Jeel, a subsidiary of Riyad Bank, has signed a partnership with Ripple to explore advanced blockchain applications aimed at strengthening financial services across Saudi Arabia.

In a press release shared with CryptoNews, the firm said the partnership will focus on developing secure and transparent digital infrastructure that can support the Middle East.

The agreement is part of growing institutional interest in blockchain payment systems and digital asset technologies as Saudi Arabia continues positioning itself as a regional leader.

Cross-Border Payments, Custody and Tokenization in Focus

The deal will also assess how blockchain technology can improve the speed, cost efficiency and transparency of cross-border payments, a key area of opportunity for the Gulf region’s remittance and trade corridors.

Beyond payments Jeel and Ripple will also explore use cases in digital asset custody and tokenization. These technologies are increasingly viewed as foundational components of next-generation financial markets, allowing the storage of digital assets and the representation of real-world assets on blockchain networks.

Regulatory Sandbox Testing to Support Responsible Innovation

Jeel and Ripple will also jointly develop proofs-of-concept within Jeel’s regulatory sandbox allowing Ripple’s blockchain solutions to be tested in a controlled and compliant environment.

The firm’s will examine how blockchain-enabled payment corridors can improve international remittance experiences while also evaluating custody frameworks.

“This partnership with Ripple reflects our strategy of using the Jeel Sandbox to responsibly explore next-generation financial infrastructure,” said George Harrak CEO of Jeel.

“By combining regulated experimentation with global blockchain expertise, we are building the foundations to evaluate scalable use cases that enhance cross-border payments and digital asset capabilities in line with the Kingdom’s long-term digital ambitions,” adds Harrak.

The sandbox approach is expected to help demonstrate scalable and interoperable digital financial infrastructure that could contribute to the modernization of Saudi Arabia’s banking ecosystem.

Value for Both Jeel and Ripple

For Jeel, the partnership strengthens its position as a pioneer in regulated blockchain experimentation, expanding its innovation capabilities beyond traditional fintech acceleration programs. The collaboration also supports Riyad Bank’s broader ambition to evaluate future-ready digital financial services.

Ripple, meanwhile, gains strategic access to Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing fintech landscape through Jeel’s institutional network and innovation platform.

“Saudi Arabia’s visionary leadership has established the Kingdom as a forward-thinking global hub for digital transformation,” said Reece Merrick, Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa at Ripple. “Ripple has signed an MOU with Jeel to explore integrating secure, efficient blockchain solutions into the national financial architecture.”

The post Riyad Bank’s Jeel Partners With Ripple to Advance Blockchain Payments and Tokenization appeared first on Cryptonews.

Gold’s rally is showing little sign of slowing as global markets head into 2026 with investors increasingly looking for refuge in traditional safe-haven assets amid geopolitical uncertainty.

According to Gracy Chen the CEO of crypto exchange Bitget says gold continues to act as “the world’s ultimate insurance policy,” as demand remains firm while broader financial markets adjust to shifting macroeconomic risks.

“Technically, the market is still in expansion mode,” Chen said pointing to Fibonacci extension levels that suggest gold could climb toward the $5,325–$5,400 range in the months ahead.

She added that strong buying interest holding around $4,830 indicates the current move is part of a sustained trend rather than a topping pattern.

Gold Remains the Anchor in Uncertain Markets

Gold has benefited during periods of heightened global instability and Chen believes the current environment will continue to support its role as a defensive asset.

With many investors reassessing risk exposure across equities and emerging markets, the precious metal is once again being positioned as a portfolio hedge against inflation, geopolitical shocks and currency volatility.

The resilience of demand at key technical support levels suggests that gold’s rally is being driven by structural factors rather than short-term speculation.

Bitcoin Undervalued Despite Macro Headwinds

Chen also drew parallels between gold’s trajectory and Bitcoin’s outlook arguing that the world’s largest cryptocurrency remains undervalued relative to its long-term potential.

“Bitcoin is on a similar trajectory considering it is an undervalued asset currently,” she said.

While Bitcoin remains sensitive to macroeconomic events Chen highlights several forces that could support an increasingly bullish breakout over the next year.

ETF Inflows and US Regulation Fuel Bullish Setup

The key catalysts Chen points to continued institutional demand through spot Bitcoin ETFs which have provided steady inflows and reinforced Bitcoin’s growing role in mainstream portfolios.

She also notes that Bitcoin volatility has declined compared to major tech stocks showing maturation in the asset class.

In the policy arena ongoing progress on a US crypto market structure bill could also provide greater regulatory clarity, potentially unlocking further institutional participation.

Bitcoin Could Reach $180K by End of 2026?

Chen believes Bitcoin’s current market cycle may also be diverging from historical norms with structural adoption and regulatory momentum creating conditions for sustained upside.

“If these forces persist Bitcoin has a credible path toward $150,000–$180,000 by the end of 2026,” she said.

Traditional Safety Meets Digital Upside

Chen’s outlook shows a broader theme emerging across global markets: investors are increasingly balancing traditional stores of value like gold with digital alternatives such as Bitcoin.

As geopolitical risks continue to linger and financial systems evolve both assets may continue to benefit from their roles as hedges—one rooted in centuries of history – the other driven by institutional adoption and technological change.

The post Bitget’s Gracy Chen Says Gold’s Bull Run Isn’t Over — Bitcoin May Be Undervalued appeared first on Cryptonews.

Digital asset investment products saw sharp outflows last week with investors pulling $1.73 billion, the largest weekly decline since mid-November 2025, according to CoinShares report authored by head of research James Butterfill.

CoinShares notes that the wave of redemptions reflects persistent bearish sentiment, driven by fading expectations for interest rate cuts, negative price momentum and growing disappointment that digital assets have not yet benefited from the broader “debasement trade.”

Outflows were heavily concentrated in the United States, which accounted for nearly $1.8 billion, while sentiment was more mixed across Europe and Canada.

Bitcoin and Ethereum Lead Weekly Redemptions

Bitcoin products recorded outflows of $1.09 billion, the largest since mid-November 2025, showing that investor confidence has yet to recover following the October 2025 price crash.

Ethereum followed with $630 million in outflows while XRP investment products saw an additional $18.2 million exit the market — highlighting broad-based weakness across major assets.

Butterfill addes that minor inflows into short-Bitcoin products — totalling just $0.5 million — suggest bearish positioning remains limited, but overall sentiment has not meaningfully improved.

Solana was also a notable exception attracting $17.1 million in inflows and bucking the wider negative trend. Smaller altcoins such as Binance-linked products ($4.6 million) and Chainlink ($3.8 million) also posted modest gains.

Regional Flows Diverge Outside the US

While the US dominated the outflows, CoinShares reports that other regions saw investors take advantage of price weakness to add to long positions.

