Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju says institutional whales and large holders are accumulating Bitcoin while retail investors step back. On-chain metrics show retail participation at neutral levels, with much retail capital rotating into traditional assets such as stocks, gold and silver. Spot Bitcoin ETFs saw renewed momentum in early January with over $900 million of inflows. The Bitcoin Fear & Greed Index has climbed to 61 after months of fear following a large liquidation event in October 2024. Ki forecasts a period of sideways price action rather than a >50% crash seen in prior bear markets. Key names: Ki Young Ju (CryptoQuant). Key data points: >$900M spot BTC ETF inflows (early Jan), Fear & Greed Index = 61. Primary keywords: Bitcoin, whales, retail retreat, spot Bitcoin ETF, accumulation.

Coinbase’s recent reversal on support for a key crypto industry bill has forced lawmakers to delay progress on bipartisan legislation intended to clarify U.S. digital-asset rules. The company withdrew backing after industry debate over provisions affecting staking, custodial services and regulatory oversight intensified. Lawmakers and advocacy groups are revising text to address disagreements between major exchanges, custodians and regulators. The delay increases uncertainty for exchanges and institutional participants awaiting clearer rules on spot trading, custody and staking operations. Market participants now expect extended negotiations in Congress and renewed industry lobbying. Primary keywords: Coinbase, crypto bill, regulation, staking, custody. Secondary keywords: Congress, exchanges, regulatory clarity, bipartisan legislation. The article highlights the immediate political setback, the core technical disputes (staked assets and custody definitions) and the likely prolonged timeline for passage — signalling continued regulatory ambiguity for traders and institutions in the near term.

Shiba Inu’s team announced the SHIB Owes You (SOU) recovery initiative in response to the recent Shibarium Plasma Bridge exploit. SOU is a two-layer framework: an accounting layer of SOU NFTs on Ethereum to register and provide on-chain proof of individual losses, and a community recovery layer on Binance Smart Chain (BSC) to raise funds for reimbursements. Developers will manage the Ethereum NFT accounting ledger while the BSC layer enables community fundraising and wider participation. The project emphasized transparency and traceability — “on-chain proof, real claims, real recovery” — and released an AI-generated video highlighting ecosystem tokens (SHIB, LEASH, BONE, TREAT) and WoofSwap. Separately, on-chain tracker Shibburn reported a 910.98% surge in daily SHIB burns: 4,369,584 SHIB were burned within 24 hours across four transactions, led by burns of 2,717,708 and 1,000,000 SHIB, after three days of near-zero burn activity. At reporting, SHIB traded near $0.00000834, down about 5% in 24 hours. For traders: the SOU framework aims to contain reputational and network risk by creating transparent recovery paths, while the burn spike indicates renewed on-chain activity but has limited immediate supply impact. Monitor official SOU NFT rollout details, BSC fundraising addresses, developer communications, and short-term price reactions to assess recovery progress and potential volatility.

Polygon (POL) has seen a marked increase in on-chain activity and fees that traders say could sustain a strong price rally. Nansen and on-chain data show fees jumping substantially over recent 30-day windows (multiple sources cite increases of 235% and multi-million-dollar totals), active addresses and transactions rising (active addresses ~14.7M; transactions ~178M reported), and sustained high DEX volume and protocol usage (Polymarket reported multibillion-dollar volumes). These conditions have driven a large POL burn rate, with millions of tokens removed during peak usage days. Network upgrades (including the Dandeli hardfork) improved gas stability and per-block capacity, supporting higher throughput. Polygon’s expanding payments integrations and on/off-ramp partnerships — including Mastercard, Shift4, Revolut, Stripe, plus acquisitions like Coinme and Sequence — strengthen fundamental demand by widening fiat rails and payments use cases. Technically, POL rebounded from roughly $0.097–$0.10 early in January to trade around $0.15–$0.18 in later reports, holding above key moving averages (50-day EMA) and trend indicators; analysts identify near-term resistance around $0.20 and an extended target near $0.296 (about 90% above current levels) if fee, activity and burn trends continue. Key trader takeaways: rising fees and token burns support scarcity and bullish fundamentals; increased payments integrations boost real-world demand; improved network capacity reduces friction for volume growth. Short-term pullbacks and Elliott-wave–type corrections remain possible, so traders should watch supports near $0.150 and confirmed breakouts above $0.20 for validation of the bullish case.

