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Ethereum has had its moment this cycle. In the summer of 2025, ETH finally pushed through its previous highs and printed a new all-time high near $4,900, driven by strong ETF flows, staking demand, and renewed interest from retail investors.

Since then, price action has cooled. Ethereum followed the broader market lower and retraced roughly 40%, bringing ETH back into a zone that many long-term investors now view as consolidation rather than weakness.

At the same time, since the bear market is ongoing, early-stage projects are starting to get attention. One of these is BMIC (BMIC).

While majors like Ethereum work through multi-year ranges, BMIC is still in its crypto presale phase, positioning itself around a structural theme that most of the market has not priced in yet: quantum-safe security for Web3, the team says.

Ethereum Price Outlook: What ETH Chart Is Signaling

Crypto Patel’s long-term Ethereum chart frames the current market structure as constructive rather than bearish. According to his analysis, the $1,800 to $2,900 range represents a long-term accumulation zone, where patient positioning tends to outperform reactive trading. On the chart, Ethereum remains inside a rising macro channel that has guided price action for nearly a decade.

Source: X/@CryptoPatel

Patel outlines a scenario where ETH gradually builds higher lows before breaking toward $10,000 during 2026, with extended upside toward $20,000–$30,000 over a longer horizon if adoption and liquidity conditions align. The projected path is not a straight line. The chart explicitly shows pauses, pullbacks, and consolidations, reinforcing the idea that timing and patience matter more than chasing short-term momentum.

This setup helps explain why Ethereum at $3,000 may deliver a 3x move over the next phase of the cycle. It also explains why some investors are looking beyond large caps for asymmetric opportunities elsewhere. While ETH’s upside now depends on trillions in incremental capital, early-stage infrastructure projects operate on a different curve entirely.

Why BMIC’s Utility Puts It in a Different Category

BMIC is not trying to compete with Ethereum or other layer-one networks. Instead, it says it is building a quantum-secure finance stack designed to sit underneath the broader Web3 ecosystem. The platform combines a wallet, staking system, and payment layer, all protected by post-quantum cryptography and signature-hiding smart accounts. This secures storage, yield, and spending in one unified architecture, according to the team.

A core differentiator is zero public-key exposure. Most wallets today expose public keys on-chain, creating a permanent attack surface once quantum computing matures. BMIC says it removes this risk through ERC-4337-style smart accounts, hybrid post-quantum signatures, and private routing. The system is quantum-native from day one, so no need for future migrations that legacy platforms are likely to face.

AI plays a defensive role. BMIC uses AI to monitor activity, detect threats early, and optimize cryptographic performance as conditions change. This security layer improves over time without requiring user intervention. For enterprises, BMIC offers Quantum Security-as-a-Service, allowing banks, fintechs, healthcare providers, and governments to integrate quantum-secure custody, identity protection, and encrypted communications without rebuilding infrastructure.

The roadmap also extends beyond wallets and payments. BMIC plans to introduce the Quantum Meta-Cloud, a decentralized framework for accessing quantum compute resources in a transparent and permissionless way. Combined with a deflationary token model tied to real services such as staking, APIs, compute access, and governance, BMIC says it positions itself for the upcoming bull cycles.

Why BMIC Is Emerging as One of the Best Crypto Projects

All in all, Ethereum’s upside is increasingly tied to macro conditions and incremental adoption, but BMIC is still in its earliest growth phase. BMIC’s crypto presale is structured across multiple tiers, starting at $0.048485 and rising to $0.058182, a 20% price increase between early and late participants. Listed prices are higher than presale tiers.

As security becomes a dominant narrative and quantum risk moves from theory toward reality, BMIC’s focus on structural protection rather than speculation stands out. For investors comparing a potential 3x in Ethereum with earlier-stage asymmetry, BMIC is framed as one of the most closely watched crypto projects right now.

With each presale phase pushing prices higher, the window for early entry is narrowing, and awareness is starting to build before the broader market fully catches on.

Discover the future of quantum-secure Web3 with BMIC:

Website: https://bmic.ai

X (Twitter): https://x.com/BMIC_ai

Telegram: https://t.me/+6d1dX_uwKKdhZDFk

The post Ethereum at $3,000 Might 3x – BMIC Targets Structural Security Adoption appeared first on Cryptonews.

A new report from cryptocurrency exchange CEX.IO shows that tokenized gold became one of the fastest-growing segments of the real-world asset (RWA) market in 2025.

Trading activity and market expansion outpaced many traditional gold investment products.

Tokenized Gold Accounts for a Quarter of RWA Growth

According to the report, tokenized gold recorded a 177% increase in market capitalization in 2025, expanding from roughly $1.6 billion to $4.4 billion. This added nearly $2.8 billion in net value accounting for around 25% of all net RWA growth over the year.

In contrast the broader DeFi market struggled to regain momentum with total value locked (TVL) rising by just 2% while RWAs grew by approximately 184% making them crypto’s standout performer.

CEX.IO notes that tokenized gold expanded 2.6 times faster than physical gold which itself saw a strong year amid inflation concerns and geopolitical uncertainty.

The category also registered a 198% increase in total holders, adding more than 115,000 new wallets—growth that outpaced tokenized U.S. Treasuries and other tokenized bonds.

Trading Volumes Rival Gold ETFs

Trading activity tells an even more striking story. Tokenized gold trading volume jumped 1,550% year-on-year, reaching $178 billion in total volume in 2025. In the fourth quarter alone volume exceeded $126 billion surpassing the combined trading volume of five major gold ETFs.

While SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) remained the single largest gold investment product by volume the report estimates that tokenized gold would rank as the second-largest gold investment vehicle globally by trading volume ahead of every ETF except GLD. This highlights a structural shift in where gold trading liquidity is forming increasingly moving on-chain.

A Highly Concentrated Market

Despite rapid growth, the market remains highly concentrated. The top three tokenized gold assets—Tether Gold (XAUT), Pax Gold (PAXG) and Kinesis Gold (KAU)—control roughly 97% of total market capitalization while the top four account for 99% of trading volume.

XAUT dominated trading activity in late 2025 representing 75% of total Q4 volume following a reserve attestation that appeared to boost market confidence.

CEX.IO also highlighted emerging products such as Matrixdock Gold (XAUM) which saw market cap growth of more than 1,000% after integration with the Plume ecosystem.

Complementing Not Replacing Stablecoins

The report explains that tokenized gold is not competing directly with stablecoins but instead acts as a tactical hedge. During periods of market stress, traders appear to rotate capital into tokenized gold as a middle ground between risk-on crypto assets and risk-off stablecoins.

Overall, CEX.IO concludes that 2025 marked a turning point for tokenized gold, transforming it from a niche RWA category into a large-scale, liquid gold investment vehicle.

While concentration risks remain the data suggests tokenized gold is now firmly established as a meaningful component of both the RWA and global gold investment landscape.

The post Tokenized Gold Accounts for 25% of RWA Growth as Trading Volume Overtakes Gold ETFs appeared first on Cryptonews.

Ripple has secured preliminary approval for an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Luxembourg’s financial regulator, marking another regulatory milestone as the firm expands its payments business across Europe.

Key Takeaways:

Ripple secured preliminary EMI approval in Luxembourg to expand regulated EU payments.

Back-to-back approvals in Luxembourg and the UK deepen Ripple’s European footprint.

The licenses support Ripple’s push to deliver payment infrastructure for banks and institutions.

The approval was granted by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier and came in the form of a “green light letter,” Ripple said in a recent blog post.

While the authorization remains subject to final conditions, it positions the company to broaden its cross-border payments platform across the European Union, allowing financial institutions to move funds using stablecoins and other digital assets within a regulated framework.

Ripple Secures UK and Luxembourg Approvals to Deepen EU Presence

The Luxembourg decision follows closely on Ripple’s recent regulatory progress in the United Kingdom, where it received both an EMI license and cryptoasset registration from the Financial Conduct Authority.

Together, the approvals strengthen Ripple’s footprint in two key European markets as regional rules for digital assets continue to take shape.

