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A formal inquiry has been initiated by UK legislators into the expansion of stablecoins as regulators consider that the rapid adoption of these digital currencies would shift bank deposits and disrupt credit provision.

The House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee said in a January 29 statement that the investigation will determine the development of stablecoins in the UK and whether the proposed regulations by both the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority strike a balance between innovation and financial stability.

Source: committees.parliament.uk

The committee is also seeking written submissions of evidence by industry participants, experts, and the general populace until March 11, with oral evidence hearings to come after.

Stablecoins Under Review as UK Weighs Financial Stability Risks

The investigation will focus on sterling-denominated as well as currency-driven stablecoins, especially the U.S. dollar, which currently dominates stablecoin usage in the UK.

Lawmakers indicated that they were interested in knowing how the market had changed since the first stablecoins were introduced over a decade ago, how the UK would compare to the U.S. and the European Union, and what role the stablecoins would have in payments, savings, and financial markets in the future.

Baroness Noakes, the chair of the committee, added that the review will determine whether the proposals advanced by the Bank of England and the FCA will be considered as a series of proportionate and measured responses to the sector development issues.

The committee will also consider whether the development of stablecoins may be a challenge to the legislative objectives of UK regulators, such as financial stability, consumer protection, competition, and international competitiveness of the country as a financial center.

The parliamentary initiative follows as the Bank of England hastens the development of a specific regime of so-called systemic stablecoins, which are pound-denominated tokens used on a large scale either in payments or in settlement, which may have systemic risks.

The Bank of England is preparing to release its long-awaited regulatory framework for stablecoins, aiming to match the pace of US.#Stablecoin #Cryptohttps://t.co/IdNDs7ip8v

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) November 6, 2025

Regulation of the stablecoins will become a key focus of the central bank in 2026, the policy work on tokenized collateral and the extension of its Digital Securities Sandbox, the central bank said.

Bank of England Moves Toward Stablecoin Rules by Year-End

Speaking at the Tokenisation Summit this week, Sasha Mills, the Bank of England’s executive director for financial market infrastructure, said the central bank is working jointly with the FCA to finalize a framework for systemic stablecoins by the end of the year.

Under the proposal, systemic issuers would hold deposit accounts at the Bank of England and could have access to a liquidity facility as a backstop.

Reserves would be backed by a mix of 60% short-term UK government bonds and 40% deposits at the central bank, with temporary holding limits under consideration.

Bank of England proposes £20,000 individual limit on systemic stablecoin holdings to manage transition risks, but faces pushback from crypto industry over restrictive approach.#England #UK #Stablecoinhttps://t.co/4unfE0HurD

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) November 10, 2025

Mills said stablecoins have the potential to modernize retail and wholesale payments by making transactions faster and cheaper, but warned that growing adoption could also reduce bank deposits and, in turn, the amount of credit available to households and businesses.

The Bank of England has repeatedly pointed out the risk that large and rapid shifts from bank accounts into digital tokens could amplify stress during periods of financial instability.

Those concerns echo comments made earlier this month by Bank of England deputy governor Dave Ramsden, who said Britain may ultimately need to protect stablecoin holdings in a manner similar to bank deposits if such tokens become systemically important.

The debate is not limited to the UK, as Bank of America chief executive Brian Moynihan recently warned that stablecoins could pull trillions of dollars out of the U.S. banking system, particularly if issuers are allowed to offer yield on balances.

The post UK Lawmakers Probe Stablecoins as Bank of England Warns of Deposit Drain Risk appeared first on Cryptonews.

Across the world, financial institutions no longer need convincing that digital assets matter. The question now is where they can be deployed at institutional scale, with regulatory certainty and commercial viability. Asia-Pacific is increasingly an answer, mainly thanks to its early investment in clear licensing frameworks, compliance-first regulation, and infrastructure designed for long-term integration rather than short-term experimentation.

As we enter 2026, APAC has moved decisively beyond pilot programs. Institutional investors across the region are allocating at pace, with 71% now exposed to crypto, while governments and regulators are advancing frameworks that support real capital deployment: Hong Kong’s insurance regulator has proposed a legal framework enabling licensed insurers to allocate part of their balance sheets to crypto and related infrastructure, creating a formal pathway for billions in insurance capital to enter digital assets. Meanwhile, the broader digital asset ecosystem is growing rapidly, with the stablecoin market alone having hit roughly $280 billion and APAC driving significant growth in usage and transaction volumes across the region.

Banks are issuing tokenized bonds, and fintechs are embedding regulated custody and trading directly into products. This looks more like structural adoption than speculative momentum. APAC’s compliance-forward regimes are doing more than enabling innovation, they are creating the conditions for digital assets to function as a durable component of traditional finance, capable of supporting institutional capital at scale.

Principles-Based, Not Permissionless

The definition of being crypto-friendly has changed. It is no longer about policies that make it quicker, but rather about safe and secure adoption, with regulatory frameworks that last. And APAC is a prime example of how this shift is taking place as the integration of digital assets is being recalibrated.

Hong Kong exchanges soared to HKD 26.1 billion in the first half of 2025, a 233% year-on-year increase. What accelerates this growth is the issuance of nine new Virtual Asset Trading Platform (VATP) licenses, ultimately enabling a scalable regulatory foundation for digital asset trading. Banks such as HSBC and Standard Chartered are also investing in blockchain-enabled financial solutions.

Singapore is also leading the way through the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to ensure digital asset activities are conducted within a robust regulatory framework. The focus is not just on moving fast, but moving with secure guardrails in place that place them at the forefront of responsibly integrating digital asset adoption. It isn’t always who is the quickest or easiest, but rather who chooses to do so responsibly.

Additionally, through the financial services agency (FSA), Japan is taking the leap to bridge the gap between digital and traditional finance while addressing long-standing concerns about market integrity and compliance.

As APAC becomes the home to the world’s most engaged users, highest transaction volumes, and most forward-thinking regulators, it highlights how regulators have adopted the view that clarity does not mean compromise. APAC is actively working towards ensuring that the digital assets sector succeeds, but only while protecting consumers to achieve longevity.

Changes are happening, and while at first glance, these are looked at as roadblocks, in actuality, they are much-needed steps to work alongside the global trend of treating crypto as a legitimate asset class.

Accelerating with Confidence: Clear Frameworks and Controlled Innovation

One of the most powerful enablers of digital asset adoption in APAC is not because regulators are more lenient; they’re moving quickly because the rules are clear, structured, and forward-thinking.

APAC’s regulatory infrastructure allows internal compliance teams to align from day one, dramatically shortening the time between product strategy and execution. APAC-based institutions can go from ideation to launch in record time, while remaining fully audit-ready and aligned with regulatory expectations.

