KsOScu1Lgs pic.twitter.com/C3gMrXQn84

— American Bankers Association (@ABABankers) January 20, 2026

Why stablecoin yields are in the spotlight

At the core of the ABA’s argument is a concern that if stablecoins begin paying interest, they could start functioning like bank deposits without being subject to the same regulatory burdens.

The lobbying group warns that this shift could drain funding from community banks, reducing credit availability for households and small businesses. Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan has estimated that as much as $6 trillion could migrate out of banks into yield-bearing stablecoins if left unchecked.

In its blueprint, the ABA calls on lawmakers to “protect local lending” by prohibiting stablecoins from offering interest, yield, or rewards, regardless of platform or issuer.

A broader banking agenda for 2026

The stablecoin stance sits alongside other priorities in the ABA’s roadmap, including tighter fraud prevention, modernization of outdated regulatory thresholds, opposition to interest rate caps, and support for minority and community development banks.

According to ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols, the blueprint reflects input from banks of all sizes and is designed to “bolster the economy, expand access to credit, and enhance competition” across financial services.

From the ABA’s perspective, allowing yield-bearing stablecoins without equivalent oversight would tilt the playing field against regulated banks rather than promote fair competition.

Crypto leaders push back

Not everyone agrees with that framing. Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle, has dismissed fears around stablecoin yields as “totally absurd,” arguing that yield features would improve customer retention and accelerate adoption without threatening the banking system.

Speaking at Davos, Allaire said stablecoins are likely to become the financial backbone for billions of AI agents within the next few years, calling them the only payment system capable of operating at that scale.

Other industry figures echo that view. Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao has argued that stablecoins will serve as a native currency for AI-driven commerce, while Anthony Scaramucci has warned that banning yields could put the U.S. dollar at a disadvantage compared to yield-bearing digital currencies abroad.

A familiar fight over deposits and control

Critics of the ABA’s proposal say restricting stablecoin yields primarily protects incumbent banks by limiting competition from fintech firms and crypto-native platforms. Supporters counter that deposit stability is a public good and that banks’ lending role cannot be easily replaced.

The debate highlights a broader question of whether stablecoins should evolve into full-fledged financial products or remain tightly constrained payment instruments.

At Davos 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump said new U.S. crypto laws are coming “very soon,” signaling that Washington wants to move faster on digital asset rules. He framed the push as part of a broader effort to keep the U.S. ahead of China and turn recent crypto bills into a clearer, more practical framework for the market.

As lawmakers weigh innovation against stability, the outcome could shape not only the future of stablecoins but also how digital dollars are allowed to compete with traditional banks in the U.S. financial system.

Also read: USDC Stablecoin Is Not a Rival to Visa and Mastercard: Circle CEO at Davos

Chainlink is bringing Atlas directly into its stack. The move absorbs the onchain order-flow auction system built by FastLane and gives the oracle network direct control over infrastructure used to capture liquidation value in DeFi.

Under the deal announced on Thursday, Atlas’ intellectual property and key personnel will join Chainlink, and Atlas will now exclusively support Chainlink’s Smart Value Recapture (SVR) program. Existing Atlas users, including those on the deprecated Atlas–RedStone deployment, are being offered a streamlined migration path.

JUST IN: Chainlink has acquired Atlas, the order flow auction protocol built by @0xFastLane.https://t.co/9pNbqDleMU@atlasevm now exclusively supports Chainlink SVR, the most-widely adopted OEV recapture solution, boosting revenue for DeFi by bringing SVR to new ecosystems. pic.twitter.com/EF3G6G8icq

— Chainlink (@chainlink) January 22, 2026

Bringing order flow in-house

Atlas has been used in production by major DeFi protocols such as Compound and Venus, powering application-specific order flow auctions tied to liquidations. By folding that infrastructure into SVR, Chainlink is extending its ability to recapture Oracle Extractable Value (OEV), a form of non-toxic MEV generated when oracle updates trigger liquidations.

Chainlink SVR is now live across Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, BNB Chain, and HyperEVM, with additional ecosystems planned.

Why SVR matters for DeFi

Unlike traditional MEV that bleeds value to searchers and validators, SVR is built to send liquidation profits back to the protocols and oracle layers that actually generate them. Since launch, SVR has processed more than $460 million in liquidations and recaptured over $10 million in OEV, providing an extra revenue stream for integrating protocols.

Crucially, SVR cannot be used for frontrunning or sandwich attacks. It focuses only on backrunning liquidations, positioning it as a safer, protocol-aligned approach to MEV. The latest SVR rollout is already live in DeFi. Aave integrated the system on Ethereum, allowing liquidation value to flow back to the protocol instead of leaking to MEV searchers. The move reinforces Chainlink’s push to turn value recapture into a default feature of DeFi infrastructure.

Industry-standard infrastructure

FastLane said the decision to bring Atlas under Chainlink was driven by Chainlink’s security track record. The oracle network has already powered more than $27 trillion in transactions and underpins over 70% of DeFi, making it a natural fit for infrastructure tied to liquidations and protocol revenue.

Chainlink is pushing to make value recapture standard infrastructure in DeFi, not a nice-to-have feature, but a built-in economic rule.

A broader shift in DeFi economics

DeFi is done leaking value. Protocols are moving to keep liquidation revenue in-house instead of handing it to external MEV actors.

By absorbing Atlas into SVR, Chainlink is no longer just selling data; it’s turning itself into a revenue layer for DeFi, scaling MEV capture across chains on its own terms.

Also read: Coinbase Rejects Senate Crypto Bill Over Privacy and DeFi Concerns

Farcaster’s sale to Neynar has set off a fresh round of debate on X, with users split over what the move really says about the protocol’s future: a reset that could finally unlock product-market fit, or proof that it was always meant to be infrastructure, not a mass-market social network.

The debate flared as the deal was confirmed yesterday, handing control of Farcaster to its core infrastructure provider, Neynar. The transition marks a shift in ownership as founders Dan Romero and Varun Srinivasan step back after nearly five years.

Social network or protocol layer?

Since its early vision, Farcaster raised $30 million in 2022 and a $150 million Series A in 2024 at a reported $1 billion valuation, with Warpcast emerging as the main client. 

But for users like StarPlatinum, this fast progress sharpened a core question: was Farcaster on track to become a true social network, or simply revealing that its real strength was as an underlying infrastructure for others to build on?

The sale of Farcaster explained

Farcaster started as an idea:

– Dan Romero leaves Coinbase
– wants a social network without platform risk
– users own their identity
– apps can come and go
– teams up with Varun Srinivasan
– builds on Ethereum, later Optimism

2022

– raises $30M… pic.twitter.com/za19XfuXb9

— StarPlatinum (@StarPlatinum_) January 21, 2026

A backend takeover that feels inevitable to builders

Under the deal, Neynar will run and maintain Farcaster’s protocol, manage developer infrastructure, and coordinate the ecosystem going forward. There are no immediate changes planned for users or builders, and the Farcaster app and Clanker are expected to continue operating as normal.

Many builders framed the move less as a sale and more as a handoff to the team already running much of the stack. Neynar was one of Farcaster’s earliest clients and now powers a large share of its developer tooling, APIs, and data layer.

“This just feels right,” wrote developer Jacek on X, describing Neynar as the “de facto backend” of the ecosystem.

Farcaster is being acquired by @neynarxyz, and honestly, this just feels right.

Neynar has been the de facto backend for Degen and for a huge chunk of what’s being built on Farcaster. They’ve been in the trenches since day one, shipping, supporting builders, and doing the unsexy…

— Jacek (@jacek0x) January 21, 2026

Not all reactions were positive. Some users see the transition as confirmation that Farcaster may never become a mainstream social network in its current form. Instead, they argue, it may be better suited as open social infrastructure, something others build on, rather than a product competing head-on with centralized platforms.

A new phase under infrastructure-first leadership

Neynar has said it will share a new, builder-focused vision for Farcaster in the coming weeks. Whether that vision emphasizes consumer social, infrastructure, or a hybrid of both will shape how the ecosystem evolves from here.

For Farcaster, the sale closes one chapter and opens another. The original experiment proved that decentralized social networks could work technically. The next test is whether, under new management, it can finally find a role that matches both its ideals and the realities of scale.

Also read: Polygon Labs Acquires Coinme and Sequence to Launch Open Money Stack

BitGo made a strong public market debut on Thursday, with shares surging roughly 26% after the crypto custody firm began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BTGO. The opening pop put BitGo’s valuation in the billions and marked one of the most notable crypto-related IPO launches of 2026 so far.

The early rally, however, also sets up the next question for investors: whether the jump from the $18 IPO price reflects durable momentum tied to BitGo’s role as critical crypto infrastructure, or a short-term burst of enthusiasm as public markets reopen to digital asset companies.

Post-IPO surge

The digital asset custodian priced its initial public offering at $18 per share, above its expected range. Shares opened at $22.43 and climbed as high as $24.38 in early trading.

At those levels, BitGo was valued at roughly $2.65 billion, according to market data, after raising about $212.8 million through the sale of 11.8 million shares.

A rare crypto IPO moment

BitGo’s listing stands out in a market that has seen limited crypto IPO activity following regulatory uncertainty and last year’s U.S. government shutdown. The debut makes BitGo one of the first major crypto firms to go public in 2026, testing whether Wall Street is ready to lean back into the sector.

Unlike earlier crypto listings tied closely to token prices, BitGo’s pitch is infrastructure. The company provides custody, security, settlement, and prime trading services for institutional clients, quietly becoming a core backend provider for exchanges, funds, and several spot crypto ETFs.

Why investors are paying attention

The IPO was led by Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, with regulatory approval granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) just one day before trading began.

BitGo has also received conditional approval for a U.S. banking charter, a step that could eventually put it in the same lane as Ripple and Circle as a federally regulated, crypto-native financial institution.

Tokenized shares from day one

Keeping things crypto-native, BitGo is taking its stock onchain with Ondo Finance. Tokenized BTGO shares will trade on networks like Ethereum, Solana, and BNB Chain, giving investors fast, borderless access from day one.

Just went public. Tokenized on day one.

Following its public debut on the NYSE today, tokenized BitGo will be accessible via Ondo Global Markets.

BTGOon will be live onchain alongside hundreds of Ondo tokenized stocks & ETFs. pic.twitter.com/VihI08qPq2

— Ondo Finance (@OndoFinance) January 22, 2026

The approach aligns with a broader industry push toward tokenizing traditional assets, a trend increasingly endorsed by major institutions as markets look for faster settlement and wider distribution.

