The Cryptonomist

Institutional investors are gaining new ways to access the growing tokenized money market ecosystem as Franklin Templeton upgrades two Western Asset vehicles for on-chain use.

Franklin Templeton adapts Western Asset funds for tokenized finance

Franklin Templeton, based in San Mateo, announced that two institutional government money market funds managed by affiliate Western Asset Management are now structured for two key use cases in tokenized products.

One use case serves regulated stablecoin reserves under the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS Act), while the other supports distribution across blockchain-enabled platforms.

These changes highlight the firm’s push to apply blockchain technologies to established vehicles rather than creating entirely new products. Moreover, the move reflects how traditional managers are preparing for a more digital market structure in institutional cash and liquidity management.

“Traditional funds are already beginning to move on-chain, so rather than question their ability, our focus is to make them more accessible and useful by many,” said Roger Bayston, Head of Digital Assets at Franklin Templeton. His comments underscore a strategy focused on interoperability and institutional-grade infrastructure.

“The Western Asset Liquidity business has long focused on helping clients move forward without choosing between innovation and managing risk,” added Matt Jones, Franklin Templeton’s Head of Institutional Liquidity. “Being early only matters if you do it responsibly, and these updates prove how we can help institutions adopt tokenized infrastructure with products they already know.”

GENIUS Act-ready Western Asset Institutional Treasury Obligations Fund

The Western Asset Institutional Treasury Obligations Fund ($LUIXX) has been updated to align with the reserve requirements of the GENIUS Act, the federal stablecoin framework signed into law in July 2025. The fund now invests exclusively in U.S. Treasuries with maturities of 93 days or less, positioning it for use in stablecoin reserve management.

By focusing entirely on short-term Treasuries, the vehicle is structured to address institutional demand for high-quality liquid assets that can back digital liabilities. Moreover, the design aims to help issuers maintain conservative risk parameters while benefiting from money market fund diversification and professional management.

The firm notes that the stablecoin market has already surpassed $310 billion in total supply and is projecting to reach approximately 2 trillion by 2030. As that market expands, demand is expected to rise for regulated, transparent liquidity options across digital payment, settlement, and collateral platforms. That said, the fund itself remains a traditional Rule 2a-7 government money market fund, operating within the U.S. regulatory framework.

New Digital Institutional Share Class for blockchain distribution

The Western Asset Institutional Treasury Reserves Fund ($DIGXX) has introduced a new Digital Institutional Share Class, also trading under the symbol $DIGXX. This class is specifically designed for distribution via blockchain enabled intermediaries, giving approved partners a way to record and transfer fund share ownership on-chain.

Through this structure, intermediaries can use blockchain rails for faster settlement cycles, 24/7 transaction capability, and more seamless integration with digital collateral and cash management systems.

However, the fund itself continues to operate as a traditional, SEC-registered institutional money market vehicle, preserving the regulatory profile investors expect.

As interest in tokenized money market structures grows among large investors, this model illustrates how asset managers can separate the distribution layer from the underlying portfolio. Moreover, it offers a template for blockchain fund distribution that retains the familiar regulatory status of existing products while modernizing access and operations.

In comments on the launch, Bayston reiterated Franklin Templeton’s focus on open connectivity. “By prioritizing interoperability and flexibility, we’re opening more ways for clients to access and deploy regulated funds across the platforms they rely on, giving investors greater choice in how they put their capital to work.” That said, the firm emphasizes that its approach is grounded in existing disclosure and compliance regimes.

Franklin Templeton’s broader digital asset strategy

Franklin Templeton positions itself as a pioneer in digital asset investing and blockchain innovation, bringing together tokenomics research, data science, and technical engineering since 2018.

The company is part of a growing field of managers experimenting with tokenized liquidity solutions, alongside other initiatives such as institutional liquidity tokenization pilots and early experiments in tokenized money market fund designs.

While some market attention has focused on offerings like a franklin templeton tokenized money market fund or similar pilot structures from large peers, the Western Asset changes show a more incremental strategy. Moreover, the emphasis on compatibility with existing stablecoin reserve frameworks could help bridge on-chain payment systems with long-established fund structures.

Beyond digital assets, Franklin Templeton presents itself as a trusted investment partner delivering tailored solutions aligned with clients’ strategic objectives. Founded in 1947, the firm combines public and private market expertise with technology-driven tools to help clients navigate shifting market conditions and capture new opportunities.

Franklin Resources, Inc., which trades on the NYSE under the symbol BEN, remains the corporate parent behind these initiatives. As blockchain-based market infrastructure matures, the company is likely to continue refining products that connect regulated capital markets with emerging digital rails.

Franklin Templeton’s updates to Western Asset’s institutional money market funds show how established managers are adapting existing products for the GENIUS Act stablecoin regime and blockchain-enabled distribution, offering institutional investors regulated access points to an increasingly tokenized cash and collateral landscape.

Price action is shaped by a dominant downtrend on the higher timeframe, while Monero attempts a tactical short-term recovery inside a still fragile structure.

XMR/USDT — daily chart with candlesticks, EMA20/EMA50 and volume.

Monero (XMR) – Where We Stand Now

Monero is trading around $118.7 against USDT, deep inside a medium-term downtrend but with a noticeable short-term rebound trying to build from below. Daily structure is still clearly bearish, yet lower timeframes show growing risk appetite and an attempt to squeeze shorts.

This is a classic moment where trend and mean reversion are fighting each other: the dominant direction is still down on the daily chart, but 1H and 15m momentum are pushing up from oversold territory. In other words, the path of least resistance is still lower, but the market is no longer willing to sell at any price.

Given the current readings, the main scenario on D1 is bearish, with a tactical bullish countertrend phase underway intraday.

Daily Chart (D1) – Bears Control the Trend

On the daily timeframe, Monero is in a mature downtrend. Price is trading below all key moving averages and under the Bollinger mid-band, with volatility still meaningful and the sentiment backdrop in Fear.

Trend Structure – EMA Cluster

Price: $118.7

EMA 20: $130.53

EMA 50: $143.65

EMA 200: $154.49

All three EMAs are stacked above price and above each other (20 < 50 < 200) with a clear downward slope. Price sitting almost $12 below the 20-day EMA confirms a bearish regime where rallies are, by default, suspect.

What it implies: Structurally, XMR is still in a downtrend. Any bounce toward $130–145 is, for now, a potential selling zone until the daily closes start reclaiming the 20-day EMA and flattening the 50-day.

Momentum – RSI & MACD

RSI 14 (D1): 38.32

RSI below 40 shows bearish momentum, but not outright capitulation. Sellers are in control, yet the market is not extremely oversold anymore. That usually fits with a market that has already taken a hit and is now in a pause or bounce phase.

What it implies: Downside pressure dominates, but the easy part of the selloff is probably behind us. This is a zone where countertrend longs can appear, but they are fighting the primary trend.

MACD (D1): line -9.66, signal -8.97, histogram -0.69

MACD is negative, with the line slightly below the signal and a small negative histogram. That is consistent with a bearish trend, but note the histogram magnitude is modest. Downside momentum is real, but not accelerating hard.

What it implies: The downtrend is active but not in waterfall mode. Bears still own the higher timeframe, yet they are not pressing the gas further at this exact moment, which leaves room for short-covering rallies.

Volatility & Range – Bollinger Bands and ATR

Bollinger Bands (D1): mid $133.1, upper $173.11, lower $93.1

ATR 14 (D1): $10.34

Price at $118.7 sits below the mid-band and in the lower half of the band range, but not hugging the lower band. The band width is wide ($93–173), signalling an already volatile environment. ATR around $10 points to sizeable daily swings, so moves of 7–10% in a single session are entirely normal here.

What it implies: The market has already expanded lower and is still volatile. That often leads to two-phase behavior: first trend, then choppy mean reversion while volatility bleeds out. We are likely somewhere between those two stages.

Key Daily Levels – Pivots

Pivot Point (PP): $116.23

Resistance 1 (R1): $122.07

Support 1 (S1): $112.87

Price at $118.7 is trading above the daily pivot but below R1.

What it implies: Today’s balance is slightly positive versus the reference level, but XMR is still capped beneath the first resistance band. Bulls have intraday control, yet they have not broken the daily downtrend context.

1-Hour Chart (H1) – Countertrend Bounce with Work to Do

On the 1H chart, Monero is transitioning from defensive to more neutral positioning, with some early signs of short-term accumulation.

Trend & Structure – EMAs

Price: $118.7

EMA 20 (H1): $115.86

EMA 50 (H1): $118.31

EMA 200 (H1): $122.02

Price is trading above the 20- and 50-hour EMAs, but still below the 200-hour EMA. The shorter EMAs are starting to curl up, while the 200-hour remains a heavy cap overhead.

What it implies: Intraday, buyers have taken the wheel from the recent lows, but they are still driving against a broader downtrend. The 200-hour EMA near $122 and the daily R1 around $122 create a confluence barrier. That is the first major line where this bounce will be tested.

Momentum – RSI & MACD

RSI 14 (H1): 56.78

RSI is comfortably above 50 but not overbought, matching a healthy intraday upswing.

What it implies: Bulls have momentum on this timeframe, but there is still room to push higher before exhaustion sets in. This favors continuation of the bounce as long as the market stays above the intraday EMAs.

MACD (H1): line -1.71, signal -2.00, histogram 0.29

The MACD line is still below zero, but it has crossed above the signal with a positive histogram. This setup is typical of a rebound within a wider downtrend.

What it implies: Short-term momentum is shifting to the upside, but the move is corrective in nature until MACD pushes into positive territory and holds there.

Volatility & Short-Term Levels – Bollinger, ATR, Pivots

Bollinger Bands (H1): mid $116.28, upper $124.46, lower $108.1

ATR 14 (H1): $3.77

Pivot Point (H1): $117.4

R1 (H1): $120.9

S1 (H1): $115.2

Price is sitting just above the mid-band and above the hourly pivot, heading toward the upper band zone around $124. Volatility is moderate on this timeframe, with about $3–4 expected hourly range.

What it implies: Near-term control leans toward buyers, with the first serious intraday resistance between $120.9 (H1 R1) and $122 (daily R1 / H1 200 EMA). A clean break there would upgrade this from a simple bounce to a more meaningful short-term trend change.

15-Minute Chart (M15) – Overheated Execution Zone

The 15-minute chart is where we see the immediate heat of this bounce, and it is already running hot.

Short-Term Trend – EMAs

Price: $118.7

EMA 20 (M15): $114.02

EMA 50 (M15): $114.5

EMA 200 (M15): $118.12

Price is trading sharply above the 20- and 50-EMA and just above the 200-EMA on the 15m chart.

What it implies: Very short term, buyers have clearly taken over. However, the spread between price and the fast EMAs is wide, which usually does not last. Either price cools off or it goes into a volatile chop while the averages catch up.

Local Momentum – RSI & MACD

RSI 14 (M15): 71.14

RSI above 70 on the 15-minute shows overbought intraday conditions.

What it implies: The move up is strong but stretched. From an execution standpoint, this is a poor spot to initiate fresh longs. It is more a zone where short-term traders either trim or wait for a pullback.

MACD (M15): line 0.71, signal 0.11, histogram 0.60

MACD is positive with the line above the signal and a strong positive histogram.

What it implies: Immediate momentum is decisively bullish on this micro timeframe. Combined with overbought RSI, it points to a powerful thrust that is increasingly vulnerable to a shakeout or consolidation.

Very Short-Term Range – Bollinger, ATR, Pivots

Bollinger Bands (M15): mid $113.61, upper $116.71, lower $110.52

ATR 14 (M15): $2.06

Pivot Point (M15): $117.77

R1 (M15): $120.53

S1 (M15): $115.93

Price at $118.7 is trading above the mid-band and above the 15m pivot, and already through the upper band from earlier in the session.

What it implies: The short-term battle is won by the bulls, but the combination of band extension and high RSI usually precedes a pause. Hourly ATR around $3–4 and 15m ATR near $2 warn that intraday swings can be sharp both ways.

Market Context – Risk Appetite in a Bearish Shell

The broader crypto market cap sits around $3.22T, up roughly 1.5% in the last 24h, with BTC dominance above 57%. The Fear & Greed Index is at 26 (Fear) as of 2026, reflecting a still cautious environment.

What it implies for Monero:

We have a market that is leaning risk-on over the last 24 hours, but sentiment is still defensive overall. In that environment, privacy coins like Monero often lag on strong BTC-led legs and then catch part of the move via short-covering bounces. That fits well with what we are seeing in the multi-timeframe picture: higher timeframe bearish, short-term recovery, cautious risk-taking.

Bullish Scenario for XMR

For bulls, the current play is a countertrend recovery that might graduate into a larger reversal if key levels flip.

Near-term (intraday) path:

Hold above the daily pivot at $116.23 and the H1 pivot at $117.4.

15m RSI cools from overbought (70+) back toward 50–60 via sideways price or a shallow pullback, while price remains above the M15 200 EMA (~$118.1) or at worst the H1 50 EMA (~$118.3).

Upside checkpoints:

$120.9–$122: confluence of H1 R1, daily R1, and H1 200 EMA. A clean 1H close above this band would signal that buyers have done more than just squeeze shorts.

From there, the next technical magnet on the daily chart is the 20-day EMA around $130.5.

What confirms a more meaningful bullish swing:

A daily close above $130–133 (20-day EMA and Bollinger mid-band) would indicate that the market is starting to attack the medium-term downtrend rather than just bounce within it.

RSI on D1 pushing back above 45–50 and MACD histogram flattening toward zero would support the idea of a trend transition.

Invalidation of the bullish scenario:

A sustained move back below $116 (under daily and H1 pivots) would show that the bounce has failed.

A daily close below $112.87 (S1) would put the bears firmly back in control and opens the door to a re-test of the lower Bollinger area toward $100–95.

Bearish Scenario for XMR

Bears still own the higher timeframe, and the primary thesis is that rallies get sold until proven otherwise.

Core bearish view:

Daily EMAs remain stacked bearish and far above price, with RSI below 40 and MACD negative. That is the backbone of the downtrend.

The current intraday strength is treated as a short-covering rally into resistance, not a new bull trend, unless key levels are reclaimed.

Bearish roadmap:

Price fails to hold the $120.9–$122 resistance pocket (H1 R1 / daily R1 / H1 200 EMA) and starts rejecting from that zone.

15m RSI rolls down from overbought and breaks below 50, while the M15 200 EMA at $118.1 and H1 50 EMA at $118.3 give way.

A decisive break back below $116.23 (daily PP) turns today’s structure from constructive to vulnerable.

Downside targets from there:

First, $112.87 (daily S1) as an immediate support zone.

If that breaks on a daily close, price opens a window toward the lower half of the Bollinger range, with the lower band down near $93 acting as the extreme bearish extension.

