Crypto Breaking

US CFTC Launches Innovation Committee to Regulate Emerging Technologies

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has announced the formation of a new Innovation Advisory Committee aimed at guiding regulations around transformative technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence. This move signals the agency’s commitment to fostering responsible innovation while ensuring market integrity amid rapid technological advancements.

The new committee replaces the former Technology Advisory Committee and seeks to incorporate leading voices from the crypto industry to help shape forward-looking regulatory frameworks. CFTC Chair Mike Selig emphasized the importance of the committee advising on the “commercial, economic, and practical considerations” of emerging financial products, platforms, and models, to establish clear rules for modernized markets.

“Innovators are harnessing technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cloud computing to modernize legacy financial systems and build entirely new ones,”

Blockchain technology continues to disrupt traditional finance by enabling faster, more transparent, and cost-efficient transactions in markets operating 24/7. Simultaneously, AI enhances data analysis processes, optimizing trading strategies and risk management. These innovations are vital components of the evolving financial ecosystem.

Source: Mike Selig

The move aligns the CFTC with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which has also adopted a more tech-forward regulatory stance to attract innovation and accommodate emerging markets.

Industry Leaders to Influence Regulatory Direction

Selig will lead the committee and plan to nominate twelve influential figures, including top executives from both the crypto and traditional finance sectors. Notable crypto leaders like Gemini CEO Tyler Winklevoss, Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan, and Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek will serve as members. Representing traditional finance are figures such as Intercontinental Exchange CEO Jeff Sprecher, Cboe Global Markets CEO Craig Donohue, and Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman.

Applications for additional committee memberships are open until January 31, 2026, and will also consider perspectives from regulatory bodies, academia, and public interest groups.

Private Sector Emphasizes Strategic Importance of Crypto Innovation

Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) underscored the significance of crypto innovation in maintaining America’s technological and economic leadership. The firm highlighted that collaboration between the U.S. government and private industry will be essential in defending national interests and avoiding loss of global dominance.

“If America fails to win technologically, it will lose economically, militarily, geopolitically, and culturally. And the entire world will lose as well,”

As the regulatory landscape evolves, the commitment from both public and private sectors will likely influence the future direction of crypto markets and technological development in the United States.

This article was originally published as CFTC Forms Panel to Regulate Blockchain and AI Innovations on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

US SEC Chairman Discusses Venezuela’s Reported Bitcoin Reserves Following Recent Political Developments

In the wake of a recent dramatic political shift in Venezuela, SEC Chairman Paul Atkins addressed the potential seizure of the country’s alleged Bitcoin holdings. The discussions emerged amid reports that Venezuela may possess up to $60 billion worth of Bitcoin, although verification remains uncertain amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Key Takeaways

SEC Chair hints at the possibility of US authorities seizing Venezuela’s Bitcoin assets.

Venezuela is reported to hold approximately 600,000 Bitcoin, but verification is lacking.

The recent political upheaval involved US forces removing President Nicolás Maduro from power.

Legislative developments in the US include the impending markup of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act.

Tickers mentioned: n/a

Sentiment: Neutral

Price impact: Neutral. The uncertainty surrounding the Venezuela Bitcoin holdings and geopolitical developments keeps the market cautious.

Trading idea (Not Financial Advice): Hold. Given the geopolitical risks and regulatory uncertainties, it’s prudent to remain cautious.

Market context: The evolving political landscape in Venezuela and legislative progress in the US contribute to ongoing volatility in the digital asset sector.

Analysis of Regulatory and Geopolitical Implications

Following the recent upheaval in Venezuela, where US forces, under directives from the administration of Donald Trump, captured then-President Nicolás Maduro and relocated him to the United States to face criminal charges, speculation about Venezuela’s Bitcoin reserves has intensified. While reports claim the country holds up to $60 billion worth of Bitcoin, verification remains elusive, and analysts have expressed skepticism about these figures.

During a recent interview, Atkins stated, “I leave that to others in the administration to deal with — I’m not involved in that,” when asked whether the US might take action to confiscate the assets. The SEC chair’s remarks coincide with increased legislative activity, as the Senate prepares to hold a markup on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, a bill designed to clarify regulatory oversight of cryptocurrencies. The legislation, passed by the House in July, has faced delays due to political gridlock and the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.

While some stakeholders have expressed concerns over specific provisions, including stablecoin regulations and decentralized finance regulations, lawmakers are expected to refine the bill further. Early drafts aim to grant the Commodity Futures Trading Commission increased authority over digital assets, signaling a potential shift in US regulatory approaches.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s previous engagement with blockchain technology, including launching an oil-backed digital currency in 2018, adds complexity to the current geopolitical and financial landscape.

The developments underscore the evolving nexus of politics, finance, and technology—a landscape that continues to be shaped by legislative efforts and international relations.

This article was originally published as Will the US Seize Venezuela’s Bitcoin? The Uncertain Future Unveiled on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Ethereum Holdings Surge as Strategic Shareholder Approves Further Expansion

Bitmine Immersion Technologies has significantly increased its Ethereum holdings over the past week while seeking shareholder approval to bolster its crypto treasury and staking operations. This move underscores the company’s commitment to strengthening its position within the expanding digital asset landscape and highlights its strategic focus on Ethereum as a core asset.

Key Takeaways

Bitmine acquired an additional 24,266 ETH, raising its total holdings to approximately 4.17 million ETH, representing 3.4% of the circulating supply.

The company’s overall crypto and cash holdings now total around $14 billion, including nearly $1 billion in cash, 193 Bitcoin, and a $23 million stake in Eightco Holdings.

Staking activity has expanded with approximately 1.26 million ETH currently staked—an increase of nearly 600,000 ETH from the prior week—as the company develops its own staking platform slated for launch in 2026.

Shareholder approval for an increase in authorized shares is under consideration, a move deemed essential by CEO Tom Lee to facilitate ongoing acquisitions and strategic growth.

Tickers mentioned: Ethereum, Bitcoin

Sentiment: Bullish

Price impact: Negative, as ETH declined by 3.3% over the past week, likely influenced by broader market volatility.

Trading idea (Not Financial Advice): Hold. The company’s strategic moves and increased holdings suggest long-term confidence, despite short-term price declines.

Market context: The expansion of crypto treasury holdings by firms like Bitmine reflects the growing institutionalization of digital assets amid fluctuating market conditions.

Recently, Bitmine announced that it had purchased an additional 24,266 ETH during the past week, bringing its total Ether holdings to approximately 4.17 million tokens, amounting to roughly 3.4% of the circulating supply. This positions the firm as one of the largest Ether treasury holders globally, surpassing other notable entities like Sharplink and The Ether Machine. The company’s strategic emphasis on accumulating and staking ETH aligns with its broader goal of cementing its role in the evolving decentralized finance ecosystem.

Beyond ETH, Bitmine’s total holdings encompass about $14 billion in combined assets, including nearly $1 billion in cash and a stake in Eightco Holdings. Its staking activities have also intensified, with nearly 1.26 million ETH currently locked in staking contracts, an increase of 596,864 ETH compared to the previous week. The company is developing its own staking platform, expected to launch by early 2026, which will further support its blockchain infrastructure ambitions.

