News•Jan 11, 2026
Elon Musks's X Teases Crypto-Aware ‘Smart Cashtags’ Just Day After Community Backlash
Elon Musk’s platform X is testing “Smart Cashtags,” a crypto‑aware tagging system that lets users attach specific digital assets or smart contracts to their posts and view real‑time price data and related conversations. The feature, highlighted by Solana Labs, will initially support tokens like Bitcoin, BONK, Base and Solana‑based assets. X’s head of product Nikita Bier said the team is gathering feedback and aims for a public rollout as early as next month. The announcement arrived a day after criticism over a deleted post that suggested limiting reply frequency for high‑activity users.
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 11, 2026
Monero's XMR Hits $500 for the First Time Since 2021 as Rival Zcash Fumbles
Monero (XMR) surged past $500 on Sunday, its first breach of that level since May 2021, gaining over 6% in a day and 20% weekly. The rally coincided with a governance crisis at rival privacy coin Zcash, where the Electric Coin...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 11, 2026
Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin Warns Decentralized Stablecoins Still Have Deep Flaws
Ethereum co‑founder Vitalik Buterin warned that decentralized stablecoins remain fundamentally flawed, citing reliance on a US‑dollar peg, vulnerable oracle designs, and hidden costs from staking yields. He argued that tying stablecoins to a single fiat currency limits resilience to macro‑economic...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 11, 2026
Ethereum’s Future Hinges on Zero-Knowledge Proofs, EF Director Says
Ethereum Foundation co‑executive director Hsiao‑Wei Wang announced that zero‑knowledge cryptography is moving from rollup layer‑2 solutions to a native protocol feature in Ethereum’s mid‑term roadmap. Recent breakthroughs in zk‑proof efficiency make a native zkEVM feasible, promising lower verification costs and...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 11, 2026
Russians Ask Government Hotlines Whether Pensions Are Paid in Crypto
Russians are increasingly calling the Social Fund to ask if pensions can be paid in cryptocurrency, prompting officials to reiterate that all benefits are disbursed in rubles. The surge in crypto‑related queries coincides with Russia becoming Europe’s largest crypto market,...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 11, 2026
CryptoQuant Founder Slams X for Penalizing Crypto Content Instead of Bots
CryptoQuant founder Ki Young Ju accused X of suppressing legitimate crypto content while a flood of automated posts swamped the platform, noting a spike to 7.7 million crypto‑related posts in a single day—a 1,200% increase. He blamed X’s algorithmic crackdown and a paid...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 11, 2026
Bitcoin’s $25 Billion Legacy Exodus Secretly Cemented Wall Street’s Grip on Liquidity Within 2 Years
In January 2024 the SEC approved the first U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs, instantly delivering $4.6 billion of trading volume and opening a mainstream distribution channel. Over the subsequent two years the ETF complex has amassed $56.63 billion of net inflows, with BlackRock's...
By CryptoSlate
News•Jan 11, 2026
Deep Dive: Inside Circle’s Payments Network
Circle launched the Circle Payments Network (CPN), an open, stablecoin‑based infrastructure that lets banks and fintechs settle cross‑border payments in near‑real‑time using USDC. The network acts as a coordination layer, handling FX quoting, AML/KYC data, and on‑chain token transfer while...
By Finextra
News•Jan 11, 2026
Samson Mow Tips Elon Musk Will ‘Go Hard’ Into Bitcoin in 2026
Samson Mow, co‑founder of Bitcoin mining firm, warned that Elon Musk will "go hard" into Bitcoin in 2026, signaling a potential shift in the billionaire’s stance after Tesla’s 2021 pull‑back. Mow also projected Bitcoin’s price could soar to $1.33 million, a...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 11, 2026
Ethereum Sentiment Mirrors Levels Seen Before ‘Major Run’: Santiment
Santiment analyst Brian Quinlivan notes Ethereum's social media sentiment has fallen to levels seen before its 2025 rally, which later propelled Ether to its 2021 all‑time high. Ether is currently trading around $3,089, down 36% from its peak, after a...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 11, 2026
Crypto Coin Minute for January 11th, 2026 at 05:15 AM Pacific Time.
Coinbase outlined a bullish market outlook, citing accelerating global liquidity and scaling initiatives that could lift crypto valuations. Meanwhile, Sei Network announced infrastructure upgrades and new partnerships aimed at driving mass adoption in 2026. Stellar Network reported that tokenized real‑world...