What the debut signals

BitGo’s first day of trading sends a clear signal that investors are willing to bet on crypto again, as long as it’s tied to real businesses, real clients, and real revenue. With few major crypto IPOs lined up, how BTGO trades from here could shape the mood for others considering a public debut. 

For now, the market seems comfortable backing the plumbing behind crypto, not just the price action.

Also read: Kraken-Backed SPAC Heads to Nasdaq With $250M IPO Plan

Neynar has agreed to acquire Farcaster, assuming full ownership and operational control of the protocol, its main app, and Clanker, according to an announcement shared by Farcaster co-founders Dan Romero and Varun Srinivasan today.

The transition will take place over the coming weeks, with protocol contracts, code repositories, and app operations moving under Neynar’s control. The move marks a leadership handoff after nearly five years of development by the original team.

Neynar is acquiring Farcaster.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll transfer ownership of the protocol contracts and code repositories, the Farcaster app, and Clanker to Neynar. They will run and maintain everything going forward.

Some members of the Merkle team, Varun, and I will…

— Dan Romero (@dwr) January 21, 2026

What changes, and what doesn’t

For users, the immediate experience remains largely the same. The Farcaster app and Clanker will continue operating without interruption, and no feature removals or redesigns have been announced.

Behind the scenes, Neynar now takes over protocol maintenance, developer infrastructure, and ecosystem coordination, effectively becoming the operational backbone of Farcaster going forward. Some members of the original Merkle team will join Neynar, while others will pursue new projects.

Romero and Srinivasan said they will step away from day-to-day involvement, arguing that Farcaster needs “new leadership and a new approach” to reach its next phase of growth.

Why Neynar, and why now

Neynar is not a newcomer to the ecosystem. It was one of Farcaster’s earliest clients and has become the backbone of its developer stack, powering much of the tooling used across the network today.

Most of the community sees it less as a takeover and more as a clean handoff to the people already running the engine. Several builders noted that Neynar already “runs under the hood” of much of Farcaster, making the transition more evolutionary than disruptive.

The acquisition follows a turbulent period for Farcaster. In December, the protocol publicly pivoted away from its long-standing “social-first” vision toward wallet and trading features after struggling to find product-market fit on the social layer alone. The pivot reopened old tensions, with parts of the community questioning whether Farcaster was drifting away from its builder-first roots.

A protocol at a crossroads

Founded in 2021, Farcaster raised over $30 million in seed funding in 2022 and a $150 million Series A in 2024 at a $1 billion valuation. Despite strong community engagement, sustained growth proved elusive, prompting internal reassessment.

By handing control to Neynar, the founders appear to be betting that infrastructure-led stewardship, rather than founder-led iteration, is the best path forward.

Next steps

Neynar said it will share a new, builder-focused vision for Farcaster in the coming weeks. Whether the transition helps Farcaster regain momentum or simply marks the end of its original chapter will depend on how effectively Neynar balances protocol stability, developer needs, and an increasingly competitive decentralized social landscape.

Also read: Evernorth Taps t54 to Power AI-Driven XRP Treasury at Scale

PiChain Global has rolled out an update to its PCM Wallet, introducing a structured ad-based earning mechanism for Pi Network users. The change adds daily ad viewing rewards, a recurring seven-day streak system, and referral incentives, with all points mapped to PCM tokens at a variable conversion rate.

The update, announced on Wednesday, effectively turns user attention into the primary input. Users earn PCM points by watching up to five ads per day, which are then converted into withdrawable tokens at a fixed 2:1 ratio for now, a parameter PiChain Global says can be adjusted later.

PCM Wallet new feature in latest app version updated as below,
1. Point Mapping Mechanism
PCM points obtained by users for completing daily ad views (5 times in total) will be mapped into PCM tokens at a ratio of 2:1. For example: if a user earns a total of 0.1 PCM by watching 5… pic.twitter.com/2xzfHaw2Tv

— PiChain Global (@pichainmall) January 21, 2026

How the new PCM earning system works

Under the Point Mapping Mechanism, users who complete their daily ad views receive PCM points that unlock additional mappable tokens on the wallet’s homepage. Once unlocked, these tokens can be manually withdrawn to an on-chain wallet.

A seven-day check-in loop adds another layer. Users who complete ad views for seven consecutive days activate a mini gift pack, which grants an extra day of rewards. The cycle resets indefinitely, reinforcing engagement.

The referral system pays users for bringing in at least two friends, as long as those invites also show up and complete their daily ad views. Successful referrals generate bonus PCM points, though PiChain Global notes that these rewards may change in line with future deflation adjustments.

Attention now, value later

On the surface, the update looks like a standard engagement push. In practice, it creates an attention-mining economy where users generate advertising value immediately, while token value remains deferred and adjustable.

Because the PCM-to-token mapping ratio is controlled by the team and subject to future changes, the system shifts uncertainty onto users. The reward is clear in activity but less so in long-term value, making timing and trust central to how participants evaluate the model.

Built on recent wallet upgrades

The update builds on earlier PCM Wallet changes, such as passkey login, which ditched passwords in favor of biometrics and device-based access. This change aligned the wallet with security standards used by major tech platforms and signaled PiChain Global’s push toward smoother, consumer-friendly infrastructure.

Together, the changes suggest a dual strategy: tighten security on the backend while increasing monetizable engagement on the frontend.

Price snapshot and expectations

According to CoinMarketCap, Pi (PI) is trading near $0.178, down about 1.4% on the day, with a market cap of around $1.49 billion. Trading volume eased to roughly $17 million as activity softened following the wallet update.

For Pi users, this update changes what “earning” looks like. Rewards are now driven less by network activity and more by attention, streaks, and referrals. Whether that actually strengthens the ecosystem is still unclear. Much will depend on how transparently PiChain Global manages token mapping, dilution, and long-term value, factors that users don’t really control.

Also read: DOJ Confirms Samourai Wallet Bitcoin Remains in US Reserve

Paradex said today it has revoked access for a third-party trading bot after Mithril’s internal systems were breached, allowing an attacker to compromise roughly 57 user subkeys linked to the bot. The exchange moved quickly to disable all affected subkeys, limiting the impact to users who had granted Mithril permission to trade on their behalf.

According to the exchange, subkeys are limited-permission credentials commonly used by bots and external apps. While they allow automated trading, they cannot withdraw funds. Paradex said no customer balances were lost.

Mithril Trading Bot Compromised

An attacker gained access to Mithril's internal systems and compromised approximately 57 user subkeys. Subkeys are limited-permission keys that can trade on your behalf but cannot withdraw funds from your account. They're commonly used by…

— Paradex (@paradex) January 21, 2026

What happened and who was affected

The breach originated outside Paradex’s core infrastructure. Mithril’s internal systems were compromised, allowing the attacker to access subkeys that had been granted trading permissions by users. Paradex stressed that it does not control how third-party services store or secure these keys.

Only accounts connected to Mithril’s trading bots were exposed. Users who were never granted subkey access were not affected.

Immediate response from Paradex

Paradex said it took rapid containment steps once the issue was identified:

• All subkeys associated with Mithril trading accounts were revoked.
• XP transfers were temporarily paused and are expected to be re-enabled shortly.
• Users impacted by the incident were automatically protected from further bot-driven trades.

Paradex also used the incident to remind users of the risks around third-party tools, stressing that traders should think carefully about whom they trust before granting any account permissions.

Security concerns resurface after recent outages

The bot breach comes on the heels of another rough episode for Paradex. Earlier this month, a database maintenance error briefly showed Bitcoin trading at zero on the Starknet-based exchange, setting off liquidations and forcing the team to execute a rare chain rollback.

Although Paradex later refunded $650,000 to affected users and fully restored trading, the incident raised questions about operational risk on appchain DEXs. With the Mithril compromise now added to the timeline, the platform is facing renewed scrutiny as it works through a string of high-pressure tests.

Platform activity remains high despite turbulence

Even after the setbacks, trading on Paradex hasn’t slowed much. The exchange is still moving about $1.6 billion a day, with open interest near $647 million and roughly $221 million locked on the platform, a sign traders haven’t walked away.

For users, the incident serves as a reminder of where risks really show up. Core systems may hold, but third-party tools can become weak links. As Paradex noted, handing over a subkey is a trust decision, and one that deserves real caution.

Also read: Ripple’s Stablecoin Is Now Live on Binance for Trading

Evernorth has announced a collaboration with t54 aimed at building what it describes as the world’s largest institutional XRP digital asset treasury. The move marks another step toward fully autonomous, onchain treasury management.

The announcement, made Tuesday, outlines Evernorth’s plan to raise more than $1 billion to accumulate and actively deploy XRP at scale. Unlike exchange-traded funds that offer passive exposure, the company intends to grow its holdings through institutional lending, liquidity provisioning, and DeFi yield strategies directly on the XRP Ledger.

As we scale the world’s largest institutional XRP treasury, we’re excited to collaborate with @t54ai to explore AI-based agentic finance, verification and more within the XRPL.

Learn more: https://t.co/rsSk0EZY7a pic.twitter.com/WVlZBxcHB6

— evernorthxrp (@evernorthxrp) January 21, 2026

From passive exposure to active treasury management

Evernorth is positioning its treasury as an operating balance sheet rather than a static store of tokens. Running strategies across multiple protocols adds real operational strain, especially when markets turn volatile and speed matters.

To handle this, Evernorth plans to plug in t54’s agentic finance layer, which helps AI-driven systems execute while keeping risk and verification in check.

According to the companies, this is not a narrow product integration. Both teams intend to co-develop new tools for the XRPL ecosystem, suggesting a longer-term push toward institutional-grade automation on the network.

We're forming a strategic collaboration with @evernorthxrp.

Evernorth plans to integrate t54's trust layer to power their treasury management operations.

Moving forward, our teams will also collaborate on building new products for the XRPL ecosystem.https://t.co/kD6nHjyqk2 pic.twitter.com/0X6ekCWKwS

— t54.ai (@t54ai) January 21, 2026

AI agents move from theory to balance sheets

The partnership points to a wider shift in how institutions manage crypto. As treasuries scale, hands-on oversight stops being practical, pushing firms to explore AI agents that can monitor risk, rebalance liquidity, and respond to markets in real time.

t54’s infrastructure is designed to sit at that intersection, acting as a control layer for autonomous financial workflows.

