Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

Shytoshi Kusama, the former lead developer of Shiba Inu, has returned to social media, igniting excitement and optimism in the SHIB community. His absence since March marked a shift to an ambassador role, focusing on strategic marketing and partnerships. Kusama’s re-emergence is expected to lead to new innovations and increase demand for SHIB. Recently, the Shiba Inu community has seen a rise in long-term holder commitments and a significant token burn event, reducing supply by 1 billion tokens, which bolstered bullish sentiment. In addition, WallitIQ’s frictionless transaction features with AI-powered support have attracted attention, highlighting SHIB’s integration potential in broader markets. These developments suggest a positive outlook for SHIB adoption and influence on crypto trading activities.

The cryptocurrency market has recently seen significant developments. Solana encountered public backlash due to a controversial advertisement seen as transphobic, prompting an apology from its founder and highlighting reputational risks in crypto marketing strategies. In a positive turn, the US Treasury lifted sanctions on Tornado Cash, a crypto mixing service, resulting in a boost to its native token’s value. This decision is a positive sign for privacy advocates, though Tornado Cash has previously faced misuse allegations tied to North Korean hackers. Additionally, Canary Capital applied for a ’Penguin ETF’ centered on Pudgy Penguins NFTs. This application reflects ongoing challenges and innovation in crypto investments despite uncertain approval prospects given the collection’s recent performance. Traders should pay attention to these events as they may influence market dynamics and investor confidence.

US authorities are set to return $7 million to victims of a sophisticated crypto scam involving social engineering tactics that deceived them into investing in fraudulent platforms. This scam demonstrated the advanced nature of crypto-related cybercrime, with funds being funneled through over 75 shell companies and sent overseas. Despite advancements in wallet security, human error is still a significant weakness exploited by scammers. In 2023, the US Secret Service seized some stolen funds and initiated a civil forfeiture process, allowing a settlement that facilitates returning funds to victims. On the cybersecurity front, scams are becoming more organized, deploying tactics like phishing and malware spoofing major exchanges and platforms such as Binance. A separate incident involved the hacking of the Zoth Protocol, exposing vulnerabilities in DeFi security. This case emphasizes the escalating nature of crypto scams and the importance of vigilance and enhanced security in the crypto sector. Traders must remain alert to potential cyber risks as these could significantly impact market stability.

Deutsche Boerse’s Clearstream, through its subsidiary Crypto Finance, will initiate cryptocurrency custody and settlement services for institutional clients. Launching in April 2025, the service will initially support Bitcoin and Ethereum for 2,500 institutional investors, providing a secure and compliant platform under EU’s MiCA regulations. In response to the growing demand from traditional institutions entering the crypto market, Clearstream aims to integrate digital assets with familiar post-trading systems, expanding future offerings to include other cryptocurrencies, staking, lending, and brokerage services. This aligns with movements in Germany and Spain, where companies are obtaining regulatory approvals for crypto services, reflecting an increasing trend of traditional financial markets integrating digital assets.

A Delaware bankruptcy court has approved Three Arrows Capital’s (3AC) petition to increase their claim against FTX from $120 million to $1.53 billion. This decision complicates FTX’s ongoing liquidation process, as it challenges the allocation of remaining assets among creditors. The court justified the increase due to FTX’s lack of transparency and missing financial records. 3AC’s claim seeks compensation for assets liquidated by FTX, reportedly to settle a $1.3 billion loan. FTX’s defense that these assets were loan collateral was dismissed as unsubstantiated. This approval highlights transparency issues in both FTX and 3AC, impacting the broader cryptocurrency market by potentially shifting trust and obligations within the sector. The ruling follows the collapse of 3AC in 2022, which precipitated turmoil in the crypto market, leading to the unraveling of FTX. Additionally, FTX’s founder Sam Bankman-Fried is appealing a 25-year sentence related to post-collapse fraud, adding to the legal complexities. The situation suggests ongoing scrutiny and potential instability in crypto trading activities.

