Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Bitcoin held a critical support level as overall crypto market activity cooled, with dash (DASH) outperforming peers in a muted trading session. BTC traded in a tight range around its key technical level, showing consolidation rather than directional conviction. Market breadth was narrow: most major altcoins were flat to slightly down, while dash posted notable intraday gains driven by low liquidity and short-term buying interest. Trading volumes declined across spot markets, reflecting reduced retail participation and fewer macro-driven catalysts. Analysts noted the market’s cautious tone — traders awaited clearer signals from Bitcoin’s price action and macroeconomic data before committing to larger positions. Key metrics: subdued volume, narrow BTC range, dash as top mover. Implications for traders include favouring range-bound strategies on BTC (scalps, options spreads) and watching for liquidity-driven volatility in smaller caps like DASH. Monitor volume spikes, on-chain momentum, and macro releases as triggers for trend resumption.

Jefferies’ Global Head of Equity Strategy Christopher Wood has removed Bitcoin (BTC) from his model portfolio, citing the risk that advances in quantum computing could eventually break Bitcoin’s security and mining architecture. Wood, who added Bitcoin to the portfolio in 2020 and had previously increased allocation to 10%, reallocated the position into 5% physical gold and 5% gold-mining stocks. He had earlier described both gold and Bitcoin as hedges against dollar debasement but argued gold’s long history gives it an advantage. While quantum computing is still in early stages, Wood says its potential to create a structural vulnerability for Bitcoin is now material enough to affect institutional asset allocation, prompting some investors to rethink crypto exposure. Primary keywords: Bitcoin, quantum computing, Christopher Wood. Secondary/semantic keywords: Jefferies, model portfolio, gold hedge, institutional allocation, crypto risk.

The Bitcoin Fear and Greed Index rose to 61, entering the “greed” zone for the first time in three months as BTC approached a two-month high. Bitcoin briefly tested near $98,000 and settled around $96,000, a roughly 7% weekly gain. Analysts link the shift to price rebound, geopolitical tensions boosting demand for alternative assets, and muted volatility from U.S. policy signals. On-chain data shows accumulation by large and medium wallets (10–10,000 BTC), which have added over 32,600 BTC since mid-January, while micro-holders (<0.01 BTC) have been distributing. Technical analysts cite potential near-term resistance tests at $100,000 and upside toward $105,000 if momentum continues, but warn that elevated greed readings increase the risk of short-term corrections. Traders should weigh bullish accumulation and price structure against the historical tendency for extreme sentiment to precede pullbacks; position sizing, stop-loss discipline and watching on-chain flows are recommended.

Institutional advisors are increasing crypto exposure into a new "sweet spot" of 2%–5% allocations, according to the Bitwise and VettaFi 2026 benchmark survey. Nearly half of advisor portfolios with crypto now sit in that range and 17% exceed 5%, with 43% reallocating from equities and 35% trimming cash to fund crypto positions. Major firms such as Fidelity, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America are updating guidance to treat Bitcoin and related crypto as a high-volatility growth sleeve rather than a marginal speculative asset. Against this institutional backdrop, the article highlights Apeing — a project using a whitelist, limited access and early-entry mechanics — as an emerging focus for traders seeking asymmetric returns. Apeing’s model emphasizes front-loaded allocation and scarcity rather than price confirmation. By contrast, Shiba Inu (SHIB) is seeing sharply increased token burns and reduced exchange supply but exhibits muted price momentum, placing it in a consolidation phase. Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT) shows high relative volume and extreme volatility, attracting momentum traders but posing sharp drawdown risk. The piece argues that the gap between advisors’ positioning and retail hesitation creates asymmetric trading opportunities: quiet projects with early access (like Apeing) can outperform paused meme assets (SHIB) and high-motion tokens (PNUT) when attention flips. This is a sponsored press release and not investment advice.