Meanwhile, the company’s leadership is actively seeking shareholder approval to increase authorized shares, a move deemed vital to sustain its acquiring strategy. CEO Tom Lee emphasized that without additional share authorization, the company’s capacity to continue expanding its Ethereum holdings could be constrained. Despite short-term market dips, as evidenced by ETH’s recent 3.3% decline, investor optimism remains high due to Bitmine’s strategic positioning and operational growth.

Overall, Bitmine’s aggressive accumulation and staking of Ethereum, combined with strategic corporate governance initiatives, reflect a forward-looking approach that could influence the broader crypto treasury landscape in the coming years.

This article was originally published as Bitmine Boosts Ethereum Treasury with 24,000 ETH, Surpassing 4.1M Tokens on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Scope of the Restriction

Importantly, the ban applies to trading, promotion, fund management, and derivatives related to privacy tokens. The action concerns all companies based in or out of the DIFC. Moreover, the companies should now make sure that crypto assets comply with international standards. According to the regulators, more responsibility was put on the firms to evaluate the suitability of tokens, since they hide the transaction history and the owner of the wallet. As such, these characteristics make firms unable to comply with Financial Action Task Force transparency requirements.

According to Elizabeth Wallace, the DFSA associate director of policy, anonymity functions render compliance almost impossible. Therefore, the authority decided to ban it formally. Nonetheless, the move comes at a time when the privacy-oriented tokens have lately piqued more trading interest around the world. Dubai officials realized that there was activity in the market, but focused on regulatory alignment.

In addition, the transfer is in contrast to the debates in the United States. The DFSA also streamlined its stablecoin framework in addition to the privacy tokens that the US Securities and Exchange Commission probed recently regarding the balance of privacy and surveillance in digital finance. The update presented a more explicit definition of fiat-backed crypto tokens. According to the regulations, fiat crypto tokens need to hold substantial liquid reserves of high quality. Such reserves have to cater to redemptions made in times of market stress.

The reclassification of Algorithmic Tokens

The new definition fails to apply to algorithmic stablecoins. In turn, the DIFC will treat them as general crypto tokens but not stablecoins. Nonetheless, the UAE still promotes licensed blockchain development. Also in November, Abu Dhabi digital bank Zand introduced the first dirham stablecoin in the country, and the DFSA started working towards an industry-driven approval model. Thus, companies have decided on which crypto assets comply with the regulatory and risk requirements. Dubai has, therefore, strengthened its compliance system without realizing unregulated innovation. The regulator indicated further monitoring as world crypto standards change.

This article was originally published as Dubai Regulator Freezes Privacy Tokens as AML Requirements Quicken throughout DIFC on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Bitcoin’s On-Chain Activity Signals Strategic Moves Amid Price Breakout Attempts

Bitcoin continues its upward trajectory as on-chain data reveals increased activity from long-dormant ‘whale’ addresses, indicating strategic profit-taking rather than panic selling. While technical indicators suggest bullish momentum, market volatility remains a significant factor in the near term.

Key Takeaways

Whale spending surged to approximately $286 million, marking the largest activity spike since early November.

Technical momentum indicators have shifted bullish, but short-term volatility could cause price fluctuations.

Long-term holder distribution shows signs of deceleration, indicating diminishing overhead supply from older coins.

Accumulation addresses have added nearly 136,000 BTC in January, signaling sustained buying interest.

According to data from Capriole Investments, large Bitcoin holders, often termed OG whales, significantly increased their spending on January 10, moving funds after long periods of dormancy. This activity mirrors strategic profit-taking rather than emergency liquidation, especially considering the broader context of Bitcoin’s current rally. Historically, similar movements have preceded notable market corrections, but this time on-chain metrics present a more resilient supply-demand dynamic.

Bitcoin OG Whale Spent Value. Source: Capriole Investments

Meanwhile, on-chain data from Glassnode shows that long-term holder distribution has sharply decelerated from extreme net outflows, suggesting the profit-taking phase from older coins may be largely complete. Complementing this, CryptoQuant reports that accumulation addresses have added close to 136,000 BTC in just over two weeks in January, reinforcing bullish investor confidence.

Market Sentiment and Technical Outlook

Technical sentiment remains optimistic, with Bitcoin’s five-day MACD indicating a bullish reversal—a pattern historically associated with substantial rallies, including a previous surge of over 430%. However, traders warn of potential short-term pullbacks, noting that Bitcoin has typically experienced about a 5% dip below its weekly open for several consecutive months, which could temporarily push prices toward the $86,000-$87,000 range.

Beyond technicals, order book analysis shows increasing buying pressure, with bid liquidity surpassing ask liquidity across spot and futures markets. This suggests that if demand sustains, Bitcoin could absorb the recent supply from whales and target the psychological $100,000 mark—potentially as soon as next week if liquidity sharply sweeps below $89,000, with a critical support zone between $87,000 and $89,200.

Failure to hold above these levels could lead to a deeper correction toward $86,000, with external liquidity near $84,000 acting as a longer-term downside target. Nevertheless, a strong rebound from the current support could pave the way for renewed bullish momentum and an accelerated push toward new all-time highs.

Related: Strategy makes biggest Bitcoin purchase since July 2025, adds $1.25B in BTC

This article was originally published as OG Whales Sell $286M, While BTC Bulls Chase $100K Breakthrough on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Bitcoin Loses Ground as Gold Reaches New Highs

As precious metals hit new all-time highs amid ongoing macroeconomic tensions, Bitcoin’s price action appears subdued, declining against gold over recent months. Market analysts suggest that Bitcoin is no longer serving as the safe haven asset many anticipated during times of fiscal uncertainty.

Key Takeaways

Bitcoin has failed to uphold its narrative as a hedge against currency debasement, slipping below 20 ounces in gold terms to start 2026.

While gold and silver continue to rally, Bitcoin remains roughly 20% below its recent peak, indicating divergence in assets’ performance.

Market commentary points to a shift in investor preference, favoring traditional “hard money” assets over digital assets like Bitcoin.

Major market figures warn that the broader macroeconomic environment setting the stage for significant moves in gold and equities could impact crypto markets significantly.

Tickers mentioned:
Crypto → $BTC, $ETH

Sentiment: Bearish

Price impact: Negative. Bitcoin’s failure to rally alongside precious metals suggests waning investor confidence in its store of value proposition.

Trading idea (Not Financial Advice): Consider reducing exposure to Bitcoin in anticipation of continued underperformance relative to gold.

Market context: The current environment underscores a potential paradigm shift away from cryptocurrencies as safe haven assets toward traditional commodities.

Market Analysis and Commentary

Recent analysis from Karel Mercx of Beleggers Belangen highlights that Bitcoin no longer functions as the “debasement trade”—a narrative that once positioned it as digital gold. Data from TradingView indicates that Bitcoin has dipped below 20 ounces in gold terms after reaching recent two-year lows. Meanwhile, gold and silver prices continue to surge, with both metals hitting new record highs, fueled by growing concerns over monetary policy and inflationary pressures.

