Crypto News and Headlines

Bitcoin Utility Blockchain VerifiedX Debuts ‘Venmo-For Crypto’ Payment App Butterfly
NewsJan 21, 2026

Bitcoin Utility Blockchain VerifiedX Debuts ‘Venmo-For Crypto’ Payment App Butterfly

VerifiedX, the Bitcoin sidechain provider, launched Butterfly, a Venmo‑style crypto payment app. The service, built on VerifiedX’s layer‑1 blockchain, promises penny‑level transaction fees and an “undo” button to correct mistakes. Butterfly goes live through partnerships with Crypto.com, Moonpay and Blockdaemon,...

By CoinDesk
Argentine Exchange Ripio Bets on Peso Stablecoins Amid Cautious 2026 Outlook
NewsJan 21, 2026

Argentine Exchange Ripio Bets on Peso Stablecoins Amid Cautious 2026 Outlook

Argentine crypto exchange Ripio is pivoting toward local fiat‑backed stablecoins and tokenized sovereign bonds as it repositions as a B2B infrastructure provider. The platform now issues peso, real and Mexican‑peso stablecoins on Ethereum, Base and World Chain, and has tokenized Argentina’s...

By Cointelegraph
Bank of Italy Chief Says Banks, Not Stablecoins, Anchor Digital Money
NewsJan 21, 2026

Bank of Italy Chief Says Banks, Not Stablecoins, Anchor Digital Money

Bank of Italy Governor Fabio Panetta said commercial‑bank money will eventually be fully digital, joining central‑bank money as the core of the monetary system. He positioned stablecoins as a complementary, peg‑dependent tool rather than a primary anchor. Panetta also highlighted...

By Cointelegraph
Central Banks vs Bitcoin: Who Deserves the Public’s Trust?
NewsJan 21, 2026

Central Banks vs Bitcoin: Who Deserves the Public’s Trust?

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, French central bank governor François Villeroy de Galhau argued that trust in money must come from independent public institutions, not private crypto issuers. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong rebutted, claiming Bitcoin’s decentralized protocol offers greater independence...

By Cointelegraph
Bitcoin Sharks Scoop up BTC Like It's 2013 Despite 'Perfect Bull Trap'
NewsJan 21, 2026

Bitcoin Sharks Scoop up BTC Like It's 2013 Despite 'Perfect Bull Trap'

Bitcoin’s large‑holder “sharks” are adding BTC at the fastest rate since 2013, even as the price slipped from near $98,000 to about $87,900. Glassnode data shows entities with 100‑1,000 BTC increasing net positions, signalling confidence in a longer‑term uptrend. Meanwhile, chartist...

By Cointelegraph
Chainlink Is One of Crypto’s Most Undervalued Infrastructure Bets: Bitwise
NewsJan 21, 2026

Chainlink Is One of Crypto’s Most Undervalued Infrastructure Bets: Bitwise

Bitlink’s chief investment officer Matt Hougan argues Chainlink (LINK) is a vastly underrated crypto infrastructure asset. The decentralized oracle network, valued at roughly $10 billion, supplies real‑world data to stablecoins, tokenized securities, DeFi protocols and major financial institutions. Bitwise’s high conviction...

By CoinDesk
Morgan Stanley’s Crypto ETF Move – and the Risk of Getting ‘Institutional Crypto’ Wrong
NewsJan 21, 2026

Morgan Stanley’s Crypto ETF Move – and the Risk of Getting ‘Institutional Crypto’ Wrong

Morgan Stanley has filed to launch a spot Bitcoin ETF, a Solana ETF that includes staking exposure, and an Ethereum Trust that offers staking rewards. This marks a departure from the bank’s traditional role of merely distributing third‑party crypto funds...

By Tearsheet
Bitpanda Expands Into Stocks and ETFs with Universal Exchange Push
NewsJan 21, 2026

Bitpanda Expands Into Stocks and ETFs with Universal Exchange Push

Vienna‑based crypto platform Bitpanda is launching a universal exchange, adding roughly 10,000 stocks and ETFs to its app starting Jan. 29. The new offering provides real, non‑tokenized shares across the EU with a flat €1 fee per trade and no custody...