Crypto holders can earn interest on assets without trading by using lending, staking, DeFi protocols or flexible crypto savings. Flexible savings combine lending infrastructure with instant access and daily payouts, avoiding lock-ups and complex DeFi steps. Clapp Flexible Savings is highlighted: 5.2% APY on stablecoins and EUR, daily interest credited, instant withdrawals, low minimums (10 EUR/USDT/USDC), SEPA Instant EUR support, and custody via Fireblocks. The article contrasts methods: CeFi lending (1–6% APY), staking (protocol-dependent, often locked), DeFi yields (higher but riskier), and flexible savings (transparent, liquid). Key risks remain platform/custody risk, market volatility for non-stable assets, smart-contract exposure in DeFi, and regulatory differences. Traders should weigh yield vs. counterparty and regulatory risk when allocating idle balances.

BingX, a global crypto exchange and Web3-AI company founded in 2018 with over 40 million users, has signed a multi-year partnership with Scuderia Ferrari HP. This marks BingX’s first motorsport collaboration and Scuderia Ferrari HP’s first-ever deal with a crypto exchange. The agreement will place BingX across Scuderia Ferrari HP events, digital platforms, global content and exclusive fan experiences as the partnership develops. Company executives framed the alliance as part of BingX’s global expansion and brand-building strategy; Daniel Lai, BingX Chief Business Officer, emphasized shared values of precision and ambition. Lorenzo Giorgetti, Scuderia Ferrari HP Chief Racing Revenue Officer, said the deal aligns with the team’s interest in emerging technologies ahead of the 2026 FIA regulations. BingX offers spot, derivatives and copy-trading services and has previously been a principal partner of Chelsea FC since 2024. The press release positions the collaboration as a branding and user-engagement play rather than a product or token launch.

Clapp.finance, a Czech-registered VASP and digital asset platform, has launched Clapp Flexible Savings — a crypto savings product offering daily-compounded interest and instant access to funds. The account pays a fixed 5.2% APY on EUR, USDT and USDC, with interest calculated and credited daily from deposit and no lock-up or penalty on withdrawals. Minimum entry is 10 EUR or equivalent in stablecoins; Euro deposits via SEPA Instant begin earning immediately. Clapp highlights transparency (rate shown in-app with no hidden tiers), institutional-grade custody through Fireblocks, and compliance with EU AML standards. The product targets users frustrated by monthly bank interest, locked fixed-term deposits, or opaque crypto yield schemes, positioning itself as a simple, regulated alternative for earning passive crypto income.

X (formerly Twitter) revoked API access on January 15, 2026 for apps that financially reward posting, targeting so‑called “InfoFi” platforms that incentivize user content. X product lead Nikita Bier said the ban was aimed at apps that generated AI reply spam and degraded user experience. The policy change immediately forced major InfoFi projects to halt or pivot: Kaito removed its Yaps rewards and leaderboard and moved to a paid, creator‑selection model (Kaito Studio); Cookie ended Snaps rewards and refocused on B2B analytics and AI market‑intelligence; XEET and Pulse suspended operations. Markets reacted sharply: KAITO fell about 20% within hours (from roughly $0.70 to below $0.55), COOKIE dropped ~13–20% in the same window, and related NFT floors (Yapybaras, Quack Heads) plunged. The episode exposed the fragility of Web3 projects that rely on centralized social platforms for distribution and acquisition. Analysts expect a migration toward on‑chain reward mechanisms and decentralized social stacks (Farcaster, Lens, Base App), plus exchange‑hosted community hubs. For traders: expect heightened volatility in InfoFi tokens and related NFTs, watch token liquidity, on‑chain activity, and formal pivot plans as recovery signals, and monitor moves toward decentralized verification or alternative user‑acquisition channels. This is not trading advice.

Korea University Blockchain Institute has partnered with Injective to operate as an official validator within Injective’s global ecosystem. The collaboration aims to strengthen academic involvement, contribute to network security and decentralization, and support research and education on DeFi and decentralized exchanges. As a validator, the institute will run infrastructure to validate transactions, participate in governance, and potentially stake INJ tokens to secure the network. The partnership highlights Injective’s ongoing efforts to broaden validator diversity by onboarding institutional and academic operators, positioning itself as a Layer-1 blockchain focused on cross-chain decentralized finance and derivatives. Key implications include increased institutional credibility for Injective, potential growth in validator participation, and enhanced on-chain governance engagement from an academic stakeholder. Primary keywords: Injective, validator, Korea University Blockchain Institute, DeFi, INJ. Secondary/semantic keywords: validator diversity, network security, academic partnership, staking, governance, cross-chain DeFi.