“The verdict is in: the debasement trade is Gold & Silver, not Bitcoin,”

Mercx stated in a recent post on X.
“A frontal attack on the FED sends metals to fresh ATHs while Bitcoin sits 20% below its peak.”

Mercx disputes the narrative that Bitcoin is an attractive safe haven that offers protection from fiat currency dilution, arguing that capital flows are still predominantly favoring physical precious metals. He states, “The narrative is broken,” emphasizing that investors prefer traditional hard money over the digital experiment.

Broader Market Developments

Crypto trader Michaël van de Poppe noted that with gold and silver reaching new heights, the market’s next move appears critical. He warned that unless Bitcoin accelerates its breakout soon, it risks a significant downturn. Conversely, Benjamin Cowen highlighted the importance of gold’s rising performance against the S&P 500, suggesting that a breakdown of this trend could signal a fundamental shift in macroeconomic stability.

In summary, the current environment marks a pivotal moment where traditional assets outperform digital ones, and analysts warn of potential downside risks for Bitcoin as the broader markets evolve.

This article was originally published as Final Whistle: Bitcoin Surges as Gold Debasement Trade Fades on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Crypto Custody Giant BitGo Files for IPO, Targeting Nearly $2 Billion Valuation

BitGo Holdings, a leading firm in digital asset custody services, has officially filed for an initial public offering (IPO) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The move marks a significant step in the company’s expansion, aiming to raise substantial capital while reinforcing its position in the evolving crypto landscape.

Key Takeaways

BitGo plans to offer 11 million shares of Class A common stock, with an additional 821,595 shares available from existing stockholders.

The company anticipates a share price between $15 and $17, potentially securing up to $201 million in new funding.

Since its inception in 2013, BitGo has managed assets totaling over $90 billion, underpinning its reputation as a trusted custody provider.

The firm is targeting a valuation close to $1.96 billion, supported by prominent U.S. investment banks.

Tickers mentioned: None.

Sentiment: Neutral

Price impact: Neutral. The IPO filing signals strategic growth but has yet to influence market pricing significantly.

Market context: The move underscores the growing institutional interest in crypto custody solutions amidst rising digital asset adoption.

BitGo’s IPO Filing and Strategic Outlook

BitGo, a prominent name in crypto custody, announced the launch of its IPO on Monday after filing a Form S-1 with the SEC. The offering is expected to include 11 million new shares at an anticipated price range of $15 to $17 each. If fully subscribed, the IPO could raise approximately $201 million, bolstering the company’s capital reserves to support further growth.

The company’s prior SEC filings indicated its intention to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “BTGO.” Since launching its platform in 2013, BitGo has accumulated over $90 billion in assets under custody, solidifying its prominence in crypto infrastructure. The forthcoming IPO is targeting a valuation of nearly $1.96 billion, contingent on the offering’s success.

The offering has attracted major U.S. financial institutions, with Goldman Sachs serving as the lead book-running manager and Citigroup as a book runner. Other underwriters include Deutsche Bank Securities, Mizuho, Wells Fargo Securities, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Canaccord Genuity, and Cantor. Additional co-managers comprise Clear Street, Compass Point, Craig-Hallum, Rosenblatt, Wedbush Securities, and SoFi.

Although the registration statement has been filed, it has not yet become effective. As such, securities cannot be sold, nor offers accepted, until regulatory approval is secured. This development signals both continued investor confidence in crypto custody firms and the increasing maturity of the sector as it approaches mainstream financial markets.

This article was originally published as BitGo Announces IPO with $1.96B Valuation—Here’s What You Need to Know on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Abu Dhabi, 12 January 2026 – Global oil markets have remained relatively steady despite renewed geopolitical tensions between the United States and Venezuela, with crude prices continuing to trade within a narrow range.
While Venezuela holds some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, decades of mismanagement, underinvestment and international sanctions have significantly curtailed its production capacity. As a result, the country currently contributes only a marginal share to global oil supply.

Sam North, Market Analyst At Etoro

Commenting on the situation, Sam North, Market Analyst at eToro, said:
“Venezuela’s current oil output, now below 500,000 barrels per day, represents less than 1% of global supply. At these levels, its production has little influence on global oil prices, especially when compared to historical peaks of more than 3 million barrels per day.”

North added that even if recent diplomatic negotiations lead to an easing of restrictions and allow additional Venezuelan oil to return to the market, the impact would be limited in the near term.

“Rebuilding Venezuela’s oil sector would require years and billions of dollars in investment before it could meaningfully affect global supply balances. In fact, over the medium to long term, additional supply from such large reserves could increase downside pressure on oil prices rather than drive them higher, particularly in an already well-supplied market.”

Despite ongoing political uncertainty, oil markets have largely shrugged off geopolitical noise. Global supply conditions remain comfortable, supported by healthy inventory levels and OPEC+ maintaining stable production, which has helped keep price volatility in check.

With oil prices hovering around the USD $60 level, motorists are unlikely to see any sudden increase in fuel prices driven by current geopolitical developments.

“At this stage, markets are reacting far more to supply data than to political drama,” North explained. “In the UAE, fuel prices are adjusted monthly based on international benchmarks such as Brent crude and local distribution costs, meaning short-term geopolitical tensions rarely translate into immediate price changes at the pump.”

As a result, barring any significant disruption to global supply, oil prices are expected to remain driven by fundamentals rather than headlines in the near term.

Media contacts:

etoro@golin-mena.com

About eToro

eToro is the trading and investing platform that empowers you to invest, share and learn. We were founded in 2007 with the vision of a world where everyone can trade and invest in a simple and transparent way. Today we have over 38 million registered users from more than 75 countries. We believe there is power in shared knowledge and that we can become more successful by investing together. So, we’ve created a collaborative investment community designed to provide you with the tools you need to grow your knowledge and wealth. On eToro, you can hold a range of traditional and innovative assets and choose how you invest: trade directly, invest in a portfolio, or copy other investors. You can visit our media centre here for our latest news.

Disclaimers:

eToro (ME) Limited, is licensed and regulated by the Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”)’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (“FSRA“) as an Authorised Person to conduct the Regulated Activities of (a) Dealing in Investments as Principal (Matched), (b) Arranging Deals in Investments, (c) Providing Custody, (d) Arranging Custody and (e) Managing Assets (under Financial Services Permission Number 220073) under the Financial Services and Market Regulations 2015 (“FSMR”). Its registered office and its principal place of business is at Office 207 and 208, 15th Floor, Al Sarab Tower, ADGM Square, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (“UAE”).

This communication is for information and education purposes only and should not be taken as investment advice, a personal recommendation, or an offer of, or solicitation to buy or sell, any financial instruments. This material has been prepared without considering any particular recipient’s investment objectives or financial situation, and has not been prepared in accordance with the legal and regulatory requirements to promote independent research. Any references to past or future performance of a financial instrument, index or a packaged investment product are not, and should not be taken as, a reliable indicator of future results. eToro makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication.

This article was originally published as Oil Prices Remain Stable Near $60 Despite Geopolitical Noise on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

European Economists Urge Public-Centric Digital Euro to Protect Monetary Sovereignty

A coalition of seventy economists and policy experts has issued a call to European Parliament members to support the development of a digital euro that prioritizes the public interest. They emphasize that such a move is vital for maintaining Europe’s monetary sovereignty and ensuring access to central bank money in an era increasingly dominated by digital transactions and reduced reliance on cash.

