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The government has concluded the confiscation of more than $400 million of cryptocurrency, real estate, and cash involved in the previously shut-down darknet cryptocurrency mixing system Helix. 

This has been taken after the shutdown of a significant operation to launder digital currencies that were associated with illegal operations.

The Crypto laundering role of Helix

Helix was infamous for supporting the obscuring of cryptocurrency deals. 

By multiplying digital currency of a group of users and sending it through a large number of transactions, it concealed the source, destination, and the owner. 

In 2014-2017, Helix managed approximately 354,468 BTC, which corresponded to approximately $300 million at that time.

Darknet markets, such as AlphaBay, were also widely utilizing Helix, and it became one of the popular tools of drug dealers and other illegal participants in the markets to launder their income. 

The operator of Helix was Larry Dean Harmon, who made a profit by a percentage of every transaction. In 2021, Harmon pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and was imprisoned in 2024. He also lost money and property in his sentence.

The broader impact and the seizure

The role of federal authorities in breaking the case was instrumental in the case cracking, especially the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). 

The action of the DOJ to confiscate the assets of Helix is considered to be part of a bigger plan to destroy the financial system, which is used to support crime. 

A federal prosecutor has observed that the addition of traditional assets such as real estate properties indicates that investigators are determined to track illegal money on all platforms.

The fact that Helix facilitated the large-scale money laundering was not only a great issue of concern to law enforcement but also an eye-opener regarding the flaws in the cryptocurrency infrastructure. 

By targeting these networks, the DOJ is trying to send a strong message to the people who utilize digital currencies to engage in illegal operations.

Tornado Cash sanctions and policy shifting

Tornado Cash, another cryptocurrency mixer, had been previously sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S Treasury because of its role in laundering billions of dollars for criminal organizations. 

Some of the money laundered by Tornado Cash included $455 million attributed to the Lazarus Group, a state-sponsored hacking group based in North Korea, and more than $100 million in high-profile hacks.

Nonetheless, the U.S Treasury changed its mind in 2025 and removed the restrictions on Tornado Cash. 

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified that the crypto space has opportunities to innovate, but there is a need to protect it against misuse by malicious individuals. 

The move was met with varying responses as some in the crypto community greeted it positively on the grounds of privacy.

The confiscation of property by the U.S. DOJ, which is related to Helix, is a milestone in the fight against the use of cryptocurrencies by criminals. 

This action, coupled with the existing regulatory efforts against mixers such as Tornado Cash, illustrates that cryptocurrency exchanges are increasingly coming under scrutiny, and the government is determined to deal with crime in the digital asset realm.

The post U.S. DOJ Seizes Over $400M in Crypto and Assets from Darknet Mixer Helix first appeared on Coinfea.

Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has launched a safety awareness campaign in Kenya, where local communities were taught road safety with digital security education.

Binance’s Africa regional team met with local motorcycle taxi operators during Data Privacy Week on Wednesday to distribute helmets and reflective gear. Riders also received guidance on road discipline while learning about encryption, multi-factor authentication, withdrawal controls, and continuous monitoring systems.

Binance calls on crypto users to take safety measures seriously

According to the trading platform’s Africa Regional Operations officers, digital protection is relatable to taxi driving because busy roads are as dangerous as the packed digital asset industry. Binance said its safety campaign will distribute educational videos, localized social media content, influencer collaborations, and grassroots programs.

“Wearing a helmet is a simple yet powerful way to protect yourself on the road. In the same way, Binance’s secure platform empowers individuals to take control of their financial future with confidence and freedom,” Saruni Maina, Regional Operations Lead, Binance Africa. Boda boda riders account for about 70% of Kenya’s registered motorists in the informal transport sector, a group at high risk of accidents.

According to National Road Data, motorcycle operators account for a large portion of severe injuries and fatalities. Speaking at the event, President of the Digital Boda Drivers and Deliveries Association of Kenya, Calvince Okumu, said that every accident leads to interrupted incomes, pressure on struggling families, and an overall reduced productivity.

Okumu told attendees that protecting earnings online was just as important as using protective gear on the road. “Just as we rely on helmets to reduce risks on the road, we need tools to protect our earnings in the digital space,” he noted. The association head also mentioned that cost barriers prevent many riders from obtaining proper safety equipment.

“A helmet can save your life, but many riders cannot afford proper protective gear. Today’s event shows that our safety matters, both on the road and online,” Okumu continued. The riders’ association outlined its own internal safety framework during the gathering, placing strict measures to improve discipline and accountability.

These include mandatory rest days and digital verification of registered riders by ground teams that monitor compliance among members. “We train our members regularly on safety,” Okumu explained, “If someone violates our procedures, they are suspended and taken back to training classes. We have teams on the ground to ensure every member conforms. If you see a rider breaking traffic rules, you are encouraged to report.”

The post Binance runs safety campaign to push adoption in Kenya first appeared on Coinfea.

AIBC Eurasia opens the new year, returning to Dubai for its sixth edition. The summit takes place at the Dubai Festival City – Festival Arena 09 to 11 February, with a two-day conference and expo bringing cutting-edge tech into the spotlight. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned delegate, we’ve got you covered with a guide that ensures your trip runs smoothly from the moment you land. From intriguing panels and event guide apps to exclusive networking events, here’s everything you need to know.

Bringing together senior decision-makers, investors, and innovators, the event operates at scale, connecting leaders with fast-growing markets across Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

The exhibition floor is built for outcomes. Beyond the stands, the floor features a central stage with expert-led discussions, executive lounges for private meetings, dedicated networking zones, and a curated food court designed to keep conversations moving throughout the day. After the expo doors close, Dubai’s nightlife opens – exclusive dinners, charity events, and award ceremonies ensure your networking calendar is full.

With over 250 exhibitors and sponsors and two conference stages, AIBC Eurasia’s carefully curated expo floor ensures you get in your steps for the week – and then some. Tired feet are catered for, with four VIP lounges offering a comfortable and exclusive space for holding meetings, networking, or enjoying a good cup of coffee as you browse the agenda.

AIBC Press Conference

Something big’s coming. Taking place at 09:45 on the 10th on the AIBC stage, a press conference will roll out our highly anticipated 2026 plans for AIBC. 

“Our AIBC Eurasia Summit comes back in 2026 for its 6th edition, and the energy keeps getting bigger as we reunite the brightest minds in blockchain and digital innovation. Connecting business, government, investors, and regulators is in our DNA — and with an exciting European chapter coming later this year, we’re doubling down on our mission to build bold bridges between global markets,” says AIBC Managing Director, Olga Yaroshevsky.

Meet the speakers leading the conversation

This year, AIBC Eurasia 2026 brings together a stellar lineup of industry heavyweights, thought leaders, and innovators. From keynote addresses and workshops to engaging panel discussions, experts bring decades of experience to their insights, sparking important conversations on hot topics – such as the future of digital assets, all important discussions on regulation, and unmissable perspectives on new tech. You also won’t want to miss Tech Hunter Tony Ventura’s AI workshop and live demo on the AIBC stage and an exciting Pitch for startups – live on the main stage – both on the 10th. 