What invalidates the bearish dominance:

Multiple daily closes back above the 20-day EMA (~$130.5), ideally followed by a flattening or turn-up of the 50-day around $143–145.

D1 RSI sustainably above 50 and MACD crossing its signal with the histogram turning positive.

Until those conditions appear, the broader bias remains bearish, and rallies into the EMA cluster on the daily chart are technically countertrend. At the same time, this phase can still host sharp rallies, especially if the broader market maintains a modest risk-on tone.

How to Think About Positioning Right Now

Monero is caught between a dominant daily downtrend and a live intraday bounce. Higher timeframe traders will still call this a bear market rally; lower timeframe traders will treat it as an opportunity-rich environment with big intraday ranges.

Key tensions to keep in mind:

Trend vs. Mean Reversion: the daily trend is down. Fading every spike has worked recently, but as price extends away from the EMAs, bounces like this become sharper. That is where mean reversion traders step in.

Momentum vs. Structure: M15 and H1 momentum is bullish, but it is operating inside a bearish daily structure. Strong short-term signals against the higher timeframe trend tend to be shorter-lived unless backed by real structural breaks.

Risk Appetite vs. Defense: the broader market is recovering with BTC dominance high and sentiment in Fear. That usually means capital is selective. Privacy coins like Monero will not be the first in line for aggressive risk-on flows, but they can still move hard when liquidity is thin.

In practical terms, this is a phase where chasing on the 15-minute after an overbought spike is risky. Markets can whipsaw intraday as the bounce runs into higher timeframe resistance. Position size and stop placement matter more than usual given the elevated ATR on both daily and intraday charts.

Any plan, bullish or bearish, should respect the fact that volatility is high and the main trend is still down. Intraday traders may lean into the current bounce with tight risk, while swing traders will be more interested in how price behaves around $122 and especially $130–133 before changing their broader bias on Monero.

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This analysis is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, trading, or financial advice. Markets for Monero (XMR) and other cryptocurrencies are highly volatile and risky. Always conduct your own research and consider your risk tolerance before making any trading decisions.

In summary, Monero remains locked in a higher timeframe downtrend while pursuing an active intraday rebound, creating a landscape where tactical opportunities exist but trend risk is still clearly skewed to the downside.

Investors rushed into Alphaton Capital after a surprise Nvidia hardware agreement sent the micro-cap name into an aggressive after-hours rally on Monday.

After-hours price spike and deal overview

AlphaTON Capital Corp closed Monday’s regular session at $0.91 before exploding to $2.61 after the bell, marking a 186.8% after-hours move. The buying came immediately after the company unveiled a $46 million purchase agreement for 576 NVIDIA B300 chips, a bold step for a stock of this size.

However, the scale of the commitment stands out even more when measured against the company’s valuation. AlphaTON’s market cap is $7.86 million, meaning the value of the new hardware deal is nearly six times larger than the firm’s entire public equity footprint.

The acquisition structure is split into three main tranches. The company has already deployed $4 million of existing cash, while $32.7 million will be funded through non-recourse debt. Moreover, the remaining $9.3 million will be covered via equity installments that must be paid before chip delivery.

Deployment at AtNorth and project partners

The 576 B300 units are scheduled to be shipped to AtNorth’s data center in Sweden, a facility powered entirely by hydroelectric energy. Delivery is targeted for February, with installation work planned to begin in March as the company moves quickly to bring the new hardware online.

To support operations, CUDO Compute and SNET Energy Ltd will provide managed services across the deployment. That said, financing coordination is being handled by Vertical Data and LEAP, which helped assemble the capital stack covering debt and equity components.

According to management projections, Alphaton Capital expects the project to generate a 27% internal rate of return and deliver around $11 million in net present value. Revenue from the new infrastructure is forecast to begin in March 2026, assuming the build-out and go-live stay on schedule.

Financing terms and AI network strategy

The non-recourse financing terms include a feature that will likely appeal to equity holders. No principal or interest payments are due until the B300 chips are installed and actively generating revenue, which reduces near-term cash pressure on the balance sheet.

Beyond the financial profile, the new hardware will support a privacy-preserving AI network. The infrastructure is designed to connect with Telegram’s Cocoon AI ecosystem, targeting confidential computing workloads and secure data processing. Moreover, this positioning aims to tap into growing demand for specialized AI compute with stronger privacy guarantees.

The broader environment for AI infrastructure demand remains robust. Moody’s Ratings projects as much as $3 trillion in data center investment over the next five years, driven by AI training, inference, and cloud computing expansion across major enterprises.

Shift from prior Nvidia B200 plans

The newly announced arrangement replaces a previous strategy disclosed in November 2025. At that time, the company had outlined plans to acquire more than 1,000 NVIDIA B200 GPUs, but has since pivoted toward the newer B300 chips instead, suggesting a tactical shift to higher-spec infrastructure.

On the competitive front, other technology leaders are also racing to secure compute. Meta on Monday launched its “Meta Compute” initiative, a program focused on expanding AI infrastructure and deepening relationships with strategic suppliers. However, micro-cap issuers like AlphaTON face a very different risk-reward profile compared to large-cap technology platforms.

Investors monitoring the NVIDIA B300 deal will now focus on execution. February delivery to the AtNorth Sweden data center must proceed without delay, while the subsequent March installation will be critical for meeting the company’s revenue timetable.

Key milestones, cash needs, and trading profile

Several checkpoints now define the story over the coming quarters. First, hardware delivery in February must stay on track. Second, full installation and integration in March will be vital to avoid slippage in the March 2026 revenue start date that underpins the financial model.

In parallel, the company still needs to meet its outstanding equity obligations. The final $9.3 million in equity installments must be funded before the chips arrive, and how AlphaTON covers those payments will give the market a clearer read on its near-term financial stability.

Historically, the stock has shown substantial volatility. Over the past year, the 52-week range has stretched from $0.56 at the low end to as high as $15.82. Moreover, the balance sheet currently reflects more cash than debt, with a current ratio of 2.02, offering some liquidity cushion even as the company scales up commitments.

Risk factors and outlook after the stock surge

The company has highlighted several risk factors that could affect performance. Crypto market fluctuations may impact related business lines, while regulatory changes could introduce new compliance burdens. In addition, technical issues during deployment or integration at AtNorth’s Swedish facility could delay revenue, which would hit a smaller issuer harder than a diversified large-cap peer.

That said, the central question for traders on Tuesday morning is whether the alphaton capital price spike can hold through premarket and the opening bell. The B300 chips are slated to reach Sweden in February, with full deployment expected by March 2026, setting up a long runway of execution risk and potential upside.

In summary, AlphaTON’s after-hours breakout reflects investor enthusiasm for high-spec AI infrastructure tied to Nvidia hardware, but the outsized deal relative to the company’s market cap, the reliance on structured financing, and a history of volatility mean that delivery timelines, equity funding, and technical deployment will remain under close scrutiny.

In a bid to expand its footprint in crypto payments, Polygon Labs acquisitions are signaling a strategic shift toward full-stack fintech and stablecoin infrastructure.

Polygon Labs moves to buy Coinme and Sequence

Polygon Labs, the blockchain developer behind one of the leading Ethereum scaling networks, has agreed to proceed with two acquisitions of the crypto startups Coinme and Sequence for a combined price of more than $250 million. However, the company has not disclosed how much it paid for each firm, or whether the consideration was in cash, equity, or a mix of both.

The deals are designed to accelerate the network’s stablecoin strategy, according to Polygon Labs CEO Marc Boiron and Polygon Foundation founder Sandeep Nailwal. Moreover, the acquisitions also deepen Polygon’s presence in both consumer-facing crypto services and core infrastructure.

Seattle-based Coinme specializes in converting cash to cryptocurrency and is widely known for its partnerships around crypto ATMs. It also holds a broad suite of money transmitter licenses across the U.S., which could be crucial for scaling compliant payments products. Meanwhile, New York-based Sequence focuses on blockchain infrastructure, including developer tools and crypto wallets that can support large-scale applications.

Challenging Stripe across the stablecoin stack

With these purchases, Polygon is stepping directly into competition with Stripe, one of the world’s most prominent fintech players, Nailwal said. Over the past year, Stripe has acquired a stablecoin startup, bought a crypto wallet firm, and backed its own payments-focused blockchain. Together, those moves signal an ambition to own every layer of what many now call the stablecoin stack.

Stripe’s model involves controlling everything from the servers that process transactions to the accounts where users ultimately keep their digital assets. That said, Polygon is approaching the stack from the opposite direction: it already operates a network of interoperable blockchains and is now adding regulated payments and infrastructure startups on top.

“It is a reverse Stripe in a way,” Nailwal said, describing Polygon’s stablecoin push. Stripe first bought its stablecoin and wallet targets and then invested in its own blockchain. In contrast, Polygon has long maintained its Ethereum-based network and is now integrating companies that can extend it into mainstream financial services. “Polygon Labs is becoming a full-blown fintech company,” he added.

Regulatory tailwinds for stablecoins

The timing of this strategy shift is not accidental. The expansion into payments is unfolding during a period of renewed hype around stablecoins, digital tokens pegged to real-world assets such as the U.S. dollar. Moreover, the sector received a major boost after President Donald Trump signed into law in July a new bill regulating these tokens.

Following the legislation, a wide range of fintechs, big tech firms, and even banks have announced plans to launch their own stablecoins. Proponents argue that these tokens can offer faster, cheaper, and more programmable alternatives to traditional payment rails, which still rely heavily on infrastructure designed decades ago.

Polygon Labs, whose network operates as a scaling layer on top of Ethereum, is positioning itself to capture this momentum. Best known for its central role during the NFT surge in 2021 and 2022, the project has steadily diversified. Over the past year, it has accelerated investments in payments, including hiring former Stripe head of crypto John Egan to strengthen its leadership bench.

Price speculation and pushback on CoinDesk report

The Coinme deal is the most visible piece of Polygon’s payments expansion so far. Industry outlet CoinDesk reported that the acquisition was valued between $100 million and $125 million. If accurate, that range would suggest that the implied price tag for Sequence falls between $125 million and $150 million, based on the overall total.

However, Boiron, the Polygon Labs chief executive, firmly disputed that reporting. “Almost everything that CoinDesk wrote in that article is wrong,” he said, without providing an alternative valuation. That said, he did not clarify whether any part of the ranges cited was accurate, leaving the final structure of the deals opaque.

This lack of detail underscores how competitive the market for crypto payments infrastructure and developer platforms has become. Buyers and sellers often keep valuations confidential, especially when acquisitions are part of a broader multi-year strategy rather than isolated transactions.

Coinme’s legal challenges and compliance posture

Regulatory questions around Coinme have also drawn attention. In 2025, regulators in California and Washington targeted the company for alleged violations, including failing to prevent customers from withdrawing more than $1,000 per day from affiliated crypto ATMs. Washington authorities initially issued a cease-and-desist order against Coinme.

However, Washington regulators agreed to stay that order roughly a month after pursuing the startup, giving Coinme an opportunity to address compliance concerns. Moreover, the company’s network of money transmitter licenses suggests it has invested heavily in regulatory permissions, even as it has faced enforcement actions.

Boiron said he is not concerned about the legal history. “I think they go far beyond what is required,” he said, referring to Coinme’s compliance regime. “On the back end, the way that they handle being able to limit risk to users, I think is state of the art.” That stance indicates Polygon sees Coinme’s systems as an asset rather than a liability.

Integrating infrastructure and payments on Polygon

Strategically, these moves bring together licensed cash-to-crypto services and blockchain infrastructure within one ecosystem. By combining Coinme’s compliance-heavy retail operations with Sequence’s developer tools and wallet technology, Polygon can offer a more complete stack to partners building payments and financial applications.

In that context, the company hopes the latest Polygon Labs acquisitions will help it serve both consumer-facing fintechs and enterprise clients that need reliable, regulated access to stablecoin rails. Moreover, this integration could position Polygon as a key intermediary between traditional finance and on-chain settlement.

Unlike Stripe, which is layering stablecoin functionality on top of an existing payments empire, Polygon is extending a blockchain-first architecture outward into mainstream financial use cases. If regulators maintain a supportive stance and user demand for digital dollars continues to grow, the competition between crypto-native networks and big fintechs is likely to intensify.

Overall, Polygon’s purchase of Coinme and Sequence marks a decisive bet on regulated stablecoin payments, tighter wallet and infrastructure integrations, and a long-term contest with Stripe over the future of digital money.

In a strategic move into digital assets, ClearBank is deepening its payments ambitions through a new collaboration branded under the clearbank taurus partnership for scalable, regulated stablecoin services.

ClearBank selects Taurus for digital asset infrastructure

ClearBank has appointed digital asset specialist Taurus as its core wallet infrastructure provider as it ramps up stablecoin-related products, according to a press release issued on Tuesday. The U.K.-based clearing bank said the agreement will underpin a broader push into digital assets and blockchain-based payments for its clients.

Under the deal, ClearBank will deploy Taurus-PROTECT as its main wallet infrastructure. The platform is designed to support secure, scalable and compliant digital asset services, giving the bank institutional-grade tools to store and manage tokenized value. Moreover, the bank aims to leverage this setup to accelerate product rollout for regulated customers.

The partnership sits at the center of ClearBank’s wider digital asset strategy, with an initial emphasis on stablecoin use cases. However, the parties also signal that the infrastructure could later extend to additional tokenized assets and new payment flows as regulation evolves.

Stablecoins as the backbone of new payment rails

Stablecoins, which are cryptocurrencies pegged to underlying assets such as fiat currencies or gold, now anchor a large share of the global crypto economy. They function as payment rails and provide a relatively stable unit of account for moving money across borders and between exchanges.

Market leaders like Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC dominate this segment. The total stablecoin market capitalization climbed beyond the $300 billion threshold in 2025, representing roughly 50% year-over-year growth. That expansion has been fueled by rising institutional adoption of major tokens and clearer rules, including the U.S. GENIUS Act, which encourages regulated entities to participate.

That said, banks and payment institutions increasingly see stablecoins as a way to combine traditional financial safeguards with faster, programmable settlement. ClearBank’s latest move illustrates how regulated entities are positioning themselves at the intersection of these two systems.

Integration with Circle Mint and MiCAR-compliant stablecoins

As part of the integration, ClearBank will gain access to Taurus-PROTECT connectivity with Circle Mint, Circle’s platform for minting and redeeming regulated stablecoins. Through this connection, the bank will be able to support MiCAR-compliant USDC and EURC, aligning its offering with the European Union’s new digital asset framework.

Moreover, this technical link allows ClearBank to plug directly into Circle’s infrastructure while retaining full control over custody and wallet operations. The ability to issue and redeem tokens on demand is expected to be critical for serving institutional customers that require predictable liquidity and transparent on-chain settlement.