Key Takeaways

Experts advocate for a public, pan-European digital currency issued by the Eurosystem, not exclusively controlled by private entities.

The letter warns that without public-centric options, private stablecoins and foreign payment platforms could wield excessive influence over Europe’s financial infrastructure.

Central bank digital currency (CBDC) is positioned as a public good, designed to complement cash, not replace it, with features such as offline payments and tiered remuneration.

Concerns about privacy, operational costs, and potential disintermediation are central to ongoing debates surrounding the digital euro’s implementation.

Tickers mentioned: None

Sentiment: Supportive of a public digital euro

Price impact: Neutral, as the development is at an early stage with policy debates ongoing

Trading idea (Not Financial Advice): Hold, pending further regulatory developments and market adoption

Market context: The push for a digital euro aligns with broader discussions on digital currencies and resilience of sovereign monetary systems amid global digital transformation

Advocacy for a Public Digital Currency

In an open letter published Sunday, leading economists, including former European Bank for Reconstruction and Development vice president José Leandro and renowned French economist Thomas Piketty, call for the European Central Bank (ECB) to prioritize a digital euro that functions as a public good. They argue that in the absence of a strong, publicly controlled digital currency, Europe risks falling under the influence of private stablecoins and major foreign payment providers, such as major technology firms, which could undermine financial independence and resilience during times of stress.

Open letter to MEPs. Source: Sustainable Finance Lab

The signatories emphasize that the digital euro should be accessible across the entire euro area, issued by the Eurosystem, and offered free of charge for basic transactions. They suggest that the digital currency should complement physical cash rather than replace it entirely. The letter warns that a hesitating or watered-down approach could lead to increased dependence on private payment solutions, with potential threats to Europe’s financial sovereignty. These private options, often controlled by non-European firms, could diminish the resilience and stability of the continent’s payment system, especially during crisis periods.

ECB’s Preparatory Work and Design Considerations

The European Central Bank is currently in the preparation phase of its digital euro project, working on technical frameworks, regulatory guidelines, and features such as offline payments. ECB officials have reiterated the goal of creating a secure and privacy-respecting digital currency that supports a broad range of use cases, including conditional payments and offline functionality, while maintaining anti-money laundering standards.

In a recent speech, ECB Executive Board Member Philip Lane highlighted the importance of balancing innovation with privacy and the continued role of traditional banks in retail payments. The ECB’s technical annexes have analyzed the potential impacts of a digital euro on financial stability, indicating that, with proper safeguards like holding limits of around 3,000 euros, serious risks are unlikely even in adverse scenarios, demonstrating cautious optimism about the project’s stability.

Although some stakeholders express skepticism—particularly regarding costs, operational challenges, and user adoption—the ECB remains committed to advancing a digital euro that upholds European values of privacy and sovereignty. As discussions continue, the focus remains on designing a digital currency that bolsters Europe’s financial independence while addressing practical concerns around implementation and user trust.

This article was originally published as Economists Urge MEPs to Back Digital Euro in Official Open Letter on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Yellow Network  has announced it will soon launch a hybrid digital asset trading platform with a proprietary mesh-network infrastructure, incorporating elements of both centralized and decentralized exchanges.

Whilst prioritising the philosophy of self-custody and peer-to-peer trading, the platform also promises to provide the speed and capital efficiency associated with centralized exchanges.

The platform, accessible via yellow.com , is powered by a layer-three network that connects isolated chains, creating a single pool of unified liquidity. It also utilises high-speed state channel clearing to deliver near-instant execution of trades off-chain, with zero gas fees, eliminating the usual delays and friction traders face on-chain.

“This is a rare example of a product that can genuinely claim to be unlike anything else on the market,” said Alexis Sirkia, Chairman of Yellow Network. “The industry has long operated under a compromise where liquidity is siloed and security is traded for speed, which we have set out to end. Our vision with the Yellow trading interface is to activate the infrastructure necessary to support the next generation of high-frequency digital assets.”

Yellow is built on a non-custodial architecture that keeps user assets in their own on-chain wallets, removing reliance on third parties, and reducing counterparty risk. The platform integrates real-time risk management, and continuous transaction reconciliation, to create a transparent trading environment.

Capital efficiency is a core design principle, with fees structured for active, high-volume, and institutional trading. At the center of the Yellow ecosystem is the $YELLOW token, providing access to discounted services, staking opportunities, and governance participation.

About Yellow Network

Yellow Network is a Web3 ecosystem providing the core infrastructure and developer tools to power a new generation of high-performance decentralized finance applications. Its core technology is a Layer-3 protocol that enables real time, non-custodial, cross-chain trading to occur off-chain using state channels, with only the final settlement recorded on-chain. Built on top of this is the Yellow SDK, a comprehensive Software Development Kit that serves as an advanced toolkit for developers to build advanced, user-friendly, and efficient decentralized applications (dApps). Yellow Network aims to drive the mass adoption of Web3 whilst creating a more efficient and inclusive financial ecosystem that extends the foundational principles of Bitcoin and Ethereum to everyday life.

Media Contact:
Vaishnavi Deepak
Associate
Wachsman
P: +44 7387 898633
E: vaishnavi.deepak@wachsman.com

This article was originally published as Yellow Network Unveils Hybrid Digital Asset Trading Platform on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Key Insights:

India mandates selfies, GPS tracking, and penny drops for crypto exchange onboarding.

Bitcoin, Zcash, Bittensor, and Solana see short-term gains amid regulatory updates.

ICOs, ITOs, and anonymous token transactions face strict restrictions under FIU guidelines.

India has strengthened crypto rules, mandating selfies, penny drops, and extensive KYC checks for exchanges. The new measures aim to curb money laundering and terrorism financing. Exchanges must now follow strict onboarding protocols while updating compliance systems.

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) issued the guidelines, expanding the regulatory scope for all virtual digital asset service providers. Exchanges are required to register with the FIU and maintain detailed customer records. Authorities emphasized strict enforcement against unverified transactions and anonymous token use.

The updated rules follow three years of regulatory developments, including initial KYC and reporting standards in 2023. India is intensifying oversight amid growing crypto adoption and potential misuse risks. The measures highlight a shift toward more structured digital asset regulation.

Bitcoin Gains Amid Regulatory Updates

Bitcoin rose 1.8% to $92,054 as markets reacted to broader financial uncertainty. The cryptocurrency led a market capitalization increase to $3.2 trillion. Trading volume showed rising interest despite lingering market caution.

BREAKING

India just tightened crypto rules.

Exchanges must now use
Live selfie KYC
Location and IP checks
Bank account verification
Govt ID plus phone and email

At the same time, tax officials say crypto and DeFi make tax collection harder.

India is one of the world’s… pic.twitter.com/R8LPZcqrZ7

— BlockchainedIndia (@blockchainedind) January 12, 2026

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index stayed in the “Fear” zone at 27, reflecting ongoing uncertainty. Liquidations jumped 136% to $165 million while open interest slightly increased to $139 billion. Price movements indicate speculative activity driven by external market events.