Ripple President Monica Long said Europe’s regulatory approach has given financial institutions the confidence to move blockchain technology beyond pilot programs.

She added that expanding Ripple’s licensing portfolio allows the company to offer an end-to-end payments solution that combines stablecoins with onchain liquidity, helping institutions modernize legacy systems and operate around the clock.

Ripple Payments operates as a licensed, end-to-end cross-border payments platform, managing the flow of funds on behalf of clients while connecting them to a global network of payout partners.

By handling blockchain infrastructure and operational complexity internally, Ripple enables banks and payment providers to launch digital services without building or maintaining their own systems.

We’ve secured our preliminary Electronic Money Institution license approval from Luxembourg’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF).

This is a pivotal step toward scaling Ripple Payments across the EU, bringing institutional-grade digital asset infrastructure… pic.twitter.com/GW3c9gVhDs

— Ripple (@Ripple) January 14, 2026

According to the company, Ripple Payments has processed more than $95 billion in transaction volume to date and now reaches over 90% of daily foreign exchange markets.

The firm holds more than 75 licenses and registrations worldwide, placing it among the most heavily regulated companies in the digital asset sector.

Cassie Craddock, Ripple’s managing director for the UK and Europe, said Luxembourg’s supervisory framework offers the legal certainty needed for financial innovation.

She described the preliminary approval as a pivotal step toward delivering compliant blockchain infrastructure across the EU, noting Ripple’s focus on aligning its operations with Europe’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regime.

Ripple’s RLUSD Wins Regulatory Green Light in Abu Dhabi

As reported, Ripple’s dollar-backed stablecoin RLUSD was cleared for institutional use in Abu Dhabi after receiving recognition as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token from the local regulator.

The approval allows licensed firms within Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to use RLUSD for regulated financial activities inside the free-zone financial center.

The decision strengthens Ripple’s expansion across the UAE. In recent months, the company secured approvals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and onboarded partners including Zand Bank and Mamo.

As reported, Ripple is also weighing whether to bring staking to the XRP Ledger (XRPL), a move that would push the decade-old blockchain deeper into the rapidly expanding world of decentralized finance.

The post Ripple Wins Luxembourg EMI Approval to Expand European Payments appeared first on Cryptonews.

Uganda’s government imposed a nationwide internet blackout on Tuesday ahead of Thursday’s presidential election, triggering a surge in downloads of Bitchat, a decentralized messaging app that operates offline.

The Uganda Communications Commission ordered mobile providers to suspend public internet access from 6 p.m. local time, citing concerns over misinformation and electoral fraud as 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni seeks his seventh term against opposition challenger Bobi Wine.

Bitchat developer Calle reported the app became Uganda’s most downloaded application as citizens prepared for the shutdown.

The peer-to-peer messenger uses Bluetooth to relay encrypted messages between nearby devices, creating mesh networks that function independently of traditional internet infrastructure and do not require phone numbers or account registration.

Bitchat has become the most downloaded app in Uganda amid a government-ordered nationwide internet shutdown. pic.twitter.com/b6EII1sVOY

— calle (@callebtc) January 14, 2026

Internet Blackout Mirrors 2021 Election Crackdown

According to Vanguard, the Uganda Communications Commission justified the suspension as necessary to prevent “online misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks” that could undermine national security during the election period.

The directive applies to all access technologies, including mobile broadband, fiber-optic services, and satellite internet, with violators facing fines and possible license suspensions.

NetBlocks confirmed “nation-scale disruption to internet connectivity” shortly after the 3 p.m. GMT implementation deadline.

Confirmed: Live network data show a nation-scale disruption to internet connectivity in #Uganda; the measure comes days ahead of general elections and corresponds to a shutdown notice from the Uganda Communications Commission "to mitigate the rapid spread of misinformation" pic.twitter.com/01ZGYVRSuG

— NetBlocks (@netblocks) January 13, 2026

Voice calls and basic SMS services remained operational, while essential state services received exemptions through secure whitelisted systems restricted to authorized personnel.

The government had repeatedly promised internet access would remain available, stating on January 5 that “claims suggesting otherwise are false, misleading, and intended to cause unnecessary fear and tension among the public.“

Uganda previously cut internet access during its 2021 election, which international observers described as marred by widespread allegations of rigging and state violence against opposition supporters.

Opposition Faces Intensified Repression Ahead of Vote

United Nations Human Rights Office reported that police and military forces used live ammunition to disperse peaceful rallies, conducted arbitrary detentions, and abducted opposition supporters in the election run-up.

Security forces detained hundreds of opposition supporters while repeatedly firing tear gas at campaign events supporting Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi.

The government on Tuesday ordered two local rights groups (Chapter Four Uganda and Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda) to immediately cease operations.

The state-run National Bureau for NGOs accused the organizations of activities “prejudicial” to Uganda’s security.

Both groups had documented alleged arbitrary detention and torture of opposition supporters and journalists covering the election campaign.

Another opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, who challenged Museveni in four previous elections, remains jailed on treason charges after being kidnapped in Kenya in 2024 and returned to Uganda for military trial.

Decentralized App Provides Communication Alternative

Bitchat entered beta testing in July and requires no accounts, phone numbers, or central infrastructure.

The app fragments messages into 500-byte chunks that hop between devices within 30 meters, with up to 7 relay points enabling transmission during connectivity blackouts.

Store-and-forward systems cache messages for offline users up to 12 hours, ensuring delivery when direct connections are unavailable.

Wine encouraged supporters to download the application during his final Monday rally, where heavy security deployment established a perimeter that deterred attendance.

Bobi Wine during the party’s final campaign rally in Kampala on Monday. | Source: NYT

Soldiers chased down and beat at least one person for waving Uganda’s national flag, a symbol of Wine’s campaign that authorities have banned.

Uganda Communications Commission executive director Nyombi Thembo warned regulators could disable Bitchat if needed, stating, “Don’t be excited by Bitchat, it’s a small thing.“

Calle rejected that assessment, citing internal data showing over 400,000 Ugandan downloads while declaring, “You can’t stop Bitchat. You can’t stop us.“

Museveni came to power in 1986 after leading a five-year rebellion and is Africa’s third-longest serving head of state. He has changed the constitution twice to remove age and term limits.

His campaign slogan “Protecting the Gains” contrasts sharply with Wine’s “Protest Vote” message, emphasizing generational change for Uganda’s population, where more than one in four citizens are between 18 and 30 years old.

Notably, Uganda’s adoption follows similar patterns during recent civil unrest across multiple countries.

Dorsey's Bitchat explodes in Madagascar as protesters adopt censorship-resistant messaging during violent protests over infrastructure failures.#BitChat #Madagascarhttps://t.co/oZS9WNukd2

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) September 29, 2025

Nepal recorded 48,781 downloads in September during youth-led protests against government corruption that left 22 dead and forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation, while Madagascar saw searches spike from zero to 100 during violent demonstrations over water and electricity shortages that prompted government curfews across the capital.

The post Bitchat Downloads Spike in Uganda as Government Prepares Internet Shutdown for Election appeared first on Cryptonews.

Visa has tapped BVNK to power stablecoin payments across the Visa Direct network adding to its broader push to integrate digital assets into global payments infrastructure.

Exciting news: we're powering stablecoin payments for @Visa Direct

Starting this year with pilot programs, BVNK will provide stablecoin infrastructure for @VISADIRECT's $1.7 trillion real-time payments network, enabling faster, more flexible global money movement. pic.twitter.com/0SxgIRrhof

— BVNK (@BVNKFinance) January 14, 2026

The partnership will allow Visa Direct customers to unlock new options for cross-border payments by using stablecoins alongside traditional fiat rails and expanding flexibility for businesses and end users alike.

Expanding Visa Direct with Stablecoins

Visa Direct is a real-time money network that processes around $1.7 trillion in volume annually allowing payouts to cards, bank accounts and digital wallets.

Under the new partnership BVNK will provide the stablecoin infrastructure that allows some business customers to pre-fund Visa Direct payouts using stablecoins rather than relying solely on fiat currencies.