The integration also complements ClearBank’s previously announced plans to join the Circle Payment Network. That network is designed to enable near-instant value transfers using blockchain-based rails, connecting banks, fintechs and other financial institutions around the world.

Use cases: from corporate payments to international remittances

ClearBank said combining its traditional payment infrastructure with regulated stablecoin technology could significantly improve efficiency and reduce transaction costs. In particular, the bank is targeting use cases such as corporate payments and international remittances, where settlement speed and FX friction remain pain points for many clients.

However, the bank also sees potential in more advanced applications, including programmable payouts, on-chain treasury management and tokenized asset settlement. In this context, the clearbank taurus collaboration is framed as a foundation for future products rather than a one-off technology upgrade.

By leveraging existing clearing capabilities together with stablecoin-based rails, ClearBank aims to offer end users near-real-time settlement while preserving compliance with relevant regulations. That approach may appeal to fintech platforms and institutions looking to bridge conventional accounts with blockchain-native liquidity.

Taurus-PROTECT and Strategy for financial institutions

Taurus-PROTECT forms part of Taurus’s broader digital asset platform tailored for banks and regulated financial institutions. The infrastructure supports custody and lifecycle management of cryptocurrencies, tokenized assets and other digital instruments across multiple regulatory and operational models.

Moreover, Taurus provides tools for governance, key management and integration with core banking systems, helping institutions embed digital assets within existing processes. This modular design is intended to let firms adopt stablecoins and tokenization at their own pace, while maintaining security and regulatory alignment.

Commenting on the announcement, ClearBank CEO Mark Fairless said the partnership gives the bank the digital asset capabilities it needs as it introduces new services and helps shape the future of payments. That statement underscores ClearBank’s intention to position itself as a key infrastructure provider in the evolving digital money landscape.

In summary, ClearBank’s partnership with Taurus, its planned participation in Circle’s network and its focus on MiCAR-compliant stablecoins highlight how regulated institutions are building new payment rails on top of established banking infrastructure to deliver faster, cheaper and more programmable value transfer.

SPONSORED POST*

Introduction: TokensCloud as a Visionary Force in Bitcoin Mining

The Bitcoin mining industry is entering a new era defined by energy efficiency, sustainability, and industrial-scale performance. While many platforms continue to speculate about future mining infrastructure, TokensCloud has already delivered it. The company designed and operates a super energy data center purpose-built for next-generation Bitcoin cloud mining. By aligning advanced engineering with intelligent energy utilization, TokensCloud has established itself as a forward-thinking leader in the global mining ecosystem.

TokensCloud’s Mission and Technological Philosophy

The purpose of creating TokensCloud was clear, as the latter aims at making the process of Bitcoin mining efficient, approachable, and future-oriented. The company targets the removal of technical barriers and maximization of mining performance using innovation. This mission can be traced in every part of the TokensCloud platform, such as the enterprise-level infrastructure or user-friendly user dashboard. TokensCloud generates long-term value to the individual users and institutional participants by focusing on transparency, reliability, and sustainability.

Anticipating the Shift Toward Energy-Driven Mining

Global discussions increasingly emphasize the role of stranded and renewable energy in Bitcoin mining. This transition highlights the need for infrastructure capable of operating efficiently in energy-rich environments. TokensCloud recognized this shift early and invested in building a super energy data center before the trend gained momentum. As a result, the company now operates infrastructure that aligns seamlessly with emerging energy strategies and policy directions.

Inside the TokensCloud Super Energy Data Center

TokensCloud super energy data center is a complete working data center, which is designed to support high density mining work load. It combines smart power distribution, intelligent energy control, and sophisticated cooling technologies. These systems interact to provide a consistent hash rate, stable uptime and efficient power usage. In contrast to an experimental project in mining, the data center by TokensCloud is a tested and scalable system that has already achieved its results.

Smart Energy Utilization and Sustainable Operations

The TokensCloud competitive advantage is based on energy efficiency. The center uses stranded and renewable energy sources which would have otherwise been underutilized. TokensCloud saved on waste by transforming the surplus energy into computational power, which minimized operational costs. This model is effective in promoting the responsible mining of the environment without affecting performance and profitability.

Why TokensCloud Stands Apart in the Cloud Mining Market

The innovation, execution, and user-centric design are the main character of tokensCloud differentiation. Key strengths include:

Purpose-built super energy data center infrastructure

Intelligent energy optimization using stranded and renewable sources

High-performance mining hardware support

Transparent operations and real-time performance monitoring

Scalable solutions for both retail and institutional users

These benefits make TokensCloud a high-quality cloud mining company and not a hypothetical resource.

Simple and Secure Onboarding With TokensCloud

TokensCloud offers a streamlined registration process designed for global accessibility. Users can begin mining without technical expertise or hardware investment.

Visit TokensCloud Official Website and select the registration option

Create an account by entering basic details.

Access the user dashboard to explore available mining contracts

Register now and receive a $100 sign-up bonus to activate your first contract

Once activated, mining operations start automatically, allowing users to earn without operational complexity.

Bitcoin Cloud Mining Contract Plans

TokensCloud offers various types of Bitcoin cloud mining contracts with varying investments. Both contracts work in the professionally controlled cloud centers and provide clear returns.

Contract TermCloud Center LocationContract PriceTotal Net Profit1 DayTexas Cloud Center, USA$100$1.003 DaysWyoming Cloud Center, USA$500$15.002 DaysNevada Cloud Center, USA$800$37.925 DaysMontana Cloud Center, USA$1,500$90.007 DaysGeorgia Cloud Center, USA$3,500$318.5010 DaysQuebec Cloud Center, Canada$6,500$1,007.50

All the earnings, contract information, and performance data is shown clearly on the TokensCloud dashboard.
View Full Agreement Details & Receive $100 Welcome Bonus 

A Hands-Free Mining Experience With Full Transparency

TokensCloud eliminates the old complicated features of Bitcoin mining. Hardware, electricity, and maintenance are not handled by the users. The platform instead takes care of all the technical functions and also offers real-time earnings visibility. This is a hands-free model that is why TokensCloud is the best product to receive a passive exposure to Bitcoin mining.

Conclusion: TokensCloud Is Already Powering the Next Generation

TokensCloud did not wait until the future came, it created it. The company has offered a new standard in the industry by providing a super energy data center that is optimized to facilitate sustainable and scalable mining of Bitcoin. TokensCloud has remained a pioneer in the development of cloud mining through innovative infrastructure and transparent plans of contracts and an easy-to-use platform. It is also easier to start with a bonus of $100 that can be enjoyed by new users. With the future of global mining progressing, TokensCloud is an entity that is far ahead of its time, as it currently runs the future of Bitcoin mining.

Media Contact Information

Company Name: TokensCloud

Website: https://tokenscloud.comEmail: info@tokenscloud.com

Read More: Other Leading Cloud Mining Platforms in 2026

*This article was paid for. Cryptonomist did not write the article or test the platform.

Backed by a major crypto exchange, the latest kraken spac move aims to capitalize on investor appetite for digital asset listings.

Details of the KRAKacquisition Corp offering

KRAKacquisition Corp., a new special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of Kraken, has filed for a $250 million initial public offering. The SPAC plans to list on the Nasdaq Global Market, adding a fresh vehicle for exposure to crypto-related equities.

The blank-check company, incorporated in the Cayman Islands, intends to offer 25 million units at $10 each. Each unit will consist of one Class A ordinary share and a fraction of a warrant, giving investors the right to purchase additional shares at a later date.

If the IPO is approved, KRAKacquisition will trade under the ticker “KRAQU” on Nasdaq. Moreover, Spanish banking giant Santander is named as the sole book-running manager for the deal, signaling strong traditional finance involvement in the structure of this listing.

Focus on the cryptocurrency ecosystem

The SPAC has not yet identified a merger target. However, KRAKacquisition has stated that it will concentrate on businesses operating in the cryptocurrency industry. That said, the structure gives Kraken a dedicated route to take crypto ecosystem businesses to the stock market, while potentially expanding its own network of infrastructure and services.

The name of the vehicle, KRAKacquisition, appears to reference Kraken’s in-house payments offering, often described as the krak payments solution. This branding tie-in underlines the strategic link between the exchange and the SPAC as they explore new capital market opportunities.

By sponsoring the kraken backed spac, the exchange is deepening its presence in equity markets beyond simple trading access. Moreover, the move reinforces the broader trend of crypto companies public markets activity that accelerated over the past year.

Kraken’s own IPO ambitions

Alongside the SPAC initiative, Kraken has also been progressing toward its own listing. In September, the exchange raised $500 million in a funding round that valued the company at $15 billion, a key step in preparing for a potential direct market debut.

In December, Kraken acquired tokenization specialist Backed Finance, signaling continued expansion into on-chain securities and asset tokenization. However, the firm has not yet set a definitive IPO date, even though it confirmed in November that it had filed confidentially for a U.S. listing.

SPAC within a broader crypto listing trend

The KRAKacquisition Corp IPO fits into a wider wave of cryptocurrency and blockchain-related listings seen last year. Notably, Bullish, the parent company of CoinDesk, went public and has since seen its shares rise 8% from the IPO level.

Another high-profile listing came from stablecoin issuer Circle Internet, whose stock has surged 167% since its debut. By contrast, crypto exchange Gemini Space Station has experienced a 10% decline since it began trading, underscoring that performance among newly listed digital asset firms remains mixed.

Beyond these names, crypto custody provider BitGo is also preparing for a potential listing this year. Moreover, as more firms tap equity markets, the nasdaq kraqu ticker could become a focal point for investors seeking diversified exposure to the sector through a single acquisition vehicle.

For Kraken, the latest kraken spac initiative sits alongside its ongoing IPO plans, illustrating a dual-track strategy to deepen its role across both private and public capital markets.

Authorities are pursuing an aggressive cleanup as the kazakhstan crypto market evolves under tighter financial oversight and ambitious regulatory reforms.

Over 1,100 unlicensed crypto platforms blocked in Kazakhstan

The Financial Monitoring Agency of Kazakhstan (AFM) has blocked access to more than 1,100 unlicensed online crypto exchangers in the past year. The figure underscores how the state is tightening control over digital asset trading while still promoting a regulated industry.

The number was disclosed by Zhanat Elimanov, head of the AFM, in a report on the watchdog’s 2025 operations presented to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Moreover, the update highlights how enforcement and market development are moving in parallel.

Quoted by the daily Kazakhstanskaya Pravda, Elimanov said AFM investigators completed probes into 1,135 criminal cases involving money last year. As a result, they returned 141.5 billion tenge (over $277 million) to victims of financial crimes.

Criminal networks, shadow exchanges and money mules targeted

Alongside blocking illegal trading websites, the AFM dismantled 15 criminal groups and 29 organizations that were providing cash services outside the law. However, officials say the bigger threat has come from unregistered operators in the digital asset space.

According to the agency, authorities disrupted the activities of 22 shadow crypto exchanges that allegedly laundered proceeds from drug trafficking and fraud schemes. These platforms had offered informal conversion channels, complicating oversight of cross-border flows.

Meanwhile, the broader financial sector has stopped dealing with approximately 2,000 companies and 56,000 individuals suspected of money laundering. With the help of 35 payment institutions, investigators identified 2.1 trillion tenge of criminal flows, an amount estimated at over $4 billion.

Elimanov added that the AFM has frozen around 20,000 bank card accounts linked to money mules working for criminal groups. That said, President Tokayev has issued new instructions to the agency in key areas, signaling that enforcement is likely to intensify.

Kazakhstan balances crypto hub ambitions with strict controls

Kazakhstan emerged as a hotspot for cryptocurrency mining and related activities after China imposed sweeping bans a few years ago. Since then, the government has sought to formalize the industry while keeping illegal activity under pressure.

In 2025, officials lifted some restrictions on the minting of digital coins, aiming to support industrial-scale miners and attract new investment. Moreover, the authorities moved to expand crypto trading beyond the narrow legal perimeter of the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC), where only a small number of licensed platforms had been operating.

As part of its plan to become a Eurasian digital asset hub, the government wants to legalize investments in cryptocurrencies and other tokens. However, payments with such assets will remain banned outside a special pilot project known as CryptoCity, which is designed to test real-world use cases under controlled conditions.

Within this framework, the kazakhstan crypto market is expected to grow through regulated exchanges and institutional participation. At the same time, unauthorized transactions and gray-market intermediaries remain a prime target for continued enforcement.

High-profile seizures and crypto crime investigations in 2025

Coordinated law enforcement operations have intensified against unauthorized cryptocurrency transactions, bringing together multiple state institutions. In September, officials announced the seizure of $10 million worth of digital coins linked to a large crypto pyramid scheme.

The fraudulent project had defrauded investors not only in Kazakhstan, but also in other post-Soviet states such as Belarus and Russia. Moreover, the cross-border nature of the scheme highlighted the region-wide challenges of policing crypto fraud.

Later that month, authorities said they dismantled what they described as the largest crypto money laundering service in Central Asia. The platform, an exchange called RAKS, was reportedly popular on the dark web and had become a central hub for obscuring the origin of funds.

Then, in October, the AFM reported it had shut down almost 130 unlicensed exchanges, allegedly seizing nearly $17 million in virtual assets from their operators. These actions form part of a broad kazakhstan crypto exchange crackdown focused on unregulated providers.

In November, the Ministry of Internal Affairs revealed it had opened more than 1,000 criminal investigations involving cryptocurrencies over the past two years. It estimated the financial damage suffered by victims at over $15 million, underscoring the continued risks in the sector.

Outlook for Kazakhstan’s regulated crypto sector

The latest figures from the AFM illustrate how fast the enforcement landscape is shifting as Kazakhstan refines its digital asset policies. However, officials continue to emphasize that the ultimate objective is a transparent, compliant market rather than a blanket clampdown.

If regulatory reforms succeed, Kazakhstan could consolidate its position as a regional center for mining, trading and crypto infrastructure. That said, sustained supervision of exchanges, payment intermediaries and on-chain activity will remain essential to protect investors and the wider financial system.

Investors gained a fresh look at the evolving universe of grayscale crypto assets as the firm updated its sector-based product lineup and pipeline of potential additions.

Updated snapshot of Grayscale’s crypto product family

The latest breakdown from Grayscale details both digital asset products already in the market and tokens still being evaluated. The firm published its newest sector-based overview as of January 12, 2026, reinforcing its role as a leading crypto-focused asset manager.

According to the company, assets in the Grayscale Product family are grouped using the internal Grayscale Crypto Sectors framework. This structure is designed to set a standard for organizing the broader crypto asset class across currencies, smart contract platforms, financials, consumer and culture, artificial intelligence, and utilities and services.

Moreover, the firm distinguishes between assets already backing investment vehicles and those only identified as potential candidates for future funds. Assets currently in products are either part of single-asset trusts or multi-asset strategies, while the assets under consideration list signals tokens being monitored for possible inclusion.

