Steven Walgenbach

Strategy Makes Its Biggest Bitcoin Buy Since July

Strategy has kicked off the year with a major statement, announcing the purchase of 13,627 BTC for roughly $1.25 billion — its largest Bitcoin acquisition since July. The move pushes the company’s total holdings to an incredible 687,410 BTC, accumulated at a cost basis of about $51.8 billion.

The timing is notable: Strategy’s share price had dropped more than 5% during the latest trading session before inching slightly higher once the news broke. Investors appear to be weighing the short-term volatility against the long-term conviction Michael Saylor continues to show in Bitcoin as a treasury strategy.

It’s another bold milestone for a company that has transformed itself into the world’s largest corporate holder of BTC — and 2026 is already off to a dramatic start.

#Bitcoin #CryptoNews #Strategy $BTC #MSTR

Elon Musk and Samson Mow Could Be Bitcoin’s Plot Twist of 2026

Samson Mow is starting the year with some serious heat — and his latest prediction has everyone talking. He says Elon Musk will “go hard” into Bitcoin in 2026 and that BTC could rocket to $1.33 million as nation-state adoption kicks into high gear.

It’s a stark contrast to the cautious tone from other industry leaders, but Mow isn’t looking back at missed forecasts. He’s doubling down and looking forward — and his calls on Musk, Bitcoin bonds, and even MSTR hitting $5,000 are already stirring debate across the crypto world.

If Musk makes a major move next year, it could shift the entire market narrative. 2026 might be more explosive than anyone expects.

#Bitcoin #CryptoMarkets #ElonMusk $BTC

Over 11 Million Memecoins Vanish: Inside the Biggest Collapse in Crypto History

A new CoinGecko analysis is sparking conversation across the industry. It turns out 2025 saw more than 11.6 million memecoins collapse, largely due to extreme volatility and an overwhelming wave of quick-launch, low-effort tokens flooding the market. The October liquidation cascade only accelerated the wipeout.

What’s interesting, though, is that the sector isn’t staying down for long. Early 2026 data shows memecoin market caps and trading volumes bouncing back, suggesting that risk appetite in this corner of crypto remains as strong as ever.

It’s a reminder of just how fast the memecoin landscape can shift—and how quickly sentiment can flip from frenzy to fallout and back again.
#Memecoins #CryptoMarket #TokenFailures

BREAKING!!!

Standard Chartered is quietly gearing up for another big move in the digital-asset space — and it’s one that could reshape how institutions trade crypto. The bank is exploring a new crypto prime brokerage under its SC Ventures arm, a sign of just how fast traditional finance is adapting to growing institutional demand.

What makes this interesting is the timing. JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and other major U.S. banks are also expanding their crypto offerings, while spot ETFs have surged past $140B in assets. The infrastructure that institutions rely on in traditional markets — financing, custody, market access — is now being rebuilt for crypto, and Standard Chartered seems determined to get ahead of the curve.

If these plans move forward, the bank could become one of the first major global institutions to run a full-scale crypto prime brokerage, all while navigating Basel III rules and the evolving regulatory landscape. The race to serve institutional crypto flows is clearly accelerating — and Standard Chartered is signaling it plans to be right in the middle of it.

Standard Chartered Quietly Builds a Crypto Prime Brokerage as Wall Street Heats Up

#DigitalAssets #InstitutionalCrypto #Fintech

Gold Shoots Past $4,600, Silver Smashes Records — Schiff Says Trouble Is Coming

Gold and silver just surged to new all-time highs, even as major cryptocurrencies slipped into negative territory — a sharp divergence that’s catching the market’s attention.

Peter Schiff weighed in, warning that the metals’ “melt-up” isn’t a sign of strength but a signal that investors are bracing for deeper economic trouble. With geopolitical tensions, questions around central bank stability, and broader risk-off sentiment all intensifying, the move into bullion is starting to look more like a defensive retreat than a speculative rally.

The big question now: are gold and silver flashing early warning signs that markets can’t ignore?

#Gold #Silver #Markets

Vitalik Buterin Challenges the Future of Decentralized Stablecoins

Vitalik Buterin’s latest deep dive has sparked another round of reflection across the crypto industry. In a new post, he breaks down why decentralized stablecoins — despite years of experimentation — still haven’t solved their most fundamental design challenges.

