Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Tether has integrated USDT and Tether Gold (XAUt0) into Opera’s MiniPay wallet, aiming to broaden access to dollar- and gold-backed digital value in emerging markets. MiniPay, built on the Celo blockchain, has expanded from Africa to over 60 countries and reported 3.6 million on-chain users and 350 million transactions since its late‑2023 launch, with 50% growth in Q4 2025. USDT — with a roughly $186 billion market cap — enables users to send, receive and hold digital dollars without needing deep blockchain knowledge. Tether Gold provides a gold-backed, inflation-resistant saving option. Executives emphasized financial inclusion: Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the move helps deliver reliable stable value to those who need it most, while Opera’s EVP Jørgen Arnesen highlighted that direct USDT integration converts smartphone reach into practical financial access. The partnership targets further expansion in Latin America and Southeast Asia and underscores a push toward mobile-first, low-cost crypto payments in emerging economies.

Whale Alert reported a single on-chain transfer of 3,483 BTC (≈$274M) from a wallet labeled “Coinbase Institutional” to a newly created, previously inactive address. The move paid a low fee, did not use Lightning, and the destination has no prior history — characteristics commonly associated with cold storage, long-term custody, or intermediate OTC flows rather than imminent exchange selling. Price moved less than 1.5% in the 12 hours after the transfer and derivatives metrics (open interest, funding rates) showed no abnormal spikes, indicating the market absorbed the flow with minimal disruption. This follows a wider pattern of institutional withdrawals from exchanges that reduce on-exchange supply and can act as a mildly bullish, supply-side signal for Bitcoin. Traders should monitor the destination address for dormancy vs. further transfers, watch Exchange Net Flow and order-book liquidity for confirmation, and note that single large withdrawals are typically psychological drivers rather than immediate catalysts for sustained rallies or dumps.

Global technology spending is forecast to grow 7.8% in 2026 to $5.6 trillion as countries and corporations push AI infrastructure buildouts. Forrester attributes about two-thirds of the 2026 spending surge to foundational technology for AI—data centers, semiconductors and compute hardware. Hyperscalers (major cloud providers) were primary drivers in 2024–25, with the largest U.S. hyperscalers spending nearly $300 billion on AI in 2025 and Q3 hyperscaler capex hitting $142 billion. Total U.S. AI spending in 2025 approached $450 billion; China spent over $100 billion (≈50% year-on-year growth). Other notable 2025 AI budgets: UK ~$28B, Canada ~$15B, Israel ~$15B, Germany ~$11B, India ~$11B. S&P Global projects an even stronger 9% growth in 2026, forecasting big gains for hyperscalers and semiconductor makers—cloud revenue up ~20% and semiconductor industry up ~24%. Analysts note the shift from experimentation to large-scale deployment, with winners being those with access to capital, energy and compute. While concerns about an AI market bubble exist, much capital is being directed to long-lived physical infrastructure, signalling structural investment that could support sustained AI-driven economic activity.

OpenAI has released a native MacOS application for Codex that embeds its GPT-5.2-Codex model and targets agentic, multi-agent software development. The app, launched in early February 2026, moves Codex from command-line and web interfaces into a desktop environment focused on parallel AI agent orchestration, agent “personalities,” and background automation scheduling. CEO Sam Altman highlighted GPT-5.2-Codex as OpenAI’s strongest coding model and said the app aims to compress development timelines from concept to working software. While GPT-5.2-Codex leads benchmarks like TerminalBench, competitors (Google’s Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude Opus) remain statistically close; SWE-bench shows no decisive leader. Key features include scheduled background tasks, multi-agent role assignment, and customizable agent behaviors. Initial release is MacOS-only, targeting professional developers in Apple’s ecosystem. Market implications center on workflow and UX differentiation rather than raw model superiority; adoption and enterprise-grade security, maintainability, and scalability will determine long-term impact. This release signals a shift toward treating AI as collaborative team members rather than simple assistants.