Methodology, timing, and disclosure cadence

Grayscale states it aims to refresh this sector table as frequently as 15 days after each quarter-end. However, the list can change intra-quarter as multi-asset funds are reconstituted or new single-asset products launch. The firm emphasizes that inclusion on the watchlist does not guarantee a future product.

The current snapshot is explicitly dated January 12, 2026. That said, Grayscale notes that some tokens may enter the Grayscale Product family without first appearing on the table. This could occur if a product decision is made between scheduled updates or in response to fast-moving market conditions.

In addition, several tokens currently supported or monitored carry an asterisk indicating that they were not yet included in the Grayscale Crypto Sectors framework as of December 31, 2025. These assets may still appear in products or on the consideration list while their final sector classification is pending.

Currencies sector

The Currencies sector covers crypto assets designed to act as a medium of exchange, store of value, or unit of account. In this category, the assets currently listed in Grayscale’s product suite are Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Litecoin (LTC), Stellar Lumens (XLM), XRP (XRP), and Zcash (ZEC).

However, there are currently no additional currency-focused tokens on the assets under consideration list. This suggests that, for now, Grayscale sees its existing currency exposure as sufficient within the current suite of trusts and multi-asset funds.

Smart contract platforms: current exposure and pipeline

The Smart Contract Platforms sector includes networks that provide the base layer for deploying self-executing contracts and decentralized applications. As of January 12, 2026, grayscale crypto assets already in products in this segment are Avalanche (AVAX), Cardano (ADA), Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR), Horizen (ZEN)* , Optimism (OP), Solana (SOL), Stacks (STX), and Sui (SUI).

Moreover, the pipeline of smart contract platforms on the official consideration list is extensive. Tokens under review include Aptos (APT), Arbitrum (ARB), Binance Coin (BNB), Celo (CELO), Mantle (MNT), MegaETH* , Monad (MON), Polkadot (DOT), Toncoin (TON), and Tron (TRX). These names highlight the breadth of layer-1 and layer-2 ecosystems that Grayscale is tracking.

Financials: DeFi and on-chain services

Within the Financials sector, Grayscale groups crypto assets that deliver financial transactions and services, including DeFi protocols and related infrastructure. The assets currently in the product suite are Aave (AAVE), Aerodrome (AERO), Curve (CRV), DeepBook (DEEP), Ondo Finance (ONDO), and Uniswap (UNI).

The list of grayscale crypto assets under consideration for financials is even longer. It features Ethena (ENA), Euler (EUL), Hyperliquid (HYPE), Jupiter (JUP), Kamino Finance (KMNO), Lombard (BARD), Maple Finance (SYRUP), Morpho (MORPHO), Pendle (PENDLE), Plume Network (PLUME), and Sky (SKY). Together, they represent a broad slice of the evolving decentralized finance landscape.

Consumer and culture tokens

The Consumer & Culture sector captures assets that support consumption-centric activities across digital goods, media, and services. As of the latest update, Grayscale products hold Basic Attention Token (BAT), Decentraland (MANA), and Dogecoin (DOGE) within this category.

However, several additional consumer and culture tokens are on the monitoring list rather than in live products. Those assets under consideration are ARIA Protocol (ARIAIP)* , Bonk (BONK), and Playtron* . Their presence underscores growing institutional interest in culture-driven and meme-oriented crypto narratives.

Artificial intelligence-linked assets

The Artificial Intelligence sector covers crypto assets tied to AI development, infrastructure, or applications. In its current offerings, Grayscale includes Bittensor (TAO), Livepeer (LPT), Near (NEAR), Render (RENDER), and Story (IP).

Moreover, a growing set of AI-related tokens sits on the watchlist for potential future products. The crypto assets list under consideration in this segment consists of Flock (FLOCK), Grass (GRASS), Kaito (KAITO), Nous Research* , Poseidon* , Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL), and Worldcoin (WLD). Their evaluation reflects rising investor demand for exposure to AI-linked networks.

Utilities and services: infrastructure and data

The Utilities & Services sector encompasses crypto assets focused on practical, often enterprise-oriented applications and infrastructure. The assets currently listed in Grayscale products are Chainlink (LINK), Filecoin (FIL), Lido DAO (LDO), Pyth (PYTH), Space and Time (SXT), The Graph (GRT), and Walrus (WAL).

That said, several additional infrastructure projects are being evaluated. On the assets under consideration side, Grayscale names DoubleZero (2Z), Geodnet (GEOD)* , Jito (JTO), Layer Zero (ZRO), and Wormhole (W). These networks provide data, interoperability, and staking-related services that complement existing product exposures.

Sector framework and future evolution

Grayscale’s sector framework is central to how it presents and expands its product line. By grouping tokens into currencies, platforms, financials, culture, AI, and utilities, the firm aims to give investors a clearer lens on portfolio construction and thematic exposure.

Looking ahead, the roster of grayscale assets crypto and the pipeline of potential additions are likely to shift as the digital asset market matures. As new networks launch and existing ones gain traction, the tables of live holdings and watchlist names will remain a key indicator of Grayscale’s evolving institutional focus across the crypto ecosystem.

In summary, the January 12, 2026 update provides a detailed view of which tokens currently back Grayscale products and which are still being evaluated. The sector-based disclosure, combined with regular reviews, offers institutions and individual investors a structured way to monitor how the firm’s multi-asset and single-asset offerings adapt to a rapidly changing market.

European authorities are stepping up oversight of online finance content, as finfluencer regulation becomes a central tool to curb risky crypto and investment hype.

CONSOB amplifies ESMA warning to social media finance influencers

Italy’s securities regulator CONSOB, the Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa, has given new prominence to a fresh factsheet from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) on social media investment content. In a communication released on Monday, the watchdog underlined that European Union rules on investment recommendations and advertising fully apply to crypto‑related and so‑called “get rich quick” material.

Moreover, CONSOB drew attention to ESMA‘s document for social media finance influencers, or “finfluencers”, published on Thursday. The factsheet reminds content creators that, in ESMA’s words, “promoting a financial product or service isn’t like promoting shoes or watches”, stressing that online reach does not dilute legal responsibility.

The communication warns that pushing contracts for difference (CFDs), forex, futures, certain crowdfunding products and volatile cryptocurrencies can mean losing 100% of the capital invested. However, ESMA clarifies that influencers remain legally responsible for their posts even when they are not finance professionals and even if they repeat information from third parties.

ESMA’s factsheet also insists that any paid partnerships must be clearly labeled as advertising and not disguised as neutral opinion. Short disclaimers such as “this is not financial advice” do not neutralize regulatory obligations, and providing personalized investment tips without a licence may qualify as regulated investment advice under EU law.

Crypto scams and the need to verify authorization

The CONSOB notice echoes ESMA’s messaging and urges users to distrust aggressive “get rich quick” claims around trading, crypto tokens or complex derivatives. Furthermore, it calls on influencers to verify whether the firms and platforms they mention are properly authorized to offer investment services, in order to avoid unintentionally facilitating crypto scams and unlawful promotions.

According to the Italian regulator, this heightened scrutiny is intended to protect retail investors who increasingly rely on social media for investment ideas. That said, the notice makes clear that responsibility sits not only with platforms and issuers but also with individual creators who profit from paid promotions or referral schemes.

The new focus on online promotions means that financial influencer liability is no longer a theoretical risk for creators operating across the European Union. As ESMA explains, national regulators can assess whether content amounts to an investment recommendation, an advertisement or potential market abuse, depending on how it is framed and disclosed.

ESMA and EU regulators tighten oversight of social media investment content

CONSOB’s intervention forms part of a broader European clampdown on influencers shaping investment decisions through videos, posts and livestreams. ESMA first addressed investment recommendations on social media in an October 2021 public statement under the Market Abuse Regulation, highlighting that misleading posts and undisclosed conflicts of interest could qualify as market abuse or non‑compliant investment recommendations.

The authority notes that breaches can carry administrative fines of up to 5 million euros, or around $5.8 million, for individuals, with even higher ceilings for firms. In addition, in some European Union member states, certain market abuse offences can be prosecuted as criminal cases, exposing influencers and companies to potential criminal sanctions.

Other national authorities have already tested dedicated tools for managing social media financial promotions. In 2023, France’s Autorite des marches financiers and the advertising regulator Autorite de Regulation Professionnelle de la Publicite (ARPP) launched a Responsible Influence Certificate. This training and testing scheme is required for influencers who want to collaborate with ARPP member brands on financial promotions, including those involving crypto assets.

In the United Kingdom, the Financial Conduct Authority finalized its guidance on social media financial promotions in 2024. Later that year, it fronted a public campaign with “Love Island” personality Sharon Gaffka to warn that unauthorized, misleading or non‑compliant investment and crypto promotions could amount to illegal financial promotions under UK law.

Celebrity and creator crackdowns highlight global trend

This regulatory tightening in Europe mirrors a wider backlash against celebrity‑driven hype around risky financial products internationally. Regulators have increasingly taken aim at high‑profile endorsements that fail to meet disclosure and suitability standards, particularly where volatile crypto tokens or speculative schemes are involved.

In 2022, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission fined Kim Kardashian $1.26 million for unlawfully touting EthereumMax (EMAX) tokens on Instagram without properly disclosing a $250,000 payment for the promotion. However, the settlement also underlined that even one‑off posts by celebrities can trigger securities law obligations.

A separate class action filed in 2023 targeted a group of so‑called “FTX influencers”, seeking $1 billion in compensation. The plaintiffs alleged that a number of prominent YouTubers and other online personalities misled followers by promoting products linked to the collapsed FTX exchange, reinforcing concerns about unauthorized investment promotions across digital platforms.

Within the European Union, the expanding body of ESMA finfluencer guidance and national initiatives signals that the era of lightly regulated creator marketing for complex investments is ending. The combination of administrative fines, potential criminal liability and reputational damage is meant to push influencers and brands toward stricter compliance.

What finfluencers and investors should expect next

For creators, the latest CONSOB communication effectively confirms that finfluencer regulation will be enforced alongside traditional market rules, even when content appears informal or entertainment‑driven. Moreover, they must clearly flag advertising, avoid misleading performance claims, and refrain from giving individualized investment advice without proper authorization.

For retail users, regulators recommend greater skepticism toward sensational claims about guaranteed returns, leverage or exclusive trading strategies circulated on major platforms. That said, the strengthened enforcement approach does not ban financial content outright; instead, it aims to ensure that crypto and other high‑risk products are promoted within the same legal framework that applies to more traditional investments.

Overall, CONSOB, ESMA and other national regulators are moving to align the fast‑moving world of online finance content with long‑standing investor protection standards. As enforcement actions and high‑profile cases accumulate, both influencers and their audiences are likely to face a more transparent but tightly monitored digital investment landscape.

In a fresh sign of rotation, Cathie Wood repositioned ARK Invest this week as ark invest trades shifted from mature tech leaders toward high-beta genomics and emerging innovation names.

Major GeneDx buy anchors January 12 moves

On January 12, regulatory filings showed Wood executing several significant portfolio shifts across multiple ARK exchange-traded funds. The firm moved capital away from established tech stocks and deeper into earlier-stage biotech companies.

The largest single transaction was a purchase of 133,191 shares of GeneDx Holdings, totaling $15.88 million, through the ARK Innovation ETF and the ARK Genomic Revolution ETF. GeneDx is described as a global leader in rare disease diagnosis and holds the largest genomic dataset in that niche.

Importantly, the buy came immediately after GeneDx shares fell 11.9% on January 12. The drop followed company guidance that disappointed investors, even though preliminary fiscal year 2025 results were considered strong. However, ARK used the weakness to scale into the position.

Biotech additions highlight risk-on stance

Alongside GeneDx, ARK increased exposure to several other high-growth biotech names. Wood bought 99,292 shares of Intellia Therapeutics for about $1.13 million. That purchase followed a 10.2% surge in Intellia’s stock price on the same day, underscoring ARK’s conviction despite near-term volatility.

Moreover, the firm added 49,963 shares of 10X Genomics after that stock declined 3.2%. Wood also purchased 17,748 shares of Personalis, extending a recent pattern of incremental buying in the company. These moves collectively reinforce ARK’s preference for earlier-stage genomics and gene therapy platforms.

That said, the shift was not limited to small-cap biotech. The pattern across the day suggests a broader tilting of risk exposure within the portfolio, away from long-established players and toward platforms that ARK believes could benefit from multi-year innovation cycles.

Illumina sale marks rotation from established genomics

On the selling side, Wood exited a substantial slice of Illumina. ARK offloaded 91,312 shares for proceeds of about $13.29 million. The sale implies a rotation away from established genomics leaders and into earlier-stage companies in the same ecosystem.

Illumina has rallied nearly 48% over the past six months, giving ARK an opportunity to lock in gains. However, the timing also aligns with Wood’s ongoing strategy of reallocating capital from mature winners into businesses she sees as earlier in their growth curves.

This move, combined with the GeneDx and Intellia purchases, underscores how ark invest trades are increasingly focused on perceived upside from disruptive platforms rather than incumbents with more predictable growth trajectories.

Meta and large-cap tech trims

Beyond genomics, ARK executed notable sales in big-cap technology. Last week, the firm sold roughly $12.7 million in Meta Platforms shares across the ARK Innovation ETF, ARKW, and ARKF funds. The reduction reflects a broader pivot away from large-cap social media and more mature tech franchises.

On January 12, ARK also trimmed several other positions. The firm sold about $2.61 million in Natera shares and $5.15 million in Teradyne stock. Wood further reduced exposure to Beam Therapeutics by approximately $1.11 million, while also executing a smaller sale in Ionis Pharmaceuticals.

Collectively, these cuts indicate that ARK is selectively harvesting gains and reducing risk in companies that have already benefited from the current market cycle. However, the freed-up capital is not remaining in cash; instead, it is being redirected to earlier-stage innovation themes.

Exposure grows in advanced air mobility

While trimming mature tech and some established biotech names, ARK added to advanced air mobility holdings. The ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF increased positions in Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, both developers of electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOL, aircraft.

These companies are still in pre-commercial phases, but they sit at the intersection of aerospace, electrification, and automation. Moreover, Wood has repeatedly highlighted air mobility as a long-term disruptive theme, and the latest buys further align ARK’s portfolio with that thesis.

Other innovation-linked moves included a fresh purchase of Deere & Company stock. ARK’s interest there centers on automation and precision technologies in construction and agriculture, sectors that could see productivity gains from robotics and data-driven machinery.

Portfolio reshaping across multiple ETFs

Additional selling activity last week extended beyond Illumina and Meta. ARK trimmed holdings in Roku and Palantir Technologies, both of which have already experienced strong rallies in the recent period. That said, ARK did not fully exit these names, instead opting for measured reductions.

