Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Samson Mow, CEO of Jan3 and prominent Bitcoin advocate, stated on X that a 10x appreciation for Bitcoin is a conservative forecast and underestimates the asset’s long-term potential. Mow did not provide a specific price target but cited structural bullish factors: Bitcoin’s fixed supply, diminishing new issuance after halvings, growing institutional participation, steady accumulation by large treasury holders, and inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs. His remarks came amid a short-term market downturn — BTC was modestly down (~0.56% over 24 hours) — but Mow reiterated confidence that demand and scarcity alone could drive substantially higher prices over time. The comment has generated discussion across social channels but lacks immediate new data or a timetable for his expectations.

Bitcoin traders face renewed optimism amid macro uncertainty after President Trump’s mixed signals on the next Fed Chair sparked risk-off moves and a brief BTC pullback. Despite elevated volatility, on-chain and derivatives indicators show a divergence: strong HODLing from whales (notably December buyers with cost-basis near $90k–$92k) and continued institutional demand (MicroStrategy tightening supply). The options market has shifted toward calls, with the put/call ratio falling about 10% to 0.71 — implying roughly 71 calls per 100 options traded and increased bullish positioning. Historical episodes (e.g., October rollover then 30% slide into November) counsel caution, but current positioning suggests holders and institutions are resisting capitulation. For traders, this mix means short-term volatility risk remains high around macro headlines and Fed decisions, while the balance of supply-side behaviour and options skew supports an upside case toward $100k if HODLing and institutional demand persist.

Crypto analyst Steph Is Crypto drew a parallel between XRP’s current price structure and the oil market’s 2020–2022 rebound. Citing a phase of extreme negative sentiment followed by a sharp, sustained rally that delivered roughly a 1,450% gain in oil, Steph argues XRP’s long compression around the $2 support and strong liquidity could set the stage for a similar large re-rating. At the time of the analysis XRP traded near $2.09; applying a 1,450% (14.5x) move would imply a theoretical target near $32.4. The video emphasizes macro positioning and investor disbelief rather than short-term technicals, framing XRP as a payment-focused, liquid macro asset that could break out if market conditions align. Disclaimer: this is opinionated analysis, not financial advice.

Ireland has raised concerns with X executives about misuse of xAI’s chatbot Grok after reports that users were generating and posting sexualized AI images of women and children. Irish AI Minister Niamh Smyth met company representatives and welcomed steps X said it took, including disabling clothing-removal and geoblocking image-generation requests in jurisdictions where such content is illegal. Smyth stressed the need for safeguards that match the sophistication of the technology and said the government will continue to review Grok and hold follow-up meetings. The move adds Ireland to a growing list of countries — including the UK, Indonesia and Australia — that have criticized X and Grok; regulators (Ofcom) and governments have threatened investigations, temporary bans, or enforcement under online-safety laws. Key actors: Ireland’s AI Minister Niamh Smyth, X/xAI, and international regulators. Main keywords: Grok, X, AI chatbot misuse, non-consensual deepfake images, geoblocking, online safety.

Onchainlens reported that a wallet believed to be controlled by the Solayer development team transferred 18,320,000 LAYER tokens (about $3 million) to Binance. The wallet still holds 16,560,000 LAYER (≈ $2.7 million), indicating a partial transfer rather than full liquidation. Large team-linked deposits to exchanges can signal several scenarios: planned vesting, liquidity provisioning, operational funding, or potential prelude to selling pressure. No public comment from Solayer has been issued yet. Traders and analysts will monitor exchange inflows, order-book depth, price action on the LAYER pair, and any follow-up transactions or official disclosures. Key metrics: deposit size (18.32M LAYER), remaining treasury (16.56M LAYER), and approximate values ($3M and $2.7M). The event highlights that transparent on-chain data enables rapid market scrutiny; however, interpretation requires context and official clarification before drawing trading conclusions.

