News•Jan 16, 2026
Crypto Exchange BTCC Claims to Have Booked $5 Billion in Tokenized Gold Trading Volume
Vilnius‑based crypto exchange BTCC announced it traded $5.72 billion in tokenized gold during 2025, surpassing the $5 billion milestone. The fourth quarter alone generated $2.74 billion, an 809 % increase from Q1. BTCC also reported $53.1 billion in total tokenized gold futures volume, driven by USDT‑margined perpetual contracts such as GOLDUSDT, PAXGUSDT and XAUTUSDT. Rising geopolitical uncertainty and inflation concerns have boosted gold’s appeal as a digital hedge.
By Crowdfund Insider
News•Jan 16, 2026
NASA Develops Blockchain Technology to Enhance Air Travel Safety and Security
NASA researchers conducted a drone‑based flight test at Ames Research Center using an open‑source blockchain framework to secure real‑time transmission of flight data. The system proved capable of protecting telemetry, flight plans and operator registrations from interception or tampering. By...
By NASA - News Releases
News•Jan 16, 2026
US Lender Newrez to Accept Crypto Holdings in Mortgage Approval
Newrez will treat eligible cryptocurrency holdings—including Bitcoin, Ether, spot ETFs and US‑dollar‑backed stablecoins—as qualifying assets in its mortgage underwriting, beginning in February for non‑agency home purchase, refinance and investment loans. The assets must be held on US‑regulated exchanges, fintech platforms,...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 16, 2026
Bags Launchpad Activity Surges After GAS Token Soars 700%
Bags.fm, a Solana‑based token launchpad, saw explosive activity after the Gas Town token (GAS) surged 682% in 24 hours. Other new tokens such as RALPH, CMEM, VVM, TERRA and RedwoodJS posted gains ranging from 400% to over 80,000%. The platform...
By The Defiant
News•Jan 16, 2026
Hacker Steals $282 Million Crypto in Hardware Wallet Social-Engineering Attack
A hacker executed a sophisticated social‑engineering attack on a hardware wallet, stealing roughly $282 million worth of Bitcoin and Litecoin. The stolen assets—1,459 BTC and 2.05 million LTC—were quickly swapped for the privacy coin Monero and partially bridged to Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin via...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
Tom Lee's BitMine Pushes Ethereum Into $8 Billion Staking Backlog
Ethereum’s validator entry queue has swelled to over 2.55 million ETH, worth roughly $8.3 billion, creating a 44‑day wait—the longest since July 2023. The surge is driven by BitMine Immersion, which has already staked more than 1.25 million ETH from its $13 billion treasury. With...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union Partners with InvestiFi on Digital Investing
Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union has teamed with InvestiFi to embed a full‑stack InvestTech platform into its online banking suite. The integration will let roughly 60,000 members trade more than 6,500 stocks and ETFs, plus over 25 digital assets, directly...
By Fintech Global
News•Jan 16, 2026
Tokenised Rewards Reshape Digital Loyalty Economics
Tokenised loyalty programs are converting static points into portable, programmable digital assets that give customers true ownership via secure wallets. This shift enables rewards to move across apps, creating network effects and simplifying partner integrations. For growth teams, tokenised incentives...
By TechBullion
News•Jan 16, 2026
Crypto Bridge Swap Alternative: Why IronWallet Changes Everything
IronWallet launches a non‑custodial wallet that eliminates gas fees for swaps on five major blockchains, including Ethereum, BSC, Polygon, Solana, and Tron. The platform supports over ten thousand tokens across more than ten networks, allowing users to manage diversified portfolios...