The integration will also support payouts to end recipients directly in stablecoins placing digital dollars into users’ wallets. This opens the door to faster settlement 24/7 availability and reduced reliance on traditional banking hours especially for cross-border and treasury use cases.

BVNK said it processes more than $30 billion in stablecoin payments annually and will initially support Visa Direct’s stablecoin services in approved markets with strong demand for digital asset-based payments.

Building on an Existing Relationship

The announcement represents the next phase of a deepening relationship between Visa and BVNK. Visa Ventures invested in BVNK in May 2025.

The firm said the partnership is part of Visa’s broader strategy to explore how stablecoins can modernise money movement complementing existing rails rather than replacing them.

Stablecoins as a Payments Infrastructure Layer

Mark Nelsen, Global Head of Product for Commercial and Money Movement Solutions at Visa, said stablecoins present an opportunity to reduce friction in global payments and expand access to faster and more efficient settlement.

He highlights their usefulness during weekends, holidays and periods when traditional banks are closed, positioning stablecoins as a practical enhancement to existing payment networks.

BVNK chief executive Jesse Hemson-Struthers describes stablecoins not just as a new payment method but as a foundational layer of modern payments infrastructure.

By integrating stablecoins directly into Visa’s network the partnership aims to give businesses and consumers more control over how and when funds are sent and received.

Phased Rollout and Global Ambitions

The rollout will begin in select markets where demand for digital asset payments is already strong, with plans to expand more broadly based on customer needs and regulatory considerations.

For businesses the integration promises greater choice in treasury management, cross-border payouts and liquidity options, while maintaining the reliability and trust associated with Visa’s global network.

The post Visa Partners with BVNK to Bring Stablecoin Payments to Visa Direct appeared first on Cryptonews.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman announced the legislative text for crypto market structure legislation will be released by the close of business on Wednesday, January 21, with a committee markup scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, at 3 p.m.

The timeline follows parallel action by the Senate Banking Committee, where senators submitted 137 amendments to the CLARITY Act ahead of Thursday’s markup, according to sources who viewed the submission list.

“This schedule ensures transparency and allows for thorough review as the committee moves forward with legislation to provide clarity and certainty for crypto markets,” Boozman said in a statement.

The chairman thanked Senator Cory Booker for continued partnership on the legislation designed to provide regulatory frameworks for digital asset markets.

NEW: After scrambling to meet the 5 PM deadline, Senators on the Banking Committee have submitted 137 amendments to last night’s text, according to multiple sources who have seen the list. Some of these will be debated during Thursday’s markup.

— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) January 14, 2026

Banking Lobby Secures Restrictions on Stablecoin Yield

The latest Senate Banking Committee draft prohibits digital asset service providers from paying interest solely for holding payment stablecoin balances, marking a significant win for traditional banking groups.

The provision allows rewards tied to specific activities, including transactions, wallet usage, loyalty programs, liquidity provision, collateral deposits, and participation in network governance.

“Banks may have won this round on stablecoin yield,” Fox Business reporter Eleanor Terrett wrote, noting the draft states companies cannot pay interest just for holding balances.

The language emerged after intense lobbying from banking groups who warned that yield-bearing stablecoins could drain deposits from community institutions.

Coinbase told the crypto industry to “stand down on opposing the stablecoin yield language for now,” according to Decrypt Senior Writer Sander Lutz, citing a source with direct knowledge.

The exchange characterized the provisions as “the least favorable language they’d still support,” with Lutz noting the company believes “the loopholes are decent enough for yield on stablecoin activity/loyalty programs.“

Key update: Coinbase is telling the crypto industry to stand down on opposing the stablecoin yield language for now, a source with direct knowledge tells me. Saying it's a win for the banks but it's basically the least favorable language they'd still support. If it gets worse–if… https://t.co/6DgoEz0a1W

— Sander Lutz (@s_lutz95) January 13, 2026

JPMorgan CFO Jeremy Barnum told analysts the creation of “a parallel banking system that includes something that looks a lot like a deposit that pays interest, without the associated safeguards, is an obviously dangerous and undesirable thing.”

The bank recently reported $25 billion in net interest income last quarter, prompting crypto advocates to argue that banks oppose stablecoin yield to protect profit margins rather than consumer interests.

Democratic Opposition Threatens Bipartisan Consensus

Key Senate Democrats are demanding ethics guardrails that prohibit public officials, including the president, from profiting off crypto business ties, creating a potential deal-breaker for the legislation.

Senator Adam Schiff said ethics controls covering the White House were essential, stating “that needs to be applied to everyone.”

Senator Ruben Gallego went further, calling it “a red line” and warning, “They need to get it right, or they’re not going to have enough votes to pass this.”

Three Democratic senators sent a letter demanding a full hearing before Thursday’s markup, criticizing the release of legislative text “just two days before the markup.“

Industry sources told Lutz that current vibes on the bill’s chances are “NGMI” due to ongoing disagreement over ethics language between Senate Democrats and the White House.

If Democrats kill landmark legislation that would cement U.S. leadership in fintech- simply to score political points- they’ll have to explain that choice to voters in November. https://t.co/Q1F7jYEWDo

— Bo Hines (@BoHines) January 13, 2026

Bo Hines of the Bitcoin Policy Institute warned that “if Democrats kill landmark legislation that would cement U.S. leadership in fintech simply to score political points, they’ll have to explain that choice to voters in November.“

Industry Split on DeFi and Self-Custody Protections

The Banking Committee added a massive new section on decentralized finance that the crypto lobby wasn’t expecting, prompting industry sources to express concern over definitions and murky language.

Attorney Zack Shapiro’s detailed analysis noted the bill protects software developers while establishing compliance pressure on web-based user interfaces.

“The bill explicitly protects software developers and preserves the right to self-custody digital assets,” according to the Senate Banking Committee GOP’s myth-versus-fact release.

1/23 Here's my full walk-through of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (HR 3633 substitute). Market structure is the headline, but the provisions that matter most for DeFi, privacy, self-custody, and developers live in Title III (illicit finance) and Title VI (software +…

— Zack Shapiro (@zackbshapiro) January 13, 2026

Section 605 states federal agencies may not “prohibit, restrict, or otherwise impair” a US individual’s ability to self-custody digital assets for lawful purposes.

Consensys attorney Bill Hughes characterized the moment as potentially “the best deal you could ever hope to get,” arguing critics should “hold your nose and accept” the compromise.

Paradigm VP Alexander Grieve also warned Congress might “squander progress” by restricting stablecoin rewards to merchant transactions, calling it “a government-mandated windfall for financial intermediaries at the expense of individual Americans.“

As it stands now, the bill is progressing and Senator Cynthia Lummis has emphasized bipartisan contributions, stating, “every section includes bipartisan input and I look forward to working with my Democratic colleagues to deliver a bill that secures America’s financial future.“

Proud of the bipartisan work that went into the Clarity Act. When we put politics aside and focus on what’s best for America’s economic future, we can achieve real progress. This bill proves that common ground exists, and it’s time to make it the law.

— Senator Cynthia Lummis (@SenLummis) January 14, 2026

The post Senate Crypto Bill Markup Moved to January 27 Amid Legislative Push appeared first on Cryptonews.

Pakistan reportedly has partnered with the Trump family-linked World Liberty Financial affiliate to explore stablecoin payment rails, Reuters reported Wednesday.

A source involved with the deal told the publication that both parties have signed an agreement, marking the first publicly announced deal between a sovereign state and a crypto project.

Sources did not provide further details regarding Pakistan’s deal with SC Financial Technologies, a World Liberty-linked company. Further details are expected to be released by Pakistan on Wednesday following World Liberty CEO ‍Zach Witkoff’s visit to Islamabad.

Today, World Liberty Financial signed an MoU with the Ministry of Finance to explore innovation in digital finance, particularly the use of stablecoins for cross-border transactions, signalling growing global interest in Pakistan as a key market for digital assets. pic.twitter.com/rYzbfHYysd

— Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (@PakistanVARA) January 14, 2026

Pakistan Eyes USD1 Stablecoin Integration

Per the agreement, WLF and Pakistan’s central bank will work to integrate the USD1 stablecoin into a digital payments structure. The stablecoin will operate alongside Pakistan’s crypto infrastructure.