What strengthens this further is the region’s embrace of innovation-enabling tools like regulatory sandboxes and phased licensing rollouts. Singapore’s MAS trials give institutions a controlled, low-risk environment for experimentation. Likewise, Hong Kong and South Korea have adopted similar models, fostering proofs of concept.

Meanwhile, phased licensing regimes balance innovation with oversight. Transitional arrangements allow entities to operate while they work toward full compliance, offering predictability and regulatory cooperation that builds institutional trust.

These structured approaches signal that regulators in APAC aren’t just gatekeepers, they’re partners in progress. And for banks and fintechs looking to integrate digital asset infrastructure at scale, that collaboration is everything.

Lessons for the Global Stage

As debates rage in other parts of the world about how to regulate crypto, APAC offers a useful and practical blueprint. The focus does not lie on how to implement the perfect legislation, but rather the focus remains on clarity, adaptability, and safety, all upheld through compliance. And the result is clear, financial institutions are no longer watching from the sidelines, but they’re participating.

And participation matters. As the digital asset space matures, the winners won’t be those who move the fastest, but those who move with trust, resilience, and infrastructure that aligns with both technology and policy.

APAC Isn’t Waiting

The old perception of APAC as a “testbed” is outdated. This region is now a launchpad for digital asset innovation at scale, not in spite of regulation, but because of it. With transparent licensing frameworks, supportive sandbox environments, and proactive regulators, APAC is proving that compliance is not the cost of innovation, it’s the catalyst. As other markets continue to debate, APAC is building. And the institutions here aren’t asking “if” they’ll adopt digital assets, they’re asking how fast they can do it, how safely they can do it, and how long they can survive while succeeding. It’s a long-term game.

What sets APAC apart isn’t just its appetite for innovation. It’s the fact that regulators here are actively providing licensing pathways that make institutional adoption possible. APAC isn’t just testing digital assets. It’s operationalizing them.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cryptonews.com. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment or financial advice.

The post How APAC’s Clear Licensing Frameworks Are Accelerating Institutional Digital Asset Adoption appeared first on Cryptonews.

Key Takeaways:

Prediction markets like Polymarket are becoming a major crypto narrative in 2026, driven by high win rates and visible profits.

Accounts with near-perfect performance are often powered by automation, not market prediction.

Bots exploit short-term pricing inefficiencies, especially during high volatility, rather than guessing outcomes.

Tools like Clawdbot lower the barrier to automation but introduce new risks, including technical failures and loss of control over funds.

Automation can create an edge, but it does not replace market understanding, risk management, or long-term sustainability.

Prediction markets, led by Polymarket, are becoming one of the key crypto narratives in 2026. People are watching other users post impressive win rates and make serious money every day. Naturally, they want the same. But is it really that simple?

At its core, prediction markets are straightforward. You place a bet on an outcome and wait to see how it plays out. Some markets focus on big macro questions, like whether interest rates will be cut or raised. Others are much narrower. During the Monad (MON) token launch, for example, there was a market where users could bet on how much money the ICO would raise.

One Polymarket user, known as Account88888, took a very different approach. Instead of long-term narratives, they focused on 15-minute Bitcoin price markets, simply betting on whether BTC would go up or down. In one example, the user placed $35,928.78 and walked away with $62,860.52, a return of 174.96%.

Source: Polymarket

Account88888’s win rate sits close to 100%. That immediately raised questions among experienced Polymarket users. Is this really a human trader? Or is something else going on? The most likely explanation is automation.

On X, bots promising “hands-off” trading are everywhere.

‘Instead I learned they do not think at all. They calculate’

A Polymarket trader known as Marlow says he has been tracking similar accounts for a while, including Account88888. At first, the strategy looked strange. On the surface, it seemed like the kind of approach that should lose money, not generate consistent profits.

“Account88888. 99% win-rate. Over 11,000 trades. The script surfaced in minutes,” Marlow wrote.

The key point is that the bot is not trying to predict the market. It is mechanically extracting arbitrage from pricing inefficiencies on Polymarket.

Every Polymarket market works the same way. There are only two outcomes. When the market settles, the winning side pays $1, the losing side pays nothing. Prices before settlement simply reflect how likely each outcome looks at that moment. They don’t change the final payout.

This creates an opportunity during periods of high volatility. If both opposing outcomes are temporarily underpriced and their combined cost drops below $1, an arbitrage appears. You are effectively buying a guaranteed $1 payout for less than its face value.

In volatile moments, traders rush to hedge against different scenarios at the same time. Demand becomes distorted. Prices on both sides get pushed down. In some cases, the “UP” and “DOWN” contracts on the same market might trade at, for example, $0.30 and $0.35 combined, still below $1, even though one of them must pay out $1 at settlement.

The bot simply buys both sides, waits for the market to resolve, and collects the difference. Over and over again. Thousands of times. It profits from mathematical certainty created by temporary imbalances in supply and demand.

Marlow explains it plainly:

The bot buys both. Waits fifteen minutes. Collects $1. Keeps six cents. Repeats. It does not care about direction. Does not read charts. Does not react to news. It farms the spread between panic pricing and mathematical certainty. My scanner keeps finding more of these. Different strategies, but the same signature. Execution patterns too clean and too fast for human hands. I built this tool expecting to learn how the best traders think. Instead I learned they do not think at all. They calculate.

‘Automation Is a Heavy Advantage in 2026’: Clawdbot (Now Moltbot) Enters Polymarket

As stories like this spread, ads started appearing on X promoting bots that promise to trade on Polymarket or other prediction markets on your behalf. At the same time, interest in AI agents has continued to grow, even though the space was already crowded.

Developed by Peter Steinberger, Clawdbot, now rebranded as Moltbot, promises to make working with AI agents far more seamless.

In simple terms, Clawdbot is a locally running AI agent that connects a large language model with real actions on a user’s computer. It can run terminal commands, read and write files, install software, browse the web, and send messages through messengers.

Users interact with Clawdbot through familiar chat apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, or iMessage. Behind the scenes, the agent decides which tools to use and which actions to take, based on context, instructions, memory, and available capabilities. In practice, it functions like a constantly running personal service that receives text commands and executes them directly on the system where it is installed.

Clawdbot has now made its way to Polymarket as well.

A trader known as Xmaeth on X, who has around 33,000 followers, shared how they set up Clawdbot to trade on Polymarket. This post has already reached 1.6 million views. The trader gave the agent $100 and API access to the Polymarket account, instructing it to trade 15-minute BTC markets with conservative risk management. According to Xmaeth, the balance grew to $347 overnight.

Xmaeth conclusion was simple:

Automation is a heavy advantage in 2026. Save it to re-read later.

Source: X

Automation Isn’t Magic on Polymarket

The rise of Clawdbot and similar tools does not mean prediction markets have turned into a one-click money machine. These agents require technical setup, trust in the code, and full access to funds. Results are often shown over short time frames, with little evidence of long-term stability.