Bitcoin faces resistance near $98,000, and short-term gains may not translate to sustained long-term trends. Analysts suggest liquidity recovery supports potential momentum in January and February. Market volatility remains elevated due to political and financial pressures globally.

Altcoins See Mixed Performance

Zcash surged 10% to $414, showing strong short-term demand. Investors increased exposure amid crypto market fluctuations. Zcash’s momentum reflects targeted buying rather than broader market confidence.

Bittensor rose 3.2% to $290, attracting attention from niche crypto participants. Its trading volume remains moderate compared to leading assets. The token’s growth coincides with overall market recovery signals.

Solana increased 5.2% to $142, benefiting from renewed trading interest. Network activity and adoption metrics have improved, supporting price gains. Market participants remain alert to potential shifts in momentum.

FIU Enforces Onboarding and Transaction Rules

Exchanges must collect PAN, selfies with liveness detection, and GPS coordinates of users. Verification also includes email, mobile OTP, and additional identity documents. These measures aim to ensure genuine user presence and prevent fraud.

The penny drop method now mandates recording of bank account verification and location timestamps. FIU emphasized preventing anonymous transactions and crypto mixers from operating within India. ICOs and ITOs are restricted due to high money laundering and terrorism financing risks.

Exchanges must update KYC every six months for high-risk users and yearly for others. Regulatory oversight now includes real-time monitoring of suspicious transactions. The FIU’s measures aim to strengthen India’s digital asset compliance framework.

This article was originally published as India Tightens Crypto Oversight With Mandatory Selfies and Penny Drop KYC Rules on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Cryptocurrency Investment Products Face Significant Outflows Amid Shifting Investor Sentiment

Recent data reveals a notable decline in crypto investment products, with a four-day series of withdrawals erasing gains from early 2026. Despite a solid start to the year, investor confidence has waned, primarily due to macroeconomic concerns and expectations around Federal Reserve policies.

Key Takeaways

Crypto exchange-traded products experienced $454 million in outflows last week, according to CoinShares.

Bitcoin led the retreat, with outflows totaling $405 million, sparking concerns over market sentiment.

Altcoin funds rallied, with inflows into assets like XRP, Solana, and Sui totaling over $87 million.

The United States was the sole region showing significant withdrawals, while Europe and other markets saw inflows.

Tickers mentioned: $BTC, $ETH

Sentiment: Bearish

Price impact: Negative, as widespread outflows indicate increased risk aversion among investors.

Trading idea (Not Financial Advice): Hold, monitoring macroeconomic cues for potential market rebounds.

Market context: The shift reflects broader caution amid uncertain monetary policy outlooks and macroeconomic data.

Market Analysis

Last week, crypto investment products endured a steep decline, with weekly outflows totaling $454 million. CoinShares attributes this to investor concerns over the Federal Reserve’s potential delay in interest rate cuts, influenced by recent macroeconomic indicators. Despite the outflows, the overall monthly flows remain positive at $229 million, balancing the initial inflows of $582 million at the year’s onset.

Bitcoin’s Volatility

Bitcoin was the primary driver of the negative sentiment, with outflows of $405 million. Short-Bitcoin funds saw minor outflows of $9 million, suggesting a mixed outlook on the asset’s near-term direction. Meanwhile, alternative cryptocurrencies like XRP, Solana, and Sui continued to see inflows, with combined gains of approximately $87 million, signaling sustained interest in altcoins despite Bitcoin’s pullback.

Weekly crypto ETP flows by asset as of Friday (in millions of US dollars). Source: CoinShares

Sectoral and Geographic Breakdown

Regionally, the United States was the only major market to exhibit significant outflows, totaling $569 million. Conversely, Germany, Canada, and Switzerland registered inflows of $59 million, $25 million, and $21 million, respectively. Despite these shifts, total assets under management across crypto ETPs slightly increased week-over-week to $181.9 billion from $181.3 billion.

Weekly crypto ETP flows by country as of Friday (in millions of US dollars). Source: CoinShares

Despite the recent negative trends, institutional interest remains considerable. Major players like BlackRock’s iShares and Profunds Group led inflows, while Fidelity and Grayscale experienced notable outflows. The continued fluctuation underscores the evolving landscape of crypto investments amid macroeconomic uncertainties and shifting risk appetite.

This article was originally published as Crypto ETPs Lose $454M in Outflows as Bitcoin Bears Dominate on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

January 12, 2025 – Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by users and trading volume, sponsored the Economy Stage at this year’s 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai. Taken place from January 9 to 11, 2026, the three-day summit is the world’s largest gathering of content creators, digital platforms, brands, and media leaders. The event, which hosted over 15,000 content creators and over 420 speakers, serves as a global platform for dialogue, collaboration, and innovation, spotlighting how creators are shaping culture, influencing communities, and building sustainable digital businesses at scale.

Content creators play a major role in Binance’s broader educational mission. Often serving as the first point of entry into the digital asset space, creators help demystify complex concepts and make information accessible to both new and experienced users. Binance’s presence at this year’s edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit created an opportunity to lead meaningful conversations around the importance of content creation in crypto and web3, how trust is built in an increasingly crowded information landscape, and the real-world impact creators can have on financial understanding and decision-making.

Binance hosted two panels during the summit: How Leading Creators Work with Binance and Create Different, Earn Different With Binance.

On the first day of the summit, Jessica Walker – Global Media and Content Lead at Binance, was joined by leading creators Max Zaharenkov, Nic Puckrin, and Sujal Jethwani to discuss how creators across different regions and verticals are building trust by making complex blockchain concepts digestible and relevant, despite serving vastly different audiences and niches. The session also tackled the evolving role of creators within DeFi and beyond, examining how a creator’s voice can influence financial confidence, decision-making, and long-term independence among their audiences

The second day, January 10, featured Create Different, Earn Different With Binance, where Jessica Walker and Shirley Wong, Growth Marketing Lead at Binance, examined how digital assets are reshaping the global creator economy. The discussion highlighted the Binance Creator Program, which drew strong interest for its ability to enable sustainable income and showcase real success stories, demonstrating how digital assets are helping creators unlock new paths to financial independence.

Through its participation at the 1 Billion Followers Summit, Binance reaffirmed its commitment to education, transparency, and empowering creators as trusted voices in the digital asset ecosystem. By supporting meaningful dialogue and spotlighting real-world use cases, Binance continues to champion responsible innovation and play an active role in shaping a more informed, inclusive, and sustainable future for the global crypto community.

This article was originally published as Binance Puts Content Creators in the Spotlight at the 1 Billion Followers Summit on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

2026 Outlook: Infrastructure, Regulation, and the Rise of Stablecoins

As the cryptocurrency landscape evolves into 2026, a clear trend has emerged: the industry is shifting focus from speculative trading to building robust infrastructure, enhancing regulatory frameworks, and integrating digital assets into everyday financial systems. Key developments include the expansive role of stablecoins, increased regulatory oversight, and the geopolitical implications of crypto activity worldwide.