WLFI and the Pakistan Crypto Council signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) in April last year to promote blockchain adoption and boost DeFi growth. The partnership targeted expanding stablecoin use for remittances and trade.

The current agreement comes at a time when USD1 stablecoin has surged past $3.5 billion in circulating supply. The stablecoin maintains a $1 peg and is deployed across multiple blockchains, with the largest share on BNB Smart Chain.

Source: defillama

Besides, the World Liberty project saw a sharp increase in revenue for the Trump Organization in the first half of 2025. It has now filed for a US national banking charter in a move to bring its dollar-linked stablecoin deeper inside the regulatory perimeter.

Additionally, Pakistan has also accelerated efforts to formalize its digital asset ecosystem over the past year. The nation established Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, allowing major exchanges like Binance and HTX to operate locally. Besides, it signalled plans to build a Bitcoin reserve.

The post Pakistan, Trump-Linked WLFI Firm Sign Agreement to Explore Cross-Border Payments – Reuters appeared first on Cryptonews.

Stablecoin usage on fintech platform Revolut accelerated sharply in 2025, with payment volumes estimated to have climbed 156% year over year to roughly $10.5 billion, as digital dollars gain ground in everyday payments.

Key Takeaways:

Stablecoin payments on Revolut surged in 2025, with volumes rising by 156% to about $10.5 billion.

Onchain data shows growth has been steady throughout the year, driven by everyday payments.

Revolut’s fee-free USDC and USDT conversions are helping push stablecoins into routine retail use.

Revolut has not released official stablecoin payment data for the year, but crypto researcher Alex Obchakevich estimates that stablecoin transactions nearly doubled as a share of the platform’s total payments compared with 2024.

Dune Data Shows Steady Growth in Revolut Stablecoin Flows

The analysis draws on blockchain data compiled by Dune Analytics and focuses on stablecoin flows linked to Revolut wallets.

“Despite the small absolute share, the dynamics are impressive,” Obchakevich said, noting that growth has been consistent throughout the year rather than driven by short-lived spikes.

The trend aligns with broader projections for the sector. Bloomberg Intelligence said this week that stablecoin payment flows could grow at an 81% compound annual rate, reaching $56.6 trillion by 2030, as retail adoption expands and more institutions integrate blockchain-based settlement.

Revolut has actively pushed into the space. In October, the company introduced a feature allowing users to exchange US dollars for USDC and USDT at a 1:1 rate, with no commissions or hidden fees.

The move lowered friction for customers looking to move funds onchain without navigating external exchanges.

Stablecoins on @Revolut are showing exponential growth. The volume of transactions with stablecoins is growing four times faster at 156% compared to the total payment volume of 38.5%.

This indicates the active implementation of crypto solutions on @Revolut. Over the year, the… https://t.co/1XBP5K07J5 pic.twitter.com/TiO1JwowbE

— Alex (@obchakevich_) January 12, 2026

Transaction data suggests stablecoins are being used for routine payments rather than only large transfers.

Obchakevich said transfers between $100 and $500 accounted for roughly 30% to 40% of all stablecoin transactions on the platform, pointing to practical, day-to-day use cases.

“This indicates that Revolut users actively use stablecoins for everyday medium-sized payments, not just for large transfers,” he said.

Ethereum dominates stablecoin activity on Revolut, accounting for more than two-thirds of total volume, while Tron follows with about 22.8%.

The platform also supports networks such as Polygon, Solana, Arbitrum and Optimism.

The broader stablecoin market is valued at about $312 billion, and US Treasury estimates suggest it could reach $2 trillion by 2028. Revolut is not alone in tapping into that growth.

Western Union plans to roll out a stablecoin settlement system on Solana in 2026, while MoneyGram and Zelle are also moving to integrate stablecoin-based payments for cross-border transfers.

Stablecoin Transactions Hit $33 Trillion in 2025 as USDC Leads Usage

Global stablecoin transaction value reached $33 trillion in 2025, marking a 72% increase from the previous year, according to Bloomberg data compiled by Artemis Analytics.

USDC emerged as the most-used stablecoin by transaction volume, processing $18.3 trillion, while Tether’s USDT handled $13.3 trillion, despite maintaining its lead by market capitalization at $187 billion.

The surge in activity followed the passage of the GENIUS Act in July 2025, the first comprehensive U.S. regulatory framework for payment stablecoins.

Industry participants say the legislation has provided legal certainty that encouraged broader institutional and global adoption.

The post Revolut Stablecoin Payments Surge Over 150% in 2025: Researcher appeared first on Cryptonews.

Russia is taking another step toward opening its cryptocurrency market to retail participants, as lawmakers prepare legislation that would allow non-qualified investors limited access to digital assets.

Key Takeaways:

Russia is preparing legislation to let non-qualified investors access crypto, while capping retail purchases at 300,000 rubles.

The draft bill would remove crypto from special regulation, signaling a push to make digital assets part of everyday finance.

Authorities aim to expand crypto use in cross-border settlements while keeping strict limits to manage financial risks.

According to a Tuesday report from state news agency TASS, Anatoly Aksakov, chairman of the State Duma’s Financial Markets Committee, said a draft bill has already been finalized and is expected to be considered during the spring parliamentary session.

The proposal would remove cryptocurrencies from a special regulatory regime, effectively treating them as a more conventional financial instrument.

Russia Lawmaker Says Crypto Set to Enter Everyday Use Under New Bill

“A bill has already been prepared that removes cryptocurrencies from special financial regulation, meaning they will become commonplace in our lives,” Aksakov said in an interview with the Russia-24 television channel, as cited by TASS.

Under the proposed framework, access for non-qualified investors would remain capped.

Individuals who do not meet Russia’s qualified-investor requirements would be allowed to buy cryptocurrencies worth up to 300,000 rubles, or roughly $3,800.

Aksakov said professional market participants would not be subject to similar restrictions.

Beyond domestic trading, the law is also expected to support the use of crypto in cross-border activity.

Aksakov said the changes could facilitate international settlements and enable the overseas placement of tokens issued by Russian entities, an area of growing interest as the country seeks alternatives to traditional financial rails.

According to TASS, Russian State Duma Financial Market Committee chair Anatoly Aksakov said a bill is ready that would remove cryptocurrencies from “special financial regulation,” aiming to make their use more common in daily life. Speaking to Rossiya-24, Aksakov said upcoming…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) January 14, 2026

The comments follow earlier signals from Russian authorities pointing to a more permissive, but closely monitored, approach to retail crypto use.

In December, the Bank of Russia proposed allowing non-qualified investors to trade digital assets after passing a risk-awareness test, while maintaining a ban on anonymous and privacy-focused cryptocurrencies.

Around the same time, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said the finance ministry and the central bank were working toward a coordinated framework that would permit retail participation within defined limits.

Officials have repeatedly emphasized that transaction caps and investment thresholds would be critical to containing financial and systemic risks as crypto adoption expands.

Crypto Questions Flood Russia’s Social Fund

As reported, Russia’s Social Fund received about 37 million calls in 2025, with crypto-related questions emerging as one of the most common topics alongside standard social benefit inquiries.

Citizens frequently asked whether pensions could be paid in digital assets and whether income from crypto mining would count toward benefit calculations, prompting officials to reiterate that all state payments are made exclusively in rubles and that crypto taxation falls under the Federal Tax Service.

The attention comes as crypto mining gains political and economic relevance. Senior officials have argued that mining should be recognized as an export activity, noting its impact on foreign exchange flows despite the lack of physical cross-border movement.

Late last month, Moscow Exchange and St. Petersburg Exchange confirmed readiness to launch crypto trading once Russia’s legislative framework takes effect by July 1, 2026, following the Bank of Russia’s December 23 regulatory concept release.

The post Russia Prepares Bill to Allow Non-Qualified Investors Into Crypto appeared first on Cryptonews.