The risks are real, especially when larger amounts of capital are involved. One wrong trade, one bug, and losses can escalate quickly.

Automation also increases competition. As more bots enter the market, obvious inefficiencies get exploited faster, leaving less profit for late participants.

Polymarket’s example shows that profit in crypto can still come from many paths. Algorithmic arbitrage is one. Manual strategies and market structure analysis are others. But as always, it’s not the bot itself that creates an edge. It’s an understanding of how the market works. Without that, neither automation nor AI offers a sustainable advantage.

Another open question is how Polymarket, and prediction markets more broadly, will respond. On one hand, bots attract attention and users chase “easy money.” On the other hand, regulators are unlikely to look kindly on fully automated extraction strategies, especially given Polymarket’s existing regulatory challenges.

Whether these bots remain effective over time is still unclear. What is clear is that as their numbers grow, so will cases of abuse, scams, and unpleasant outcomes.

That leads to the biggest question of all. If this really works at scale, do Polymarket, Clawdbot, and similar tools change how we think about work, income, and markets? Do we move toward a world where money can be generated automatically, at scale? Or does that vision collapse under regulation, competition, and reality?

For now, the questions are piling up faster than the answers.

Disclaimer: Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice.

The post Is Clawdbot Creating a ‘99% Win-Rate’ on Polymarket? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Talos, an institutional digital asset trading technology provider, has raised a $45 million Series B extension, bringing in new investors including Robinhood Markets.

Talos has closed a $45M Series B extension, bringing our total Series B funding to $150M.
Read more: https://t.co/g3ZHG6n5SH

The extension brings strategic partners in closer alignment with Talos as we continue building the unified, front-to-back infrastructure institutions… pic.twitter.com/n1KhOvFvkN

— Talos (@talostrading) January 29, 2026

Other investors include Sony Innovation Fund, IMC, QCP and Karatage as demand grows for institutional-grade digital asset infrastructure.

The latest round increases Talos’s total Series B fundraising to $150 million and values the company at approximately $1.5 billion on a post-money basis.

Strategic Investors Join Talos Series B Extension

Talos said the extension was driven by interest from partners and clients seeking closer alignment with the firm’s role in building core trading and portfolio infrastructure for digital assets.

“We extended our Series B round to accommodate interest from strategic partners who recognize Talos’s role in providing core institutional infrastructure for digital assets,” said Anton Katz, CEO and co-founder of Talos.

Katz added that as traditional asset classes increasingly migrate to digital rails, investors are looking to support platforms that can underpin the next generation of financial markets.

What Talos Provides for Institutions

Talos positions itself as a full-stack institutional digital asset technology provider, offering infrastructure, data and tools that support the complete trading and portfolio management lifecycle.

The platform delivers front-, middle- and back-office functionality, enabling institutions to execute trades, manage liquidity, monitor risk, and support settlement and treasury operations across crypto markets.

Sony Ventures CEO Kazuhito Hadano said Talos has evolved beyond order execution into a comprehensive institutional solution supported by robust analytics and data services.

Robinhood’s Johann Kerbrat, senior vice president and general manager of crypto, said Talos’s flexibility allows Robinhood to deepen liquidity and deliver advanced features for its crypto customers.

Stablecoin Settlement and Product Expansion Plans

Talos said a portion of the investment was settled using stablecoins, reflecting the growing use of blockchain-based payment rails in institutional transactions.

The company plans to use proceeds to expand product development across its platform, including portfolio construction, risk management, execution, treasury and settlement tools.

Talos also intends to broaden support for traditional asset classes as they increasingly become tokenized or migrate onto digital infrastructure.

Momentum and Recent Acquisitions

The fundraising follows what Talos described as strong momentum, with the company roughly doubling revenues and its client base each year over the past two years.

Talos recently launched its request-for-quote (RFQ) platform with BlackRock traders on the Aladdin platform, signaling deeper integration between digital asset markets and traditional finance workflows.

The company has also completed acquisitions of several digital asset firms, including Coin Metrics, Cloudwall, Skolem and D3X Systems, expanding its capabilities across data services, risk management, DeFi infrastructure and portfolio engineering.

Investor commentary highlighted Talos’s positioning as institutional adoption accelerates. IMC’s Jae Park said Talos’s focus on performance, safety and reliability makes it a preferred gateway for institutions entering digital asset markets.

QCP founder Darius Sit added that digital assets are increasingly becoming the rails for broader capital markets, with Talos building the infrastructure to support that transition.

The post Talos Raises $45M Series B Extension Backed by Robinhood, Bringing Total Funding to $150M appeared first on Cryptonews.

For years, Bitcoin has been championed as “digital gold” — with ardent believers arguing it’s far superior to the precious metal. Unfortunately, it seems the market disagrees.

Gold’s extraordinary bull run shows no sign of slowing down. It’s surged by 25% over the past month, 66% over the past six months, and is up 200% compared with five years ago.

That officially means that it’s outperforming the world’s biggest cryptocurrency by a large margin. By contrast, BTC is down 2.5% from a month ago, and has lost 25% of its value in the past six months. Meanwhile, its returns since 2021 stand at a more modest 156%.

Other commodities have also been on a tear. A flight to safe haven assets saw spot silver hit a fresh record of $120 this week.

An almighty flippening has happened in recent months. Back in April 2025, Bitcoin had a bigger market capitalization than silver — $1.85 trillion versus $1.84 trillion. Fast forward to now, and the picture couldn’t look any different: silver has rallied to $6.7 trillion, as BTC languishes behind on $1.75 trillion.

Even copper has been getting in on the action. Official figures show 2025 was its best-performing year for a decade, with a global shortage and a push into renewable energy propelling prices beyond $14,000 a tonne.

Indeed, Bitcoiners may be looking on enviously as precious metals experience “extreme greed” — something that the crypto world hasn’t seen for quite a few months now. And for an idea of the scale of the rally, consider this: gold added $1.6 trillion to its market cap on Wednesday alone — that’s almost as much as all of the world’s BTC put together.

So… what gives? Well, analysts argue that this is a symptom of Bitcoin maturing as an asset following the arrival of exchange-traded funds two years ago. Wall Street inflows have diminished the volatility that once made this cryptocurrency so appealing to investors. While we aren’t seeing dizzying “God candles” anymore, this also means less risk to the downside.

Bitcoin (BTC)

24h7d30d1yAll time

Some also point to extreme wariness following the dramatic and sudden crash on October 10, when speculation surrounding a fresh wave of Donald Trump’s tariffs caused mass sell-offs — and Binance’s infrastructure to buckle under the strain.

There are also reasons why gold in particular is being favored right now. Trump’s persistent attacks on Jerome Powell have triggered fears about how the Federal Reserve’s independence could be undermined during the rest of his second term. Invesco’s Christopher Hamilton told Bloomberg:

“The speed with which gold is breaking milestones underscores how quickly confidence in traditional policy tools is eroding.”