Citrea has launched ctUSD, a 1:1 USD-backed stablecoin fully collateralized by U.S. Treasury bills and cash, intended as a native dollar liquidity layer for Bitcoin’s application ecosystem. Issuance and redemption are handled by MoonPay using its US Money Transmitter Licenses, with M0 providing infrastructure. Citrea positions ctUSD to reduce liquidity fragmentation and bridge risk by offering compliant, natively issued dollar liquidity rather than relying on bridged tokens. ctUSD will be accessible in over 160 countries via payment channels such as Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay and PayPal (excluding Canada, the EEA and New York). Developer tools include virtual bank accounts (via Iron) for ACH and wire on/off-ramps, and integrations with Swaps.xyz and Helio for non-custodial cross-chain swaps and merchant payments. Initial liquidity routes include Ethereum-based stablecoin swaps, Citrea-native DEX pools, MoonPay onramps and direct minting for large orders. The product aims to attract institutional and retail capital into Bitcoin-native DeFi, improving capital efficiency and composability while reducing reliance on external stablecoins and systemic fragmentation as Bitcoin’s smart-contract layer grows.

MetaMask has integrated native TRON network support across its browser extension and mobile wallet, allowing users to custody, trade and stake TRX and use TRON-based tokens such as USDT directly within the wallet. The update extends MetaMask’s multichain strategy — joining Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana, Sei and Base — and enables staking TRX to earn bandwidth and energy for low-cost TRON transactions. TRON DAO emphasized the network’s scale (hundreds of millions of accounts, billions of transactions, and large stablecoin activity), noting USDT’s dominant liquidity on TRON that supports settlement flows. The announcement coincided with a modest market reaction: TRX rose about 1.5% to roughly $0.31, a three‑month high, improving weekly and monthly gains. For traders, the integration reduces custody friction for TRON assets and on‑ramps for USDT, which could increase on‑chain activity, improve liquidity on TRON dApps and affect trading flows across exchanges and DeFi services.

Ethereum (ETH) is showing breakout signs after clearing a falling wedge and key resistance zones around $3,360–$3,400. Analyst Marzell cites Fibonacci alignment and the 0.382 retracement clearance as evidence of a trend shift, projecting targets at $4,950, $5,760 and $6,690. ETH remains above short-term support near $3,200 but must confirm a move past $3,400 to validate higher targets. CME gaps near $3,325 and $3,000 could draw price action in the short term. Versus Bitcoin, ETH/BTC is compressing above the 21-day moving average, with support around 0.0325 BTC; analysts say holding this level signals increased altcoin risk appetite. Network activity and derivatives metrics show rising engagement: daily transactions hit about 2.6 million and Binance futures open interest climbed to $8.6 billion. Key keywords: Ethereum, ETH price, breakout, Fibonacci targets, CME gap, ETH/BTC, Binance open interest.

Bitcoin slipped below the $96,000 mark, trading at $95,992.6 on the Binance USDT pair, marking a notable short-term correction amid an extended bullish cycle. Trading volume on major exchanges rose about 18% in 24 hours, suggesting elevated activity from both sellers and opportunistic buyers. Key technical levels: immediate support near $94,500 and the 50-day moving average around $93,800; a recovery above $98,000 would signal renewed demand. Market dominance for Bitcoin stands at roughly 52.3%. Analysts attribute the drop to profit-taking, macro signals (notably Fed commentary), ETF flows, and on-chain metrics such as exchange reserves. Derivatives show increased put option volume, implying hedging activity. Experts view this move as a typical bull-market correction that can purge leverage and set foundations for future gains if core adoption and macro conditions remain supportive. Traders should monitor daily closes around $96,000, centralized exchange balances, derivatives funding rates, and DXY movements for direction. The short-term outlook is consolidation between $94,000–$96,000 unless a decisive break above $98,000 or below $94,000 occurs.

