US-based spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds pulled funds for a fifth straight trading day, and the totals added up quickly. According to Farside data, about $103.5 million left on Friday, bringing the five-day sum to roughly $1.72 billion.

Bitcoin was trading near $89,160 at the time of these reports — still well below the $100,000 mark it last reached on November 13. This movement has sent a clear signal: many investors are stepping back right now.

ETF Flows And Who Is Selling

Reports note that ETF flows are often on the radar as a quick read on investor mood, but the picture is not always simple. Large outflows can reflect institutional rebalancing or tactical moves by funds, not only mass retail selling.

The US market had a four-day trading week because of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, which may have concentrated trades into fewer sessions and amplified the numbers. Still, losing more than a billion dollars in a few days will get attention.

Market Mood And Metals

The wider mood has soured. The Crypto Fear & Greed Index registered an Extreme Fear score of 25, and sentiment trackers have been flashing caution. Reports say Santiment believes retail traders are pulling back while attention drifts toward more traditional assets.

Meanwhile, metals have been strong. Reports disclose that with gold trading near $5,000 and silver approaching $100, some market players feel Bitcoin has been left out of a rally that lifted metals, which has weighed on confidence in the crypto market.

Bitcoin Price Action

Bitcoin has struggled to find a steady rhythm over the past week. Prices slipped below the $89,000 to $90,000 range as traders reacted to fresh geopolitical tension and renewed trade worries, before stabilizing as nerves eased.

This was driven higher after some soft political indicators around tariff threats, only to substantiate the idea that markets rarely react to conflict but rather to changes in tone and expectations.

Signals That Could Matter

These movements illustrate how Bitcoin behaves more like a risk asset rather than an asset shelter, falling in tandem with equities when unexpected financial shocks hit the globe, before rebounding when the fever subsides to gather fresh buyers.

Current price patterns indicate caution, where traders are weighing short-term political risks against medium- and long-term macro patterns, as well as institutional interests.

There are some quieter indications that the rout could be losing steam. To this effect, there are assertions suggesting that supply distribution on-chain and social chatter can be circumstantial evidence showing there is less selling pressure.

Featured image from Money; Shutterstock, chart from TradingView

Africa is seeing a quiet shift in how people send and hold value. Mobile phones are central. According to Vera Songwe, a former UN under-secretary-general, millions who lack bank accounts can use stablecoins to protect savings and move money faster. That access matters in places where inflation has been high and bank fees are steep.

Use By Businesses And Everyday People

Reports have disclosed that stablecoins now make up around 43% of all crypto transaction volume in sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria alone processed nearly $22 billion in dollar-linked stablecoin activity over a recent 12-month span.

That money is used for remittances, payroll and business settlements. Firms and market traders are among the biggest users, but many everyday people are joining in too.

In countries such as Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia and South Africa, demand is driven by volatile local currencies and rules that limit access to dollars. Mobile money networks help push adoption along.

Stablecoins Speed Up Cross-Border Payments

Traditional remittances can be costly. At a World Economic Forum panel in Davos, Switzerland on Thursday, Songwe noted that sending $100 through traditional money transfer services in Africa often costs around $6, making cross-border payments both slow and costly.

Stablecoins cut those costs and shorten wait times from days to minutes for many transfers. Small payments and wages can be settled quickly, and that speed changes how businesses plan cash flow.

Local Rules Are Changing Fast

Governments are reacting in different ways. Ghana passed a Virtual Asset Service Providers law to bring trading into a formal framework. On January 13, Nigeria required crypto platforms to link transactions to tax ID numbers, a move meant to bring activity into official records.

South Africa’s central bank has warned that stablecoins and other tokens could pose risks to financial stability as use grows. Policy is being written while users and tech firms keep pushing ahead.

Risks And The Road Ahead

High inflation remains a core reason people are turning to stablecoins. Reports say inflation has exceeded 20% in 12 to 15 countries since the pandemic, and that reality pushes people to look for alternatives to local notes.

Everyday Use, Measured Change

What started as a tech niche has grown into a practical tool for many across the continent. For small and medium businesses, the benefit is clear: faster settlements and lower costs.

For people without bank accounts, a smartphone can now open a route to store value in currencies less tied to local inflation. Adoption will likely keep rising, but how quickly it becomes part of mainstream finance will depend on stronger rules, better safeguards, and the continued spread of simple mobile services that people trust.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

💾

Reports say Swiss banking giant UBS is planning to let a small group of its private bank clients buy and sell major cryptocurrencies. The step would open access to Bitcoin and Ethereum for people who have worked with the bank for years, not for every customer.

Private Clients First

According to a Bloomberg report, the service would start in Switzerland and be offered only to select private banking clients, with any wider rollout dependent on rules and demand. The move is careful and measured. It is being tested with a narrow set of clients before any wider push is considered.

How It Would Work

Reports note that UBS has been talking with outside firms about providing the trading, custody and compliance pieces needed to make crypto trading run smoothly.

Partners would likely handle technical tasks while UBS keeps the client relationship front and center. Those talks have been going on for months, and no final deals are said to be done yet.

Why Now

Wealthy clients have been asking for ways to own digital assets safely. UBS has run pilots on tokenized funds and has worked on blockchain payments before.

The bank’s size and reputation mean it can offer a more cautious path into crypto than many smaller players. At the same time, changes in regulation and the broader market have made the plan more realistic than it might have seemed a few years ago.

Based on reports, the initial offering would focus on Bitcoin and Ethereum. More coins could be added later, but that would depend on which assets meet the bank’s risk and compliance checks.