By Crypto Coin Minute
News•Jan 10, 2026
Bitcoiners Celebrate 17th Anniversary of Hal Finney's Bitcoin Post
On January 10, 2009, Bitcoin pioneer Hal Finney posted “Running Bitcoin,” confirming he was operating the first node and had just received the inaugural 10 BTC transaction from Satoshi Nakamoto. The crypto community marked the 17th anniversary of this milestone, celebrating Finney’s role in...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 10, 2026
Tennessee Orders Kalshi, Polymarket and Crypto.com to Cease Sports Betting Contracts
Tennessee regulators have issued cease‑and‑desist orders to Kalshi, Polymarket and Crypto.com, demanding they stop offering sports event contracts to state residents. The firms, which operate as CFTC‑registered contract markets, lack the state gambling license required by Tennessee’s Sports Gaming Act....
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 10, 2026
Institutions Know a “Good” Exchange Is Built for Failure
Chris Soriano argues that an exchange’s true quality is measured by its performance during market stress, not by superficial polish or compliance scores. CoinDesk’s November 2025 Exchange Benchmark shows improved governance, yet many crypto venues still run retail‑centric matching engines, lack...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 10, 2026
Hundreds of Wealthy Investors Are Using Crypto to Buy Real Estate in Europe
Brighty, a Lithuania‑licensed crypto payments platform, has brokered more than 100 apartment purchases for high‑net‑worth individuals across Europe. Transactions range from $500,000 to $2.5 million, with customers spending roughly $50,000 per month on crypto‑funded real estate. The firm relies on blockchain‑analytics...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 10, 2026
Betterment Urges Users to Ignore ‘Unauthorized’ Crypto Promotion Message
Betterment warned users on X to disregard a crypto promotion that promised to triple Bitcoin or Ether deposits, labeling the message as unauthorized. The fraudulent notification was distributed through a third‑party marketing system rather than Betterment’s own channels. Betterment clarified...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 10, 2026
Anti-DeFi Group Runs Ads Urging Public to Pressure Senators on Crypto Bill: Report
An anti‑DeFi coalition, Investors For Transparency, has placed ads on Fox News urging the public to pressure senators to pass crypto market‑structure legislation that omits decentralized‑finance provisions. The campaign references the CLARITY Act, which could allow stable‑coin issuers to offer...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 10, 2026
A16z Crypto Shares Three Crypto Predictions for 2026
Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto division unveiled its 2026 outlook, highlighting three transformative themes: AI‑augmented prediction markets, zero‑knowledge SNARK‑based virtual machines, and a novel concept called “staked media.” The firm argues these primitives will shift from niche experiments to core infrastructure for...
By The Defiant
News•Jan 10, 2026
Memecoin Market Cratered More Than 60% in 2025: Report
The memecoin market slumped over 60% in 2025, falling from $93.1 billion to $36.5 billion by early 2026, even as the broader crypto market topped $4 trillion. Trading volume collapsed from a $20 billion peak to roughly $3 billion, indicating the sector’s reliance on short‑term...
By The Defiant
News•Jan 9, 2026
Nasdaq, CME Group Join Forces to Launch Nasdaq-CME Crypto Index
Nasdaq and CME Group have merged their crypto indexes, rebranding the Nasdaq Crypto Index as the Nasdaq‑CME Crypto Index. The new benchmark tracks seven leading digital assets—Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, Solana, Chainlink, Cardano, and Avalanche—offering a broader market representation. Executives highlighted...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 9, 2026
Colombia Advances Crypto Tax Rules as Global Reporting Standards Take Shape
Colombia’s tax authority DIAN issued Resolution 000240, creating a mandatory crypto‑reporting regime that mirrors the OECD’s Crypto‑Asset Reporting Framework. Exchanges, custodians and other service providers must collect and transmit user identification and transaction data to foreign tax authorities, with due‑diligence,...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 9, 2026
US Lawmakers Demand Ethics Safeguards for Market Structure Bill: Report
Democratic Senate leaders, including Adam Schiff and Ruben Gallego, are pressing the Responsible Financial Innovation Act (RFIA) to include strict conflict‑of‑interest safeguards that would bar public officials, even the president, from profiting from crypto holdings. The RFIA, which expands CFTC...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 9, 2026
Bitcoin Pulls Back to $90,000 as Early Friday Rally Attempt Fails
Bitcoin slipped back to roughly $90,000 after a brief surge to $92,000, posting a 1% decline over the past 24 hours. The pullback occurred as U.S. equities rallied, with the Nasdaq up 1% and the S&P 500 gaining 0.8%. Mixed labor...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 9, 2026
Trading Bots Gain Traction as Crypto Markets Move Sideways: HTX 2025 Recap
In 2025 HTX reported a surge in grid‑based trading bots, with overall grid volume up 97% year‑over‑year and capital allocated to such strategies doubling. The growth was most pronounced in stablecoin pairs, where grid volume jumped 352% compared with 122%...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 9, 2026
World's Largest Custodial Bank BNY to Offer Tokenized Deposits for Institutional Investors
BNY Mellon, the world’s largest custodial bank, has rolled out a tokenized deposit service for institutional investors, mirroring client balances on a permissioned blockchain. The new Digital Assets platform allows on‑chain representation of deposits, delivering near‑instant, 24/7 settlement and streamlined...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 9, 2026
Polygon Leads Altcoin Surge With 15% Rally
Polygon’s native token POL surged 15% in the past 24 hours, reaching $0.15 after CEO Marc Boiron outlined the Polygon Foundation’s 2026 Open Money Stack vision. The rally extends a 49% gain over the last two weeks, though the token...
