Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

OpenAI reported explosive revenue growth from $2 billion in 2023 to $6 billion in 2024 and roughly $20 billion in 2025, a tenfold increase over two years. CFO Sarah Friar attributes the surge to a compute-driven “flywheel”: large upfront investments in compute enabled stronger AI research, better products (like ChatGPT), rapid user adoption and higher monetization. OpenAI increased its compute capacity from ~0.2 GW in 2023 to about 1.9 GW in 2025 (a 9.5x rise in physical energy/hardware usage), and now works with multiple compute partners to secure longer-term capacity. The company plans to shift toward “practical adoption” in 2026 — building always-on systems, long-context memory, and autonomous “agents” — and to expand into commerce and advertising by suggesting monetized options natively within user flows. OpenAI also expects device launches (potentially H2 2026).

Bitcoin weakness — partly triggered by tariff headlines — pushed BTC below $93k and pressured major altcoins. XRP traded back under $2 with RSI near 33; failure to reclaim $2 could see a retest of $1.80, while resistance lies at $2.10–$2.19. Cardano (ADA) slipped under $0.40; RSI near 32 suggests bearish momentum and a possible revisit of $0.33 range low unless ADA clears $0.40. Meanwhile Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER), a Bitcoin-linked momentum project, raised roughly $30.80 million in its presale, drawing speculative capital as traders seek higher-beta exposure that amplifies BTC moves. The article frames XRP and ADA as still down significantly from all-time highs but among the stronger large-cap names, while Bitcoin Hyper is presented as an aggressive trade ahead of 2026. Key trading levels: BTC ~ $92–93k, XRP support $1.80, resistance $2.10–$2.19; ADA support $0.33–$0.36, resistance $0.40. Traders are encouraged to monitor BTC volatility, RSI readings, and rotation into Bitcoin-linked speculative tokens like HYPER for short-term alpha and higher risk.

Bitcoin (BTC) held around $93,000 as markets prepared for a potentially volatile week driven by trade-war rhetoric emerging from the Davos forum. Traders monitored macro risk factors — geopolitical tensions and policy comments from global leaders — that could sway risk appetite and crypto flows. BTC price action showed consolidation rather than a decisive break, with volatility expected if speakers escalate tariff or trade-friction narratives. Market participants also watched for spillovers into equities and risk assets, which historically correlate with crypto moves. Key takeaways for traders: BTC is range-bound near $93k, heightened macro commentary from Davos increases short-term volatility risk, and cross-asset signals (equities, FX, yield moves) will be important confirmatory indicators for directional trades.

India imported $5.9 billion of silver over four months — a 400% increase from Q4 2024 and 64% above the 2022 peak. Annual imports from 2013–2019 averaged roughly $1.5 billion, underlining the scale of the current surge. Demand drivers include jewelry buying, physical bar investors and industrial use in electronics and solar panels. Silver spot hit a record near $94.61/oz (up ~32% since January) while MCX futures reached ₹303,000 per kg. Domestic physical markets showed a ₹10,000/kg discount versus landed cost, reflecting some demand cooling at extreme prices. Silver ETFs saw assets jump from ₹15,339 crore in March 2025 to ₹72,907 crore in December 2025. The Nippon India Silver ETF returned 32.45% year-to-date and 225% over the past year. The rally lifted the Nifty Metal Index — its best opening quarter since 2018 — and boosted miners’ earnings (e.g., Hindustan Zinc posted a 46.2% Q3 profit increase). Related precious metals also rose. Key SEO keywords: silver imports, India silver demand, silver ETF, silver price record, Nifty Metal Index. (Word count: 150)

Tokenized assets surpassed $21 billion in total supply in early 2026 as real-world assets (RWAs) continued to gain traction across multiple blockchains. The increase was driven by platforms tokenizing short-term, high-quality assets such as US Treasury bills and money-market instruments, attracting institutional capital seeking yield and on-chain liquidity. Major infrastructure contributors and issuers expanded their offerings, with several new issuance programs and cross-chain integrations boosting supply figures. The growth reflects improving market acceptance and regulatory clarity in some jurisdictions, though fragmentation across chains and custodial models persists. Key takeaways for traders: growing RWA token supply can increase stablecoin-like capital efficiency and introduce new on-chain yield products; however, liquidity concentration in a few issuers and potential regulatory shifts pose risks. Monitor issuance announcements, treasury bill yields, and on-chain flows into RWA protocols to gauge momentum and short-term trading opportunities.