By Cointelegraph
Trade Finance Is the Biggest Opportunity in Blockchain
NewsJan 21, 2026

Trade Finance Is the Biggest Opportunity in Blockchain

Blockchain’s most compelling growth frontier is global trade finance, a $9.7‑trillion market plagued by paper‑based processes and a $2.5‑trillion financing gap for SMEs. By moving letters of credit, invoices and bills of lading onto immutable ledgers, blockchain can slash fraud,...

By Cointelegraph
Younger Americans Back Crypto as Boomers Favor Traditional Banks: Survey
NewsJan 21, 2026

Younger Americans Back Crypto as Boomers Favor Traditional Banks: Survey

A January survey of 1,000 Americans reveals a stark generational divide in financial trust. About 40% of Gen Z and Millennials rate crypto platforms highly, while only 9% of Baby Boomers do the same, yet 74% of Boomers express strong confidence...

By Cointelegraph
Unstoppable Domains and Digital Future Studio Launch .digitalfuture TLD at Davos to Support the Next Generation of Builders
NewsJan 21, 2026

Unstoppable Domains and Digital Future Studio Launch .digitalfuture TLD at Davos to Support the Next Generation of Builders

Unstoppable Domains and Digital Future Studio unveiled the .digitalfuture top‑level domain at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The new TLD targets founders, operators, and organizations operating at the intersection of emerging tech, regulation, and finance. Backed by Unstoppable Domains’...

By MarTech Series
AI Technology That Powers High-Speed Crypto Arbitrage Systems
NewsJan 21, 2026

AI Technology That Powers High-Speed Crypto Arbitrage Systems

Modern crypto arbitrage now hinges on AI‑driven, multi‑layered systems that combine rapid market scanning, latency optimization, and predictive spread modeling. Each layer operates independently—detecting price gaps, validating risk, and executing fragmented orders—to capture fleeting inefficiencies across exchanges. Continuous learning loops...

By TechBullion
Linux Users Targeted by Crypto Thieves via Hijacked Apps on Snap Store
NewsJan 21, 2026

Linux Users Targeted by Crypto Thieves via Hijacked Apps on Snap Store

Security researcher Alan Pope revealed that crypto thieves are hijacking expired domains linked to Snap Store publishers to gain Snapcraft account access and push malicious updates. The attackers replace benign snaps with crypto‑wallet malware that steals recovery phrases via automatic...

By Help Net Security
New SEC Submissions Press on Self-Custody and DeFi Regulation
NewsJan 21, 2026

New SEC Submissions Press on Self-Custody and DeFi Regulation

The SEC’s Crypto Task Force added two written submissions that focus on self‑custody rights and dealer classification for tokenized and DeFi assets. One, filed by “DK Willard,” cites Louisiana’s HB 488 to preserve strong registration, transparency and anti‑fraud safeguards in upcoming federal...

By Cointelegraph
Observing an Early-Stage Crypto Platform: A Personal Review of Synthesz
NewsJan 21, 2026

Observing an Early-Stage Crypto Platform: A Personal Review of Synthesz

Synthesz is an early‑stage crypto wealth platform that advertises entry at $25 and daily returns ranging from 0.48 % to 1.83 % through an auto‑compounding “AutoPilot” system, MEV trading software, and a claimed $140 million insurance backing. The service also offers hardware‑wallet integration,...

By TechBullion
Nansen Launches AI Crypto Trading Tools on Base, Solana
NewsJan 21, 2026

Nansen Launches AI Crypto Trading Tools on Base, Solana

Nansen introduced autonomous crypto‑trading tools that let users place trades through AI‑driven conversational prompts on its mobile app. The feature, dubbed “vibe trading,” currently supports the Base and Solana blockchains and draws on Nansen’s massive on‑chain address database. Execution is...