By The Defiant
News•Jan 9, 2026
Bitcoin’s Next Super Rally Could Depend on This Key Data Point
Long‑term Bitcoin holders (LTHs) dumped roughly $300 billion in 2025, marking the sharpest on‑chain supply reset in five years. The 30‑day peak distribution reached 1.14 million BTC in November, followed by a rapid decline of LTH supply to 13.5 million BTC by year‑end....
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 9, 2026
BNY Launches Tokenized Deposits Amid TradFi Rush Into Blockchain and Crypto
BNY Mellon has introduced tokenized bank deposits on its own permissioned blockchain, offering institutional clients on‑chain cash balances that can be used for collateral and margin. The on‑chain tokens promise faster settlement, greater transparency and reduced friction compared with legacy...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 9, 2026
Crypto Exchange OKX Cuts Institutional Staff Amid Global Restructuring
OKX announced a global restructuring of its institutional business, resulting in roughly one‑third of its institutional salesforce exiting the firm. The cuts, which include both layoffs and voluntary departures, are part of a shift toward a more traditional coverage model...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 9, 2026
Ethereum Co-Founder Reiterates Support for Roman Storm, Citing Privacy
Ethereum co‑founder Vitalik Buterin reaffirmed his support for Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm, emphasizing the importance of privacy in crypto transactions. Buterin disclosed that he personally uses Storm’s software to conceal his identity when purchasing tools and donating to human‑rights charities. Storm, convicted...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 9, 2026
Tether Said to Have Invested up to $50 Million in Crypto Lender Ledn at $500 Million Valuation
Tether has invested between $40 million and $50 million in crypto lender Ledn, valuing the company at $500 million. The deal, disclosed by a source, marks Tether’s latest strategic move beyond its core stablecoin business. Ledn, which recently shifted to a bitcoin‑only lending...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 9, 2026
U.S. Added 50,000 Jobs in December as Unemployment Rate Fell to 4.4%
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that non‑farm payrolls grew by 50,000 jobs in December, falling short of the 60,000 forecast. The unemployment rate dipped to 4.4%, better than the projected 4.5% and down from November’s 4.6%. Revised data...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 9, 2026
Xapo Bank’s Bitcoin Wealth Ecosystem, Explained
Xapo Bank, a Gibraltar‑licensed Bitcoin‑first bank, now offers a suite of wealth products that let holders earn Bitcoin‑denominated yield on both USD and BTC balances. The USD and BTC savings accounts pay variable APY, credited daily in satoshis, and the...
By CryptoSlate
News•Jan 9, 2026
Bitcoin May Be Gearing up for a Rally that Sent Price to $126,000 Last Year
Bitcoin has been confined to an $80,000‑$95,000 range for about 50 days, echoing a similar 52‑day consolidation earlier this year that ended with a surge to $126,000 in October. Analysts label these prolonged, flat periods as time‑based capitulations, where impatient...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 9, 2026
Toncoin Drops, Falls Through Key Support Levels in Technical Breakdown
TON fell over 4% in 24 hours, sliding to $1.76 and breaching key support levels at $1.79 and $1.78. A volume spike of 2.14 million TON, well above the seven‑day average, suggests large‑holder or institutional selling pressure. The move contrasts with...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 9, 2026
Visa-Linked Stablecoin Platform Rain Raises $250M at $1.95B Valuation
Rain, a Visa‑linked stablecoin infrastructure provider, closed a $250 million Series C round that values the company at $1.95 billion, bringing total funding to $338 million. The company reported a 30‑fold increase in its active card base and a 38‑times rise in annualized payment...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 9, 2026
Ripple Wins UK Regulatory Approval From Financial Conduct Authority
Ripple’s UK subsidiary, Ripple Markets UK Ltd., secured registration with the Financial Conduct Authority under the country’s anti‑money‑laundering regime, enabling it to conduct certain crypto‑related activities in Britain. The approval stops short of a full financial‑services licence but signals Ripple’s...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 9, 2026
The Hidden Risk of Public WiFi: How a Single Approval Wiped a Crypto Wallet
Crypto user "The Smart Ape" lost $5,000 from a hot wallet after connecting to an open hotel Wi‑Fi and approving a malicious transaction. Attackers used ARP spoofing and injected JavaScript into a DeFi front‑end, turning a routine approval into a...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 9, 2026