Nomura Holdings will temporarily reduce cryptocurrency risk at its European digital-asset arm, Laser Digital, after the unit posted losses in the quarter ended Dec. 31. CEO Hiroyuki Moriuchi and CFO Nobuyuki Sone said the bank is enforcing stricter position management and a short-term pullback in crypto exposure to limit downside amid recent market volatility. Nomura reported Q3 net income of ¥91.6bn (down 9.7% YoY). Overseas results included a ¥10.6bn loss in Europe but an overall overseas profit of ¥16.3bn, down 70% YoY. The quarter was also impacted by the Macquarie US/European asset-management acquisition and share buyback costs. Despite the near-term reduction in crypto positions, Nomura reiterated its medium- to long-term commitment to digital assets and plans to expand Laser Digital operations in Switzerland once market conditions improve. Key implications for traders: increased risk control at a regulated European crypto unit may reduce institutional flow and volatility in affected venues in the short term, while the firm’s stated long-term commitment keeps strategic demand intact.

New York prosecutors — led by the state Attorney General and the Manhattan DA — have formally warned that the proposed GENIUS (Generating Economic Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins) Act contains drafting flaws that could weaken fraud enforcement and grant protections to major stablecoin issuers such as Tether and Circle. They say exemptions and narrow definitions in the bill could limit prosecutors’ ability to hold issuers liable when tokens enable illicit activity, reduce reporting and auditing requirements for reserves, and curtail real-time cooperation with domestic and global law enforcement. Prosecutors cite operational practices at large issuers — selective wallet freezes, inconsistent victim reimbursement, and uneven AML responses — as concrete risks the bill fails to address. Industry responses differ: Circle says GENIUS would raise AML and consumer-protection baselines, while Tether defends its law-enforcement cooperation. Legal experts warn imprecise language could inadvertently create liability shields and worsen systemic risk by lowering transparency and controls. Market implications for traders include heightened regulatory uncertainty that could reduce institutional stablecoin adoption, impair liquidity for USDT and USDC, encourage offshore innovation if US rules tighten, or increase systemic risk if protections remain weak. Lawmakers are urged to tighten disclosure, auditing and enforcement language; the debate will shape U.S. stablecoin policy and may affect trading liquidity and institutional participation.

Opera announced expanded support for Tether’s USDT stablecoin and Tether Gold (XAUT) in its self-custodial MiniPay wallet. The update gives millions of users in emerging markets easier access to dollar-backed and gold-backed crypto, using MiniPay’s integrations with on- and off-ramps (Binance, Partna, Fonbank) and local payment rails via its “Pay like a local” feature. Opera says MiniPay has 12.6 million activated wallets, 3.64 million on-chain users, and processed over $153 million in stablecoin transactions in December. Following the announcement, Opera shares (OPRA) rose about 17% from a recent low to $14.65. The move aligns with Tether’s recent growth—Tether reported over $10 billion net profit in 2025 and continued gold purchases—potentially increasing USDT and XAUT adoption in markets with limited fiat access.

BitMine Immersion Technologies continued aggressive Ethereum accumulation, purchasing ~41,788 ETH (~$96M) last week amid a weekend sell-off that briefly pushed Ether below $2,200. The drawdown reduced the market value of BitMine’s ETH treasury to below ~$9.5B and created over $6B in unrealized losses versus a disclosed average acquisition cost near $3,879 per ETH (implying a ~ $16B cost basis). Ether later recovered to roughly $2,350. BitMine now holds about 4.3M ETH (≈3.55% of circulating supply). The company has materially increased staking exposure — roughly 2.9M ETH (nearly two-thirds of holdings) are staked, generating an estimated $188M annualized staking revenue. BitMine also disclosed plans to launch a “Made in America Validator Network” in early 2026. Shares fell about 6% on the day amid broader market pressure. This sequence underscores continued institutional accumulation of ETH even during volatility, raises questions about balance-sheet risk given large unrealized losses, and may tighten available sell-side liquidity as more ETH is locked via staking — factors traders should monitor for short-term volatility and longer-term supply dynamics.