Bitcoin is beginning to enjoy wider acceptance among institutional investors, as evidenced by impressive inflows into exchange-traded funds tracking its spot price on Wall Street. However, as NYDIG notes, gold continues to benefit from much wider brand recognition.

“Gold benefits from decades of institutional precedent and a well-established role as a strategic allocation across market cycles, whereas Bitcoin remains earlier in its adoption curve. As a result, many allocators continue to view Bitcoin tactically rather than structurally, limiting its use as a portfolio hedge.”

And given Bitcoin’s tendency to operate in four-year cycles, you could argue there is a degree of wariness about piling into this cryptocurrency right now. BTC painfully contracted by 74% back in 2018, with a 64% drawdown in 2022. While there are early signs of changes in the market’s dynamics, a similar pullback in 2026 cannot be ruled out.

But just like BTC tends to cool after a sudden surge upwards, concerns are beginning to grow that “ugly and sustained reversals” could be on the cards for gold and silver — and the precious metals trade is beginning to look exceptionally overcrowded.

In the short-term, things might get worse for Bitcoin before they get better. Bloomberg recently ran a report suggesting that “longtime believers are looking to equities, precious metals and prediction markets” for returns now — a sign that BTC is no longer the fastest horse in the race.

One analyst said that Bitcoin may only be able to prove its relevance if it is able to trade meaningfully above $100,000 for a prolonged period of time. But given $90,000 is proving elusive right now, that could be a big ask.

The post Why Gold is Rallying and Bitcoin Isn’t appeared first on Cryptonews.

Redefining Manufacturing’s Tomorrow
12th February 2026, Riyadh Marriott Hotel

Saudi Arabia’s manufacturing sector is entering a pivotal phase of transformation, driven by rapid advancements in smart factory technologies, AI-led automation, industrial IoT, robotics, and data-driven operations—all aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals. These innovations are reshaping how factories produce, optimize, and scale, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to build a globally competitive, technologically advanced, and future-ready industrial ecosystem. Simultaneously, this accelerated shift brings new priorities to the forefront, including cybersecurity for interconnected factories, strong data governance, resilient supply chains, and a highly skilled workforce capable of operating next-generation manufacturing systems.

Case Study: Advancing Smart Manufacturing in Saudi Arabia

A major Saudi-based manufacturing enterprise implemented a strategic Industry 4.0 transformation to improve operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance supply chain resilience in alignment with Vision 2030 industrial objectives. Facing increasing global competition and legacy production constraints, the organization introduced a phased smart manufacturing roadmap across its facilities.

IoT-enabled sensors and industrial data platforms were deployed across production lines, providing real time visibility into equipment performance, energy usage, inventory flow, and quality metrics. AI-driven predictive maintenance significantly reduced unplanned downtime and improved asset utilization, while automation and robotics standardized repetitive tasks and accelerated production cycles.

A hybrid cloud and edge computing architecture supported low-latency shop-floor data processing and improved coordination between engineering, operations, and quality teams. Industrial cybersecurity controls were strengthened, alongside a workforce upskilling initiative focused on automation, digital maintenance, and smart manufacturing analytics.

This transformation reflects the rapid advancement of Saudi Arabia’s manufacturing sector—progress that will be highlighted at the 31st Edition of the Future Industry Summit – Saudi Arabia 2026, where leaders will gather to explore advanced technologies and shape the future of manufacturing across the Kingdom.

Event Overview:

The 31st Edition of the Saudi Manufacturing Show 2026 will bring together leading industry visionaries, manufacturing innovators, and technology strategists to explore the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape. With focused discussions on smart factories, AI-driven automation, industrial IoT, robotics integration, supply chain digitization, and next-generation production excellence, the conference will deliver actionable insights and real-world strategies to accelerate manufacturing transformation across Saudi Arabia.

Date: 12th February 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Riyadh Marriott Hotel, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Strategic Partners:

● The Saudi Manufacturing Show 2026 is proud to have the support of Invest Saudi as its Strategic Partner, reinforcing the event’s mission to advance industrial growth, attract global innovation, and strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a leading hub for manufacturing excellence under Vision 2030.

● The event is also supported by the Saudi Arabia Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR Saudi Arabia) as a Strategic Partner, underscoring a shared commitment to accelerating Industry 4.0 adoption, fostering advanced manufacturing technologies, and driving digital transformation across the Kingdom’s industrial ecosystem in line with Vision 2030.

Meet the Visionaries:

This edition of the Saudi Manufacturing Show will feature some of the Kingdom’s most influential industrial and technology leaders, who will share their expertise on smart manufacturing, supply chain transformation, advanced production technologies, and the future of Saudi Arabia’s industrial ecosystem. Below are a few of the distinguished speakers joining us at the 31st Edition of the Saudi Manufacturing Show 2026 — along with many more renowned experts, policymakers, and industry innovators:

● Khalid AlKhousan
General Manager of Metallic Industries Development
Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

● Howard Wu
Executive Director of International Investments, Innovation & Manufacturing, Oxagon NEOM
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

● Khaled Al-Hajeri
Vice President – Building Materials
National Industrial Development Center (NIDC)
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

● Musaed AlShammari
Cyber Operations Director
Ministry of Communications & Information Technology
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

● Ahmed Ghazal
Vice President of Engineering & Projects
Saudi Aramco Base Oil Company (Luberef)
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Key Topics to Be Covered:

● Industry 4.0 Integration: AI, robotics & automation for next-gen manufacturing.
● Sustainable Manufacturing: Clean energy adoption & green production models.
● Industrial Workforce Development: Enabling job creation & advanced skills.
● AI-Driven Smart Factories: Real-time insights, process optimization & efficiency.
● Digital Sustainability: Reducing waste, improving energy use through tech.
● AI in Warehousing & Procurement: Practical automation for operations.
● Smart Factory Cybersecurity: Securing interconnected industrial systems.
● Big Data & IoT: Enhancing visibility & operational control.
● Digital Twins: Predictive simulation for performance optimization.
● Predictive Maintenance: Reducing downtime with AI-driven insights.
● Autonomous Robotics: Automating complex, high-precision tasks.
● AI in Supply Chain Optimization: Improving agility & responsiveness.

About Exito:
Exito stands for “success” — a value embedded in every experience we create. As a global B2B events and media company, Exito delivers 240+ high-impact conferences annually, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and solution providers worldwide. Backed by deep industry research, our events enable business growth through strategic learning, brand visibility, and powerful networking opportunities.

For more details on the Saudi Manufacturing Show 2026, visit:
https://manufacturingitsummit.com/ksa/

For Media Enquiries, please contact:
Prakruthi Nayaka

Media and PR Executive, Exito Media Concepts
Email: prakruthi.nayaka@exito-e.com

The post Exito Media Concepts Presents the 31st Edition of the Future Industry Summit – Saudi Arabia 2026 appeared first on Cryptonews.