The cumulative trading pattern shows Wood channeling capital away from companies considered more mature in the current market cycle and toward emerging innovation sectors. These include cutting-edge biotech, autonomous and electric transport, and advanced manufacturing platforms tied to automation.

Moreover, the breadth of activity across the ARK Innovation ETF, ARK Genomic Revolution ETF, ARKW, ARKF, and the ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF highlights an integrated, cross-fund rebalancing rather than isolated stock-specific decisions.

Strategic emphasis on early-stage genomics and innovation

Wood’s latest biotech purchases reveal a clear tilt toward genomics and gene therapy companies that remain at earlier development stages. Names like GeneDx Holdings, Intellia Therapeutics, and Personalis exemplify her willingness to accept volatility in exchange for potential asymmetric upside.

By contrast, the sales of Illumina and Meta Platforms represent partial exits from more established market leaders with large existing footprints. However, rather than signaling a retreat from innovation, the changes show ARK concentrating capital in segments it views as underpriced relative to their long-term disruption potential.

In total, ARK’s recent trades span more than $50 million in combined buy and sell transactions across multiple sectors and ETFs. The activity illustrates a dynamic approach to portfolio management as Wood leans into early-stage biotech, advanced air mobility, and automation-driven manufacturing while paring back exposure to some of the market’s best-known growth names.

Overall, ARK’s January moves underline an aggressive rotation from mature tech and incumbent genomics toward higher-risk, higher-reward innovators, positioning the firm’s funds to capture potential upside from the next wave of disruptive technologies.

In today’s session, the Bitcoin price remains above $92,000, with a daily structure still neutral but intraday decidedly more constructive on the bullish side.

BTC/USDT — daily chart with candles, EMA20/EMA50, and volumes.

Market Context: Bitcoin Price, Dominance, and Sentiment

The Bitcoin price is moving in a macro crypto context of about $3.23 trillion in total market cap, with daily growth around 1.5% and volumes increasing by about 21%. The BTC dominance at 57.1% confirms that, at this stage, the market is favoring Bitcoin over altcoins.

Operational Reading: when the Bitcoin value rises with high dominance and sentiment in fear, we are often in a phase where money seeks refuge in BTC but does not yet have the courage to push the entire sector. This tends to favor directional movements on BTC, but with strong sensitivity to news and macro flow.

Daily Framework (D1): Main Scenario on BTC Price

On the daily timeframe, the BTC price closes at $92,414.91, with a neutral regime. We are therefore neither in a clear bullish trend nor in a true structural bearish trend: the market is working an equilibrium zone after the previous correction.

Moving Averages (EMA20, EMA50, EMA200) on D1

20-day EMA: $90,563.38

50-day EMA: $91,610.25

200-day EMA: $99,530.49

What They Tell Us: the Bitcoin price today is slightly above EMA20 and EMA50, but still well below EMA200. This suggests a short/medium-term recovery structure within a long-term context still weighed down by the 200-day average. In other words: the rebound is there, but the long-term trend has not yet been regained.

Daily RSI

RSI 14D: 58.68.

Reading: the RSI is in a neutral-bullish area, above 50 but far from overbought. This indicates a healthy but not euphoric momentum: there is demand, but we are not in a blind rush phase. Often these readings are compatible with further extensions of the movement, but still leave room for technical pullbacks.

Daily MACD

MACD Line: 601.58

Signal: 376.47

Histogram: +225.11

What It Implies: the MACD line is above the signal, with a positive and widening histogram. This confirms that the recovery of the Bitcoin price is not just a random bounce but is taking on characteristics of a short-term structured rise. As long as the histogram remains positive, the bullish pressure maintains control of the pace.

Daily Bollinger Bands

Mid Band: $90,036.49

Upper Band: $94,136.53

Lower Band: $85,936.46

The BTC price today is at $92,414.91, thus between the mid and upper band, but without yet a full test of the upper part.

Reading: Bitcoin is working the bullish side of the volatility range, but is not yet in an explosive breakout phase. This usually indicates a trend in construction. If the price starts moving along the upper band, we would have a more aggressive strength signal; conversely, returns towards the mid band would signal a phase of consolidation or profit-taking.

Daily ATR (Volatility)

ATR 14D: $2,004.14.

Implications: a daily average volatility around $2,000 means that the chart of the main asset can easily oscillate by 2–3% in a single session without this really changing the technical structure. For risk management, stops that are too tight risk being hit by simple market noise.

Daily Pivot Point

Pivot Point (PP): $91,962.52

Resistance R1: $92,882.39

Support S1: $91,495.05

With the real-time reference area at $92,400, BTC is trading slightly above the pivot and very close to the R1 area.

Reading: the market is respecting the 91,900–92,000$ area as a daily equilibrium level. Above the pivot, control passes to buyers; a stable return below S1 would again question the strength of the movement.

1-Hour Timeframe: Confirmation of Bitcoin Price Recovery

On the 1H, the BTC price today is at $92,429.99, with a bullish regime. Here the structure is clearer compared to the daily: we have a short-term ascending trend.

Hourly Moving Averages

EMA 20H: $91,645.94

EMA 50H: $91,349.42

EMA 200H: $91,021.72

The Bitcoin price in real-time is well above all hourly EMAs, with the averages aligned in bullish order (20 > 50 > 200).

Reading: in the short term, buyers have control. Moreover, any retracement towards the 91,600–91,000$ area can become a dynamic support test rather than the start of a reversal, as long as this structure of averages remains intact.

RSI 1H

RSI 14H: 63.15.

Implications: RSI above 60 indicates a good intraday strength, but not yet excess. The market is buying pullbacks with conviction. As long as RSI remains steadily above 50–55, the short-term trend maintains a credible bullish direction.

MACD 1H

MACD Line: 248.75

Signal: 153.44

Histogram: +95.31

Reading: the hourly MACD is aligned with the daily: active bullish momentum, although the histogram begins to signal a phase of slight slowdown in pace compared to previous spikes. Typical of a trend that might enter a lateral consolidation phase before a new impulse.

Bollinger Bands 1H

Mid: $91,610.41

Upper: $92,434.65

Lower: $90,786.18

With the BTC price today at $92,429.99, we are practically in contact with the upper hourly band.

Implications: the ongoing movement is stretched in the very short term. This can still extend in case of strong demand. However, usually when the price sticks to the high band on 1H, the probability of small pullbacks or lateral phases increases to relieve intraday excesses.

ATR 1H and Intraday Pivot

ATR 14H: $407.48.

Movements of $300–400 in a few hours fall within the normal range of the current context. This makes it risky to seek perfect tick entries: the intraday oscillation margin is significant.

Pivot Point H1: $92,341.89

R1 H1: $92,518.10

S1 H1: $92,253.79

The Bitcoin price in real-time is just above the hourly pivot and near the R1 resistance.

Reading: the market is working the upper part of the intraday range. Above R1, room for quick extensions; below the pivot, first signs of buyer fatigue in the very short term.

15-Minute Timeframe: Short-Term Operations

On 15m, BTC is quoted at $92,430 with a declared bullish regime. Here we see the most aggressive push, but also the first signs of possible excess.

15m Moving Averages

EMA 20 (15m): $91,934.40

EMA 50 (15m): $91,690.39

EMA 200 (15m): $91,297.86

Price well above all EMAs and averages well ordered to the upside.

Reading: the very short-term trend is strong, but the further the price moves away from the averages, the greater the risk of a technical pullback. Late entrants are exposed to returns towards at least the EMA20 as a normal market breath.

RSI 15m

RSI 14 (15m): 71.38.

Implications: we are in intraday overbought zone. This does not necessarily mean an imminent collapse, but it usually indicates that the bulk of the immediate movement has already been made. From here, it is more likely to see congestion phases, small retracements, or volatile spikes rather than a linear rise.

MACD 15m

MACD Line: 188.36

Signal: 164.53

Histogram: +23.83

Reading: the MACD is still positive but the histogram is flattening. Typical signal of a trend starting to lose acceleration. Often, after these phases, either it enters sideways, or a pullback towards the short averages is seen.

Bollinger Bands 15m and Pivot

Mid: $91,931.05

Upper: $92,421.48

Lower: $91,440.62

The BTC price today on 15m is practically glued to the upper band, at $92,430.

Implications: we are at a short-term extreme. It is the classic zone where those already in, rather than opening new positions, start thinking about profit management and protection. For new entries, it often makes more sense to wait for a return towards the mid band or a tight consolidation below the highs.

Pivot Point 15m: $92,341.90

R1: $92,518.10

S1: $92,253.79

The BTC price is working just above the 15m pivot.

Reading: the micro-range 92,250–92,520$ is the hot zone in the very short term. A clean break above R1 with volumes and solid candle closures can push another leg; losing 92,250$ would open space for a return towards 91,900–91,700$.

Bullish Scenario on Bitcoin Price

The bullish scenario starts from a base: daily neutral but improving and intraday clearly positive. For those looking at the BTC price today with a bullish bias, the key points are:

Defense above the daily pivot at $91,962. As long as hourly and daily closures remain above this area, buyers maintain control of the framework.

Consolidation above 92,000–92,200$: a tight lateral phase here, with RSI unloading without breaking supports, would be constructive for a new impulse.

Break and confirmation above the daily upper band at 94,100–94,200$: this would be the signal that the main asset is really exiting the current range and aims to reattach first the 96,000–98,000$ area, then the psychological zone 100,000$, where the EMA200 also transits.

Operational Bullish Trigger: those working on the short term might look at 1H closures above 92,520$ (intraday R1) accompanied by an RSI holding above 55–60 after a small pullback. This would configure a new intraday impulse consistent with the improving daily framework.

Level of Invalidation of the Bullish Scenario: a daily closure below 90,500–90,000$ (area between EMA20 and mid Bollinger band) would significantly weaken the recovery narrative, transforming the current movement into a simple corrective bounce.

Bearish Scenario on BTC Price

The bearish scenario leverages the idea that the Bitcoin price is simply staging a technical rebound within a still fragile long-term context (daily EMA200 above the price and sentiment in fear).

For a short reading, the sensitive points are:

Loss of the daily pivot at $91,962 with 4H/1D closures below this area. This would signal a return of control to sellers.

Decisive break of daily S1 at $91,495, opening space towards the mid Bollinger band ($90,000) and, in extension, towards the lower band in the $86,000 area.

Reversal of intraday indicators: RSI 1H steadily falling below 45–40 and MACD 1H turning negative, while the price re-enters below the hourly EMA50 (area $91,300). This would paint a picture of rebound exhaustion.

Possible Bearish Targets, in case of a negative scenario gaining strength:

First step: 90,000–89,500$, psychological zone and central area of the volatility range.

Second step: 86,000–85,500$, near the daily lower band.

Level of Invalidation of the Bearish Scenario: a daily closure above 94,000–94,500$, with the price starting to work steadily above the daily upper band, would significantly weaken the simple rebound hypothesis, shifting the reading towards a new more structured bullish swing.

What This Context Means for Those Looking at Bitcoin Price

The overall picture is that of a market in recovery phase, but not yet locked in an uptrend. Daily neutral improving, intraday bullish, sentiment in fear, and volatility under control: a combination that can be interesting for those seeking gradual entries, but that does not forgive those entering leveraged on intraday highs without a plan.

Two key points:

The Bitcoin price in euros or dollars can still see sharp movements within a relatively clear range (about 90,000–94,000$). Those operating in the short term must accept the idea that false breakouts and quick returns will be the norm.

As long as the daily EMA200 remains above the price, the market has not yet declared a fully bullish long-term trend. For now, work is being done on swings and medium structures, not on a bull market without questions.

In this type of context, those trading the BTC price today should focus more on the quality of levels (pivot, bands, key EMAs) and the consistency between timeframes than on seeking maximum potential profit. The main risk is not missing the movement, but getting stuck on one side of the market while BTC is still painstakingly building the next direction.

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Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, a solicitation for public savings, or an investment recommendation. Cryptocurrency trading is highly risky and can result in the total loss of invested capital. Always conduct your research and carefully assess your risk tolerance before making any operational decisions.

The year 2025 marked a turning point for Binance and the entire crypto sector, amidst user growth, advanced regulation, and the tangible integration of Web3 into centralized markets.

In summary

Binance surpasses 300 million registered users globally

Obtained the first full ADGM authorization for a global exchange

34 trillion dollars in trading volume by 2025

Binance Alpha 2.0 brings Web3 into the CEX experience

Strong acceleration of institutional adoption and tokenization

Where Crypto Liquidity Thrives: Binance as a Global Hub

In 2025, Binance solidified its role as the main liquidity hub of the global crypto market. Among 32 exchanges analyzed by independent researchers, the platform handled between one-third and nearly half of the total volume of BTC and ETH, with even higher shares during periods of high volatility.

The most significant figure is not just the volume, amounting to 34 trillion dollars in 2025, but the liquidity structure. Binance processes almost ten times more trades compared to the second centralized exchange, with a volume that is “only” five times higher. This indicates a deeply distributed liquidity, composed of millions of individual orders.

This model generates a virtuous cycle: more users bring more orders, orders make the order books deeper, spreads tighten, and costs decrease, attracting new participants. It is a mechanism that has been strengthened over eight years of continuous activity.

Spot, Futures, and Automation: An Ecosystem of Advanced Tools

Spot trading remains the foundation of the system. In 2025, Binance Spot surpassed 7.1 trillion dollars in volume, increasing its market share despite the sector’s maturation. The listed assets rose to 490, with 1,889 trading pairs, thanks to a strategy that prioritizes quality and sustainable liquidity.

A key element is the introduction of AI reports on tokens, which summarize fundamentals, risks, trends, and sentiment. This reduces informational asymmetry for retail users.

On the derivatives front, Binance Futures evolves into a true advanced informational platform. Tools like Smart Money & Smart Signal allow real-time observation of the most profitable traders’ moves. Over 1.2 million users adopted these tools in 2025.

Automation becomes central. The new Futures DCA Bot and the integration between Recurring Buy and Binance Earn transform trading into a continuous, disciplined strategy that is less dependent on market timing.

Binance Alpha 2.0: Web3 Discovery Enters the CEX

The most disruptive innovation of 2025 is Binance Alpha 2.0, a Web3 discovery layer integrated directly into the centralized exchange. Alpha allows users to participate in airdrops, on-chain launches, and points programs while maintaining the experience, security, and speed of a CEX platform.

The numbers are significant:

1 trillion dollars in processed volume

17 million users onboarded

$782 million distributed through 254 airdrops

At various times throughout the year, Alpha’s activity has matched or exceeded the daily volume of major centralized exchanges outside of Binance.

This scale required advanced checks. The Risk team blocked 270,000 fraudulent participants, preserving the fairness of the programs. Alpha redefines the concept of trading: no longer just orders on a book, but early access to Web3 ecosystems, connected to regulated liquidity.