Part of a broader Ripple-backed strategy

Evernorth is backed by names like Ripple, SBI, Pantera Capital, Kraken, and GSR. Led by CEO Asheesh Birla, the company plans to go public on Nasdaq under the ticker XRPN through a SPAC merger expected to close in early 2026.

The t54 deal builds on a recent partnership with Doppler Finance and points to a clear strategy: using XRP as programmable liquidity that can be deployed for yield and real utility, not just held for price exposure.

Market reaction and next steps

XRP edged higher after the announcement, climbing about 2% to roughly $1.95, with trading volume picking up as well. The move suggests investors are responding to signs of deeper institutional use, not just short-term hype.

More broadly, Evernorth’s approach hints at where crypto is headed. Digital assets are starting to be managed like cash or FX on corporate balance sheets, and if this model works, the Evernorth–t54 setup could become a blueprint for running onchain treasuries at an institutional scale.

Also read: XRP Open Interest Climbs to $566M as Volatility Builds

Hyperliquid (HYPE) token is testing key support near the $20 level today, sliding about 4% as a broader risk-off wave hits crypto markets. The move comes as traders respond to macro uncertainty by cutting exposure to leveraged, high-volatility assets, pushing selling pressure across altcoins.

HYPE is trading near $20.83, putting its market value around $6.3 billion. Volume surged more than 30% to almost $300 million, pointing to active reshuffling as traders reassess risk, not a slow walk to the exits.

Macro fears hit high-beta tokens harder

The drop reflects a broader crypto sell-off driven by fresh geopolitical worries and tighter liquidity. Bitcoin and Ethereum fell too, but higher-beta tokens like HYPE took the harder hit as risk appetite faded.

From a technical standpoint, HYPE is now sitting directly on the $20 support zone. The latest daily candles show weak buyer response, with small-bodied recoveries of yesterday being sold into quickly today, a sign that demand is thinning rather than strengthening.

The failed bounce earlier this month formed a bearish rising flag, visible on the chart, which has now broken to the downside.

Momentum indicators remain soft. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is hovering near 35, staying below the neutral 50 level and showing no bullish divergence, suggesting sellers still control the tape. Volume has expanded on down days while fading on bounces, confirming distribution rather than accumulation near support.

Liquidations add fuel to the slide

Part of the pressure came from within Hyperliquid’s own ecosystem. Coinglass data show over $246M in positions were liquidated, forcing rapid unwinds and putting extra pressure on an already weak market.

These cascades often push prices too far, but they also clear excess leverage, a rough reset that can help the market find firmer footing.

Technical outlook remains fragile

HYPE remains below its key moving averages, with momentum still tilted lower. Selling has been intense, but the token isn’t deeply oversold yet, leaving room for more swings if conditions deteriorate.

Traders like KNIGHT commented on X that he believes that HYPE is in the bounce area and expects the price to go up.

$hype bounce area pic.twitter.com/fahLtVVmgb

— KNIGHT (@cryptoknight890) January 20, 2026

Others, like Grinder, see the pullback as a potential buy zone near the $20 key support, arguing that deleveraging and steady platform activity could set the stage for a rebound if sentiment stabilizes.

Continuation of my $HYPE analysis

The market continues to move according to the previously outlined scenario. In the near term, I expect the price to approach the key support zone.

If buyers manage to hold this level, the first problematic area will be $25 – the zone where we… https://t.co/giiJdWGz7n pic.twitter.com/PLtmVi3SVi

— Grinder.hl (@Beliukh_) January 21, 2026

Strength beneath the surface

The move comes just days after Hyperliquid reasserted itself as the leading perpetual DEX by volume and open interest. Even as its token struggles, the platform continues to process tens of billions of dollars in weekly trades, underscoring the gap that can open between protocol usage and token price during macro-driven sell-offs.

For investors, HYPE’s latest drop is a reminder of the token’s profile: deeply tied to leverage, sentiment, and risk appetite. When markets turn defensive, the token tends to fall fast, but history shows it can also rebound quickly once fear fades.

Also read: Vitalik Buterin Slams “Corposlop” as Crypto Social Turns Toxic

Delaware Life Insurance Company has expanded its fixed indexed annuity (FIA) lineup by adding the BlackRock U.S. Equity Bitcoin Balanced Risk 12% Index, enabling policyholders to capture returns linked to Bitcoin’s performance.

The insurer announced today that the product will maintain full protection of principal, a fundamental feature of FIAs. Delaware Life asserts this is the insurance industry’s first fixed indexed annuity to offer direct exposure to Bitcoin (BTC).

How Bitcoin enters a traditionally conservative product

The new index blends U.S. equities with Bitcoin exposure and targets a 12% volatility cap, using dynamic cash allocations to smooth out crypto’s sharp price swings. Instead of holding Bitcoin outright, the annuity taps exposure through iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF, offering a simpler and more liquid route into the asset.

For investors, the structure removes the operational hurdles of owning crypto, no wallets, private keys, or custody decisions, while still linking a portion of returns to Bitcoin’s performance.

“This is about offering growth potential without asking clients to give up downside protection,” Delaware Life said, positioning the product as a bridge between traditional retirement planning and digital assets.

Why BlackRock’s involvement matters

BlackRock’s role shows how crypto is being repackaged to fit old-school finance. Instead of asking investors to rethink risk, the index slips a measured dose of Bitcoin into a familiar equity framework, making digital assets easier to digest without blowing up the rulebook.

Executives from the firm framed the move as part of a longer-term shift, arguing that investors who completely ignore digital assets risk missing a structural source of future growth, but that exposure must be delivered in controlled, risk-aware formats.

Available products and timing

The index will roll out across three Delaware Life annuities: Momentum Growth™, Momentum Growth Plus™, and DualTrack Income™. The launch coincides with Bitcoin’s 17th anniversary and two years since IBIT’s launch, underscoring how far crypto has moved into the mainstream of traditional finance.

The move also follows a series of Delaware-based crypto initiatives tied to BlackRock, including recent filings related to Ethereum staking products, signaling that the state has become a quiet hub for early-stage crypto-financial innovation.

Crypto’s shift into retirement planning

Fixed indexed annuities are typically marketed to conservative, long-term investors seeking predictable outcomes. By folding Bitcoin into a familiar annuity structure, Delaware Life is effectively testing whether crypto can enter retirement portfolios without setting off the volatility concerns that have long kept insurers on the sidelines.

At the time of this writing, BTC was trading around $89,300, down nearly 4% on the day. Trading volume jumped to $48.5 billion, pointing to active repositioning as volatility stayed elevated.

Whether other carriers follow will depend on investor demand and regulatory comfort. However, the move suggests that Bitcoin is no longer being treated only as a speculative asset; it is starting to appear inside products designed for capital preservation.

Also read: Strategy Surpasses 700K Bitcoin Holdings with $2.13B Purchase

The U.S. Government is looking to add seized Bitcoin to its national digital asset reserve rather than selling it, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said today during remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The statement clarifies Washington’s approach to digital assets, building a reserve exclusively from confiscated crypto without making market purchases.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Bessent said Bitcoin seized in enforcement actions, including assets linked to the Tornado Cash case, will be retained as part of a long-term reserve strategy.

"THE POLICY OF THIS GOVERNMENT IS TO ADD SEIZED BITCOIN TO OUR DIGITAL ASSET RESERVE" —U.S. Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent on Tornado Cash developers' seized Bitcoin being sold at USA House in Davos #WEF26 pic.twitter.com/aecT8j3giv

— Christine Lee (@christinenews) January 20, 2026

A reserve built from seizures, not purchases

According to recent on-chain analysis from Arkham Intelligence, U.S. government-controlled wallets hold roughly 328,000 BTC as of mid-January 2026. At current prices, that stash is valued at more than $30 billion, making the U.S. one of the largest known Bitcoin holders in the world.

While official figures are not fully disclosed, the holdings largely reflect Bitcoin seized through criminal investigations and forfeiture proceedings. Bessent emphasized that the policy does not involve buying Bitcoin on the open market, a point that echoes earlier statements from the Treasury last year.

In 2025, based on a Chainalysis report, crypto-related scams and fraud are estimated to have reached a record $17 billion in losses. Impersonation schemes and AI-powered tactics made it easier for criminals to scale operations and evade detection.

From selling pressure to long-term storage

The shift marks a change in how markets read the U.S. government Bitcoin holdings. In earlier cycles, movements from government wallets often spooked traders with fears of forced selling. By choosing to hold seized coins instead, the Treasury removes a familiar source of supply pressure.

Bessent previously framed the reserve as a “digital Fort Knox” in August last year, treating Bitcoin as a long-term asset rather than a quick flip. The approach gained legal backing in 2025, clearing the way for seized crypto to be kept instead of auctioned off.

Market backdrop: Sentiment turns constructive

The timing also lines up with a gradual shift in Bitcoin sentiment. A recent “golden cross” in the Fear & Greed Index pointed to improving short-term confidence after a cautious stretch, while on-chain data showed whale selling and stabilizing positions.

Bitcoin was hovering around $91,000 earlier, holding a key support level even as U.S.–Europe trade tensions kept broader markets on edge. Analysts noted that the absence of government selling pressure could help stabilize price action during periods of volatility.

Later in the day, BTC fell to about $89,482, down nearly 4%, while trading volume jumped to $46.8 billion, showing active repositioning despite the sell-off, according to CoinMarketCap.

Bitcoin by custody, not conviction

For investors, the message is that seized Bitcoin is no longer a temporary inventory waiting to be sold. By locking those assets into a reserve, the U.S. is effectively treating Bitcoin as a strategic financial asset, not by endorsement, but by custody.

As governments around the world debate how to handle digital assets, Washington’s approach signals a pragmatic middle ground: regulate, seize when necessary, and hold, without chasing price or trying to suppress it.

Also read: Pump.fun $3M Hackathon Empowers Creators via Token Funding

Paradex, a Starknet-based perpetuals exchange, said it refunded $650,000 to about 200 users after a database migration error triggered incorrect liquidations, mainly involving PAXG. 

In an X post on Tuesday, the exchange said funds were distributed after an internal review and confirmed that the platform has returned to normal operations, including deposits and withdrawals.

Refunds Update

We have completed our review of accounts impacted by yesterday’s incident and have refunded all users who were incorrectly liquidated (primarily related to PAXG). In total, $650k was distributed across 200 accounts. Gigavault deposits and withdrawals have also…

— Paradex (@paradex) January 20, 2026

What happened

The disruption started during scheduled database maintenance, when pricing briefly became invalid on the platform. That bad data flowed into the liquidation engine, and positions were automatically closed at levels traders say never should have existed.