ARK Invest founder Cathie Wood outlines a 2026 macro and technology outlook centered on an AI-driven productivity boom that could compress inflation, lift GDP, and trigger a strong economic rebound. Key points: 1) ’Coiled spring’ economy — Wood describes a rolling U.S. decline across housing, manufacturing and non-AI capex that may sharply rebound as regulation eases, taxes fall and rates decline. 2) Inflation and productivity — Falling oil and housing prices plus rapid productivity gains from AI, robotics, blockchain and other platforms could push CPI lower, possibly into disinflation or mild deflation; ARK projects nonfarm productivity gains of 4%–6% annually. 3) Tech capex surge — Data-center and AI-related investment surged in 2025 and may continue in 2026, benefiting semiconductors, cloud players and AI-native firms; consumer AI adoption is faster than the internet era. 4) Asset views — Bitcoin is highlighted as a low-correlation, supply-constrained diversifier versus gold; gold is at historical extremes. A stronger U.S. dollar is possible if U.S. policy and tech leadership persist. 5) Market valuation — Equity valuations are high, but productivity-driven earnings growth could deliver positive returns even with P/E multiple compression. Implications for traders: increased capital spending and falling AI costs can boost tech and infrastructure equities and select semiconductors; BTC may gain allocation appeal as a portfolio diversifier; rising productivity and lower inflation could favor risk assets over long-duration safe havens. This outlook is not investment advice.

South Korea’s main bourse is in talks with financial regulators to relax bans on high‑risk leveraged exchange‑traded products (ETPs) to attract domestic retail capital. Current rules prohibit single‑stock leveraged ETFs and funds offering three‑times or greater index exposure. The move comes despite a 92% surge in the KOSPI over the past year, as many Korean retail investors continue to favour U.S. equities, contributing to won weakness. The Korea Exchange (KRX) says it is studying a phased easing of restrictions to bring back local flows. Regulators have identified large outflows of retail funds to U.S. markets as a key driver of currency depreciation. The report underscores the exchange’s strategy to boost market participation by offering higher‑risk products, while noting no final policy change has been announced.

Ethereum active addresses almost doubled to ~8 million in 30 days, driven mostly by new wallets, while daily transactions reached a record 2.8 million. Glassnode reports activity retention rose from just over 4M to ~8M, indicating both new and returning users are staying engaged. Etherscan data shows the 2.8M daily transactions mark is a 125% year‑over‑year increase. Key drivers include rising stablecoin volume on Ethereum, lower on‑chain fees as execution shifts to Layer‑2 networks, and continued staking growth (close to 36M ETH staked per LVRG Research). Analysts cited — Justin d’Anethan (Arctic Digital), Nick Ruck (LVRG Research), and Michaël van de Poppe (MN Fund) — say improved network metrics, upgrades, and Layer‑2 expansion are attracting capital and could support further price action; ETH recently reached about $3,400. For traders: higher stablecoin throughput and cheaper Layer‑2 settlements increase on‑chain liquidity and trading activity, potentially raising intraday volatility and providing more opportunities for arbitrage and on‑chain flow analysis.

Kaito announced it is winding down Yaps — its rewards-for-posting product — after losing X (formerly Twitter) API access following X’s ban on apps that incentivize posting. Yaps represented roughly 70% of KAITO token utility and linked about 157,000 accounts, producing an immediate demand shock. KAITO fell roughly 19–24% intraday, trading around $0.545 and approaching its December low near $0.4717, while 24-hour volume spiked above $153 million. On-chain analysts flagged a wallet tied to the Kaito team that moved 5 million KAITO (~$2.7m) to Binance seven days before the public announcement, raising insider-trading and information-asymmetry concerns. Technically, KAITO broke key support at $0.60, momentum indicators turned negative, and the next major floor sits near $0.47; failure to reclaim $0.60 — and especially a drop below $0.50 — could prompt retests of the low. Kaito says it will replace Yaps with a tiered Kaito Studio focused on higher-quality creators and onboarding other platforms (YouTube, TikTok), reducing reliance on token incentives. However, the extent to which KAITO retains demand under the new model is unclear. Traders should watch team disclosures about the Binance transfer, on-chain flows, reclaim of $0.60 as resistance, and volume spikes for signs of capitulation or recovery.

