Today's Crypto Pulse
Bitcoin slides below $70k as energy‑price worries spark $1.8B in liquidations
Bitcoin fell under $70,000 amid heightened energy‑price uncertainty linked to U.S.–Iran tensions. The dip triggered roughly $1.8 billion in crypto liquidations, while institutional investors pulled more than $4.2 billion from digital‑asset positions.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Strive acquires 2,500 Bitcoin for $185.2M
Bitcoin Investor Sentiment Cools Amid US Shutdown Fears, Fed Policy Jitters
Bitcoin edged up 1.5% after retesting $86,000, but professional traders remain wary amid a looming U.S. government shutdown and Federal Reserve policy uncertainty. Derivatives data show a modest 5% futures basis and a 12% options delta skew, indicating higher premiums for downside protection. Meanwhile gold surged to a record $5,100, drawing investors to traditional safe havens. The combined macro backdrop suggests Bitcoin’s recovery to $93,000 may be delayed.
Valour Wins FCA Approval to Offer Bitcoin, Ether ETPs to UK Retail Investors
Valour, the UK arm of DeFi Technologies, received FCA approval to list Bitcoin and Ether staking exchange‑traded products (ETPs) on the London Stock Exchange for retail investors. The products, 1Valour Bitcoin Physical Staking and 1Valour Ethereum Physical Staking, began trading...
VanEck Expands Crypto ETF Lineup with Spot Avalanche Product
VanEck has launched VAVX, the first US‑listed spot Avalanche ETF, giving investors direct exposure to AVAX and potential staking yields. The fund trades under the ticker VAVX and waives sponsor fees on the initial $500 million of assets through Feb. 28, after...
Macro Fears Mask Ethereum’s Momentum, SharpLink CEO Says
SharpLink CEO Joseph Chalom says institutional giants, led by BlackRock, are betting heavily on Ethereum as the backbone for tokenized assets despite current price stagnation. He cites three drivers—a strong endorsement from Larry Fink, over 65% of stablecoins residing on...
Dotfile and Bastion Partner to Bring AI-Powered Compliance to Enterprise Stablecoins
Dotfile, an AI AML compliance platform, has partnered with Bastion, a NYDFS‑regulated stablecoin provider, to deliver an AI‑powered onboarding and risk‑management solution for enterprise‑grade stablecoins. The joint offering combines comprehensive KYC/KYB verification, automated sanctions and PEP screening, and multi‑jurisdictional due‑diligence...
Deus X CEO Tim Grant: We Aren't Replacing Finance; We're Integrating It
Deus X Capital CEO Tim Grant will speak at CoinDesk’s Consensus Hong Kong conference, emphasizing that digital assets are meant to augment, not replace, traditional finance. Grant, who entered crypto in 2015 after meetings with Ripple and Coinbase, leads a family‑office‑backed...
Millions in Crypto Wealth at Risk of Vanishing when Holders Die. Here's How to Protect Them
Millions of dollars in crypto risk disappearing when owners die without proper estate planning. Recent updates like the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA) clarify that executors can access assets held by custodians, but many holders still...
SEC, CFTC Joint Event Rescheduled for January 29th
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission have postponed their joint digital‑asset forum to Thursday, January 29, 2026, after originally planning it for January 27. The live‑streamed event will begin at 2 p.m. ET and feature a...
Crypto Exchange WhiteBIT Flagged by Russia as 'Undesirable' Over Support for Ukraine Military
Russia’s prosecutor general has designated Ukrainian‑founded crypto exchange WhiteBIT and its parent W Group as “undesirable,” criminalising any interaction by Russian citizens. The move follows accusations that WhiteBIT funneled funds to Ukraine’s military, donating $11 million and processing over $160 million in defense...
A16z Pivots to Crypto, Seed, Secondaries, Abandons Series C/D
Really interesting chart from a16z's latest State of Markets report: - a16z deployed $1.5B into crypto tokens in 2025. This looks to be majority of their increase in capital deployed between 2024 and 2025. - Also looks like a big jump in...
Ripple Partners with Saudi Bank Unit on Blockchain Payments, Custody
Ripple announced a memorandum of understanding with Jeel, the innovation arm of Riyad Bank, to explore blockchain applications in Saudi Arabia. The partnership will focus on cross‑border payments, digital‑asset custody and tokenisation, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 agenda to modernise...
Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest Files for Two Crypto Index ETFs Tied to CoinDesk 20
ARK Invest has filed with U.S. regulators to launch two new cryptocurrency ETFs that track the CoinDesk 20 benchmark. One fund will replicate the full index, while the second will mirror the index but exclude bitcoin by pairing long index futures...
BTC Must Hold $86k Support to Avoid Breakdown
#BTC The new Weekly Close is in and Bitcoin has Weekly Closed below both the Mid-Range of $90500 and the multi-week Higher Low (purple) However, Bitcoin continues to preserve its Weekly Range of $86k-93.5k But going forward, it will be very important...
What the CLARITY Act Is Actually Trying to Clarify in Crypto Markets
The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025 proposes a two‑pronged framework that classifies digital assets and assigns oversight to the CFTC for spot trading of digital commodities while keeping the SEC in charge of primary offerings and investor disclosures....
Falcon Finance Provides Fiat Off-Ramp for USDf
Falcon Finance announced that its synthetic dollar USDf can now be converted to fiat through Altery’s crypto‑to‑fiat infrastructure, powered by Synterra Connect. Holders transfer USDf to a Synterra address and receive fiat in their Altery accounts, with SEPA, SWIFT, local...
Riyad Bank Tech Unit Jeel Explores Blockchain Payments with Ripple
Jeel, the innovation arm of Riyad Bank, has entered a strategic partnership with Ripple to explore blockchain‑based payment solutions in Saudi Arabia. The collaboration will pilot use cases such as cross‑border remittances and real‑time domestic settlements, aiming to deliver faster,...
Here Are the Winners and Losers (so Far) in Bitcoin Mining From Nvidia's $2B CoreWeave Investment
Nvidia’s $2 billion investment in cloud‑AI specialist CoreWeave has intensified competition for GPU resources, prompting a sharp sell‑off in several bitcoin miners that are pivoting to AI infrastructure. Shares of Cipher Mining, CleanSpark, IREN and TeraWulf dropped 5‑9% as investors fear...
Sage Capital Management Launches Integrated Private Banking for Digital Assets
Sage Capital Management has unveiled an integrated private banking service tailored for institutional digital‑asset clients, combining fiat and crypto operations in a single platform. The offering includes multi‑currency accounts linked to UK Faster Payments, SEPA, SWIFT and over 140 currencies,...
What Happens as Europe Enforces MiCA and the US Delays Crypto Rules
Europe has moved from drafting to enforcing the Markets in Crypto‑Assets Regulation (MiCA), establishing clear timelines, licensing pathways, and compliance milestones for crypto‑asset service providers across all EU member states. The EU’s single‑license model lets firms obtain authorization in one...
Hybrid Risk‑Based Strategy Beats Bitcoin 35% in Downturn
Managing capital in a fund requires building a strategy based on risk rather than on chasing those big wins. I'd prefer to outperform #Bitcoin consistently, and we've been working hard to ensure we're running a hybrid strategy. - Flexibility in...
BlackRock Doubles Down on Bitcoin Fund Offerings with Income-Focused Filing
BlackRock filed an S‑1 to launch the iShares Bitcoin Premium Income ETF, which will use a covered‑call strategy on bitcoin or its IBIT holdings to generate income. The fund will actively manage call options, trading upside potential for regular premium...
Gold's Long-Term Returns Lag Bitcoin by over 80%
Zoom out and you can barely see the recent gold outperformance over BTC... Remember this is a LOG chart so the moves look less dramatic (I know X loves drama however). From the 2022 peak gold is down -47% vs BTC and...
Stablecoins Can Offer 4%+, Banks Stuck at <1%
Banks pay retail less than 1% interest while they earn 4%+ Stablecoins have the opportunity to pay retail 4%+ This fact is holding the passing of FAIR Crypto market Structure back. Crypto is for the people as the banks continue to oppress.
UK Banks Block or Delay 40% of Crypto Exchange Transfers: Survey
A UK Cryptoasset Business Council survey finds that roughly 40 % of transfers to crypto exchanges are blocked or delayed, with eight out of ten exchanges reporting a rise in such incidents over the past year. The study, based on data...