By Cointelegraph
Zcash Foundation Adds New Rust DNS Seeder to Improve Network Reliability
NewsJan 21, 2026

Zcash Foundation Adds New Rust DNS Seeder to Improve Network Reliability

The Zcash Foundation released a new DNS seeder written in Rust, replacing older implementations used to bootstrap Zcash nodes. By leveraging the same networking code as the Zebra full‑node client, the seeder offers faster, safer peer discovery and aligns protocol...

By CoinDesk
Rolex, Patek Lead High-End Watch Market Rebound Even as Bitcoin Struggles
NewsJan 21, 2026

Rolex, Patek Lead High-End Watch Market Rebound Even as Bitcoin Struggles

Luxury watch resale values have risen about 4% over the past six months, contrasting sharply with a 25% decline in Bitcoin and a 30% drop in the CoinDesk 20 index. Morgan Stanley attributes the modest rebound to cleared excess inventory,...

By CoinDesk
Bhutan to Deploy Sei Validator in Q1, Eyes Tokenization Collab
NewsJan 21, 2026

Bhutan to Deploy Sei Validator in Q1, Eyes Tokenization Collab

Bhutan will launch a Sei Network validator in the first quarter, a joint effort between the Sei Development Foundation and Druk Holding and Investments' technology division. The validator will secure the proof‑of‑stake chain and give Bhutan a foothold in a...

By Cointelegraph
Cybercriminals Speak the Language Young People Trust
NewsJan 21, 2026

Cybercriminals Speak the Language Young People Trust

Criminal networks are systematically recruiting minors through familiar platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Discord, using encrypted messaging and crypto payments to mask their activities. They speak in coded, game‑like language that makes illegal tasks appear low‑risk and rewarding,...

By Help Net Security
Crypto Exchange OKX Reports YoY Increase in Digital Assets Trading Volume, DEX Activity
NewsJan 21, 2026

Crypto Exchange OKX Reports YoY Increase in Digital Assets Trading Volume, DEX Activity

OKX reported a 16% year‑over‑year increase in centralized exchange trading volume and a 262% surge in decentralized exchange activity, pushing its user base beyond 120 million. The platform bolstered transparency with monthly Proof of Reserves showing $31.5 billion in assets and partnerships...

By Crowdfund Insider
Grayscale Files to Convert NEAR Protocol Trust Into ETF on NYSE Arca
NewsJan 21, 2026

Grayscale Files to Convert NEAR Protocol Trust Into ETF on NYSE Arca

Grayscale has submitted a preliminary prospectus to the SEC to transform its NEAR Protocol Trust into an exchange‑traded fund listed on NYSE Arca. The trust, which launched on the OTCQB in September, currently manages about $900,000 and its NAV per...

By Cointelegraph
Trump’s Crypto Advisor Calls for Compromises to Pass Crypto Bill
NewsJan 21, 2026

Trump’s Crypto Advisor Calls for Compromises to Pass Crypto Bill

Patrick Witt, the White House’s top crypto adviser, warned that the Senate’s crypto market‑structure bill must be rushed through while bipartisan compromises are still possible. He emphasized that a multi‑trillion‑dollar industry cannot operate indefinitely without a clear regulatory framework, and...

By Cointelegraph
How Tokenized Real Estate Is Reshaping Access to Global Property Markets – Aria Oh
NewsJan 21, 2026

How Tokenized Real Estate Is Reshaping Access to Global Property Markets – Aria Oh

Tokenized real estate is emerging as a catalyst for global property investment, with industry forecasts projecting a market exceeding $10 trillion by 2030. Investor Aria Oh, leveraging cross‑industry experience from fashion, blockchain, and real‑estate markets in New York, Seoul, London, and Dubai,...

By TechBullion
Crypto to Reach 50% of Fortune 500 in 2026: Ripple President
NewsJan 21, 2026

Crypto to Reach 50% of Fortune 500 in 2026: Ripple President

Ripple president Monica Long predicts that by the end of 2026 roughly 250 Fortune 500 companies will either hold crypto or run blockchain‑based financial products. She forecasts corporate balance sheets will contain over $1 trillion in digital assets, with half of the...