UBS will reportedly decide what custody model to use and whether it needs third parties for trade execution. No launch date has been set.

A Broader Trend

Banks from different countries are slowly giving rich clients more ways to touch crypto, but each does it in its own style. Some offer ETFs and funds. Some go further and let clients trade coins directly.

UBS’s cautious design fits a pattern where big banks move slowly, testing the systems before widening access. A handful of recent moves by other institutions show the same pattern.

What Comes Next

Reports note that regulators and client interest will help decide how fast this goes. If rules in the US and other places stay friendly and clients respond, the offering could broaden beyond Switzerland.

If not, the bank could keep the plan tightly limited. For now, the idea remains a plan under discussion rather than a product on the market.

UBS’s steps reflect growing demand from wealthy investors for safer ways to hold crypto through trusted firms. The bank’s careful progress shows how traditional finance is testing the waters without rushing in.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

According to on-chain trackers, a big wave of old Bitcoin has started moving after long dormancy. Coins that sat untouched for more than two years have been transferred in numbers larger than what was seen during past peaks in 2017 and 2021.

CryptoQuant analyst Kripto Mevsimi said on-chain data shows that 2024 and 2025 marked the largest release of long-held Bitcoin supply ever recorded. He tracks “revived supply,” or coins that stayed dormant for more than two years before being moved.

That kind of movement usually means deep-pocketed holders are changing their plans, not small traders chasing a quick gain.

A Shift Without A Party

Reports say this release of long-held supply arrived with little fanfare. There was no mass retail mania. Prices did not spike in a frenzy. Instead, the transfers came during a stretch when the market has been under steady pressure from broader financial stress.

Some of those older coins were likely sold for profit. Some may have been moved for other reasons — custody upgrades, private trades, or to back financial products. On-chain signals show the coins moved, but they do not write the reasons on the blockchain.

Long-Term Holders Change Course

Based on reports from analysts tracking these flows, the pattern suggests a changing of the guard. Early adopters who held through multiple cycles and pointed to scarcity and self-control have been trimming positions.

New buyers are appearing who watch price swings and macro headlines. Institutions, fresh large accounts, and price-driven traders are now shaping much of the market’s short-term activity.

Global Risk Pressures Risk Assets

Reports have linked recent weakness in Bitcoin to rising global risk. Research ties part of the pullback to tariff moves by US President Donald Trump, which have pushed investors away from risky assets.

Tariffs can dent corporate profits, stir up inflation uncertainty, and change how the market views future rates — all of which hits sentiment. When big markets wobble, crypto often follows. That pressure helps explain why long-held coins moved without the usual hype.

New Buyers Step Forward

According To on-chain and price data, institutions and new “whales” are stepping into the gaps left by sellers. Bitcoin has been trading near the high $80k range, with recent figures around $89,140 as markets test demand. The old holders may have taken gains, but the market did not collapse. That shows there is still appetite, even if it is different from the past.

This cycle feels different because selling came without euphoria, and buying looks more tactical. That does not mean the story is over. The market might be shifting toward price-sensitive participants and outside financial forces.

Or the recent calm could be a pause before fresh buying. Either way, these on-chain moves matter. They change where the coins sit, and that changes how future price swings may play out.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Iran’s central bank quietly built up a large stash of Tether’s USDT last year as the rial struggled and trade with the outside world grew harder. The move turned parts of the crypto ledger into a public trail of a policy that would normally be private.

Central Bank’s Crypto Moves

According to a blockchain analysis by Elliptic, the Central Bank of Iran acquired at least $507 million in USDT over 2025, a figure the firm treats as a conservative minimum because it only counts wallets it could tie to the bank with high confidence.

Reports say much of the buying happened in the spring months of 2025 and that payments were routed through channels that included Emirati dirhams and public blockchains. Those stablecoins were then used in local crypto markets to add dollar-linked liquidity and help slow the rial’s slide.

New Elliptic research: We have identified wallets used by Iran’s Central Bank to acquire at least $507 million worth of cryptoassets.

The findings suggest that the Iranian regime used these cryptoassets to evade sanctions and support the plummeting value of Iran’s currency,… pic.twitter.com/I7NHGO0wtP

— Elliptic (@elliptic) January 21, 2026

How The Money Flowed

Elliptic’s tracing shows an early flow of USDT into Nobitex, Iran’s biggest crypto exchange, where the coins could be swapped into rials and fed into the market. After a breach and growing scrutiny in mid-2025, other paths were used, including cross-chain bridges and decentralized exchanges, to move and convert funds.

A Freeze And A Warning

That open ledger also left the transactions visible to outside observers. On June 15, 2025, Tether blacklisted several wallets linked to the central bank and froze about $37 million in USDT, showing that stablecoins can be cut off when issuers or regulators step in. That intervention narrowed some options for on-chain liquidity.

This episode matters for two reasons. First, it shows how a state institution can use stablecoins to gain access to dollar value when normal banking routes are closed.

Second, it highlights a weakness: if a private issuer can freeze balances, those reserves are not the same as cash held in hard foreign accounts.

Trade, Sanctions, And A New Tool

Reports note the purchases likely served a twin goal — to smooth domestic exchange rates and to help settle trade with partners who avoid direct dollar banking.

The method is blunt. It gives a way to move value, but it also creates new points of control and exposure that can be tracked on public ledgers.

Analysts will be watching how regulators and stablecoin issuers respond. They will also track whether other countries under pressure turn to similar mixes of centralized and decentralized tools.