Switzerland recorded inflows of $32.5 million, Canada added $33.5 million, and Germany saw $19.1 million in inflows. Sweden and the Netherlands both posted smaller outflows of $11.1 million and $4.4 million respectively.

The divergence suggests that while US-based investors are reducing exposure some international allocators continue to view pullbacks as entry opportunities.

Long-Term Adoption Model Points to $317K Bitcoin Floor by 2029

Despite near-term bearishness in fund flows CoinShares Research maintains a bullish long-term outlook based on its updated adoption-based valuation model.

The framework models Bitcoin as a global savings asset competing with deposits, gold, real estate, and bonds. Using conservative assumptions — including sub-1% disposable income allocation and a reduced flow-to-market-cap multiple of 3.5x — CoinShares projects Bitcoin ownership could rise from roughly 560 million owners in 2025 to 1.16 billion by 2029.

Under this scenario Bitcoin’s valuation floor could reach approximately $317,000 by 2029 implying a potential 3.2x return from mid-November 2025 levels, notes the firm.

CoinShares stressed that the model is designed to estimate price-supporting bottoms rather than speculative cycle peaks with ETF growth and emerging-market adoption continuing to accelerate global participation.

The post Crypto Funds Shed $1.73B as Bearish Sentiment Deepens: CoinShares appeared first on Cryptonews.

This week’s regulatory developments show a familiar reality in Washington: there is broad agreement that crypto needs rules, but little consensus on how those rules should be written or who should take the lead.

That tension was on full display as Senate Judiciary leaders Chuck Grassley and Dick Durbin raised concerns over a provision in Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott’s crypto market structure bill.

The language would exempt certain blockchain software developers from financial licensing requirements, a move lawmakers warned could weaken law enforcement’s ability to pursue money laundering and other illicit financial activity.

In a private letter first reported by Politico, Grassley and Durbin argued that the provision falls squarely under the Judiciary Committee’s jurisdiction and noted that their panel was not consulted before the markup was scheduled and later postponed.

The section closely mirrors the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, a bipartisan proposal led by Senators Cynthia Lummis and Ron Wyden, but its inclusion has now become another flashpoint in an already fragile legislative process.

Market Structure Bill Slips Further Down the Agenda

Momentum behind the broader market structure bill continues to slow. According to reports, the Senate Banking Committee has again delayed work on the legislation, pushing consideration to late February or March. Instead, lawmakers are shifting focus to housing legislation following President Donald Trump’s renewed push on affordability.

The delay reinforces a growing concern within the crypto industry: despite years of debate, market structure reform remains vulnerable to political reprioritization. What was once positioned as urgent now risks being sidelined by competing legislative priorities.

Partisan Cracks Begin to Show

While the Banking Committee hesitates, the Senate Agriculture Committee is moving ahead, even without Democratic support. Chair John Boozman has scheduled a markup for January 27, acknowledging that “differences remain on fundamental policy issues” but signaling a willingness to proceed regardless.

If passed, the move would mark a shift away from bipartisan consensus toward a more partisan approach, raising questions about the long-term durability of any resulting framework in a divided Congress.

Regulators Step In as Lawmakers Stall

As Congress struggles, regulators are increasingly filling the gap. Newly appointed CFTC Chair Michael Selig this week declared the start of a “golden age” for U.S. financial markets, launching a “Future-Proof” initiative intended to update decades-old rules to reflect crypto, blockchain, and artificial intelligence.

At the White House, Digital Asset Advisor Patrick Witt added pressure from another angle, urging swift passage of a market structure bill. Pushing back against claims that “no bill is better than a bad bill,” Witt warned that failure to act now could invite far more punitive legislation under a future Democratic Congress, particularly in the aftermath of a market crisis.

Enforcement Pulls Back—Coordination Moves Forward

Meanwhile, enforcement trends continue to shift. A Cornerstone Research report found that SEC crypto enforcement actions fell 60% in 2025 following Paul Atkins’ appointment as chair, indicating a move away from regulation by enforcement and toward a more targeted focus on fraud.

That recalibration was reinforced this week as Atkins and Selig announced a joint event aimed at regulatory harmonization between the SEC and CFTC, a symbolic but meaningful step toward reducing the jurisdictional confusion that has long plagued U.S. crypto markets.

The Bigger Picture

Taken together, this week’s developments point to a clear pattern: legislative paralysis is pushing more responsibility onto regulators. Whether that results in clarity or further fragmentation will depend on whether coordination can replace congressional gridlock—and whether lawmakers can still reclaim leadership before agencies set the rules by default.

The post Weekly Crypto Regulation Roundup: Market Structure Stalls as Power Shifts From Congress to Regulators appeared first on Cryptonews.

Grayscale Investments has filed an S-1 registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch an exchange-traded fund tracking BNB.

According to a Form S-1 filed on Friday, the proposed product is titled the Grayscale BNB ETF. The filing seeks approval to offer a publicly traded ETF designed to track the price of BNB, the native token of the BNB Smart Chain ecosystem.

The fund is sponsored by Grayscale Investments and incorporated in Delaware. The registration statement notes that the offering would commence only after the SEC declares the filing effective, which is a standard requirement before shares can be sold to the public.

The preliminary prospectus outlines that the trust will issue shares representing fractional beneficial interests, with the value of those shares intended to reflect the performance of BNB.

As with other crypto ETFs proposed in the U.S., the product would not actively trade or use derivatives but would seek to provide passive exposure to the underlying digital asset.

Expanding the Scope of Crypto ETFs

The BNB ETF filing comes as asset managers continue to test the boundaries of U.S. crypto ETF approvals following the authorization of spot Bitcoin ETFs and, later, spot Ethereum products.

Market participants have increasingly viewed these approvals as a potential gateway for additional single-asset crypto ETFs tied to major blockchain networks.

BNB is among the largest digital assets by market capitalization and plays a central role in transaction fees, staking, and decentralized applications within the BNB Chain ecosystem.

Regulatory Context and Timeline

The SEC will review the registration statement for compliance with disclosure, custody, and market-integrity standards. The process can involve multiple rounds of comments and amendments, potentially extending over several months.

The prospectus shows that the ETF is “subject to completion” and may be revised before becoming effective. It also reflects standard risk disclosures, including price volatility, regulatory uncertainty surrounding digital assets, as well as operational risks tied to blockchain networks.

ETF Flows Pick Up

Digital asset investment products saw a sharp rebound in demand last week, recording $2.17 billion in net inflows, the strongest weekly total since October 2025, according to CoinShares data.

The bulk of those inflows arrived early in the week before sentiment deteriorated, driven by rising geopolitical tensions, renewed tariff threats, and fresh uncertainty around U.S. monetary policy leadership.

By Friday, flows had reversed, with crypto investment products posting $378 million in outflows following diplomatic escalation linked to Greenland and renewed concerns over global trade policy.

The post Grayscale Files S-1 to Launch BNB-Tracking ETF in the U.S. appeared first on Cryptonews.