Cardano (ADA) is currently under market attention due to speculations that Gemini, a major US-based crypto exchange, might list ADA soon. This potential listing, hinted by Gemini’s co-founder Tyler Winklevoss, could enhance ADA’s liquidity and price recovery. Previously, ADA’s price experienced a decline, trading around $0.73, after an initial increase following former President Donald Trump’s mention of ADA in the context of a strategic crypto reserve. However, ADA was excluded from the final order, focusing only on Bitcoin, which contributed to a ’sell the news’ reaction. Traders are closely monitoring March 13 for possible announcements from Gemini. If confirmed, this could attract new liquidity and act as a catalyst for ADA’s price rebound. Many experts view the recent price drop as temporary, suggesting that ADA’s market position remains strong, which is evidenced by potential developments like Grayscale’s interest in launching a spot ADA ETF and ongoing adoption by exchanges like Binance and Coinbase.

BBVA, a leading Spanish bank, has become the first major Spanish bank to receive regulatory approval from Spain’s CNMV to offer cryptocurrency trading services. Initially, it will provide Bitcoin and Ethereum trading to a limited retail customer base, with plans for broader availability. This service uses an in-house cryptographic storage system for enhanced security. The approval coincides with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), which imposes strict legal requirements. Having started its crypto journey in Switzerland in 2018 and recently branching out to USD Coin in 2024, BBVA’s pioneering move aligns with broader regulatory trends and could foster mainstream crypto adoption and heighten competition with both traditional banks and established crypto platforms.

Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the former CEO of Binance, has proposed a new token distribution model designed to prevent market dumping and support long-term growth. The model involves only releasing 10% of a token’s supply at launch, with the remaining 90% locked under strict conditions. Tokens are only unlocked when the price performs well, exceeding twice its last unlock value for over 30 days, with a minimum six-month interval between unlocks, limiting each release to 5% of the total supply. Although CZ is not launching a new coin under this model, it aims to address concerns over market manipulation and pump-and-dump schemes. This proposal demonstrates CZ’s ongoing commitment to market stability and protecting investors.

Shiba Inu, a popular meme cryptocurrency, is now experiencing competition from a new altcoin ecosystem that is capturing investors’ attention with its innovative applications and strategic partnerships. This emerging crypto project is not only providing real-world utility that enhances investor interest but also offering tangible rewards. Shiba Inu has enjoyed widespread popularity, yet investor sentiment may shift toward this newcomer, given its practical objectives and added value propositions. This shift highlights the evolving landscape of cryptocurrencies, emphasizing a growing trend towards assets with concrete applications and benefits, thereby creating new opportunities for traders.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has highlighted the increasing importance of preventing accidental crypto asset losses due to user errors, such as forgotten passwords and lost devices. He argues that these errors are more prevalent than cyber hacks and that wallet solutions need to address all aspects of loss, not just theft. Central to his suggestions is the use of social recovery methods, where a network of trusted individuals, known as ’guardians,’ can assist users in regaining access without relying on seed phrases. Projects like Argent Wallet have already implemented such techniques through smart contracts allowing account recovery via guardians. The emphasis on user-induced errors comes amidst major hacking incidents, like the recent $1.5 billion hack on Bybit, indicating a broader conversation on crypto security. Notable incidents, such as the mishap of James Howells who lost 8,000 BTC, underscore the need for better preventive measures. Startups like Nani Wallet also adopt social recovery, claiming secure and private access recovery. These developments are crucial as the crypto community strives to mitigate user mistakes and bolster overall security measures.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has replaced its larger crypto enforcement task force with a smaller Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit (CETU), composed of about 30 fraud specialists and attorneys led by Laura D’Allaird. This move, under Acting Chairman Mark Uyeda, aims to address risks in multiple technology sectors, focusing on cyber-related misconduct and retail investor protection. The restructuring marks a policy shift from aggressive enforcement to supporting safe innovation, reflecting a broader change initiated during the Trump administration. This may impact how cryptocurrency cases are handled, possibly influencing the market by balancing investor protection with technological growth.