The public tracing of these flows makes it harder to hide big moves, even when actors try to obscure them across chains and exchanges.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

ARK Invest’s new roadmap puts a big number on the table, and it’s hard to ignore. Reports say Cathie Wood’s firm’s “Big Ideas 2026” research paints a scenario where the total value of crypto climbs to about $28 trillion by 2030.

Big Ideas Point To A Shift

According to ARK and its public writeups, that $28 trillion is not blind optimism. The firm breaks the future into three main drivers: Bitcoin, decentralized finance, and tokenized real-world assets.

Reports note Bitcoin could make up roughly 70% of that total, which would mean about $16 trillion in Bitcoin market cap by 2030.

DeFi And Tokenized Assets Take The Stage

DeFi platforms and smart-contract networks are expected to grow a lot. ARK’s scenario puts smart money and on-chain services as a major contributor to market value in the run up to 2030.

The firm also projects tokenized real-world assets — things like tokenized bonds, property shares, and other financial products moved onto ledgers — to climb into the trillions, with some reports pointing toward around $11 trillion for tokenization.

How Bitcoin Fits Into The Picture

Given the share ARK assigns to Bitcoin, the math pushes toward very large per-coin prices if that scenario plays out. Reports say ARK’s base case uses a little over 20 million Bitcoins in supply by 2030 and implies a per-coin price that could sit near the high hundreds of thousands — commonly quoted numbers range up to about $950,000 to $1,000,000 in that framework.

Fast Growth Assumptions

To reach $28 trillion, the forecast depends on very steep growth each year. ARK points to an implied compound annual growth rate near 61% from present levels to 2030. That is aggressive. It would mean rapid gains across many segments of the crypto market, not just a single rally.

Reports and industry analysts warn that the path to that future has a long list of hurdles. Regulation must become clearer in many places. Institutional rails and custody tools need to expand and prove reliable.

Market sentiment has to stay positive long enough for major capital flows to arrive. Any of these things going wrong would change the numbers quickly.

ARK’s “Big Ideas 2026” details a robust vision of a $28 trillion ecosystem driven by Bitcoin, DeFi, and tokenization. Although it holds a rather ambitious 61% growth trajectory riddled with numerous regulatory and market obstacles, the vision reinforces the faith of ARK Invest in the transformation of the digital asset space from being a speculative domain to the nucleus of the global finance system.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Markets showed signs of life after a sudden political retreat in Davos. Prices that had tumbled earlier this week found buyers again, though the mood stayed cautious and quick to keep an eye on the next headline.

Political Shift Calms Markets

According to Reuters, US President Donald Trump announced he would not go ahead with planned tariffs tied to Greenland after talks with NATO officials, calling the outcome an outline for future cooperation.

Reports say the initial shock knocked big chunks off crypto positions. More than $600 million in leveraged bets were wiped out within a day as Bitcoin and major altcoins slid during the selloff.

Market sentinels counted over $620 million in liquidations, while other market trackers put the toll as high as about $870 million as traders rushed to close risky positions.

Risk Appetite Returned, Slowly

After the tariff threat was pulled, stock indexes rallied. The pan-European STOXX 600 gained back ground, rising about 1.2% as traders stepped back into risk assets and some panic cooled. London shares also moved up in a broad rally that reflected relief across sectors.

Short, sharp moves hit markets. One minute confidence; the next minute forced selling. That pattern left bitcoin and ether lower from recent highs, and it reminded many investors that headlines still drive big swings.

Some long holders were squeezed out. Some traders were burned by over-extended bets. Reports note rare split liquidations where both long and short positions were affected.

Recovery Was Cautious Not Complete

According to market stories, crypto prices rebounded after the immediate scare, but volume stayed thin and sentiment stayed tilted toward fear.

Traders who saw the drop as a buying chance kept their distance, while short-term players moved back in to chase quick gains. The bounce was real, but fragile.

On Crypto & Geopolitical Noise

This episode shows that geopolitical noise can still push crypto the same way it pushes stocks. Even when the issue is not directly about digital assets, risk appetite matters.

When big, headline-driven moves happen, leveraged markets get whipsawed and people who bet too much either lose a lot or get forced out of their positions.

According to reports, the tariff retreat eased immediate worry and allowed markets to recover some lost ground, but the relief felt measured and watchful.

News can move markets fast. The mental framing of the selloff will probably keep traders cautious for a while, and any new twist in policy or diplomacy could bring fresh volatility.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Canaan Inc., a maker of crypto mining rigs, has been hit hard over the past year as its American Depositary Shares fell well below key thresholds.

Reports say the company received a written notice from Nasdaq after its ADS had closed under $1.00 for 30 consecutive business days, triggering a formal compliance process.

Minimum Bid Deadline

The exchange gave Canaan 180 calendar days to push its share price back above $1.00 for 10 straight trading days, a rule meant to keep listings on the Nasdaq Global Market.

Reports note this grace period ends on July 13, 2026, and that trading will continue while the company works to meet the threshold.

Drop Stings Investors

Canaan’s stock has slid about 63% over the last 12 months, reflecting weak demand and broader stress in the crypto hardware sector.

Some market reports put the most recent close near $0.79 or roughly in that area, underlining how far the price has fallen.

Reports say part of the pressure comes from lower orders and a shift in computing demand, as some buyers explore AI hardware instead of mining rigs.

That change hit revenues and left the stock vulnerable. The company has faced similar trouble before; this is a repeat warning less than a year after a prior compliance notice.