KBC, one of Belgium’s largest banks, will launch bitcoin (BTC) and ether (ETH) trading for retail investors on its Bolero investment platform starting February 16. The service will run on KBC’s proprietary custody solution and is presented as compliant with the EU’s Markets in Crypto‑Assets regulation (MiCA). KBC has submitted a full crypto asset service provider (CASP) notification to Belgian authorities and says it will be the first Belgian bank to meet MiCA requirements, though Belgium has not yet issued any MiCA licences according to ESMA’s public register. MiCA became law in Belgium on January 3, 2026, assigning supervision to the FSMA and the National Bank of Belgium (NBB). The move follows KBC’s prior announcement in July 2025 that it planned to offer BTC and ETH via Bolero pending regulatory approval. The rollout underscores growing mainstream adoption of crypto trading by traditional banks as EU members debate cross‑border licence recognition and the scope of ESMA’s supervisory powers.

TON (TON/USDT) is consolidating around $1.68–$1.79 after recent sideways action, with 24h volume elevated but declining (roughly $75–102M) and market cap near $4.2B. Multi-timeframe technicals have turned cautious: price sits at or just below the 20-day EMA (~$1.73), MACD shows negative histogram/ bearish divergence, and RSI is neutral-to-weak (≈50–56). Volatility has contracted (narrow Bollinger Bands, ATR ≈ $0.08), indicating a squeeze. Key levels to watch: immediate support at $1.67–$1.685 (critical — a break risks deeper losses), secondary support band around $1.05–$1.60 depending on timeframe, and resistances at $1.735–$1.80, $1.93–$1.98 (Supertrend), with upside targets near $2.30 if a volume-backed breakout occurs. Risk/reward profiles in both pieces are roughly balanced: downside targets range to ~$1.08 (~35–37% downside) on a decisive break of $1.67–$1.685, while bullish scenarios project ~$2.30 (~32–34% upside) after a confirmed breakout above $1.73–$1.80. Low volume and weakening momentum lower conviction; traders should wait for volume confirmation and a weekly close before taking leveraged longs. Tactical guidance: monitor EMA20, volume spikes, and multi-timeframe confluence; use stop-losses below listed support (e.g., $1.67) and take-profits at the resistance bands. Market drivers remain macro rate expectations, regulatory news, and developments in the Telegram/TON ecosystem. Not investment advice.

Justin Bons, co-founder of Cyber Capital, warns that Bitcoin’s programmed halvings could undermine the network’s security within seven to eleven years. Bitcoin’s proof-of-work security is paid for by miner revenue: block subsidies (newly minted BTC) and transaction fees. Every ~4 years the block subsidy halves, forcing transaction fees or dramatic price appreciation to replace lost subsidy. Bons says Bitcoin’s price must roughly double each halving cycle to maintain current security spending; otherwise miner revenue will fall, hash rate could drop, and 51% attacks become more feasible. Projected subsidy drops: 2024 → 3.125 BTC, 2028 → ~1.5625 BTC, 2032 → ~0.78125 BTC. Potential outcomes include a mature fee market (Bitcoin as settlement layer), extreme price appreciation, protocol changes (unlikely given community conservatism), gradual security erosion, or sudden collapse. The analysis notes parallels with Ethereum’s move to proof-of-stake to address long-term security economics, and highlights debates within the Bitcoin community over market-driven solutions versus protocol adjustments. Key implications for traders: increased long-term security risk could raise volatility and affect BTC’s risk premium; monitoring fee market growth, hash rate trends, miner economics, and policy/community signals will be crucial.