Paradex later confirmed it would roll back the chain state to the last known correct block, effectively restoring accounts to a pre-maintenance snapshot. Such rollbacks are rare in decentralized systems because it rewinds settled activity.

How it was contained

Rather than flipping the switch back to full trading immediately, the exchange brought the venue online in steps:

• Cancel-only mode: users could reduce risk and exit, but not place active new trades
• Post-only mode: users could place orders without immediate taker execution
• Full trading: reopened once the team said system integrity checks were complete

Voyager, a Starknet block explorer, showed block production continuing normally during the recovery window, signaling the underlying network was stable while Paradex handled its own rollback and restart.

Refunds and changes

In its latest update, Paradex said it completed its review and reimbursed $650,000 across 200 accounts, primarily connected to PAXG liquidations (PAXG is a token backed by gold).

The exchange also said Gigavault deposits and withdrawals are live again (Gigavault is Paradex’s deposit/withdrawal rail). Support tickets tied to these refunds will be closed automatically, with remaining tickets reviewed over the next few days.

Trust is earned in the response

Derivatives venues don’t get graded on perfect uptime; they get judged on what happens when something breaks. In this case, the critical pieces were speed and clarity: isolate the damage, restore a clean state, then make impacted users whole with a concrete number and a visible process. As of today, the platform is running normally.

Refunds do not erase the incident, but they answer the question traders care about most: when the platform is wrong, does the platform pay.

Paradex is built as an appchain on Starknet (an Ethereum Layer 2). That architecture aims to deliver fast, non-custodial perps, but the incident was another reminder that “onchain” doesn’t eliminate operational risk. When core systems like databases, pricing feeds, or liquidation logic misfire, the losses can be immediate, and the response has to be both technical and financial.

Also read: Makina Finance Hacked: MEV Bot Snipes 1,299 ETH in $4M Protocol Exploit

XRP’s derivatives market is heating up again, but without the kind of leverage excess that usually precedes sharp blow-offs. New data from CryptoQuant shows XRP open interest on Binance rising above its 30-day average, while volatility metrics hit their highest levels since November.

According to the data, total XRP open interest climbed to roughly $566 million, moving above the 30-day average of $529 million. This gap points to new positions coming in, but without any rush. Derivatives activity looks controlled, with traders easing into exposure rather than chasing the move with heavy leverage.

“XRP 미결제약정, 30일 평균 상회… 변동성은 11월 이후 최고 수준”

바이낸스 기준 XRP 미결제약정 데이터는 가격 움직임과 투기적 포지션 간의 미묘한 균형 상태를 보여주고 있습니다. 파생상품 지표 전반은 과도한 변동성 국면에 진입하지는 않았지만, 점진적으로 리스크가 확대되고 있음을… pic.twitter.com/zcSLiTEL4O

— CryptoQuant.com Korea🇰🇷 (@CryptoQuant_KR) January 20, 2026

Volatility rises, leverage stays contained

The more notable shift is in volatility. The 30-day standard deviation of XRP open interest has risen to about $65.7 million, its highest reading in over two months. Historically, jumps in this metric tend to show up before bigger price moves, as pressure quietly builds under the market before it breaks.

At the same time, the 30-day Z-Score sits near 0.57, a relatively neutral level. This indicates leverage has not yet reached extreme territory. In simple terms, risk is building, but it hasn’t tipped into the kind of speculative excess that forces violent liquidations.

This mix of rising volatility and moderate leverage often marks a transition phase, where markets load energy without committing to a clear direction.

Price pressure complicates the picture

The derivatives buildup is happening while XRP’s spot price stays on the back foot. The token has slipped below $2, lower-timeframe charts have flipped to a death cross, and volume has jumped even as price falls, a sign traders are actively unwinding positions, not just stepping aside.

XRP is trading near $1.91, down 3.28% over the past 24 hours. Its market capitalization has slipped to $116.47 billion, while trading volume fell 12.5% to $3.38 billion, pointing to cooling activity after the recent bout of volatility.

This contrast, softer prices alongside growing but controlled open interest, suggests traders are repositioning, not exiting outright. Some traders are hedging against more downside, while others seem to be stepping in early, betting on a bounce if the selling starts to ease.

A familiar setup for XRP traders

CryptoQuant characterizes the current environment as a cautious accumulation phase. These periods don’t guarantee direction, but they often precede expansion moves once price and leverage align.

For now, XRP sits in a narrow balance. Volatility is rising, sentiment is fragile, and derivatives risk is climbing, but the market has not yet chosen whether that tension resolves higher or lower. Traders watching XRP’s next move will be paying close attention to whether open interest volatility continues to climb or if leverage finally breaks the balance.

Also read: Ripple and UC Berkeley Launch Accelerator to Scale XRP Startups

Solana based decentralized applications (dApps) posted their strongest revenue week in four months, covering January 12 to January 18, 2026, as on-chain activity translated into more than $28 million in revenue. The spike highlights how network usage is converting into real fees, even as token prices cool.

Much of that momentum is coming from Pump.fun, which has become one of the network’s biggest revenue drivers. Built around memecoin launches and rapid retail trading, the app continues to top Solana’s revenue rankings as speculation activity funnels into a small number of high-speed venues.

📊REPORT: @Solana dapps generated over $28 million in revenue last week, the highest in 16 weeks. pic.twitter.com/ncrZZKdOUU

— SolanaFloor (@SolanaFloor) January 20, 2026

Memecoins still pay the bills

Pump.fun’s climb highlights a simple reality on Solana: memecoins still pay the bills. They may not look serious, but they keep trades flowing, fees piling up, and users active.

This dynamic reflects a broader market shift. Rather than chasing long-term roadmaps, traders are leaning into participation, momentum, and culture. On Solana, that behavior shows up directly in revenue, not just volume charts.

Pump.fun’s metrics underline the trend. The platform recently climbed to the top of Solana’s DEX leaderboard, processing $1.4 billion in trading volume over short periods and pulling users away from more traditional automated market makers.

Revenue grows even as prices cool

The revenue milestone comes during a softer phase for Solana’s native token. At the time of writing, SOL is trading at $128.81, down 3.73% on the day, with 24-hour trading volume falling 22.4% to about $4.2 billion. Application usage hasn’t followed the dip, a sign that activity is being driven more by what people are actually doing on-chain than by short-term price moves.

At the same time, growth isn’t limited to memes. Real-world asset protocols on Solana have now passed $1 billion in on-chain value, bringing steadier, longer-term activity that feeds validators with recurring fees.

More than hype cycles

Together, memecoin-driven trading and RWA-linked flows paint a fuller picture of Solana’s current phase. One side is fast, chaotic, and retail-heavy. The other is slower, institutional, and infrastructure-focused. Both contribute to revenue.

For Solana, this mix matters. Strong dapp revenue is reinforcing the idea that Solana can support a wide mix of activity, from fast, speculative trading to tokenized finance, without depending entirely on a rising token price to stay relevant.

Looking ahead, the open question is durability. Solana clearly generates activity; the challenge is whether these revenue streams hold up as narratives shift. For now, the data says the network is converting usage into real revenue.

Also read: Solana Trader Flips $285 to $627K on ZReaL Token in Under 24 Hours

The Government of Bermuda announced that it is partnering with Coinbase and Circle to move large parts of its national economy onchain, using blockchain-based payments and digital assets as everyday financial infrastructure.

The plan, unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Monday, targets practical use cases rather than pilots. Government agencies, local banks, insurers, businesses, and consumers are expected to begin adopting onchain payment and settlement tools, with USDC serving as the primary settlement asset and Coinbase providing the underlying infrastructure.

We’re bringing an entire country onchain.

Bermuda is building the world’s first fully onchain national economy, with support from Coinbase and @Circle. pic.twitter.com/fFL1foSFHu

— Coinbase 🛡️ (@coinbase) January 19, 2026

From pilot programs to national rollout

Government offices are set to test stablecoin payments, while banks and insurers bring in tokenization and digital settlement tools. Coinbase will also help with onboarding and education, guiding residents and businesses as they move to onchain wallets and payments.

“This initiative is about lowering costs and creating opportunity,” said E. David Burt, noting that traditional payment rails are often expensive and restrictive for island economies like Bermuda. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong also called the move “huge.”

Huge. An entire country is coming onchain, using USDC and @base.

Excited to support Bermuda’s transition toward an onchain economy that empowers the people, local businesses, and institutions 💪

Open financial systems will drive economic freedom. https://t.co/lDqFUIb9qe

— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) January 19, 2026

Why stablecoins sit at the center

Stablecoins are central to the strategy. USDC allows merchants to accept fast, low-cost, dollar-denominated payments without relying on slow or expensive correspondent banking networks. According to the announcement, several Bermudian businesses are already using stablecoins in live payment flows.

USDC as a pattern trades 1:1 with USD, with a market value of about $75.8 billion, while 24h volume jumped 126% to $14.6 billion, pointing to heavy transactional use rather than price speculation.

The partners argue that keeping transactions onchain helps economic value circulate locally, rather than leaking out through fees charged by offshore processors and intermediaries.

Years in the making

Bermuda rolled out the Digital Asset Business Act in 2018, making it an early mover on crypto regulation, and has since licensed a small group of firms, including Coinbase and Circle, under tight oversight from the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

Momentum picked up at the Bermuda Digital Finance Forum in 2025, where the government and its partners ran an onchain USDC airdrop to onboard merchants and users. Officials say those efforts will scale further at the 2026 forum, scheduled for May.

An aspirational but open model

The government stressed that the project is non-exclusive and voluntary. Businesses and residents are not required to adopt blockchain tools, and Bermuda remains open to working with other technology providers.

By taking payments and settlement onchain across the country, Bermuda aims to position itself as a real-world test case for how blockchain infrastructure can work beyond pilots, at the scale of a national economy.

Also read: White House Threatens to Pull Support for Crypto Bill After Coinbase Rift

About $8.27 billion in Bitcoin (BTC) options are set to expire on January 30, making it the largest BTC options expiry of 2026 so far. The event is unfolding on major derivatives venues and is being closely watched by traders, as positioning around this single date is expected to influence short-term price moves in the days ahead.

Most of the open interest sits on Deribit, where call options are concentrated near $100,000 and puts cluster between $65,000 and $80,000. Market data points to a $90,000 max-pain level, the price area where option sellers stand to benefit most as contracts settle.