Redefining Manufacturing’s Tomorrow
12th February 2026, Riyadh Marriott Hotel

Saudi Arabia’s manufacturing sector is entering a pivotal phase of transformation, driven by rapid advancements in smart factory technologies, AI-led automation, industrial IoT, robotics, and data-driven operations—all aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals. These innovations are reshaping how factories produce, optimize, and scale, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to build a globally competitive, technologically advanced, and future-ready industrial ecosystem. Simultaneously, this accelerated shift brings new priorities to the forefront, including cybersecurity for interconnected factories, strong data governance, resilient supply chains, and a highly skilled workforce capable of operating next-generation manufacturing systems.

Case Study: Advancing Smart Manufacturing in Saudi Arabia

A major Saudi-based manufacturing enterprise implemented a strategic Industry 4.0 transformation to improve operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance supply chain resilience in alignment with Vision 2030 industrial objectives. Facing increasing global competition and legacy production constraints, the organization introduced a phased smart manufacturing roadmap across its facilities.

IoT-enabled sensors and industrial data platforms were deployed across production lines, providing real time visibility into equipment performance, energy usage, inventory flow, and quality metrics. AI-driven predictive maintenance significantly reduced unplanned downtime and improved asset utilization, while automation and robotics standardized repetitive tasks and accelerated production cycles.

A hybrid cloud and edge computing architecture supported low-latency shop-floor data processing and improved coordination between engineering, operations, and quality teams. Industrial cybersecurity controls were strengthened, alongside a workforce upskilling initiative focused on automation, digital maintenance, and smart manufacturing analytics.

This transformation reflects the rapid advancement of Saudi Arabia’s manufacturing sector—progress that will be highlighted at the 31st Edition of the Future Industry Summit – Saudi Arabia 2026, where leaders will gather to explore advanced technologies and shape the future of manufacturing across the Kingdom.

Event Overview:

The 31st Edition of the Saudi Manufacturing Show 2026 will bring together leading industry visionaries, manufacturing innovators, and technology strategists to explore the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape. With focused discussions on smart factories, AI-driven automation, industrial IoT, robotics integration, supply chain digitization, and next-generation production excellence, the conference will deliver actionable insights and real-world strategies to accelerate manufacturing transformation across Saudi Arabia.

Date: 12th February 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Riyadh Marriott Hotel, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Strategic Partners:

● The Saudi Manufacturing Show 2026 is proud to have the support of Invest Saudi as its Strategic Partner, reinforcing the event’s mission to advance industrial growth, attract global innovation, and strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a leading hub for manufacturing excellence under Vision 2030.

● The event is also supported by the Saudi Arabia Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR Saudi Arabia) as a Strategic Partner, underscoring a shared commitment to accelerating Industry 4.0 adoption, fostering advanced manufacturing technologies, and driving digital transformation across the Kingdom’s industrial ecosystem in line with Vision 2030.

Meet the Visionaries:

This edition of the Saudi Manufacturing Show will feature some of the Kingdom’s most influential industrial and technology leaders, who will share their expertise on smart manufacturing, supply chain transformation, advanced production technologies, and the future of Saudi Arabia’s industrial ecosystem. Below are a few of the distinguished speakers joining us at the 31st Edition of the Saudi Manufacturing Show 2026 — along with many more renowned experts, policymakers, and industry innovators:

● Khalid AlKhousan
General Manager of Metallic Industries Development
Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

● Howard Wu
Executive Director of International Investments, Innovation & Manufacturing, Oxagon NEOM
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

● Khaled Al-Hajeri
Vice President – Building Materials
National Industrial Development Center (NIDC)
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

● Musaed AlShammari
Cyber Operations Director
Ministry of Communications & Information Technology
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

● Ahmed Ghazal
Vice President of Engineering & Projects
Saudi Aramco Base Oil Company (Luberef)
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Key Topics to Be Covered:

● Industry 4.0 Integration: AI, robotics & automation for next-gen manufacturing.
● Sustainable Manufacturing: Clean energy adoption & green production models.
● Industrial Workforce Development: Enabling job creation & advanced skills.
● AI-Driven Smart Factories: Real-time insights, process optimization & efficiency.
● Digital Sustainability: Reducing waste, improving energy use through tech.
● AI in Warehousing & Procurement: Practical automation for operations.
● Smart Factory Cybersecurity: Securing interconnected industrial systems.
● Big Data & IoT: Enhancing visibility & operational control.
● Digital Twins: Predictive simulation for performance optimization.
● Predictive Maintenance: Reducing downtime with AI-driven insights.
● Autonomous Robotics: Automating complex, high-precision tasks.
● AI in Supply Chain Optimization: Improving agility & responsiveness.

About Exito:
Exito stands for “success” — a value embedded in every experience we create. As a global B2B events and media company, Exito delivers 240+ high-impact conferences annually, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and solution providers worldwide. Backed by deep industry research, our events enable business growth through strategic learning, brand visibility, and powerful networking opportunities.

For more details on the Saudi Manufacturing Show 2026, visit:
https://manufacturingitsummit.com/ksa/

For Media Enquiries, please contact:
Prakruthi Nayaka

Media and PR Executive, Exito Media Concepts
Email: prakruthi.nayaka@exito-e.com

The post Exito Media Concepts Presents the 31st Edition of the Future Industry Summit – Saudi Arabia 2026 appeared first on Cryptonews.

It’s often been said that Donald Trump runs his White House like a reality TV competition — and the current race to find the next Federal Reserve chair provides a perfect illustration of that.

Last year, five “finalists” were revealed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. As we reported at the time, all of them are pro-Bitcoin, and many hold the view that interest rates should be much lower than they currently are.

That would immensely please the president, who has been fiercely critical of Jerome Powell refusing to slash the cost of borrowing — a move that would also reduce the expense of servicing America’s national debt.

Early on, it appeared that Kevin Hassett, the current director of the National Economic Council, was a favorite for the role. But a new frontrunner has since emerged, and it appears that he’s highly rated on Wall Street.

Rick Rieder is BlackRock’s chief investment officer of global fixed income. For years — and long before Donald Trump jumped on the bandwagon — he’s spoken positively about Bitcoin’s potential.

Back in 2020, he revealed that BlackRock had started to dabble in Bitcoin. He told CNBC that investors were looking for assets that could appreciate against a backdrop of rising inflation.

The world’s biggest cryptocurrency was trading at a mere $51,000 at the time, and Rieder argued it could be a powerful way of diversifying a portfolio. Those who heeded his advice at the time would have doubled their money at the very least.