In February 2025, the cryptocurrency market experienced significant volatility due to the announcement of new 25% tariffs by Trump on imports from Canada, China, and Mexico, which stirred fears of a trade war. This led to a substantial sell-off, with Bitcoin dropping to a low of $92,914.15. However, recent trends show recovery, with Bitcoin rebounding approximately 5% towards the $100,000 mark. Ethereum and XRP prices remain stable, with Ethereum showing bullish indicators and XRP attracting institutional interest due to an upcoming ETF. Meanwhile, Rollblock (RBLK) has raised over $10 million in a successful presale, drawing attention for its innovative approach to crypto gaming and its potential to impact the $540 million online gambling industry. The Rollblock platform offers passive income through revenue sharing, marking it as a noteworthy opportunity in the growing crypto gambling sector. Traders are closely monitoring these developments, as Bitcoin’s recovery and Rollblock’s success indicate potential positive trends, despite underlying trade war fears.

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller highlights the significance of establishing a regulatory framework for stablecoins in the US to enhance both retail and cross-border payments. Waller emphasizes the importance of regulatory harmonization to facilitate stablecoin adoption and mitigate risks associated with runs on these digital assets. The review of regulations in New York aims to relax crypto laws to maintain competitiveness in the global financial landscape. Concurrently, the $BEST token presale is drawing significant interest, likely influenced by these regulatory shifts and the expansion of the non-custodial wallet market. While these developments present opportunities for growth, the rise of crypto scams remains a persistent challenge. Collectively, these regulatory and market dynamics are fostering a potentially bullish sentiment in the crypto space.

Frog-themed meme coins are experiencing a notable surge in interest within the cryptocurrency market. The trio of Pepe Unchained, Wall Street Pepe, and Pepeto has emerged as significant players. Pepe Unchained has harnessed Layer 2 technology for scalable transactions, leading to a 10x price surge post-listing. Meanwhile, Wall Street Pepe’s presale was fully subscribed, aiming to foster a trading community tailored for retail investors, with its full launch expected in February. Pepeto, currently in presale, draws attention with its low entry price, exclusive exchange privileges for token holders, and pioneering cross-chain technology. The speculation regarding Pepeto’s ties to a former Pepe founder further fuels its popularity. The renewed interest in these meme coins parallels the rise of prior trends like dog-themed tokens, with factors such as political influences and endorsements from celebrities like Trump and Musk adding to their appeal. The technological innovations and narratives behind these projects are engaging investors, hinting at a potential growth trajectory reminiscent of previous meme coin phenomena.

The cryptocurrency market is experiencing shifts, with analysts predicting potential declines for Ethereum, Binance Coin (BNB), and Cardano (ADA) due to bearish trends. Ethereum is expected to fall to $1,500 as it trades below its 100-day moving average. BNB recently dropped 12%, now priced at $587.37 with support at $574.03, while Cardano trades at $0.6893 with support around $0.69. In contrast, a new altcoin, Remittix (RTX), is drawing attention for its promising presale and its integration of over 40 digital currencies into real-world transactions. Analysts anticipate an 800% rise in RTX’s value before launch and possibly a 5,000% surge post-listing. With $11.3 million raised in presale and its focus on efficient cross-border payments, Remittix presents a bullish outlook, potentially enhancing crypto adoption.

Trump Media and Technology Group has announced a new Bitcoin Plus ETF, aligning with recent Bitcoin ETF activity and regulatory approvals for spot Bitcoin funds, potentially increasing institutional interest and liquidity in the market. Meanwhile, a popular ’Pepe Airdrop’ has been revealed as a scam, emphasizing persistent risks in the crypto space. Additionally, David Sacks, linked to PayPal and the All-In Podcast, is appointed as the new ’Crypto Czar,’ promising clear regulations under SEC’s new leadership, which could simplify compliance processes and establish clear guidelines for digital assets. These developments suggest significant regulatory changes are underway in the crypto market, with potential impacts on market dynamics and asset positioning for traders.