Hong Kong’s Monetary Authority (HKMA) plans to issue the first Stablecoin Issuer Licences in March, selecting from 36 completed applications filed before the August 1, 2025 deadline. HKMA chief Eddie Yue told the legislature the regulator expects to grant a “very small number” of licences as applicants complete compliance checks; no firms or exact dates were named. Known applicants include the Animoca Brands–Standard Chartered joint venture Anchorpoint Financial Limited. The licensing move is part of wider Hong Kong crypto reforms: the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) are tightening custody rules to bring OTC desks, brokers and custodians under stricter oversight, and the SFC has issued tougher expectations for licensed virtual asset trading platforms (VATPs). The HKMA’s roadmap also covers AI, tokenisation, data infrastructure and resilience. Traders should watch approved stablecoins closely — approvals could shift liquidity, affect fiat on‑ramps/off‑ramps, change stablecoin market share within Hong Kong, and influence institutional participation and trading volume in the city’s digital asset market.

An Ethereum wallet historically associated with Vitalik Buterin converted 211.84 ETH (about $500,000) into 500,000 USDC on March 15, 2025, and sent the funds to the Kanro charity wallet. Blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain first flagged the transaction; on-chain explorers confirm the immutable record (partial tx hash: 0x4a7b…e92c) and show it was executed via a DEX swap with ~19,842,157 block confirmation and roughly $42.50 in gas fees. Kanro, Buterin’s philanthropic vehicle, has previously funded global health, existential risk reduction, open-source public goods, and direct cash-transfer experiments. Analysts note Kanro’s wallet has received around $87 million in crypto since inception. The move highlights broader crypto-philanthropy trends—growing donation volumes, use of stablecoins (USDC) to mitigate volatility, and blockchain-enabled transparency—while underscoring tax and regulatory considerations for crypto donations. For traders, the donation itself is immaterial to market liquidity but serves as a high-profile example of on-chain philanthropy and stablecoin usage, and it reinforces public attention on large ETH-holder flows and stablecoin conversions.

Bitcoin (BTC) rallied back to roughly $79,000 after recent volatility, prompting mixed analyst views about the sustainability of the recovery. While the rebound reflects renewed buying interest and short-covering, several analysts cautioned that BTC could retrace sharply — with downside scenarios around $50,000 cited — if macro headwinds or profit-taking intensify. Key drivers noted include market sentiment shifts, liquidity dynamics, and technical resistance near current levels. Traders are advised to watch volume, open interest, and macro signals for confirmation; risk management (tight stops, scaled positions) is recommended given the potential for rapid moves in either direction.

Crypto analyst Jake Claver and XRP community figures argue that Ripple’s technology is evolving from a blockchain project into a payments and settlement infrastructure being implemented by banks and financial institutions. Claver says this structural shift—real-world assets and institutional rails being built on the XRP Ledger (XRPL)—is underappreciated by traditional finance and could create early-mover advantages before price reflects long-term utility. XRP has recently traded under pressure, around $1.54–$1.58, failing to hold $1.60 support. Community developer Bird (@Bird_XRPL) sees the bear phase nearing its end, citing macro indicators (Russell 2000 highs, Bitcoin dominance topping, weakening gold/silver momentum) and positive sentiment from Ripple leadership as signals the next pump is close. If XRPL-based systems start moving substantial real-world assets, proponents predict a significant price re-rating that could drive XRP above prior resistance levels, potentially back toward $3 and beyond. Key names: Jake Claver, Bird (DropCoin developer), Ripple leaders Chris Larsen and David Schwartz. Primary keywords: XRP, XRP Ledger, Ripple, banks, institutional adoption.