Fast forward to now, and BlackRock is the largest provider of exchange-traded funds tracking Bitcoin’s spot price in the US. The iShares Bitcoin Trust has cemented itself as an undisputed market leader in this still-nascent space. The latest figures from SoSoValue show it currently holds close to $70 billion in net assets.

Rieder has been shown to stick to his convictions during challenging market conditions — especially back in 2022, when the crypto industry was roiled by a number of high-profile bankruptcies. At the time, he argued that the crash was akin to the early days of the internet, when the dot-com bubble burst. Even though a number of startups went out of business at the time, the technology’s value endured and continued to build.

The Wall Street veteran has also argued that BTC could be a more effective store of value than gold — not least because it’s much more portable than the precious metal, with a known finite supply.

“I think digital currency and the receptivity — particularly millennials’ receptivity — of technology and cryptocurrency is real. Digital payment systems are real, so I think Bitcoin is here to stay.”

Those comments were made in 2020. Of course, BTC’s role as a store of value is being questioned right now — with gold surging dramatically in light of geopolitical instability as this digital asset stagnates.

While the arrival of a pro-Bitcoin Fed chair may be welcomed by many in the industry, some may have reservations. A common frustration among Bitcoiners centers on those who fail to separate BTC from crypto more widely. In their eyes, this decentralized digital asset should not be placed in the same basket as altcoins founded by named developers.

Rieder’s belief that interest rates should be lower could help make Bitcoin more attractive — and while this does align with Donald Trump’s worldview, the financier insists that the Fed’s independence should be protected. Given that the prospect of political meddling in the central bank has spooked the markets of late, this is a reassuring sign.

Poseidon Partners recently argued that choosing Rieder could even serve as a positive catalyst for Bitcoin’s price, writing:

“A Rieder nomination would be the most market-friendly on first reaction, reflecting strong confidence in his understanding of financial markets and policy transmission. Risk assets and crypto would likely respond positively in the near term, and bonds could benefit from expectations of pragmatic easing.”

However, it does anticipate potential challenges on the horizon, which could include “friction” during the confirmation process, and questions over whether his appointment would amount to a conflict of interest.

The Trump administration is expected to make its preference known soon. But with the president describing Rieder as “very impressive” during his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, it’s little wonder that he’s become the favorite on the prediction markets.

The post Rick Rieder: The Bitcoin-Friendly Frontrunner for Next Fed Chair appeared first on Cryptonews.

Hyperliquid’s HYPE token has returned to the center of market attention after the project sharply reduced its monthly team token unlocks, a move that renewed discussion around whether the token could revisit the $50 level seen during its previous peak.

The team has presented the change in the unlock schedule as a way of dilution reduction and alleviation of the pressure on the supply at a point when competition in the perpetual futures market is still high.

NEW: HYPERLIQUID TEAM ANNOUNCES "140K TOKENS FROM HYPERLIQUID LABS WILL BE UNSTAKED TODAY TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO TEAM MEMBERS ON FEB 6"

SOURCE: https://t.co/E9AIfajG4y pic.twitter.com/hTia9lg9VK

— DEGEN NEWS (@DegenerateNews) January 29, 2026

Information provided by the Hyperliquid team indicates that the February 2026 group of Hyperliquid was reduced to approximately 140,000 HYPE tokens, compared to approximately 1.2 million released in January, which constitutes nearly 90% of monthly team releases.

Core contributors were allocated around 23.8% of HYPE’s 1 billion maximum supply, subject to a one-year cliff and a 24-month vesting period, with distributions now confirmed to take place on the 6th of each month.

HYPE Rallies 55% in a Week as Hyperliquid Tightens Token Supply

The decision comes as Hyperliquid navigates softer decentralized exchange revenue and growing competition among perpetual DEX platforms.

By slowing the pace of team unlocks, the project has reduced near-term sell pressure, a factor that market participants have closely watched since HYPE’s launch via a community airdrop in November 2024.

More than 61% of the total supply remains locked, while the circulating supply currently stands at roughly 238 million tokens.

HYPE was trading around $33.9 at the time of writing, up modestly on the day but posting a weekly gain of more than 55%.

Source: Coingecko

The token is still about 43% below its all-time high of $59.30, reached during a surge last year, with the market capitalization climbing to just over $8 billion.

At the same time, overall protocol usage metrics have not shown a dramatic shift.

The company announced this week that HIP-3 open interest (OI) hit a record $790 million, fueled by a recent surge in commodities trading. HIP-3 OI has been setting new weekly highs, up sharply from $260 million just a month ago.

Additionally, the platform founder, Jeff Yan, said Bitcoin futures liquidity on Hyperliquid had surpassed Binance in certain order book comparisons.

Hyperliquid has quietly achieved an important milestone of becoming the most liquid venue for crypto price discovery in the world. See below for side by side comparison of BTC perps on Binance (left) and Hyperliquid (right).

With HIP-3 teams leading the way, Hyperliquid has also… https://t.co/xu41eTqPfI pic.twitter.com/aJCFYjMoxV

— jeff.hl (@chameleon_jeff) January 26, 2026

Hyperliquid has processed more than $25 billion in cumulative trading volume since launch, according to Flow Scan data, with the majority coming from futures markets built by third-party teams using the HIP-3 framework.

Hyperliquid’s total value locked stands near $4.6 billion, with annualized protocol revenue estimated at roughly $714 million, a portion of which is used for buybacks and burns that remove HYPE from circulation.

HYPE Reclaims 50-Day Moving Average After Months Below

From a technical perspective, analysts have highlighted a key change in HYPE’s price structure.

After months of trading below its 50-day moving average on the three-day timeframe, the token recently broke above that level, ending a sequence of lower highs that had defined the downtrend since November.

The area between roughly $28 and $29, which previously acted as resistance, is now being watched as potential support.

Source: X/Batman

If that zone holds on a retest, technicians see room for continuation toward the mid-$30s and low-$40s.

Going back to $50 would take a much bigger move, which would be an increase of approximately 80% of the previous support area.

This rally would rely on a sustained volume and a sustained defense of the reclaimed moving average and the overall market conditions being favorable.

Analysts have observed that failure to overcome the 50-day average will nullify the bullish setup, and HYPE will be prone to a fall to lows around the $20s.

The post HYPE Price Target Hits $50 as Hyperliquid Slashes Team Token Unlock by 90% — Is the Rally Sustainable? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin’s recent movement isn’t driven by hype, but by supply factors. On-chain data shows BTC inflows to Binance are at their lowest in almost four years, a pattern that often comes before big, volatile price changes. With Bitcoin steady near $88,000, traders are wondering if the next big move will be upward.

Binance Inflows Signal a Supply Squeeze

Recent on-chain analytics show that monthly Bitcoin inflows to Binance now average about 5,700 BTC, a level last seen during the 2020 to 2022 accumulation periods. Fewer coins moving to exchanges usually means less intent to sell, which tightens supply while demand stays strong.