The recent market downturn has led to significant buying activity for Binance Coin (BNB), which saw a 22.79% price drop, prompting traders to ’buy the dip.’ In contrast, Pepe has experienced a more severe drop, over 50%, causing some investor hesitance. Meanwhile, 1Fuel, a new crypto project, is gaining traction due to its robust features, such as one-click cross-chain transactions and enhanced security, potentially offering a 10x increase in value within weeks. Analysts favor 1Fuel for its stable investment prospects amidst market volatility. This shift in interest highlights traders’ pursuit of utility-driven, stable investments over volatile meme coins.

KuCoin, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has admitted to operating an unlicensed business in the United States and has agreed to pay nearly $300 million in fines as part of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. This incident underscores the importance of regulatory compliance to avoid significant financial and reputational consequences. The company’s founders have resigned, reflecting the personal ramifications of non-compliance and signaling a broader regulatory crackdown on unlicensed operations in the crypto industry. This case serves as a warning to other crypto exchanges about the risks of ignoring legal standards. It emphasizes the necessity for businesses to integrate compliance and security measures into their platforms, possibly by collaborating with tech firms specializing in regulatory compliance. As KuCoin exits the U.S. market, affected users must find alternative platforms. This development highlights the crucial role of compliance in ensuring stable and sustainable operations in the volatile crypto market environment.

Recent developments in the cryptocurrency industry include Ripple’s XRP Ledger incorporating tokenized treasuries via Ondo Finance and enhancing liquidity for its stablecoin RLUSD. Ripple’s CEO is vigorously advocating for XRP as a national crypto reserve, sparking discussions with Bitcoin advocates. Crypto.com shared its extensive 2025 roadmap with plans for a spot ETF, a new stablecoin, and integrated trading services. The SEC reorganized its crypto division to create a favorable environment in alignment with a pro-crypto stance under Trump’s administration. Cardano’s collaboration with Walmart to offer ADA cashback increases ADA’s utilization, while Solana’s legal issues highlight regulatory challenges. Additionally, stablecoin issuers Tether and Circle are expanding on TRON and Solana, reflecting the stablecoin market’s growth. These moves suggest evolving market growth potential and regulatory shifts impacting crypto trading.

Tron has made significant upgrades to its blockchain, increasing scalability, speeding up transactions, and reducing fees, which enhances its appeal for decentralized applications and enterprise solutions. It has also collaborated with Wintermute to improve TRX liquidity and trading efficiency. Meanwhile, Litecoin holders are drawn to 1Fuel’s ongoing presale, attracted by its solutions for easy cross-chain transactions, improved privacy, and AI-driven trading features. Offered at $0.017, 1Fuel (OFT) presents a promising investment opportunity, enticing early investors looking to capitalize on expected price increases. These developments highlight significant moves in the crypto market that traders should watch.

Flockerz has successfully concluded its presale, raising over $13 million for its meme coin project. Utilizing a unique Vote-to-Earn model, the platform rewards users with FLOCK tokens for their governance participation in Flocktopia, fostering democratic influence and community engagement. The project has locked over 746 million FLOCK in staking, offering competitive APYs up to 241%. The token’s ecosystem encompasses presale allocations, staking rewards, governance contributions, liquidity provisioning, and marketing efforts. Security inspections by Coinsult and SolidProof have confirmed the smart contracts’ integrity. With a scheduled launch on January 27, the crypto community is eager to see its impact on the meme coin market, supported by increasing endorsements and growing social media traction.

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index fell to 20, placing markets in the ’Extreme Fear’ zone. The index aggregates six inputs — Volatility (25%), Market Trading Volume (25%), Social Media Hype (15%), Market Surveys (15%), Bitcoin Dominance (10%), and Google Trends (10%) — and the recent decline was driven by rising Bitcoin dominance, a volatility spike after regulatory announcements, weaker trading volume, and negative social-media sentiment. Analysts warn this reading signals elevated investor anxiety and recommend traders tighten risk controls, reduce leverage, and selectively limit exposure to risky assets. Historically, extreme fear readings have coincided with consolidation or accumulation phases but have also preceded deeper sell-offs (e.g., COVID-19 2020, FTX 2022). The index is a directional, contrarian — and somewhat lagging — sentiment indicator; traders are advised to combine it with technical analysis, on-chain metrics (exchange flows, holder distribution), and macro signals. Practical implications: lower liquidity and higher asset correlation may increase slippage and volatility; whales may opportunistically accumulate, while negative media narratives can amplify downward pressure. Use the index to calibrate risk and position sizing rather than as a sole market-timing tool.