Confidently Accumulating Bitcoin Despite Uncertain Bottom
I do not know where $BTC bottoms. I do know I won't regret accumalating at these prices.
Senate Set to Vote on Crypto Bill to Curb Manipulation
🇺🇸 The U.S. Senate will vote on a crypto market structure bill on January 29. If the bill is passed, it could help reduce the level of manipulation in the crypto market. https://t.co/iiOfHCj6Fu
Michael Saylor’s Strategy Buys 2,932 Bitcoin Amid Market Sell-Off
MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin arm, Strategy, bought 2,932 BTC for $264.1 million at an average $90,061 per coin during a market pullback. The purchase lifts its total holdings to 712,647 BTC, representing roughly $54.19 billion invested at a $76,037 average cost. January’s buying activity...
Kraken's DeFi Earn Taps Aave for Reliable Yields
Kraken's DeFi Earn is powered by @aave, the most trusted lending protocol. Veda, Sentora, and Chaos vaults leverage Aave’s deep liquidity and long-established track record to deliver yield to Kraken users through a seamless experience. DeFi will win.
Post‑Davos Spotlight: Stablecoins, Bitcoin Buying, BlackRock, AVAX ETF
With Davos over, the only thing we have left to discuss is stablecoins, Strategy buying more Bitcoin, BlackRock's latest application for a Bitcoin product, and the AVAX ETF. https://t.co/GztfLJvb4F
CrazyLive Announces Governance Separation and Launch of CL Global Education Foundation
CrazyLive executed a governance separation, creating the independent CL Global Education Foundation while retaining CrazyLive Inc for commercial operations. The foundation will oversee ecosystem standards, content coordination, and contributor recognition, focusing on technology‑enabled learning and AI‑era knowledge. CrazyLive Inc continues...
Quantum Fears Aren’t Hurting Bitcoin—Still Worth Addressing
Bitcoin’s price isn’t currently dropping because of quantum concerns. However, than doesn’t make the conversational action around mitigating that risk any less important.
VanEck Debuts First US Spot AVAX ETF
TODAY:🚨VanEck launches $VAVX, the first U.S.-listed ETF offering spot exposure to $AVAX. Source: Vaneck https://t.co/gbzVuyLjWO
In the Battle of Chains, Distribution Is King
The article argues that blockchain supremacy will be decided by distribution rather than pure technical metrics. Companies such as Coinbase, Circle and Stripe can launch proprietary chains by routing their massive existing user bases directly onto new networks, instantly generating...
ZEC Confines to Contracting Triangle: Support Below, Resistance Above
#ZEC is trading within a CONTRACTING TRIANGLE. The lower boundary acts as SUPPORT, while the upper boundary of the triangle is the next RESISTANCE. https://t.co/YrGgjYyZXe
Serious Traders Keep Risk per Trade Under 3%
this is what risk per trade should look like for serious traders there are cases you can go over 3% but that doesn't apply to 95% of people reading this https://t.co/pre8tEXvAz
Will Bitcoin Drop Again? Why Bitcoin Everlight Is Attracting Downside Hedgers
Bitcoin slipped below $88,000, breaking the $95,000 support and sparking over $1 billion in liquidations as the Crypto Fear & Greed Index fell into the low 30s. The sell‑off highlighted the market’s high leverage and thin liquidity, prompting traders to reassess...
Bitcoin Hash Rate Slides During U.S. Winter Storm While Markets Shrug Off Mining Disruption
Bitcoin’s network hash rate dropped about 10% on Sunday as a severe U.S. winter storm knocked out roughly one‑tenth of the global mining power. The outage highlighted the growing concentration of mining in a few dominant pools, with the top...
Bitcoin Risks Fourth Straight Monthly Loss, a Streak Not Seen Since 2018
Bitcoin is on track for a fourth consecutive monthly decline, a streak not seen since 2018‑19, with the price hovering around $87,000. The cryptocurrency has fallen roughly 36% from its October peak, marking a sharp correction after a series of...