This is important because Binance is the biggest spot trading platform. When inflows to exchanges stay low, there is less selling pressure and a higher chance of sharp price increases if demand picks up. Even though spot Bitcoin ETFs saw short-term outflows of about $147 million, long-term holders seem unaffected and are keeping their coins off exchanges.

Recent price moves show this cautious approach. Bitcoin briefly went back above $90,000 on January 28 before dropping again, bringing its market cap close to $1.78 trillion. This pullback did not cause panic selling, which supports the idea that investors are still accumulating.

Bitcoin Price Prediction: BTC Price Holds $88K as Triangle Tightens

Technically, Bitcoin price prediction is seems bearish as BTC is compressing. From a technical perspective, Bitcoin’s price is tightening. On the 4-hour chart, BTC is trading around $87,900 and holding a clear support zone between $87,500 and $88,000. The price has formed a descending triangle, with lower highs set by a downward trendline from the January peak near $97,500. is easing:

RSI has recovered from oversold conditions near 30 to around 45–50

Candles near support show long lower wicks, signaling dip-buying interest

Selling volume has failed to expand on recent pullbacks

Bitcoin Price Chart – Source: Tradingview

However, BTC is still trading below the 50- and 100-period EMAs, which are near $90,000 to $90,500. This means short-term risks remain until there is a confirmed breakout.

Breakout Levels That Could Trigger $100K Momentum

The market looks close to making a decisive move. If Bitcoin breaks above the descending trendline and the EMA cluster, momentum could quickly shift upward, opening the way to:

$93,300, then

$95,700, with momentum extension potential beyond

If Bitcoin fails to stay above $87,500, this outlook would be delayed and the price could fall toward $86,100 and $84,100, where there is more buying interest.

Key levels traders are watching:

Support: $87,500 → $86,100

Resistance: $90,500 → $93,300

As long as Bitcoin keeps making higher lows above $86,000 and exchange inflows stay low, the market is more likely to see a period of tight trading before a big move, rather than widespread selling. When supply gets this tight, breakouts often happen quickly and can catch late traders off guard.

Bitcoin Hyper: The Next Evolution of BTC on Solana?

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is bringing a new phase to the BTC ecosystem. While BTC remains the gold standard for security, Bitcoin Hyper adds what it always lacked: Solana-level speed. The result: lightning-fast, low-cost smart contracts, decentralized apps, and even meme coin creation, all secured by Bitcoin.

Audited by Consult, the project emphasizes trust and scalability as adoption builds. And momentum is already strong. The presale has surpassed $31 million, with tokens priced at just $0.013645 before the next increase.

As Bitcoin activity climbs and demand for efficient BTC-based apps rises, Bitcoin Hyper stands out as the bridge uniting two of crypto’s biggest ecosystems. If Bitcoin built the foundation, Bitcoin Hyper could make it fast, flexible, and fun again.

Click Here to Participate in the Presale

The post Bitcoin Price Prediction: Binance Inflows Just Hit a 4-Year Low – Violent Move Above $100K is Next appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin is approaching a historically important support zone near $62,000, as a long-tracked reserve-cost indicator tied to Binance signals that BTC could see more pain ahead.

The $62k reserve cost level has not been tested since the approval of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024, raising fresh questions over whether the current drawdown marks a deeper bear phase rather than a routine correction.

The warning comes as multiple technical and on-chain indicators turn bearish simultaneously, even as parts of the market remain positioned for a renewed bull cycle in 2026.

Binance Reserve Cost Shifts the Post-ETF Floor

The Binance Reserve RP, which tracks the average acquisition cost of Bitcoin reserves on the exchange, has historically acted as a dividing line between bull and bear markets.

According to data shared by crypto analyst Burak Kesmeci, that level now sits at $62,000, a sharp rise from pre-ETF norms.

Source: CryptoQuant

Before spot ETFs were approved, the indicator hovered around $42,000, reflecting a different market structure dominated by retail and offshore flows.

Since January 2024, institutional participation has altered price behavior, lifting the reserve cost and redefining what constitutes downside support.

“Bitcoin has never tested this level since Spot ETF approval,” Kesmeci said, noting that the price spent the entire bull run well above the $62,000 zone.

In his view, price action this year will determine whether $62,000 holds as a structural floor or breaks.

On-Chain Metrics Point to Early Bear Structure

Beyond exchange-based indicators, on-chain data is also flashing caution.

Bitcoin’s Supply in Loss has begun trending higher again, a shift that has historically marked the early stages of bear markets.

In past cycles in 2014, 2018, and 2022, the metric turned upward before prices reached their eventual lows.

Source: CryptoQuant

During those periods, losses gradually spread from short-term holders to longer-term participants as prices continued to weaken.

At present, Supply in Loss remains well below levels seen during full capitulation phases.

CryptoQuant’s head of research, Julio Moreno, has pointed to a similar clustering of bearish signals that emerged in early November and have yet to reverse.

He argues that the market may still be in the process of locating a durable bottom.

How Low Could Bitcoin Go?

Using Bitcoin’s realized price, which reflects the average cost basis of current holders, Moreno estimates a potential bear market low below the $62,000 reserve cost.

His projected range sits between $56,000 and $60,000 over the next year.

Source: CryptoQuant

Historically, prolonged downturns have seen Bitcoin drift back toward realized price after overshooting during bull markets.

A move into that zone would imply a drawdown of roughly 55% from Bitcoin’s all-time high above $125,000.

While substantial, Moreno views such a decline as relatively modest compared with prior bear markets.

Previous cycles often produced losses of 70% to 80%, frequently amplified by cascading failures across the crypto sector.

Bitcoin Technicals Clash With Bullish Narratives

Technical indicators are also adding pressure to the bearish case.

A crossover of the 21-week and 50-week exponential moving averages, often referred to as the Bull Market EMA crossover, has recently appeared.

Source:X/RektCapital

Historically, similar crossovers preceded deeper bear phases in Q4 2014, late Q3 2018, and early Q2 2022.

If the current Bitcoin phase is indeed a bear market, it would challenge expectations that 2026 will deliver another strong growth phase for Bitcoin.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao has promoted the idea of a Bitcoin “supercycle,” while Grayscale researchers have questioned the relevance of the traditional four-year cycle.

@Grayscale predicts Bitcoin could set a new all-time high in early 2026 as institutional demand builds and investors lean harder into alternative stores of value.#Grasycale #BitcoinPricePrediction https://t.co/AAdSK63MvJ

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) December 16, 2025

Bernstein has also maintained a $150,000 target for 2026, describing the current environment as an “elongated bull market.”

Whether those forecasts hold may depend on Bitcoin reclaiming its 50-week moving average, currently near $100,988.

Until then, analysts say the market remains focused on downside risk management.

With more than $4.5 billion in realized losses recorded since BTC fell below $90,000, the next support test could define the cycle’s true low.