He points out that most models remain overly dependent on the U.S. dollar, which undermines the long-term resilience decentralized systems are supposed to deliver. He also highlights ongoing oracle vulnerabilities, arguing that if a price feed can be manipulated, the entire stablecoin becomes fragile by design.

But the most interesting tension he raises involves staking yield. Many decentralized stablecoins today rely on staked ETH as collateral, but that introduces hidden incentive conflicts and exposes users to slashing risks that are widely misunderstood. According to Buterin, these trade-offs make it difficult for current systems to deliver both stability and true decentralization at scale.

His post doesn’t attempt to introduce a new stablecoin model, but it does challenge builders to think more deeply about collateral, governance, data integrity and long-term economic alignment. For an industry that wants censorship-resistant, durable alternatives to traditional money, Buterin’s message is clear: there’s real progress, but the hardest problems still haven’t been cracked.

#Ethereum #Stablecoins #DeFi

JPMorgan Isn’t Panicking Over Stablecoins — And That Says a Lot

As community banks warn Washington that stablecoin yields could trigger a massive drain on deposits, JPMorgan is taking a very different view. Instead of sounding the alarm, the bank is reminding everyone that the financial system has always had multiple layers of money — and stablecoins are simply another one.

A JPMorgan spokesperson says deposit tokens, stablecoins, and existing payment rails will all serve “different, but complementary” purposes. It’s a striking contrast as smaller lenders push senators to tighten the rules around stablecoin incentives.
#Stablecoins #JPMorgan #CryptoRegulation

X’s Smart Cashtags Launch Comes as Crypto Users Demand Clarity and Transparency

X is making a big push to clean up and improve crypto conversations with a new feature called Smart Cashtags — but it comes at a moment when the platform is under more pressure than ever.

Crypto users have been calling out declining reach, a wave of bot-driven spam, and inconsistent visibility across the platform. At the same time, X is facing fresh scrutiny from EU regulators, prompting Elon Musk to promise that the platform’s entire recommendation algorithm will be open-sourced and updated publicly every four weeks.

Smart Cashtags could bring some much-needed clarity by letting users tag the exact asset or smart contract they’re talking about, with instant access to prices and related discussions. But with bot activity spiking and users frustrated with engagement drops, many are wondering whether this new feature can address the deeper issues.

It’s a defining moment for X’s relationship with the crypto world — and the reaction so far shows just how much is riding on these changes.

#CryptoNews #ElonMusk #XPlatform #SmartCashtags

Is Powell’s Caution Slowing a Much-Needed Capital Injection?

Jerome Powell’s pushback against the Trump administration’s new criminal probe has reignited debate over the Federal Reserve’s independence.

While Powell says the investigation is political pressure in disguise, many in the markets are focused on a different question: is his resistance to cutting interest rates delaying the liquidity injection businesses and investors are waiting for?

Trump-aligned economists argue that deeper rate cuts would unleash new capital across the economy, while Powell maintains the Fed must stick to data — not political timelines. With inflation cooling and uncertainty rising, the tension between caution and stimulus is becoming harder to ignore. The coming months may reveal whether the Fed’s stance is safeguarding stability or slowing momentum.

#FederalReserve #InterestRates #EconomicOutlook

Tennessee just stepped into the center of the prediction market debate — and it’s making waves.

The state issued cease-and-desist orders to Polymarket, Kalshi, and Crypto.com’s Nadex, demanding they halt sports event contracts and refund all Tennessee users by January 31. It’s a bold move that highlights a growing tension: federal regulators say these platforms can operate nationwide, while states insist they fall under gambling laws.

What’s striking is how fast this space is evolving. Prediction markets have surged in popularity, especially as more people use them to track elections, sports, and geopolitical events. Now regulators are rushing to catch up — and sometimes colliding along the way.

With Tennessee threatening fines and even criminal referrals, and Kalshi already challenging the order in federal court, this battle is far from over. The decisions made in the coming months could decide how — or if — prediction markets operate across the U.S. in the future.
#PredictionMarkets

Bitcoin miners just got a tiny bit of breathing room. The first difficulty adjustment of 2026 came in slightly lower — a welcome change after one of the toughest years the industry has ever seen.