Options On The Table

Company filings and market watchers say Canaan could try a reverse stock split to push the per-share price up quickly, or look for ways to boost sales and cash flow.

Either route has tradeoffs. A split can change share math but does not fix demand. Strengthening sales takes time and money.

Watch the daily closing price. If the ADS can close at or above 10 or more consecutive trading days at $1.00 or higher, Nasdaq will confirm compliance. If that does not happen by July 13, the company may face delisting or seek another extension through Nasdaq procedures.

A Hard Road Ahead

Canaan still trades on Nasdaq for now. But the notice is a reminder that small shifts in demand and price can force big changes for hardware makers.

For holders, the path to safety is clear but not easy: the share price must climb and stay there. Reports say management will monitor the market and consider options to restore the listing standard.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

A worrying pattern has formed in the crypto sector. Reports say that about four in five projects hit by major hacks do not fully recover. Money is lost, yes. But the deeper damage is often to trust — and that can be fatal.

Trust Erodes Fast

When a breach is found, users pull funds quickly. Partners step back. Liquidity dries up. Industry experts, including Immunefi CEO Mitchell Amador, warn that slow or unclear responses can push entire communities away.

Some projects try to fix code quietly. That can fail. Silence is sometimes treated as hiding. Panic spreads. Confidence drops.

“Nearly 80% of projects that suffer a hack never fully recover,” Amador pointed out. The primary reason, he said, is not the initial loss of funds, but the “breakdown of operations and trust during the response.”

How Teams Respond Can Decide Fate

Reports note that incident plans are rare and that the absence of a clear playbook hurts more than the bug itself. A quick, honest update can calm people. A slow, confused reaction makes things worse.

In many cases, even after the technical flaw is fixed, the project stays damaged because users left and did not return. Some teams are rebuilt under new names. Others never regain attention. The human side of recovery matters a lot.

Amador said many protocols freeze once an exploit comes to light. According to him, teams often underestimate how exposed they are and lack the operational readiness needed to handle a serious security breach.

Security Problems Are Changing

The attacks are not all the same. Smart contract bugs remain a big cause. But now simple human errors, like leaked keys or social tricks, are also common.

Reports say that losses in recent years have grown into the billions, with one figure around $3.4 billion lost in a single year. That number shows the scale of the risk.

Community Reaction Shapes Outcomes

A project can be technically repaired. But the people who used it may have moved on. Communities are fragile. Some founders try to refund users or set up funds to cover losses.

That can help. Other teams decide to close down the service and focus on other work. The decision is sometimes made for them when liquidity vanishes and partners cut ties. Recovery is often not just a technical task; it is a rebuild of trust and reputation.

Huge Damage

Crypto hacks jumped sharply in 2025 as attackers hit both large platforms and private wallets. Based on reports, total losses reached $3.4 billion, the biggest annual figure since 2022.

Just three breaches were responsible for nearly 70% of that damage by early December, with the $1.4 billion Bybit exploit standing out as the largest.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Michael Saylor’s hint about a “Bigger Orange” has sent fresh energy through parts of the Bitcoin market. It came after Strategy executed a very large buy, and traders took the message as a sign there may be more accumulation ahead. Short bursts of buying have a way of changing tone on trading floors.

Saylor Signals New Buying Spree

According to reports, Strategy purchased more than $1.25 billion in Bitcoin in its latest move, adding thousands of coins to its holdings. That stack has pushed the company closer to a massive total that some sources put near 700,000 BTC.

Markets reacted quickly. Prices nudged higher in the hours after the news, and shares of Strategy were treated by some investors as a way to get extra Bitcoin exposure.

Traders Pounced And Charts Reacted

Momentum traders were the first to lean in. They saw the buy as proof that a major corporate buyer still sees value in stacking coins during dips.

Options desks showed increased call buying, and volume spiked on spot desks in New York and Asia. Sentiment grew more positive, but caution remained. Big buys can lift short-term prices, yet they don’t always start long, steady rallies.

₿igger Orange. pic.twitter.com/HI47hMCnui

— Michael Saylor (@saylor) January 18, 2026

Market Reaction And Investor Moves

Retail and institutional players both turned their attention to liquidity. Reports note that when one large buyer moves, other firms often reassess their risk and allocation plans.

Hedge funds checked their models. Family offices ran fresh numbers. For some investors, the appeal is simple: owning a scarce asset that an influential buyer keeps adding to can feel reassuring.

Corporate Treasuries And Public Perception

Corporate cash strategies have been in the spotlight since Strategy first started buying coins. CEOs and boards watch those moves closely, and investors watch boards.

For a public company to keep buying, confidence has to be high enough to risk press questions and regulatory attention. That choice is being watched by analysts who say such buys shape public debate about Bitcoin’s role as part of a company’s balance sheet.

What Analysts Are Watching

Analysts are tracking three things: how many coins are being taken off exchanges, whether accumulation is steady or one-off, and how the market digests more large purchases.

On-chain trackers showed notable withdrawals after the reported purchase, which can tighten available supply. Some onlookers cautioned that short-term price jumps can be reversed if selling follows or if macro news turns sour.

A Cautious Ending Note

Based on market chatter, the “Bigger Orange” tease is more than a bit of bravado — it is treated as a strategic signal by many market players.

Still, outcomes are far from certain. Buying by a major corporate holder can shift sentiment and squeeze short positions, but markets are shaped by many forces at once.

For now, traders, investors, and watchers will keep an eye on any follow-up moves and how price and liquidity respond in the next sessions.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Anthony Scaramucci has warned that a new US rule could hand the upper hand to Beijing. Reports say he believes a ban on paying yield to holders of dollar stablecoins will make dollar-linked digital rails less attractive than the digital yuan, which is moving toward paying interest on wallets.