The CLARITY Act’s progress stalled after Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong publicly opposed the Senate Banking Committee draft, saying it would restrict tokenized equities and DeFi, shift authority from the CFTC to the SEC, increase government access to financial records, and effectively ban third‑party stablecoin yield programs. Armstrong’s move prompted a paused markup and drew mixed reactions from lawmakers and industry. The White House signalled it could withdraw support after officials said they were blindsided by Coinbase’s rejection and seek a compromise that satisfies banks and avoids dominance by a single firm. Banks argue caps on stablecoin yields are needed to protect deposit flows; Coinbase calls such limits protectionist. Senators including Tim Scott, Cynthia Lummis and Mark Warner indicated further negotiations are possible but the process may be delayed into February. Industry responses vary: some firms praised Coinbase’s stance or will continue engagement, while legal and developer groups urged amendments rather than abandonment. For traders, the dispute raises regulatory uncertainty around stablecoins, tokenized equities and exchange business models, likely increasing short‑term volatility for assets tied to stablecoin liquidity, DeFi protocols, and tokenization infrastructure.

The White House warned it may withdraw support for the CLARITY Act after Coinbase pulled its backing, prompting a market pullback. The CLARITY Act aims to define SEC and CFTC roles and set rules for digital assets, DeFi and stablecoins. Coinbase cited concerns over tokenized stocks, restrictions on DeFi, broad surveillance provisions and shifts that would expand SEC authority; the immediate dispute centers on rules for yield-bearing stablecoin products and whether banks can offer interest on exchange-held stablecoins without disadvantaging crypto-native firms. The announcement led to declines across crypto: BTC fell toward about $95,000 and ETH near $3,295 as total market cap dropped to roughly $3.2 trillion and 24‑hour volume fell ~25% to $90B. Banks lobby that interest-bearing stablecoins would drain deposits and reduce lending. Other firms — Robinhood, Kraken, Ripple and Galaxy — still support the bill and say it would bring regulatory clarity. Betting markets (Polymarket, Kalshi) place passage odds near 50–55%. Traders should watch for White House signals, whether Coinbase rejoins talks, any legislative amendments on stablecoin yields and jurisdictional splits between the SEC and CFTC. Near-term, uncertainty raises downside risk and volatility; long-term outcomes depend on whether a revised compromise emerges that preserves market access for exchanges and DeFi builders.

Macro strategist Luke Gromen warns that Bitcoin could face a market shock similar to March 2020 if a sudden risk-off event materialises. Gromen, known for macro and liquidity-driven calls, suggests that rapid deleveraging, forced selling and liquidity drains across markets could drive sharp Bitcoin price declines alongside equities and risk assets. He frames the scenario as a structural liquidity event rather than a Bitcoin‑specific fundamental change, noting that correlated sell pressure in March 2020 forced liquidations across asset classes. Traders should watch macro liquidity indicators, margin levels, funding rates and large leveraged positions as early warning signs. The piece implies that short‑term volatility could spike and that risk management—position sizing, stop strategies and hedging—would be prudent. No new on‑chain metrics or specific price targets are provided.

Bitcoin’s recent uptick shows signs of a false breakout rather than a confirmed trend reversal. The rally lost momentum near the 100- and 200-period exponential moving averages (EMA), with volume fading after an initial spike — suggesting short-covering and late-buying rather than sustained accumulation. The 200 EMA remains sloped down, implying the broader correction is intact. Momentum indicators (e.g., RSI) reflect a mechanical bounce from oversold levels rather than strong buying conviction. Altcoins examined — Shiba Inu (SHIB) and XRP — also face technical hurdles: SHIB is testing its 100-day EMA for the third time and may either break higher or slip into prolonged sideways action; XRP is weaker, trading inside a descending channel with the 50 and 100 EMAs capping recoveries. External factors weigh on crypto sentiment, notably renewed uncertainty around US Federal Reserve policy and a slowdown in spot-Bitcoin ETF inflows, which likely curb upside. For traders: treat recent BTC gains cautiously, watch BTC price reaction around the 100/200 EMA and ETF flow data; SHIB needs a clear hold above the 100-day EMA to attract buyers, while XRP requires a channel breakout and reclaim of key EMAs to confirm recovery.