A bitcoin address active in 2011 — classified as a Satoshi‑era wallet — moved its entire balance of 10,000 BTC after 13 years of dormancy. Blockchain trackers show the coins were transferred in a single confirmed transaction to a new address and subsequently prepared for liquidation. At current prices the transfer was valued at close to $1 billion. Analysts note the full liquidation and age of the holdings drew market attention; traders watched on‑chain flows to see whether funds moved to exchanges or custodial services. Immediate market impact was limited: volatility was elevated but liquidity remained stable and no major disorder was recorded. Historical context: many early‑mined wallets remain dormant for years, and reactivations are rare but not unprecedented. Large distributions from early holders can increase short‑term supply and prompt heightened monitoring, though one transfer alone rarely dictates long‑term market direction. Keywords: Satoshi‑era wallet, 10,000 BTC, bitcoin liquidation, on‑chain monitoring, whale movement.

Bitcoin and major altcoins staged short relief rallies after hitting 2026 lows, but selling pressure at key resistance zones keeps downside risk elevated. BTC bounced from roughly $74,500 and attempted to hold $79,000–$86,000 levels, with strong overhead resistance seen between $80,600 and $97,900 depending on the timeframe. Analysts are split: some call the recent pullback a deep buying opportunity, while others and prediction markets see higher odds of further declines (Polymarket implied ~72% chance of BTC below $65,000). The Crypto Fear & Greed Index is in extreme fear (~14), a historically mean-reverting signal for traders to watch for squeezes. Technical highlights (critical levels for trade planning): - BTC: Immediate supports at $74,508 and $60,000 (secondary). Upside confirmed above the short-term moving averages (~20/50 EMA/SMA) and targets near $97,900; failure below trendline/support risks drops to $84,000 then $80,600 or lower. - ETH: Support around $2,111; 20-day EMA resistance near $2,833. A breach of $2,111 risks falls toward ~$1,750. - BNB: Broke an uptrend and $790; now defending ~$730. Reclaiming moving averages needed to target ~$959, else downside toward $700. - XRP: Channel support near $1.61–$1.81; strong 20-day EMA resistance ~ $1.97. Breach could target ~$1.25–$1.61. - SOL: Held $95; short-term resistance at the 20-day EMA (~$121). Failure risks $79; bounce targets $121 then $147. - DOGE: Testing ~$0.12 (20-day EMA) after breaking ~$0.10; failure opens $0.08–$0.10; upside capped by moving averages near $0.16. - ADA: Bounced from low support; 20-day EMA resistance ~ $0.34. A breakdown could extend to ~$0.20; reclaiming the downtrend line would target $0.50. - BCH: Recently hit ~$456 then rallied; resistance zone $535–$551 and 20-day EMA near $571. Rejection patterns could push to ~$518 or lower. Macro context: Equity (S&P 500) and USD (DXY) technicals may influence flows into crypto. Expect relief rallies to be capped by selling at moving averages unless buyers push through them. Traders should use the listed support/resistance levels for entries, stop placement and position sizing. This summary focuses on price action and technical risks — not investment advice.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new trade agreement with India that reportedly reduces U.S. tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18% and includes commitments by India to stop buying Russian oil and to purchase $500 billion in U.S. energy and technology products over time. The announcement followed a phone call between Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and coincides with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s three-day U.S. visit for meetings on critical minerals. India has not officially confirmed the deal. Market impact: Brent crude slipped more than 2% in 24 hours and is testing the lower boundary of a short-term ascending channel near the $66 support level. Technical indicators (RSI falling below its SMA and a contracting MACD toward its signal line) signal bearish momentum; a break below $66 could target $63.545, while a rebound could retest $69.395 and possibly $71.42. Traders should watch geopolitical headlines for confirmation of the India-Russia import change and oil technical levels for short-term opportunities. Keywords: India U.S. trade deal, Russian oil ban, Brent crude, oil price support, $66 support, MACD, RSI.

BitDegree has launched a new Mission — “Earn on Your Balance With Ogvio Simple Earn” — highlighting Ogvio’s Simple Earn feature, which offers up to 3.5% APY. The promotion runs until March 4, 2026 and includes a 100 USDC prize pool distributed via a lucky draw to 20 winners (5 USDC each). Winners must link their BitDegree account to an Ogvio account to claim prizes within two weeks of the draw. Participants who complete all mission rounds can earn up to 1,800 Bits; collected Bits count toward a larger BitDegree × Ogvio airdrop with a $20,000 prize pool. Additional Bits can be earned via other Missions, referrals, and bonus tasks. The article notes BitDegree’s prior missions (e.g., Crypto.com Level Up) and positions the campaign as part of ongoing learn-and-earn and rewards-driven user acquisition strategies.