By Cointelegraph
Tether Teams Up with Digital Assets Platform Bitqik to Support Stablecoin Focused Initiatives in Laos
NewsJan 21, 2026

Tether Teams Up with Digital Assets Platform Bitqik to Support Stablecoin Focused Initiatives in Laos

Tether announced two strategic collaborations aimed at expanding stablecoin adoption and digital‑asset literacy in emerging markets. In Laos, it partnered with regulated platform Bitqik to deliver workshops, online resources and seminars targeting over 10,000 students and entrepreneurs. Simultaneously, Tether joined...

By Crowdfund Insider
Fundstrat’s Lee Sees ‘Painful’ Start to 2026 Before Late-Year Rebound
NewsJan 21, 2026

Fundstrat’s Lee Sees ‘Painful’ Start to 2026 Before Late-Year Rebound

Tom Lee, Fundstrat's head of research, warned that 2026 will start with a painful 15‑20% correction across both stock and crypto markets, driven by geopolitical tension, tariffs and political divides. He expects a late‑year rebound as the Federal Reserve turns...

By Cointelegraph
Crypto Coin Minute for January 21st, 2026 at 05:15 AM Pacific Time.
PodcastJan 21, 2026

Crypto Coin Minute for January 21st, 2026 at 05:15 AM Pacific Time.

On January 21, 2026 the cryptocurrency market showed a modest pullback, with Bitcoin slipping 2.18% to $88,845, Ethereum down 4.95% at $2,940, Binance Coin falling 4.05% to $873, XRP losing 1.27% to $1.90, and Solana dropping 1.11% to $127. The price dip coincided...

By Crypto Coin Minute
Bitcoin Enters Delaware Life’s Retirement Annuity Portfolio
NewsJan 20, 2026

Bitcoin Enters Delaware Life’s Retirement Annuity Portfolio

Delaware Life Insurance Company is introducing a Bitcoin‑linked fixed indexed annuity that blends U.S. equity performance with a managed exposure to Bitcoin via BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF. The product applies volatility controls designed to limit Bitcoin‑related swings to about...

By Cointelegraph
Hong Kong Defends 'Same Risk, Same Regulation' Approach for Crypto at WEF
NewsJan 20, 2026

Hong Kong Defends 'Same Risk, Same Regulation' Approach for Crypto at WEF

Hong Kong Finance Secretary Paul Chan defended the city’s “same activity, same risk, same regulation” framework for digital assets at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The approach ties regulatory requirements to the risk profile of a service rather than...

By Cointelegraph
CoinTerminal’s Max Stochyk Duarte on Token Launches, Retail Protection, and Surviving 2026
NewsJan 20, 2026

CoinTerminal’s Max Stochyk Duarte on Token Launches, Retail Protection, and Surviving 2026

CoinTerminal’s Head of Sales Maximiliano Stochyk Duarte explained that token launches in 2026 must earn retail trust through solid business models and transparent token economics. The Dubai‑based launchpad leverages a 650,000‑member community and a 12‑hour refundable period to lower investor...

By CryptoSlate
Not All Crypto Is Equal: Schwab Maps Where the Money Actually Is in Digital Assets
NewsJan 20, 2026

Not All Crypto Is Equal: Schwab Maps Where the Money Actually Is in Digital Assets

Schwab’s Center for Financial Research released a three‑layer model for crypto, dividing the market into foundational networks, infrastructure, and products. The base layer—Bitcoin, Ethereum and similar blockchains—accounts for roughly 80% of the sector’s $3.2 trillion market cap. Infrastructure protocols such as...

