Bitcoin Breaks $97K as Washington Turns Up the Heat on Crypto Rules Bitcoin just smashed past $97,000 for the first time since November, sending a fresh jolt through the crypto market. The milestone comes as the industry faces a sharp contrast: soaring prices on one side, and rising risks and regulation on the other. New Chainalysis data reveals that crypto scams and fraud caused an estimated $17 billion in losses in 2025—the highest figure ever recorded. At the same time, Coinbase Chief Policy Officer Faryar Shirzad weighed in on the Senate Banking Committee’s crypto market structure bill, calling attention to the importance of clear, balanced rules as lawmakers prepare for a key markup on Capitol Hill. Big picture: Crypto is booming, but pressure is mounting. Prices are flying, scams are surging, and regulators are moving fast—setting the stage for a defining moment in the industry’s future. #BTC
Tether’s Treasury Bet Grows as Profits Take a Hit Tether, the company behind the world’s largest stablecoin USDt, is doubling down on safety—even as profits slide. In 2025, Tether’s US Treasury holdings surged past a record $122 billion, signaling a strong shift toward low-risk, highly liquid assets. However, the year wasn’t all upside. According to a BDO-prepared report, net profits fell 23% year-on-year, dropping from $13 billion in 2024 to just over $10 billion in 2025. Still, the company remains massively profitable. Despite lower earnings, Tether’s growth engine kept running. The firm issued $50 billion in new USDt over the year, driven by rising global demand for US dollars—especially in regions with slow or limited banking systems. CEO Paolo Ardoino emphasized that structure matters more than scale, pointing to USDt’s expanding role as a financial lifeline outside traditional banking rails. Bottom line: Profits dipped, but Tether’s balance sheet is stronger than ever—and its grip on the stablecoin market keeps tightening #USDT
Trump vs. the Fed: A High-Stakes War Over Interest Rates Donald Trump has openly declared war on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, accusing the central bank of sabotaging the U.S. economy by refusing to slash interest rates. In a fiery Truth Social post, Trump demanded the lowest interest rates in the world, claiming his tariff policies have already crushed inflation and made the Fed’s stance unnecessary—and “pathetic.” The Fed isn’t backing down. Despite White House pressure, policymakers held rates at 3.5%–3.75%, calling the economy “solid” and warning that tariff-driven inflation could peak in mid-2026. Cutting rates now, Powell argues, would be reckless. Trump has escalated the rhetoric, framing high rates as a national security threat and questioning the Fed’s independence. Markets are caught in the crossfire: crypto traders may cheer the idea of forced rate cuts, but undermining the Fed could severely damage trust in the U.S. dollar. With a White House crypto summit looming on February 2, tensions are nearing a breaking point. Trump wants cheap money fast—economic stability later. Whether markets follow the megaphone or brace for the fallout is the question hanging over Washington.#BTC
Bitcoin Stalls at $89K — But a Bounce Could Be Brewing Bitcoin is moving sideways near $89,000 after the U.S. Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged at 3.5%–3.75%, easing pressure on risk assets. The decision calmed markets and gave crypto room to breathe after BTC’s recent pullback. Technically, Bitcoin found support at the lower end of its trend channel, where selling pressure faded and buyers stepped in. Price has since reclaimed the Point of Control (POC)—a key volume level—shifting short-term momentum back toward bulls and hinting this move may be more than a quick relief bounce. On the macro side, steady rates make cash and bonds less attractive, often softening the dollar. A flatter USD typically favors Bitcoin, as investors look for alternative stores of value. Adding to the bullish case, derivatives open interest is rising, suggesting fresh positions are being opened near support—often a sign of growing conviction. Bottom line: Bitcoin is consolidating, not collapsing. If BTC holds above reclaimed support, the setup favors a short-term recovery rally, though failure to hold could quickly revive downside risk. Keep eyes on support and volume—this range won’t last forever. 📈#BTC
Gemini Rolls Out Zcash Credit Card, Bringing Privacy to Everyday Spending Gemini has launched a Zcash-branded credit card that lets users earn crypto cashback in ZEC and other digital assets, pushing privacy-focused crypto deeper into mainstream payments. The card offers up to 4% back, no annual fee, and automatic rewards deposited straight into users’ Gemini accounts. Built around Zcash’s privacy-first ethos, the move follows Gemini’s earlier Bitcoin, Solana, and XRP card launches. According to Gemini, ZEC has become one of the most popular reward choices, with long-term holders seeing massive gains over the past year. Despite short-term price volatility, the launch highlights a growing trend: traditional finance and crypto are merging—this time with privacy front and center.#BTC