Bitcoin plunged over the weekend after thin weekend liquidity combined with rising macro risk triggered a cascade of automated orders and liquidations. Lower trading volumes on Saturday-Sunday made price moves sharper; falling below the psychologically important $80,000 level triggered stop-losses and sell orders. Approximately $1–$2 billion of leveraged crypto long positions were liquidated, amplifying downside and dragging Ethereum and most altcoins lower. Cross-asset risk-off sentiment and liquidation loops pushed BTC into the mid-$70k support zone. Additional relevant developments in the same news cycle: a CrossCurve cross-chain bridge exploit drained about $3 million; Vitalik Buterin proposed linking DAOs with prediction markets to improve creator token fairness; the US expanded Iran digital-asset sanctions; and BitRiver CEO Igor Runets was arrested on tax-evasion allegations. For traders: watch whether mid-$70k support holds — a failure could prompt deeper tests of older support levels. Expect increased volatility, margin/liquidation risk, and potential short-term oversold bounces; adjust position sizing and stop rules accordingly.

Bitcoin Everlight (BTCL), a Bitcoin‑adjacent transaction routing layer, has advanced through an observable presale and early deployment that keeps development and node performance publicly measurable. The protocol offers quorum‑based, seconds‑level confirmations while anchoring batches to Bitcoin for settlement integrity without altering Bitcoin’s base layer. Node operators stake BTCL and earn routing micro‑fees; routing priority and rewards are governed by measured metrics (uptime, latency, confirmation success, throughput) with a 14‑day lock to stabilize early participation. Security work reported includes SpyWolf and SolidProof audits plus SpyWolf/Vital Block KYC checks. Presale funding has exceeded $250,000; BTCL has a 21,000,000,000 total supply with 45% allocated to a 20‑stage public presale (currently Stage 2 at $0.0010; final stage $0.0110). Tokenomics: 20% unlocked at generation, 80% linearly released over 6–9 months; other allocations: 20% node rewards, 15% liquidity, 10% team (12‑month cliff + 24‑month vesting), 10% treasury. The project’s early, observable execution, completed audits and measurable node incentives have kept Everlight visible among Bitcoin infrastructure participants. This piece is a sponsored article and not financial advice.

MemeCore (M) surged sharply—up to an 89% move in the latest phase—driven largely by speculative positioning in perpetual futures rather than spot demand. Spot price rose ~9.5% in 24 hours with spot volume up ~13% to $147M, but overall earlier reporting showed a prior all-time high at $2.48 before retreating to $2.21. Perpetual futures capital deployed increased substantially (reported +29% to $33.7M, with ~$9.77M in fresh inflows), and perpetual market indicators (elevated funding rates and a perpetual trading volume ratio >1.0 in earlier data) point to strong derivatives-led buying pressure. However, signs of divergence are emerging: funding has slipped toward neutral/negative (~0.0037% in later data), liquidations narrowed (longs smaller than shorts), Parabolic SAR flipped above price and ADX is rising—technical signals consistent with waning momentum and increasing sell-side pressure. On-chain accumulation measures show mixed signals: an upward Accumulation/Distribution trend was noted earlier but spot-level net selling (~$77k over three days) and low spot liquidity imply price moves remain vulnerable to derivatives flows. For traders: the rally has the hallmarks of a squeeze driven by leveraged longs rather than broad spot accumulation. Key triggers to watch are sustained positive funding and A/D crossing into positive territory for confirmation of continuation; conversely, a deterioration in accumulation, a persistent negative funding bias, or technical confirmations (Parabolic SAR holding above price, rising ADX) would increase the probability of a quick correction or bull trap.