Trove Markets abruptly abandoned plans to build its decentralized perpetuals exchange on Hyperliquid after a liquidity partner reportedly withdrew 500,000 HYPE tokens. The project had raised over $11.5 million in a TROVE token sale intended to support the Hyperliquid integration and a scheduled token generation event. Following the HYPE pull and on‑chain transfers flagged by observers, many contributors requested refunds and raised governance and treasury control concerns. Trove says the withdrawal forced it to rebuild the perpetuals product on Solana, delay the token generation event, and process refund requests; EVM contributors will be able to connect Solana wallets to claim tokens when the project relaunches. The team argues Solana better fits its niche plan for perpetual markets in digital collectibles (e.g., trading cards and CS2 skins), but credibility and disclosure issues remain as refund pressure and scrutiny grow. Key points for traders: pivot from Hyperliquid to Solana, 500,000 HYPE withdrawal, >$11.5M raised in the TROVE sale, flagged on‑chain HYPE transfers, rescheduled token generation event, and increased refund requests and governance scrutiny.

Paradex, a decentralized perpetual futures exchange, suffered a platform-wide outage on January 19 that disrupted its UI, APIs, blockchain modules, bridge, block explorer, RPC proxy and cloud services. Engineers identified the root cause and executed a chain rollback to block 1,604,710 to restore a consistent on-chain state. As part of remediation, the team force-cancelled all open orders except take-profit and stop-loss (TPSL) orders. The exchange confirmed all user funds remained secure. By 13:24 UTC the platform resumed operations and re-enabled vault withdrawals; however, deposits and withdrawals via Gigavault remained paused for up to 24 hours. Paradex warned users about impersonator scams and reiterated it will never request private keys. The incident highlights operational risk for DEXes that rely on modular cloud and bridge components and underscores the importance of verified support channels. Traders should note potential short-term liquidity and funding-rate volatility in Paradex markets while Gigavault remains paused. Relevant keywords: Paradex outage, chain rollback, decentralized perpetual futures, TPSL orders, Gigavault pause, user funds secure.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin called for a rethink of DAO design, arguing most DAOs operate like token-controlled wallets and fail to solve fundamental coordination problems. In a post on X, Buterin said token-voting systems often produce inefficiency and plutocracy, and urged builders to focus on real infrastructure: improved oracle systems, fair on-chain dispute resolution, and durable project management that persists after founding teams depart. He framed alternative approaches using his convex vs. concave governance model — gathering broad input where collaboration is preferable — and highlighted two major barriers to better governance: lack of privacy (which turns votes into social contests) and decision fatigue from too-frequent votes. Buterin’s remarks follow his recent calls for decentralized stablecoins not tied to a single fiat. Key keywords: DAO governance, token voting, Vitalik Buterin, oracles, on-chain dispute resolution, governance privacy.

Geopolitical tariff tensions caused a sharp divergence between gold and Bitcoin: gold rallied to a reported all-time high (~$4,690 in the article) as investors sought a traditional safe haven, while Bitcoin fell below the $94,000 mark amid risk-off flows. The article frames this as a renewed gold vs. Bitcoin “safe-haven” debate, attributing gold’s rise to immediate flight-to-safety demand and Bitcoin’s decline to volatility, regulatory uncertainty and macro risk sentiment. It notes bullish structural factors for Bitcoin — growing institutional adoption, an upcoming halving, broader blockchain maturation and generational preference for digital assets — and suggests Bitcoin could reclaim leadership by 2026 if market conditions (e.g., higher inflation or fiat weakness) favor digital stores of value. Primary keywords: Bitcoin, gold, safe haven, inflation hedge, institutional adoption. The piece is opinionated and speculative rather than reporting new data or policy decisions; it advises traders to monitor macro events, regulatory news and technical price barriers for both assets.