A volatility window opens into expiry

Big expiries tend to stress the spot market, and this one is no different. With so much value coming off at once, even small Bitcoin moves can spark hedging, gamma effects, and short bursts of volatility.

Options data show a put-call ratio near 0.54, pointing to stronger interest in upside exposure. That tilt suggests traders are leaning toward stability or a rebound, even as memories of late-2025 swings keep caution in play.

Bitcoin was trading at around $93,030 at the time of writing, down 2.5% on the day. Meanwhile, trading volume jumped 136% to $40 billion, signaling heavy repositioning rather than low liquidity, according to CoinMarketCap.

Traders eye $100K, but $90K looms large

Open interest remains densest at the $100,000 strike, reinforcing it at a psychological and technical level into month-end. At the same time, the concentration of puts below spot prices shows that downside protection is still being actively bought, particularly in the $70,000–$80,000 zone.

The setup points to a market in wait-and-see mode, with traders managing risk around a known date rather than pressing big directional bets.

Broader derivatives activity

Beyond BTC, the derivatives market keeps maturing. CME Group is expanding options on assets like Solana and XRP, giving institutions sharper tools to fine-tune exposure.

That growing institutional footprint has made large expiries like January 30 more routine, even if they still tend to magnify short-term price swings.

What to watch after January 30

Once the contracts settle, traders will be watching whether volatility fades or simply shifts to the next expiry cycle. A clean expiry near the $90,000 max pain level could dampen momentum, while a decisive move away from it may set the tone for Bitcoin’s next leg.

For now, the size of this expiry alone ensures one thing: the final days of January are unlikely to be quiet for Bitcoin markets.

Also read: Ethiopia Eyes Investment Partners to Scale Bitcoin Mining

Paradex, a decentralized perpetuals exchange built on Starknet, fully restored trading early Monday after a database migration error triggered a severe pricing anomaly that briefly sent Bitcoin’s price to zero on the platform.

The problem surfaced during routine database maintenance and quickly spiraled, with positions being wiped out at prices that never should have existed. Within hours, the team pulled the emergency lever: a full chain rollback, an extreme and often criticized step in decentralized systems, resetting the chain to its last clean state.

A rare rollback in decentralized trading

In a Discord update shared by Paradex engineering leadership, the exchange confirmed it would roll back the chain to block 1,604,710, timestamped just before the maintenance window began. The rollback restored all accounts to their pre-maintenance state.

🚨BREAKING: @Starknet based perp DEX @paradex announces a chain rollback to block 1,604,710 after a database migration error briefly sent Bitcoin’s price to zero, triggering mass liquidations. pic.twitter.com/oESh2M0awW

— SolanaFloor (@SolanaFloor) January 19, 2026

Rollbacks are generally viewed as a last resort in blockchain systems because they unwind previously finalized transactions. Most protocols prefer pausing activity or applying targeted fixes. Paradex’s decision immediately drew attention across the DeFi space.

“DO NOT USE @paradex if you don’t want to liquidate your btc on ‘$0’,” Raki wrote on X, as screenshots of zero-priced Bitcoin trades circulated widely.

Gradual recovery under restricted trading

Following the rollback, Paradex implemented a staged recovery:

• Cancel-only mode, where users could only close positions
• Post-only mode, allowing new orders without immediate execution
• Full trading, restored once system integrity was confirmed

By 09:15 BRT, the platform confirmed that Paradex was fully operational again.

Voyager’s block feed showed transactions ticking through every few seconds again, a practical signal that Starknet had returned to normal once the recovery work was finished.

Starknet under scrutiny

The incident occurred just two weeks after a separate Starknet outage, adding pressure on the network as on-chain activity continues to rise.

Even so, the ecosystem keeps growing. Stablecoin supply on Starknet has pushed past $200 million, and DeFi trading remains active, suggesting adoption is moving faster than the underlying infrastructure.

Starknet’s native token, STRK, hovered around $0.081, with volatility spiking after the Paradex incident, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

A test of trust in on-chain derivatives

Paradex operates as an appchain on Starknet, designed for low-latency, non-custodial derivatives trading. The platform is incubated by Paradigm (the liquidity network) and previously raised $35 million from investors including Jump Capital, Alameda Ventures, Genesis, and Nexo.

While the exchange’s swift communication and rollback prevented permanent losses, the incident has renewed debate over how decentralized exchanges should respond to extreme technical failures and where the line between decentralization and operator control ultimately sits.

For traders, the takeaway was clear: while on-chain derivatives offer transparency and speed, infrastructure risk remains very real, especially during moments of rapid growth.

Also read: After Blocking OKX and Bybit, Belarus Launches Its Own ‘Cryptobanks’ System”

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the world’s largest stock exchange by market capitalization, is building a platform to trade tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs around the clock. The move was announced on Monday as regulators, banks, and exchanges adapt to growing demand for nonstop markets.

If approved by regulators, the platform would let investors trade fractional shares, use stablecoins for funding, and settle transactions instantly on blockchain rails, removing many of the time and friction limits tied to today’s market structure.

Today, NYSE is proud to announce the development of a platform for trading and on-chain settlement of tokenized securities.

NYSE’s new digital platform will enable tokenized trading experiences, including 24/7 operations, instant settlement, orders sized in dollar amounts, and…

— NYSE 🏛 (@NYSE) January 19, 2026

Regulators already discussing tokenized trading rules

The announcement follows earlier discussions between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), NYSE, and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). In October 2025, the SEC’s crypto task force met with senior executives from both firms to examine how tokenized equities and crypto-linked products could fit within existing market rules without weakening investor protections.

Those talks focused on jurisdiction between the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), potential exemptions for new products, and how tokenized shares should be defined under current securities law. The meetings signaled that regulators are preparing frameworks for tokenized trading rather than pushing it outside the traditional financial system.

Inside the NYSE’s tokenized securities platform

According to the official release, the platform is designed to support 24/7 trading, immediate settlement, and dollar-based order sizing. It combines the exchange’s Pillar matching engine with blockchain-based post-trade systems that can support multiple settlement chains and digital custody.

Tokenized shares traded on the platform would remain fungible with traditionally issued securities. Under the proposal, investors would still receive dividends and voting rights, while broker-dealers would participate through the same open, non-discriminatory access rules that govern today’s markets, just delivered through a tokenized format.

The initiative is part of ICE’s broader digital strategy, which also includes preparing its clearing infrastructure for continuous trading and tokenized collateral.

Banks and clearing move beyond market hours

ICE said it is working with banks such as BNY and Citigroup to support tokenized deposits across its clearinghouses. The goal is to let clearing members manage funding, margin, and settlement obligations outside traditional banking hours and across time zones.

In practice, that means less waiting for trades to settle, faster reuse of capital, and smoother execution when markets get choppy globally.

Why nonstop markets matter to investors

Demand for extended trading hours has been rising as retail and institutional investors operate across regions and time zones. Big players like Nasdaq, Robinhood, and Charles Schwab have already stretched trading past the usual market hours. 

Tokenization builds on this shift by allowing instant settlement and fractional trades, making markets easier to access for investors operating outside the U.S. time zone.

Global momentum on 24/7 trading

Earlier this month, the Korea Exchange announced steps toward a 24-hour trading system, alongside new products linked to virtual assets. South Korean officials framed the move as a way to attract global capital and reduce the so-called “Korea Discount” in local equities.

As more exchanges embrace extended hours and digital settlement, the NYSE’s tokenized platform positions U.S. markets to compete in a world where trading no longer sleeps.

Also read: SWIFT and Societe Generale Test Euro Stablecoin for Tokenized Bonds

Steak ’n Shake, the fast-food chain, has increased its Bitcoin (BTC) exposure by $10 million this week, eight months after the chain began accepting BTC payments across its restaurants. The update, shared on Friday, ties the additional purchase directly to rising same-store sales generated since the launch of what the company calls its “burger-to-Bitcoin” strategy.

The company said all Bitcoin received from customers continues to flow into its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR), rather than being converted to cash. 

Eight months ago today, Steak n Shake launched its burger-to-Bitcoin transformation when we started accepting bitcoin payments. Our same-store sales have risen dramatically ever since.

All Bitcoin sales go into our Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

Today we increased our Bitcoin…

— Steak 'n Shake (@SteaknShake) January 17, 2026

Bitcoin payments feed a corporate reserve

Steak ’n Shake first enabled Bitcoin payments via the Lightning Network in May 2025. Unlike most retailers that treat crypto as a payment rail only, the chain committed to holding all BTC revenue on its balance sheet. This approach differs from companies that build Bitcoin treasuries through direct market purchases, as the reserve grows organically through customer activity.

In a November update, the company reported that same-store sales had climbed about 15% within six months of launching bitcoin payments. Executives linked the gains to lower payment processing fees, marketing visibility inside the crypto community, and Bitcoin-themed promotions rolled out alongside the payments push.

From payments experiment to operating model

The January update suggests the initiative has moved beyond experimentation. Steak ’n Shake said improving food quality and store performance directly expands its ability to accumulate bitcoin, framing BTC not as a speculative asset but as part of a broader operating model.

The restaurants are owned and franchised by Biglari Holdings Inc., which has not disclosed whether Bitcoin will play a role at the holding company level. Biglari Holdings shares closed modestly higher on January 16, according to Yahoo Finance.

Moreover, Bitcoin is trading near $95,385, up about 5.5% over the past week. Market capitalization stood at close to $1.9 trillion, while the 24-hour trading volume is 50% down to nearly $19 billion.

A different kind of corporate bitcoin bet

Steak ’n Shake’s approach contrasts with firms such as publicly listed asset managers and technology companies that build large bitcoin positions through balance-sheet allocations. Instead, the fast-food chain is tying its exposure directly to consumer behavior and day-to-day operations.

The move comes as enterprise interest in Bitcoin continues to broaden, with more companies experimenting with treasury strategies amid rising institutional adoption. Whether Steak ’n Shake’s model is replicable for other consumer brands remains uncertain, but the latest purchase signals the company sees Bitcoin as a long-term part of its business, not a short-lived marketing stunt.

Also read: DOJ Confirms Samourai Wallet Bitcoin Remains in US Reserve

Solana (SOL) price held steady near $143 on Friday as the network reached more than $1 billion in real-world assets locked on Solana. The combination of price stability and growing on-chain adoption suggests the recent rally is consolidating rather than fading.SOL has slipped from recent highs near $146 but continues to hold above the $141 support level. According to data from CoinMarketCap, the latest 24-hour volume is at $2.45B, down 32.14%, alongside the recent RWA achievement.