Levi Rietveld of Crypto Crusaders warned that XRP holders face a critical 24-hour window as crypto markets plunged and $230 billion left the market in a sudden sell-off. While Bitcoin fell ~7.7% and Ethereum ~12.5%, XRP declined about 10.6% and showed relative strength versus many altcoins. Rietveld linked the volatility to geopolitical tensions and looming institutional actions that could trigger large-scale buying or selling next week. He advised traders to closely monitor XRP support levels and institutional flow, noting that outperformance so far does not guarantee immunity from further drops. Key figures and facts: $230 billion wiped from crypto market in 24 hours; BTC -7.7%; ETH -12.54%; XRP -10.61%. Primary keywords: XRP, XRP holders, crypto volatility, institutional flows. Secondary/semantic keywords: market sell-off, geopolitical uncertainty, support levels, altcoin resilience.

Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor and ex-Goldman Sachs banker, has been nominated to fill a Fed board vacancy, prompting investor debate over whether he will take a hawkish, dovish or Volcker-like stance on monetary policy. Warsh is known for a strong understanding of markets and past advocacy for firm inflation control; supporters say his credibility could signal tougher policy, while critics point to his Wall Street background and prior positions suggesting pragmatic flexibility. Markets are watching for signals on interest-rate policy, quantitative tightening and regulatory priorities. The nomination could influence Treasury yields, dollar strength and risk assets, with traders anticipating volatility around Fed communications and votes. Key factors to watch: Warsh’s public remarks, committee votes on rates and balance-sheet policy, and any shifts in Fed guidance that affect expectations for rate path and recession risk.

BlockDAG’s presale is entering its final hours with roughly 400 million BDAG tokens remaining at a fixed entry price of $0.0005. The project reports a $453 million presale total, about 312,000 participants, and a stated launch target of $0.05 per BDAG. BlockDAG promotes a hybrid DAG + Proof-of-Work architecture with EVM compatibility and claims 15,000 TPS and a mining app with 3.5 million users. Once the presale ends (by quantity sold or timer), BDAG will move to open-market pricing on exchanges, removing the guaranteed $0.0005 entry. The article frames the remaining allocation as a time-limited opportunity that could produce up to a 100x gain if the token reaches the $0.05 target. Readers are reminded this is sponsored content and not investment advice.

Ethereum (ETH) remains trapped inside a long-running five-year trading range, trading below key volume thresholds and the range midpoint. Volume profile analysis shows acceptance below the value area high, increasing the probability of a rotation toward the value area low and the long-term range low around $950 if ETH loses the point of control with conviction. The $950 region is a historically significant demand zone; a strong bullish volume reaction there would likely trigger a mean-reversion rally back toward the range’s upper resistance near $4,700. Traders should treat moves toward both extremes as part of ongoing range dynamics rather than a definitive structural breakout. Short-term downside risk is elevated while ETH remains below the midpoint and key volume levels; confirmation requires sustained volume and acceptance either below $950 (for a deeper breakdown) or above the midpoint/value area high (for a sustained rally).

Ripple has received a full Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence from Luxembourg’s regulator, the CSSF, formalised on 2 February 2026. The approval upgrades a previously issued initial licence into a full EU-compliant EMI authorisation, granting Ripple passporting rights to operate across all EU member states without separate national licences. The licence complements Ripple’s expanding regulatory portfolio — including a UK EMI licence and FCA cryptoasset registration — and increases its institutional credibility in Europe. Cassie Craddock, Ripple’s Managing Director for UK & Europe, described the authorisation as a watershed moment that positions Ripple to support Europe’s shift to digital-first finance. For traders, the development strengthens regulatory legitimacy for Ripple’s institutional payments products and could accelerate adoption of XRP-based rails for cross-border payments and on-demand liquidity (ODL). Increased institutional flow through Ripple’s rails may raise XRP utility and demand; however, timing and magnitude of any price effect will depend on onboarding speed, counterparty adoption, and broader market conditions. Key SEO keywords: Ripple EMI license, Luxembourg EMI, EU passport, XRP demand, Ripple Europe.