Stablecoin Yield Ban And Dollar Competitiveness

Lawmakers in Congress are considering a bill that would reshape how digital assets are treated in the United States.

“The whole system is broken,” Scaramucci said on X, reacting to the Clarity Act’s restriction that blocks crypto exchanges and service providers in the US from paying yield to stablecoin holders.

According to the bill text, the proposed Clarity Act would bar certain kinds of yield or interest from being paid in connection with holding payment stablecoins, closing off a path some platforms use to offer rewards. This change is woven into a broader effort to define which digital tokens fall under which regulators.

The whole system is broken: The Banks do not want the competition from the stable coin issuers so they’re blocking the yield in the meantime the Chinese are issuing yield so what do you think the emerging countries will choose as a rail system the one with or without yield?

— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) January 16, 2026

Banks And Exchanges Push Back

Reports note the move has split industry players. Some banks have warned that easy access to yield outside the banking system could drain deposits and change lending patterns.

At the same time, major crypto firms have voiced concern that a hard ban on yield will blunt the competitiveness of US dollar-based token services and could push global users toward alternatives that offer returns.

The debate has also strained support for the bill, with at least one high-profile exchange pulling its backing amid disagreement.

China’s Move To Pay Interest On e-CNY

China is already acting on a different path. Based on reports, commercial banks there will be allowed to pay interest on digital yuan holdings, a step meant to boost use of the state’s central bank digital currency.

The change went into effect around the start of this year and was presented as a way to encourage people and institutions to try the e-CNY more often.

Why This Matters For Smaller Economies

Money flows respond to yield. If a digital yuan offers returns while US dollar tokens cannot, some governments and firms in emerging markets might favor the payment rails that provide a financial edge.

That is the central point behind Scaramucci’s warning. It’s not just about finance and stablecoins; it is also about which systems gain traction for trade and cross-border payments.

Regulators now face a tough call. Reports say the choice is between strict limits that curb certain crypto yields and looser rules that could pressure bank deposits. Either route carries tradeoffs for stability, competition, and the global reach of the dollar.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Fresh money poured back into US spot Bitcoin ETFs this week, giving the market a clear jolt after a quiet month. The inflows totaled about $1.42 billion, the biggest weekly pickup since early October. That rush pushed prices higher for a time and pulled a lot of attention back to these regulated funds.

Institutional Demand Comes Back

Reports say big, familiar investors are rejoining these funds. Managers with large pools of capital are using ETFs to get Bitcoin exposure in a way that fits standard rules and reporting.

Some of the buying came through a tight set of funds that have wide reach with big clients. The move is being read as a return of steady, long-term money rather than quick speculative bets.

Reports from the Bitcoin macro newsletter Ecoinometrics note that recent jumps in spot Bitcoin ETF inflows usually lead to brief price gains, which often disappear when the inflows ease.

Based on data from SoSoValue, spot Bitcoin ETFs saw their biggest inflows midweek, with Wednesday bringing in more than $840 million in a single day and Tuesday following with roughly $754 million.

Bitcoin doesn’t need a few good days. It needs a few good weeks.

We’ve seen this pattern repeatedly: a short burst of ETF inflows, a quick price bounce, and then momentum fades. That tells us demand still exists, but it’s not persistent enough to change the trend.

The chart… pic.twitter.com/6mkv7ye9fW

— ecoinometrics (@ecoinometrics) January 16, 2026

BlackRock’s IBIT Tops Flows

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust drew the largest share of the gains. On several days it led all spot ETF flows, with one report showing IBIT accounted for roughly $1.03 billion of the weekly total.

A single day during the run saw IBIT pull in amounts measured in the hundreds of millions, underlining how dominant the fund has become in the US market.

When big, regulated vehicles buy a lot of Bitcoin, the effect is not just on paper. These ETFs must either create new shares by buying coins or choose to source supply elsewhere.

That process removes coins from the pool available to regular traders. At the same time, some data show that large holders eased off selling in recent days, which tightened the coins ready to trade even more. The mix of fresh demand and less selling can lift price quickly.

Short Gains, Or The Start Of Something Longer?

Some market watchers point out that a single week of big inflows is only part of the picture. Patterns matter. If monthly flows stay strong, then the story is clearer.

If the money fades, prices can fall back just as fast. Still, the sudden inflow shows that at least a group of big investors prefers regulated ETF exposure right now. That matters for how traditional funds think about Bitcoin in balanced portfolios.

Bitcon Price Action

Bitcoin has been hovering around $95,000 this week, moving up and down slightly as buyers and sellers test the market. Reports say the price steadied after a small bounce from recent lows.

Some updates show Bitcoin briefly rising above $96,800, shaking out short-term traders. Analysts note the swings reflect mixed sentiment, with the market unsure of the next clear direction.

Featured image from Getty Images, chart from TradingView

Steak ’n Shake has moved $10 million of Bitcoin onto its corporate balance sheet, a fresh step in the fast-food chain’s crypto push. According to reports, the purchase equals about 105 BTC at current prices, and the company says all customer Bitcoin receipts feed into a so-called Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Tied To Sales

Based on reports, Steak ’n Shake calls its new approach a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and says it links reserve growth directly to rising same-store sales.

The company has framed the move as part of daily operations rather than a standalone financial bet. Customers who pay with Bitcoin are effectively contributing to the reserve, the chain said. This is a different route from companies that raise capital or borrow specifically to buy crypto.