But the relief may be short-lived. Block times are running fast, and the next update is already projected to push difficulty higher again on January 22. Add in 2025’s margin squeeze, falling hash price, and tariff-driven hardware pressures, and it’s clear miners are still navigating a challenging landscape.

Still, the sector keeps pushing forward. If anything, the latest adjustment highlights just how dynamic — and resilient — the mining industry continues to be.

#Bitcoin #MiningUpdates #CryptoNews $BTC

Ethereum might not be getting much love online right now, but the data tells a different story.

Analysts are noticing that ETH’s social sentiment has dropped back to the same levels seen right before its big 2025 breakout — the one that took it from a yearly low to nearly $4,900 in just a few months. At the same time, Ethereum’s network activity is surging, fueled by renewed interest in staking and strong on-chain growth.

Even with the market sitting in “Fear” mode and Bitcoin dominating attention, Ethereum continues to hold its place as the expected number-two asset for most investors.

It’s a classic case of bearish mood, bullish fundamentals — and some analysts think that combination has set the stage for Ethereum’s next move.

#Ethereum #DigitalAssets #CryptoInsights $ETH

Tether and the UN Join Forces to Protect Africa’s Digital Future

Tether has entered a major partnership with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime to help strengthen digital safety and community resilience across Africa. As the continent becomes one of the fastest-growing regions for crypto adoption, the risks tied to scams, cybercrime, and online exploitation have grown just as rapidly.

The collaboration focuses on practical, on-the-ground initiatives: cybersecurity education programs for youth in Senegal, direct support for civil society organizations assisting victims of human trafficking across multiple African nations, and awareness campaigns designed to help communities navigate digital assets safely. Beyond Africa, the partnership also extends to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands to promote financial inclusion and fraud prevention among students.

By combining Tether’s technical expertise with the UNODC’s global mandate, this effort aims to create safer digital environments, foster innovation, and support those most vulnerable to exploitation in the evolving digital economy.

#DigitalAssets #Cybersecurity #AfricaInnovation

Inside the $1B IRGC Crypto Pipeline Hidden in the UK

TRM Labs has uncovered a staggering case of covert financial infrastructure operating in plain sight: two UK-registered crypto exchanges — Zedcex and Zedxion — quietly processed nearly $1 billion in USDT for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Despite presenting themselves as ordinary trading platforms and repeatedly filing “dormant” accounts in the UK, the exchanges were functioning as a single operation embedded deep within Iran’s long-running sanctions-evasion ecosystem.

According to TRM’s analysis, IRGC-linked flows made up as much as 87% of all activity in 2024. The corporate trail points to sanctioned financier Babak Zanjani, whose past involvement in laundering billions for Iranian regime entities underscores that this was not accidental misuse of crypto rails but part of a state-aligned financial network adapting to stablecoins.

The report also highlights direct transfers — without intermediaries — to a U.S.-designated Houthi financier, revealing how the exchanges acted as operational payment rails rather than incidental touchpoints. With most of the activity settled in USDT on TRON, the case shows how deeply sanctioned actors are now integrating with mainstream stablecoin markets.

For regulators and the industry, the findings raise pressing questions about beneficial ownership, offshore corporate shells, and the growing risk of entire crypto platforms being built and controlled by sanctioned organizations.

#CryptoCompliance #IllicitFinance #SanctionsEvasion

BNY Mellon Brings Bank Deposits Onchain

BNY Mellon has taken a major step toward an onchain financial system with the launch of tokenized bank deposits for institutional clients. This marks a notable shift for one of America’s oldest financial institutions as it builds blockchain infrastructure directly into its core services.

The tokenized deposits — issued on BNY’s permissioned blockchain — function as onchain representations of traditional bank balances. They’re designed to move faster, settle instantly, reduce friction, and support 24/7 financial operations. The bank says they will initially be used for collateral and margin purposes, with broader functionality to follow as the ecosystem matures.

The timing aligns closely with the evolving regulatory landscape. The SEC and CFTC have already proposed exploring always-on capital markets, arguing that U.S. financial infrastructure must reflect a global economy that never shuts off. Tokenized cash, RWAs, and blockchain-based settlement are increasingly seen as building blocks for that future.