Democratic members of the House Financial Services Committee, led by Rep. Maxine Waters, Rep. Sean Casten and Rep. Brad Sherman, have written to SEC Chair Paul Atkins accusing the Securities and Exchange Commission of abandoning or dismissing more than a dozen crypto enforcement actions — including cases involving Binance (and CEO Changpeng Zhao), Coinbase, Kraken and Ripple — despite courts surviving motions to dismiss and, in some instances, federal judges finding probable cause. Lawmakers say these withdrawals coincided with increased crypto donations to President Trump and his allies, raising concerns that political pressure and industry lobbying influenced enforcement decisions and undermined investor protection and regulatory credibility. The letter cites specific rulings that supported the SEC’s claims, requests explanations for the agency’s actions, and warns that reduced enforcement risks market integrity and economic stability. For traders: renewed congressional scrutiny increases the probability of revived enforcement or policy changes, mentions of major exchanges could amplify volatility in exchange-listed assets and token markets, and political scrutiny may shift short-term risk sentiment and regulatory risk pricing. Key themes: SEC enforcement rollback, political donations and influence, dropped cases (Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, Ripple), investor protection, regulatory credibility.

XRP whale inflows to Binance have fallen to multi-year lows, with CryptoQuant’s 30-day moving average around 48–56 million XRP. The decline suggests large holders are moving fewer tokens to exchanges, reducing immediate selling pressure and indicating increased accumulation (HODLing). XRP is trading near $2.06, holding the key $2 support level despite wider crypto weakness (BTC, ETH declines) that has kept near-term upside capped. Historically, similar low exchange inflows preceded price rallies as on-exchange supply tightened. Traders should monitor whale transfer flow, exchange balances (especially Binance), spot liquidity, and macro crypto trends; reduced inflows are a bullish supply-side signal but prevailing market sentiment may limit short-term gains. U.S. trading hours have been noted as recurring catalysts for price surges. Key data: 30-day whale inflow average ≈ 48–56M XRP; current price ≈ $2.06; weekly price change modestly negative.

Steak ’n Shake has added $10 million worth of Bitcoin to its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve as part of a broader move to integrate BTC into operations and payments. The U.S. fast-food chain began accepting Bitcoin payments in May and says BTC acceptance drove double-digit same-store sales growth (about 10.7% in Q2 and 15% in Q3). All Bitcoin payments are kept as BTC and funneled into the reserve; the company reports payments lowered processing costs by roughly 50% and sped up transactions. Steak ’n Shake also markets Bitcoin-themed products (Bitcoin Burger, Bitcoin Meal), offers BTC-linked consumer rewards (satoshi donations to Open Sats and $5 in BTC via Fold for qualifying purchases), and has expanded related activities to El Salvador. The company did not disclose the timing, funding source, or mechanics of the $10 million acquisition. Executive comments at industry events and public endorsements (for example, Jack Dorsey spending BTC at the chain) have increased attention around the initiative. For traders: this is a continued example of corporate treasury demand and merchant adoption of BTC, reinforcing narrative-driven demand for Bitcoin although the scale is modest relative to on-chain supply and macro flows.

Elon Musk has filed suit against OpenAI and Microsoft seeking between $79 billion and $134 billion in damages, arguing OpenAI abandoned its original nonprofit mission after its 2019 restructuring and Microsoft partnership. Expert witness C. Paul Wazzan bases the damages on startup economics—treating Musk’s $38 million 2015 seed donation and early technical and strategic contributions as equity that should yield a multi-thousand-fold return on OpenAI’s estimated $500 billion valuation. Wazzan apportions $65.5B–$109.4B to OpenAI and $13.3B–$25.1B to Microsoft. OpenAI calls the suit harassment and defends its commercial partnerships as necessary to develop advanced, safe AI. Legal observers flag challenges: valuing a private firm at $500B, attributing growth to one founder, and applying damages standards more common to investor-loss cases. The case—set for trial in Oakland, California—raises broader questions about nonprofit-to-profit transitions, AI governance, founder obligations, and whether courts will enforce founding-charter commitments. For traders, the lawsuit highlights governance and regulatory risks around AI incumbents and large tech partners, and could affect market perceptions of AI valuations and investment risk.