Senate Judiciary leaders Charles Grassley and Richard Durbin sent a January 14 letter to leaders of the Senate Banking Committee asking that developer exemptions be removed from a draft crypto market-structure bill that incorporates language from the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA). The contested provision would exempt software developers and operators of decentralized networks from federal and state money-transmission laws. Grassley and Durbin warned the exemption could create an enforcement gap, hinder prosecutions for money laundering and organized crime, and attract illicit actors; the National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys expressed similar concerns. The Judiciary Committee said it was not consulted on the language. The draft bill—already delayed in Banking and Agriculture panels—has drawn industry criticism: Coinbase withdrew its endorsement over provisions banning tokenized stocks, restricting DeFi, limiting stablecoin yields, and imposing broad compliance burdens; CEO Brian Armstrong called the proposal “worse than nothing.” Senators referenced in the debate include Banking chair Tim Scott and Elizabeth Warren. The request from Judiciary leaders asks Banking to reject any developer-protection language that would reduce accountability for operating unlicensed money-transmitting businesses. Traders should watch this closely: removal of the exemption would preserve stronger enforcement risk for DeFi and protocol operators, while retention could shift regulatory liability away from developers and potentially expand legal uncertainty for decentralized platforms.

Solana’s tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) crossed the $1 billion mark, rising 17% in 30 days according to RWA.xyz. The milestone places Solana third in RWA totals but still far behind Ethereum’s $12.8 billion — roughly 12x larger. BlackRock’s USD Liquidity Fund is the largest RWA program on Solana with over $200 million. On-chain growth and institutional initiatives are cited as drivers that could accelerate Solana’s RWA adoption. Price-wise, SOL traded near $134, down ~6% in 24 hours, testing key support at $130 amid increased selling; technicals show an ascending channel but an RSI sell signal. A hold at $130 could prompt a rebound to $150; a breakdown risks a retest of $110. The article also highlights growing Solana ecosystem activity and mentions Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER), a presale project claiming to bring Solana-like speed and smart-contract functionality to Bitcoin via a Layer 2, with $30M reportedly raised in presale. Key takeaways for traders: Solana’s RWA inflows and institutional participation are bullish fundamental catalysts, but short-term price action faces technical resistance and volatility; monitor RWA inflows, institutional announcements (eg. BlackRock), the $130 support level, and overall market risk sentiment for trade decisions.

Research from NYDIG and Wintermute, cited by CoinDesk, argues Bitcoin’s price dynamics are shifting away from the traditional four‑year halving cycle toward a new structure dominated by institutional products, daily ETF flows and macroeconomic conditions. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs approved in early 2024 have created regular, large-scale capital channels that attract institutional and retail investors via regulated on‑ramps. As a result, daily net flows into spot ETFs, futures positioning, regulated custody and corporate allocations now exert primary influence on price, often outweighing halving-driven supply shocks. Macroeconomic variables — central bank rates, inflation, real yields, FX moves and geopolitical stress — further modulate demand by changing risk appetites and cross-asset allocations. Retail participation remains relevant; easier access through mainstream apps and ETFs could amplify capital rotation from equities into crypto. Traders should monitor daily net ETF flows, Federal Reserve guidance, inflation and equity market performance as leading indicators. The article concludes that a three-factor framework — market structure, institutional funds, and macroeconomics — is essential for price analysis in 2025 and beyond.

South Korean prosecutors convicted two operators of an illegal crypto exchange for laundering roughly $1 million in Tether USDT to support an overseas voice‑phishing syndicate. The 41‑year‑old ringleader received a five‑year prison term; his employee was sentenced to two years and eight months. According to court filings, criminals contacted the exchange chief via Telegram for about three months and used impersonation (police or relatives) to trick victims into transferring fiat into bank accounts controlled by the illicit exchange. Employees rapidly converted deposits into USDT and moved funds — prosecutors said the entire process often completed within an hour, leaving banks and regulators insufficient time to freeze accounts and recover money. The voice‑phishing operation was based abroad, authorities said. Prosecutors charged the defendants under South Korea’s Special Act on the Prevention of Damage and Refund of Damage from Telecommunications Financial Fraud. Regulators reported a 54% rise in suspicious crypto transactions year‑over‑year, prompting calls from lawmakers and ministers for coordinated action to prevent misuse of stablecoins (notably USDT and USDC) in fraud and illegal remittances. Key takeaways for traders: the case highlights growing regulatory scrutiny on stablecoins and crypto on‑ramps in South Korea, faster laundering methods that outpace account freezes, and increasing enforcement — factors that may influence local liquidity, exchange compliance requirements and policy risk.