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, confirmed it has submitted an application for a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license in Greece as crypto firms across Europe speed up their efforts to secure regulatory approval before the transitional period expires.

The move adds Greece to the list of EU member states being considered by large digital asset platforms looking to preserve access to the bloc’s single market once MiCA’s licensing regime comes into force. Companies have until June 2026 to secure the license.

Engagement With Greek Authorities Begins

A Binance spokesperson confirmed to CryptoNews that the company has formally lodged its MiCA application and has begun discussions with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC), the country’s financial regulator.

“We have submitted our MiCA application and are actively engaging with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC),” the spokesperson said.

“We view MiCA as an important milestone for the crypto industry, bringing regulatory clarity, stronger consumer safeguards, and a clearer framework for responsible innovation.”

The spokesperson adds that Binance welcomes collaboration with Greek regulators as the EU-wide regime is implemented, noting the firm’s intention to support the long-term development of Europe’s digital finance ecosystem.

Unified EU Rules Drive Licensing Push

MiCA seeks to form a harmonized regulatory system for crypto-asset service providers operating in the European Union, replacing the fragmented national registration models.

Once authorized, member state firms can offer services across all 27 EU countries through passporting rights. With compliance timelines approaching, exchanges face mounting pressure to secure approval.

MiCA represents one of the most comprehensive regulatory frameworks for crypto-assets globally, intended to provide legal certainty, protect investors, and push innovation in the rapidly evolving digital finance space.

France Steps Up Oversight of Crypto Sector

Binance’s application in Greece comes as regulators in France intensify oversight of the crypto industry. In October, the French authorities launched anti-money laundering inspections covering dozens of crypto firms, including Binance and domestic exchange Coinhouse.

The inspections were being led by France’s prudential supervision authority, the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR), as it evaluates which of more than 100 registered entities will qualify for EU-wide authorization under MiCA.

As MiCA reshapes Europe’s crypto regulatory environment, the outcome of licensing applications over the coming months is expected to play a decisive role in determining which global platforms maintain access to one of the world’s most important digital asset markets.

The post Binance Seeks MiCA Approval in Greece Ahead of EU Regulatory Deadlines appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin holders have entered a net realized loss phase for the first time since October 2023, according to the latest report from on-chain and market data analytics firm CryptoQuant.

According to the report, since December 23, investors have collectively realized losses totaling roughly 69,000 BTC, marking a shift away from the profit-taking environment that defined much of the past year.

CryptoQuant reports this latest change represents a shift in on-chain behaviour where holders are now locking in losses rather than distributing coins at a profit. Previously, these types of transitions tended to emerge when market conviction weakened, and price recoveries failed to sustain momentum.

Realized Profit Momentum Has Been Deteriorating Since 2024

CryptoQuant data shows that realized profit momentum has been declining steadily since early 2024. Rather than a single breakdown, the market has formed a series of lower realized-profit peaks—first in January 2024, followed by December 2024, July 2025, and then October 2025.

The pattern also suggests that each rally has generated less profit-taking than the previous one, even when spot prices appeared resilient. On-chain, this is often interpreted as a sign of diminishing demand strength where buyers are increasingly unwilling to absorb supply at higher prices.

Parallels With the 2021–2022 Market Transition

The current on-chain structure closely resembles Bitcoin’s 2021–2022 bull-to-bear transition, CryptoQuant notes. During that cycle, realized profits peaked in January 2021 and gradually formed lower highs throughout the year before flipping into net losses ahead of the 2022 bear market.

This loss realization phase has coincided with a prolonged downturn as sentiment shifted from optimism to capital preservation. While history does not repeat exactly, CryptoQuant analysts point out the similarity as a cautionary sign rather than a definitive forecast.

Annual Profits Compress to Bear-Market Levels

Another key indicator is the sharp compression in annual net realized profits. CryptoQuant reports that annual realized profits have fallen to approximately 2.5 million BTC, down from around 4.4 million BTC in October. These levels are comparable to March 2022, a period widely viewed as early-stage bear market territory.

Such compression implies fewer coins are being sold at a profit across the network, reinforcing the view that Bitcoin’s on-chain profit dynamics are no longer consistent with a strong bull market environment.

What the Shift Means for the Market

While net realized losses alone do not guarantee an immediate price decline, CryptoQuant emphasizes that prolonged loss realization phases typically align with weaker sentiment and reduced speculative appetite.

If this trend persists, Bitcoin may face a period where rallies are sold into, and downside volatility becomes more pronounced, reflecting a market adjusting to lower expectations.

The post Bitcoin Enters Loss Realization Phase as On-Chain Profit Dynamics Flip Negative: CryptoQuant appeared first on Cryptonews.

“Thinking about buying more bitcoin,” posted Michael Saylor on Thursday morning, reflecting Strategy’s reputation as one of the most aggressive corporate accumulators of BTC.

The X post follows the company’s latest disclosure that it added 22,305 Bitcoin to its balance sheet, spending approximately $2.13 billion as part of its ongoing accumulation strategy. The purchase was completed at an average price of $95,284 per BTC, inclusive of fees and expenses.

Latest Purchase Expands Strategy’s Bitcoin War Chest

The acquisition disclosed on January 20 was funded through proceeds from Strategy’s at-the-market equity and preferred stock sales conducted between January 12 and January 19.

The approach mirrors the company’s prior capital-raising playbook, which has repeatedly converted equity issuance into Bitcoin exposure during periods of market consolidation.

As of January 19, Strategy holds 709,715 Bitcoin acquired for approximately $53.92 billion at an average price of $75,979 per BTC.

Bitcoin Price Action Shows Consolidation

Bitcoin is trading around $88,800 on Thursday, down roughly 0.3% over the past 24 hours, according to CryptoNews data. The asset has retreated from recent highs above $95,000 and remains well below its October 2025 all-time high near $126,000.

Recent price action shows Bitcoin moving within a broad consolidation range, with buyers stepping in near the $85,000–$90,000 zone while upside momentum has stalled below $100,000.

Trading volumes have moderated, suggesting market participants are waiting for fresh catalysts amid tightening financial conditions and shifting macro expectations.

Despite the pullback, Bitcoin remains up on a year-over-year basis, with its market capitalisation hovering near $1.77 trillion, emphasizing its position as the largest digital asset by a wide margin.

Markets convulsed after President Donald Trump threatened steep tariffs on eight European nations unless Denmark cedes Greenland, with rhetoric including hints the U.S. might seize the territory by force, triggering a global risk-off move on January 20.

Gold surged to record highs while Bitcoin plunged into the low-$90K range, with some intraday trades dipping as low as $87K.

Strategy’s Long-Term Conviction Remains Intact

Saylor has framed bitcoin as a long-duration treasury reserve asset rather than a short-term trade. Strategy’s accumulation pace has shown little sensitivity to near-term volatility, with purchases continuing across both rising and falling markets.