Crypto is showing up less as a curiosity and more as a line item in client portfolios.

A recent Bitwise and VettaFi survey found 32% of financial advisors allocated to crypto in client accounts in 2025, up from 22% in 2024, setting an all-time high for the series.

The jump lands after a headline year for digital assets, with the report pointing to Bitcoin’s run to a $126k all-time high in 2025 and faster progress on US rules, including the GENIUS Act that pushed stablecoins further into the mainstream.

Bitwise and VettaFi collected 299 eligible responses, with outreach running from Oct. 31 to Dec. 8, 2025 across advisor types ranging from registered investment advisors to wirehouse representatives and broker-dealer reps.

#10: CRYPTO EQUITY ETFS CONTINUE TO BE ADVISORS’ TOP CHOICE

When asked what crypto exposure they were most interested in allocating to in 2026, crypto equity ETFs were the favorite among advisors.

— Bitwise (@BitwiseInvest) January 13, 2026

RIAs Lead Crypto Adoption As Access Widens

Client demand stayed steady, and advisors felt it. The survey said 94% of advisors received a question about crypto from clients in 2025, and 56% reported owning crypto in their personal portfolios, another record for the dataset.

Allocation rates varied sharply by channel. Registered investment advisors (RIAs) led with 42% saying they allocate to crypto in client accounts, followed by wirehouse representatives at 35%, and the report also tracked 33% for other financial professionals, 25% for independent broker-dealer representatives and 18% for financial planners.

Access keeps improving, and the numbers show it. The share of advisors who said they can buy crypto in client accounts rose to 42% from 35% in 2024, and 58% said they were unable to buy crypto in client accounts or unsure whether they could.

Image Source: Bitwise/VettaFi 2026 survey

Familiar Products Lead Advisor Crypto Strategy For 2026

Clients also keep taking matters into their own hands. Advisors said 74% of clients invested in crypto outside the advisory relationship in 2025, up from 71% in 2024, a pool of held away assets that firms can try to pull back into a broader wealth plan.

Sizing remains cautious, and it is rising. The survey said 83% of client portfolios with crypto exposure held less than 5% in crypto, and 64% of crypto-exposed client portfolios held more than 2%, up from 51% in 2024.

When advisors fund an allocation, they usually sell what they already know. Equities were the top source at 43%, followed by cash at 35%, with smaller shares citing commodities, bonds, and gold.

Image Source: Bitwise/VettaFi 2026 survey

Looking ahead, the next wave may come from advisers who stayed on the sidelines. Among those who did not allocate to crypto in client accounts, 18% said they definitely or probably plan to add exposure in 2026, and another 38% said they are considering it. Among advisors already allocating, 99% plan to maintain or increase exposure.

Product preference is tilting toward familiar wrappers. Advisors again picked crypto equity ETFs as their top exposure for 2026, and the next choices included spot crypto ETFs at 16%, diversified crypto index funds at 14%, multistrategy solutions at 13%, and income-generating strategies at 9%.

The same report laid out the frictions holding adoption back, with volatility and regulatory concerns topping the list, and home office restrictions also showing up as a major constraint.

The post Crypto Advisor Allocations Hit 32% in 2025 as Access Widens and ETF Demand Grows: Survey appeared first on Cryptonews.

The German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) granted MiCAR authorization to the country’s second-largest lender, DZ Bank, last month. With the approval, DZ will launch its crypto trading platform “meinKrypto.”

The platform, which was approved at the end of December, allows primary institutions to offer retail customers access to crypto trading.

Cooperative banks Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken must now submit their own MiCAR notification for “meinKrypto” to BaFin, an official statement read.

Once approved and integrated with the VR banking app, meinKrypto functions as a wallet for self-directed investors. At the launch, initial tradable assets will include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Cardano (ADA).

Further, each of the cooperative banks will decide individually whether to implement the crypto service.

German Co-Op Banks Look at Crypto Trading

In September 2025, the German Cooperative Banking Association released a poll, which suggested that co-op banks in Germany are considering offering cryptocurrency services such as Bitcoin and Ether trading.

The study found that 71% of the country’s 670 Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken banks are looking at crypto, up from 54% last year.

Besides, a third of banks eyeing crypto say they aim to launch services within the next five months.

The meinKrypto platform was developed by Atruvia, the IT service provider for the cooperative financial group, and DZ Bank. Further, Stuttgart Stock Exchange Digital will handle the custody of the crypto assets.

DZ Bank Joins Euro Stablecoin Consortium

DZ Bank, the central institution for the country’s co-op banking sector, said in a separate statement on Tuesday that it has joined the European banking consortium Qivalis, for the launch of a regulated stablecoin.

The group of 11 banks plans to introduce its euro stablecoin next year under a new Dutch entity named Qivalis.

“We are delighted to welcome DZ BANK as the eleventh member of the consortium,” said Jan-Oliver Sell, CEO of Qivalis. Their participation strengthens our joint commitment to building a robust, MiCAR-compliant euro stablecoin infrastructure for European businesses and consumers.”

Qivalis is currently seeking approval from the German National Bank (DNB) to establish as an e-money institution. It is aiming for market entry in the second half of 2026.

The post German DZ Bank Secures MiCAR License for Crypto Trading, Joins Qivalis Stablecoin Initiative appeared first on Cryptonews.

Stablecoins took center stage during JPMorgan Chase’s fourth-quarter earnings call this week, as executives voiced support for blockchain innovation while drawing a firm line against stablecoin designs that mirror traditional bank deposits.

Key Takeaways:

JPMorgan backs blockchain innovation but warns yield-bearing stablecoins mimic bank deposits without oversight.

The bank says interest-paying stablecoins could create a parallel, lightly regulated banking system.

Adding yield may accelerate stablecoin adoption while increasing risks to bank funding and stability.

The discussion was prompted by a question from Evercore analyst Glenn Schorr, who asked how the bank views stablecoins amid renewed lobbying from the American Bankers Association and active congressional negotiations over digital asset legislation.

JPMorgan chief financial officer Jeremy Barnum said the bank’s position is broadly aligned with the goals of the GENIUS Act, which aims to establish clear rules for stablecoin issuance and oversight.

Yield-Bearing Stablecoins Mimic Bank Deposits

Barnum claimed interest-bearing stablecoins risk recreating core banking functions without the regulatory framework that underpins the financial system.

He warned that tokens offering yield simply for being held could function like deposits while avoiding capital requirements, liquidity rules and supervisory scrutiny.

“The creation of a parallel banking system that sort of has all the features of banking, including something that looks a lot like a deposit that pays interest, without the associated prudential safeguards that have been developed over hundreds of years of bank regulation, is an obviously dangerous and undesirable thing,” Barnum said.

While emphasizing that JPMorgan is open to competition and technological progress, Barnum stressed that innovation should not come at the expense of financial stability.

In his view, stablecoins designed to generate passive yield blur the line between payment instruments and deposit substitutes, raising systemic risks if left unchecked.

Verdict: Mostly True.

JPMorgan CFO Jeremy Barnum called interest-paying stablecoins a 'parallel banking system' without proper regulation, echoing warnings of danger to traditional finance.

Key Evidence: According to CoinDesk, Barnum highlighted how these products mimic…

— Provenance Fact-Check (@0xProvenance) January 13, 2026

The banking industry’s unease is not new. Last year, industry representatives described the rise of yield-bearing stablecoins as a direct threat to banks’ funding models, particularly as traditional lenders continue to offer relatively low interest rates on deposits.

Stablecoins have already gained traction as tools for cross-border payments, onchain settlement and dollar access, largely due to their speed and lower transaction costs.

Adding yield to those products could accelerate adoption and intensify competition for deposits.

Lawmakers Move to Ban Interest on Stablecoin Holdings

That prospect is now drawing closer scrutiny on Capitol Hill. Stablecoin rewards have become a flashpoint in lawmakers’ debate over the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, a broad proposal designed to define regulatory responsibilities across the crypto sector.