Highlights include well known faces in the sector, such as Nameer Khan, Chairman of MENA Fintech Association; Paul Dawalibi, CEO at Innovation City; H.E. Maher Al Kaabi, Independent Board Member of Al Serkal Group, Mohammed Al Hakim, President of UAE Operations at Crypto.com; Hans Moerman, Group Senior Vice President – Digital Technology at Dubai Chambers; Charles D’Haussy, CEO of dYdX Foundation; Sara Al Madani, The Emirati Entrepreneur, and Tony Ventura, Innovation and Technology Speaker.

Browse the complete list of speakers on the AIBC Eurasia website or visit the agenda for a more in-depth look at the topics.

Stay connected

Maximise your networking experience with the official Match App, a free, newly updated digital tool designed to streamline your summit journey. Once your ticket is confirmed, you’ll receive an access link via email. Log in with your registered email and ticket reference to verify your account and start building your customized agenda. Explore an interactive floor plan, discover key sessions, and arrange meetings with fellow delegates, speakers, and exhibitors. With live notifications and updates, Match ensures you stay informed, connected, and in control from the moment you arrive at the event to the final networking celebration.

Dinner’s on us!

If you’re a premium or platinum ticket holder then you’re in for a treat. Make sure you don’t miss out on the VIP dinners taking place during the AIBC Eurasia event – RSVP to your email invitation to secure your seat. With no-expense spared and an exclusive top tier crowd, the iGathering is your go-to evening event this week. Restaurants like Karam Al Bahr at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City hotel and The Belgian Beer Cafe at the Crowne Plaza check all the boxes – great food, unbeatable views of the Dubai Creek and best of all – they’re all located in one central hub.

Wondering which dinner you’re signed up for? Scan the QR code on your badge to view your personal agenda.

Speaking of great networking – awards season is back – and we’re holding not one, but two prestigious ceremonies as we roll out the red carpet for an elegant evening of accolades, networking, and charity.

Taking place in the dazzling Al Baraha Ballroom at the Intercontinental Hotel Dubai Festival City, we’re honouring industry leaders and technology providers at the Eurasia Awards on the 9th. This will be followed on 10 February by the AIBC Awards – celebrating groundbreaking innovators, visionary tech providers and cutting-edge projects shaping the global technology landscape and recognizing leaders of crypto & blockchain.

We’re also proud to support the SiGMA Foundation’s philanthropic projects with a charity auction. Guiding the evening’s excitement is charismatic auctioneer Rick Goddard – guaranteeing an experience to remember.

Both ceremonies are strictly by invitation only and open to platinum ticket holders, table sponsors and guests holding reserved seats.

Pre-event highlights – 09 February

C-Level Golf Tournament

Dubai’s Trump International Golf Club sets the stage for the inaugural launch of the SiGMA Golf Tour. Offering a high calibre experience, play begins on the 9th at 10:00 in the morning and continues through a full eighteen holes until early afternoon. 

Large on-site screens deliver live scoring, highlights and curated content, keeping you connected throughout the forty tee times. The tournament will conclude with a post-play lunch and presentation, creating a natural transition from competition to conversation and reflection.

Can’t make it to the Eurasia event? We’re taking SiGMA golf global, with a lineup of stops taking place throughout our 2026 summits. Register your interest by visiting our website.

Pre-Registration

To ensure things run smoothly, we’ve opened two badge collection points. Exhibitors should head to the Festival Arena expo centre between 09:00 and 17:00 to collect their badge ahead of the summit, check in on their booth set up and explore the venue. Meanwhile delegates looking to avoid day one queues can stop by the Vista Lounge at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City between 10:00 and 22:00. Just bring a valid I.D. and you’re all set. A welcome reception starts at 18:00 – open to all ticket holders, this is the perfect way to ease into event mode.

The Deep Dive Dubai experience

Take luxury transport to the NAS Sports Complex – Nad Al Sheba – Dubai, where you’ll experience one of the most unique deep diving experiences in the world. Inspired by the UAE’s pearl diving heritage, the Deep Dive takes you down to the world’s deepest pool – themed to resemble an abandoned sunken city. Play underwater board games, ride motorcycles, or just take in the views as you explore the city on another level.

For registration details, accommodation offers, and complete event schedules, visit the official AIBC Eurasia page.

Disclaimer: The content within the Sponsored Insights and Press Release category has been provided by our partners and sponsors. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of our website. While our team takes care to share valuable and reliable content, we do not take responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or validity of any claims made in these sponsored articles and Press Releases. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and due diligence before making any decisions based on the information provided in Sponsored Insights.

The post From expo floor to VIP dinners: AIBC Eurasia 2026 unpacked first appeared on Coinfea.

U.S. Senators are pushing Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to reverse its decision of closing the crypto enforcement unit in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) decision to change the mind. 

There have been concerns among the senators after it was reported that Blanche had large sums of cryptocurrency at the time of making the decision, which might bring conflicts of interest.

Senators attack the decision of Blanch

U.S. Senators strongly condemned the decisions by the DOJ to eliminate the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team in a letter to Blanche dated January 28, 2026. 

According to the senators, this move was unsound and would allow the criminals to evade punishment and carry on with their illegal activities. 

They cited the illicit crypto activity that has risen by 162% in 2025, much of which is primarily due to the participation of licensed enterprises and organized crime.

The senators were interested in the when aspect of the decision taken by Blanche, and it was known that he owned considerable holdings in Bitcoin and Ethereum, with a range of between $158,000 and 470,000 of it. 

Blanche agreed to sell these assets by February 2025, although the move to reduce crypto enforcement coincided with his own change of heart. 

This has given rise to more suspicions regarding his motives.

Cryptocurrency fraud on the increase

The issue of illicit crypto activity has been exacerbated by a report by TRM Labs published on January 28, indicating that the amount of illicit crypto transactions is at an all-time high of 158 billion in 2025. 

This is a growth of 145% compared to the last year. 

Although the percentage of total crypto volume that is related to crime has declined slightly, the raw numbers show that illicit use has increased substantially. 

The report notes that China has emerged as a significant force in the field, with crypto-related illegal business increasing by a factor of five, with escrow service companies and hidden banking systems in Chinese languages skyrocketing their businesses by over $103 billion in 2025 (as compared to 123 million in 2020).

The Senate has reiterated the importance of the crypto enforcement team served by the DOJ in addressing crimes such as child sexual exploitation, drug trafficking, and money laundering. 

The move to carry out an abolishment of this unit, they reasoned, simplifies the abuse of the crypto market by criminals.

Blanche undergoes legal inspection

Senators noted that the decision to decrease the enforcement of crypto made by Blanche breaches the regulatory provision of 18 U.S.C. 208(a), which forbids any executive branch worker from engaging in the decision-making process when he/she has a monetary attachment to the results of such a decision. 

The senators have actually complained to the Office of the Inspector General at the DOJ, urging the office to investigate the actions of Blanche. 

According to them, the move to dissolve the unit and his personal financial involvement in cryptocurrency deserve serious legal investigations.