President Trump will select the next Federal Reserve chair within weeks, the White House confirmed, a decision that will shape U.S. monetary policy, interest rates, inflation outlook and global capital flows. The Fed chair leads the FOMC, which sets the federal funds rate affecting mortgages, business loans and the U.S. dollar. The administration said multiple suitable candidates are under consideration; reported contenders include incumbent Jerome Powell (centrist, data-dependent), Vice Chair Lael Brainard (dovish-leaning, pro-regulation), New York Fed President John Williams (technocratic centrist), Kevin Warsh (hawkish, rules-based) and Glenn Hubbard (market-oriented academic). The nomination follows a formal process: presidential nomination, Senate Banking Committee hearings and full-Senate confirmation. Markets typically react to nominations with increased volatility in bonds, equities and FX as traders price potential rate paths: a hawkish nominee would likely support higher rates and a stronger dollar, while a dovish pick could ease financial conditions and buoy equities. The decision also carries global implications — tighter U.S. policy can strain emerging-market capital flows and currency stability, while the chair’s stance on international liquidity and coordination matters for crisis response. For traders: watch nomination announcements, Senate hearing cues, and any early statements from the nominee for clues on rate tilt, balance-sheet reduction and regulatory posture. These signals will influence bond yields, dollar strength, equity risk appetite and crypto market risk-on/risk-off flows.

MicroStrategy (MSTR) director Carl Rickertsen made an open-market purchase of 5,000 shares (~$780,000) on Jan. 12 — his first disclosed insider buy since 2022. The filing coincided with Bitcoin (BTC) trading above $95,000 and follows MicroStrategy’s largest weekly BTC accumulation since mid‑2025: 13,627 BTC added in seven days, bringing its total to roughly 687,410 BTC. The company’s heavy Bitcoin holdings continue to position MSTR as a leveraged vehicle for BTC exposure. Market angst over potential index-driven selling eased after MSCI postponed a proposal that could have removed “Digital Asset Treasury” firms (with >50% crypto balance sheets) from major indices — a change that had threatened up to $8.8 billion of passive selling. Analysts remain split but generally optimistic: 13 analysts’ 12‑month targets average $448.18 (range $229–$705), implying substantial upside from current levels. Combined, insider buying, renewed BTC accumulation, and the MSCI delay have reduced an index‑removal overhang and may support near‑term upside in MSTR shares, though risks tied to Bitcoin price volatility and potential equity dilution remain material for traders.

The CLARITY Act, a bipartisan U.S. bill to create a comprehensive crypto market structure, saw its Senate Banking Committee markup delayed after Coinbase withdrew support citing four key concerns: an effective ban on tokenized securities, restrictive DeFi rules, shifting jurisdiction that would subordinate the CFTC to the SEC, and limits on stablecoin reward features. Supporters, including senators such as Cynthia Lummis and other committee members, remain optimistic and continue negotiating compromise language. The bill aims to resolve regulatory fragmentation caused by prior FinCEN, SEC and OCC actions, an Executive Order on digital assets, and stepped-up enforcement. If passed, the CLARITY Act would clarify token classification, stablecoin rules and DeFi oversight—likely encouraging institutional flows, lowering compliance risk and reshaping stablecoin and DeFi markets. If it fails, enforcement-driven fragmentation would persist. Traders should watch forthcoming amendments and any new markup date for changes to token classification, DeFi treatment and stablecoin provisions, as outcomes could drive sector-specific volatility and influence institutional participation. (Main keyword: CLARITY Act)

Crypto analyst Zach Rector warned traders that XRP is approaching critical Fibonacci resistance that could trigger a near-term correction. In a video on X, Rector said XRP respected fib levels and rose to $2.17 before meeting the 0.236 fib near $2.27, which he expects may cause a bounce or rejection. He noted a possible extension forming a double top near $2.40 before a pullback. Rector cited regulatory catalysts — delays in the Clarity Act and upcoming Washington markup votes — as potential sources of short-term volatility. He also disclosed a personal buy order at $1.66 and urged traders to monitor fib levels and political developments when sizing positions. Key takeaways for traders: watch the 0.236 fib at ~$2.27 and the $2.40 double-top zone for rejection or breakout, account for regulatory news that can amplify moves, and use disciplined risk management.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren has proposed amendments to the Clarity for Digital Tokens Act (Clarity Act) that critics say shift regulatory benefits toward institutional players and Wall Street firms. The changes would narrow the definition of “digital token” and tighten exemptions that previously allowed certain token offerings to avoid strict securities classification. Crypto advocates warn these tweaks could consolidate market power among large financial institutions, raise compliance costs for smaller issuers, and reduce decentralization by steering token issuance and custody to regulated banks and broker-dealers. Key figures include Sen. Warren and industry groups opposing the changes. No specific statistics were provided in the report. Traders should note potential increased regulatory clarity for institutional entrants but greater barriers for retail-focused token projects and startups.