Institutional Adoption Moves from Experimentation to Production

The year 2025 marks the transition of institutions from the pilot phase to daily operations. Institutional volume on Binance grows by 21% year-on-year, while OTC fiat sees an increase of 210%.

The key change is tokenization as operational collateral. Binance integrates tools such as BlackRock’s BUIDL, USYC, and cUSDO as off-exchange collateral. The assets remain productive without sacrificing margin and risk requirements.

Simultaneously, Binance evolves from an exchange to an infrastructure provider. With the Crypto-as-a-Service (CaaS) model, banks and brokers can offer crypto to their clients using Binance’s matching engine, liquidity, and wallet, while maintaining regulatory control and proprietary front-end.

Regulation and Security: Trust as Infrastructure

Obtaining the ADGM license represents a turning point. It is one of the most stringent regimes in the world and covers governance, custody, clearing, and consumer protection.

The results are measurable:

-96% direct exposure to illicit funds compared to 2023

$6.69 billion in potential losses avoided

71,000 requests from law enforcement handled

Binance obtains 29 international certifications, including ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 22301, and ISO 42001 for AI management. This positions the platform at the same level, if not beyond, that of major traditional financial institutions.

The year 2025 demonstrates that crypto is entering a new phase. Binance establishes itself as a regulated, modular, and global infrastructure, capable of uniting centralized liquidity and Web3 discovery. The real change is not technological, but structural: digital finance finally becomes operational, integrated, and accessible on a global scale.

Lawmakers in Washington accelerated work this week on a landmark crypto bill that could reshape US digital asset markets and redefine regulatory oversight.

SEC Chair signals Trump will sign comprehensive legislation in 2025

Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins said Monday he is confident President Donald Trump will sign comprehensive crypto legislation in 2025, framing the effort as a pivotal step for US financial leadership. Speaking on Fox Business, he praised what he called a rare bipartisan push to build clear rules for digital assets.

“This is a big week for crypto – Congress is on the cusp of upgrading our financial markets for the 21st century,” Atkins said in a social media post, adding that he is “wholly supportive” of Congress clarifying the jurisdictional split between the SEC and the CFTC. That jurisdictional line has long been at the center of crypto policy fights.

The political timing is tight. However, Atkins argued that aligning regulators and Congress around a durable framework now could help the United States compete with Europe and Asia on digital asset innovation.

Senate Banking Committee drops 278-page market structure draft

Late Monday night, the Senate Banking Committee released a 278-page draft crypto market structure proposal. The legislation seeks to define how federal agencies including the SEC and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission will oversee trading platforms, issuers, and intermediaries across the sector.

“This fits in with the president’s focus on making America the crypto capital of the world,” Atkins said, arguing that predictable rules will give both issuers and investors greater confidence. Moreover, he stressed that codifying responsibilities for each regulator should reduce enforcement-by-press-release and headline-driven uncertainty.

The draft tackles several sensitive topics that have blocked digital asset legislation for years. However, it attempts to split the difference between banking industry concerns, investor protection priorities, and the crypto lobby’s demand for legal clarity.

Stablecoin yield limits and activity-based rewards

One central feature of the bill would bar digital asset service providers from paying interest or yield solely for holding payment stablecoins. That said, the text explicitly permits activity-based rewards tied to actual use, such as transaction incentives and similar programs.

This stablecoin compromise comes after weeks of negotiations between crypto industry groups and the banking lobby. Democratic Senator Angela Alsobrooks advanced the framework to shield community banks’ traditional deposit-taking model from direct competition with token issuers.

Representatives from Coinbase have described the arrangement as a constructive step that could unlock stalled talks. Moreover, industry advocates say codified stablecoin yield rules would finally give issuers and payment firms a reliable compliance roadmap.

Ancillary assets, ETFs and DeFi oversight

The Senate draft also revives the “ancillary asset” category previously featured in Banking Committee versions. This classification, absent from the House legislation, would require the two chambers to reconcile how they treat certain tokens that function differently from traditional securities.

Under the bill, network tokens currently held in exchange-traded funds would not be treated as securities. In practical terms, that carve-out would classify cryptocurrencies such as XRP, Solana, and Chainlink as non-securities by default when included in ETFs.

New language addresses decentralized finance oversight for the first time in this legislative effort. The draft incorporates the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act from Senators Cynthia Lummis and Ron Wyden, which aims to provide tailored protections for certain DeFi participants.

DeFi developers reviewing the text say the protections appear weaker than versions circulated earlier this year. However, they note that the guardrails were not removed entirely, despite pressure from traditional finance lobbyists who had pushed for tougher treatment of open-source developers.

Definition of digital asset service providers

The legislation relies on the GENIUS Act definition of “digital asset service provider” to delineate who falls under the new regime. That definition captures exchanges, custodians, brokers, and certain issuers that offer trading, custody, or issuance services to the public.

Supporters argue that harmonizing the GENIUS Act definition with the new market structure rules will reduce overlap and confusion for firms that currently navigate a patchwork of state and federal guidance. Moreover, it could simplify compliance programs for both centralized exchanges and institutional custodians.

Critics, however, warn that the definitions may still leave gaps for emerging business models, including some DeFi front-ends and protocol governance structures that do not fit neatly into traditional categories.

Committee calendars and amendment battles

The Senate Banking Committee is scheduled to debate and vote on the market structure bill on Thursday. Senators have until Tuesday evening to file amendments, setting up an intense, compressed negotiating period on everything from consumer safeguards to tax language.

The Senate Agriculture Committee, which shares jurisdiction over commodities markets, postponed its own markup to late January after initially targeting the same day as Banking. However, its version will be critical for determining the CFTC‘s precise role in supervising spot crypto trading.

Three Democratic senators sent a formal letter to Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott asking for more time to review the 278-page draft. Jack Reed, Tina Smith, and Chris Van Hollen argued that granting just 48 hours to examine the bill, and less than 24 hours to prepare amendments, was not sufficient for legislation of this scale.

Political risks and looming shutdown deadline

Both the Banking and Agriculture committees must advance their respective versions before the full Senate can take up the broader digital asset legislation. However, the calendar is constrained by fiscal deadlines in the House of Representatives.

Lawmakers face the risk of a federal government shutdown if the House fails to pass spending bills by January 30. That deadline threatens to derail floor time for crypto debates even if committees manage to approve their drafts this month.

The bill also sidesteps ethics questions raised by Democrats last fall about Trump family connections to several crypto businesses. Those concerns have not been resolved in the text, leaving opponents room to attack the measure on conflict-of-interest grounds if it reaches the Senate floor.

Addressing the regulatory gray zone

Atkins said Monday that pulling crypto markets out of the current regulatory gray zone remains the government’s most important task for investors. The proposed crypto bill is designed to give market participants a clearer sense of which activities fall under securities law and which are treated as commodities or payments services.

The Senate Agriculture Committee has said it needs additional time to refine key provisions and rally support before moving ahead with its markup. Moreover, negotiators from both parties acknowledge that reconciling the House and Senate approaches to stablecoins, DeFi, and market structure will likely stretch well into 2025.

For now, Atkins and committee leaders are framing this week’s hearings and draft releases as a turning point. If the process holds, they argue, the United States could finally move from ad hoc enforcement fights to a durable statutory framework for digital assets.

Standard Chartered has updated its long-term crypto projections, and its revised ethereum price forecast now stretches out to 2030 with a far higher peak.

Standard Chartered reshapes long-term Ethereum targets

In a new research note, Standard Chartered set a fresh end-2030 target of $40,000 for Ethereum (ETH), even as it sharply lowered its end-2026 goal. However, the bank stressed that Ethereum’s relative position in the digital asset market is improving, despite Bitcoin-led weakness dragging down absolute levels for dollar-denominated crypto.

The note, authored by the bank’s digital assets analyst Geoff Kendrick, frames 2026 as a possible turning point in the ETH versus Bitcoin relationship. Kendrick revised down the bank’s medium-term ETH-USD path, but argued that Ethereum’s competitive setup looks stronger against BTC. Moreover, he expects the ETH/BTC cross to gradually climb back toward its 2021 highs.

According to Kendrick, the core expression of this thesis is a rebound in the ETH/BTC pair rather than a straight-line surge in the spot ETH price. That said, he maintains that improving fundamentals and network usage trends should ultimately support higher valuations into the next cycle.

Detailed ethereum price target outlook through 2030

The bank now projects that ether will end 2026 at $7,500, down from a previous forecast of $12,000. For 2027, the target has been cut to $15,000 from $18,000, while the 2028 goal has been lowered to $22,000 from $25,000. However, the trajectory steepens again thereafter.

Standard Chartered now pencils in $30,000 for 2029, raised from its earlier $25,000 view, and $40,000 by end-2030. In Kendrick’s words, “I think 2026 will be the year of Ethereum, much like 2021 was.” The bank thus sees a delayed but powerful upside phase once the current consolidation resolves.

The analyst attributes the near-term markdown primarily to Bitcoin’s drag on the broader crypto complex. Weaker BTC action, he wrote, has “weighed on the outlook for digital assets priced in dollars,” forcing lower absolute targets through 2028. Nevertheless, the bank believes Ethereum’s relative fundamentals versus Bitcoin are strengthening heading into the next cycle.

Corporate Ethereum positioning and network fundamentals

Kendrick highlighted a cluster of Ethereum-specific supports that he expects to show up more clearly in relative performance metrics than in immediate spot-price gains. In particular, he cited continued accumulation by Bitmine Immersion Technologies, described in the note as the largest Ethereum-focused digital asset treasury company.

This corporate Ethereum treasury accumulation is occurring at a time when ETF inflows have “temporarily stalled” and broader corporate crypto treasury buying has cooled. However, Kendrick argues that such focused accumulation strengthens the investment case for Ethereum over the medium term, especially if exchange-traded flows reaccelerate later.

He also underscored Ethereum’s role as core infrastructure for stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets, and DeFi. These segments remain key structural demand drivers. Moreover, he emphasized ongoing execution on Ethereum throughput improvement plans at the layer-1 level, with aims to increase base-chain capacity by roughly 10x over the next two to three years.

“Analysis shows that higher throughput translates into higher market cap,” Kendrick wrote, linking scaling progress directly to valuation. That said, he cautioned that these improvements may first manifest in stronger relative returns versus Bitcoin rather than in an immediate repricing of ETH in dollar terms.

Regulatory landscape and policy catalysts

Regulation was flagged as another potential tailwind for Ethereum and the broader digital asset sector. Kendrick pointed to the US CLARITY Act as a development that could be particularly important if it unlocks a new phase of DeFi activity and gives investors clearer signals around ethereum regulation policy impact.

The US Senate is scheduled to review the bill on Jan. 15, with possible passage in Q1. Moreover, a favorable outcome could boost confidence in Ethereum’s role at the center of on-chain finance, especially for stablecoin issuance and tokenized assets. However, the note stresses that regulatory timing and final wording remain uncertain.

Ethereum vs Bitcoin dynamics for traders

For traders, Kendrick’s framework suggests that the cleanest expression of the bank’s thesis is not a short-term bet on a specific ETH-USD level. Instead, the focus is on whether Ethereum can regain lost ground versus Bitcoin as throughput, stablecoin-heavy activity and policy clarity accumulate into 2026 and beyond.

In other words, the primary call is on cross-asset performance rather than on a narrow twelve-month target. That said, the note implies that if the projected improvements materialize, the ethereum price path toward $40,000 by 2030 becomes more plausible, especially once Bitcoin’s current drag on the sector eases.

At press time, ETH traded at $3,126, far below Standard Chartered’s long-term projections but, in the bank’s view, supported by strengthening network fundamentals and an improving relative setup in the crypto market.

In summary, Standard Chartered has cut its medium-term ETH targets while lifting its end-2030 projection, arguing that Ethereum’s strengthening role in DeFi, stablecoins and tokenization, combined with scaling and potential regulatory catalysts, could set the stage for renewed outperformance versus Bitcoin from 2026 onward.

In the current crypto environment, the Shiba inu price sits in a quiet, neutral pocket while broader market conditions look conflicted and risk appetite remains fragile.

SHIB/USDT — daily chart with candlesticks, EMA20/EMA50 and volume.

Daily timeframe: neutral bias with a slight bullish tilt

Shiba Inu (SHIBUSDT) is sitting in an oddly quiet spot: the broader crypto market cap is grinding higher, Bitcoin dominance is elevated above 57%, but sentiment is stuck in Fear (26). That combination usually means capital crowds into majors while speculative names like SHIB are treated cautiously rather than aggressively sold or bought.

On the daily chart, the system flags a neutral regime for Shiba Inu. There is no confirmed trend in either direction, and the intraday picture (1H and 15m) mirrors the same neutral stance. In other words, this is not a trending environment for SHIB right now; it is a positioning phase where the next leg, up or down, will be driven more by shifts in risk appetite than by any current momentum.

The daily chart defines the main scenario, and here SHIB is neither clearly trending nor oversold. With a neutral regime, the market is in a range or transition, not a mature trend.

RSI (Daily)

RSI 14 (D1): 56.71
RSI is hovering just above the midline. That is modest positive momentum, but far from euphoric. It tells us buyers have an edge, yet the market is not stretched. In practice, that is the kind of RSI you see in an early or uncommitted up-leg, or in the upper half of a sideways range.

MACD (Daily)

MACD (D1): line, signal, and histogram all reported as flat (0)
With the automated feed showing MACD effectively flat, there is no meaningful trend signal here. When MACD offers no real separation between line and signal, it is usually because price has been chopping around a mean. That aligns with the neutral regime: no strong acceleration either way.

EMAs (Daily)

EMA 20 / 50 / 200 (D1): values not provided
We do not have usable EMA levels in the data, so we cannot talk about classic structures like price above the 200-day or 50-day. What matters conceptually, though, is that the system still categorizes the regime as neutral rather than bullish or bearish, which implies SHIB is not clearly trending above or below its key moving averages. Think of it as price gravitating around its medium-term mean, not breaking away from it.

Bollinger Bands (Daily)

Bollinger Bands (D1): mid, upper, lower bands not provided
We cannot reference exact band levels, but combined with a neutral regime and a mid-range RSI, Shiba Inu is likely not riding the upper band with aggression. If anything, this is the environment where bands are comparatively tighter and price oscillates around the middle area rather than hugging extremes. That typically means volatility is contained and breakouts need a catalyst.

ATR (Daily)

ATR 14 (D1): not provided
Even without a value, we can infer from the neutral regime and flat MACD that realized volatility is not at an extreme. SHIB is not in a blow-off phase; it is in a waiting room. That matters for traders: you will not get rewarded for chasing, but you might get rewarded for being patient around key levels once they are visible on your own charts.

Pivot levels (Daily)

Pivots (D1): PP, R1, S1 not provided
The system does not give concrete pivot numbers, so we cannot name intraday reference prices. However, in a neutral environment, pivots generally act more like mean-reversion magnets than breakout lines. Price tends to oscillate around the daily pivot rather than one-way trending from S1 to R1 or beyond.