The future of crypto enforcement is still unclear as lawmakers keep examining the move taken by the DOJ. 

As the issues regarding the illicit presence in the crypto space escalate, the question of the role of the DOJ in addressing financial crimes is to be further discussed. 

The request of the Senate to reverse the decision indicates the extended worries regarding the increase in the power of criminal groups in the digital currency market.

The post U.S. Senators Challenge DOJ’s Crypto Enforcement Unit Shutdown first appeared on Coinfea.

Coinbase today has officially opened its prediction markets service, which can now be used in all 50 states of the U.S. 

This is a new feature that has been incorporated in the Coinbase application, where individuals can trade on actual results like a sportsperson, a political or any cultural event. 

This is a major acquisition in the history of the crypto exchange, which, over time, becomes a multi-purpose trading platform.

New Function of the Coinbase App

The prediction markets functionality is now also built into the Coinbase app under the so-called Predict tab, where people can trade yes/no contracts on certain events, like political elections, sports outcomes, or economic events. 

The price of each contract is the market estimate of the probability of the occurrence of the event. When the price of a contract is 0.65, that implies that the market is of the opinion that the probability of the occurrence is 65%.

Such functionality is offered to users in all 50 U.S. states and is available on the Coinbase Financial Markets platform. 

It has been restricted to a few users, but Coinbase has made it accessible throughout the country. 

The platform has a high regulatory control that allows following the U.S. laws and regulations. 

Coinbase Financial Markets is registered as a futures commission merchant as well as a member of the National Futures Association.

The predictive markets of Coinbase

Users of Coinbase can deposit their trades using the U.S. dollar or USDC in their Coinbase account. 

Contracts are purchased and sold, depending on projections, and they change depending on the market mood, as more information comes in. 

In case of an event, the contract pays a dollar, and in case it does not pay, it pays nothing. 

This renders the platform easy to use by beginners, as it provides a simplified model to those unfamiliar with the prediction markets.

The minimum trade size of $1 is the reason why the site is available to a wide client group. 

The markets operate nearly 24/7, with only a small period of time weekly when they are closed to undergo some form of maintenance. 

Coinbase also allows users to trade in the app, which means they do not have to use different accounts or external services.

Expanding beyond Crypto

The launch of prediction markets on Coinbase is the next step in the development of the company beyond trading in cryptocurrency. 

In late 2025, Coinbase experienced a spike in demand for such markets as users wanted to trade on multiple events besides the usual financial instruments. 

Other exchanges, such as Polymarket and Kalshi, have also experienced massive expansion, attracting billions of dollars to fund prediction markets. 

These websites have a valuation of more than $9 billion and $11 billion, respectively.

According to Brian Armstrong, the CEO of Coinbase, prediction markets give better information than conventional betting models, due to their motivation by facts on the ground. 

The aggregate opinion of the market actors alters swiftly with varying facts, and prediction markets are useful tools in comprehending the opinion of the people.

The move by Coinbase to venture into prediction markets highlights the diversification of its products and its aim of venturing into a market that is widening. 

Through the incorporation of this feature into its existing application, Coinbase offers its users a smooth passage between the crypto trading world and the event-based market. 

The ease of use of the platform will appeal to various types of traders, which will make the platform play a central role in the new prediction market environment.

The post Coinbase Expands Beyond Crypto with Prediction Markets in All 50 States first appeared on Coinfea.

Pinterest shares registered a big decline, dropping more than 10%, after the company announced plans to lay off nearly 15% of its workforce and cut back on real estate. The development means hundreds of jobs are gone, and comes as Pinterest rushes to plug artificial intelligence into everything it does.

The company said in a securities filing that the layoffs will be wrapped up by late September, just as the third quarter closes. At last count, Pinterest had over 4,500 employees globally. These cuts mean roughly 600 to 675 workers will be gone before fall. They’re also expecting to take a $35 to $45 million hit in pre-tax restructuring charges. Most of it will come from severance costs and scaling back office leases.

Pinterest favors AI amid restructuring moves

According to its announcement, the layoffs are not just happening as Pinterest made it clear it’s shifting its entire structure to revolve around AI. It said it’s “reallocating resources” to AI-heavy teams and cutting from areas that don’t align with that goal. That includes reworking how the company handles sales and marketing, making AI central to its operations.

Pinterest said it’s focused on building out AI-powered features. Back in October, it launched a tool called the “Pinterest Assistant,” meant to help users shop on the platform with smarter search. And for advertisers, the platform has started pushing automated ad tech, designed to make it easier for marketers to get results with less manual setup.

In a statement in November 2025, CEO Bill Ready said, “Our investments in AI and product innovation are paying off.” He called Pinterest a leader in visual search and said it’s now an AI-powered shopping assistant for 600 million people. That’s a big number. But Wall Street didn’t bite. The stock still tanked, and investors clearly didn’t love the restructuring news.

Pinterest is not the only firm cutting jobs due to AI. Over the past year, about 55,000 US workers lost their jobs due to AI-related shifts, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Companies across industries are cutting people and replacing them with AI tools that can do tasks faster and cheaper. Whether that’s really true or just an excuse is still a cause for debate.

The wave of AI-related layoffs isn’t stopping at Pinterest. Amazon is planning a second round of corporate cuts next week, aiming for a total of 30,000 office jobs cut. Two sources familiar with the company’s internal discussions said the next wave could hit as early as Tuesday. Amazon already axed 14,000 white-collar jobs back in October, tying the cuts to the rise of AI software.

The post Pinterest stock slides 10% amid workforce reduction announcement first appeared on Coinfea.

KuCoin EU has earned a Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) license, giving the company approval to legally run services in all 27 EU countries, under a single, unified rulebook. KuCoin was able to earn the license ahead of the July 1 deadline.

Aside from the approval, KuCoin EU also announced Sabina Liu as its new Managing Director. Sabina is now expected to oversee regulatory oversight, strategy, and day-to-day operations across Europe. According to KuCoin, Sabina was in charge of its institutional business, and before she joined KuCoin, she spent 14 years at the London Stock Exchange Group, where she built business across Asia-Pacific and managed global banking clients trading on London’s secondary markets.

KuCoin pushes European expansion amid local stronghold

In her first public statement since taking over, Sabina made it clear where things are going. “MiCAR provides a clear and unified regulatory framework for the European crypto industry. With the completion of our core compliance foundations, KuCoin EU will now focus on deepening local operations and continuously improving user services, while pursuing long-term, sustainable growth within a compliant environment,” she said.

Sabina’s appointment follows KuCoin EU’s successful registration under the MiCAR regime, something CEO BC Wong described as a major step in the company’s compliance plan. “Europe remains a core market in KuCoin’s long-term and compliance strategy. Obtaining the MiCAR license represents a critical step. It not only establishes a solid regulatory foundation but also positions KuCoin EU for sustainable and compliant operations across the region,” Wong said.

He also added that Sabina’s mix of institutional market knowledge and experience in traditional finance will help KuCoin EU push forward into its next phase. That phase involves more stable operations, better regional services, and a long-game approach to building out infrastructure across Europe.