Key Takeaways

Stablecoins now account for over half of all on-chain transaction volume globally, reflecting their central role in payments, remittances, and trading.

Growth in stablecoins has attracted scrutiny from regulators due to their use in both legitimate finance and illicit activities.

2025 was marked by a significant rise in crypto-related criminal activities, with illicit flows reaching approximately $154 billion, driven largely by nation-state actors.

Despite increased illicit use, overall crypto activity remains predominantly legitimate, with illegal transactions representing less than 1% of total activity.

Tickers mentioned: none

Sentiment: Neutral

Price impact: Neutral. The ongoing maturation of stablecoins and regulatory development suggests stability without immediate significant price shifts.

Market context: The industry is increasingly regulated and mature, emphasizing infrastructure and compliance over speculation.

Stablecoins Shift to Center Stage

Experts highlight that 2025 was arguably the pivotal year for stablecoins, reflecting their expanding dominance in crypto markets. Despite Bitcoin’s continued leadership in market capitalization, stablecoins now represent more than 50% of all transactional volume on-chain, underscoring their vital role in the ecosystem.

Analysts observe that stablecoins serve as a reliable medium of exchange, providing liquidity and stability across borders. However, this dominance has caught the attention of regulators globally, concerned about their potential misuse. Centralized stablecoin issuers retain the authority to freeze or burn tokens, presenting both a tool for compliance enforcement and a point of regulatory contention.

Escalating Geopolitical and Illicit Activity

The year also saw a notable rise in state-linked crypto activities, with illicit flows reaching approximately $154 billion—a 162% increase from the previous year, according to Chainalysis. Nation-state actors increasingly leverage cryptocurrencies for nefarious purposes, such as sanctions evasion and covert transactions.

Despite the surge in illicit activity, experts maintain that such transactions constitute less than 1% of overall crypto use, highlighting a relatively small but concerning element of the broader industry. Regulatory agencies, particularly in Europe with initiatives like the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, are working towards more structured oversight to mitigate these risks.

While challenges remain, the crypto industry is gradually transitioning towards a more regulated and secure environment, emphasizing stability and compliance in its ongoing evolution.

This article was originally published as How Stablecoins and Crypto Crime Are Changing Regulations in 2025 on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 12 January, 2026: Fuze, one of the Middle East and Turkey’s fastest-growing financial infrastructure providers, has appointed Serena Sebastiani as its new Group Chief Strategy and Venture Officer (CSVO). Serena was most recently PwC Middle East Virtual Assets Consulting lead, and is currently the Co-Chair of the MENA Fintech Association’s Digital Assets Committee and President of GCC at the Association for Women in Cryptocurrency.

Serena Sebastiani, Group Chief Strategy and Venture Officer, said: “Having been part of the early build-out of the UAE’s digital assets ecosystem and witnessing its rise as a global hub, joining Fuze feels like a natural progression. After years of advising and shaping the industry, I’m stepping into the arena to scale a business I deeply believe in. I’m excited to join a leadership team that has poured relentless commitment into this vision, one I witnessed being born and built. This is a commitment I fully share and am ready to accelerate.”

Mo Ali Yusuf, Fuze CEO and Co-Founder, said: “Welcoming Serena into the business is like hiring three world-class experts in one. Her strategic advisory capabilities, specialist aptitude within virtual assets and robust experience within regulatory environments, will be of great benefit to Fuze as we scale the future of finance in the region and beyond.”

(Image – Serena Sebastiani, Fuze)

Serena has spent the past 15 years advising across the financial services sector in Europe and the Middle East, working with leading investment banks, asset and wealth managers, securities services providers, governments and regulators. She contributed to the development of Europe’s securities market infrastructure and has helped shape the regulatory foundations for fintech and digital assets, including advising on the creation of the first Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. Drawing on this experience, she has supported multiple governments and regulators on policy frameworks, guided banks and virtual asset service providers as they enter new markets and, she has guided the development of new digital asset and fintech propositions.

Within her new role at Fuze, Sebastiani will be responsible for enhancing strategic growth and sustainably scaling Fuze across its core infrastructure, including institutional over-the-counter (OTC) desk, digital assets-as-a-service (DaaS) platform and payments. Serena will play a major role in shaping Fuze’s long-term vision and roadmap for its API-integrated financial services offering for banks, institutions and enterprises.

Media contact:

Jonathan Ivan-Duke

Partner, duke+mir

jon@dukemir.com <mailto:jon@dukemir.com
+971582857333 <tel:+971582857333

About Fuze:

Fuze is MENA’s first-of-its-kind regulated digital assets infrastructure provider, offering financial institutions and businesses cutting-edge tools to integrate digital asset services securely and efficiently. Driven by a solutions-based approach, Fuze helps financial services providers to strategise, organise and implement digital assets infrastructure and quickly, securely launch regulated, world-class products across wealth and payments.

Fuze was founded by an expert team of fintech, traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi) leaders, with its co-founders holding extensive knowledge from experience in global hypergrowth businesses: the CEO, Mohammed Ali Yusuf (Mo Ali Yusuf) has held prominent roles at Checkout.com and Visa; Arpit Mehta (COO) was previously in the leadership team at fintech leaders like Simpl and Clear; Srijan Shetty (CTO) built algorithmic trading systems at Goldman Sachs and worked at tech leader Microsoft.

Fuze offers a Digital-Assets-as-a-Service infrastructure platform which enables banks and fintechs to embed regulated digital assets products in a B2B2C fashion. Additionally, Fuze provides an Over-The-Counter (OTC) service that supports institutions, funds, and HNIs (high-net-worth individuals) in executing large digital asset trades securely and efficiently.

For more details, visit: https://fuze.ae/

Disclaimer: The information contained in this press release is for general informational purposes only. Fuze and its subsidiaries, including Niobe Payment Services LLC SPC, are regulated under the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates and operate in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This press release does not constitute an offer to provide financial services or investment advice in any jurisdiction. Fuze does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any financial products or services mentioned are subject to market risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Readers are strongly encouraged to seek legal, tax advice with an advisor before making any financial or investment decisions.

This article was originally published as Fuze appoints former-PwC Virtual Assets lead as Group Chief Strategist on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, January 12th, 2025: As RAKBANK marks its Golden Jubilee, this is a moment to reflect on the journey behind us and to be clear about what has guided the Bank every step of the way.

For fifty years, RAKBANK’s progress has been shaped by trust, relationships and a belief that banking should serve people. That belief has remained constant through changing times, new technologies and evolving customer needs.

Digital with a Human Touch is more than a promise. It is how the Bank designs experiences, makes decisions and shows up for customers every day. As RAKBANK marks fifty years, it continues to bring this philosophy to life in a clear and consistent way across everything it does.

From intelligent decisioning and AI enabled support to simpler, friction free journeys, the focus has always been on making banking more intuitive while keeping human connection at the centre. Progress has never been about doing more, but about doing what matters better.

Supporting SMEs has always been at the heart of RAKBANK’s journey.

For decades, the Bank has stood alongside budding entrepreneurs and business owners as they start, scale and grow. That commitment was recognised when RAKBANK was named Euromoney’s Best Bank for SMEs in the UAE. This recognition reflects the trust SME customers place in the Bank and its continued focus on delivering practical, relationship led banking that helps businesses move forward.