Evernorth has filed to list on Nasdaq in Q1 2026 under ticker XRPN, proposing a regulated public-equity vehicle that gives investors institutional exposure to XRP without direct token custody. The company will hold and actively manage an XRP treasury — buying on open markets, generating yield through vetted DeFi and regulated strategies, and recycling proceeds to buy more XRP and support product development. CEO Asheesh Birla cited improving regulatory clarity, supportive policies and rising investor demand (including record activity in XRP spot ETFs) as drivers. Evernorth positions the equity as an access route to XRP for pensions, asset managers and funds restricted from direct custody, outsourcing custody, compliance, security and on-chain participation to the company. If executed, the IPO could act as an XRP proxy and income-generating digital-asset vehicle, removing custody and compliance hurdles for institutional capital and potentially increasing institutional demand for XRP.

Nikita Bier, X’s (formerly Twitter) product lead since June 2025, revised X’s developer API policy in January 2026 to ban “infofi” apps — third‑party projects that reward users with points or tokens for posting. Bier, known for viral social apps Politify, TBH and Gas, applies a growth methodology focused on emotional triggers, network effects and attacking low‑quality content. The ban targets a wave of AI‑generated and reward‑driven spam that has flooded timelines and degraded user experience. X’s wider strategy includes financial features such as Smart Cashtags (real‑time asset prices and discussion), and Bier’s move is framed as clearing low‑quality content to attract serious investors, enable payments/DeFi ambitions, and improve retention. Product changes under Bier reportedly lifted X downloads by ~60% and time on platform by 20–43%, and subscriptions passed $1B. The decision likely tightens enforcement around tokenized posting incentives and signals X’s shift from token rewards toward higher‑quality financial discourse and regulated crypto integration.

Binance now supports direct USD withdrawals via bank transfer (SWIFT), using BPay as the payment provider. Withdrawals take 0–5 business days. BPay Global, a Binance-linked entity in Bahrain, was newly established in April 2025 and holds a Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) Payment Service Provider (PSP) license. Bahrain-based Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) has signed an MoU with Binance Bahrain and joined Binance’s Link programme, becoming the first GCC bank in that initiative. The move expands fiat on/off-ramp options for users and leverages Binance’s licensed payment infrastructure in Bahrain.

Altcoins gained in early January as BTC rose from $87.5k to $94.8k and Bitcoin dominance fell from 59.58% to 58.7%, helping the altcoin market cap ex-ETH climb about $82.6 billion (≈9.97%). Despite the move, CoinGlass’s altcoin season index remained low at 33, indicating the market is not yet in an altcoin season. On-chain analytics (Alphractal) show long/short ratios above 1 for many altcoins — XRP’s 3.06 flagged as “unusually high” — suggesting crowded long positioning and elevated short-term volatility risk. Technicals for TOTAL3 (altcoin market cap ex-ETH) show a steady weekly uptrend since the Nov 2023 breakout and a potential challenge to the $1.19T all-time high in the coming months, especially if BTC reclaims $107.5k. However, CryptoQuant data shows 30-day moving average stablecoin inflows to exchanges remain well below Aug–Sep 2025 levels and exchange stablecoin reserves have fallen since November, implying limited fresh capital entering markets and that recent rallies may be driven by capital rotation rather than new money. For traders: the outlook is cautiously constructive — weekly structure supports further gains, but crowded long positioning and weaker stablecoin inflows increase downside risk and volatility. Monitor long/short ratios, BTC price at key levels (notably $107.5k), and stablecoin exchange flows for signs of sustainable capital inflow before committing large positions.