MiCAR, which became law in 2023, is designed to replace the patchwork of different national crypto rules in the EU. It sets a single standard for the entire bloc, including tougher rules on governance, consumer protections, and compliance. Every firm with EU operations needs to lock in approval by June 30, or they’ll be forced to scale back or shut down in some countries.

KuCoin was not the only exchange in a race against time to earn the license. Binance, the largest exchange globally, is also trying to get the same license through Greece. The company filed an application under MiCAR with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission and set up a local holding company there. According to the Greek City Times, the process is being fast-tracked with help from KPMG and Ernst & Young.

If they get the green light, Binance will also gain the ability to operate across all EU member states. But filing in Greece raised eyebrows. The country isn’t seen as a big financial hub in Europe, and it doesn’t have a well-known crypto-friendly stance like Malta. Still, with the July 1 deadline closing in, firms are picking jurisdictions fast.

The post KuCoin EU set for European expansion after MiCAR license first appeared on Coinfea.

Tether has been able to grow its presence in the worldwide gold industry to the extent of buying up to 2 tons of gold each week and keeping it in the Swiss vaults. 

The action is positioning the company as a player in the gold market and increasing its market share in gold-backed stablecoins.

Growing gold reserves at tether

Tether has done commendable achievements in the worldwide gold market by purchasing up to 2 tons of gold weekly. 

These acquisitions are kept in very secure Swiss deposit boxes. 

The vault of Tether, which is currently the largest known gold buffer of gold other than banks and central governments, is filled with nearly one ton of gold every week. 

The gold is largely on its swelling reserves to finance its gold-backed stablecoin, XAU 8.

In 2025, the gold reserves of Tether rose, purchasing more than 70 tons of it, surpassing many central banks in the process. 

The reserve purchases of Poland were the only ones that were higher than those of Tether. Tether currently possesses more than 140 tons of gold worth around 23 billion, which is considered one of the largest known gold holders not in a traditional institution.

Domination of the gold-backed stablecoin market

The XAU⁻, a gold-backed stablecoin by Tether, has gained significant market popularity quickly. In 2025, XAU made up approximately 60% of all circulation of gold-backed stablecoins. 

The increase in the need for such kinds of digital assets has been achieved because of the high instability of the geopolitical environment, the high price of gold, and even the growing interest in on-chain safe-haven assets. 

By Q4 2025, XAUM has reached a market capitalization of 2.25 billion, and this once again reinforced the leadership of Tether in this market segment.

Besides the actual gold reserves, Tether has been increasing its online presence by launching a USA-based stablecoin, the USA-pegged gold-backed Tether. 

The work of the USA is expected to be utilized mostly in the U.S. jurisdictions and be consistent with the presence of Tether in the dollar-backed stablecoin market. 

This recently introduced token is compliant with the rules of the GENIUS Act and demonstrates the strategic placement of the Tether in the world of digital finance.

Gold strategy of future of Tether

Tether has indicated that it will not stop purchasing gold. CEO Paolo Ardoino assured that the company will continue to purchase 1 to 2 tons of gold on a weekly basis, and it will review its position quarterly. 

This continued hoarding of gold will further build the strength of Tether in the gold-backed stablecoin market and also position it more as a global player in the financial market.

Since Tether speeds up its policy of acquiring gold and developing new digital assets, the company will have a powerful impact on the gold market and the digital currency market. 

This is at a time when digital and traditional assets are becoming more intertwined, and this gives a new opportunity to investors to find stability and security in uncertain times with new assets.

The gold buying aggressiveness of Tether is also making the company one of the leaders in the gold market and the stablecoin market in general. 

The fact that it is leading in the gold-backed stablecoin market and that it still invests in gold is an indicator that Tether intends to solidify its presence in the digital finance market. 

With the further development of market conditions under the influence of geopolitical and economic factors, the approach of Tether can become an important element in the changing situation with digital assets and precious metals.

The post Tether Accelerates Global Gold Market Influence, Buying Up to 2 Tons Weekly first appeared on Coinfea.

South Dakota State lawmaker Rep. Logan Manhart has reintroduced the Bitcoin reserve bill, HB 1155, to permit the state to invest state funds in Bitcoin. 

The proposed bill was introduced on January 27, 2026, and aims to allocate up to 10% of state revenues to invest in Bitcoin via a safe and regulated custody system. 

The updated proposal presents new security measures to make sure that the Bitcoin holdings are stored and managed safely as per the best practices in the security of digital assets.

HB 1155: important provisions and custody requirements

The amended HB 1155 presents rigid prerequisites for Bitcoin deposits by the South Dakota State Investment Council. 

According to the bill, Bitcoin has to be held in an insecure custodial system, whether it is held by managers of the Council itself or by a qualified custodian. 

Besides, the hardware encryption of the private keys should be used by the custody system, as such keys have to be stored in an encrypted environment and can only be viewed through passwordless authentication. 

In the bill, the private keys shall be stored in 2 geographically separate data centres in order to provide greater security.

According to the new structure, any transaction and user activity involving Bitcoin ownership will have to be monitored and documented. 

Multi-party governance will be used to authorize transactions so as to make sure that any actions are safely carried out. 

The bill also requests regular security audits, penetration testing, and a disaster recovery plan to reduce the threats related to storing digital assets.

Barriers to Bitcoin reserve efforts by the federal and state governments

As the bill in South Dakota proceeds, federal plans for a U.S. Bitcoin reserve face legal obstacles. 

The attempts to develop a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve under the Biden administration have been postponed because of complicated legal provisions. 

These clauses make it difficult to have the direct purchase of Bitcoin by the White House into its national reserves.

Also, at the state-level, some proposals like the West Virginia-based inflation protection act aim to enable state treasuries to invest in digital currencies like Bitcoin. 

Nevertheless, such investments must be made after the federal government gives regulatory approval. Out of around 50 other states, including Texas, Arizona, and New Hampshire, have already enacted laws permitting Bitcoin or crypto reserves, but legislation to this effect is awaiting passage in many other states.

Bitcoin Reserves activities are gaining traction

The Bitcoin reserve bill in South Dakota is an important step towards the adoption of digital assets in the investment strategies at the state level. 

In case the bill is approved, the state will be among the few states in the U.S. to have Bitcoin in its reserves officially. 

Nevertheless, federal laws to develop a national Bitcoin reserve are an intricate and lengthy process, although state efforts are becoming more popular.

The post South Dakota Lawmaker Revives Bitcoin Reserve Bill Proposal first appeared on Coinfea.

In this post:

Oobit has begun supporting Tether’s newly launched USD-backed stablecoin, USAT, starting January 27.

The digital asset firm also revealed that there will be zero integration requirements for American merchants.

Oobit revealed that it’s leveraging Bakkt’s regulated U.S. infrastructure to achieve full compliance across all 50 states.

Tether-backed mobile crypto payment app Oobit has begun supporting Tether’s newly launched USD-backed stablecoin USAT starting Tuesday. The initiative is a major milestone for Tether as it bids to transform American commerce with more efficient, stablecoin-based payments.