Daily takeaway: The daily timeframe points to a neutral-to-slightly-bullish bias. Momentum is mildly positive (RSI), trend strength is absent (flat MACD, neutral regime), and volatility is likely contained. This is not an environment for heroic directional bets; it is an environment to prepare for the next expansion in volatility.

1-hour timeframe: intraday confirmation of neutrality

The 1H chart is usually where traders check whether intraday action reinforces or contradicts the daily bias. Here, it largely agrees with the daily structure.

RSI (1H)

RSI 14 (H1): 58.02
Intraday RSI is slightly stronger than on the daily, leaning into the upper half of the range but not extended. That is a small intraday bullish lean, as buyers are a bit more active on shorter timeframes, yet it is still far from a blowout move. For traders, that often translates to dips getting bought more than rips getting chased.

MACD (1H)

MACD (H1): reported as flat (0)
Again, there is no meaningful trend separation here. Intraday, this looks like a market that moves in waves but lacks sustained follow-through. Rallies risk stalling quickly unless broader market conditions improve or SHIB-specific news hits the tape.

EMAs, Bollinger Bands, ATR, Pivots (1H)

With specific levels missing, we focus on structure. A neutral intraday regime typically means price oscillates around short-term EMAs rather than using them as a clean trend ladder. Moreover, Bollinger Bands intraday are usually not flared open; ATR is middling. That creates a tactical landscape for short-term mean reversion trades rather than big trend following.

1H takeaway: The hourly chart mildly leans bullish via RSI but confirms the core message: Shiba Inu is in a balanced, range-like condition, not a runaway trend.

15-minute timeframe: execution context only

The 15m chart should not drive your bias; it is there to refine entries and exits.

RSI (15m)

RSI 14 (M15): 57.3
Short-term momentum is in the same ballpark as the 1H: slightly positive, not overheated. For scalpers, that often means respecting short dips as potential buy zones within the intraday range, while being cautious about chasing at local 15m highs.

MACD and structure (15m)

MACD (M15): reported flat
There is no real edge here. Microstructure is likely choppy around a short-term mean, and Bollinger behavior would probably reflect that, with frequent band tags and reversion rather than directional walks along the band.

15m takeaway: Very short-term flows are aligned with the bigger picture: a slight bullish lean in momentum, without structural confirmation of a bigger breakout yet.

Market backdrop: fear with rising total cap

The macro context is important for a meme asset like Shiba Inu in 2024:

Crypto total market cap: about $3.22T, up roughly 1.1% over 24h

BTC dominance: ≈57.1%

Fear & Greed Index: 26, firmly in Fear

So money is flowing into crypto overall, but it is concentrated in Bitcoin and other majors. Risk appetite is selective, not broad-based. For Shiba Inu, that usually means:

Upside is more dependent on rotation out of BTC into high-beta names.

Downside can open quickly if the broader market wobbles, because fearful sentiment leaves little buffer for speculative assets.

Bullish scenario for Shiba Inu price

Given the daily neutral regime but mild positive momentum, the main path to a bullish outcome is a transition from quiet range to an organized uptrend.

For a convincing bullish scenario, you would want to see, on your own charts:

Daily candles starting to close consistently above key short- and mid-term EMAs, with those EMAs beginning to slope upwards.

Daily RSI pushing and holding in the 60–70 zone rather than hovering around 55–58.

MACD on D1 turning clearly positive: line crossing above signal with a growing positive histogram, showing real follow-through rather than noise.

Bollinger Bands on D1 widening with price leaning into the upper band instead of oscillating around the middle.

On 1H, pullbacks into EMAs getting bought quickly, with RSI repeatedly bouncing from mid-levels rather than breaking below them.

In that environment, the playbook shifts from fading strength to buying dips in the direction of the trend. Volume and volatility would need to pick up, but under a still-fearful sentiment regime, that upside can be surprisingly sharp once rotation into meme and high-beta names begins.

What would invalidate the bullish scenario?
If daily RSI rolls back toward the low 40s or lower and MACD stays flat or turns lower without ever establishing a positive trend phase, the story changes. Price chopping below major moving averages with repeated failures to reclaim them would also kill the bullish thesis. In short, if attempts to trend higher keep slipping back into the range and buyers cannot hold new highs for more than a session or two, the bull case is not in control.

Bearish scenario for Shiba Inu price

The bearish roadmap starts from the same neutral base but assumes that the combination of fearful sentiment and high BTC dominance resolves against speculative assets.

A credible bearish scenario would look like:

Daily structure rolling over below the main EMAs, with those EMAs flattening and then tilting down.

Daily RSI sliding below 50 and failing to reclaim it on bounces, with repeated rejections from the 50–55 band.

MACD on D1 crossing negative and staying there, with a clear build-up of negative histogram bars.

Bollinger Bands starting to open to the downside, with price hugging or walking the lower band instead of snapping back.

On 1H and 15m, bounces into short-term resistance getting sold quickly, with RSI unable to break above mid-range on those intraday rallies.

Under that setup, SHIB would not necessarily collapse in a straight line, but rallies would be better treated as liquidity for exits rather than buy-the-dip opportunities. Meme names tend to underperform in this kind of backdrop, especially if BTC consolidates near highs and traders cling to perceived safety.

What would invalidate the bearish scenario?
If, instead of rolling over, SHIB starts to hold higher lows on the daily chart, RSI stabilizes above 55–60, and MACD cannot maintain a negative cross, the bear case loses credibility. A clear upturn in total market risk appetite, with falling BTC dominance while total cap grows, would also weaken the bearish tilt, as it usually coincides with capital rotating into names like SHIB.

Neutral / mean-reversion scenario (current base case)

Right now, given all timeframes are labeled neutral and RSI prints in the mid-to-high 50s across the board, the base case remains a neutral, mean-reverting environment.

In that scenario:

Shiba Inu’s price action is primarily range-bound, with both breakouts and breakdowns prone to failure.

RSI oscillates around 50–60 on D1, never really committing to overbought or oversold territory.

MACD remains indecisive, flipping small positive or negative without trend continuity.

Daily and intraday pivots behave like magnets, with price spending a lot of time near them instead of trending away.

For active traders, the edge is in buying weakness and selling strength inside the range, not in holding directional bets for weeks. For longer-term participants, this is a period to gradually build or trim positions based on personal conviction and risk limits, rather than reacting to every intraday move.

Positioning, risk, and uncertainty

Shiba Inu is currently in a holding pattern: neutral regime on all key timeframes, modest bullish lean in momentum, and a macro backdrop where total crypto is rising but sentiment remains fearful and BTC-dominated. That is not a clean trend-trading environment; it is a patience environment.

For anyone trading or allocating around Shiba inu price:

Be explicit about which scenario you think you are trading: bullish breakout, bearish breakdown, or neutral range. Your timeframe and risk size should match that choice.

Respect volatility: even when ATR is not extreme, meme assets can move abruptly on flows and headlines. Position sizes should assume larger-than-expected swings.

Stay flexible: the current data does not strongly favor bulls or bears. A shift in market structure, with a clear trend on D1 confirmed by 1H, will matter more than any single indicator reading today.

This is not a market phase where blindly chasing Shiba Inu makes sense. It is a phase where monitoring structure, waiting for volatility to expand, and having clear invalidation levels for your own setups will matter far more than guessing the next candle.

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Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational and educational purposes only and is not investment, financial, or trading advice. Markets are volatile and unpredictable; always perform your own research and consider your risk tolerance before making any trading or investment decisions.

In summary, Shiba Inu sits in a neutral, slightly bullish structure within a fearful but growing crypto market, and the next decisive move will likely follow a volatility expansion rather than current, indecisive signals.

As Congress and regulators clash over digital assets, a fresh ripple sec letter to Washington underscores how XRP classification could shape the next phase of US crypto oversight.

Ripple urges SEC to separate token status from securities offerings

In a new market-structure submission to the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, Ripple is pressing the agency to draw a clear legal line between a securities offering and the underlying token that later trades in secondary markets. The framing could prove pivotal for XRP and other cryptocurrencies as disclosure and jurisdiction debates intensify.

The letter, dated January 9, 2026 and made public after its filing, was signed by Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty, General Counsel Sameer Dhond, and Deputy General Counsel Deborah McCrimmon. Moreover, Ripple explicitly positions the document as input into ongoing Commission rulemaking or interpretive guidance, rather than a one-off advocacy piece.

Ripple connects its arguments to parallel legislative efforts on Capitol Hill, signaling that agency policy and statute are now on a collision course. The company cites earlier submissions from March 21, 2025 and May 27, 2025, and references the House’s CLARITY Act of 2025, as well as Senate discussion drafts, as evidence that classification decisions will cascade into “jurisdiction, disclosures, and secondary-market treatment.”

From decentralization to legal rights as the core test

Ripple’s central thesis is that regulators should stop relying on “decentralization” as a legal yardstick. The company calls decentralization “not a binary state” and argues that it creates “intolerable uncertainty,” yielding both “false negative” and “false positive” outcomes when agencies attempt to apply it in enforcement and rulemaking.

One of Ripple’s key worries is that a crypto asset could be trapped indefinitely within the securities regime simply because an issuer or affiliated entity still holds a significant inventory or continues contributing to ecosystem development. That concern has obvious parallels to Ripple’s own situation: the company still controls a large chunk of all XRP in escrow, while developer arm RippleX remains a central contributor to the evolution of the XRP Ledger.

Instead of decentralization metrics, Ripple urges the SEC to ground its jurisdiction in “legal rights and obligations,” with a focus on enforceable promises rather than market narratives about ongoing efforts. However, the company warns that regulatory theories anchored in the “efforts of others” risk collapsing the multi-factor securities law howey analysis into a single prong that sweeps too broadly across the digital-asset landscape.

Time-bounded jurisdiction and secondary-market implications

The most consequential portion of the submission is Ripple’s proposal that the SEC’s jurisdiction should be tethered to the “lifespan of the obligation,” rather than permanently attached to the asset itself. In other words, the Commission should regulate the promise, not the token, once any relevant obligations have ended or been fulfilled.

In a key passage directed at secondary markets, the company writes: “The Commission’s jurisdiction should track the lifespan of the obligation; regulating the ‘promise’ while it exists, but liberating the ‘asset’ once that promise is fulfilled or otherwise ends. The dispositive factor is the holder’s legal rights, not their economic hopes. Without that bright line, the definition of a security, and the SEC’s jurisdictional limits, become amorphous and unbounded.”

That framing goes to the heart of XRP‘s post-lawsuit posture and raises broader questions: can secondary-market trading of a token remain under securities-law oversight long after initial distributions, marketing campaigns, or development-era statements have faded? The ripple sec letter insists that active secondary trading should not become a stand-alone jurisdictional hook for the SEC.

Moreover, Ripple compares high-velocity crypto trading to spot commodities such as gold and silver, as well as secondary trading in consumer hardware. The analogy is intended to show that robust, liquid markets in an asset do not automatically transform that asset into a security needing perpetual Commission oversight.

Capital raising, privity, and issuer inventory risks

The company also devotes substantial attention to the boundary between true capital formation and routine trading activity. Ripple argues that capital raising privity should function as a bright line distinguishing primary distributions, where investors transact directly with an issuer, from exchange-based trading where counterparties are largely unknown and the issuer appears merely as another market actor.

In that context, the letter warns that treating every issuer-affiliated sale as a perpetual capital raise will create “perverse outcomes” across the industry. Ripple coins phrases such as “Zombie Promise” and “Operational Paralysis” to describe scenarios in which issuer-held token inventories become regulatory liabilities, with heavy compliance burdens attached to standard treasury management and token sales practices.

However, those arguments are not purely self-interested. By shining a spotlight on issuer token inventory and treasury operations, Ripple is aligning its concerns with those of other token projects that launched with large reserves or foundation-controlled supplies, many of which are now grappling with similar questions about how and when their sales cross into securities territory.

Targeted disclosures instead of full corporate registration

On the disclosure front, Ripple backs a “fit-for purpose” regime in situations where securities law genuinely applies. Rather than forcing issuers into “full corporate registration designed for traditional equity,” the company urges the SEC to calibrate information requirements to the specific promises made to purchasers and to any continuing forms of control or decision-making that affect token holders.

That said, the company is not arguing for a disclosure-free landscape. Ripple expressly supports fit for purpose disclosures where investors receive defined legal rights or where central actors continue to exercise meaningful control over protocol parameters or token supply. The crucial distinction, in its view, is that obligations should attach to the issuer’s commitments, not to the digital asset as an object that carries the label of security forever.

For XRP holders and market participants, these positions send a clear directional signal on xrp regulatory status. Ripple is advocating for a framework where obligations and reporting triggers are linked to specific undertakings or control structures, while day-to-day trading in the token would fall outside securities jurisdiction once those undertakings have ended.

Legislative timing and the broader crypto market structure fight

The timing of the filing underscores the high political stakes. Ripple dated the letter January 9, 2026, less than a week before a scheduled January 15 markup in the US Senate Banking Committee on comprehensive digital-asset market structure legislation. That session is expected to shape how classification language, jurisdictional boundaries, and disclosure concepts are hardened into statutory text.

In the background, multiple drafts of a crypto market structure bill 2025 and competing Senate crypto market structure bill proposals have put federal agencies on notice that Congress may soon redraw their authority. Ripple’s latest intervention attempts to influence where the lines fall between securities regulation, commodities oversight, and bespoke frameworks for payment and utility tokens.

Moreover, industry participants see the emerging crypto market structure legislation as a test of whether lawmakers can reconcile trading, custody, and disclosure obligations without stifling innovation. Ripple’s emphasis on time-bound jurisdiction and clear secondary-market rules aims to shape that legislative compromise, especially around the treatment of tokens that transition from initial funding instruments to widely held network assets.

Market reaction and outlook for XRP

While the letter itself is aimed at policymakers rather than traders, markets are already watching for clues about how US rules will evolve. At press time, XRP traded at $2.05, reflecting a market that is still pricing in both regulatory risk and the potential upside from clearer status in the United States and other major jurisdictions.

However, price action on technical charts suggests resistance remains strong. Analysts note that XRP was recently rejected at the 0.382 Fib level on the 1-week chart, according to XRPUSDT data on TradingView.com. That rejection may temper near-term bullish momentum even as legal and policy developments create a longer-term narrative around secondary market treatment.

In summary, Ripple’s January 2026 submission to the SEC attempts to redefine how obligations, not tokens, anchor securities jurisdiction. By stressing legal rights, time-limited oversight, and tailored disclosures, the company hopes to secure a durable framework for XRP and the broader crypto market as US lawmakers and regulators finalize their approach.

Questions over crypto governance and transparency are mounting after the sudden crash of nyc token following a high-profile Times Square launch.