Solana (SOL) failed to reclaim the $146 range-high resistance and is printing a clear bearish RSI divergence, indicating weakening upside momentum. The divergence formed near the $146 ceiling, a key supply area, suggesting sellers are defending that level. Traders should watch the Point of Control (POC) within the current range: a close below the POC would confirm shifting value and increase the probability of a corrective rotation toward the $117 high-time-frame support. While divergence signals vulnerability rather than guaranteed breakdowns, failure to break and hold above $146—especially on rising volume—lowers breakout odds and raises rejection risk. Key technical points for traders: SOL remains capped under $146; bearish RSI divergence signals fading momentum; a confirmed break below the POC opens a target near $117. Monitor close-of-period price action around the POC and volume for confirmation before committing to directional trades.

This guide explains how to convert Bitcoin (BTC) to Monero (XMR) without KYC, focusing on no-verification, non-custodial services in 2026. Privacy-conscious users increasingly prefer swapping BTC to XMR because Monero hides sender/receiver addresses and amounts by default. The article highlights GhostSwap as the leading no-KYC exchanger, claiming $750M+ processed and 1.5M users. Key features: no account or KYC, 1,600+ supported coins, cross-chain swaps, all-inclusive rates, and 5–30 minute transaction times. Alternatives covered include StealthEX, ChangeNOW (risk-based checks), and Bisq (decentralized). A step-by-step GhostSwap walkthrough advises using a personal Monero wallet (Feather, Cake, Monero GUI, MyMonero), entering BTC→XMR pair, sending BTC to a unique deposit address, and waiting for confirmations. Practical tips: use a VPN, verify the URL, test with small amounts, use fresh XMR addresses, and avoid sending to exchange wallets. The guide outlines fees (market rate, service fee, network fees) and typical timings (BTC confirmations 10–60 minutes; total swap 15–65 minutes). Legal and safety notes stress local tax compliance and that transactions are irreversible. For traders: no-KYC BTC→XMR swaps offer quick privacy exits, useful for portfolio privacy and moving funds off transparent ledgers, but users should weigh counterparty risk, platform reliability, and regulatory exposure.

Spartans.com launched a global prize draw awarding a one-of-a-kind MANSORY‑tuned Koenigsegg Jesko. The car is a bespoke build (forged carbon exterior, reworked aerodynamics, fully customized leather interior) and will be delivered to the winner subject to regional title, tax and transport rules. The raffle is free to enter for eligible registered users and awards chances based on site activity and wagers. Spartans says the selection uses an externally verified provably fair RNG and complies with global contest regulations; participants must be legal adults in approved jurisdictions and complete identity verification. Spartans positions the promotion as part of a broader platform philosophy: no native tokens, no bonus gimmicks, instant blockchain payouts, and a transparent rebate system (CashRake) that returns up to 3% per lost wager and up to 33% total rakeback. The site emphasizes no play‑through requirements, no loyalty tiers for refunds, on‑site verification tools for provable fairness, and standard responsible‑gaming features (limits, exclusions, session alerts). The announcement frames the Jesko draw as a demonstration of Spartans’ focus on mathematical fairness, instant on‑chain payouts, and simplified value for bettors rather than incentive‑driven marketing.

Galaxy Digital has completed a $75 million tokenized collateralized loan obligation (CLO) on the Avalanche blockchain, structured to scale up to $200 million for institutional investors. The issuance is anchored by a $50 million commitment from Grove (linked to the Sky/MakerDAO ecosystem). Proceeds fund an uncommitted credit facility for Arch Lending, a Galaxy Ventures–backed firm issuing crypto‑backed consumer loans collateralized with BTC and ETH. Tranches were tokenized by INX; Anchorage Digital Bank serves as bond trustee and custodian, Atlas Settlement Network handles collateral management and on‑chain settlement, and Accountable provides live loan and collateral dashboards. Tranches are expected to be available for qualified investors on INX’s regulated ATS via Republic, enabling regulated secondary trading. Senior tranche pricing started near SOFR + 570 bps with initial maturity in December 2026. Galaxy cited Avalanche’s Snowman consensus and subnet features — sub‑second finality, high throughput and private/compliant environments — as reasons for the chain selection. The transaction highlights a shift from proof‑of‑concept tokenization toward production‑grade, regulated onchain structured finance, potentially lowering operational costs, improving liquidity for CLO tranches and attracting institutional capital. For traders, the deal validates Avalanche as a venue for real‑world asset tokenization, signals renewed institutional appetite for onchain credit products, and may gradually increase demand for infrastructure and regulated securities platforms tied to Avalanche and the firms involved.