Oobit revealed that it’s collaborating closely with the stablecoin issuer to integrate USAT as a supported asset for seamless crypto payments. The firm believes that the partnership will enable U.S. users to transact securely and efficiently with any physical or online retailer that accepts Visa credit and debit cards.

Oobit offers zero integration requirements for American merchants

BREAKING NEWS: We're the first to make USA₮ spendable anywhere Visa is accepted!100M+ merchants. Zero integration required.The Digital Dollar just became everyday money.Wherever Visa works, @usat now works too.@oobit x @Tether pic.twitter.com/0VWT0xOLhz

— Oobit (@oobit) January 27, 2026

Tether introduced the United States Authorized Tether (USAT) in November as the first stablecoin digital asset designed to comply with the federal regulations of the U.S. Genius Act. Tether America, a joint venture between Tether and Anchorage Digital, will issue the stablecoin. 

Anchorage Digital Bank will also issue USAT directly from its federally regulated bank, Anchorage Digital Bank, N.A. Nathan McCauley, CEO and Co-Founder of Anchorage Digital, stated that USAT reflects what’s possible when stablecoin issuance is conducted within the U.S. banking system at scale, under real supervision and accountability.

Tether’s CEO, Paolo Ardoino, believes the initiative provides a massive opportunity to accelerate the adoption of stablecoin payments in the U.S. He also argued that the initiative creates a massive opportunity to grow his company’s presence in the world’s largest economy.

The stablecoin issuer already has a strong foothold in the U.S., with millions of Americans using its USDT stablecoin. Ardoino also believes that Tether will leverage USAT to take market share from incumbents such as PayPal and Stripe and become one of the U.S.’s biggest payment providers.

“The Digital Dollar is only real when you can buy something with it. Tether delivered the regulatory foundation with USAT. We deliver the moment of use. This is the final piece that turns stablecoins into everyday money in the United States.”

–Amram Adar, CEO of Oobit.

Oobit revealed that there will be zero integration requirements for American merchants. The firm also acknowledged that Tether’s partnership with Anchorage Digital enables users to send USAT from the Oobit app, where the funds are immediately converted into fiat and transferred into the retailer’s U.S. bank account. The firm believes that millions of existing POS terminals will accept its USAT payments, with more than 14 million merchant businesses in the U.S. already accepting Visa.

Oobit’s U.S. expansion fuels growing momentum

Oobit stated that its efforts to bridge crypto and traditional payments and expand the real-world utility of digital assets have helped accelerate the platform’s momentum. The integration of USAT comes just weeks after the token’s official launch in the U.S., in partnership with the publicly traded digital asset firm Bakkt. 

Oobit acknowledged that it’s leveraging Bakkt’s regulated U.S. infrastructure to achieve full compliance across all 50 states. The crypto firm argued that the initiative reduces regulatory friction for payments partners and enterprises. Oobit revealed that Tether is one of the main drivers of its U.S. expansion, with USDT stablecoins also supported as a primary settlement asset for crypto-to-fiat payments.Oobit also confirmed that U.S.-based users can link third-party wallets such as MetaMask and Trust Wallet to its app. The firm said the initiative will leverage the stability and liquidity of Tether’s stablecoin ecosystem to enable users to seamlessly spend crypto without surrendering custody of their funds.

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Meta has announced plans to begin testing new paid subscription options across its major platforms in the coming months. Users are expected to gain access to enhanced features and artificial intelligence tools while basic services remain free.

The company said that subscribers can access features designed to boost productivity and creativity, plus expanded AI capabilities. Premium tiers will be available on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Paying members will get special features and more control over how they share content and interact with others. The company plans to experiment with different subscription packages and feature sets. Each platform will offer its own unique benefits.

Meta is set to test out new features on its apps

Meta hasn’t settled on a single approach yet and will test various options before finalizing its strategy. A major piece of the new subscription plans involves Manus, an AI agent that Meta recently bought for around $2 billion. The company wants to expand Manus as part of its paid offerings through a dual strategy. Meta will build Manus into its existing products while continuing to sell standalone Manus subscriptions to business customers.

Alessandro Paluzzi, a reverse engineer known for uncovering unreleased features, recently shared a screenshot showing Meta working on adding a Manus AI shortcut to Instagram. Meta also plans to introduce paid tiers for AI-powered features like Vibes video generation. Vibes is a short-form video tool within the Meta AI app that lets people make and modify AI-created videos.

Since it launched last year, Vibes has been available at no cost. But Meta now wants to create a model where basic services stay free, but users can pay for additional video creation capacity each month. Details about paid features for WhatsApp and Facebook are not clear yet, but Paluzzi said Instagram’s subscription will include the ability to create unlimited audience lists.

In addition, users can see which followers don’t follow back and view Stories anonymously without the poster knowing. The company’s current paid service, Meta Verified, will function independently of these additional subscriptions. According to Meta, it will use the knowledge gained from Meta Verified to create subscription services that appeal to corporations, content producers, and regular consumers.

Meta is trying to focus on businesses and creators with its Meta Verified. In addition to other advantages, it offers a verified badge, 24-hour customer service, defense against impersonation, improved search visibility, and special stickers. Beyond creative and business accounts, a larger audience is intended to be served by the planned subscriptions. The move lets Meta create additional revenue streams, though the company faces challenges from subscription fatigue.

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Moonshot AI, a company backed by e‑commerce giant Alibaba Group, today unveiled its newest artificial intelligence model, Kimi K2.5. The launch shows that the domestic race against rival startup DeepSeek and other global AI challengers has reached a new climax.

Moonshot announced the launch of Kimi K2.5, its most advanced model yet, introducing a native multimodal architecture that processes text, images, and video in a single system. Meanwhile, it is worth noting that this update reflects a surging trend of omni models, led by key players in the tech industry, such as OpenAI and Google’s Alphabet Inc.

Moonshot launches AI as Chinese firms rally to upgrade models

The new version of Moonshot’s Kimi is one of the several upgrades launched over the last month. With this finding, sources noted that major AI firms in China are scrambling to get ahead of DeepSeek’s impending announcement. Regarding its upcoming announcement, sources acknowledged that DeepSeek has been hinting at a major launch lately.

Moreover, the Chinese artificial intelligence company’s research lab shared key publications from prominent team members, including its CEO, Liang Wenfeng, and code on GitHub, a premier cloud-based, Microsoft-owned platform. In the meantime, reports revealed that Moonshot secured around $500 million in December last year from its significant supporters.

It included Alibaba and IDG Capital, demonstrating renewed investor interest in high-growth, technology-driven ventures. Furthermore, the company reached a $4.3 billion valuation through this deal. On the other hand, sources with knowledge of the situation noted that Moonshot planned to release an enhanced version of its primary model at a time when demand for AI is surging.

Therefore, to cope with this escalating demand, the AI startup initiated new funding rounds targeting a $5 billion valuation. This was after key Chinese AI rivals Zhipu and MiniMax Group Inc. announced in early January 2026 the successful introduction of their initial public offerings (IPOs) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX). Collectively, they raised more than $1 billion in the Special Administrative Regions of China.