An amended draft released this week would prohibit digital asset service providers from paying interest or yield “solely in connection with the holding of a stablecoin,” signaling lawmakers’ intent to prevent stablecoins from operating like bank accounts.

At the same time, the draft leaves room for incentive models tied to active participation in blockchain ecosystems, such as liquidity provision, governance involvement or staking.

The distinction suggests policymakers are attempting to balance innovation with safeguards, allowing crypto networks to reward engagement while blocking stablecoins from becoming de facto, lightly regulated deposits.

The post JPMorgan Warns Interest-Bearing Stablecoins Could Undermine Banks appeared first on Cryptonews.

A French regulator said Tuesday that about 30% of crypto companies without an EU license have not informed of their plans, whether to apply for a MiCA license or cease operating by July.

Speaking to journalists in Paris, Stéphane Pontoizeau, Executive Director of the Market Intermediaries and Market Infrastructures Supervision Directorate at the AMF, noted that the regulator had already written to companies in November, reminding them to respond before the license deadline on June 30, 2026.

The transition period for the MiCA license varies for different EU countries. France-based crypto businesses that fail to obtain a license will be required to cease operations in July.

According to Reuters, only 30% of crypto firms in France responded to the regulator and have applied for a license. Whereas, 40% said they are not seeking one.

Last week, French regulators warned the public against unregulated crypto offerings from companies that are not authorized to do so.

French regulator says some crypto firms unresponsive as EU licence deadline approaches https://t.co/viWYHc1t2J https://t.co/viWYHc1t2J

— Reuters Tech News (@ReutersTech) January 14, 2026

Companies Not Having MiCA Authorization Must ‘Orderly Wind-Down Plan’: ESMA

Under the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) requirements, companies that have not obtained MiCA authorization must implement an “orderly wind-down plan” before the end of the transition period.

Last month, the European Commission proposed transferring crypto oversight from national regulators to ESMA. By doing so, the EC aims to eliminate regulatory fragmentation across 27 member states by granting ESMA powers comparable to those of the U.S. SEC.

So far, the MiCA license has been granted to stablecoin issuer Circle, US exchanges Coinbase, OKX, Crypto.com, Binance, and British ​fintech Revolut.

AMF is Pushing for Centralized Crypto Oversight

In September last year, France issued a warning noting that it may attempt to block some crypto firms licensed in other EU nations from operating domestically. The country threatened to challenge MiCA “passporting” granted by different member states.

The AMF President Marie-Anne Barbat-Layani urged to transfer oversight of the industry to ESMA in Paris. This would be a “more harmonized” approach to supervision of the crypto sector, she added.

The post Crypto Firms Without EU License Remain Mute as MiCA Deadline Approaches – French Regulator appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitpanda is lining up for a Frankfurt stock market debut in the first half of 2026, putting one of Europe’s biggest retail crypto platforms on a path from bull market beneficiary to public market test.

Bloomberg reported Tuesday that the Vienna-based company could seek a valuation of €4B to €5B ($4.6B – $5.8B), and it has tapped Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and Deutsche Bank to help arrange the offering. Some see a first-quarter listing as a live option.

Bitpanda didn’t return Cryptonews’ request for comment by press time.

Bitpanda, a cryptocurrency trading platform backed by billionaire Peter Thiel, is gearing up for a Frankfurt initial public offering as soon as the first half of this year, sources say https://t.co/nmS6yVJKVY

— Bloomberg (@business) January 13, 2026

Bitpanda Targets Deeper Liquidity As It Maps Listing Options

The timing matters for crypto traders because listings tend to follow liquidity. A successful float would hand Bitpanda a stronger balance sheet for product expansion, licensing and custody infrastructure, right as Europe pushes firms to meet tougher compliance expectations under the EU’s MiCA regime.

Bitpanda already crossed one venue off the list. Chief executive Eric Demuth last year ruled out the UK, pointing to weak liquidity on the London Stock Exchange and a broader drift of issuers toward deeper pools of capital.

Demuth said Bitpanda would consider Frankfurt or New York for a future listing, leaning toward markets that can support sustained trading volumes and bigger institutional participation around crypto linked names.

Crypto Firms Queue Up As IPO Market Shows Signs Of Life

Frankfurt also connects neatly with Bitpanda’s work in Germany’s banking system. Deutsche Bank has said it plans to launch a crypto custody service in 2026 and the bank has enlisted Bitpanda’s technology unit, with Taurus providing digital asset infrastructure.

Regulation is doing its part to pull activity onshore. MiCA has already pushed firms to formalize licensing plans across the bloc ahead of the June 30, 2026 transition deadline, a backdrop that rewards platforms that can scale compliance alongside growth.

Public markets have also started reopening for crypto. Circle priced its IPO in June 2025 for NYSE trading under CRCL, Bullish closed its IPO in Aug. 2025 for NYSE trading under BLSH, and Gemini said it closed its IPO in Sept. 2025.

The 2026 calendar is getting crowded. Kraken said it confidentially submitted a draft S-1 for a proposed IPO, and BitGo has already flagged a targeted valuation for its US listing effort, keeping investor attention on who can turn crypto revenue into public market durability.

The post Peter Thiel-Backed Bitpanda Weighs Frankfurt IPO in H1 2026: Report appeared first on Cryptonews.

Crypto markets staged a broad rebound over the past 24 hours, with most sectors posting gains of between 3% and 8% as risk appetite improved. Bitcoin rose 4.34% to reclaim the $95,000 level, while Ethereum jumped 7.4% to trade above $3,300. Strength was seen across meme, RWA, Layer 2, DeFi, and CeFi sectors, with several tokens recording double-digit gains. Market sentiment also improved, with the crypto fear and greed index climbing to 47 from 25 a day earlier, placing sentiment firmly in neutral territory. The sharp rise from deeply fearful levels suggests easing downside pressure as traders position for a potential short-term continuation of the rebound.

But what else is happening in crypto news today? Follow our up-to-date live coverage below.

The post [LIVE] Crypto News Today: Latest Updates for Jan. 14, 2026 – Bitcoin Surges Past $95,000 as Broad Crypto Rally Lifts Market Sentiment appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin rose nearly 5% to $95,232 on Wednesday, and Asian shares opened modestly higher after Wall Street ended lower overnight, as traders weighed fresh policy risk in Washington and a shifting risk mood across markets.

Akshat Siddhant, lead quant analyst at Mudrex, said escalating Middle East tensions are driving investors toward alternative safe havens such as crypto, lending support to the wider market rally.

“On-chain data adds to the positive setup, with short-term holders moving back into profit. Historically, this has been a sign that selling pressure eases, extending upside potential,” he said.

“For bullish continuation, Bitcoin needs a firm daily and weekly close above the $92,000–$94,000 zone to reclaim key moving averages. Failure to hold this range could see BTC consolidate or retest support near $88,000.”

China’s major benchmarks started the day in the green. Shanghai rose 0.89%, Shenzhen’s SZSE Component added 1.54%, and China A50 gained 0.56%.

Hong Kong also advanced. The Hang Seng climbed 0.35% in early dealing, extending a cautious uptrend as traders stayed focused on rates, risk appetite, and cross-asset flows that often spill into crypto.

Market snapshot

Bitcoin: $95,325, up 4.4%

Ether: $3,321, up 6.7%

XRP: $2.17, up 5.6%

Total crypto market cap: $3.33 trillion, up 4.5%

Saylor’s Latest Bitcoin Purchase Fuels Market Optimism And Inflows

Bitcoin’s jump followed a busy week for corporate accumulation. Michael Saylor’s Strategy disclosed a purchase of 13,627 BTC worth about $1.25B to $1.3B, at an average price around $91,500 per coin, a move that helped steady sentiment and pull in fresh buying.

Strategy acquired an additional 13,627 BTC between Jan. 5–11, spending about $1.25B at an average price of $91,519 per bitcoin.#Strategy #Bitcoinhttps://t.co/0rVvrFtD9Z

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 12, 2026

The rally also leaned on market mechanics that crypto traders watch closely. Buyers drove Bitcoin through the $94,000 to $95,000 zone that had capped it for weeks, and traders pointed to rising open interest and negative funding that can pressure short sellers during a fast push higher.

