Cryptocurrency Leverage Trading Explained: How It Really Works
Cryptocurrency leverage trading lets Australian traders borrow capital to control positions far larger than their own funds, magnifying both potential profits and losses. Leverage ratios such as 10:1 or 50:1 determine how much exposure a trader gains per dollar of margin, while margin requirements act as collateral to prevent runaway losses. Platforms like CalvenRidge Trust provide the infrastructure, risk tools, and fee structures that shape a trader’s cost and liquidation risk. Effective risk management and education are essential to use leverage responsibly in the volatile crypto market.
Market Structure Thaw as Stablecoin Fight Intensifies
The episode examines the renewed momentum behind the stalled crypto market structure bill, highlighting behind‑the‑scenes negotiations in the Senate Agriculture Committee and the political trade‑offs shaping its next markup. It delves into why stablecoin yield remains the chief obstacle, despite...
Global Asset Manager Mirae Asset Eyes Fund Tokenisation in UAE with Ctrl Alt Deal
Mirae Asset Global Investments, managing over $350 billion, signed an MoU with UAE fintech Ctrl Alt to explore tokenising investment funds. The partnership will develop a compliant framework for issuing and managing tokenised funds under the UAE’s VARA regulations, starting with...
UK Bans Coinbase Ads that ‘Trivialized’ Crypto Risks: Report
The UK Advertising Standards Authority has banned a series of Coinbase advertisements that portrayed cryptocurrency as a remedy for cost‑of‑living pressures while omitting risk warnings. The campaign, which included a satirical video and three high‑traffic posters, was deemed irresponsible for...
Things Worth Reading: 28th January 2026
Chris Skinner’s latest reading roundup spotlights several pivotal developments across finance. Chainalysis estimates cryptocurrency‑related money laundering reached $82 billion in 2025, while Revolut secured a full banking licence to launch a digital bank in Mexico. Tether’s CEO envisions the stablecoin as...
Coinbase Moves Closer Toward Rolling Out ‘Custom Stablecoins’
Coinbase is conducting backend tests of Flipcash’s USDF, a custom dollar‑backed stablecoin that will let businesses issue their own branded tokens. The feature, announced in December, uses Circle’s USDC as collateral and currently supports no trading, deposits or withdrawals. If...
Steak ‘N Shake Adds $5M in Bitcoin to Reserve as In-Store Sales Grow 18%
Steak ’n Shake announced a $5 million addition to its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, bringing total holdings to roughly $15 million (about 168 BTC). The chain attributes an 18 % same‑store sales increase in 2026 to its Bitcoin‑payment program. It also unveiled a Bitcoin bonus...
Nearly 40% of US Merchants Now Accept Crypto at Checkout: PayPal
PayPal’s latest survey shows that nearly 40% of U.S. merchants now accept cryptocurrency at checkout, up from earlier experimental phases. The study of 619 payment‑strategy leaders reveals that 84% of merchants believe crypto payments will become mainstream within five years,...
Maximise Return on Equity Through Data Mediation
Audax Financial Technology urges banks to adopt embedded finance and become data mediators to lift stagnant return on equity. While China and Korea have already scaled such models, most global banks are still in the early, ‘jogging’ phase of a...
MercadoLibre and Endeavor Say Latin America’s eCommerce Growth Outpaces Rest of World
Online shopping in Latin America is expanding 1.5 times faster than the rest of the world, according to data from Endeavor and MercadoLibre. The region’s e‑commerce market is projected to hit $215.31 billion this year, with Argentina, Brazil and Mexico accounting...
Enova Spotlights Small Business Confidence as Loan Demand Surges
Enova reported fourth‑quarter originations of $2.3 billion, a 32% year‑over‑year increase, pushing its portfolio to a record $4.9 billion. Small‑business loans drove 68% of the portfolio, with originations up 48% to $1.6 billion and revenue climbing 34% to $383 million. The company highlighted an...