Following their strategic approach to operations, Moonshot, Zhipu, and MiniMax Group Inc. are ranked among the top Chinese large language model developers, a competition once called the “War of One Hundred Models.” Nonetheless, analysts alleged that many smaller firms have struggled to implement necessary technology enhancements and secure adequate funding after DeepSeek’s R1 model reached key milestones at the start of 2025.

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In the past market cycle, XRP was largely seen as a mature but relatively unoriginal payment public chain, with its price performance generally moderate and its price remaining controversial and under observation for a long time. However, as the global crypto industry’s compliance environment gradually becomes clearer, on-chain infrastructure continues to improve, and the DeFi narrative extends towards efficient settlement and cross-border liquidity, XRP is entering a new phase of value observation.

From KT DeFi’s research perspective, 2026 may not be a year of explosive growth for XRP, but it is more likely to be a stage where trends are gradually established and structural growth begins to emerge. The market’s focus is shifting from short-term price fluctuations to whether it has the foundation for sustainable growth and whether it has the opportunity to approach the key psychological threshold of $4.

Why are more and more XRP users choosing KT DeFi?

KT DeFi is a relatively beginner-friendly digital asset platform with a simple overall operation process, a clear interface, and no complex settings or technical background required for participation. The platform operates multiple data centers and computing facilities globally, with over a million devices, primarily powered by clean energy, balancing efficiency with sustainable development.

Another key feature of the platform is its relatively stable passive income model. Users don’t need to monitor the market extensively or perform frequent operations; the system runs automatically and settles daily, making it ideal for users who want to reduce operational pressure and participate in cryptocurrency mining in the medium to long term.

In terms of security, KT DeFi employs multiple protection mechanisms and maintains high operational transparency. All computing facilities primarily utilize renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, controlling costs while minimizing environmental impact.

Platform Advantages

New users receive a $17 bonus upon registration.

No additional service or management fees.

Supports settlement with multiple mainstream cryptocurrencies, including XRP, SOL, DOGE, BTC, LTC, ETH, USDC, USDT, BCH, etc.

Provides a referral program; qualified users can receive referral rewards.

Utilizes security solutions such as McAfee® and Cloudflare®, and offers 24/7 technical support.

How to Join KT DeFi

Step 1: Register an Account

Users can complete the registration process through the KT DeFi website; an account can be created with just an email address.

Step 2: Choose a Contract

The platform offers various contract options, such as $100, $500, and $2,500 tiers. Different contracts correspond to different periods and return structures, allowing users to choose according to their needs.

Once a contract is launched, the system will run automatically, and profits will be settled daily.

For more details, please visit the KTDeFi website: https://ktdefi.com/

Click here to download the official app

Contact email: info@ktdefi.com

Summary

Against the backdrop of a gradually returning to rationality in the crypto market, whether XRP can forge a path of sustained growth in 2026 remains to be seen. However, what is certain is that discussions surrounding efficiency, stability, and compliance are providing new perspectives.

From KT DeFi’s perspective, a long-term perspective and stable participation are becoming increasingly important value judgment criteria in the digital asset market.

Disclaimer: The content within the Sponsored Insights and Press Release category has been provided by our partners and sponsors. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of our website. While our team takes care to share valuable and reliable content, we do not take responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or validity of any claims made in these sponsored articles and Press Releases. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and due diligence before making any decisions based on the information provided in Sponsored Insights.

The post KT DeFi Perspective: Does XRP Have Sustained Growth Potential in 2026 and Can It Challenge the $4 Mark? first appeared on Coinfea.

On January 26, 2026, Polymarket, a prediction platform based on on-chain construction, signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Major League Soccer (MLS), which was a big milestone in fan engagement. 

The collaboration makes Polymarket the official prediction market partner of MLS and the Leagues Cup, with real-time predictive analytics offered to fans of soccer in the United States.

Increasing fan experience with real-time data

This partnership creates an interactive fan experience through the incorporation of prediction markets into live MLS matches and the Leagues Cup. 

It allows fans to participate in the game in real time, and they contribute to the sentiment tracking collectively over the platform. 

Polymarket CEO, Shayne Coplan, highlighted that the deal will provide the fans with a chance to engage in a deeper way with the sport, which will offer a more data-driven method of watching games. 

This alliance also supports the current initiatives by MLS in the innovation and enhancement of fan participation, as the popularity of soccer keeps growing in the U.S.

The MLS Deputy Commissioner, Gary Stevenson, emphasized the need to remain at the forefront of fan engagement. Collaborating with Polymarket makes MLS the innovator in soccer, Stevenson said. The introduction of prediction markets into MLS matches attests to the desire by the league to ensure that fans have a state-of-the-art viewing experience.

Growing sports partnerships of Polymarket

The partnership between Polymarket and MLS occurs against this backdrop of a growing trend of prediction market platforms entering into partnerships with larger sports leagues and teams. 

In early January 2026, Polymarket entered the market officially, becoming a prediction market partner of the New York Rangers. 

This deal will involve in-arena sponsored promotions, LED boards, and digital activations throughout the games when the Rangers play at Madison Square Garden.

Besides hockey, Polymarket has also established a strong association with the National Hockey League (NHL), and this has made it a leading sports prediction market participant. 

Such associations give Polymarket and Kalshi, another player in the prediction market industry, the chance to use NHL branding and official marks, which increases the involvement of fans in the sphere of multiple platforms.

Expanding to combat sports

Prediction markets are also entering into combat sports in addition to the traditional team sports. 

In November 2025, Polymarket declared a total union with TKO Group Holdings, which is the parent company of Zuffa Boxing and the UFC. 

Such a lasting cooperation will introduce real-time prediction technology to engage sports fans with a new interactive approach to live events. 

The recent trend of the use of prediction markets in sports is indicative of the fact that the sports sector is becoming more popular as fans look to engage more with their favorite sports in an interactive and immersive manner.

The agreement between Polymarket and MLS is an indication that prediction markets are becoming increasingly significant in sports entertainment. 

With increased leagues and teams adopting the new form of engagement, the fan experience in both traditional and combat sports is poised to change. 

As MLS is the pioneer in soccer, Polymarket tries to establish itself as a market leader in the interaction with the fans.

The post Polymarket Secures Exclusive Licensing Deal with Major League Soccer first appeared on Coinfea.

Entropy has announced plans to shut down its operations. The cryptocurrency custody startup, which raised $25 million from Andreessen Horowitz and other prominent venture capital firms, is halting operations after four years.

In a statement announced by its founder on X, the platform will return the remaining capital to investors. Tux Pacific, the company’s founder and CEO, said that the decision followed several business pivots and two rounds of layoffs. “After four hard years working in crypto, I decided that the best I could do has already been done: it was time to close up shop,” Pacific wrote.

Pacific added that the company had been working on a crypto automation platform similar to workflow tools like n8n and Zapier, but with blockchain-specific features, including automated signing through threshold cryptography and artificial intelligence integrations.