Finance coach and market commentator Coach JV argued that XRP will play a pivotal role in a structural transformation of the global financial system. In a tweet and accompanying video, he framed digital assets — including XRP, Bitcoin (BTC), Solana (SOL) and Hedera (HBAR) — as infrastructural building blocks rather than short-term speculative instruments. Key themes: regulation, speed of payments, institutional adoption, and ETFs. Coach JV said legacy finance is reaching limits and must integrate new technologies; surviving regulatory scrutiny is essential for long-term winners. He expects banks and advisors to increasingly offer custody and small allocations to regulated digital-asset products. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) were highlighted as the primary mainstream on-ramp, offering convenience and compliance for institutional and retail exposure, though the speaker prefers direct ownership. Coach JV referenced Nasdaq MarketSite coverage and Evernorth’s CEO Asheesh Birla noting XRP’s role in Evernorth’s digital-asset treasury and the firm’s strategy to simplify institutional access via custody, compliance, and security. His trading guidance emphasized strategy over speculation: concentrate capital on assets likely to endure regulation, balance offensive and defensive positions, and prepare for market cycles rather than chase short-term trends. Disclaimer: the piece is opinion and not financial advice.

The White House is reportedly considering withdrawing support for the federal CLARITY market-structure bill after Coinbase abruptly left negotiations over stablecoin yield provisions. White House sources described Coinbase’s move as a “rug pull,” saying officials are furious and expect the exchange to return with concessions that satisfy banks. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong argued the draft would harm DeFi, effectively ban tokenized equities, erode CFTC authority, and allow banks to block or limit stablecoin rewards. Banks and some regulators have pushed for limits on stablecoin yields, warning high yields could trigger deposit outflows. Critics including Citron Research accused Coinbase of undermining the bill to protect its competitive position against tokenized securities firms. The Senate Banking Committee delayed markup of the bill (originally set for Jan. 15) with no new date. For traders: the dispute raises regulatory uncertainty around stablecoin yields, tokenized securities and DeFi — areas that affect liquidity, on-chain lending returns and exchange business models. Watch for (1) renewed negotiations or a formal White House withdrawal, (2) any new draft language limiting stablecoin yields or tokenized equities, and (3) market reactions in stablecoin peg stability, lending protocols and exchange token sentiment.

Ethereum (ETH) has pulled back from recent highs (Jan 13 peak ~$3,387) to around $3,288 amid fading spot‑market demand and regulatory worries tied to the Market Structure Bill. Later data show constructive institutional and on‑chain flows: spot ETH ETFs posted year‑to‑date inflows (~$584M) and cumulative net inflows near $12.9B; ETF assets exceed $20B with BlackRock’s ETHA holding about $11.7B. Network activity improved — 30‑day transactions rose ~30% to 58M and active addresses increased ~64% to 13.1M. Stablecoin supply on Ethereum is near $170B with 30‑day stablecoin volume of $977B. The staking pool expanded to about $118B (~$1B growth in 30 days) and offers yields near 2.8–2.85%, below some competing PoS yields, which has pressured staking inflows earlier. Technicals are mixed to bearish: ETH remains below the 200‑day EMA, daily charts show bearish patterns (rising wedge, bearish pennant/divergence) and analysts point to a possible downside target near $2,623 (~20% drop). Key technical levels: resistance ~ $3,500 (invalidates bearish setup if taken) and support around $2,623 (break could accelerate losses). Market implications for traders: strong institutional ETF demand and rising on‑chain activity provide a structural bid, but weak staking incentives and bearish technical structure raise near‑term downside risk and heighten volatility. Traders should manage risk around the $3,500 resistance and $2,623 support, monitor ETF flows and staking movement, and watch for a volume‑backed breakout above the wedge to signal a trend reversal.

Mutuum Finance (MUTM) is a decentralized lending protocol currently in a multi‑phase presale, trading around $0.04 in Phase 7 after launching at $0.01 in Phase 1. The protocol mints interest‑bearing mtTokens for suppliers, supports isolated borrowing with LTV controls and liquidations, and plans Chainlink oracles and fallback feeds for liquidation pricing. Mutuum has sold ~830M of a 1.82B presale allocation (4B total supply), raised roughly $19.7–$19.8M, and counts ~18,800 holders. Security measures include a Halborn audit, a CertiK token scan score of 90/100, and a $50,000 bug bounty. Roadmap priorities are a V1 testnet before mainnet, stablecoin borrowing, and Layer‑2 support to lower liquidation costs and improve throughput. Early analyst models presented in coverage give conservative post‑launch valuations of roughly $0.18–$0.36 in the first live year and $0.80–$1.20 by 2027, with longer‑term upside scenarios to $2 by 2028 if V1 launches, usage scales, stablecoins and L2s are adopted, and fee‑driven demand grows. These forecasts are model‑based and not guarantees. For traders: the presale performance shows strong early retail demand (≈300% from Phase 1 to Phase 7), but tokenomics, unlock schedules, liquidity on launch, and actual protocol adoption will be key drivers and risks around price volatility.