On-chain analytics from Token Terminal show over 200 million unique wallet addresses now hold at least one major stablecoin (USDT, USDC, DAI), a doubling since early 2021 and implying ~19% CAGR. The metric counts addresses, not individual users, but signals broadening utility: traders use stablecoins to hedge, DeFi protocols use them as base currency, remittances and cross-border settlements increasingly favor dollar-pegged tokens, and users in high-inflation regions adopt them as digital stores of value. USDT remains the largest by market share (active on Ethereum and Tron), USDC is favoured for regulated reserve transparency and DeFi/corporate use, and decentralized algorithmic options like DAI represent a smaller but growing segment. Network effects include higher transaction volumes and fee revenue for chains (Ethereum, Solana, Polygon) and increasing attention from central banks accelerating CBDC work. Key risks persist: regulatory uncertainty, reserve/transparency concerns, peg stability under stress, and scalability/usability constraints. For traders, the milestone underlines stablecoins’ deepening role as on-ramps/off-ramps and liquidity rails — reinforcing their importance for risk management, capital flows, and DeFi activity. This adoption trend is more utility-driven than speculative, but does not imply inherent safety of any single stablecoin; due diligence remains essential.

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes says Bitcoin’s muted 2025 performance was largely due to a contraction in US dollar credit and Federal Reserve quantitative tightening, not intrinsic weakness in BTC. In his essay “Frowny Cloud,” Hayes argues shifts in reserve demand (including sovereign gold purchases and restrictions on Russian reserves) helped gold and the Nasdaq outperform Bitcoin despite BTC reaching a $126,000 intrayear high. Looking to 2026, he expects US dollar liquidity to expand via Fed balance-sheet growth, Reserve Management Purchases (RMP) or mortgage-backed securities purchases, and renewed bank lending — a combined effect he estimates could inject roughly $40 billion per month into markets. Hayes believes this renewed fiat liquidity would lower rates, support risk assets and create conditions for a Bitcoin rally. He highlights leveraged equity plays for BTC exposure (e.g., MicroStrategy, Marathon/Metaplanet) and says he is accumulating Zcash (ZEC) despite developer changes. Traders should monitor US dollar credit metrics, Fed balance-sheet moves, mortgage rates and key Bitcoin price levels (range noted around $87k–$95k in late 2025, resistance near $110k).

Ripple has received preliminary approval for an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Luxembourg’s regulator (CSSF), marking a significant EU regulatory foothold just one week after obtaining a full EMI license and cryptoasset registration from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The Luxembourg approval enhances Ripple’s ability to operate across European financial gateways and may allow passporting across the EU. Ripple now holds over 75 regulatory licenses globally. Asset manager Bitwise launched a new Chainlink spot exchange-traded product under the ticker CLNK, aimed at giving investors direct exposure to Chainlink’s oracle token. Bitwise highlighted Chainlink’s role connecting blockchains with real-world data and positioned the ETF as a step to increase crypto accessibility for traditional investors. Meme token Shiba Inu (SHIB) is approaching a bullish technical setup: a golden cross forming between the 23-day and 50-day moving averages with a target near the 200-day MA at $0.00001046 — roughly a 22% upside from current levels. SHIB has reclaimed its 50-day MA and could rise in market-cap rankings if momentum continues, potentially overtaking several mid-cap tokens including Litecoin. Key takeaways for traders: regulatory wins for Ripple may support positive sentiment for XRP and institutional confidence in regulated crypto services; Bitwise’s CLNK broadens institutional access to LINK, potentially increasing demand and liquidity; SHIB’s technical setup suggests a short-term bullish trade opportunity but carries higher volatility and meme-coin risk. Maintain risk management and watch order flows, volumes, and confirmation of price breakouts before scaling positions.