On‑chain trackers Arkham and Lookonchain report large Chainlink (LINK) withdrawals from Binance over the past 48–72 hours, indicating significant off‑exchange accumulation. Multiple newly created Ethereum addresses received bulk transfers: notable withdrawals include 469,437 LINK (~$5.8M) and 234,979 LINK (~$2.9M), with one address earlier in December moving roughly $10M in LINK across four transfers. In total, on‑chain monitors observed roughly 1.56 million LINK (~$19.8–$20M) withdrawn across several wallets, several of which now hold multimillion‑dollar LINK positions (two addresses > $2M, four > $1M, others $400k–$610k). Binance remains Chainlink’s most liquid market, accounting for more than 7% of LINK trading volume. Price context: LINK trades near $12.60–$12.70, below the 50‑day EMA and still down from the October crash that reached $7.90; RSI shows neutral momentum. Implications for traders: sustained large exchange outflows reduce on‑exchange sell liquidity and can be bullish if demand persists, but the price remains in a downtrend — verify ongoing Binance balance changes, wallet clustering, and price/volume reaction before positioning. Possible reasons for the withdrawals include long‑term accumulation, private custody, or OTC transfers.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) token burn activity has collapsed: recent data show daily burns plunging from millions/billions to under one million SHIB, with the largest single burn around ~699,000 SHIB. A prior spike in percentage terms reflected a low baseline rather than sustained deflationary pressure. Ecosystem mechanisms — ShibaSwap, Shiba Eternity, the burn portal and Shibarium’s fee-burn model — have removed only modest amounts; total circulating supply remains extremely large at about 589.24 trillion SHIB, despite roughly 410.75 trillion previously sent to dead wallets (notably Vitalik Buterin’s donation). Weekly and multi-day burn momentum has weakened sharply, undermining a key scarcity narrative that many traders viewed as a medium-to-long-term bullish driver. Price action has been weak recently (SHIB trading near multi-week lows), and traders should treat headline burn-percentage gains with caution — absolute burn volumes are small and unlikely to produce immediate bullish price shocks. Key trader takeaways: monitor exchange flows, Shibarium and portal burn updates, and support levels (near the ~$0.000007 area); the dwindling burn momentum reduces a potential supply-side catalyst, suggesting lower probability of sustained bullish moves unless burn volumes or demand materially increase.

Prediction markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi currently price roughly a 50–55% probability that Kevin Hassett will be nominated as the next Federal Reserve chair after President Trump signaled he was considering Hassett alongside Kevin Warsh. These markets aggregate money-backed bets and update in real time, reflecting shifting trader conviction. Hassett, a former White House Council of Economic Advisers chair, would likely influence interest-rate policy, quantitative tightening and bank regulation — key drivers of global liquidity and risk appetite that affect crypto prices. Earlier reports showed odds moving sharply as market participants weighed politicization risks; later pricing consolidated around the ~55% level, while Warsh also remains a contender. For crypto traders, prediction-market moves are a near-term signal of changing expectations about Fed posture: higher odds for a candidate perceived as more hawkish could strengthen the dollar, lift bond yields and pressure risk assets; a more dovish or unpredictable appointee can increase volatility and boost demand for alternatives like Bitcoin. Traders should watch prediction-market odds, Treasury yields, dollar indices and volatility indicators; track candidates’ historical views on financial innovation and digital assets; and keep position sizing and stop-management flexible given political appointment risk. These markets reflect sentiment rather than certainty — liquidity, event prominence and news flow can skew short-term pricing — so use odds as a real-time input, not definitive outcomes.