Eight months ago today, Steak n Shake launched its burger-to-Bitcoin transformation when we started accepting bitcoin payments. Our same-store sales have risen dramatically ever since.

All Bitcoin sales go into our Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

Today we increased our Bitcoin…

— Steak ‘n Shake (@SteaknShake) January 17, 2026

Payments On The Lightning Network

Steak ’n Shake started accepting Bitcoin at US locations in mid-May 2025, using the Lightning Network to handle payments, according to earlier coverage.

The company reports payment processing fees have fallen by roughly 50% compared with traditional card payments, and sales have risen since the rollout.

Reports note same-store sales gains in the low-to-mid double digits — figures such as 15% have been cited by several outlets.

The $10 million allocation follows eight months of active Bitcoin payments at the tills. Management says the reserve will fund store upgrades and ingredient improvements without raising menu prices.

The firm also ran a branded promotion last year that linked small Bitcoin rewards to specific menu purchases, part of its wider effort to make crypto part of the customer experience.

How The Company Plans To Use Funds

Reports indicate Steak ’n Shake wants the reserve to be a steady, internally funded asset rather than a speculative holding driven by market timing.

Some of the Bitcoin will support operational improvements, while other parts may be kept as a corporate asset. That mix could change if management alters its view of how Bitcoin fits with broader company goals.

Industry watchers point out that $10 million is modest against the biggest corporate crypto treasuries, but it is one of the more public moves by a legacy consumer brand.

The trend of businesses accepting Bitcoin and then holding some of it has drawn attention because it ties everyday commerce to cryptocurrency accumulation.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Anchorage Digital, a New York–based crypto bank, is moving to raise fresh capital as it prepares to enter public markets. According to Bloomberg, people familiar with the matter say the firm is looking to secure between $200 million and $400 million in new funding.

Anchorage Seeks Major Funding

Reports say the Firm is exploring a $200M–$400 million round to strengthen its business before a possible public listing. The plan would put Anchorage among a small group of crypto-native companies that have tried to list on stock markets after building regulated services for institutions.

The company’s bank affiliate holds a federal charter, a status that gives it a different footing compared with many crypto firms. That federal backing is often cited by investors as a reason Anchorage can offer custody and other services seen as safer by big clients.

Based on reports, Anchorage last raised capital in a previous round that valued the business at over $3 billion, and the fresh funding is viewed as a runway toward a public debut.

Anchorage Digital, whose affiliate is the first federally chartered US digital-asset bank, is seeking to raise fresh capital as it explores a potential public listing, according to people with knowledge of the matter https://t.co/6xLNEJN54W

— Bloomberg (@business) January 16, 2026

Regulatory Edge And Product Push

Some reports say the bank is also growing teams tied to stablecoin work and exploring partnerships that would widen its product set for large customers. These moves appear aimed at making the company more attractive to public investors.

Market observers note that crypto firms have been considering public listings more often as regulation clears up in certain areas and as institutional demand for custody and regulated rails grows.

Anchorage’s timing comes while other custody and asset firms weigh similar steps, a trend that could reshape how big investors access crypto services. The atmosphere is cautious, but there is clear interest in regulated players.

Market Reaction And IPO Timing

According to market chatter, the bank could seek a listing as soon as next year, although some coverage says 2027 is also possible. Sources quoted by Bloomberg gave a range of potential timing, and Anchorage has not provided a public comment on the plans.

If Anchorage completes a successful raise and goes public, the event would signal confidence in firms that combine crypto services with bank-style oversight.

Investors will be watching how the company uses the proceeds — whether to build new products, hire staff, or boost its balance sheet ahead of scrutiny that comes with public ownership. The next few months are likely to reveal more details as underwriting and investor talks advance.

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Belarus took a major step on January 16, 2026, when President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed Decree No. 19 to set rules for so-called “cryptobanks.” The move creates a clear legal spot for companies that want to mix token services with classic banking and payment work.

Decree Defines Cryptobanks And Rules

According to the decree, a cryptobank is a joint-stock company that may carry out token operations alongside banking, payment and other financial services.

Reports have disclosed that these firms must be residents of the Belarus High-Tech Park (HTP) and will be listed in a special register kept by the National Bank.

The new document ties cryptobank status to HTP residency, which aims to concentrate activity inside a known tech zone. That requirement also means the HTP’s rules will play a role in daily oversight.

Requirements For Market Entry

Based on reports from regulators, cryptobanks will face dual supervision: oversight from both the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus and the HTP’s governing bodies. This twin structure is meant to let token services grow while keeping closer control of financial risks.

Officials say cryptobanks will follow many of the rules that apply to non-bank credit and financial organizations, including standards for capital, risk controls and anti-money-laundering checks.

That suggests applicants will need to show robust compliance systems before being accepted into the register.

Belarus: Short-Term Business Plans

National Bank officials said that the decree could be followed by real market steps fast. Aliaksandr Yahorau, the First Deputy Chairman of the National Bank, said Belarus could see its first operating cryptobank within six months after laws and rules are aligned.

He added that cryptobanks may be able to issue loans secured by cryptocurrency, provide payment cards linked to crypto accounts, and allow self-employed people to receive salaries in tokens.

What Comes Next For Belarus

The decree builds on earlier efforts to attract tech and crypto business to Belarus, and it clearly signals a state interest in bringing token activity under formal control.

The next steps will include drafting implementing rules, creating the special registry at the National Bank, and deciding capital and licensing thresholds for applicants.