Entropy promises to refund investors amid shutdown plans

Entropy initially positioned itself as a decentralized alternative to centralized crypto custodians such as Fireblocks and Coinbase when it launched in 2021. Pacific, who has described themselves as an anarchist, founded the company after working at cryptography network NuCypher, where they developed expertise in advanced cryptographic techniques.

The company raised $1.95 million in a pre-seed round in January 2022, followed by the $25 million seed round led by a16z in June 2022. Other investors included Coinbase Ventures, Robot Ventures, Dragonfly Capital, Ethereal Ventures, Variant, and Inflection, as well as angel investors Naval Ravikant, Sabrina Hahn, and James Prestwich.

In the same post that announced Entropy’s winding down, Pacific said they would be leaving the cryptocurrency industry entirely and moving into pharmaceutical research, specifically focusing on hormone delivery innovations for menopausal women and transgender women undergoing hormone replacement therapy. “My time in crypto might be coming to an end, as I feel myself drawn specifically into pharmaceuticals,” Pacific said.

They noted plans to validate research on new estradiol drug formulations while studying biophysics and organic chemistry. Pacific wrote that “a career is a practice: the goal is not the destination, but the journey of innovation.” Pacific thanked a16z and general partner Guy Wuollet for their support throughout the wind-down process, calling their guidance invaluable.

The decision to return capital is not a first in the startup world, but it is also uncommon. Some founders may seek more funds to try out more pivots, seek acquisition, or operate until all the funds dry up. However, raising funds in 2025 may have proven difficult, as data showed that most investors cut checks, both big and small, for mostly late-stage startups. Early-stage startups and those that had not gained enough traction or market fit were mostly overlooked.

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MediaTek registered its biggest two-day gain ever. The Taipei-listed chipmaker jumped 8.6% on Monday, finishing off a 19% surge in 48 hours and closing at a new record high. According to reports, traders are going wild over the company’s growing work with Google on tensor processing units (TPUs), which power artificial intelligence systems.

That gain also pushed the broader Taiex index to a new high. MediaTek isn’t the only one running, as other Taiwan chip stocks like Nanya Technology and United Microelectronics are also experiencing the same fortune. But unlike those two, MediaTek is in the spotlight for shifting from plain old smartphone chips to custom AI hardware, which is exactly what big investors are hunting for now.

MediaTek gains exposure to fund managers as TSMC hits exposure limit

According to reports, fund managers aren’t suddenly in love with MediaTek just because it’s trendy. The rally experienced by TSMC created a big problem for them. Its shares have exploded since ChatGPT showed up in late 2022, and this month alone, TSMC hit new highs again. In addition, many portfolios already maxed out on TSMC, which now takes up almost 12% of indexes like MSCI Emerging Markets and Asia Pacific Ex-Japan.

Active managers with 10% single-stock caps are being forced to look elsewhere. According to analysts, the next best answer is MediaTek, and it is not just about the Google partnership, even though it is a big reason. Analysts at Morgan Stanley said in a Friday note, “We see large potential” in MediaTek’s AI application-specific integrated circuits. They also pointed out that while Google is also tied up with Broadcom, MediaTek could still get more upside as it shifts resources from phones to AI chips.

Meanwhile, Morningstar analyst Phelix Lee called MediaTek’s forecast “conservative,” saying the company only included Google’s orders through October. The market’s betting it’ll beat that. And considering this recent 19% rally, traders clearly think that’s likely. In terms of the TSMC traffic jam, bulls and bears both can’t get much done because the stock is too crowded.

Some investors are trying to game it through ETFs that are heavy on TSMC, or using structured products and swaps with built-in hedges. But even that’s tricky. AI is still running hot, borrowing costs are low, and short sellers don’t want to get burned. TSMC isn’t just sitting still, either. It’s still the main chip supplier for Google, Apple, and Nvidia, and with its earnings due Thursday, people are watching for another jump. Analysts think it’ll raise its yearly capital spending, which would pour more fuel on the fire.

The post MediaTek registers 19% surge after Google AI collaboration first appeared on Coinfea.

ETHZilla acquires 2 plane engines as it goes beyond a crypto-only treasury strategy. 

The firm had to pay upwards of $12 million to venture into aircraft engine leasing.

In a separate company, ETHZilla Corporation had purchased two commercial aircraft engines at a cash price of $12.2 million. The acquisition represents a push into the real world assets at a time when the crypto market is weaker.

Regulatory reports indicate that the engines are CFM56-7B24, bought by an affiliate of Avean. The purchase entailed transport stands and engine records. ETHZilla achieved the deal under ETHZilla Aerospace LLC.

Engine acquisition and lease structure

It had already leased its engines to a large airline during the acquisition. The transaction required ETHZilla to be part of the previous lease agreements. The economic closing date was to be September 30 last year.

To reduce operational interruptions in the event of maintenance, the airlines tend to hire spare engines on lease. This practice is in aid of a specialized global leasing market. These are large companies in the industry like AerCap, Willis Lease Finance, and SMBC Aero Engine Lease.

Its engines are still on Aircraft Engine Lease Agreements with a big carrier. These plans give repeated revenue along with restrained operational participation. The final purchase value contained the deposits and pricing changes confirmed by ETHZilla.

Servicing agreement and purchase options

ETHZilla entered into a servicing contract with Aero Engine Solutions together with the acquisition. The servicer will be in charge of the engines during the lease term. The contract involves a fee for servicing monthly.

The contract offers a mutual right to purchase after the end of the lease or easy termination. ETHZilla can make the servicer purchase either engine at a price of $3 million. Such an option is applicable in case there are contractual requirements.

The servicer also has the right to make ETHZilla sell an engine at the same price. Both parties made the terms sound and affirmed that they are adequately introduced in the agreement submitted. THEZilla pointed out that the summary is not exempted by the full contract language.

Tokenization strategy drives diversification

The leadership of ETHZilla has defined an intention to tokenize on-chain aerospace assets. The first targets identified by the Chairman and Chief Executive, McAndrew Rudisill, were aircraft engines and airframes. The company intends to develop operating income and tokenization.

The aviation relocation is in line with the general market trends. The Global engine shortage has been threatened by the International Air Transport Association. In 2025, the airlines are likely to pay about 2.6 billion on spare engine leasing.

According to market research cited by ETHZilla, the sector is projected to have consistent growth. From the 2025 aircraft engine leasing market of $11.17 billion, the same market can grow to 15.56 billion in 2031.

Today we are launching our updated website to better reflect our mission – modernizing capital markets through real-world asset tokenizationhttps://t.co/QvGkqgccDg pic.twitter.com/DuXJgWoFAR

— ETHZilla (@ETHZilla_ETHZ) January 21, 2026

Loan tokenization ventures have also been undertaken by ETHZilla. They consist of ownership in the home lending company Zippy and the car finance company Karus. Both endeavors are in an attempt to organize compliant on-chain financial instruments.