The latest X post and buy earlier this week shows the company’s view that periods of consolidation represent accumulation opportunities rather than signs of weakness.

While the strategy has drawn both praise and criticism from market observers, Saylor has repeatedly argued that Bitcoin’s long-term scarcity and monetary properties outweigh interim drawdowns.

The post Billionaire Michael Saylor Hints at More Bitcoin Buying in Mid-Week Post appeared first on Cryptonews.

BitGo Holdings marked a milestone on January 22 celebrating its debut as a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BTGO.

Members of BitGo’s leadership team rang the NYSE Opening Bell at 9:30 a.m. ET formally ushering the digital asset infrastructure provider into the public markets.

“Today marks a defining moment for BitGo,” said Mike Belshe, chief executive officer and co-founder of the company. “Our entry into the public markets will enable us to further accelerate the financial system’s transition toward a transparent and credible digital asset economy, while continuing to deliver exceptional security, custody and liquidity solutions for our clients.”

Building Institutional Crypto Infrastructure

BitGo’s public debut follows more than a decade of growth focused on secure and compliant digital asset services. The company began as a pioneer of multi-signature security and institutional-grade wallets before expanding its offering to include regulated custody, trading and infrastructure services.

Over time, BitGo established BitGo Bank & Trust, a nationally chartered digital asset bank, and launched BitGo Prime Trading alongside an OTC trading desk.

The company has also expanded into Stablecoin-as-a-Service and Crypto-as-a-Service offerings, positioning itself as a core infrastructure provider for institutions operating in digital assets.

Scale and Global Reach

As of September 30, 2025, BitGo served more than 4,900 clients across over 100 countries and supported more than 1,550 digital assets. Its client base spans digital asset ecosystems, financial institutions, technology platforms, corporations and government entities.

From its origins in safety and security, BitGo has developed a comprehensive product suite covering self-custody wallets, qualified custody, liquidity and prime brokerage services, and infrastructure-as-a-service for builders and investors across the crypto economy.

Positioning for the Next Phase of Digital Finance

Headquartered in Sioux Falls, BitGo has built its reputation around regulatory compliance and institutional trust at a time when digital asset markets are increasingly intersecting with traditional finance.

As a newly listed company, BitGo said it plans to leverage its public market profile to further strengthen its infrastructure and expand its role within the evolving digital financial system.

Belshe said the company’s next chapter will focus not only on BitGo’s own growth, but also on supporting the broader resilience of the digital asset ecosystem. “We believe the opportunity ahead is significant and that we are uniquely positioned to help institutions navigate the road ahead,” he said.

BitGo’s listing comes amid renewed interest in crypto-related equities, as investors look for regulated, infrastructure-led exposure to the digital asset economy.

The post BitGo Debuts on New York Stock Exchange Trading Under Ticker BTGO appeared first on Cryptonews.

Decentralized exchange aggregator 1inch has expanded its consumer wallet integrations through a new partnership with Rewardy Wallet, allowing users to swap tokens across multiple blockchains without holding native gas tokens such as ETH, BNB or MATIC.

The integration brings the 1inch Swap API directly into Rewardy Wallet’s in-app swap interface, allowing users to execute cross-chain swaps while paying transaction fees in Rewardy’s native token, RWD.

By abstracting gas payments away from network-specific tokens the update removes one of DeFi’s most persistent friction points and reduces the likelihood of failed transactions caused by insufficient gas balances.

Removing Gas Tokens From the User Experience

Gas management has long been a barrier to mainstream DeFi adoption, particularly for newer users navigating multiple blockchain networks. The requirement to hold the correct native token for each chain often results in stalled or failed transactions and adds unnecessary complexity to everyday crypto use.

By eliminating the need to pre-purchase native gas tokens, the integration delivers a cleaner, more intuitive experience that aligns with the expectations users have of modern financial applications, while preserving self-custody and execution quality.

Powered by 1inch’s Aggregation Infrastructure

Through the integration of the 1inch Swap API, Rewardy Wallet gains access to aggregation and routing infrastructure. The firm claims users benefit from optimized pricing and liquidity across supported chains, all executed within Rewardy’s in-app swap environment.

The setup allows swapping across Ethereum, BNB Chain and other supported networks without requiring users to manage network settings or gas assets manually.

Built on Account Abstraction and EIP-7702

Rewardy Wallet is built around account abstraction and gasless UX principles, with the gas-free swap experience through EIP-7702. This allows transaction fees to be paid using RWD instead of native network tokens, reducing onboarding friction and simplifying cross-chain activity.

“DeFi is still too complicated for most people, and gas tokens are one of the biggest reasons,” said Yoon Jeon, CEO of Rewardy Wallet. “By partnering with 1inch and leveraging EIP-7702, we’re removing unnecessary steps and making swaps feel as simple as any modern financial app without compromising on self-custody or execution quality.”

1inch Pushes Toward Mainstream Adoption

“If DeFi is to reach its first billion users, the experience must be seamless and secure,” said Sergej Kunz, co-founder of 1inch. “Through the integration of our Swap API, wallets like Rewardy are helping drive a more intuitive and accessible future for users.”

The integration also supports swaps across Ethereum, BNB Chain, Base, Arbitrum and Optimism, and marks another step in 1inch’s strategy of embedding its infrastructure into consumer-ready platforms.

The post DEX Aggregator 1inch Expands Gasless DeFi Access Through Rewardy Wallet Integration appeared first on Cryptonews.

Nomura’s crypto subsidiary, Laser Digital, has launched a natively tokenised Bitcoin yield strategy directed at institutional and eligible accredited investors seeking income on top of long-only BTC exposure.

In a press release shared with CryptoNews, the company explains that Laser Digital Bitcoin Diversified Yield Fund SP (BDYF) combines directional Bitcoin exposure with income-generating, market-neutral strategies designed to deliver excess returns over Bitcoin across market cycles.

The fund is positioned as an evolution of Laser Digital’s Bitcoin Adoption Fund, which launched in 2023 ahead of the first U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs.

First Natively Tokenised Bitcoin Yield Fund

Laser Digital said BDYF is the world’s first natively tokenised Cayman-domiciled Bitcoin yield fund. Unlike traditional tokenised structures that rely on special-purpose vehicles or feeder funds, the tokenised share class is issued directly at the main fund level, allowing on-chain ownership alongside traditional share classes.

Tokenisation is handled exclusively by KAIO, while Komainu serves as the fund’s main custodian. The structure allows for in-kind contributions, atomic settlement, and streamlined on-chain fund administration, according to the firm.

Strategy: Growth Plus Income

The fund is designed to maintain long-term, long-only exposure to Bitcoin while actively monetising carry-like opportunities through diversified market-neutral strategies, including arbitrage, lending, and options.