Grayscale Forms Trusts Tied to Potential BNB and HYPE ETFs
Asset manager Grayscale has registered two Delaware statutory trusts linked to prospective exchange‑traded funds focused on Binance Coin (BNB) and Hyperliquid’s HYPE token. The filings, recorded Thursday, are preparatory steps that allow the firm to streamline future SEC applications but...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 9, 2026
FCA Sets September 2026 Start for UK Crypto Licensing Applications
The UK Financial Conduct Authority announced that applications for its new crypto‑licensing regime will open in September 2026, with the framework expected to take effect on 25 October 2027. All crypto‑asset service providers must obtain authorisation under the Financial Services and Markets Act,...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 9, 2026
South Korea’s Top Court Says Exchange‑held Bitcoin Can Be Seized
South Korea’s Supreme Court ruled that Bitcoin stored in centralized exchange wallets can be seized as property under the Criminal Procedure Act. The decision upheld the confiscation of 55.6 BTC linked to a money‑laundering case, establishing a legal precedent for...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 9, 2026
A Ruble Stablecoin Outpaced Market Leaders Last Year Despite International Sanctions
A7A5, a ruble‑linked stablecoin launched in January 2025, added roughly $90 billion to its circulating supply over the past year, outpacing market leaders USDT and USDC. Backed by A7 LLC, a firm tied to state‑owned Promsvyazbank and convicted Moldovan businessman Ilan Shor, the token...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 9, 2026
Ethereum Treasury Firm SharpLink Stakes $170M ETH on Linea Network
SharpLink Gaming, the Ethereum treasury firm behind SBET, has allocated $170 million worth of ether to a yield‑generating strategy on ConsenSys’ Linea network. The approach layers native ETH staking, EigenCloud restaking rewards, and incentives from Linea and ether.fi, all under Anchorage...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 9, 2026
Iran Is Cut Off From the Internet: Here’s How Crypto Could Still Work
Iran’s government cut internet access amid nationwide protests, leaving a population grappling with severe economic strain and a record‑low rial. Despite the blackout, an estimated seven million Iranians—about 8% of the population—remain active crypto users, with $3.7 billion in crypto flows...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 9, 2026
XRP Slips to $2.12 After Liquidations Clear Both Sides of the Futures Book
XRP slipped to $2.12 on Jan 9 after a two‑step liquidation reset cleared roughly $10 million of both short and long positions on Binance Futures. The price is now trapped between a $2.07‑$2.08 demand pocket and $2.17 resistance, with volume spikes confirming...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 9, 2026
Global Sanctions Linked to Record Flows Into Illicit Crypto Addresses
Chainalysis’ 2026 crypto crime report shows illicit cryptocurrency addresses received a record $154 billion in 2025, a 162 % jump from the prior year. The surge is driven largely by sanctioned nation‑state actors, with Russia’s ruble‑backed A7A5 token alone accounting for $93.3 billion...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 9, 2026
Bitcoin to Hit $2.9M by 2050 as It Muscles Into Global Trade: VanEck
VanEck predicts Bitcoin could reach $2.9 million by 2050, based on a 15% compound annual growth rate and the cryptocurrency capturing 5‑10% of global international trade and 5% of domestic trade. The firm’s base case assumes central banks will hold 2.5%...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 9, 2026
Bitcoin Holds Near $91,000 as Market Awaits Trump Tariff Ruling: Asia Morning Briefing
Bitcoin hovered around $91,000 during Asian trading as markets await the U.S. Supreme Court decision on President Trump’s emergency‑powers tariffs slated for Jan 10. Prediction‑market odds on Polymarket show only a 24% chance the Court will fully uphold the tariffs. The...
By CoinDesk
News•Jan 9, 2026
Revived NY Bill Targets Sports, Politics and Death Prediction Markets
New York Assemblyman Clyde Vanel has re‑introduced the ORACLE Act, targeting event‑contract prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket. The bill bans contracts tied to specific sports matches, political elections, deaths, and other catastrophic events while still permitting broader league‑outcome...
By Cointelegraph
News•Jan 8, 2026
Trump Says He Won't Rescue Sam Bankman-Fried with Pardon
President Donald Trump told the New York Times he will not grant a pardon to former FTX CEO Sam Bankman‑Fried, who is serving a 25‑year fraud sentence. In the same interview he ruled out clemency for rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs and Venezuelan...
By CoinDesk