OpenAI has started rolling out ads inside ChatGPT, aiming to monetise the large user base as growth slows and subscription uptake lags. The initial implementation places sponsored content and ads in chat interfaces and may expand to contextual recommendations across products. OpenAI says ads will be clearly labelled and respects user privacy, but details on targeting, ad partners and revenue share remain limited. The move follows mounting pressure to find sustainable revenue beyond ChatGPT Plus and enterprise deals after months of slower user growth and recent cost concerns. For crypto traders, the change matters because OpenAI’s advertising strategy could affect attention flows, tokenised integrations, and monetisation plans in AI-crypto partnerships. Potential areas of direct relevance include ad-driven promotion of blockchain projects, increased demand for tokens used in AI ecosystems, and new marketing channels for NFT and token launches. Short-term effects may be limited — user engagement and product stickiness are the main drivers — but longer-term monetisation could increase OpenAI’s cash flow, enabling more investment in features and integrations that indirectly benefit crypto projects collaborating with AI platforms. Key takeaways: OpenAI introduces ads into ChatGPT; ads will be labelled but targeting details unclear; monetisation push follows growth slowdown; traders should watch for ad-driven promotion of crypto projects, partnerships between OpenAI and blockchain firms, and any token integrations or SDKs that could shift attention or capital flows.

Litecoin (LTC) retraced 6.54% on January 19, 2026, trading around $70.21 after an earlier January hack raised investor concerns. The drop occurred even as institutions injected roughly $2 million into LTC ETFs last week. Key on-chain and derivatives metrics climbed: Open Interest reached $635 million (the highest since July 2025) and 24‑hour volume rose to about $1.1 billion. CryptoQuant and other on-chain data show increased whale activity and larger spot order sizes, while retail participation remained low. Technical indicators on the weekly chart (RSI, MACD) suggest oversold conditions with support near $52 inside a long-standing $52–$143 range. Traders face mixed signals: ETF inflows and concentrated whale buying can presage a reversal, but the recent price decline—partly tied to Bitcoin pulling back from ~$94K to ~$92K—means bears still control near-term action. Key metrics to watch: continued ETF flow direction, OI and volume trajectory, whale accumulation patterns, and whether price stabilizes above the $52 support zone.

Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) has launched a 450‑day fixed presale auction that applies time‑based scarcity to token pricing. Each day has a unique, permanently locked price tier and a per‑wallet daily cap of $50,000 to prevent capital pooling and whale domination. The auction updates prices daily based on participation, creating continuous price discovery: lower demand lowers price, sustained participation pushes prices higher, and once a day closes its price tier is gone forever. The structure favors early timing over large single‑day commitments and intentionally compresses upside over time — each passing day reduces theoretical maximum returns as cumulative participation raises subsequent prices. Project materials and cited models present possible returns ranging from roughly 100x–10,000x in the earliest theoretical scenarios, with later press coverage narrowing analyst projections to roughly 200x–700x under steady adoption and up to 1000x in optimistic cases. The team positions a “middle phase” between the initial rush and final scramble as a strategic entry window with an efficient cost basis. Links on the presale page point to the project website and official channels; the announcement includes standard non‑investment disclaimers. Relevant keywords: ZKP presale, time‑based scarcity, token auction, presale ROI, tokenomics.