Japan Stocks Stay Firm On Yen Slump As Wall Street Stumbles

Japan’s equities stayed in rally mode. The Nikkei 225 advanced 0.9%, and the yen weakened to its softest level since July 2024, adding momentum to exporters and keeping regional risk appetite supported.

In the background, traders headed into Wednesday watching for a possible US Supreme Court ruling tied to President Donald Trump’s global tariffs announced in April, a decision that could reshape how markets price trade friction and growth risk.

Overnight in the US, stocks fell as financials led declines after JPMorgan warned that Trump’s proposed 10% cap on credit card interest rates would hurt the economy and squeeze profitability across the sector. The Dow fell 0.80%, the S&P 500 slipped 0.19%, and the Nasdaq eased 0.10%.

Visa dropped 4.5%, Mastercard fell 3.8%, and the financial sector sank 1.8%, with JPMorgan ending down 4.2% even after posting a better-than-expected quarterly profit alongside a decline in investment banking fees.

Oil surged on geopolitical tension and gold pushed to new highs, and traders also took in an inflation reading that matched expectations, a combination that kept rate cut bets alive even as risk markets recalibrated.

The post Asia Market Open: Bitcoin Jumps 5% To $95K, Asian Stocks Open Higher After Wall Street Slips appeared first on Cryptonews.

ETH may have just received its strongest institutional vote of confidence yet, with Standard Chartered backing bullish Ethereum price predictions over Bitcoin.

BTC appears to be moving to the sidelines as the new year sees fresh capital rotation into altcoins, and ETH is making its mark as the TradFi play of choice.

Standard Chartered Global Head of Digital Assets Research, Geoffrey Kendrich, argues that Ethereum has found deeper relevance in this institution-led market cycle.

Its dominant status in stablecoin issuance, real-world asset tokenisation, and DeFi, alongside rising network throughput, has given it the fundamental advantage over Bitcoin.

Standard Chartered: Ethereum will outperform the entire market in 2026.

New Targets:
• 2026: $7,500
• 2028: $22,000
• 2030: $40,000

"2026 will be the year of Ethereum, just like 2021 was." – Geoff Kendrick.

Institutional money is looking past the noise. Are you ? pic.twitter.com/rtv2t6qRWH

— NekoZ (@NekozTek) January 13, 2026

An advantage Kendrick expects to be explored from 2026 onward as regulatory clarity improves, with legislation such as the U.S. Clarity Act.

And Ethereum’s growing exposure could fuel it. Exchange-traded products and corporate treasury vehicles have created multiple touch points for demand in mainstream TradFi markets, making capital access broader and more persistent than in previous cycles.

These drivers position 2026 as a year where adoption, sentiment, and capital flows converge, a backdrop Kendrick believes could mirror 2021-style outperformance, when the BTC-ETH ratio was around 0.08.

ETH / BTC Ratio eyes 2021 levels. Source: TradingView.

Ethereum Price Prediction: Is $100,000 ETH in Sight?

Ultimately, Kendrick remains conservative with his mid-term Ethereum price target of $7,500 in 2026, but increasingly bullish on its long-term potential of $40,000 set for 2030.

A two and a half year ascending channel could reveal how it plays out, with the past year forming a bullish head-and-shoulders pattern that sets up its breakout.

ETH USD 1-week chart, head-and-shoulder fuels ascending channel breakout. Source: TradingView.

The Ethereum price has confirmed a local bottom at $2,750, forming higher lows in a fresh uptrend that solidifies the right shoulder.

Momentum indicators add validity to the trend. The RSI is compressing against the 50 neutral line after several higher lows, suggesting strength beneath the surface.

The MACD has also reversed towards the signal line in a potential golden cross setup, a sign that buyers may soon control the prevailing trend.

A fully realized right shoulder targets the key breakout of the channel, past all-time highs around $4,950. With a channel breakout to follow, Kendrick’s 2028 expectations could be in focus at $18,000 – a 460% gain.

But for 2026, the breakout path could see conservative targets surpassed, eying the $10,000 milestone for a 220% gain.

Though this outcome likely hinges on traditional financial activity moving on-chain and expanding regulation outside of U.S. markets.

However, a $100,000 Ethereum price is likely to be realized in the next decade if Ethereum infrastructure establishes itself for real-world use cases.

Bitcoin Hyper: Bitcoin Can’t Be Ruled Out Just Yet

Institutions that chose Ethereum as their TradFi bet may soon need to reconsider, as the Bitcoin ecosystem finally tackles its biggest limitation: scalability.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is bridging Bitcoin’s security with Solana tech, creating a new Layer-2 network that unlocks scalable, efficient use cases Bitcoin couldn’t support on its own.

Just Layer-2s like Ondo did for Ethereum, Bitcoin Hyper could bring Bitcoin deeper into the DeFi conversation.

The project has already raised over $30 million in presale, and post-launch, even a small fraction of Bitcoin’s massive trading volume could send its valuation significantly higher.

Bitcoin Hyper is fixing the slow transactions, high fees, and limited programmability that have long capped Bitcoin’s potential – just as the market turns bullish.

Visit the Official Bitcoin Hyper Website Here

The post Ethereum Price Prediction: Banking Giant Standard Chartered Says ETH Will Beat Bitcoin – Can ETH Reach $100,000? appeared first on Cryptonews.

We are moving into mid-January, and the crypto market is starting to look slightly better. Bitcoin is firmly holding above $90,000, and price predictions for altcoins like XRP, Dogecoin, and Maxi Doge are turning higher.

These altcoins remain some of the strongest in the market and offer solid upside potential going forward.

Fundamentally, XRP is as strong as it gets. Meanwhile, memecoins like Dogecoin and Maxi Doge are expected to lead the sector throughout 2026. Below is a price prediction for how these three crypto coins could play out for the rest of the year.

Bitcoin (BTC)

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XRP Crypto Price Prediction: Why the $2 Level Matters More Than You Think

Just two years ago, people used to call XRP investors delusional for thinking it would ever break the $1 mark. Now, a “crash” is the headline while the price is still above $2.

That said, XRP did have a rough end to the year price-wise. Still, it continued to deliver when it comes to ecosystem growth.

RLUSD, Ripple’s stablecoin, grew to over a $1.3B market cap in 2025 alone. There are also ongoing efforts to expand it further and capture more market share, especially as many analysts believe stablecoins could be the future.

Source: XRPUSD / TradingView

XRP is still holding above the key $2.00 support, which is doing a lot of heavy lifting right now. A clean break below that area would start to look bearish and could send the price back down to test lower support.

RSI is sitting around 47, so momentum is basically neutral, and price could go either way from here. If the broader market catches a bid, a move above $2.20 would tilt things bullish and set up a run toward the bigger resistance near $2.50.

Right now, ETFs are still the main driver. XRP enjoyed a long green inflow streak after launch, but that momentum has cooled. If ETF inflows start turning positive again, it would seriously boost the odds of the bullish setup playing out.

Dogecoin (DOGE) Price Prediction: No More Waiting, Retesting 0.14 Resistance

Dogecoin is still the largest memecoin, holding around 48% of the market share. However, since 2024, it has gradually slipped out of the spotlight as attention shifted elsewhere.

The memecoin wave that kicked off in March 2024 captured a large portion of DOGE’s market share, which fell to a low of 27.3% in October 2024.

In 2025, DOGE remained the biggest in the sector, but the total memecoin market cap dropped to around $40B, its lowest level and down 71% from the $140B peak in December 2024. This weakness pushed DOGE as low as $0.12, where it has mostly been trading since.

Dogecoin price is currently retesting the $0.14 resistance, a level where it has been rejected before and pushed back into the trading range. If the DOGE chart manages to break above the recent high at $0.16, the price could rally toward $0.18, which is the next key resistance zone.

If it fails, depending on broader market conditions, DOGE could be sent back into the range and attempt to hold support around $0.12, a level bulls need to defend.