Bitcoin Income Windfall Drives Metaplanet to Revise Full-Year Revenue Forecast Upward
Metaplanet announced FY2026 revenue above ¥100 billion, with 97.5% expected from its Bitcoin Income Generation unit. The firm’s bitcoin holdings, roughly 35,102 BTC valued at over $3 billion, underpin a structured‑options yield strategy. FY2025 revenue rose 31% to ¥8.9 billion, but a ¥104.6 billion write‑down...
KAST Launches Earn Vaults Combining Stablecoin Yield with Institutional-Grade Risk Management
KAST has introduced Earn Vaults, a new suite of stablecoin yield products that combine high‑interest returns with institutional‑grade risk controls. The vaults support USDC, USDT and DAI, offering up to 12% annual percentage yield while employing audited smart contracts and...
Kast Introduces Stablecoin Yield Prroduct
Global fintech platform KAST has launched KAST Earn Vaults, a stablecoin yield product that lets users earn 5‑9% APY on USDC and USDT. The vaults are powered by Gauntlet, which provides institutional‑grade risk management and automatically reallocates capital across Base,...
FCA Seeks Feedback on Further Rules for Cryptoasset Firms
The FCA has launched a consultation on extending its Consumer Duty and related conduct standards to crypto‑asset firms, marking the final phase of its crypto regulatory roadmap. The proposals cover redress, dispute resolution, conduct of business rules, credit usage, staff...
Ark Invest Bought $21.5 Million of Crypto Company Shares as Bitcoin Fell Under $90,000
Cathie Wood’s Ark Invest added $21.5 million of equity exposure to three crypto‑related firms on Jan 24, marking the first purchases of Coinbase, Circle and Bullish since mid‑December. The trades were executed through Ark’s Innovation (ARKK) and Blockchain & Fintech Innovation (ARKF)...
Metaplanet Raises 2026 Outlook as Bitcoin Write-Down Tops $680M
Tokyo‑listed Metaplanet lifted its 2025 revenue outlook to ¥8.905 bn ($58 m) and raised operating income to $40 m, but still expects a $632 m ordinary loss due to a $680‑$700 m non‑cash Bitcoin impairment. The impairment reflects year‑end price drops in its Bitcoin holdings,...
Matcha Meta Breach Tied to SwapNet Exploit Drains up to $16.8M
Decentralized exchange aggregator Matcha Meta disclosed a security breach originating from its primary liquidity provider, SwapNet, which allowed an attacker to siphon between $13.3 million and $16.8 million on the Base network. The exploit leveraged an arbitrary call flaw in SwapNet’s router...
Crypto Crime Hits Record Levels as Nation-States Dodge Sanctions
Chainalysis reports illicit crypto transactions reached $154 billion in 2025, a 160% jump from the prior year. The surge stems largely from nation‑state actors, especially Russia, leveraging a ruble‑backed stablecoin (A7A5) to bypass sanctions. Stablecoins now represent roughly 60% of illicit...
The Rise of Digital Assets: A Conversation with Yoni Assia
In a Fintech Times podcast recorded at Abu Dhabi Finance Week, eToro co‑founder and CEO Yoni Assa discusses the broker’s transformation from a traditional‑finance pioneer to a leading digital‑assets platform. He outlines how eToro expanded its offering to more than...
South Korea’s Coinone Weighs Stake Sale Amid Coinbase Speculation
Coinone, South Korea's third‑largest crypto exchange, is preparing to sell the 53.4% stake held by Chairman Cha Myung‑hoon, while game‑developer Com2uS may offload its 38.4% holding at a loss. The exchange confirmed talks with both domestic financial institutions and overseas...
Japan Plans Framework that Could Permit Crypto ETFs by 2028: Nikkei
Japan’s Financial Services Agency is drafting rule changes that could allow cryptocurrency exchange‑traded funds as early as 2028. The proposed framework would let crypto assets count as eligible ETF holdings and include stronger investor‑protection measures. Major financial groups such as...
Consensys Pushes for Balanced Cybersecurity Rules in FTC’s Nomad Case
Consensys submitted a comment letter to the FTC urging technology‑agnostic security standards in the agency’s settlement with Nomad Capital Labs over the 2022 $190 million bridge hack. The firm warns that prescriptive measures such as mandatory circuit‑breaker mechanisms could clash with...