STX, NEAR and ATOM — three layer‑1 blockchain tokens — are showing renewed buying interest after recent pullbacks. Stacks (STX) has risen ~38% month‑to‑date and trades around $0.34–$0.41, with resistance at $0.44 and a potential target near $0.52; its RSI (~30) and position below the 100‑day moving average suggest room for a rebound but with lingering downside risk. NEAR Protocol (NEAR) trades roughly $1.63–$1.81, up ~9.5% monthly and ~2% in the past week; resistance sits at $1.92 with an upside target near $2.10 if broken, while short and long moving averages indicate market indecision and RSI (~39) signals no overbought condition. Cosmos (ATOM) has rebounded about 24% over the last month, trading near $2.33–$2.74; the nearest resistance is $2.92 (≈24% upside from the low) and a second resistance at $3.33 could imply larger gains. The article highlights fundamentals—STX’s platform features, NEAR’s efficiency, and ATOM’s interoperability—as reasons traders may rotate into these layer‑1s. Key trading cues: watch breakouts above stated resistance levels, monitor RSI and moving averages for confirmation, and note that recent six‑month declines (notably NEAR and ATOM) mean volatility and downside risk remain. This is informational and not investment advice.

Stellar’s native token XLM is being evaluated for its medium- to long-term utility as a cross-border payment and settlement asset. The forecast for 2026–2030 centers on real-world adoption (financial institutions, remittance providers, CBDC pilots), protocol upgrades to improve scalability and reduce fees, and the Stellar Development Foundation’s (SDF) treasury and token-supply decisions (inflation and burns). Key drivers include CBDC implementations on Stellar’s infrastructure, rising transaction volumes, cross-chain integrations and DeFi growth on the network. Major risks are regulatory classification (notably in the US), competition from payment-focused rivals (e.g., XRP), technological obsolescence, and macro crypto-market cycles. Analysts expect a cautious-but-optimistic 2026 range contingent on market recovery and partnership announcements; 2027–2028 gains depend on integration and developer adoption, while a 2030 bullish scenario requires Stellar to become a mainstream settlement layer across multi-CBDC corridors. Traders should monitor network activity, partnership/CBDC news, SDF token management and broader market cap trends. This article emphasizes utility-driven valuation over speculation and notes that extreme price targets (e.g., $10+) are unlikely without unprecedented global adoption.

YUBIT has launched TradFi, a unified trading interface that lets users trade global stocks, indices, forex, metals and crypto from one wallet using USDT as the single settlement and collateral unit. The platform aims to improve capital efficiency by allowing real-time rebalancing across asset classes (for example closing BTC and moving funds into gold or equity indices) without fiat transfers or delayed settlements. TradFi offers multi-asset market access, aggregated liquidity from global partners to reduce slippage, advanced leverage up to 500x for qualified instruments with automated margin alerts and tiered liquidation, and a 0-fees trading model to lower transaction costs. YUBIT also advertises streamlined onboarding with no KYC required to access TradFi, enabling rapid account setup and trading. Founded in 2020 and now supporting over 200 crypto pairs, YUBIT positions TradFi as a bridge between digital assets and traditional markets to attract retail and professional traders seeking capital efficiency and multi-asset execution.

Cryptocurrency simplifies betting on baseball and cricket by removing banking delays, easing cross-border access, and enabling faster deposits and withdrawals in BTC and USDT. Baseball and cricket suit crypto betting due to frequent fixtures, volatile odds, and the need for quick execution across MLB series and international cricket formats (Test, ODI, T20). Key evaluation criteria for platforms include market depth (moneylines, totals, props), speed of odds updates, live-betting reliability, deposit/withdrawal speed, and how markets behave during play. The article compares major crypto sportsbooks: Dexsport (recommended all-around for balanced baseball and cricket markets, fast execution, BTC/USDT support), Cloudbet (high-limit, deep lines, fast deposits/automated withdrawals), XBet (wide international coverage, many live events, mixed UX and possible KYC), BetNow (MLB-focused), and Vave (live betting/hybrid users). Practical guidance: USDT is preferred for frequent, stable bankroll management; BTC is better for larger, less frequent wagers or when Lightning is available. Traders should prioritise platforms that handle payments and live execution reliably over promotional features. As crypto adoption grows, BTC and USDT betting is becoming mainstream for cross-border sports wagering.