Morgan Stanley Appoints New Head of Digital Asset Strategy
Morgan Stanley has appointed long‑time executive Amy Oldenburg to head its newly created digital‑asset strategy unit. The move follows the bank’s recent filings for spot Bitcoin and Solana ETFs, a staked Ether ETF, and plans to launch a crypto wallet...
Bermuda Teams with Coinbase, Circle to Put Economy On-Chain
Fun picture, but serious partnership - Bermuda is bringing its national economy onchain with Coinbase and Circle https://t.co/FifKk6ATwI
Blockchain Investigator Identifies Crypto Theft Network Linked to US Government Seizure Funds
TRM Labs disclosed a sophisticated crypto‑theft operation that has siphoned over $90 million, including $24.9 million tied to the U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, after a Telegram “band‑for‑band” challenge inadvertently revealed wallet addresses. The network employed advanced laundering tactics—cross‑chain bridges, mixers, and both...
USDAI Gears Up for Token Launch and Airdrop
USDAI, a GPU‑backed stablecoin protocol, announced its native CHIP governance token will launch in Q1 2026 with an ICO and airdrop slated for April. The platform, which grew to $658 million total value locked after a November peak of $701 million, previously bootstrapped...
BOK Counting on Mortgage Finance for a Boost in 2026
Bank of Oklahoma (BOK) Financial is banking on its mortgage‑finance unit to drive growth, aiming for $1 billion in commitments by the end of 2026. The bank projects full‑year loan growth in the high‑single‑digit range, up from 6.4% in 2025, with...
New York State Introduces Bill Deeming EWA a Loan
New York lawmakers introduced the Stop Taking Our Pay Act, which would reclassify earned‑wage‑access (EWA) advances as loans subject to the state’s 16% interest‑rate cap. The bill also treats any associated fee, tip, or subscription cost as a finance charge,...
Fraud Courier Sentenced for Stealing Millions From Seniors
A federal judge sentenced 23‑year‑old Indian national Atharva Shailesh Sathawane to 18 years in prison for acting as a courier in a scheme that stole more than $6.6 million from elderly investors. The fraud forced seniors to liquidate securities and purchase...
SUPERAGENT AI Launches Insurance Quoting AI Agent
SUPERAGENT AI unveiled the world’s first Quoting AI Agent, a tool that automates the traditionally labor‑intensive insurance quoting process. The agent gathers customer data, navigates multiple carrier rating engines, and delivers optimized quotes without human re‑keying. Early‑access sign‑ups are open...
South Dakota Lawmaker Takes Another Run at Bitcoin Reserve Bill
South Dakota Representative Logan Manhart re‑introduced HB 1155, allowing the State Investment Council to allocate up to ten percent of public funds to Bitcoin. The bill mirrors his unchanged 2025 proposal and would place the state alongside Texas, Arizona and New Hampshire,...
Nuvei and WEX Team on Virtual Cards for Travel Merchants
Nuvei announced a partnership with WEX to embed virtual‑card technology into its travel merchant network. The integration lets agencies, airlines and hospitality brands issue single‑use cards directly from settlement flows, improving cash‑flow visibility and reducing reliance on external credit. By...
DLocal Powers HONOR’s Peru Debut as E-Commerce Sales Set to Hit $59.5bn
Cross‑border payments platform dLocal has partnered with Chinese AI device maker HONOR to launch the brand’s first website in Peru. The deal gives HONOR access to a suite of local payment methods—including credit‑card installments, bank transfers, cash and the Yape...
Judge Blesses Fifth Third-Comerica Deal, Shuts Down Lawsuit
A Delaware judge rejected HoldCo Asset Management's attempt to block Fifth Third Bancorp’s $10.9 billion acquisition of Comerica, allowing the merger to proceed on schedule. The decision noted no imminent irreparable harm to shareholders and emphasized the premium benefit of the deal....
Revolut Launches Full Banking Operations in Mexico
Fintech giant Revolut has launched full banking operations in Mexico, marking its first bank outside Europe. The company obtained a Mexican multiple‑bank licence through a direct application and has funded the venture with over $100 million, well above the regulatory minimum....