By CoinDesk
ETH Price Metric Flashes Buy Signal After 3 Years of Seller Dominance
NewsJan 20, 2026

ETH Price Metric Flashes Buy Signal After 3 Years of Seller Dominance

Ethereum’s net taker volume turned positive, registering about $390 million of buy‑side imbalance since Jan. 6 – the strongest since January 2023. After nearly three years of sell‑side dominance, the metric suggests futures traders are regaining conviction. ETH remains above the critical $3,000...

By Cointelegraph
Why Smart Contract Security Can’t Wait for “Better” AI Models
NewsJan 20, 2026

Why Smart Contract Security Can’t Wait for “Better” AI Models

In 2024, smart‑contract vulnerabilities cost the Web3 ecosystem $1.42 billion across 149 incidents, with access‑control flaws alone responsible for $953.2 million. While the community debates perfect AI solutions, current AI‑powered static analysis tools already capture roughly 80 % of known issues, and models...

By Security Boulevard
Fintech Rundown: A Rapid Review of Weekly News
NewsJan 20, 2026

Fintech Rundown: A Rapid Review of Weekly News

Fintech’s weekly roundup spotlights AI’s rising valuation and deployment, new payment partnerships, and record credit extensions. ElevenLabs is in talks that could push its valuation to $11 billion, while Synechron rolls out AI agents for workflow automation. dLocal teams with Honor...

By Finovate
Blockchain: From Regulatory Ambiguity to Operational Blueprint
NewsJan 20, 2026

Blockchain: From Regulatory Ambiguity to Operational Blueprint

Regulators across the EU and U.S. are moving from vague crypto principles to concrete rules, compelling financial firms to redesign blockchain systems for auditability and legal accountability. The EU’s MiCA framework now demands identifiable issuers, risk controls, and one‑to‑one reserve...

By Payments Cards & Mobile
Mastercard Said to Weigh Zerohash Investment After Ending Takeover Talks Worth Billions
NewsJan 20, 2026

Mastercard Said to Weigh Zerohash Investment After Ending Takeover Talks Worth Billions

Mastercard is weighing a strategic investment in blockchain infrastructure firm Zerohash after acquisition talks collapsed, despite earlier reports that the payment giant might have paid up to $2 billion for a full buyout. Zerohash, valued at $1 billion after a $104 million Series D‑2...

By CoinDesk
Trump Media Sets Date for Shareholders to Receive Reward Tokens
NewsJan 20, 2026

Trump Media Sets Date for Shareholders to Receive Reward Tokens

Trump Media announced that shareholders will receive reward tokens on February 2, 2026, the record date for the distribution. The company partnered with Crypto.com to issue and custody the non‑transferable tokens, which are not securities and cannot be exchanged for cash. Token...

By Crowdfund Insider
Currency.com Signs with Zodia Markets
NewsJan 20, 2026

Currency.com Signs with Zodia Markets

Currency.com announced a strategic partnership with Zodia Markets, an institutional‑grade digital‑asset liquidity venue backed by Standard Chartered Bank. The integration gives Currency.com access to one of the deepest liquidity pools, extensive banking rails, and a global footprint, enabling faster, fairly‑priced...

By Finextra
Trump's New CFTC Chief Selig Starts 'Future-Proof' Initiative to Champion Crypto
NewsJan 20, 2026

Trump's New CFTC Chief Selig Starts 'Future-Proof' Initiative to Champion Crypto

Mike Selig, newly appointed CFTC chairman under President Trump, announced a "future‑proof" crypto initiative aimed at codifying digital‑asset oversight into formal rules. He emphasized that the $3 trillion crypto market warrants tailored regulations rather than ad‑hoc enforcement. Selig also unveiled an...

By CoinDesk
Chainlink Expands Data Streams to Cover Multitrillion-Dollar U.S. Stock Market
NewsJan 20, 2026

Chainlink Expands Data Streams to Cover Multitrillion-Dollar U.S. Stock Market

Chainlink has upgraded its Data Streams product to deliver 24/5 coverage of U.S. stocks and ETFs, using a pull‑based model that provides sub‑second updates only when trades occur. The new feed includes market‑status flags and bid‑ask spreads, reducing gas costs...