Bitcoin rallied to nearly $98,000 then pulled back toward the $94,500 breakout level, entering a short-term distribution and consolidation phase. The article notes the breakout remains valid while $94,500 support holds. Shorter timeframes (4–12h) show Stochastic RSI resetting, suggesting consolidation could set up renewed upward momentum by the weekend. On the daily chart, the RSI is compressed between a 14-month descending trendline and a rising support line; a breakout of that RSI squeeze by the end of January could trigger either strong upside toward $100,000 or signal the end of the rally. The weekly chart shows a breakout from an ascending triangle; if price stays above the pattern by week close and weekly Stochastic RSI stays above 20, the breakout may be confirmed and bullish momentum could build. Key trading signals: watch $94,500 support, RSI behavior into late January, and weekly close for confirmation. Primary keywords: Bitcoin price, $94,500 support, $100,000 target, RSI, breakout.

Jefferies removed its recommended 10% Bitcoin allocation from an Asia ex-Japan model portfolio, a decision led by Christopher Wood, the firm’s Global Head of Equity Strategy. Bloomberg reported the change as driven not by market volatility or regulation but by concern that future quantum computers could break Bitcoin’s cryptographic safeguards (notably ECDSA and SHA-256), threatening its role as a long-term store of value. The move reflects growing institutional due diligence on technological longevity and may prompt risk-averse funds to reduce direct Bitcoin exposure or seek indirect exposure via crypto-related equities and funds. Experts are divided: some argue preemptive de-risking is prudent given catastrophic downside risk, while others note active research and Bitcoin Improvement Proposals (BIPs) for post-quantum signatures and the network’s historical adaptability. The timeline for a “cryptographically relevant” quantum computer is uncertain — commonly estimated at 10–15 years or longer — but the announcement elevates quantum risk to boardroom-level consideration and could accelerate developer focus on post-quantum migration plans. Key implications for traders: potential short-term downward pressure if other institutions follow suit; increased interest in projects and services that demonstrate clear post-quantum upgrade pathways; and a longer-term narrative shift emphasizing cryptographic resilience in institutional allocation decisions.

High-volume horse racing bettors prefer crypto sportsbooks because crypto removes payment friction, shortens execution times and scales without manual intervention. These bettors place many bets close to post time, adjust positions quickly on late information and treat execution quality as part of their edge. Traditional racebooks often break under sustained volume: they trigger manual risk reviews, delay confirmations near race start, impose sudden limits and slow withdrawals. Crypto-native platforms (example: Dexsport) use non-custodial, automated settlement to provide stable bet execution, fewer manual checks, faster acceptance near post time and real-time balance updates. For active bettors, reliable execution and predictable platform behaviour matter more than marginally better odds. Crypto sportsbooks therefore offer smoother scaling, less interruption and improved risk management, making them increasingly attractive to serious horse racing bettors.

X (formerly Twitter) blocked InfoFi applications, prompting a sharp market reaction for Kaito. Kaito’s $KAITO fell about 20% within 24 hours after X revoked API/access tied to InfoFi features. Co‑founder Yu Hu detailed the timeline: Kaito received a cautionary email from an X account manager on Jan 13, a formal legal notice on Jan 14, and only learned of X’s public InfoFi shutdown alongside other users via a Jan 15 post. Kaito delayed a public statement while awaiting clarification because previous legal notices had been resolved via negotiation. The team says Kaito Studio — a months‑in‑planning, cross‑platform content tool aimed at TikTok, YouTube and non‑crypto creators — is not a sudden pivot but the planned successor to Yaps. Kaito will sunset Yaps in 2026 and reposition its product strategy away from dependence on a single social platform. Other product lines (Kaito Launchpad, Kaito Pro, Kaito API, forthcoming Kaito Markets) remain operational. Immediate market effect: token price volatility and reputational risk for InfoFi/social mining models; strategic response is diversification into creator‑economy tools beyond X. Keywords: Kaito, InfoFi, X platform, $KAITO, Yaps, Kaito Studio, creator economy, API access, token price drop.