This same mindset continues to shape how the Bank innovates. RAKBANK became the first conventional bank in the UAE to launch crypto trading within its mobile app.

RAKBANK is deeply thankful to the leadership of the UAE for their continued inspiration, guidance and belief in progress. Their vision and commitment to excellence have created the foundation for institutions like RAKBANK to grow with confidence, innovate with purpose and contribute meaningfully to the nation and the communities it serves.

Raheel Ahmed, Group CEO of RAKBANK, said:

“As we mark our Golden Jubilee, we reflect on five decades of building a strong and trusted franchise across the UAE. Our journey has always been rooted in relationships, service and a belief that banking should feel personal. This milestone honours the generations of colleagues and customers who shaped our story, and reaffirms our commitment to creating value that lasts, supporting communities and serving the nation with the high standards it expects from us.”

A Year of Celebration

Throughout 2026, RAKBANK will mark its Golden Jubilee under the theme “50 Years With You,” bringing this milestone to life through meaningful moments with customers, colleagues and communities across the UAE.

This year is about celebrating the journey shared through the years, recognising those who made it possible, and continuing forward together with colleagues, customers and the communities that inspire what comes next.

About RAKBANK

RAKBANK, also known as the National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (P.S.C), is one of the UAE’s oldest yet most dynamic banks. Since 1976, RAKBANK has been a market leader, offering a wide range of banking services across the UAE.

We’re a public joint stock company based in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, with our head office located in the RAKBANK Building on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. The Government of Ras Al Khaimah holds the majority of our shares, which are publicly traded on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX).

RAKBANK stands out for its innovation and unwavering commitment to delivering awesome customer experiences. Our transformative digital journey aims to be a ‘digital bank with a human touch,’ accompanying you during key moments.

With 21 branches and advanced Digital Banking solutions, we offer a wide range of Personal, Wholesale, and Business Banking services. Through our Islamic Banking unit, RAKislamic, we provide Sharia-compliant services to make your banking experience seamless, whether you visit us in person or online.

For more information, please visit www.rakbank.ae or contact the Call Centre on +9714 213 0000. Alternatively, you can connect with us on our social media platforms:

x.com/rakbanklive

Instagram.com/rakbank

tiktok.com/@rakbank

linkedin.com/rakbank

For more information, please contact:

Suzana Saoud

Associate Account Director

Gambit Communications

+97156 7155 470

Suzana@gambit.ae

This article was originally published as Digital with a Human Touch: Fifty Years of Serving People on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Venture capitalists and governments have poured nearly a trillion dollars into AI. That investment accounts for 92% of stock market growth in 2025. Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) alone , the chipmaker powering the boom is now worth $4.5 trillion and represents 45% of NASDAQ growth.

The bet is simple: superintelligence is coming, and whoever builds the infrastructure first wins infinite riches.

There’s just one problem. The math doesn’t work unless a literal miracle happens.

The Holy Grail Problem

Listen to any AI booster out of Silicon Valley, and you’ll hear the same pitch: AI will cure cancer, unlock fusion energy, predict financial markets, and create better art than any human ever could. Then it will improve itself exponentially until it becomes something close to divine.

Sam Altman calls it inevitable. Mark Zuckerberg says he’s prepared to “waste a couple hundred billion dollars” chasing it. The premise is that if you build too slowly and superintelligence arrives in three years instead of five, you’re out of position on “the most important technology in history.”

This is not how economic paradigm shifts have ever worked. The cotton gin, the printing press, and early computers all started with incremental investments that paid off with incremental profits over decades. AI investors are doing the opposite: calling the home run before swinging the bat.

The Circular Money Problem

Nvidia’s rise looks a lot more precarious when you examine where the money is actually coming from.

A Bloomberg chart shows the flow of capital in and out of Nvidia, and it’s moving in a circle. Nvidia invests billions in data center companies. Those companies spend that investment buying Nvidia chips. The same chunk of money gets passed back and forth, claimed as investment, asset, and revenue, sometimes all three.

This only makes sense if AI’s eventual profitability is so vast that these investments are just short-term bridges to capture future gains. But those gains need to materialize fast. AI chips have a lifespan of roughly three years. The trillion-dollar investment needs to earn out before those chips become worthless.

The $800 Billion Question

OpenAI posted $13 billion in annualized revenue this year ,the largest in the AI services space. That’s real money. But Sequoia’s David Kahn estimates AI companies need to sell $800 billion worth of services over the life of today’s data centers and GPUs just to break even. Bain & Company puts the 2030 target at $2 trillion in revenue.

The only way to hit those numbers is an exponential growth curve starting now. Ask yourself: is your own use of ChatGPT likely to boost your productivity 15-30x over the next three to five years? That’s what the investment thesis requires.

The Horny Chatbot Tell

In October, Sam Altman announced OpenAI would “treat adults like adults“, opening the door to customized erotica.

As one internet commenter put it: “If I genuinely believed I was 18 months away from superintelligence that could solve cancer, I probably wouldn’t be pivoting to horny chatbots.”

The dream is cracking.

Four Scenarios, One Likely Outcome

Here’s how the AI boom ends:

Utopian: AI achieves superintelligence, transforms the economy, and makes humanity exponentially more productive. Requires a miracle within three years.

Dystopian: AI goes rogue, makes humanity obsolete. Can’t happen without superintelligence first — which isn’t happening on this timeline.

Integrative: AI fails to achieve superintelligence but solves some productivity problems like any other technology. Modest gains, no exponential returns.

Failure: Investment collapses. Data centers become worthless. Early investors already cashed out.

The early investors don’t need superintelligence to win. They already have. Nvidia traded at $5 in January 2018. Today it’s $180 , a 36x return. Anyone selling the dream along the way profited off a future that never needed to exist.

The Date

If superintelligence is coming, we’d need to see exponential revenue growth within the next 18 months, half the runway before current chips lose their value.

April 1, 2027.

If it’s not obvious by then that AI is really the future, there’s a good chance it was an April Fool’s joke all along.

The rails are built. The question is whether anyone’s actually going to ride them or whether we’re all just watching the same money move in circles until the music stops.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

This article was originally published as The AI Bubble Has a Deadline: April 1, 2027 on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

MicroStrategy Core Choice

Analyst Gautam Chhugani claims that MicroStrategy (NASDAQ: MSTR) still holds the Bernstein crypto equity strategy even with disproportionate performance through 2025. MSTR traded around one hundred and fifty-eight dollars, with some short term gains and still lower on a one-month basis. In addition to equity signals, Bernstein believes that Bitcoin has already established a bottom due to weaknesses late in 2025 and will experience a gradual recovery through 2026, with a price target of $150,000.

Besides, the report mentioned Coinbase Global because of its diversified product range and growing sources of revenue as stablecoins gain increased use in fintech services like Block, Revolut, and PayPal. COIN traded close to $250, indicating short-term pressure and a positive year-over-year performance as infrastructure providers in crypto continue to gain momentum.