Coinbase has added SKR (Sekuritance) and FIGHT (Crypto Fight Club) to its public listing roadmap, giving traders early notice that both tokens are under formal evaluation for potential future listing. Roadmap inclusion (announced March 15, 2025) signals Coinbase interest but does not guarantee trading; each asset must pass Coinbase’s multi-stage Digital Asset Framework review covering technical integration, security, market structure and compliance. SKR is an ERC-20 token used in Sekuritance’s regtech compliance suite (automated KYC/AML and transaction monitoring); token metrics cited: total supply 500M SKR, ~350M circulating. FIGHT is the utility token for Crypto Fight Club’s play-to-earn and NFT ecosystem, used for in-game currency, staking and governance; the game reported strong user growth in 2024 and has planned esports partnerships. Historically, Coinbase roadmap additions often increase attention, secondary-market liquidity and short-term price volatility for the tokens, though many projects remain on the roadmap without listing. Traders should monitor official Coinbase updates and onboarding milestones (market-making, technical testing, legal review). Roadmap inclusion is generally market-positive for token visibility and short-term demand but carries regulatory and execution risk; perform independent due diligence and size positions accordingly.

Ethereum co‑founder Vitalik Buterin announced on X that 2026 will be focused on reclaiming self‑sovereignty, decentralization and user privacy that he says have eroded over the past decade. The roadmap emphasizes privacy tools, social recovery wallets and timelocks to reduce seed‑phrase risk, local node operation and independent chain verification using ZK‑EVM and BAL, and moving users away from default reliance on RPC providers. The Ethereum Foundation is advancing privacy efforts — including the Kohaku wallet framework, ERC‑4337 and FOCIL — to improve censorship resistance and private payments. Buterin also urged rapid adoption of quantum‑resistant cryptography and listed priority infrastructure goals: full quantum security, scalable ZK‑EVM and PeerDAS, sustainable state model, full account abstraction, DoS‑resistant gas pricing, durable decentralized PoS, and censorship‑resistant block building. He stressed these upgrades will take multiple releases (beyond Kohaku) and be crucial for Ethereum’s long‑term resilience and trustlessness.

White House crypto advisor and National Security Council official publicly stated that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) did not sell the bitcoins seized from Samourai Wallet-related investigations. The clarification follows media reports and trader concerns suggesting the DOJ had liquidated forfeited bitcoin holdings. Officials emphasized that the DOJ maintains custody protocols and that any disposition of forfeited crypto follows legal procedures. The announcement aims to reassure markets and privacy-focused crypto users that the government has not executed sales that might affect bitcoin supply or prices. The statement also underscores ongoing scrutiny of how law enforcement handles seized cryptocurrency and highlights the balance between enforcement and market stability.

U.S. market-structure legislation has stalled amid a dispute between banks and crypto firms over stablecoin yield provisions, with bank-funded lending and yield on dollar-pegged stablecoins emerging as a likely compromise point to advance the bill. Social platform X (Elon Musk) banned InfoFi apps that pay users to post, causing immediate token price drops and signaling increased regulatory and platform risk for attention-farming crypto projects. Vitalik Buterin criticized decentralized stablecoins as fragile—citing dollar dependence, oracle vulnerabilities, and staking-related risks—and BloFin Research argues decentralized models are unlikely to see mainstream adoption; instead, issuer-backed, U.S. dollar–pegged stablecoins are more likely to gain regulatory acceptance. Key implications: market-structure clarity could reclassify some tokens as securities or commodities; projects reliant on attention incentives face heightened execution and token-price risk; and stablecoin design debates point toward centralized, regulated issuers as the probable long-term outcome.