Eric Adams backed launch and rapid market cap surge

Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams unveiled NYC Token on Monday at a Times Square press event, presenting it as a civic-minded crypto initiative. Within hours, the token briefly reached a market capitalization of $580 million, drawing intense interest from retail traders and onlookers across social platforms.

Social media posts quickly amplified the hype around the new coin. However, they also captured the first accusations of a possible scam. One viral post claimed that Adams had removed liquidity from his new memecoin $NYC just 30 minutes after launch, alleging that investors were being “scammed” for more than $2,536,301 following promotion on his personal channels.

On-chain data and liquidity controversy

The surge in attention prompted deeper scrutiny from blockchain analysts. Moreover, early on-chain data indicated troubling patterns in how liquidity was managed shortly after the Times Square launch. Soon after the token hit its market peak, analysts began flagging unusual movements tied to wallets associated with the project.

Blockchain tracking firm Bubblemaps identified a wallet linked to the token deployer that removed about $2.5 million in USDC liquidity near the price high. That timing triggered immediate concern among crypto traders, who are highly sensitive to abrupt token liquidity removal events in newly launched memecoins.

As the sell-off intensified, the token price fell by more than 60%. After this sharp decline, approximately $1.5 million in USDC was reportedly added back to the liquidity pool. However, analysts noted that roughly $900,000 in USDC remained unreturned, fueling fresh accusations that the nyc token rug pull scenario might be unfolding in real time.

Community reaction and rug pull accusations

Crypto commentators on X and other platforms quickly labeled the incident a potential rug pull. One widely shared post claimed that Adams had “rugged everyone,” asserting he walked away with more than $3 million in profit just eight hours after launch. The tone of these reactions reflected broader skepticism about politicians issuing personal coins.

A rug pull occurs when project insiders or developers drain liquidity from a token’s trading pools. This move leaves remaining holders unable to exit without absorbing heavy losses. Moreover, within the crypto community, rug pulls are considered a serious form of fraud, even when legal accountability can be difficult to establish.

Token structure, reserve model and nonprofit claims

The official NYC Token website states that the project has a fixed total supply of 1 billion coins. Of this amount, 70% is allocated to a so-called NYC Token Reserve, which is explicitly excluded from the circulating supply available for open-market trading. That reserve structure has drawn questions about control and transparency.

Adams said the token was designed to fund efforts against antisemitism and what he described as “anti-Americanism,” with proceeds earmarked for an unnamed nonprofit organization. However, he did not disclose the nonprofit’s identity, any governance framework, or independent oversight of token nonprofit proceeds during the launch.

At the press conference and in subsequent media appearances, Adams also declined to reveal the identities of any co-founders or team members involved in the project. That said, the lack of a visible core team and clear fund management plan has heightened investor concerns about accountability and long-term execution.

Unclear use case and media explanations

During an interview with Fox host Maria Bartiromo, Adams offered only vague explanations of the token’s practical use. He compared the project to Walmart adopting blockchain technology for supply chain tracking, but did not provide concrete mechanisms linking the coin to measurable outcomes or verifiable charitable distributions.

Moreover, he gave no detailed roadmap for how the reserve structure would operate, how funds would be unlocked, or how the unnamed nonprofit would report on the use of capital. These gaps in documentation and public communication have reinforced the perception of high risk around the asset.

Adams crypto history and ties to earlier city-focused tokens

Adams is no stranger to digital assets. During his term as mayor, he cultivated the image of a “Bitcoin mayor” and repeatedly pledged to make New York City the global crypto capital. He famously took his first three mayoral paychecks in Bitcoin via Coinbase, underscoring his public commitment to the sector.

He also previously endorsed other city-branded blockchain projects, including the original NYC Coin launched by CityCoins. However, that token struggled with low trading volume and was eventually delisted from major exchanges in 2023 due to liquidity issues, highlighting the challenges of sustaining municipal-themed crypto assets.

Adams further supported a concept called BitBond, a proposed product that would have allowed investors to earn returns tied to Bitcoin price appreciation. While the idea drew attention, it did not achieve broad implementation during his tenure. These prior efforts form the backdrop for current questions surrounding his latest token initiative.

Political timing and ongoing on-chain scrutiny

Adams left office on January 1, 2026, when Zohran Mamdani succeeded him as New York City mayor. Notably, the NYC Token launch occurred less than two weeks after he stepped down, a timing detail that some observers argue raises additional ethical and political questions.

Moreover, analysts continue to track the token’s on-chain flows and trading patterns for further signs of manipulation, wash trading, or insider selling. They are closely examining wallet clustering, liquidity movements, and the relationship between the deployer wallet and other large holders.

That said, formal investigations or regulatory actions have not yet been publicly announced. Until more information emerges about the project’s governance, reserve management, and ultimate disposition of funds, market participants are likely to treat the token as a high-risk speculative asset.

In summary, the NYC Token launch has shifted from headline-grabbing promotion to a test case for how the crypto market and regulators respond when high-profile political figures face detailed on-chain allegations of misconduct.

Amid a recovery in decentralized finance, World Liberty Markets has debuted as a new venue for crypto lending and borrowing built around the USD1 stablecoin.

World Liberty Markets goes live as a new crypto lending platform

World Liberty Financial has unveiled its second major product, a crypto lending marketplace called World Liberty Markets, allowing users to borrow and lend digital assets using a range of supported tokens as collateral.

The platform is powered by Dolomite, a blockchain technology provider that underpins trading and lending functions with infrastructure designed for fast and secure on-chain execution. Moreover, this integration aims to lower technical barriers for both retail and institutional users.

At launch, World Liberty Markets supports the USD1 stablecoin as a core asset, alongside cryptocurrencies such as ETH and USDC, which can all be used as collateral. Users can take out loans in supported tokens or lend out their holdings to earn interest.

Second flagship product for World Liberty Financial

This new marketplace follows the rapid rise of USD1, which recently reached a $3.5 billion market cap. That growth has helped position the asset as a central component of the companys ecosystem and strengthened its role in on-chain liquidity.

According to World Liberty Financial, the lending platform is intended as a bridge between decentralized finance and traditional finance, offering familiar credit-style products while keeping settlement on-chain. However, the firm is positioning the product as a conservative step toward mainstream adoption rather than a purely experimental DeFi protocol.

The companys ties to the Trump family have attracted additional media and market scrutiny. As a result, World Liberty Markets has drawn attention beyond the usual crypto audience, helping spotlight the firms broader crypto strategy.

Market timing and early user response

The launch comes as the DeFi market rebounds after an extended period of muted activity and lower on-chain volumes. That said, market participants remain selective about new protocols, prioritizing security, transparency, and clear use cases.

Analysts suggest that tools like World Liberty Markets could support further adoption of USD1 and other digital assets by offering yield opportunities and collateralized borrowing. Moreover, deeper liquidity around USD1 may reinforce its role within the projects ecosystem.

Despite this potential, initial engagement on the platform has been relatively modest. This indicates that while the product could gain traction over time, achieving a large and active user base may require sustained education, incentives, and trust-building.

How the lending and borrowing mechanisms work

On World Liberty Markets, users can obtain loans by posting supported cryptocurrencies as collateral. For example, a user might lock ETH or USD1 and borrow USDC, depending on risk parameters and collateral ratios defined in the protocol.

Conversely, users can supply their assets to lending pools and earn interest from borrowers. The yield depends on utilization levels and market demand, creating a dynamic rate environment familiar to long-time DeFi users but now accessible through a more curated interface.

The system runs on Dolomites technology stack, which is designed to deliver fast confirmations and secure settlement of transactions. However, as with any on-chain lending protocol, users must still consider smart contract risk and collateral volatility when deploying capital.

Bridging DeFi and traditional finance participants

By supporting a broad set of collateral options, including USD1, ETH, and USDC, World Liberty Markets aims to serve both experienced DeFi traders and institutions more familiar with traditional markets. Moreover, the platform design mirrors conventional margin and credit products, which may make it more approachable for finance professionals.

For World Liberty Financial, World Liberty Markets is more than a standalone product; it is a strategic step toward building an integrated suite of crypto and DeFi services. The company is signaling that it intends to compete not only with on-chain protocols but also with centralized platforms offering similar credit and yield features.

While user activity has started slowly, observers expect that adoption could increase as more participants test the lending and borrowing flows and gain confidence in the underlying infrastructure. Over time, the platform may benefit from network effects if liquidity and collateral diversity continue to expand.

Outlook for USD1 and the broader DeFi ecosystem

The introduction of a dedicated crypto lending venue centered on USD1 adds another utility layer for the stablecoin and could help sustain its $3.5 billion capitalization. However, long-term success will depend on consistent demand for credit and robust risk management across volatile market cycles.

More broadly, the launch illustrates the ongoing convergence between blockchain-based finance and traditional markets, with projects like World Liberty Markets attempting to offer familiar financial services on-chain. As the DeFi sector evolves, platforms that combine usability, security, and real economic demand are likely to stand out.

In summary, World Liberty Markets marks a significant expansion of World Liberty Financials ecosystem by pairing USD1 with a live lending and borrowing marketplace. If liquidity deepens and user confidence builds, the platform could become an important venue in the next phase of DeFi growth.

London – January 13, 2026 – CoinPoker’s Winter Festival continues to unfold across tournaments, high stakes cash games, and original content. The ongoing Winter Masters Series anchors the festival, building on momentum created by the Holiday Turbo Mini Series and Fresh Start Week. Alongside the tournament action, CoinPoker’s high stakes cash games produced a $1,076,962 pot, while ambassador Mario Mosböck released a new YouTube video documenting his run in the Triton Super High Roller Series Montenegro.

Winter Festival Update: Structured Growth Through Three Stages

CoinPoker’s Winter Festival follows a clear, player-first structure across three stages, delivering steady engagement through the holiday and New Year period.

Holiday Turbo Series Recap

The Holiday Turbo Mini Series from December 26 to 30 targeted the Christmas window with fast structures and low time commitment.

This tournament series suited fragmented schedules while distributing $22,000 in Winter Masters Series tickets via Second Chance Flipouts.

Fresh Start Week Summary

Momentum continued with the Fresh Start Week from December 31 to January 7. 

Anchored around $20,000 in added value on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Both days performed well, with New Year’s Day exceeding expectations.

In total, Fresh Start Week provided $50,000 in Winter Masters tickets via the two New Year events and Mega Satellites.

The Highlight: $8M GTD Winter Masters Series Running Now

The Winter Festival has now entered its final stage. Running from January 8 to 26, the Winter Masters Series offers $8,000,000 in guaranteed prize pools. It’s the biggest prized tournament series in CoinPoker history. 

It is currently ongoing and is already benefiting from the foundation laid in the earlier phases. 

Tickets awarded through flipouts and added value satellites have strengthened liquidity and boosted the guaranteed prize pools.

Yafish Sets the Pace as Winter Masters Series Continues

Yafish has emerged as the early standout. He leads the Winter Festival rankings for Most Wins with three titles.

He also sits third in Most Cashes with 41 and fourth in Most Money Won, totaling $21,031. Earlier this year, Yafish finished third at the 2025 Mid-Stakes Cash Game World Championship.

Activity levels across the series have been equally notable. JamesPenguin currently leads the Most Events Played category with 126 entries, while CoinMasters leader GamblersFallacy ranks ninth with 67 tournaments played. 

The largest event so far was WMS-M #31, the $25 Mini CoinMasters FLOKI event, which attracted 519 entries.

Winter Masters Series Value Ahead

$8,000,000 in guaranteed prize pools across a wide range of MTT structures

Three Main Events with guarantees of $20,000, $75,000, and $250,000

Boosted $150,000 CoinMasters BITCOIN tournaments scheduled every Sunday

$100,000 in Winter Masters Series leaderboards rewarding consistent results

$22,000 in cash prizes available through Second Chance Flipouts

High Stakes Heads-Up Clash Produces $1,076,962 Pot on CoinPoker

CoinPoker’s new $1,250/$2,500 heads-up tables made an immediate statement on January 9. Kayhan “KayhanMok” Mokri and cardsforfun engaged in an epic battle that quickly escalated into several huge pots.

Cardsforfun struck first, winning a six-figure pot holding A7 on an A-9-9 board. He kept the pressure high, resulting in a sizable $388,026 pot by turning a straight, setting an aggressive early tone for the match.

Cardsforfun takes down another monster pot:

cardsforfun (SB): $305,106 (122 bb)
KayhanMok (BB): $689,961 (276 bb)

Pre-Flop: ($4,750)
cardsforfun (SB) raises to $6,200, KayhanMok (BB) 3-bets to $26,250, cardsforfun (SB) calls $20,050

Flop: ($53,500) Q T 8 (2 players)… pic.twitter.com/hNWX4olApC

— CoinPoker (@CoinPoker_OFF) January 9, 2026

After a brief three-day pause, the two returned on January 12 and raised the stakes with a $500,000 buy-in continuation. 

The defining moment followed shortly after, when Mokri cracked cardsforfun’s pocket aces in the largest pot of the match, worth a whopping $1,076,962.

Aces CRACKED for $1 million!! Players run it twice but cardsforfun can't get there on the river.

Kayhan Mokri continues sunrunning, fresh off his $7.75 million win at Triton last month: pic.twitter.com/mQzKeDjh2N

— CoinPoker (@CoinPoker_OFF) January 11, 2026

Building on that momentum, Mokri later sat down with $1,000,000 at the $2,500/$5,000 heads-up tables, further underlining his growing presence at the highest stakes.

POV: You login and see someone buying in for $1,000,000

Only on CoinPoker pic.twitter.com/GZVtvO658Q

— CoinPoker (@CoinPoker_OFF) January 11, 2026

Fresh off a $7,725,000 victory in the $250,000 buy-in Triton Invitational, Kayhan Mokri’s continued high stakes action reinforces CoinPoker’s position as a destination for elite-level heads-up play.

Mario Mosböck Releases New YouTube Video From Triton Montenegro

CoinPoker ambassador Mario Mosböck has released a new YouTube video from the opening event of the Triton Super High Roller Series Montenegro. It was a $25,000 buy-in tournament with $860,000 awarded to the winner.

Beyond the prize money, the event carries major implications for the Triton Poker Player of the Year race.

Mario entered the tournament ranked second overall, directly chasing Artur Martirosian. With Player of the Year points awarded for every cash, each decision becomes more important.

The field combined established regulars such as Aleks Ponakovs, Nacho Barbero, Mike Watson, and Joao Viera with several Triton newcomers like Albert Sulistio and Xuan Liu. This created a dynamic mix that demands constant strategic adjustment.

Throughout the tournament, Mosböck navigated high-pressure spots against elite opposition, offering viewers insight into the mindset and discipline required at the highest stakes.

The video breaks down key hands, strategic inflection points, and the psychological demands of competing at Triton.

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