Democratic House members led by Reps. Maxine Waters, Sean Casten and Brad Sherman accuse the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of closing or dismissing at least 12 cryptocurrency investigations since early 2024. The lawmakers told SEC Chair Paul Atkins their review shows probes involving major exchanges — including Coinbase, Binance and Kraken — had substantial legal merit but were halted around the same time the crypto industry increased political donations, largely to PACs supporting former President Donald Trump. Former SEC enforcement attorneys and financial regulation experts say the pattern of case closures is atypical given reported evidence strength, raising concerns about political influence on enforcement. The article cites a timeline where Coinbase’s case closed in Q2 2024, Binance’s probe halted in Q3 2024 and Kraken’s enforcement dropped in Q1 2025, coinciding with a surge in crypto political spending. Analysts warn that perceived political interference can undermine regulatory consistency, increase investor uncertainty and heighten market volatility, potentially affecting institutional inflows. The SEC had not issued a formal public response at publication. Key keywords: SEC enforcement, cryptocurrency regulation, political donations, Coinbase, Binance, Kraken.

Bitcoin whale addresses (1,000–10,000 BTC) registered a 21% rebound this week, adding roughly 46,000 BTC and turning their one‑year net change positive for the first time since November 2025. The move follows the steepest sell‑off of the current cycle — a prior one‑year decline of about 220,000 BTC after a December 2024 peak. By contrast, dolphin addresses (100–1,000 BTC), which include ETFs and corporate treasuries, continued to reduce holdings to 589,000 BTC, down nearly 38% from their October 4, 2025 peak of 972,000 BTC. Dolphin flows have driven most price impact this cycle due to scale, while historical patterns suggest whale accumulation often precedes major rallies. The report frames the whale rebound as an early structural signal rather than an immediate price catalyst. Key stats: +46,000 BTC added by whales this week (21% increase in the metric), dolphin holdings at 589,000 BTC (down from 972,000 BTC peak). Traders should watch whether sustained whale accumulation combines with renewed ETF flows to support a re-test of $100,000.

Solana Mobile confirmed a Season 1 SKR token airdrop distributing 1.819 billion SKR to more than 100,000 Seeker users, plus 141 million SKR reserved for developers who shipped apps in Season 1. An allocation checker is live inside the Seed Vault Wallet’s Activity Tracking tab so users can view their tier and estimated rewards ahead of claiming. Rewards are tiered with anti‑sybil measures: Sovereign (750,000 SKR), Luminary (125,000 SKR), Vanguard (40,000 SKR), Prospector (10,000 SKR) and Scout (5,000 SKR). Claiming opens January 21 at 02:00 UTC via Seed Vault Wallet; users should hold ~0.02 SOL for the claim fee. SKR will be sent to wallets tied to the Genesis Token and the claim window lasts 90 days. Developers who qualify receive a 750,000 SKR allocation each (check via the Publishing Portal). After claiming, SKR holders can stake to Guardians inside Seed Vault Wallet or via a web interface. Season 2 is already underway, positioning SKR as both a participation and staking asset tied to Solana Mobile’s Seeker ecosystem.

IVEY Publishing released an MBA case study, “Polygon Scaling Web3 Growth with Cost Per Wallet Efficiency,” co-developed with Addressable. The research measures user acquisition by Cost Per Wallet (CPW), analyzing millions of on-chain events to show how Polygon targeted “wallet-ready” users across NFTs, DeFi, gaming and enterprise partnerships. Key findings: NFT campaigns onboarded 14+ million wallets at $0.20–$0.50 CPW; gaming campaigns acquired ~500,000 wallets at about $12 CPW; enterprise partnerships achieved $5–$10 CPW; DeFi initiatives were costliest at $50–$100 CPW, largely due to incentive-driven liquidity programs with poor post-incentive retention. Addressable co-founder Asaf Nadler and Polygon Labs CMO Leon Stern emphasize that wallet-level targeting and CPW metrics replace traditional web2 KPIs like impressions, offering clearer, on-chain evidence of growth. The case study aims to standardize academic and business evaluation of blockchain adoption and is now available via IVEY Publishing for use in business schools worldwide.

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said the bank is "spending a lot of time" on cryptocurrency and prediction-market efforts as it explores potential client demand and product opportunities. Solomon framed crypto work as part of broader digital-asset and fintech strategy rather than a pivot to trading large positions. He emphasized measured, client-driven evaluation and noted regulatory and market complexities. The comments come amid growing institutional interest in digital assets and follow Goldman’s prior pilot programs and conversations about tokenization, custody, and trading services. No immediate product launches or major balance-sheet commitments were announced.