By TechBullion
News•Jan 16, 2026
HR Services Provider Gusto Taps Zerohash to Speed up Global Payouts with Stablecoins
Gusto, the payroll and HR platform serving over 400,000 small businesses, has launched a beta program with crypto infrastructure provider Zerohash to enable stablecoin payouts for international contractors. The new option lets eligible workers receive U.S. dollar‑denominated stablecoins with settlement...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
PNC Bank CEO Says Stablecoins Must Choose: Be a Payment Tool or a Money Market Fund
PNC Bank CEO Bill Demchak told investors that stablecoins must be classified either as payment tools or as money‑market‑fund‑like investment products. He warned that offering interest blurs that line and would subject tokens to the same strict oversight applied to...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
Crypto Card Spending Hits $18 Billion Annualized as Stablecoin Use Shifts to Everyday Payments
Crypto credit and debit cards have surged from roughly $100 million in early 2023 to over $1.5 billion monthly by late 2025, creating an $18 billion annualized spend that nearly matches peer‑to‑peer stablecoin transfers. The market grew at a 106 % compound annual growth...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
Riot Platforms Surges 11% as Lease Deal with AMD Marks Major AI Infrastructure Pivot
Riot Platforms surged 11% after buying a 200‑acre Texas parcel for $96 million, funded by selling about 1,080 bitcoin, and signing a 10‑year, 25 MW data‑center lease with AMD. The AMD agreement is expected to generate $311 million in revenue, with options that...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
Early 2026 Tailwinds for Bitcoin Miners as Hashrate Falls, Profitability Improves: JPMorgan
JPMorgan reports that U.S.-listed bitcoin miners added $13 billion in market value during the first two weeks of 2026, bringing the sector’s total capitalization to roughly $62 billion. A modest rise in Bitcoin price combined with a 2 % drop in network hashrate...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
CoinDesk 20 Performance Update: Bitcoin Cash (BCH) Gains 3.1%, Leading Index Higher
The CoinDesk 20 Index rose 0.3% to 2,985.7 points on Thursday, driven by strong gains in Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Aave (AAVE). BCH led the pack with a 3.1% increase, while AAVE added 1.4%, pushing ten of the twenty assets higher....
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
From Memecoins to Machines: Why Web3’s ‘Real Economy’ Narrative Is Relevant in 2026
In 2025 the crypto sector pivoted from meme‑driven speculation to measurable fundamentals, driven largely by decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN). Projects began reporting on‑chain revenue, making protocol earnings the new benchmark for valuation. This shift underpins the emerging "machine economy,"...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 16, 2026
Web3 Revenue Shifts From Blockchains to Wallets and DeFi Apps
Revenue in crypto is increasingly captured by user‑facing DeFi applications rather than base‑layer blockchains. Data from Real Vision and DeFiLlama shows DeFi fees are five times higher than blockchain fees, with stablecoin issuer Tether alone generating $563 million in the last...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 16, 2026
Huione-Linked Tudou Guarantee Winds Down Amid $130M USDT Refunds: Bitrace
Tudou Guarantee, a Telegram‑based escrow tied to Cambodia’s Huione Group, has refunded more than $130 million in USDT since early 2026 and announced it is winding down operations. The refunds, which peaked at $18.1 million in a single day, signal a retreat...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 16, 2026
Finunion Makes Crypto Payments Actually Work for Businesses
Finunion has launched a live B2B crypto payments platform that lets companies invoice, collect and manage crypto transactions without extra integrations. The system supports one‑time and recurring invoices, generates payment links, and consolidates all activity in a single dashboard. Payments...
By TechBullion
News•Jan 16, 2026
TZERO, North Capital to Unveil ATS Connector Agora
tZERO Group and North Capital Investment Technology have launched Agora, a technology network that links alternative trading systems (ATS) to broaden market access for tokenized and private securities. The platform lets securities listed on one ATS be traded by qualified...
By Crowdfund Insider
News•Jan 16, 2026
Trump Says ‘Venezuela Leaker’ Jailed as Polymarket Accounts Go Quiet
President Donald Trump announced that the "leaker on Venezuela" has been arrested, reigniting scrutiny of prediction‑market platforms. Blockchain analysts linked the leaker to a cluster of Polymarket wallets that posted outsized bets on Venezuelan political outcomes just before the news...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 16, 2026
DDC Enterprise Buys 200 Bitcoin in First 2026 Treasury Move
DDC Enterprise announced the purchase of 200 Bitcoin, bringing its total holdings to 1,383 BTC and pushing the company to the 44th‑largest public Bitcoin holder. The acquisition was made at an average cost of $88,998 per coin, resulting in a...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
Belarus Creates Legal Framework for ‘Cryptobanks’ in New Presidential Decree
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko signed Decree No. 19 establishing a legal framework for “cryptobanks,” which are joint‑stock companies that can combine token‑based operations with traditional banking services. The decree requires cryptobanks to obtain resident status in the state‑backed Hi‑Tech Park and to register with...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 16, 2026