Republic Europe Promotes Later Stage Investments
Republic Europe has launched the R Access series, a platform that gives individual investors direct exposure to later‑stage private companies. The first offering, a Kraken special‑purpose vehicle, aggregates existing private shares ahead of the crypto exchange’s anticipated 2026 IPO. By...
How Anti-Detect Browsers Change the Way We Work on the Web
Anti-detect browsers, originally privacy tools, now enable online professionals to compartmentalize digital identities across multiple client accounts and projects. By creating isolated browser instances, they prevent data cross‑contamination, reduce login overhead, and streamline workflow management. The technology enhances security by...
Redfin Finds Home Purchase Agreement Cancellations Rising
Redfin reports that roughly 40,000 U.S. home‑purchase agreements were cancelled in December, representing a 16.3% cancellation rate – the highest December figure since 2017. The rate rose from 14.9% a year earlier, driven by higher inventory and cost‑sensitive buyers. Atlanta...
USDCx Appears on Aleo as Privacy-Focused Blockchains Seek Stablecoin Access
Circle and Aleo announced that USDCx, a privacy‑focused version of the USDC stablecoin, is now live on Aleo through Circle’s xReserve model. The token is fully 1:1 backed by USDC held in xReserve and interoperable with USDC on Ethereum and...
BNB Rises 2.5%, Nears $900 Mark as Prediction Market Growth Signals Utility Expansion
BNB surged 2.5% to $893, closing in on the $900 resistance level. The rally coincided with Virtune’s launch of a physically backed BNB exchange‑traded product on Nasdaq Stockholm, offering direct exposure with a 1.95% annual fee and Coinbase custody. Meanwhile,...
Where to Trade Commodities and Stocks Onchain
The blog highlights Hyperliquid as the primary hub for on‑chain commodity and stock trading, thanks to its HIP‑3 upgrade that lets third parties launch permission‑less perpetual markets. HIP‑3 now accounts for roughly 8.1% of Hyperliquid’s open interest, attracting deployers like...
Ally Taps Former Acting OCC Chief as Policy Adviser
Ally Financial announced the appointment of former acting OCC comptroller Rodney Hood as a senior policy adviser to CEO Michael Rhodes. Hood, who also chaired the NCUA and held senior roles at JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and NationsBank, will guide Ally’s...
AIFMD II and Distributors: Independence vs Control
Under AIFMD II, Article 20(6a) creates a carve‑out that excludes marketing carried out by MiFID II or IDD‑regulated distributors from the delegation regime. Zeidler Group highlights that this marketing is not treated as delegation regardless of any distribution agreement. The regulator will now...
House Bill Aims to Achieve Goals of FTC’s Click-to-Cancel Subscription Rule
Congress reintroduced the Unsubscribe Act (H.R. 7048) on Jan. 13, aiming to curb deceptive subscription practices by requiring clear consent, easy cancellation, and regular notifications. The bill mirrors the FTC’s stalled click‑to‑cancel rule, which a federal court invalidated earlier this year...
ACA Group and Anduin Launch Integrated AML/KYC Onboarding
ACA Group and Anduin have formed a strategic partnership to deliver a fully integrated AML/KYC and investor onboarding solution for private‑markets firms. The offering combines Anduin’s fund‑subscription platform with ACA’s ComplianceAlpha® AML/KYC managed services, creating a single‑point workflow that automates...
Would You Trust Amazon with Your QuickBooks?
Amazon has launched an embedded QuickBooks Online app inside Seller Central, fulfilling a promise made last year. The multi‑year partnership with Intuit lets sellers import financial data, view profit‑and‑loss trends, and monitor inventory across channels, with a three‑month free trial...
Price for VAT Upfront or Lose 20% Margins
VAT will kill your international margins if you don't price for it upfront. Here's the mistake I see all the time: Brand launches in the EU. Pricing stays the same as in the US. Orders start coming in, and revenue looks good...