RWA growth adds weight to the network

The $1 billion RWA milestone points to growing use of tokenized finance on Solana. Treasury-style funds and yield products are driving much of this growth, with participation from firms like BlackRock and Ondo, alongside tokenized equities and funds.

🚨BIG: Solana’s RWA ecosystem has reached a new all-time high of $1B. pic.twitter.com/QM2RHVDY1u

— The Crypto Times (@CryptoTimes_io) January 17, 2026

RWA-linked deposits on Solana tend to be longer-term and operational rather than speculative. Tokenized funds and yield products generate recurring transactions, staking demand, and validator fees, increasing the network’s baseline activity. This steady usage helps anchor demand for SOL, supporting the price even as short-term trading momentum cools.

This puts Solana in a small group of blockchains hosting meaningful RWA activity, alongside Ethereum and BNB Chain. For investors, it adds a layer of real-world usage that extends beyond speculative DeFi trading.

Institutional flows and network usage remain strong

Investor appetite is also showing up in regulated markets. Solana-linked ETFs in the U.S. have pulled in hundreds of millions of dollars so far this year, signaling rising institutional comfort with SOL as a mainstream asset.

That interest is reflected on-chain. Solana remains one of the most active networks, processing tens of billions of dollars in monthly DEX volume, with fees and active users staying elevated. This points to consistent use rather than fleeting hype.

Price outlook: Consolidation before the next move?

From a technical perspective, SOL has settled into a $141–$146 range. Short liquidations outweighed long liquidations over the past 24 hours, suggesting recent upward pressure caught some bearish positioning off guard.

A move above the $146–$147 range could clear the way for higher levels seen late last year. If support in the low $140s breaks, the rally would likely pause and stretch into a longer consolidation.

For now, Solana’s price reflects its broader setup. The market has cooled after a strong run, but growing real-world use, institutional interest, and heavy on-chain activity continue to provide support.

Also read: Polymarket’s Morality: Trading, Value Extracting, or Literal Gambling?

Ripple and UC Berkeley have launched a new accelerator to help turn academic blockchain ideas into real businesses, giving founders a faster path from research to market-ready applications built on the XRP Ledger.

The initiative, called the University Digital Asset Xcelerator (UDAX), debuted with a pilot cohort in fall 2025. It is designed to support early-stage founders with technical guidance, regulatory insight, and direct access to venture capital. The program sits within Ripple’s broader University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI), which has funded academic blockchain research globally for several years.

From campus ideas to real-world deployment

The first cohort, UDAX – UC Berkeley, ran for six weeks and brought together Ripple engineers, Berkeley faculty, and industry mentors to work with nine startups spanning tokenized finance, insurance, payments, and creator-focused platforms.

The program began with a launch summit on Berkeley’s campus and concluded with a demo day at Ripple’s San Francisco headquarters. Founders presented their projects to XRP Ledger developers, Ripple executives, and representatives from 13 venture capital firms.

Introducing the University Digital Asset Xcelerator (UDAX). 🎓@UCBerkeley and Ripple's University Blockchain Research Initiative launched a pilot program to accelerate the transition from academic innovation to institutional XRP utility: https://t.co/KMyVjPvXT2

The UDAX – UC…

— Ripple (@Ripple) January 16, 2026

Several teams moved quickly from concept to execution. WaveTip, a tipping tool for Twitch streamers, moved onto the XRP Ledger mainnet and rolled out a Chrome extension during the program. X-Card, which tokenizes physical collectibles, said it onboarded more than $1.5 million in inventory and locked in partnerships with large collector networks.

Fundraising and market readiness

Beyond technical development, the accelerator placed heavy emphasis on fundraising and business positioning. According to Ripple, participating teams reported a 67% average increase in product maturity and a 92% boost in confidence when engaging with investors.

BlockBima, a startup focused on climate-risk microinsurance, said the program helped sharpen its narrative and triple its active user base. CRX Digital Assets used the accelerator to sharpen its plan for taking Brazilian credit products overseas, lifting its tokenized volume from $39 million to $58 million over the six-week cohort.

Other projects included Blockroll, which launched stablecoin-backed virtual cards for African freelancers, and Spout, which finalized an equity tokenization framework and advanced discussions with venture firms.

Part of a broader Ripple–Berkeley partnership

The accelerator builds on a collaboration announced in October 2025, when Ripple committed $1.3 million in funding to establish the Center for Digital Assets (CDA) at UC Berkeley. The initiative sits alongside Berkeley’s research efforts into tokenization, digital asset management, and so-called digital twins.

By pairing academic work with an accelerator model, Ripple is positioning UDAX as a practical bridge from university labs to institutional blockchain products on the XRP Ledger, with future cohorts expected to roll out at other universities.

Also read: LMAX and Ripple Partner to Boost Institutional Crypto Trading

Brazil’s richest investors are starting 2026 with limited interest in Bitcoin (BTC) or crypto. Instead, they are staying close to home, favoring traditional fixed-income products offered by private banks. High real interest rates and an uncertain political year have pushed caution back to the top of the agenda.

This approach runs against the global trend. In other markets, wealthy investors are steadily adding exposure to BTC ETFs, tokenized assets, and digital infrastructure as part of long-term portfolio planning.

A conservative stance at home

The priority is capital protection ahead of elections and expected changes in monetary policy. With the Selic rate (Brazil’s benchmark interest rate) near 15%, the country continues to offer some of the world’s highest real yields, keeping fixed income at the core of most portfolios.

Even private investors and early-stage wealth holders are largely avoiding riskier bets in cryptoassets, equities, and other volatile products. At the same time, interest rates remain at an elevated level, preferring the certainty of guaranteed yields over exposure.

Equity exposure without crypto

Equity exposure remains limited, hovering around 10% after the Ibovespa’s sharp gains in 2025. Rather than broad index exposure, banks are leaning toward selective stock picking, especially in names expected to benefit from lower interest rates.

International diversification continues to play a defensive role. Most portfolios keep at least 20% abroad, with technology and AI still prominent, while some institutions are shifting part of that exposure toward Europe, Japan, and other emerging markets after the strong run in U.S. equities.

Global wealth moves in the opposite direction

Outside Brazil, crypto assets have become a structural component of high-net-worth portfolios. Data from Swiss digital bank Sygnum reports that a large majority of wealthy investors in Asia already hold digital assets, with many targeting double-digit portfolio allocations through ETFs and tokenized products.

According to investment advisor Felipe Mendes of Altside, clearer regulation in the U.S. and the rise of spot Bitcoin ETFs have accelerated institutional participation. He also expects tokenization of real-world assets to gain momentum in 2026, blurring the line between traditional finance and crypto markets.

Brazil’s crypto paradox after 2025

The cautious stance among Brazil’s wealthy contrasts with the country’s broader crypto progress in 2025. Last year saw expanded exchange licensing, new crypto ETFs on the B3 exchange, and public companies adopting Bitcoin as a treasury asset. Younger investors also drove growth in stablecoins and tokenized income products, pushing crypto deeper into everyday financial use.

Yet for large fortunes, the combination of high real yields, political uncertainty, and memories of Bitcoin’s first annual decline since 2022 continue to weigh heavily. Some prominent local asset managers exited crypto exposure entirely in 2025, reinforcing a wait-and-see approach at the top end of the market.

A different beginning

Brazil enters 2026 as a crypto heavyweight in terms of regulation, infrastructure, and retail adoption, but not in how its wealthiest investors deploy capital. 

As global private wealth increasingly treats Bitcoin and tokenization as strategic tools, Brazil’s high-net-worth investors remain focused on extracting value from domestic interest rates, at least for now.

Also read: Security Expert Warns Bitcoin Could Fail Within a Decade

Riot Platforms has completed the fee simple acquisition of the land underlying its Rockdale, Texas site and signed its first major data center lease with Advanced Micro Devices. The move pushed the company’s shares up more than 9% in early trading.

The transactions, announced today, mark a significant step in Riot’s shift from pure bitcoin mining toward hyperscale data center development. The Rockdale deal gives Riot full ownership of a key site with significant power capacity, while the AMD lease establishes its data center business with a long-term anchor tenant.

Rockdale acquisition unlocks data center expansion

Riot acquired 200 acres at its Rockdale site for $96 million, funding the purchase entirely through the sale of approximately 1,080 Bitcoin from its treasury. The site, previously operated under a long-term ground lease, includes a 700 MW grid interconnection, a dedicated water supply, and fiber connectivity.

We’re excited to share a series of transformative transactions that firmly establish our rapidly scaling data center business – including fee simple acquisition of our Rockdale site and signing our first data center lease with AMD.

Read the full press release here:…

— Riot Platforms, Inc. (@RiotPlatforms) January 16, 2026

With full ownership secured, the company plans to convert the site’s entire gross power capacity for data center tenants. Combined with its Corsicana facility, Riot now controls more than 1,100 acres and 1.7 GW of approved power capacity across two Texas locations positioned within the state’s major data center corridor.

AMD signs long-term lease at Rockdale

Alongside the land acquisition, Riot entered into a 10-year data center lease and services agreement with AMD for an initial 25 MW of critical IT load at Rockdale. Delivery is expected in phases, beginning in January 2026 and completing in May 2026, using retrofitted existing infrastructure.

The lease is expected to generate about $311 million in revenue over the initial term, with three five-year extension options that could raise total contract value to roughly $1 billion. AMD also holds options to expand capacity by an additional 75 MW and a right of first refusal for another 100 MW, potentially lifting total leased capacity to 200 MW.

Market and balance sheet context

Riot ranks among the largest public corporate holders of Bitcoin, with 18,005 BTC valued at roughly $1.7 billion, according to BitcoinTreasuries. The company said the Rockdale purchase reflects a deliberate allocation of its Bitcoin holdings toward long-term infrastructure assets rather than continued accumulation alone. Shares of Riot Platforms rose more than 9% following the announcement, with the stock trading at around $18.14 and a market capitalization near $6.7 billion.

Broader digital push

The Rockdale acquisition and AMD lease signal Riot’s evolution from a Bitcoin mining-focused operator into a broader digital infrastructure developer tied to AI and high-performance computing demand. 

As miners increasingly repurpose power-heavy sites for data centers, Riot’s move shows how Bitcoin treasuries and energy assets are being redeployed to compete in the fast-growing hyperscale market.