The company continues to be in possession of $198.5 million in Ether. It sold ETH to pay buybacks and debt repayments. The ETHZilla shares are not performing well, as they dropped significantly since the beginning of August, which puts a strain on the revenues.

The post ETHZilla buys 2 plane engines for $12 million amid tokenization focus first appeared on Coinfea.

Crypto market loses $100B as fears of a US government shutdown sparked broad selling across digital assets. 

Bitcoin and Ether led losses as traders reduced risk and shifted toward safer assets.

The global crypto market saw sharp declines over the weekend as political uncertainty in Washington unsettled investors. 

Market capitalization fell by about $100 billion as selling pressure intensified across major tokens. The pullback followed rising concerns that funding talks in Congress could fail, forcing a partial government shutdown.

Political gridlock weighs on crypto sentiment

Concerns grew after Senate Democrats warned they could block spending bills tied to Department of Homeland Security funding. Party leaders signaled opposition if the legislation failed to address immigration enforcement issues. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said he would vote against advancing the bill under the current terms.

The warning increased fears that lawmakers could miss funding deadlines. Investors responded by trimming exposure to risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. The situation unfolded alongside reports of a fatal law enforcement incident in Minneapolis, which added to political tension.

Market participants viewed the standoff as another sign of policy instability. Crypto assets often react sharply to such events due to their sensitivity to global risk sentiment. As uncertainty rose, traders moved funds into cash and traditional safe havens.

Prices slide as liquidations accelerate

Market data showed a swift drop in valuations within hours. Total crypto capitalization fell from about $2.97 trillion to $2.87 trillion within roughly six hours by Sunday evening. Bitcoin dropped 3.4% over 24 hours, while Ether slid more than 5%.

The selloff triggered heavy liquidations across derivatives markets. Data from Gate showed more than $360 million in leveraged positions closed during the period. Long positions accounted for about $324 million of that total, reflecting bullish bets unwinding quickly.

Prediction markets also reflected rising anxiety. Traders on Kalshi and Polymarket priced in around an 80% chance of a shutdown by Saturday, January 31. On Kalshi, shutdown odds jumped from below 10% on Saturday to nearly 79% on Sunday.

Global risks add pressure

Wider geopolitical concerns added to market stress. Investors reacted to reports that US warships moved toward the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran. At the same time, recession fears resurfaced after President Donald Trump warned of possible 100 percent tariffs on Canada.

These factors reinforced a risk-off mood across global markets. Crypto assets, often treated as high-volatility investments, saw heavier selling than traditional markets.

Past shutdowns offer a cautionary reference. During last year’s 43-day shutdown from October 1 to November 12, Bitcoin fell sharply from a record high of $126,080 to near $100,000. Trade tensions and broader market shocks amplified those losses.

Current conditions suggest similar sensitivity as traders remain alert to political outcomes. While negotiations continue, crypto markets appear vulnerable to further swings until funding clarity emerges.

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Nifty Gateway has announced that its platform will cease trading operations from today and will finally shut down in February this year. It advised account holders to move their assets to external wallets or personal accounts before the deadline.

With the announcement, Nifty Gateway became the latest upstart from the NFT era to become defunct after the digital art momentum crashed and burned, as initial excitement and FOMO fizzled out after compounding user losses. The platform said in a post on X that it will fully close its doors on February 23, 2026.

Nifty Gateway set to shut down in February 2026

Nifty Gateway was launched in 2020 with a goal to change how people collect and experience digital art. Over the years, it hosted many famous art “drops” and worked with world-renowned creators. Starting today, trading features on the platform are turned off. It is strictly in “withdrawal-only mode.” Users can no longer list NFTs for sale or place bids on new art.

Gemini, the cryptocurrency exchange owned by the Winklevoss twins, purchased Nifty Gateway in 2019. Gemini leaders stated that they are proud of the team’s work but want to focus on new projects. Specifically, they want to build a “one-stop super app” for all crypto needs. Nifty Gateway account holders need to act before the February deadline.

The company is sending emails to everyone who has a balance of U.S. Dollars (USD), Ethereum (ETH), or an NFT in their account. These emails contain step-by-step instructions on how users can move their property. NFTs can be moved to an external wallet or to the Gemini ecosystem. Users will have to pay gas fees to move their items, and Nifty Gateway has confirmed they will not cover these costs.

Users who bought items with a credit card for the first time might have to wait 72 hours before they can withdraw them. Before Gemini ultimately cut Nifty Gateway, it launched Gemini Wallet in August 2025 as a tool designed to hold NFTs alongside other cryptocurrencies. Gemini plans to move its NFT community into this new system in order to make crypto easier to use in one single app.

Despite the Nifty Gateway’s closing, recent data shows that the NFT market grew by about $700 million in the first few weeks of January. Weekly sales have jumped to around $85 million, a big increase compared to the end of 2025. Notably, users are moving away from simple “profile picture” NFTs and toward “utility” NFTs that give you special access to games, events, or real-world products.

The post Nifty Gateway announces plans to shut down its services first appeared on Coinfea.

Solana‑based meme coin PENGUIN exploded in value this weekend after a viral social media post from the United States White House ignited a wave of speculative buying among retail crypto traders.

The Nietzschean Penguin token, affectionately nicknamed PENGUIN by its community, saw its price and market capitalization skyrocket by roughly 564% in a single 24‑hour trading session, according to on‑chain data. The White House uploaded a photo on X of Trump and the bird walking together in the snow, with the words, “Embrace the penguin,” which rapidly spread across social media.

PENGUIN makes massive jump amid viral White House post

The AI‑generated image showed Trump with a penguin holding an American flag, and Greenland’s flag planted in the snow behind them. Later that day, the Department of Defense’s rapid response page also shared its own version of the image, saying, “Be a warrior, embrace the penguin.” Before the White House post, the cryptocurrency had a market cap of around $387,000.

However, within 24 hours, it saw $244 million in trading volume, according to SolanaFloor. According to DEXScreener, the token is currently worth about $0.13, giving it a market capitalization of roughly $136 million. Speaking on the meme coin performance, Alon Cohen, the co-founder of meme coin launchpad Pump.fun, mentioned that the early success of PENGUIN is proof that on-chain trading is not dead.

Cohen mentioned that it was just a sleeping giant waiting for the right moment. Psychological barriers are only just beginning to get broken, and tons of opportunities are ahead. The gain that PENGUIN saw comes at a time of broader downturn in the meme coin market. Just last year, some 11.6 million crypto tokens collapsed, mostly due to the flood of meme coins launched by platforms such as Pump.fun.

However, at the start of this year, the meme coin market cap briefly surged by 23%, rising from approximately $38 billion in December 2025 to over $47 billion, per CoinMarketCap. Santiment data at the time showed that increased social media mentions of the assets matched meme coins’ short-term surge. Vincent Liu, the chief investment officer at trading firm Kronos Research, had also commented, “Meme coins typically lead when risk appetite returns. The rebound in the Fear and Greed Index from extreme fear toward neutral reinforces this shift.”

The post PENGUIN jumps 564% after appearing in White House post first appeared on Coinfea.