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Nexo, a crypto lending platform, agreed to pay a $500,000 penalty after California regulators said it made thousands of loans without the proper state license.

According to the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, the actions involved loans backed by crypto assets and raised concerns about how the company evaluated borrowers.

California Action On Unlicensed Loans

The DFPI found that Nexo issued at least 5,456 consumer and commercial loans from July 2018 through November 2022 to residents in California.

Reports have disclosed that the company did not adequately check whether borrowers could repay the loans, leaving consumers exposed to risky lending. The agency called those practices unlawful under state consumer finance rules.

Nexo Must Move California Funds To Licensed Affiliate

As part of the remedy, Nexo will be required to transfer funds held for Californians to its US-based affiliate that holds a valid license, Nexo Financial LLC, within 150 days.

The move is meant to ensure customers’ money is under a properly regulated entity. The DFPI also required other compliance steps to prevent similar problems in the future.

A Pattern Of Regulatory Scrutiny

This is not the first time Nexo has faced enforcement. Based on reports, the firm previously reached settlements that included roughly $45 million in penalties during actions taken in 2023.

Regulators around the country have been paying closer attention to crypto lending, and this decision signals they expect the same consumer protections that apply to traditional lenders to apply to platforms using digital assets.

Consumers who took loans secured with crypto may now see their accounts handled differently while the transfer takes place. Some borrowers might face changes in terms or servicing.

Industry observers say this kind of oversight can push companies to tighten underwriting and documentation. At the same time, some users worry that more rules could limit their access to certain crypto services.

Regulators Emphasize Borrower Protections

According to the DFPI, California law requires lenders to assess a borrower’s capacity to repay loans and to hold the right licenses before they are allowed to do business with state residents.

By labeling the conduct unlawful, the agency signaled that loan decisions driven primarily by crypto collateral do not exempt a lender from basic checks on repayment capacity. The penalty and the corrective measures aim to close gaps that might have allowed risky loans to go through.

A Cautious Road Ahead

The $500,000 fine is modest compared with the scale of the broader crypto market, yet regulators say penalties are only one tool. They added that transfers to licensed entities and stronger internal controls are key to protecting consumers.

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West Virginia lawmakers have taken a step toward letting the state put a slice of its cash into gold, stablecoins and very large cryptocurrencies. Senate Bill 143, introduced on January 15, 2026, is being called the Inflation Protection Act and was filed by State Senator Chris Rose.

Inflation Protection Act Details

According to the proposal, the State Treasury Board could place up to 10% of certain treasury accounts into a limited list of nontraditional assets.

Those assets would include precious metals like gold and silver, regulator-approved stablecoins, and digital currencies that meet a very high market-cap test. The bill sets that threshold at US$750 billion averaged over the prior calendar year.

The Market Cap Door Is Narrow

Based on reports, only the largest cryptocurrencies would clear that bar. At the moment, that effectively names Bitcoin as the sole qualifying digital asset, given the US$750 billion requirement. That choice was framed as a way to limit exposure to volatile or fringe tokens.

How The State Could Hold These Assets

The bill does not demand one custody model. Instead, it allows the treasury to hold metals or crypto directly, to use exchange-traded products, or other approved custody setups. The language also contemplates tools like staking or ETPs as options for generating returns, but it attaches rules intended to reduce operational and security risks.

A Policy Shift At The State Level

Rose and backers present the move as a hedge against inflation and a way to diversify reserves beyond bonds and cash. Opponents are likely to press on fiduciary duty, volatility, and the risks of adopting assets with rapid price swings.

The debate taps into a wider trend: several US states have been exploring ways to create strategic reserves that include precious metals or crypto.

What Happens Next

SB 143 has been assigned to the Committee on Banking and Insurance, with further review expected before any vote. Lawmakers will weigh technical safeguards, reporting rules, and how to audit and insure holdings before moving the measure forward.

If implemented, the plan would let West Virginia place a modest, capped portion—10%—of qualifying funds into a narrow set of assets aimed at preserving buying power.

Supporters argue it is a cautious experiment; critics say the risk profile of crypto still demands care. Either way, the proposal will force a detailed policy discussion in Charleston about how public money should be managed when new financial tools are on the table.

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According to the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, investor mood has swung back toward optimism, registering a score of 61 on Thursday. That is the first time the gauge has moved into the “greed” zone since the large market fallout on Oct. 11, when roughly $19 billion in liquidations drove many traders from altcoins. The index had climbed to 48 just a day earlier, moving out of “neutral” and signaling a quick change in sentiment.

Crypto Fear And Greed Shifts

The index combines several signals — price moves, trading activity, momentum, Google search interest and social media chatter — to produce a single reading. Based on reports, the measure fell into low double digits several times during November and December after the October sell-off. A score of 61 does not imply euphoria, but it does show growing confidence among traders after weeks of anxiety and patience being tested.

Bitcoin Price Rebounds

Bitcoin’s price has been moving in step with the improving mood. In the past seven days, Bitcoin rose from $89,750 to a two-month high of $97,720 on Wednesday, according to data from CoinMarketCap. That level was last seen on Nov. 14, when the market was still struggling and sentiment readings were weak even as prices briefly touched similar highs. Market watchers say the recent rally has helped lift trader confidence and is one of the main reasons the index improved so fast.

Retail Exit And Exchange Supply

According to market intelligence firm Santiment, there was a net drop of 47,244 Bitcoin holders over a three-day stretch. Reports have disclosed that many small investors left their positions, a reaction blamed on FUD and impatience. At the same time, the amount of Bitcoin held on exchanges fell to a seven-month low of 1.18 million BTC. Less supply sitting on exchange platforms tends to lower the immediate risk of a large, sudden sell-off.