Laser Digital said the strategy prioritises capital preservation over yield chasing, with institutional-grade risk controls intended to ensure income generation does not compromise the safekeeping of underlying BTC.

The fund targets long-term Bitcoin holders such as digital-asset treasury entities, traditional institutions, and sovereign allocators, with a goal of delivering more than 5% excess net returns over BTC performance across rolling 12-month periods, depending on market conditions.

Why Launch Now

Laser Digital said the launch reflects Bitcoin’s maturation into a mainstream institutional asset with deep liquidity and increasingly robust market infrastructure.

At the same time, macro uncertainty, persistent inflation risk, and rising correlations across traditional asset classes are pushing allocators to seek diversifiers that can also generate income.

The objective, the firm said, is to turn a passive Bitcoin allocation into a more capital-efficient exposure that retains upside participation while producing a sustainable income stream aligned with institutional mandates.

Executive Commentary

Jez Mohideen, co-founder and CEO of Laser Digital, said recent volatility has pointed out growing demand for yield-bearing crypto strategies. “Yield-bearing, market-neutral funds built on calculated DeFi strategies are the natural evolution of crypto asset management,” he said.

Sebastien Guglietta, head of Laser Digital Asset Management, adds that while Bitcoin functions as a store of value, it does not naturally generate yield. “Our strategy seeks to address that gap by offering a sustainable income stream for long-term Bitcoin holders,” he said.

Regulatory and Product Line Context

Laser Digital Middle East FZE, a regulated virtual asset service provider under Dubai’s VARA regime, acts as investment manager to the fund.

BDYF joins the firm’s existing actively managed strategies, including the Laser Digital Carry Fund and the Multi-Strategy Fund, as part of its expanding institutional digital asset offering.

In October, it emerged that Nomura Holdings is preparing to deepen its presence in Japan’s digital asset market as crypto activity surges, with its wholly owned subsidiary Laser Digital Holdings seeking a license to offer trading services to institutional clients.

The post Nomura-Backed Laser Digital Launches Tokenised Bitcoin Yield Fund Targeting Excess Returns appeared first on Cryptonews.

BitGo Holdings has priced its initial public offering marking a huge milestone for the crypto industry as one of the first digital asset infrastructure firms to go public in 2026.

In a statement released Wednesday, BitGo said it had priced its upsized IPO at $18.00 per share offering an aggregate of 11,821,595 shares of Class A common stock. The offering reflects strong investor demand as public market appetite for crypto-related infrastructure shows signs of recovery.

Offering Structure and Share Allocation

The IPO consists of 11,026,365 shares of Class A common stock offered by BitGo and 795,230 shares sold by certain existing stockholders. The company said it will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by selling stockholders.

BitGo has also granted underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 1,770,000 additional shares of Class A common stock at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.

NYSE Listing and Trading Timeline

BitGo’s shares are expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on January 22, 2026, under the ticker symbol BTGO. The offering is expected to close on January 23, subject to customary closing conditions.

The listing positions BitGo among a small but growing group of crypto-native firms accessing public equity markets amid improving investor sentiment.

Backbone of Institutional Crypto Infrastructure

Founded as a crypto custody and infrastructure provider BitGo has become a core service provider for institutional participants in digital assets. Its offerings span custody, wallet infrastructure, settlement, staking and treasury management, supporting exchanges, asset managers and corporate clients.

The public debut comes as interest in crypto-related equities shows signs of recovery, driven by stabilising markets and renewed institutional engagement.

Banks and Regulators Involved

The IPO is being led by Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC as lead book-running manager, with Citigroup acting as a book-running manager.

Additional book-running managers include Deutsche Bank Securities, Mizuho, Wells Fargo Securities, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Canaccord Genuity and Cantor. Clear Street, Compass Point, Craig-Hallum, Wedbush Securities, Rosenblatt and SoFi are acting as co-managers.

A registration statement relating to the offering was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissionon January 21 with the offering being made solely by means of a prospectus.

Market participants view BitGo’s IPO as a potential bellwether for the 2026 crypto IPO pipeline with its post-listing performance likely to influence whether other digital asset infrastructure and services firms pursue public listings in the months ahead.

BitGo Expands Institutional OTC Platform

Earlier this month, BitGo expanded its institutional over-the-counter (OTC) trading platform to support derivatives trading, strengthening its push to offer full-service, regulated infrastructure for sophisticated digital asset strategies.

The move allows institutions to trade OTC derivatives directly with a BitGo trading entity while keeping client collateral in separately regulated BitGo custody.

The expansion comes as institutional participation in crypto markets continues to mature, with growing demand for complex trading strategies executed alongside robust risk management and custody safeguards.

The post BitGo Prices IPO, Marking One of the First Crypto Listings of 2026 appeared first on Cryptonews.

Austria’s Bitpanda announced Wednesday it is set to launch a unified investing platform that brings stocks, ETFs, crypto and precious metals together in a single regulated app.

The expanded platform will go live on 29 January giving users access to more than 10,000 stocks and ETFsalongside Bitpanda’s existing crypto and metals products.

A Unified Investment Platform Goes Live

With the launch, Bitpanda said it will allow customers to invest across all major asset classes from one interface for the first time. The platform combines Europe’s largest crypto offering with equities, ETFs and precious metals, creating what the company describes as the continent’s broadest investment universe within a single app.

Users will also be able to trade both whole and fractional shares allowing smaller investors to gain exposure to high-priced stocks and diversified ETF products without committing large amounts of capital upfront.

€1 Flat-Fee Trading and Transparent Pricing

Bitpanda said its expanded equities offering covers around 8,000 stocks and 2,500 ETFs all available at a flat fee of €1 per trade. The company said the pricing model includes no hidden commissions, no custody fees and no payment for order flow.

Automatic tax withholding will be available from day one for users in Austria and Germany, simplifying compliance for retail investors in those markets. Bitpanda said this approach reflects its continued focus on transparency.

New Features and User Experience

The new features include free deposits and withdrawals, zero-cost savings plans for stocks and ETFs and advanced order types such as limit orders.

Bitpanda explains its users will also be able to transfer existing portfolios into Bitpanda in just a few clicks allowing them to manage their entire investment portfolio from a single app.

Eric Demuth, chairman and co-founder of Bitpanda, said the launch marks a major step for both the company and the broader financial market. “Eleven years ago, we made crypto simple and secure for everyone,” he said. “Now comes the next evolution: for the first time, we’re bringing all markets and asset classes together in a single app.”

Brand Campaign and Market Positioning

The transformation into a unified investment platform will be supported by a pan-European communications campaign featuring Christoph Waltz as Bitpanda’s brand ambassador.

The campaign will roll out across multiple channels and include activation initiatives such as a Twitch Streamer Challenge and educational content formats.

Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad, CEO of Bitpanda, said the goal is to lower barriers to entry and make investing more accessible. “With our €1 flat fee per trade and free savings plans for stocks and ETFs, we’re making investing as easy and intuitive as our market-leading crypto offering,” he said.

Bitpanda Weighs Frankfurt IPO in H1 2026

Bitpanda is lining up for a Frankfurt stock market debut in the first half of 2026, putting one of Europe’s biggest retail crypto platforms on a path from bull market beneficiary to public market test.

The Vienna-based company could seek a valuation of €4B to €5B ($4.6B – $5.8B), and it has tapped Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and Deutsche Bank to help arrange the offering. Some see a first-quarter listing as a live option.

The post Bitpanda to Launch Unified Investing Platform Combining Stocks, ETFs, and Crypto appeared first on Cryptonews.

Nansen has launched AI-powered trading functionality across its web and mobile products, marking a strategic shift from analytics-only tooling toward what it calls agentic trading — a model that connects real-time onchain intelligence directly to execution.

In a press release shared with CryptoNews the firm explains the the launch allows users to move from insight to trade within a single interface, initially across Solana and Base.

From Onchain Analytics to Agentic Trading

The release represents Nansen’s most significant product expansion to date, evolving the platform beyond analytics into execution. Trading is now available directly within Nansen’s web terminal and its mobile app, Nansen AI, allowing users to identify opportunities, manage portfolios and place trades without leaving the platform.

Alex Svanevik, co-founder and CEO of Nansen, said the move closes a long-standing gap between insight and action. He notes that while Nansen has historically excelled at surfacing high-quality onchain signals, the new functionality allows users to execute trades through both a conversational, AI-native mobile experience and a traditional web-based trading terminal.

Built on 500M+ Labeled Wallets

At the core of the product is Nansen’s proprietary dataset of more than 500 million labeled wallet addresses, which the company uses to track onchain behavior, identify trends and generate trading signals. This data foundation powers what Nansen refers to as “vibe trading,” an intuitive workflow where users progress naturally from analysis to execution.

Through the mobile app, users can initiate trades by asking questions directly to the AI agent, which interprets live onchain data and provides data-backed suggestions. Nansen stressed that while the AI guides decision-making, users retain full control over execution.

Purpose-Built AI for Onchain Markets

Unlike general-purpose AI models, Nansen AI has been trained and evaluated specifically on onchain data. According to the company, this specialization allows it to outperform broader AI tools on benchmarks focused on blockchain analysis and trading use cases, producing insights that are directly actionable rather than purely descriptive.

The system is designed to operate transparently, relying exclusively on verifiable blockchain data and functioning within user-defined parameters.

Partnerships Allow Cross-Chain Execution

To support execution across multiple networks, Nansen has partnered with Jupiter, OKX, and LI.FI. Wallet infrastructure is provided through an embedded Nansen Wallet powered by Privy, enabling a self-custodied experience across mobile and web.

Henri Stern, co-founder and CEO of Privy, said the integration allows intelligent, immediate trading while preserving user custody. Trading is available now for eligible users, with access restricted in certain jurisdictions including Singapore, Russia, Iran, and others.

The post Nansen Launches AI-Powered Crypto Trading Tools on Base and Solana appeared first on Cryptonews.

Ethereum’s co-founder Vitalik Buterin has renewed his push for decentralized social media arguing that competition — rather than engagement-maximising algorithms or speculative tokens — is essential to building healthier mass communication systems.

In a post on X, Buterin said he plans to be “fully back to decentralized social” in 2026, framing the shift as a response to deep structural problems in today’s dominant platforms.

“If we want a better society, we need better mass communication tools,” he wrote, calling for systems that surface high-quality information, help people find points of agreement, and serve users’ long-term interests instead of optimising for short-term engagement.

According to Buterin decentralization provides a starting point by allowing real competition. Shared data layers allow multiple clients to be built on top of the same social graph, reducing the power of any single interface or algorithm.

“Decentralization is the way to enable that,” he said, arguing that choice at the client level is critical to improving online discourse. Buterin notes that his return to decentralized social is already underway.

Since the start of the year, he said every post he has written or read has been accessed through Firefly, a multi-client interface that supports X, Lens, Farcaster and Bluesky.

The experience, he suggested, highlights how decentralized tools can coexist with — and gradually pull attention away from — centralized platforms.

Tokens Are Not Social Innovation

Buterin was sharply critical of how many crypto-native social projects have evolved. Too often, he argued, teams mistake the addition of a speculative token for meaningful innovation.

While combining money and social interaction is not inherently flawed — he cited Substack as an example of a system that successfully supports high-quality content — problems arise when platforms create price bubbles around creators instead of rewarding the content itself.

Over the past decade, Buterin said, repeated attempts to financialise social influence have failed in predictable ways: rewarding pre-existing social capital rather than quality and ultimately collapsing as tokens trend toward zero.

He dismissed claims that creating new markets and assets is automatically beneficial, describing such thinking as “galaxy-brained” rhetoric that masks a lack of genuine interest in improving information flow. “That is not Hayekian info-utopia,” he wrote. “That is corposlop.”

A Renewed Focus on the ‘Social’

For decentralized social to succeed, Buterin argued, it must be led by teams that care deeply about the social problem itself.

He praises the Aave team’s stewardship of Lens to date and said he is optimistic about the project’s next phase, pointing to the incoming team’s long-standing interest in encrypted social communication.

Buterin said he plans to post more actively on Lens this year and encouraged users to spend more time across Lens, Farcaster and the broader decentralized social ecosystem.

The goal is to move beyond “a single global info warzone” and reopen a frontier where new and healthier forms of online interaction can emerge.

The post Vitalik Buterin Calls for Return to Decentralized Social, Warns Against ‘Corposlop’ Crypto Platforms appeared first on Cryptonews.

TRON DAO has announced the integration of Blockaid, adding real-time, production-grade security protections across the TRON ecosystem as the network continues to scale global usage.

The integration introduces transaction simulation and validation, dApp risk detection, and token validation tools designed to block malicious activity before users are exposed.

TRON said the collaboration brings an additional layer of protection to its more than 358 million users, strengthening security across token transfers, decentralized applications, and DeFi activity.

Real-Time Protection for a Growing Ecosystem

The announcement comes as TRON surpasses 12 billion total transactions and maintains its position as one of the most widely used blockchain networks for stablecoin activity. With adoption accelerating, the network has prioritized security infrastructure that can operate at internet scale.

According to the firm, by adding Blockaid’s security capabilities directly into the TRON network, users gain real-time visibility into potentially malicious behavior.

Transaction simulation and validation help identify wallet drainers and exploit attempts before transactions are signed, while dApp validation flags risky or malicious applications prior to user connection.

Token validation further enhances protection by detecting impersonation tokens, spam assets, and common scam patterns that have proliferated across public blockchains.

Scaling Security Alongside Adoption

TRON DAO explains that the integration is designed to ensure security scales in parallel with user growth.