By CoinDesk
ME Token Slumps After Magic Eden Announces Buybacks, Staking Rewards
NewsJan 20, 2026

ME Token Slumps After Magic Eden Announces Buybacks, Staking Rewards

Magic Eden announced it will allocate 15% of its platform revenue to the ME token ecosystem, dividing the funds equally between token buybacks and monthly USDC payouts to stakers. The marketplace reported $24 million revenue in 2025, meaning roughly $3.6 million could...

By The Defiant
Tom Lee's Bitmine Immersion Wins Investor Backing to Expand Share Limit
NewsJan 20, 2026

Tom Lee's Bitmine Immersion Wins Investor Backing to Expand Share Limit

Bitmine Immersion Technologies (BMNR) secured 81% shareholder approval to raise its authorized share count, giving the firm greater leeway to issue equity in the future. The company now controls 4.203 million ETH—about 3.5% of the cryptocurrency’s circulating supply—alongside 193 BTC, a $22 million...

By CoinDesk
TenX Adds Tezos to Its Crypto Treasury, Targets Staking Revenue After Buying 5.5M XTZ
NewsJan 20, 2026

TenX Adds Tezos to Its Crypto Treasury, Targets Staking Revenue After Buying 5.5M XTZ

TenX Protocols announced the purchase of roughly 5.5 million Tezos (XTZ) tokens at an average price of $0.5868, funded by cash from its August 2025 financing round. The tokens will be staked through TenX‑operated validators, targeting an 8‑10% annual yield before costs....

By CoinDesk
How Crypto Criminals Stole $700 Million From People – Often Using Age-Old Tricks
NewsJan 20, 2026

How Crypto Criminals Stole $700 Million From People – Often Using Age-Old Tricks

Crypto criminals are increasingly buying stolen consumer databases to pinpoint high‑net‑worth individuals and siphon cryptocurrency. A breach at luxury conglomerate Kering exposed millions of shopper records, which a hacker purchased for $300,000 and cross‑referenced with other leaks. Using the combined...

By DataBreaches.net
From Consumers to Owners: What the Best Crypto Token of 2026 Looks Like
NewsJan 20, 2026

From Consumers to Owners: What the Best Crypto Token of 2026 Looks Like

Healthy Cola’s $HEALTH token launched on LBank and Raydium, jumping 220% from its $0.15 listing price. The Solana‑based utility token is anchored to a real‑world beverage business that generated roughly $8 million in 2025 across 16 countries. Tokenomics feature a fixed...

By TechBullion
CoinDesk 20 Performance Update: Internet Computer Drops 8.3% as All Assets Decline
NewsJan 20, 2026

CoinDesk 20 Performance Update: Internet Computer Drops 8.3% as All Assets Decline

The CoinDesk 20 index slipped 3.5% to 2,785.62 on Thursday, marking a broad‑based decline across its constituents. Internet Computer (ICP) led the losses, tumbling 8.3%, while Solana (SOL) added to the downside with a 4.5% drop. No asset in the index...

By CoinDesk
RedStone Acquires Security Token Market (STM.co) and TokenizeThis Conference
NewsJan 20, 2026

RedStone Acquires Security Token Market (STM.co) and TokenizeThis Conference

RedStone announced the acquisition of Security Token Market (STM.co) and its flagship TokenizeThis conference, aiming to accelerate growth in the United States. STM.co operates a data, media, and research platform focused on tokenized real‑world assets, complementing RedStone’s enterprise‑grade oracle and...

By Crowdfund Insider
Most Crypto Holders Want to Pay with Bitcoin but Rarely Do, Survey Show
NewsJan 20, 2026

Most Crypto Holders Want to Pay with Bitcoin but Rarely Do, Survey Show

A GoMining survey of 5,700 crypto holders reveals that over half rarely spend Bitcoin, despite 80% supporting broader adoption. Limited merchant acceptance (49.6%) and high transaction fees (44.7%) are the top barriers, followed closely by price volatility. Users who do...

By The Defiant