Digitap’s $TAP presale has raised over $4.1 million in January 2026 as market attention shifts from institution-focused infrastructure toward consumer payments apps. Digitap markets a live omni‑banking app that blends fiat and crypto, uses multi‑rail settlement to route transfers via the most efficient path, and targets everyday remittances and cross‑border spending with “invisible” crypto rails. Presale details: current price $0.0427 (scheduled to rise to $0.0439), confirmed listing price $0.14, and presale participants are offered staking incentives (reported up to 124%). Tokenomics allocate 50% of platform profits to buybacks, split between burns and staking rewards; total supply is capped and a revenue-backed buyback/burn mechanism is highlighted. The coverage contrasts Digitap’s consumer payments narrative with Ripple’s XRP, noting XRP trades around $2.16–$2.32 with a large market cap and a bearish technical setup unless it clears near-term resistance at ~$2.32. Analysts in the articles frame $TAP as a high-upside presale opportunity given consumer-facing utility and value-capture mechanics, while reminding readers that this is paid promotional content and not investment advice.

BTCC, a global crypto exchange founded in 2011, reported $5.72 billion in tokenized gold trading volume for 2025 after Q4 surged to $2.74 billion — an 809% increase versus Q1. Quarterly breakdown: Q1 $301.4M, Q2 $1.50B, Q3 $1.19B, Q4 $2.74B (48% of annual activity). Tokenized gold accounted for roughly 10.7% of BTCC’s $53.1 billion total tokenized futures volume in 2025. BTCC offers three USDT‑margined perpetuals: GOLDUSDT (spot-tracking), PAXGUSDT (Pax Gold) and XAUTUSDT (Tether Gold). BTCC cited geopolitical tensions, policy uncertainty and record gold prices as drivers of demand, noting 130% quarter‑over‑quarter growth in Q4 and plans to expand tokenization into other commodities and traditional assets. The report is part of BTCC’s Growth Report Q4 2025. The piece is a paid post and not investment advice.

Internal documents show that in January 2018 Elon Musk briefly backed a proposal for a $10 billion OpenAI initial coin offering (ICO) that would have sold utility tokens granting access to future AI services or compute. The idea emerged during the 2017–2018 ICO boom and aimed to cover OpenAI’s steep compute costs. Musk withdrew support within weeks and left the board in February 2018, citing regulatory risk, Tesla’s AI priorities and AI-safety concerns. OpenAI instead moved to a capped‑profit model and pursued traditional funding, including Microsoft’s $1 billion investment in 2019 and API revenue. The revelation highlights tensions between rapid token-based fundraising and regulatory scrutiny: the 2018 plan reflected ICO-era exuberance but raised legal and reputational questions that stalled a public sale. For crypto traders, the news is primarily historical context rather than an immediate trading signal, but it underscores persistent themes relevant to markets — large capital demands for AI compute, tokenized utility models as a funding route, and high regulatory risk for token sales. These themes can influence investor sentiment around AI-token projects and the broader intersection of crypto and AI, particularly when new token launches surface or regulators update guidance.

Google has filed an appeal and asked a U.S. District Court judge to pause implementation of remedies that would force it to share company data with rivals after being found to have unlawfully maintained a monopoly in search and advertising. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta’s 2024 ruling concluded Google used exclusionary agreements — paying about $20 billion to make its search the default on devices from partners such as Apple and Samsung — to block distribution channels for competitors. Mehta’s later remedy requires Google to rebid default-search deals annually and to provide certain data access to competitors, potentially aiding AI search rivals like OpenAI, Anthropic and Perplexity. Google argues the remedies are unwarranted, saying users choose Google voluntarily and that the decision ignored market competition and innovation. The company filed the appeal and a request to pend the data-sharing order; the U.S. Court of Appeals may take ~1 year to decide, during which Google could avoid implementing the data-sharing remedy. The Justice Department and other plaintiffs have until February 3 to appeal aspects of Mehta’s ruling. Alphabet’s stock dipped about 1% on the announcement but remains up year-to-date amid investor expectations about AI-led growth.