Cboe Global Markets plans to relaunch ’All-or-Nothing’ (AON) contracts, a type of binary-style derivative that settles only if a specific event condition is met. The relaunch follows earlier regulatory scrutiny and a temporary withdrawal; Cboe says the revamped product will incorporate updated controls and risk-management features to address prior concerns. The move positions Cboe to compete with decentralized and centralized prediction-market platforms that offer event-based betting and binary outcomes. Key implications include potential growth in event-driven trading volume and increased institutional participation, but also renewed regulatory attention given the gambling-like nature of AON products. Traders should watch product specifications, margin and liquidity details, settlement thresholds, and any regulatory responses that could affect availability or leverage. Primary keywords: Cboe, All-or-Nothing contracts, prediction markets. Secondary/semantic keywords: binary derivatives, event-driven trading, regulatory oversight, product relaunch, market liquidity.

BlockDAG’s presale is experiencing rapid supply depletion as large buy orders and coordinated accumulation push the remaining allocation below the 600 million-coin threshold. Rather than waiting for the scheduled deadline, traders and groups are executing bulk purchases that clear millions of coins in minutes, tripling average order size over recent hours. Analytics cited in the report indicate the presale will likely sell out hours — or possibly much sooner — before the on-site countdown reaches zero. Key points: presale price point $0.0005; remaining supply under 600 million coins; accelerated depletion from bulk orders and thousands of active buyers; average order size reportedly tripled in six hours; models predict supply exhaustion prior to the official deadline. The article is a paid press release and not trading advice. Relevant links and official channels are provided by the project (purchase and website, Telegram, Discord).

Ripple gained full ratification of its Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Luxembourg’s CSSF, strengthening its EU expansion after earlier FCA registration for Ripple Markets UK Ltd. The company said the authorization will help scale compliant blockchain infrastructure for European clients. Separately, newly released Jeffrey Epstein-related documents include an email referencing Ripple and Stellar; the emailwriter criticized both projects as “bad for the ecosystem,” prompting concern and calls for transparency about any Epstein-linked influence on early crypto policy. On markets, XRP fell to a 14-month low near $1.50 and trades around $1.64 (CoinGecko), down about 14% over the past week amid broader market weakness. Some analysts foresee a short-term relief bounce or liquidity grab; an anonymous large trader opened a multi-million-dollar 20x leveraged XRP position on Hyperliquid, which could attract follow-on flows. Key names: Ripple leadership (Cassie Craddock), XRP Ledger co-architect David Schwartz, and Blockstream co-founder Austin Hill. Primary keywords: Ripple, XRP, EU EMI license, Epstein documents, price drop.

US President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social that he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached trade and energy agreements. Key points: the US will reduce reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%; India reportedly agreed to eliminate certain tariffs and non-tariff barriers on US goods and to purchase over $500 billion in US energy, technology, agricultural products, coal and other items. Trump also said Modi agreed to stop buying Russian oil and to increase US (and possibly Venezuelan) oil purchases, framing the moves as helping to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The announcement was made unilaterally on social media and includes large headline figures but lacks confirmation from official bilateral documents in the article. Primary keywords: US-India trade, tariffs, Russian oil, energy purchases, Trump, Modi.

Reports say SpaceX and xAI are in advanced merger talks that could be announced as soon as this week. The proposed deal would combine SpaceX’s satellite, launch and Starlink infrastructure with xAI’s AI model development and computing operations. Two Nevada entities were registered on Jan. 21, 2026, which observers view as preparatory steps. SpaceX’s private-market valuation was about $800 billion in 2025 (some IPO estimates have ranged up to $1.5 trillion); xAI’s estimated valuation is about $230 billion since its 2023 launch. Supporters argue the merger would enable low-latency, space-based AI workloads using Starlink and SpaceX launch capacity and could be structured before any SpaceX IPO to present a unified infrastructure-and-AI growth story to investors. Negotiations are ongoing, no final agreement has been signed, and terms and timing may still change.