Large Cardano wallets accumulated roughly 210 million ADA over the past three weeks while ADA price weakened and traded near $0.36. On-chain data cited by analyst Ali Martinez shows this accumulation occurred amid a broader pullback (24h down >7%) and a 7-day range of $0.36–$0.43. Exchange reserves have slightly declined, reducing immediately available supply. Technically, ADA sits near the lower edge of a weekly symmetrical triangle and above a long-tested support zone (~$0.28–$0.36); a break below could push price toward $0.27. The 9-week EMA at $0.41 remains overhead resistance, and weekly RSI (~33) implies momentum may be near short-term recovery levels if buying volume returns. Derivatives data (Coinglass) show a negative open interest-weighted funding rate (-0.0037%), signaling cautious futures sentiment. Additional developments: a proposed $80M Draper Dragon/Draper University fund to boost Cardano adoption (returns to Cardano treasury), and CME Group plans to list ADA futures (targeted start Feb 9, pending clearance). Key implications for traders: whale accumulation can reduce available supply and amplify price moves on small demand changes, but accumulation alone does not guarantee immediate reversal — confirmation via volume and reclaim of the 9-week EMA ($0.41) would strengthen a bullish case.

Europe holds roughly $12.6 trillion in US assets — more than the rest of the world combined — but most of this exposure is privately owned and cannot be readily deployed as a geopolitical weapon. Strategists note about $8 trillion is directly held by European investors; the remainder sits in custodial vehicles that may belong to non‑Europeans. Governments lack the ability to force mass sales without severe domestic fallout. Public holders are small by comparison (Norway’s sovereign wealth fund ~ $2.1 trillion). Potential retaliations under discussion include stalling a planned US–EU trade deal and imposing roughly €93 billion ($108 billion) in tariffs. Analysts caution that a European fire sale of Treasuries and equities would backfire: there are no ready buyers (Asia’s investable universe is comparable in size), dumping would crash asset prices and the dollar, and Europe would suffer large valuation and market risks. Historical precedent — repeated proposals for China to dump Treasuries — shows mutually assured financial damage deters such moves. For traders: the story explains why political posturing is more likely to yield tariff threats and trade-deal delays than large-scale cross‑border asset liquidations. Expect short-term market volatility around headlines, safe-haven bids (gold, CHF, EUR) and cautious risk-off moves in equities, but limited probability of a sustained capital-market shock from a deliberate European asset dump.

Bitcoin is trading around $92,000 after a 3.4% weekend correction that liquidated $215 million in leveraged long futures. Key pressure points include $395 million in spot BTC ETF outflows, rising gold prices (new records) reducing Bitcoin’s hedge appeal, and weakening on-chain activity — daily active addresses fell about 13% to ~370,800. Derivatives show waning bullish conviction: the BTC futures basis (annualized premium) sits near a neutral-to-bearish 5%, and Deribit options delta skew rose to +8%, signaling higher demand and pricing for puts. Macroeconomic and geopolitical developments also weigh on sentiment — slower Chinese GDP growth, proposed US tariffs on European imports, and broader trade tensions. Together these factors suggest limited institutional appetite and elevated downside risk, leaving the $92K level vulnerable unless leverage demand and network activity recover. This is market analysis, not investment advice.

Staked ETH has reached 30% of Ethereum’s circulating supply (about 36 million ETH), marking a record high and a notable boost to network security. The milestone, confirmed on January 18, 2025, follows steady post‑Merge staking growth and accelerated institutional participation through 2024. The current average staking yield is roughly 3.5–4.2% annually; liquid staking derivatives (notably stETH and rETH) account for about 28% of staked ETH. The Shanghai upgrade (April 2023) enabled withdrawals, removing a major barrier and supporting continued inflows. Analysts note the 30% staking ratio raises the theoretical cost of large-scale network attacks and contributes to effective supply reduction, reinforcing deflationary pressure when combined with fee burning. ETH price was around $3,214.79 with a 3.8% decline on the day of the report—market watchers attribute that move to wider crypto and macro factors rather than staking alone. Developers plan further validator and efficiency upgrades (Prague/Electra/Pectra), and many analysts project staked ETH could reach 35–40% by late 2025 as institutional staking expands. Key takeaways for traders: higher staking penetration strengthens long‑term fundamental security and supply dynamics (potentially bullish), but short‑term price correlation is weak — volatility will still respond to macro, regulatory, and sentiment drivers.