“With more than 358 million users interacting across the TRON ecosystem, proactive security is essential to protecting users at scale,” said Sam Elfarra, Community Spokesperson at TRON DAO. “

At this scale, even isolated vulnerabilities can impact a large user base. Integrating Blockaid helps protect users from malicious activity as they explore on-chain applications and ensures security scales alongside adoption,” Elfarra added.

The collaboration reflects a broader industry trend toward preventative security, moving beyond reactive responses to exploits and scams.

Blockaid Expands Reach Across Web3 Infrastructure

Blockaid specializes in detecting and responding to on-chain and off-chain threats. The integration allows users to receive immediate, contextual insight into the risks associated with their on-chain interactions.

“As adoption accelerates, users need immediate, reliable insight into what they’re interacting with on-chain,” said Ido Ben-Natan, co-founder and CEO of Blockaid. “Together, TRON and Blockaid are protecting users and builders at the exact moments where trust matters most.”

Strengthening Trust in Decentralized Infrastructure

By integrating real-time security directly into the network layer, TRON seeks to reinforce trust across one of the most active blockchain ecosystems in Web3.

The move shows the growing importance of security and transparency as decentralized infrastructure supports increasingly mainstream financial and application use cases.

The post TRON DAO Integrates Blockaid to Deliver Real-Time On-chain Security Across Its Network appeared first on Cryptonews.

Billionaire Michael Saylor’s Strategy has added another 22,305 bitcoin to its balance sheet spending approximately $2.13 billion as the company continues its aggressive accumulation strategy.

The purchase disclosed on January 20, follows sales conducted under Strategy’s at-the-market (ATM) equity and preferred stock programs between January 12 and January 19, 2026. The bitcoin was acquired at an average price of approximately $95,284 per BTC, inclusive of fees and expenses.

As of January 19, Strategy now holds a total of 709,715 bitcoin acquired for roughly $53.92 billion at an average price of $75,979 per BTC.

ATM Program Funds Latest Bitcoin Acquisition

According to the filing, Strategy raised approximately $2.125 billion in net proceeds during the period through a combination of equity and preferred stock issuance. The majority of capital was generated through sales of STRC variable-rate preferred shares and MSTR Class A common stock.

Notably, Strategy sold 2.95 million STRC shares for $294.3 million in net proceeds and issued 10.4 million MSTR shares, generating $1.83 billion. Smaller amounts were raised through STRK preferred stock sales, while no issuance occurred under STRF or STRD during the period.

The company confirmed that proceeds from the ATM program were used directly to fund bitcoin purchases, reinforcing its long-standing capital markets-to-bitcoin conversion strategy.

Bitcoin Holdings Continue to Scale

With the latest acquisition, Strategy’s bitcoin holdings have grown by more than 22,000 BTC in a single week, cementing its position as the largest corporate holder of bitcoin globally.

At current levels, the company’s aggregate holdings represent over 3% of bitcoin’s total circulating supply. While the average purchase price of recent acquisitions sits above Strategy’s historical cost basis, management has repeatedly emphasized long-term accumulation over short-term price sensitivity.

The disclosure shows that while the latest tranche was acquired near recent market highs, Strategy’s blended acquisition price remains materially lower due to earlier purchases made at discounted levels.

Capital Markets Strategy Remains Intact

Strategy’s continued use of preferred stock issuance and equity sales reflects a deliberate effort to diversify funding sources while minimizing operational cash flow dependence.

The firm still has more than $8.4 billion of MSTR stock and billions in preferred securities available for future issuance under its ATM programs.

Despite heightened volatility in crypto markets and ongoing regulatory uncertainty, Strategy has maintained its bitcoin-centric capital allocation framework, positioning BTC as its primary treasury reserve asset.

Long-Term Conviction Unchanged

The latest purchase shows Strategy’s unwavering conviction in bitcoin as a long-duration store of value and monetary asset. By systematically converting capital raised in traditional markets into bitcoin exposure, the company continues to operate as a leveraged proxy for institutional bitcoin adoption.

As of January 19, Strategy’s balance sheet reflects not just scale but persistence — a defining feature of its approach as bitcoin enters a more institutionally driven phase of market maturity.

The post Billionaire Michael Saylor’s Strategy Buys 22,305 Bitcoin for $2 Billion – Is Something Big Coming? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Blockchain adoption continues to expand across institutional finance even as U.S. regulatory clarity remains elusive, according to a new analyst note from Clear Street.

The firm argues that while delays to the proposed Clarity Act may slow parts of the domestic crypto market, they have not derailed broader institutional engagement with tokenization, stablecoins and on-chain financial infrastructure.

The Senate Banking Committee postponed a scheduled markup of the Clarity Act following opposition from Coinbase. Although the Senate Agriculture Committee is still expected to review the bill on January 27, Clear Street analyst Owen Lau warns that the overall legislative timeline could slip to March or later.

Concerns Over Stablecoin Competition

In comments cited by Clear Street, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong outlined several concerns with the draft legislation, most notably the risk that bank lobbying could limit the ability of crypto exchanges to pass stablecoin rewards through to users.

Clear Street views this outcome as increasingly likely outside of narrowly defined activity-based rewards such as payments, loyalty programs, wallets or staking.

Such restrictions, the firm argues, would tilt the competitive landscape in favor of traditional banks by allowing them to retain interest spreads while reducing consumer benefits associated with stablecoins.

“In our view the bill risks shifting from its original goal of promoting crypto innovation toward protecting bank margins and constraining competition,” writes Lau.

Clear Street sees two possible paths forward: the crypto industry either accepts legislation with unfavorable terms or disengages from the process entirely. Either scenario could slow U.S. blockchain adoption and weaken the global competitiveness of U.S.-issued stablecoins.

Institutional Momentum Continues Without a Market Structure Bill

Despite these regulatory headwinds, Clear Street stressed that blockchain adoption has continued to advance even in the absence of a comprehensive U.S. market structure framework.

Major financial institutions including Vanguard, Charles Schwab, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, the New York Stock Exchange and Bermuda-based entities have all expanded their engagement with blockchain-based products and infrastructure.

Growth areas highlighted by the firm include tokenized money market funds, tokenized equities and prediction markets. Clear Street added that while a supportive policy backdrop would likely accelerate adoption, institutional participation has proven resilient without favorable legislation.

Revised Outlooks for Crypto-Exposed Firms

Reflecting both regulatory uncertainty and evolving market conditions, Clear Street updates its forecasts and price targets for several crypto-linked companies.

For Bakkt (BLSH), the firm raised its fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted EBITDA estimate to $37.8 million from $35.5 million, driven by stronger-than-expected transaction revenue.

Full-year 2026 and 2027 adjusted EBITDA estimates were also modestly increased on continued strength in subscription and services revenue. However, Clear Street lowered its price target to $50 from $57 while maintaining a Buy rating.