The RSI is around 53, which is neutral and leaves room for either scenario to play out. If doge-themed coins start to revive, Maxi Doge could be the smarter, higher-upside play, and below is why.

Maxi Doge (MAXI) Price Prediction: – The Higher-Risk, Higher-Upside Doge Bet

While Dogecoin grinds through long-term resistance and waits for memecoin momentum to fully return, Maxi Doge is positioning itself where speculative capital usually rotates first.

MAXI is built as a pure memecoin play, no heavy narratives, no infrastructure promises, just momentum, community, and volatility. Historically, when traders get bored with large-cap memes moving slowly, capital looks for smaller, faster-moving alternatives, and that is exactly the pocket Maxi Doge sits in.

Unlike older memecoins, Maxi Doge adds an incentive layer through staking. Holders can stake MAXI for daily smart-contract rewards, with current APY hovering around 70%, giving traders a way to earn while waiting for price expansion.

At a current price near $0.0002775, Maxi Doge is approaching its next presale price increase. As memecoin sentiment starts to stabilize and rotation picks up, MAXI offers asymmetric upside compared to larger, slower-moving names like DOGE.

If memecoins regain momentum in 2026, Maxi Doge could be one of the earlier beneficiaries, especially for traders looking for higher volatility and stronger percentage moves rather than market-share dominance.

Visit the Official Maxi Doge Website Here

The post Crypto Price Prediction Today 13 January – XRP, Dogecoin, Maxi Doge appeared first on Cryptonews.

XRP has posted a 12% gain since the start of the year, with momentum building as Ripple ramps up pressure on U.S. regulators for clearer crypto guidelines.

In a formal letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ripple called on the agency’s Crypto Task Force to provide more transparency and fairness in its approach.

If the push succeeds, it could mark a major shift in sentiment around XRP and support a more bullish XRP price prediction going forward.

They contested certain definitions that seem rather ambiguous like “decentralization” and called it a “subjective” way to assess blockchains and crypto projects.

The letter reads: “Not all influence constitutes control. Shared interest in the asset’s value is not control. Participation in open network governance is not control. Merely holding or monetizing an asset as inventory is not control.”

This argument counters claims that the XRP Ledger is centralized due to Ripple’s involvement.

Ripple’s active role in shaping regulations in the country could pave the way for the creation of friendlier rules that help crypto projects like the XRP Ledger thrive.

XRP Price Prediction: ETF Assets Keep Climbing – XRP Could Reach $2.7 Soon

The 4-hour chart shows that XRP broke out of its descending price channel as Wall Street’s appetite for the token kept growing.

Source: TradingView

However, the uptrend encountered a massive sell wallet at $2.40, making this level the key resistance to watch down the road.

For now, XRP is finding strong support at the 200-period exponential moving average (EMA) in this lower time frame. If the price bounces off this line, the odds of a retest of $2.40 will be quite high.

Meanwhile, if this triangle reaches its full upside potential, that would mean that XRP will likely hit $2.70 a few weeks from now.

Just like XRP, top crypto presales are showing early signs of a breakout as market momentum builds.

Dogecoin-style tokens are grabbing the spotlight, and Maxi Doge ($MAXI) is leading the way by tapping into the same explosive energy that sent DOGE to 1000x gains.

Maxi Doge Presale Heats Up, Is This the Next 1000x?

Maxi Doge ($MAXI) is a new meme coin presale capturing the same explosive energy that sent Dogecoin 1000x, but this time it’s focused on building a real trader-driven community.

At the heart of the project is a growing group of holders who share trading setups, early opportunities, and alpha, making $MAXI a hub for degens looking to catch the next big wave.

To boost engagement, the project features weekly competitions like Maxi Ripped and Maxi Gains, where traders show off their biggest wins and climb the leaderboard for rewards and bragging rights.

Holders can also stake $MAXI and earn up to 70% APY, offering strong passive income potential while staying active in the community.

With meme coin momentum returning and the market beginning to turn, $MAXI is one of the most promising opportunities right now.

To buy $MAXI before it lists on exchanges, simply head to the official Maxi Doge ($MAXI) website and connect any compatible wallet (such as Best Wallet.)

You can swap existing crypto in your wallet or use a bank card to complete the purchase in seconds.

Visit the Official Maxi Doge Website Here

The post XRP Price Prediction: Ripple Slams SEC’s Crypto Rules – Is XRP Finally Breaking Out of the Legal Cage? appeared first on Cryptonews.

The Cardano price has risen to $0.3931 today, after founder Charles Hoskinson revealed in an interview that his portfolio has declined in value by $2.5 billion in the past four years.

ADA is up by 1.5% in the past 24 hours, and while it is down by 6% in the past week, it holds onto a 10% return in the past fortnight.

Hoskinson’s revelation of a $2.5 billion loss coincides with ADA’s 57% decline in the last 12 months, with the Cardano founder suggesting that the Trump administration’s crypto policy – and in particular the Official Trump meme coin – has actually had a negative effect overall on market growth.

However, Hoskinson’s interview also provides a strong reminder of Cardano’s fundamentals and future potential, with Cardano price prediction for this year and beyond looking very promising as a result.

Cardano Price Prediction: Charles Hoskinson Says He Lost $2.5 Billion – What Does That Mean for Cardano Holders Now?

Speaking on The Wolf of All Streets podcast, Charles Hoskinson argued that the second Trump administration has transformed crypto into a heavily partisan issue, implying that the Democrats may be likely to clamp down stringently on crypto if and when they come back into power.

He also argued that many of the crypto-related actions taken by the Trump administration in its early months were mainly tokenistic (no pun intended), and didn’t meaningfully help the market or industry.

“So there was a misunderstanding of how the government works, how the industry works, and it just became this popularity contest,” he said. “Who donated the most money to get access to basically be able to take a picture at the White House or with the President, as opposed to, like, what’s good for the industry.”

And without truly significant cryptocurrency policy, retail investors ended up losing money again, Hoskinson argues, despite a bull rally in November and December of 2024.

Hoskinson also admitted that he hasn’t escaped losses in recent months and years, telling Scott Melker, “I’ve lost $2.5 billion over the past four years.”

Yet despite this negativity, Hoskinson provided an encouraging review of Cardano’s development and growth, predicting that the layer-one network would see a “huge growth” in its DeFi ecosystem.

And if we look at the Cardano price chart today, we see that things are currently looking very hopeful.

Source: TradingView

Most notably, the Cardano price recently broke out of the descending pennant it has traded within since the summer, indicating a new growth phase.

The Cardano price prediction is therefore very bullish, with the altcoin likely to reach $0.50 by the end of January and $0.75 by Q2, before topping $1 by H2.

SUBBD Raises $1.4 Million in Presale: Could It Be the Next Coin to 100x?

As promising as ADA looks right now, many traders may also want to diversify into newer tokens, since these can outpace the market during their initial growth spurts.

This is also the case with presale coins, which can generate enough momentum during their sales to rally strongly once they list.

One of the more interesting coins holding its presale right now is SUBBD ($SUBBD), an ERC-20 token that has raised just over $1.4 million in its ICO.

Are you interested in AI Agents? Meet Miss Zara Sole

Become an AI Creator here: https://t.co/9jJM0SyyiQ pic.twitter.com/GK7zrVW7II

— SUBBD (@SUBBDofficial) December 26, 2025

SUBBD is preparing to launch a content creation platform that will put creators in the driving seat, providing them with AI-based tools in order to help them become more productive and profitable.

Its AI tools can help users generate ideas and content, including posts, images and videos, as well as the performers featured in such media.

At the same time, the use of crypto ensures that payouts to creators will be transparent and automatic, giving the new platform an edge over existing offerings.

And because SUBBD will be necessary to pay subscriptions to creator channels, demand for the new token could be quite high.

Investors can buy it now by going to the official SUBBD website and connecting a compatible wallet, such as Best Wallet.

Visit the Official SUBBD Website Here

The post Cardano Price Prediction: Charles Hoskinson Says He Lost $2.5 Billion – What Does That Mean for Cardano Holders Now? appeared first on Cryptonews.