XRP dipped below $2 after global markets reacted to tariff news, but trading volume surged ~170% and crypto liquidations totaled ~$788 million. Despite the pullback, institutional ETF inflows into XRP remain strong, suggesting sustained demand. Technicals on the 4-hour chart show support around $1.85 — a level that previously preceded a rebound to $2.40. The 200-period EMA is the next key resistance: a confirmed breakout above it could push XRP into the mid-to-high $2s (roughly +22% from current levels). The article highlights heightened trader interest and positions the move as a potential bullish reversal if macro pressure eases. Note: the original article includes unrelated promotional content about meme-coin presales and site disclaimers; core takeaways focus on volume, ETF inflows, support at $1.85, and a potential breakout above the 200-period EMA.

Three major events expected to drive Bitcoin and broader crypto prices in 2026 are: (1) the U.S. presidential election and associated fiscal policy and regulatory shifts that could alter investor risk appetite and capital flows into crypto; (2) macroeconomic conditions, notably global interest-rate moves, inflation trends and recession risks that affect liquidity and speculative demand for digital assets; and (3) industry developments including regulation (SEC actions, spot-ETF approvals), major protocol upgrades, and large-scale adoption or on-chain activity that directly influence supply-demand dynamics. Traders should watch timelines for U.S. election outcomes and policy changes, central-bank guidance and CPI/PCE prints, as well as regulatory milestones such as spot-Bitcoin ETF approvals or enforcement actions. Short-term price volatility is likely around headline events and data releases; longer-term trends will depend on whether regulatory clarity and macro stabilization spur renewed capital inflows. Key SEO keywords: Bitcoin, crypto prices, 2026, U.S. election, interest rates, spot ETF, regulation.

Dogecoin (DOGE) plunged roughly 18% on January 19, 2026, trading around $0.1298 after wiping out early‑year gains amid a broader crypto sell‑off. Bitcoin fell below $95,000 and total market cap fell over 2.5%. Liquidations surged as bullish leveraged positions — the highest since November — were forcibly closed, adding downward pressure. Market concern was heightened by rising trade tensions between the US and several NATO allies. Two near‑term catalysts could reverse losses: a pending US Supreme Court ruling on Trump‑era tariffs and potential movement on the Senate Banking Committee’s CLARITY Act. Polymarket odds favor the court ruling to go against the tariffs, which could trigger refunds and ease trade‑related market stress. Progress on the CLARITY Act would be a crypto‑specific legislative boost. Technically, analysts note a daily hammer candlestick for DOGE, suggesting a possible bullish reversal. Initial recovery target is $0.1560 (~22% upside); a sustained break could open toward $0.1953 (~55% upside). Bear case invalidation sits beneath the December low at $0.1160, with psychological support at $0.10. Traders should watch court and legislative developments, liquidation metrics, and support/resistance at $0.1160, $0.1560 and $0.1953 for short‑term positioning.

On-chain data from Glassnode shows XRP’s market structure is becoming similar to early 2022: short-term wallets (1 week–1 month) are accumulating XRP at prices below the realized cost basis of six- to twelve-month holders. This divergence — captured by Glassnode’s Realized Price by Age bands — historically signals distribution stress, where newer entrants buy lower while earlier buyers remain underwater. Total Supply in Loss has risen to roughly 26 billion XRP, while Supply in Profit has fallen to about 40 billion, reinforcing holder stress after the late‑2025 pullback. Price action is fragile: XRP bounced toward the $2.00–$2.10 zone but remains below late‑2024 and mid‑2025 highs, and the Directional Movement Index shows muted trend strength. The report concludes the market is more likely entering a consolidation phase rather than a decisive bullish reversal; sustained upside would require reclaiming older realized cost bases and reducing supply-in-loss levels. Key implications for traders: heightened potential for prolonged range-bound price action, persistent selling pressure from older cohorts, and the need for clear reclaiming of cost bases to confirm a trend change.