APEMARS (APRZ) has entered Stage 3 of its 23-stage presale, with the latest update reporting roughly 86% of the stage sold, about 400+ holders and approximately $86,000 raised. Stage 3 price is $0.00002448; the project cites a claimed confirmed listing price of $0.0055 — a theoretical upside of roughly 22,300–22,367%. The tokenomics touted in the paid press release include 63% APY staking, scheduled burn events at later stages to reduce unsold supply, gamified community growth and viral marketing mechanics. The project uses an automated multi-stage presale schedule (each stage up to one week or until sell-out). The article is explicit paid content and includes a step-by-step walkthrough for buying in (connect non‑custodial wallet, choose payment, confirm transaction). Market context presented alongside the presale notes Ethereum fundamentals: staking tops 32 million ETH locked, Layer‑2 TVL around $40 billion and ETH trading near $3,150–$3,320 (mid‑Jan 2026). Toncoin (TON) is mentioned as trading roughly $1.74–$1.80 with rising volume and Telegram-driven utility. Disclaimer: promotional content, not investment advice.

Digitap’s ($TAP) presale has connected over 120,000 wallets, sold nearly 200 million $TAP tokens and raised more than $4.1 million. The project markets itself as an "omni-bank" combining crypto wallets, fiat balances and global payment rails to enable crypto-fiat management, cross-border transfers and payment settlement from a single balance. Current presale price is $0.0427 with a confirmed listing price of $0.14, presenting a defined price progression that the article positions as attractive to buyers. By contrast, Polkadot (DOT) is trading around $2.27 and remains range-bound after a modest 5% weekly gain; analysts point to resistance within a descending channel limiting DOT’s upside. The piece frames $TAP as a utility-driven presale gaining real-world adoption and capital inflows despite thin liquidity and muted market risk appetite, arguing it could be a stronger short-to-medium-term buy versus technically constrained DOT. Note: this was published as a paid press release and is not investment advice.

A planned Senate Banking Committee markup of the crypto market-structure bill was postponed after Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong withdrew the company’s support, citing draft provisions that would effectively ban tokenized equities and impose intrusive rules on DeFi. Republican senators led by Sen. Tim Scott also criticized the bill, calling for clearer enforcement guardrails and arguing the text could advantage a few firms while stifling innovation and growth. Industry groups warned they would withdraw backing unless changes protect tokenization, DeFi, and international competitiveness. Negotiations continue behind closed doors over stablecoin rules, DeFi protections and investor safeguards; no revised markup or Senate floor vote date is set. Despite the legislative impasse, major crypto prices held up — Bitcoin (BTC) rose about 1.5% and hovered near $96,000, while total crypto market capitalization remained near $3.25 trillion. Traders should watch for revisions to tokenized equities language, shifts in CFTC/SEC authority, and any emerging stablecoin rules, as these elements will drive regulatory certainty and could affect liquidity and institutional participation.

Bitcoin and Ethereum led the first major crypto rally of 2026 as easing US inflation data, positive crypto ETF inflows and temporary regulatory optimism drove prices higher. Bitcoin rose above $97,000 after breaking the $95,000 resistance, triggering roughly $700 million in short liquidations and prompting some traders to target $100,000. Ethereum climbed about 5% to around $3,380, while Solana rallied to roughly $148 from a Jan. 8 low of $133. Contributing factors included a cooler-than-expected US CPI (core CPI 2.6%, monthly CPI 0.3%), and approximately $1.2 billion of inflows into cryptocurrency ETFs over five trading days, signaling institutional accumulation. Short-term bullish sentiment was briefly supported by progress on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY Act), which aims to clarify SEC vs. CFTC jurisdiction and place many non-security tokens under CFTC oversight. Momentum cooled after Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong publicly withdrew support for the bill’s initial draft—citing issues like potential government access to DeFi users’ data and problematic provisions—delaying the bill’s markup. The Fear & Greed Index sits at 54 (neutral), up from the low 20s in December, indicating improving but cautious sentiment. Near-term catalysts to watch: further CPI and labor data, Fed rate-cut guidance, institutional ETF flows, and developments around the CLARITY Act. Traders should monitor liquidity, short positions, and regulatory signals for potential renewed rallies or pullbacks.