What This Means For Traders

Traders use sentiment tools as one input among many when deciding whether to buy, sell or wait. A return to “greed” suggests more people are willing to buy, which can push prices higher if buying pressure continues. On the other hand, sentiment can flip quickly; a sharp move back down would likely make some traders nervous again. Analysts point out that a shrinking pool of retail participants can leave the market in the hands of more committed holders, which often supports steadier price action.

From Anxiety To Optimism

Based on reports and current readings, the market has shifted from anxiety toward a more upbeat mood, backed by Bitcoin’s recent gains and lower exchange balances. That combination is seen by many former skeptics as a healthier setup than the panic-filled trading seen after the October liquidations. The picture is cautiously positive: optimism is rising, but the swings that define crypto markets have not disappeared.

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Russia is preparing a landmark legal transformation that would expand who are qualified to buy and own cryptocurrencies in the country. Reports have disclosed that lawmakers in the State Duma are in the final phase of text meant to lower barriers for ordinary Russians, even as they keep safeguards and restrictions in place.

The draft bill has drawn attention because it marks a shift from years of strict limits. According to TASS, the proposal would take cryptocurrencies out of a special financial regulation regime so they become a more common part of financial life for people across Russia. Lawmakers say this could make buying and holding crypto something regular citizens do, instead of a privilege for a few.

“A bill has already been prepared that removes cryptocurrencies from special financial regulation, which means, they will be a common occurrence in our lives,” Anatoly Aksakov, chair of the State Duma’s Financial Market Committee, said.

Expanded Access With Caps

Under the current text, people who are not considered “qualified investors” would be able to buy digital coins up to a certain limit. The figure mentioned is 300,000 rubles per year, which is roughly $3,800. This cap aims to let more Russians participate in crypto while trying to prevent big losses if prices swing wildly.

Ordinary buyers would still face conditions. Reports say they will have to meet some basic criteria or checks before gaining access, such as passing a short risk‑awareness step and trading only through licensed brokers or exchanges. This is meant to keep unregulated peer‑to‑peer trading from dominating.

Professional or qualified market players would face fewer limits. They could trade and hold a wider range of cryptocurrencies with no annual restrictions, though they may still have to demonstrate understanding of risks.

Legislative Push And Timing

Lawmakers have said the draft is ready and will be discussed during Russia’s spring parliamentary session. If the State Duma passes the bill, implementation could start later in 2026. Aksakov told state media that this move could make crypto “a normal part of life” for many Russians.

At the same time, Russian regulators continue to work on other crypto rules. The Bank of Russia has said it plans to set out penalties for illegal crypto intermediaries starting in 2027 and is pushing for a wider regulatory framework that covers both qualified and ordinary investors.

Balancing Risk And Use

Russia still bans using cryptocurrencies to pay for goods and services within the country, a rule in place since 2021. Officials say the new bill would not change that. Instead, the focus is on investment and holding, not daily spending.

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US Senators Cynthia Lummis and Ron Wyden introduced a standalone measure that would protect blockchain developers and other non-custodial infrastructure providers from being treated as money transmitters solely for writing code or maintaining networks. The bill is being filed as the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, a name that also appears in earlier House paperwork filed last year.

Crypto: Bill Aims To Protect Non-Custodial Developers

The draft would create a safe harbor for developers who do not control user funds, making liability turn on actual custody or control of assets rather than on the act of creating software. That change would mean node operators, protocol maintainers, and many open-source coders could avoid money-transmitter rules so long as they do not hold or direct users’ tokens.

Writing code is not the same as controlling money and developers who build blockchain infrastructure without touching user funds shouldn’t be treated like banks. @RonWyden and I are ensuring that won’t happen. pic.twitter.com/9zIgh07e0b

— Senator Cynthia Lummis (@SenLummis) January 12, 2026

Industry Pressure And A History Of Concern

Reports have disclosed months of lobbying from exchanges, developer groups, and advocacy coalitions that urged lawmakers to clarify this point. Those groups warned that without clear language, developers could face licensing and enforcement risks that would chill US-based development. The House version of the measure first appeared in May last year and set out similar safe-harbor text.

Senate Markup Delayed As Negotiations Continue

Lawmakers have paused a larger Senate market-structure push while they work through a range of open issues, including stablecoin policy and yield rules. With that broader package pushed later into the month, sponsors moved the developer protections into a standalone bill to give that issue its own spotlight. Reports suggests the pause means Congress may act on the developer language sooner than the full market bill.

What Developers And Advocates Are Saying

Some protocol teams and industry lawyers welcomed the step as a much-needed clarification, saying it would reduce legal uncertainty for projects that do not custody funds.

Others urged care, noting that clear definitions will be crucial to prevent loopholes and to make sure bad actors cannot hide behind the safe harbor. Coverage indicates sponsors emphasized the bill’s goal is narrow: protect those who build and maintain, not those who handle other people’s assets.

The proposal for a separate law is being introduced while there are still many uncertainties surrounding how cryptocurrencies will be regulated in the US. In the latter part of 2025 and into 2026, the crypto sector has demonstrated that it has a great deal of clout within political circles in Washington D.C.

There has been a significant increase in lobbying by large crypto-related businesses as legislators review various options for regulating this industry. Several reports have linked the current political environment to the legislative actions taken to regulate crypto in Congress, as well as how interest in legislative action has increased due to Trump’s administration.

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