Nexo Becomes Audi Revolut F1 Team Sponsor in 4-Year Deal
Crypto lender Nexo has inked a four‑year, tens‑million‑dollar sponsorship with the Audi Revolut Formula 1 team, securing category exclusivity for digital assets. The deal embeds Nexo’s branding on the car livery, driver helmets and pit‑crew apparel, and follows a three‑year partnership...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
Southern Utah Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Crypto-Linked Wire Fraud Scheme
Brian Garry Sewell, a 54‑year‑old from Washington County, Utah, was sentenced to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud. Prosecutors said he defrauded at least 17 investors of roughly $2.9 million between 2017 and 2024 and ran...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
Crypto Exchanges Face Ban in South Korea as Google Play Updates Rules
Google announced that, starting Jan. 28, crypto exchange and custodial wallet apps on Google Play in South Korea must upload proof of acceptance of their Virtual Asset Service Provider registration with the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit. The rule targets offshore platforms,...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 16, 2026
Moldova Moves to Regulate Crypto Under EU-Style MiCA Rules
Moldova announced plans to adopt its first comprehensive cryptocurrency law by the end of 2026, mirroring the European Union’s Markets in Crypto‑Assets Regulation (MiCA). The draft, being prepared by the finance ministry, the National Bank, the market regulator and the...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 16, 2026
Two Prime Selected to Manage $250 Million in Bitcoin for Digital Wealth Partners
Digital Wealth Partners has appointed Two Prime to manage roughly $250 million in bitcoin for its institutional clients, expanding an existing relationship. Two Prime offers a suite of bitcoin‑focused services, including one of the world’s largest bitcoin‑secured lending operations. The mandate...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
Polygon Trims Workforce Amid $250M Stablecoin Payments Pivot
Polygon Labs announced a strategic pivot toward a payments‑first model, centered on stablecoin rails and an "Open Money Stack." The shift follows a $250 million acquisition of crypto‑ATM firm Coinme and developer platform Sequence. Sources indicate up to 30% of staff...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 16, 2026
KBC Bank to Launch Bitcoin and Ether Trading in Belgium Under MiCA
KBC, one of Belgium’s largest banks, will begin offering Bitcoin and Ether trading to retail investors on Feb. 16 via its Bolero platform, using a proprietary custodial solution. The service complies with the EU’s Markets in Crypto‑Assets Regulation (MiCA) and follows...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 16, 2026
Trusted Smart Chain Completes CertiK Audit, Advancing Secure RWA Tokenization
Trusted Smart Chain announced the successful completion of a comprehensive security audit by CertiK, a leading blockchain audit firm. The audit examined smart‑contract logic, permissioning and threat resilience, confirming the network’s readiness for tokenized securities and real‑world asset issuance. By...
By TechBullion
News•Jan 16, 2026
EMCD Reports Strong 2025 Growth as It Scales Beyond Mining Into a Global Crypto-Finance Platform
EMCD reported a 58% increase in hashrate to 34.11 EH/s, supported by over 66,500 miners in more than 100 countries. The firm’s crypto‑finance suite expanded, with Coinhold savings locking $60 million and generating $3.7 million in rewards, while its exchange processed $90 million in...
By TechBullion
News•Jan 16, 2026
Good Tokens Broadens Adoption of Blockchain-Based Solutions for Global Good
Good Tokens, the nonprofit arm of KaJ Labs, announced a push to expand blockchain‑based solutions for humanitarian, education, sustainability, and digital equity projects. The initiative leverages decentralized ledgers and AI to increase transparency, efficiency, and accountability in social‑impact programs. By...
By TechBullion
News•Jan 16, 2026
US Housebuilder to Launch Crypto Rewards After SEC ‘No-Action’ Letter
US homebuilder Megatel Homes announced the launch of MegPrime, a crypto‑rewards platform that issues MP Tokens for rent payments. The SEC issued a no‑action letter, allowing the program to proceed provided MegPrime follows the outlined compliance plan. Users can earn...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 16, 2026
State Street Rolls Out New Crypto Tokenization Tools
State Street announced a new institutional digital‑asset platform designed to tokenise traditional assets such as money‑market funds, ETFs and stablecoins. The service combines blockchain connectivity, custody, and tokenisation tools for large‑scale investors. It builds on prior collaborations, including a Solana‑based...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 16, 2026
More People Are Using Ethereum for the First Time, Data Shows
Ethereum on‑chain activity has surged in the last month, driven primarily by a wave of first‑time wallet creations rather than increased trading by existing users. Glassnode’s month‑over‑month retention data shows the “new” cohort spiking as ether steadied near $3,300 and...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
Yieldseeker Unveils New Brand Identity as Platform Surpasses 3,700 Active AI Agents
Yieldseeker, the AI‑driven DeFi platform, announced a fresh brand identity as it crossed the 3,700‑active‑agent threshold. The rebrand signals the service’s shift toward a more mature, institution‑friendly image while retaining its focus on autonomous yield optimization. Users can launch self‑learning...