Dogecoin (DOGE) failed two breakout attempts at the $0.150 supply zone in January, reversing after an 8.8% intraday rally on January 13 and falling further after a Bitcoin wobble. The memecoin ceded the $0.129 April 2025 low, signaling renewed selling pressure. On-chain flows showed weak conviction from smart money, highlighted by a 500 million DOGE deposit to Binance. Over the past 24 hours, the memecoin sector lost 6.66% of market cap and traders saw $35.42 million in liquidations (about $33.69M long). Technical indicators: CMF slightly positive but OBV points to sustained seller dominance; significant resistance zones lie at $0.136–$0.140 and $0.150. Trader guidance: sell the bounce—use a retest of $0.140 or the $0.150 supply to initiate shorts unless DOGE reclaims $0.150, which would be needed to flip structure bullish. Short-term bias is bearish for the remainder of the month pending Bitcoin-led broader market recovery.

Ibom Blockchain Xperience (IBX) 2026 is set to be West Africa’s largest blockchain gathering, hosted in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The multi-day event will convene policymakers, institutional investors, blockchain startups, developers and crypto industry leaders to discuss regulation, adoption, infrastructure and Web3 innovation across the region. Key themes include blockchain policy frameworks, digital identity, payments, decentralised finance (DeFi), and developer education. Organisers expect significant participation from regional governments and private-sector partners, with networking, workshops, product showcases and pitch sessions for startups. The summit aims to accelerate blockchain adoption in West Africa by connecting capital, talent and regulatory stakeholders, and promoting local projects and developer capacity building. For traders, IBX 2026 could highlight emerging projects, partnerships and regulatory signals that may influence token listings, regional exchange volumes and on‑chain activity.

A prominent XRP advocate using the handle 24HrsCrypto predicts XRP will reach $100 before December 31, 2029, arguing the target is supported by analysis and market fundamentals rather than speculation. The claim highlights XRP’s real-world utility in cross-border payments, growing institutional adoption by banks and financial firms, high liquidity, and fast transaction speeds as drivers for sustained demand. The analyst notes that XRP has been consolidating for roughly 13 months and expects an imminent breakout that, combined with future market cycles, could propel price growth over the next few years. The piece frames the $100 target as a measurable timeframe investors can use as a benchmark, while reminding readers this is opinion and not financial advice.

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and its parent Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) are developing a blockchain-powered trading venue to enable around-the-clock (targeting 22–24 hour) trading of tokenized stocks and ETFs. The platform will combine the NYSE’s Pillar matching engine with multi-chain custody and on-chain post-trade processes. ICE plans to use stablecoins and continuous clearing to permit instant, real-time settlement outside bank hours, and is building tokenized collateral and tokenized deposit systems with partner banks (including BNY and Citibank) to support 24/7 fund transfers between clearinghouses. Regulatory approval from the SEC will be required to operate a trading venue for digitally issued securities; NYSE aims to seek extended trading-hour approval (targeting October 2024) while competitors such as Nasdaq are preparing similar applications. The initiative aligns with growing institutional interest in tokenization and real-world assets, and — if implemented — could make traditional exchanges more competitive with crypto-native venues by expanding access to tokenized equity products on a continuous basis.

Research from the Bank of Italy warns Ethereum’s validator economics could threaten settlement reliability in extreme stress, potentially leaving up to $800+ billion in on‑chain tokenized assets hard to access. About $85 billion sits in DeFi contracts and two major stablecoins account for roughly $140 billion of value secured on Ethereum. Network constraints — including validator exit caps (~3,600/day) and rewards tied to on‑chain token value — could slow validator exits and withdrawals during panic events. Against this backdrop, Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP), a privacy‑focused Layer‑1 built for verified AI computing, is running a transparent daily presale auction and has earmarked 8 billion ZKP tokens (≈3% of supply) for liquidity. The project says liquidity will be gradually released over 12–18 months to reduce early trading volatility, improve exchange access, and avoid sudden sell pressure. ZKP highlights prior self‑funded infrastructure investment (~$100M) and a four‑layer blockchain design with hardware integration, positioning its tokenomics toward steady market development rather than short‑term speculation. For traders: the article raises systemic risk concerns for ETH that could affect market confidence and liquidity under stress, while ZKP’s staggered liquidity model aims to limit early volatility for its token. Key keywords: Ethereum, validator economics, settlement risk, DeFi, stablecoins, Zero Knowledge Proof, ZKP presale, staggered liquidity.