Also read: Strive Completes Semler Deal, Boosts Bitcoin Treasury

Strive, a Nasdaq-listed asset manager, announced the completion of its acquisition of Semler Scientific, formally combining the two companies’ bitcoin treasuries and pushing Strive into the top tier of public corporate BTC holders. The transaction, announced on Friday, follows shareholder approval earlier this week.

The all-stock deal brings Strive’s total Bitcoin holdings to approximately 12,797.9 BTC, placing it 11th globally among public companies, according to industry tracking data.

Treasury scale and leadership changes

With the acquisition closed, Strive confirmed it now ranks 11th in Bitcoin treasury holdings based on BitcoinTreasuries data, combining its existing reserves with the Bitcoin previously held by Semler Scientific. The company has positioned its balance sheet around BTC accumulation rather than traditional cash or hedging strategies.

Alongside the deal, Strive named Avik Roy as Chief Strategy Officer. Roy will focus on monetizing Semler’s operating healthcare business while expanding Strive’s broader strategy. Former Semler chairman Eric Semler joined Strive as an independent board member, while Joe Burnett was appointed vice president of bitcoin strategy.

Strive Announces the Completion of Semler Scientific Acquisition

• Strive now holds approximately 12,797.9 bitcoin, becoming the #11 largest public corporate holder of bitcoin globally.

• Strive also announces the appointment of @Avik Roy as Chief Strategy Officer of Strive.…

— Strive (@strive) January 16, 2026

Strategy shift post-acquisition

Management has indicated that Semler’s healthcare operations are not central to Strive’s long-term plans. Within the next year, the company expects to monetize the operating business and redeploy capital toward bitcoin-related initiatives, including retiring existing debt tied to Semler, subject to market conditions.

Executives have framed the transaction as a continuation of a preferred-equity-first approach, aimed at increasing Bitcoin per share without relying heavily on conventional debt financing.

Market context

The acquisition highlights how Bitcoin-focused balance sheets are reshaping public company rankings. With Semler’s Bitcoin folded in, Strive moved past several higher-profile firms in total BTC holdings, showing how quickly treasury moves can reshuffle corporate rankings.

The deal also points to a wider consolidation trend among early Bitcoin adopters, as companies look to gain scale and simplify around a single treasury strategy.

Also read: Jefferies’ Christopher Wood Swaps Bitcoin for Gold Over Quantum Fear

Justin Bons, founder and Chief Investment Officer of CyberCapital, warned that Bitcoin’s (BTC) long-term security model could break down within the next decade as mining rewards continue to fall. In an X post on Friday, Bons said declining miner revenue could eventually make censorship and double-spend attacks economically viable.

His comments come as Bitcoin trades near recent highs following strong institutional demand, highlighting a growing gap between bullish market sentiment and concerns raised by some long-time critics over the network’s underlying incentives.

https://twitter.com/Justin_Bons/status/2011887670473982455?s=20

A shrinking security budget

Bons argues that Bitcoin’s security is best measured by miner revenue rather than hash rate, as it reflects the actual economic cost of attacking the network. With each halving cycle reducing block rewards, he said the security budget is steadily declining unless offset by sustained price growth or consistently high transaction fees.

According to Bons, relying on fees alone is unrealistic in a competitive market. He said users tend to exit the network when fees spike, limiting their ability to support long-term security. As a result, he estimates that within two to three halving cycles, the cost of attacking Bitcoin for a short period could fall into a range that makes such attacks financially attractive.

Attack scenarios and governance risks

Bons said double-spend attacks on exchanges could become financially attractive, warning that a sustained drop in security may force Bitcoin to choose between tolerating attacks or altering its fixed supply rules, potentially splitting the network.

He added that heavy congestion during periods of stress could trigger a “bank run” scenario, as users rush to move funds on a network with limited capacity. In his view, Bitcoin’s governance structure makes it hard to respond quickly or in a coordinated way if such a crisis unfolds.

Market context and debate

The warning comes even as Bitcoin continues to rally, trading near $100,000 amid heavy liquidations and strong inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs led by major asset managers.

Supporters argue that price appreciation, Layer 2 solutions, and evolving fee markets can sustain Bitcoin’s security over time. Bons rejects that view, saying the current model depends on assumptions about growth and user behavior that are unlikely to hold over the long term.

The argument revives a long-running debate over whether Bitcoin’s fixed supply and limited throughput can coexist with a secure network decades into the future. As Bitcoin continues to grow, debates over incentives, governance, and long-term security are unlikely to fade for investors and developers alike.

Also read: Bitcoin Eyes $100K as Crypto Market Triggers Short Squeeze

Kaito, a crypto-focused analytics and marketing platform, said it will shut down Yaps, its token-based engagement and rewards feature, and retire incentivized leaderboards as it shifts toward a new product called Kaito Studio, a creator–brand collaboration platform. The decision, announced this week, marks a move away from open reward models as the company repositions its broader strategy.

According to Kaito, the transition reflects lessons learned from operating Yaps and the growing difficulty of sustaining permissionless, reward-driven posting systems, prompting the company to pursue a more selective and analytics-focused approach with Kaito Studio.

https://t.co/K1J71SYCpy

— Yu Hu 🌊 (@Punk9277) January 15, 2026

From Yaps to Kaito Studio

Yaps was built to reward users and creators for driving brand attention through open participation, using tokenized scores and public leaderboards. Kaito later said the model reflected early Web3 ideals around open access and merit-based rewards.

Over time, however, the company said efforts to improve quality through tighter eligibility rules, higher thresholds, and social and on-chain filters did not fully resolve issues related to spam and low-quality content. Similar challenges emerged across the broader crypto ecosystem as other InfoFi projects launched with minimal restrictions, while changes to X’s ranking and visibility systems further reduced the effectiveness of open incentive models.

Kaito Studio will replace this approach with a more selective framework. Kaito Studio is designed to operate more like a traditional creator marketing platform, pairing vetted creators with brands using cross-platform analytics.

Market and platform impact

The move comes as X tightens its stance on apps that pay users to post, revoking API access in an effort to curb spam and AI-generated content. The changes have quickly rippled through InfoFi-linked projects.

After the restrictions were announced, Kaito’s token fell sharply and related NFT collections also slid. The reaction underscored how closely some crypto projects remain tied to the policies of major social platforms, and how fast market sentiment can turn.

Kaito said the transition away from Yaps does not affect its other products, including Kaito Pro, the Kaito API, Kaito Launchpad, or the planned Kaito Markets. The company added that the KAITO token will continue to play a role within Kaito Studio, with further details to be shared later.

Why it matters

The shift mirrors a wider rethink across crypto and creator platforms, as open incentive models give way to more targeted, data-driven approaches.

For Kaito, ending Yaps signals a move toward relevance and analytics over volume, as crypto tools increasingly intersect with mainstream finance and digital media.

Also read: MetaMask Adds Native TRON Support Across Wallet Platforms

MetaMask rolled out native support for the TRON blockchain on January 15, making the network available across both its mobile app and browser extension. The change allows users worldwide to access TRON-based tokens and decentralized applications directly through the wallet.

As a result, TRON activity can now be handled inside MetaMask’s existing self-custody setup, removing the need to switch wallets or rely on external tools. Users are able to send transactions, manage assets, and connect with TRON-native applications from the same interface they already use for other networks.

TRON is now LIVE on MetaMask.

❤️ @trondao pic.twitter.com/fLvrjTBaJi

— MetaMask 🦊 (@MetaMask) January 15, 2026

How the TRON integration works

With native support now live, MetaMask users can send and receive TRX, transfer USDT on the TRON network, stake tokens, and connect directly to TRON-based decentralized applications. The wallet also supports asset swaps across TRON, Ethereum-compatible networks, Solana, and Bitcoin from a single interface.

According to TRON DAO, the integration allows users to interact with the TRON network using the same workflows already familiar to MetaMask users. The update completes an integration effort first announced in 2025 as part of MetaMask’s broader push toward multichain support.

Rizvi Haider, staff product manager at MetaMask, said the addition of TRON follows the wallet’s recent expansion into non-EVM networks, positioning MetaMask as a unified access point for multiple blockchains rather than an Ethereum-only product.

Market and ecosystem impact

TRON has become a major settlement layer for stablecoin activity, particularly for USDT transfers, and reports hundreds of millions of user accounts globally. The network is widely used across regions such as Asia, Latin America, and Africa, where demand for low-cost blockchain transactions remains high.

The MetaMask rollout comes after TRON’s recent integration with Coinbase-incubated Base, which opened cross-chain access to TRX within Ethereum’s Layer 2 ecosystem. Together, the moves bring TRON infrastructure closer to commonly used wallets and Coinbase-linked platforms.

TRX is currently trading near $0.31, giving the token a market capitalization of roughly $29.2 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.

The integration adds TRON to MetaMask’s growing list of supported networks. It also reflects a wider industry shift toward interoperability, as access to multiple blockchains through a single interface becomes increasingly standard.

Also read: Tether’s $182M USDT Freeze on Tron Reignites Centralization Concerns

CME Group, a financial derivatives marketplace, announced plans to launch futures contracts for Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), and Stellar (XLM), marking another expansion of its regulated cryptocurrency derivatives offering. Trading is scheduled to begin on February 9, subject to regulatory approval, and will be available on the CME Globex platform.

The exchange said the new products are intended to address growing demand from market participants seeking regulated tools to manage price risk and gain exposure to leading altcoins as institutional participation in crypto markets continues to rise.

New futures contracts expand altcoin access

The upcoming launch will introduce both standard and micro-sized contracts for each asset. Standard contracts will represent 100,000 ADA, 5,000 LINK, or 250,000 XLM, while micro versions will be significantly smaller, including contracts sized at 10,000 ADA, 250 LINK, and 12,500 XLM.

Our Crypto product suite is growing with new Cardano, Chainlink and Stellar futures. 🚀

Available in both larger and micro sizes, these contracts will offer the capital efficiency and versatility to expand your strategy. ➡️ https://t.co/kl3EMcEzFi pic.twitter.com/HUC6rUPSSP

— CME Group (@CMEGroup) January 15, 2026

According to Giovanni Vicioso, Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products at CME Group, the structure is intended to provide greater flexibility and capital efficiency. He said clients are increasingly looking for “trusted, regulated products” as cryptocurrencies have experienced strong growth over the past year.

The futures will be cash-settled, allowing traders to speculate or hedge price movements without holding the underlying tokens directly. Industry participants, including brokers and trading firms, described the move as a signal of deeper institutional engagement with major altcoins beyond Bitcoin and Ether.