BNY Mellon’s move reinforces a broader trend across Wall Street: major institutions are not just experimenting with blockchain — they’re operationalizing it. As tokenization accelerates, the foundations of modern finance are quietly being rewritten to support the next generation of global markets.

#BNYMellon #Tokenization #DigitalAssets

A16z’s $15B Megafund Sends a Clear Message About America’s Tech Future

Andreessen Horowitz just closed more than $15 billion across five new venture funds, representing over 18% of all U.S. venture capital raised in 2025 — a staggering share for a single firm. Ben Horowitz says the goal is simple but ambitious: ensure the U.S. “wins the next 100 years of technology,” with AI and crypto at the core of that mission.

Even without a dedicated crypto fund in this round, a16z’s long-running conviction in Web3 remains obvious. The firm continues backing major players like Coinbase, Solana, EigenLayer, Jito, and Kalshi, reinforcing crypto’s role in America’s broader innovation strategy.

It’s a powerful signal that the intersection of AI, blockchain, and national competitiveness is only getting more important — and that one of Silicon Valley’s biggest forces is doubling down for the decade ahead.

#TechInnovation #CryptoNews #VentureCapital

Cathie Wood is raising eyebrows again — this time by suggesting that President Trump may be pushed into buying bitcoin for the U.S. strategic reserve as the midterms approach.

According to Wood, crypto has become too politically important for the administration to ignore. She points out that the industry played a real role in Trump’s election, top executives are now deeply involved with policy conversations, and the White House has already taken several pro-crypto steps.

What’s especially interesting is her argument that Trump doesn’t want to drift into “lame duck” territory. In her view, backing crypto — and potentially initiating federal bitcoin purchases — is one way he keeps momentum heading into 2026.

Whether you agree or not, it’s clear the intersection of crypto and U.S. politics is only getting tighter. And if the government really does start buying BTC, it would mark one of the biggest shifts in America’s financial strategy in decades.

#Bitcoin #DigitalAssets #Politics $BTC

Stablecoins may be on the verge of a massive shift in global finance. Bloomberg Intelligence now projects that stablecoin payment flows could reach $56.6 trillion by 2030 — a dramatic leap from the $2.9 trillion seen in 2025.

According to the report, USDT continues to dominate everyday payments and emerging-market usage, while USDC is still the preferred choice in DeFi. Together, they drove more than 95% of last year’s record transaction volume.

What’s interesting is how quickly traditional finance is moving in. Western Union, MoneyGram and even Zelle are building stablecoin-based settlement systems, and countries like Canada and the U.K. are preparing their own regulatory frameworks.

It’s becoming clearer that stablecoins aren’t just a crypto trend — they’re evolving into real payment infrastructure with global reach.

The big question now: how fast will the world shift to digital dollars?

#Stablecoins #DigitalAssets #Fintech

Bitcoin at $2.9 Million? VanEck’s 2050 Vision Sparks Big Questions About the Future of Money

VanEck’s new long-term outlook projects that Bitcoin could reach $2.9 million by 2050, assuming it becomes a meaningful settlement currency for global trade and finds its way into central bank reserves. The prediction suggests a world where BTC helps settle international commerce much like major fiat currencies do today — a scenario that would fundamentally reshape how value moves across borders.

The report also sheds light on the broader transformation that could unfold: a financial system where decentralized assets sit alongside sovereign currencies, and where monetary debasement and rising global liquidity push institutions toward alternative stores of value.

Whether or not Bitcoin reaches VanEck’s target, the projection paints a striking picture of how dramatically the global financial landscape could shift over the next two decades.

#Bitcoin #DigitalAssets #GlobalTrade $BTC

Trump Rejects SBF Clemency as Crypto Pardons Continue

Donald Trump has made it clear he has no intention of pardoning former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, shutting down months of speculation and behind-the-scenes lobbying. In a new interview with The New York Times, the president said SBF will not be among the high-profile figures receiving mercy — even as he continues granting clemency to others in the digital asset world, including CZ, Ross Ulbricht, and the BitMEX co-founders.

Bankman-Fried’s recent media tour and his parents’ outreach within Trump’s political orbit appear to have had no effect. Despite Trump’s increasingly crypto-friendly posture, SBF remains off the list.

#CryptoNews #FTX #DigitalAssets