Institutional Demand and XRP ETFs Drive XRPL Interest
🔥Franklin Templeton says growing institutional demand and XRP ETFs are boosting interest in the XRPL. Source: Paul Barron https://t.co/TimZkK1RFm
FinovateEurope 2026 Sneak Peek Series: Part 4
FinovateEurope 2026 will showcase three innovative fintech solutions. Elephant, from Pipl, offers GDPR‑compliant identity intelligence and fraud signals to streamline onboarding and compliance. Opentech’s OpenPay for Merchants embeds Buy‑Now‑Pay‑Later into merchant checkout, creating a new credit distribution channel for banks....
Morgan Stanley Appoints Amy Oldenburg as Digital‑asset Chief
JUST IN: Morgan Stanley names longtime executive Amy Oldenburg as its new head of digital-asset strategy
Tokenization Will Democratize Finance for 4 Billion Adults
Tokenization is top of mind for many companies right now. It’s going to democratize access for 4 billion unbrokered adults, while increasing efficiency and reducing risk for all. Coinbase Tokenize can help (see link below). https://t.co/g0qMes2E60
Bots Don’t Absolve You From Tax Responsibility
“Just because a bot did it doesn’t mean you’re not responsible for the taxes.” — Laura Walters (@CryptoTaxGirl) Get $100 OFF expert help https://t.co/e7PgpLcMIk https://t.co/GHssNfOjvI
Report Prediction Market Gains and Losses Separately
“With prediction markets, you report all winnings and losses separately — you can’t just net them.” — Laura Walters (@CryptoTaxGirl) Get $100 OFF expert help https://t.co/e7PgpLcMIk https://t.co/GHssNfOjvI
Stablecoins Taxed as Property, Not Cash, Despite No Gain
“Stablecoins are treated like property right now, not cash — even though there’s no real gain or loss.” — Laura Walters (@CryptoTaxGirl) Get $100 OFF expert help https://t.co/e7PgpLceSM https://t.co/GHssNfNLGa
Mixing Retirement Crypto with Personal Wallets Risks Account Loss
“If you mix retirement crypto with personal wallets, you can discredit your entire retirement account.” — Laura Walters (@CryptoTaxGirl) Get $100 OFF expert help https://t.co/e7PgpLceSM https://t.co/GHssNfNLGa
Blank Cost Basis Defaults to Zero, Overpay Taxes
“If the cost basis is left blank, the default is zero — and that can cause people to substantially overpay on their taxes.” — Laura Walters (@CryptoTaxGirl) Get $100 OFF expert help https://t.co/e7PgpLcMIk https://t.co/GHssNfOjvI
Hyperliquid's Equity and Commodity Perpetuals See Explosive Growth
“Since Hyperliquid released their equity and commodity perpetuals, the growth of that segment has been extraordinary.” - @RyanWatkins_ https://t.co/GHssNfOjvI
Afghan Startup Uses Blockchain for Secure Humanitarian Aid
An Afghan start-up, @HesabPay_, is pioneering blockchain-based humanitarian aid transfers, enabling fast, trackable, and secure distribution of funds. "It's one of the coolest examples of crypto's real-world positive impact." https://t.co/GHssNfNLGa
Exchanges, Stablecoins Proven; Crypto Payments Lag, Banks Shrink
.@cz_binance's take from Davos 👀 ✅ Exchanges and stablecoins are proven infrastructure ❌ Crypto payments still haven’t broken through 🏦 Traditional banks will keep shrinking, he says The DEX in the City crew discusses his stance. https://t.co/GHssNfNLGa
Congress Backs SEC Crypto Oversight, Denies CFTC Authority
"Congress will be comfortable allowing the SEC to oversee all kinds of crypto assets but it's not going to give the CFTC reciprocal authority." @TuongvyLe12 https://t.co/GHssNfNLGa
2026 Banking Trends: Data-Driven Insights and Bold Opinions
Netscape CEO Jim Barksdale once said, “If we have data, let's look at data. If all we have are opinions, let's go with mine.” I have both--data and opinions--so let's go with mine on both fronts. See the 2026 What's Going...