Circle Internet Group also ranked among the main beneficiaries of tokenisation and the infrastructure demand of stablecoins. CRCL was up on the list, trading close to eighty-three dollars with recent gains and positive year to date returns, even in the face of monthly losses. Notably, Robinhood Markets also featured on the list as a result of the constant trading history and growing tokenised offerings.

The HOOD was trading between one hundred and eighteen dollars, with volatility indicating fluctuations in the retail and crypto participation levels. But the general optimism was boosted when President Donald Trump said that U.S. markets were at all-time highs.
He credited the milestone to tariff policy, which boosted confidence as investors track the macro signals and the recovery of the crypto markets.

This article was originally published as Bernstein Highlights Crypto Stocks as Trump Tells of New market Highs on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Recent geopolitical and economic crises in Venezuela and Iran have reignited debate over the dual roles of stablecoins, especially those backed by the US dollar, such as Tether. While they serve as vital tools for citizens to hedge against inflation and economic instability, they also present challenges by enabling sanctions evasion for sanctioned entities.

Key Takeaways

Iran faces widespread protests amid a collapsing rial and increased internet restrictions, leading citizens to increasingly rely on stablecoins like Tether.

Iranian authorities have imposed caps on stablecoin holdings, yet illicit use persists, notably by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which reportedly moved over a billion dollars’ worth of stablecoins via front companies.

Venezuelans have adopted USDT extensively, often using it for everyday transactions due to distrust in banks amidst hyperinflation and economic decline.

Tether actively collaborates with U.S. authorities to blacklist wallets associated with sanction evasion, freezing billions of dollars’ worth of assets, but illicit flows continue.

Tickers mentioned: USDT

Sentiment: Neutral

Price impact: Neutral — regulatory efforts and illicit use efforts balance each other, resulting in no clear directional market movement.

Market context: The ongoing geopolitical tensions and sanctions regimes are pushing stablecoin adoption in sanctioned regions, influencing broader crypto market dynamics.

Iran’s Stablecoin Dilemma Amid Crisis

Over the past two weeks, Iran has experienced intensified protests triggered by economic hardship and the plummeting value of the Iranian rial against the US dollar. The government has responded with internet shutdowns to curb unrest, while citizens increasingly turn to cryptocurrencies and stablecoins as alternative currencies. Tron-based Tether has emerged as the most utilized asset in the country, enabling residents to hedge inflation and systemic risks.

Despite the growth in adoption, Iranian authorities have introduced regulations limiting stablecoin holdings and purchases to $10,000 annually per individual. However, illicit activities continue, particularly involving the IRGC, which, according to blockchain analytics firm TRM Labs, has moved over $1 billion in stablecoins through two UK-based front companies, Zedcex and Zedxion. These entities reportedly operate as a unified network used to bypass sanctions, moving funds across borders with the support of figures like Babak Zanjani, a known sanctions evader.

Venezuela’s Dependence on USDT

Similarly, Venezuela’s economic crisis has driven widespread adoption of USDT, with many citizens relying on stablecoins for daily transactions due to a distrust in the banking system amidst hyperinflation. Reportedly, Venezuela’s state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela, now conducts around 80% of its oil transactions in Tether to avoid sanctions imposed in 2020. The use of stablecoins facilitates seamless international payments and offers an alternative to the challenging local financial infrastructure.

Regulatory and Enforcement Efforts

Tether has been working closely with U.S. authorities to combat misuse, blacklisting thousands of wallets involved in illicit activities. Between 2023 and late 2025, the company has reportedly frozen assets worth over $3.3 billion, including $1.75 billion on the Tron network. Recently, the firm added another $182 million to this figure, though it remains unconfirmed whether these actions directly relate to Iran or Venezuela.

This ongoing tension between regulatory efforts and illicit financial flows highlights the complex role stablecoins play in both providing financial stability and enabling sanctions evasion.

This article was originally published as Exploring Tether’s USDT Impact in Venezuela and Iran Reveals Stablecoin Duality on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.

Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin Advocates for Enhanced Decentralized Stablecoins

Vitalik Buterin, one of the principal architects of Ethereum, has emphasized the importance of developing more robust decentralized stablecoins to foster greater financial independence. Highlighting ongoing challenges within the sector, Buterin outlined key issues that must be addressed to improve the sustainability and reliability of these digital assets, which are crucial for decentralization advocates and users worldwide.

Key Takeaways

Most stablecoins are pegged to the US dollar, comprising 95% of the market, which raises concerns about reliance on traditional fiat currencies.

Buterin emphasizes that stablecoins should develop independent mechanisms that are resilient to potential hyperinflation or collapse of fiat currencies.

Reliable oracles and secure collateralization are essential for maintaining stablecoin stability without exposing protocols to manipulation.

High staking yields must balance incentivization with protocol stability, suggesting a reduction to approximately 0.2% and alternative staking mechanisms to avoid risks.

Tickers mentioned: USDT, USDC, USDe, DAI, ETH

Sentiment: Neutral

Price impact: Neutral. The discussion highlights foundational issues rather than immediate market moves.

Trading idea (Not Financial Advice): Hold. Focus on understanding the evolving stablecoin infrastructure rather than immediate trades.

Market context: With the rapid growth of the stablecoin market, regulatory and technological challenges remain central to its future development amidst broader crypto sector volatility.

Addressing Critical Challenges in Decentralized Stablecoins

Vitalik Buterin recently called for innovations in decentralized stablecoins, emphasizing their critical role in expanding financial sovereignty. Currently, the market is dominated by centralized stablecoins such as Tether (USDT) and Circle’s USDC, which together hold over 83% of trading volume. While these assets dominate liquidity and usage, they face scrutiny over centralization risks.

Buterin pointed out three main issues with the current stablecoin infrastructure. The first involves the peg to the US dollar, which although practical in the short term, may be problematic over the long run. CoinGecko data indicates that 95% of stablecoins are dollar-pegged. Conversely, Buterin argues that survivability shouldn’t depend on the stability of fiat currencies, as hyperinflation or political upheaval could undermine these assets. He advocates for developing indices or alternative benchmarks that better reflect true financial stability.

The second challenge involves oracles, which are responsible for providing real-world data to blockchain protocols. Buterin stresses the necessity of secure and manipulation-resistant oracles that do not increase costs or enable artificial inflation of stablecoins’ values. This resilience is vital for maintaining trust and stability.

The third issue relates to staking yields, which should incentivize participation without risking protocol instability. Buterin suggests reducing yields to around 0.2%, coupled with innovative staking mechanisms that minimize slashing risks. Furthermore, he emphasizes that security frameworks must protect against both network attacks and protocol errors, acknowledging that Ether alone cannot guarantee the stability of stablecoins during large price swings.

The stablecoin market has experienced extraordinary growth, reaching a valuation of over $311 billion in 2026—a 50% increase since early 2025. Its widespread adoption for cross-border transfers and savings, especially in emerging markets, underscores its importance. However, innovation remains crucial to overcoming current limitations and ensuring long-term resilience in the decentralized finance ecosystem.

This article was originally published as Vitalik Urges Improvements for Decentralized Stablecoins on Ethereum on Crypto Breaking News – your trusted source for crypto news, Bitcoin news, and blockchain updates.