Coinbase Global filed federal lawsuits against Michigan, Illinois and Connecticut seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to stop state regulators from treating prediction-market event contracts as illegal gambling. Coinbase argues prediction markets are derivatives governed by the federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) under the Commodity Exchange Act, and thus fall under federal — not state gaming — jurisdiction. The exchange plans to offer event-contract trading nationwide through a partnership with CFTC-regulated Kalshi, targeting a January 2026 rollout, and says a federal ruling is needed to avoid patchwork state bans after several states issued cease-and-desist orders to Kalshi, Robinhood and Crypto.com alleging some contracts resemble unlicensed sports betting. Coinbase’s chief legal officer Paul Grewal says congressional intent and existing exclusions leave no room for state intervention. The suits seek court orders blocking state enforcement and clarity ahead of Coinbase’s product launch. Shares fell sharply on the day the suits were filed amid broader crypto volatility. A federal win would consolidate CFTC oversight and ease national product deployment; a loss could force state-by-state compliance, fragmenting the market and limiting availability in some jurisdictions.

GeeFi (GEE) presale activity has accelerated: the project has sold roughly 24 million tokens across phases, with Phase 1 hitting a $500,000 hard cap in under two weeks and Phase 2 raising over $850,000. Fewer than 1 million Phase‑2 tokens remain before a scheduled price increase into Phase 3. Phase‑2 price is $0.06 and the confirmed listing price is $0.40 (a 667% immediate uplift for presale buyers); promoters cite longer‑term targets up to $2. GeeFi markets a custody‑preserving GeeFi Wallet integrated with a decentralized exchange, a deflationary buyback‑and‑burn token model, Visa/Mastercard crypto card plans, and flexible staking (10% APR no lock, 15% 1 month, 22% 3 months, 55% 12 months) plus a 5% referral bonus. The coverage notes Tron (TRX) activity in expanding prediction markets via Kalshi. The story is presented as a sponsored press release and not investment advice. Traders should note the limited remaining Phase‑2 supply and the large quoted uplifts on listing, which could drive volatility around listing and secondary‑market trading.

Vanguard has begun allowing its brokerage clients to trade third‑party regulated spot Bitcoin ETFs while keeping a cautious stance toward cryptocurrencies. The firm will not launch its own crypto products or provide proprietary crypto advice. Vanguard executives, including John Ameriks, say bitcoin is a speculative collectible that lacks income, cash flows and compounding traits Vanguard seeks for long‑term holdings, though they acknowledge ETFs have shown functioning liquidity and resilience under stress. Vanguard will continue to restrict access to speculative tokens and SEC‑unsupported products. Management noted bitcoin might show non‑speculative value under extreme scenarios (high inflation or political instability), but historical data is too limited to treat it as a core long‑term asset. Primary keywords: Vanguard, Bitcoin, Bitcoin ETF, crypto ETFs; secondary keywords: regulated ETFs, speculative asset, institutional access, investment policy.

On December 10 on-chain trackers flagged a transfer of 1,021 BTC (≈$94.5M) from wallets linked to SpaceX into addresses associated with Coinbase Prime. This follows a pattern of large, repeated transfers (including 1,163 BTC on Nov. 26 and earlier 1,000+ BTC moves), and analysts say the movements resemble a shift into institutional custody rather than an immediate market sale. Public chain analysis estimates SpaceX currently holds roughly 8,285 BTC (≈$770M), down from higher balances in 2022 due to periodic transfers. The timing aligns with renewed reports that SpaceX may be preparing for an initial public offering (possible 2026 IPO) and large capital raises; market commentary notes transfers into Coinbase Prime are commonly used for custody, audits and structured trades ahead of major corporate finance events. SpaceX has not commented. For traders: custody transfers alone are unlikely to create immediate sell pressure, but traders should monitor for subsequent withdrawals to exchanges or other on-chain outflows that would signal potential selling and short-term downward pressure on BTC price.