By TechBullion
News•Jan 16, 2026
Iranians Grab Their Bitcoin as Protests Rage and Rial Tanks
Iranian protesters are rapidly moving Bitcoin from local exchanges into personal wallets as street demonstrations intensify and the rial collapses. Chainalysis data shows a sharp rise in withdrawals between Dec. 28 and Jan. 8, coinciding with an internet blackout. The rial has...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
Interactive Brokers Accepts USDC Deposits; Ripple's RLUSD Coming Soon
Interactive Brokers announced that eligible clients can now fund their brokerage accounts with the stablecoin USDC, enabling 24/7 deposits that are converted to U.S. dollars within minutes. The service is powered by ZeroHash, which handles the conversion for a 0.30%...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
XRP Falls 4% on Crypto Market Weakness Even as ETF Inflows Stay Strong
XRP slipped about 4% to $2.07 as traders sold into resistance near $2.13, despite strong institutional backing. Spot XRP ETFs have amassed roughly $1.26 billion in net inflows with no outflow days, while exchange‑held supply dropped below 2 billion tokens. Ripple secured...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
Dogecoin Drops 4% as Traders Sell Rallies and Support Gives Way
Dogecoin fell 3.5% to $0.139, breaking the $0.1420 support level amid volume that spiked to 108% above its 24‑hour average. The decline was driven by active selling rather than low‑liquidity drift, with rallies near $0.1402 quickly extinguished. Technical patterns showed...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
Bitcoin Slips to Nearly $95,000 as Senate Delay and Risk-Off Moves Weigh on Crypto
Bitcoin slipped to just under $95,000 after the Senate Banking Committee postponed markup of a key crypto‑market‑structure bill, ending a brief rally that had pushed the price near $97,000. Trading volume fell 13 percent and more than $320 million was liquidated,...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 16, 2026
The Next Big Push Forms as Dogecoin and Bittensor Cool and Zero Knowledge Proof Targets $1.7B Setup
Dogecoin steadied near $0.137 after the 21Shares spot ETF received approval, with futures volume spiking 654 % as traders await confirmed inflows. Bittensor (TAO) remained confined between $280 and $286, eyeing a breakout above the $300 resistance that could unlock a...
By TechBullion
News•Jan 16, 2026
Uniswap Lands on OKX’s X Layer as Exchange Deepens DeFi Strategy
Uniswap has launched on OKX’s X Layer, becoming the network’s preferred decentralized exchange. The integration lets X Layer users trade Uniswap’s token pairs and liquidity pools with layer‑2 gas costs and no fees from Uniswap Labs. X Layer, an EVM‑compatible...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 16, 2026
Crypto Coin Minute for January 16th, 2026 at 05:15 AM Pacific Time.
On Jan 16, 2026 major cryptocurrencies slipped, with Bitcoin at $95,432 (‑1.45%) and Ethereum at $3,305 (‑1.64%). California fined crypto lender Nexo $500,000 for offering unlicensed loans, highlighting regulatory pressure on DeFi credit services. The Sui mainnet experienced a six‑hour outage...
By Crypto Coin Minute
News•Jan 15, 2026
West Virginia Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Allow State Crypto Investments
West Virginia Senator Chris Rose introduced the Inflation Protection Act, allowing the state treasury to allocate up to 10% of its portfolio to precious metals, Bitcoin and other digital assets that exceed a $750 billion market‑cap, as well as to regulated...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 15, 2026
Swift to Build Shared Blockchain Ledger for Tokenised Assets
Swift is adding a blockchain‑based shared ledger to its global payments network after successful interoperability trials that coordinated tokenised bond issuance, settlement and lifecycle events. The trials involved BNP Paribas, Intesa Sanpaolo and Société Générale and demonstrated delivery‑versus‑payment using both fiat and the...
By Payments Cards & Mobile
News•Jan 15, 2026
DTCC Aiming to Make All 1.4 Million Securities in Its Custody Digitally Eligible
The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation announced plans to make all 1.4 million DTC‑eligible securities digitally eligible through its tokenization platform. The initiative, built on the Securrency acquisition, will let participants convert assets to and from tokenized forms in as little...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 15, 2026
Felix Protocol to Launch Spot Equities on HyperEVM
Felix Protocol announced a partnership with Ondo Finance to launch spot equities on HyperEVM, Hyperliquid’s Layer 1 blockchain. The initial rollout will list over 100 U.S. stocks, with a roadmap to exceed 1,000 equities in the coming months. By routing liquidity...
By The Defiant
News•Jan 15, 2026
Ondo Finance TVL Doubles to Over $2B in Less Than a Year
Ondo Finance’s total value locked (TVL) surpassed $2 billion this week, more than doubling its level from early March 2024. The surge is anchored by its tokenized U.S. Treasury fund, OUSG, which now holds over $820 million in short‑term Treasury bills. Ethereum...
By The Defiant