A Utah man was sentenced to three years in federal prison and ordered to forfeit about $2.9 million after pleading guilty to operating an unlicensed cash-to-crypto money-transmission service that facilitated wire fraud. Prosecutors said the operation exchanged cash for cryptocurrency without required licensing or anti-money-laundering controls, enabling fraudsters to convert stolen funds into crypto and move them across platforms. Investigators traced transactions using bank records, transaction histories and communications linking the defendant to numerous transactions that masked the origin of illicit proceeds and impeded law enforcement tracing. The sentence includes forfeiture, restitution and supervised release. The case underscores rising enforcement against unlicensed money transmitters and highlights the risks informal cash-to-crypto services pose to fraud prevention, compliance and market integrity. Key SEO keywords: crypto fraud, cash-to-crypto, money transmitter enforcement, money laundering, forfeiture.

Moldova plans to introduce its first comprehensive cryptocurrency law by the end of 2026, aligning domestic rules with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. The draft will be prepared jointly by the Finance Ministry, National Bank, financial markets regulator and the Anti-Money Laundering authority. The bill will legalize holding, trading and conversion of crypto assets for citizens while explicitly prohibiting crypto as a means of payment. It will set licensing and custody rules, define which organizations may operate, and impose AML and security requirements. The regime is expected to tax profits from crypto transactions for residents (previous reporting cited a 12% rate) but not tax mere holdings. Officials stressed the move is regulatory rather than prohibitive, citing volatility and recent criminal cases involving large crypto transfers as drivers for regulation. Moldova intends to follow MiCA standards and draw on neighboring Romania’s experience. For traders, the law implies clearer licensing and custody standards, stricter AML controls and defined taxable events — all of which could raise compliance costs for exchanges and impose reporting obligations on residents once enacted in 2026.

Interactive Brokers has launched a 24/7 account funding option using USD Coin (USDC), letting eligible clients deposit stablecoins from crypto wallets and have them converted to U.S. dollars and credited to brokerage accounts within minutes — including weekends and holidays. The service, built with crypto infrastructure partner ZeroHash, processes transfers on Ethereum, Solana and Base. Interactive Brokers waives deposit fees; ZeroHash applies a 0.30% conversion fee (minimum $1). The rails replace slower cross‑border bank wires that typically take 1–3 business days and cost $25–$50, enabling near‑instant access to more than 170 markets for stocks, options and other instruments. IBKR emphasizes this is a fiat funding mechanism (not crypto trading). Support for Ripple’s RLUSD and PayPal USD (PYUSD) is scheduled for the week of Jan. 19, 2026. The move removes time‑zone and bank‑processing constraints for international investors and may speed capital deployment into traditional markets.

Pump.fun changed its creator-fee model after Dynamic Fees V1 encouraged large numbers of low‑risk token deployments rather than trading activity. The Solana memecoin launch platform saw nearly 30,000 token launches in a single day, a sharp rise that exposed misaligned incentives. The update lets creators split fees across up to 10 wallets, transfer token ownership, revoke update authority post‑launch, and set fee rates after deployment to formalize revenue sharing. Pump.fun said future iterations will allow trader input on which token narratives qualify for creator fees, shifting reward power toward investors and active traders who provide liquidity. Co‑founder Alon Cohen signaled additional adjustments are planned to rebalance creator earnings with market‑oriented incentives and promote longer‑term sustainability as activity increases into 2026. For traders, the changes aim to prioritize liquidity and trading engagement over quick deploys, which could increase on‑chain volume for tokens that attract real trading interest.

CME Group plans to list futures contracts for Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK) and Stellar (XLM), targeting a February 9 start pending regulatory approval. The listings expand CME’s regulated crypto derivatives suite that already includes BTC, ETH, XRP and SOL. Each token will have a standard and a smaller “micro” contract to improve accessibility: ADA (100,000 standard; 10,000 micro), LINK (5,000 standard; 250 micro) and XLM (250,000 standard; 12,500 micro). CME says the contracts meet rising demand for regulated exposure without token custody and are designed for better capital efficiency. Industry participants note growing retail and institutional interest in regulated crypto futures; NinjaTrader’s CEO is cited on increased demand. The move signals CME’s confidence in these tokens’ spot-market price transparency and could boost futures liquidity, price discovery and hedging options for ADA, LINK and XLM. Increased regulated derivatives availability may widen institutional access and make position-sizing easier for traders, though actual uptake depends on broker support and regulatory clearance.