Market impact and recent performance

The expansion comes after a year of record activity in CME’s crypto derivatives business. In 2025, the exchange reported average daily volume of 278,300 futures and options contracts, representing roughly $12 billion in notional value, alongside average open interest of $26.4 billion.

Cardano, Chainlink, and Stellar remain among the most actively traded altcoins globally. According to the latest data from coinmarketcap, Cardano currently has a market capitalization of approximately $14.3 billion, while Chainlink’s market cap stands near $9.9 billion. Stellar’s market capitalization is about $7.4 billion, reflecting continued liquidity and trading interest despite recent short-term price declines.

CME’s move follows its recent launch of spot-quoted XRP and Solana futures in December, which were designed to offer closer alignment with spot prices and smaller contract sizes. Together, these additions suggest a broader strategy to capture demand from both institutional desks and more active retail traders.

Why it matters

The introduction of regulated futures for ADA, LINK, and XLM further integrates major altcoins into traditional derivatives markets, offering new hedging and trading tools under U.S. regulatory oversight. 

As crypto derivatives volumes continue to grow, CME Group’s expanding product suite underscores how established financial infrastructure is increasingly shaping access to digital asset markets.

Also read: CME Group to Launch Spot-Quoted XRP & SOL Futures

Bitmine Immersion Technologies has announced a $200 million equity investment in Beast Industries, the media and consumer brand founded by YouTube creator MrBeast, as part of a broader push to expand its strategic footprint beyond crypto-native markets.

The investment was disclosed on January 15, just ahead of Bitmine’s annual shareholder meeting in Las Vegas, and is expected to close around January 19, according to the company. Executives framed the deal as a long-term alignment between digital assets, creator-led platforms, and next-generation financial services.

A strategic bet beyond crypto

Bitmine, which describes itself as the world’s leading Ethereum (ETH) treasury company, said the investment reflects its belief that Beast Industries represents one of the most influential media platforms globally, particularly among Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences.

Tom Lee, Bitmine’s chairman and a long-time market strategist, said the company sees strong alignment between Bitmine’s capital strategy and Beast Industries’ reach and innovation model. Beast Industries, led by CEO Jeff Housenbold, operates a growing portfolio that spans digital content, consumer brands, and emerging financial services initiatives.

Housenbold said Bitmine’s entry as an investor adds both capital and strategic value, noting that the two sides plan to explore collaborations that could include decentralized finance elements in future products.

ETH accumulation remains the core focus

The investment comes as Bitmine continues to deepen its exposure to Ethereum. Earlier this week, the firm disclosed that it now holds more than 4.17 million ETH, worth roughly $12.9 billion at current prices, giving it control of about 3.45% of Ethereum’s circulating supply.

Bitmine has repeatedly described its long-term goal as acquiring five percent of ETH, a strategy it calls the “alchemy of five percent.” To support that effort, the company plans to launch its Made-in-America Validator Network (MAVAN) in the first quarter of 2026, allowing it to stake a larger share of its holdings and generate protocol-level yield.

At the time of writing, Bitmine’s shares (BMNR) were trading near $32.69, valuing the company at roughly $14.9 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.

Market context and industry impact

The timing is notable, as MrBeast’s past crypto activity has resurfaced after earlier token trades caught the attention of on-chain analysts. While Beast Industries isn’t a crypto-native company, the investment points to a wider trend: digital-asset capital is starting to flow into creator-led businesses with enormous global reach, well beyond the usual Web3 ecosystem.

For Bitmine, the move fits a wider playbook: keep building a dominant Ethereum position while placing targeted bets beyond core crypto infrastructure. Backing from firms like ARK Invest, Founders Fund, Pantera, Galaxy Digital, and Digital Currency Group points to growing institutional support for that hybrid strategy.

The $200 million check into Beast Industries pushes Bitmine beyond a pure crypto balance-sheet story. Ethereum still anchors its reserves, but the move ties that capital to one of the world’s largest creator platforms, blending crypto exposure with media scale and future-facing financial services.

With its ETH holdings climbing toward the five percent mark and new staking infrastructure on the way, the market will be watching whether deals like this deliver lasting value beyond crypto’s usual price swings.

Also read: Vitalik Buterin Wants Ethereum Ready for a ‘Walkaway’ Future

Galaxy Digital has completed its first tokenized collateralized loan obligation (CLO), issuing the structure on the Avalanche blockchain and securing a $50 million anchor allocation from Grove. The transaction, announced on January 15, marks a new step in bringing institutional private credit onto public blockchain infrastructure.

The deal, known as Galaxy CLO 2025-1, closed at roughly $75 million and will support Galaxy’s lending operations. By issuing the CLO’s debt tranches on Avalanche, Galaxy blends traditional securitization with onchain settlement, clearer transparency, and more efficient trading.

Avalanche,Technology Built for Institutions.

Galaxy is introducing a first-of-its-kind tokenized CLO, issued exclusively on Avalanche with a $50M allocation from Grove🧵 pic.twitter.com/vYzVVvrZOF

— Avalanche🔺 (@avax) January 15, 2026

Galaxy brings structured credit onchain

Galaxy CLO 2025-1 represents the firm’s first issuance in the collateralized loan obligation market. The CLO supports an uncommitted credit facility for Arch Lending, a Galaxy Ventures–backed platform that issues overcollateralized loans secured by assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

The debt tranches were issued directly on Avalanche, letting the CLO settle and operate onchain without the usual back-office friction. Tokens are expected to be listed on INX’s regulated trading platform, giving qualified investors access to the product without relying on traditional settlement rails.

Galaxy said the structure is designed to scale up to $200 million as new loans are added, using a debt capital markets framework that institutional investors already understand. Senior tranches carry a coupon of SOFR plus 570 basis points, with monthly distributions and an initial maturity set for December 2026.

Grove deepens its on-chain credit strategy

Grove’s $50 million allocation anchors the CLO and builds on its broader commitment to tokenized real-world assets on Avalanche. The protocol has already deployed more than $250 million into onchain credit and treasury products, positioning Avalanche as a core settlement layer for its institutional strategy.

“This transaction marks another meaningful step forward for onchain credit, demonstrating how familiar securitization structures can be brought onchain without compromising institutional standards,” said Sam Paderewski, Co-Founder of Grove Labs. Rather than a one-off allocation, Grove has signaled its plans to operate a meaningful share of its credit activity on public blockchain infrastructure.

Impact: Avalanche’s role in institutional finance

The deal adds to a growing wave of institutional credit products turning to Avalanche. Firms such as Apollo, KKR, and Janus Henderson have already brought tokenized funds to the network, drawn by its reliable settlement, low costs, and consistent finality.

Because Avalanche works smoothly with Ethereum-based tools, asset managers can issue structured products while automating tasks like reporting, collateral tracking, and compliance. As private credit keeps expanding, tokenized CLOs like Galaxy’s show how blockchains are being pushed beyond simple assets into more complex financial structures.

Galaxy’s tokenized CLO shows how institutional credit is slowly finding its way onchain, pairing familiar debt structures with blockchain-based settlement. With Grove anchoring the deal and Avalanche hosting the issuance, the move reflects growing trust in public blockchains for handling large private credit transactions.

That confidence comes as Avalanche’s native token, AVAX, trades at $14.32, according to CoinMarketCap. The network holds a market capitalization of $6.17 billion, with 24-hour trading volume at $460 million, despite a recent dip in daily activity. If similar deals follow, tokenized CLOs could offer a practical path for debt markets to adopt faster settlement and greater transparency without straying from institutional standards.

Also read: Warren Urges OCC to Halt Trump-linked Crypto Bank Bid

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren is urging federal banking regulators to pause a high-profile crypto bank application tied to President Donald Trump. The request targets World Liberty Financial, a crypto firm co-founded by Trump and his sons, which is seeking approval to operate as a nationally chartered trust bank.

In a letter sent on January 13 to Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) Comptroller Jonathan Gould, Warren said the review should be halted until Trump fully cuts his financial ties to the company. She warned that allowing the process to move forward now would place the U.S. banking system in uncharted territory, with presidential financial interests overlapping directly with federal oversight.

Senator raises conflict concerns over crypto bank bid

World Liberty Financial applied on January 7 to operate a national trust bank designed for stablecoin services, placing it under the direct supervision of the OCC. Warren said the request forces the regulator into an impossible position, as the agency would be responsible for approving, supervising, and potentially enforcing rules against a company tied directly to the sitting president.

In her letter, Warren criticized the OCC’s earlier refusal to address hypothetical conflicts involving Trump-linked crypto ventures, arguing those concerns are now concrete. She warned that approving the application could effectively make the president responsible for overseeing his own financial company.

Warren also pointed to the GENIUS Act, signed into law in 2025, which designated the OCC as the primary regulator for federally licensed stablecoin issuers. She said the law failed to block elected officials and their families from benefiting financially from such activities, leaving regulators to manage the fallout.

Stablecoin ambitions and growing scrutiny

World Liberty Financial launched in 2024 and later introduced a stablecoin known as USD1. Public statements from Eric Trump have suggested that the Trump family has earned more than $1 billion from crypto-related ventures tied to the company.

If approved, the OCC would not only oversee World Liberty Financial but also issue rules that shape the stablecoin market more broadly. Warren argued this creates a structural conflict, as those rules could directly affect the profitability of a business linked to the president who appoints the controller.

She asked the OCC to commit in writing to pausing the review until Trump and his family fully divest from the company.

Impact on crypto regulation and markets

The letter adds to the ongoing debate over crypto policy in Washington. Warren and other Democrats have pushed for tougher scrutiny of World Liberty Financial, citing foreign ties, stablecoins, and ethics risks.

If approved, the OCC would both supervise World Liberty Financial and help set the rules for the broader stablecoin market.

Market reaction has been mixed. WLFI remains volatile, currently trading at $0.1807, more than 41% below its peak. The token’s market cap sits near $4.83 billion, while daily trading volume has jumped over 57% to about $171 million, according to CoinMarketCap.

More broadly, the dispute underscores a growing tension for regulators as crypto firms push for bank-style approvals while maintaining close links to political power and private interests.

Why the letter matters

Warren’s push highlights how crypto regulation is increasingly tangled with ethics and governance at the top of government. How the OCC responds could show how willing regulators are to draw a line between politics and crypto oversight.

With stablecoins moving closer to the core of the U.S. financial system, the outcome may shape not only one company’s future but also public trust in the independence of crypto oversight.

Also read: WLFI Launches Lending Markets Powered by Dolomite for USD1