For Coinbase, Clear Street reduced its fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted EBITDA estimate to $630 million from $748 million citing weaker-than-expected December trading volumes. While consensus estimates of $731 million appear optimistic, the firm notes that the long-term blockchain adoption thesis remains intact.

Coinbase’s price target was cut to $344 from $415 to reflect lower earnings expectations and a compressed industry valuation multiple with the Buy rating unchanged.

Stablecoin Growth Still Intact

Clear Street also updated its outlook for Circle (CRCL), lowering its fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted EBITDA estimate to $112 million from $116 million due to a lower-than-expected average USDC market capitalization. The firm estimates that USDC’s ending market cap rose 72% year-on-year and 2% quarter-on-quarter during the period.

While near-term estimates were trimmed, Clear Street said longer-term adoption drivers remain intact, including prediction markets, tokenization, artificial intelligence applications and cross-border payments. Growth in non-core income streams could also provide upside, the firm added. Circle’s price target was reduced to $85 from $110 with a Hold rating maintained.

Outlook

Clear Street concludes that while regulatory delays and political compromise may weigh on sentiment in the near term, blockchain adoption is increasingly being driven by institutional demand rather than legislative momentum alone.

“Institutional use cases continue to expand even without a favorable Clarity Act,” the firm said, adding that clearer policy would accelerate adoption — but its absence has not stopped it.

The post Blockchain Adoption Pushes Ahead Despite U.S. Regulatory Uncertainty: Analyst appeared first on Cryptonews.

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), part of Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), has unveiled plans to develop a platform for trading and on-chain settlement of tokenized securities, marking a step toward digitizing core market infrastructure.

The exchange said it will seek regulatory approvals before launching the platform, which is designed to support tokenized trading alongside traditional securities markets.

A Platform Built for 24/7 Tokenized Trading

NYSE’s proposed digital platform is designed to allow continuous 24/7 trading with near-instant settlement, orders denominated in dollar amounts, and stablecoin-based funding.

The architecture combines the exchange’s Pillar matching engine with blockchain-based post-trade systems, allowing settlement and custody across multiple blockchains.

Subject to regulatory clearance, the platform will be part of a new NYSE venue supporting both tokenized shares that are fungible with traditionally issued securities and tokens natively issued as digital securities. Tokenized shareholders would retain the same economic and governance rights as conventional shareholders, including dividends and voting rights.

Market Structure and Regulatory Alignment

NYSE said the venue has been designed to align with established principles of market structure, including non-discriminatory access for all qualified broker-dealers.

This approach shows the exchange’s intention to integrate tokenization within existing regulatory and operational frameworks rather than positioning it as a parallel, lightly regulated market.

By adding tokenized securities into a familiar exchange model, NYSE seems to combine blockchain efficiencies with the protections and standards expected of a regulated U.S. exchange.

Tokenization as Part of ICE’s Broader Digital Strategy

The initiative forms part of ICE’s wider digital asset strategy, which includes preparing its clearing infrastructure to support round-the-clock trading and the potential use of tokenized collateral. ICE is working with banks, including BNY and Citi, to support tokenized deposits across its clearinghouses.

These efforts are intended to help clearing members manage funding outside traditional banking hours, meet margin requirements more efficiently, and operate across jurisdictions and time zones with fewer frictions.

Industry Leaders Indicate a Shift to On-chain Infrastructure

“For more than two centuries, the NYSE has transformed the way markets operate,” said Lynn Martin, President of NYSE Group. She said the exchange is now leading the industry toward fully on-chain solutions that combine trust, regulatory rigor, and modern technology.

Michael Blaugrund, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at ICE, describes tokenized securities as a major step toward operating fully on-chain market infrastructure spanning trading, settlement, custody, and capital formation.

Currently ICE operates six clearinghouses globally—including the world’s largest energy clearinghouse and the largest for credit default swaps—has positioned the move as a continuation of its long-running push to modernize global financial markets for a digital era.

NYSE Owner ICE in Talks to Invest in MoonPay

In December, it emerged ICE was negotiating an investment in crypto payments firm MoonPay as part of a funding round that could value the company at approximately $5 billion.

The post NYSE Moves Toward On-chain Markets With Tokenized Securities Platform appeared first on Cryptonews.

Cryptocurrency markets began last week on firm footing supported by aggressive institutional buying and continued inflows into spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Bitcoin finally broke above the closely watched $95,000 resistance level after multiple failed attempts in recent weeks rallying into a $97,000–$98,000 range. The move was triggered by sustained demand from large corporate buyers such as MicroStrategy alongside improving sentiment around regulated investment vehicles, according to Laser Digital.

Despite the bullish breakout momentum proved difficult to maintain. As the week progressed buying pressure eased and prices began to consolidate around the $95,000 level suggesting the rally had become increasingly vulnerable to macro-driven shocks.

Tariff Headlines Trigger Risk-Off Move

Over the weekend renewed geopolitical tension weighed heavily on broader risk markets after former U.S. President Donald Trump proposed new tariff measures targeting European Union and NATO countries.

While crypto assets appeared insulated from the news sentiment deteriorated sharply once U.S. equity futures opened weaker during early Asian trading hours.

This shift triggered aggressive selling across digital assets. Bitcoin fell to approximately $92,500, while Ethereum dropped to around $3,200, effectively erasing the majority of gains recorded during the prior week.

The move highlights crypto’s continued sensitivity to global macro and geopolitical developments, particularly during periods of heightened uncertainty.

On Monday Bitcoin’s price action is showing near-term consolidation after a sharp pullback, with BTC trading around $93,000following a rejection from the mid-$90,000s.

Near-Term Outlook Hinges on Macro Developments

Looking ahead near-term price action is expected to remain highly reactive to how U.S.–EU trade tensions evolve. Any escalation could pressure risk assets while signs of de-escalation may provide room for stabilization. Geopolitical risks in the Middle East remain elevated with tensions increasing over the weekend and contributing to a more cautious market backdrop.

From a macro perspective, markets face a busy week. Key events include the World Economic Forum in Davos, upcoming U.S. GDP and PCE inflation data and a Bank of Japan policy meeting.

Although there are no scheduled Federal Reserve speeches due to the blackout period, markets may still see policy-related developments. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that a Fed chair announcement could occur closer to the Davos Forum, adding another potential catalyst for volatility.

Caution Returns After Breakout Attempt

While last week’s breakout above $95,000 marked a technical milestone for Bitcoin the subsequent pullback shows the fragile nature of sentiment at elevated price levels.

With macro and geopolitical risks back in focus, traders are likely to remain cautious in the near term, watching for clarity on tariffs, central bank direction and broader risk appetite before committing to the next directional move.

The post Crypto Rally Fades as Geopolitical Risks Re-Enter Focus: Laser Digital appeared first on Cryptonews.