The post Bitcoin’s Historical Bottom Indicator Points to $62K – Could BTC Fall That Low? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Donald Trump has threatened Jerome Powell with a criminal investigation — but it hasn’t stopped the Federal Reserve chair holding firm on interest rates, in a move that’ll affect Bitcoin.

On Wednesday night, it was confirmed that the cost of borrowing will be left unchanged yet again, despite the president calling for drastic cuts.

In a statement, the US central bank said economic growth is expanding “at a solid pace,” but inflation remains at an elevated level.

As you might expect, there were two dissenting voices within the Federal Open Markets Committee. One of them was recent Trump appointee Stephen Miran. The other was Christopher Waller, who is currently on the shortlist to succeed Powell when his term expires in May.

During a news conference, Powell refused to comment on the criminal investigation, which is related to the testimony he made surrounding a multi-year upgrade to the Fed’s headquarters. But earlier this month, he claimed the threat of charges was because he had refused to follow the president’s whims when setting interest rates.

The escalating row has cast an unwelcome spotlight on whether the Federal Reserve’s independence is in jeopardy. Powell told reporters:

“The point of independence is not to protect policymakers, it just is that every advanced democracy in the world has come round to this common practice … Monetary policy can be used through an election cycle to affect the economy in a way that will be politically worthwhile … It’s a good practice, it’s pretty much everywhere among countries that look at all like the United States, and if you lose that, it will be hard to restore the credibility of the institution.”

Powell’s advice for the person who ends up taking his job was simple: “Stay out of elected politics.”

Trump had little to say about the Fed’s latest interest rate decision on Truth Social — however, he did share a link to a CNBC article that suggests the central bank is yet to comply with grand jury subpoenas related to that controversial criminal investigation.

Interest rate cuts could be necessary to give Bitcoin a shot in the arm. The world’s biggest cryptocurrency has repeatedly failed to meaningfully break through $90,000 in recent days — and fell in the hours following Powell’s announcement. Generally speaking, lower rates tend to attract investors to riskier assets as returns from savings accounts dwindle.

So far, 2026 has proven especially challenging for Bitcoin. While the S&P 500 has managed to vault beyond 7,000 points for the first time — with gold smashing through $5,000 per ounce and hitting record highs — the crypto markets appear to be stagnating.

Bitcoin (BTC)

24h7d30d1yAll time

As things stand, analysts now expect that further interest rate cuts before Powell’s term expires look unlikely — and are pencilling in reductions towards the back end of this year. (Incidentally, a recent study found that forecasts by the prediction market Kalshi are “roughly consistent” with those made on Wall Street.) At present, there’s seen to be less than a 30% chance of a reduction come March or May, rising to 65% by June.

Speculation about who Trump might nominate is mounting, with rumors that an announcement could be made as early as this week. Rick Rieder has overtaken Kevin Hassett as favorite for the role — a Wall Street veteran who currently serves as BlackRock’s chief investment officer for fixed income.

Rieder has publicly called for interest rates to be much lower than where they are currently. He argues that, instead of exacerbating inflation, it could actually cool prices down by making house prices more affordable. That being said, the executive isn’t regarded as someone who would dance to Trump’s tune — and he’s recently argued that the Fed’s independence is essential. He told CNBC:

“I think that anybody who is in that seat, that is an independent seat. You report to, I would argue, your constituents, which is the country … Whoever is in the role is going to make the decisions that are the right thing for maximum employment and price stability.”

Rieder has said that he believes a target rate of 3% amounts to “equilibrium” — and given we’re currently in a range of between 3.5% to 3.75%, that would indicate there is some room for maneuver.

For now though, interest rates — and Bitcoin’s price — remain in a holding pattern.

The post What Federal Reserve’s Interest Rate Decision Means for Bitcoin appeared first on Cryptonews.

OSL Group, one of Asia’s leading digital asset platforms, has announced a $200 million equity financing round as it accelerates its expansion across stablecoin trading and digital payments.

The Hong Kong-listed firm said the capital raise equivalent to HK$1.56 billion and is intended to strengthen its financial position, support acquisitions and advance its strategy in the stablecoin and payments sectors.

$200M Financing Targets Global Expansion

OSL Group said the proposed equity financing will provide resources to capture emerging opportunities as stablecoins become more integrated into cross-border payments and digital financial markets.

The company said the net proceeds will be directed toward strategic acquisitions, global business expansion in payments and stablecoins continued investment in product and technology infrastructure, and general working capital.

The announcement comes as digital asset firms increasingly look to scale compliant payment rails and settlement systems that connect fiat and blockchain-based networks.

In July, the firm announced it had raised $300 million through an equity financing round, marking the largest publicly disclosed capital raise in the region’s crypto space to date.

OSL Group, one of Asia’s leading digital asset platforms, has raised $300 million through an equity financing round.#HongKong #Cryptohttps://t.co/2WdP6ebjV7

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) July 25, 2025

Building a Compliant Stablecoin System

OSL Group said it has focused heavily on developing a regulated stablecoin trading and payments positioning compliance as a pillar of its long-term strategy.

The company highlighted several milestones from 2025, including its acquisition of Banxa, a Web3 payment service provider which strengthened its presence in crypto-enabled payments infrastructure.

OSL also launched OSL BizPay, a business-to-business payments solution designed to serve corporate and institutional clients and support real-economy use cases for stablecoin settlement.

Executive Highlights Acquisition Strategy

Ivan Wong, chief financial officer of OSL Group, said the financing round reflects market validation of the company’s positioning in stablecoin trading and payments.

“This financing round will allow us to welcome more like-minded strategic and long-term investors,” Wong said, adding that the funds will strengthen OSL’s capital base and diversify its shareholder structure.

He notes that the company plans to pursue acquisitions of licensed trading and payment entities globally aiming to expand its regulated footprint and reinforce its first-mover advantage as stablecoin adoption grows.

Stablecoin Payments Gain Momentum

The financing announcement comes amid broader momentum in stablecoin-based payments, as financial institutions and fintech platforms explore blockchain settlement as a faster and more efficient alternative to traditional rails.

OSL Group said its mission is to provide compliant and efficient digital financial infrastructure services that enable enterprises, financial institutions and individuals to exchange, pay, trade and settle between fiat and digital currencies.

Grounded in its values of “Open, Secure and Licensed,” the company said it is working to build an ecosystem that connects global markets and enables instant, seamless and compliant value movement worldwide.

The post Hong Kong-Based OSL Group Launches $200M Equity Raise for Stablecoin and Payments Push appeared first on Cryptonews.

Solana has seen a steep decline in the number of validators securing the blockchain, a trend that industry participants say is being driven by rising costs for smaller operators.

Key Takeaways:

Solana has lost 68% of its validators as rising costs push smaller nodes out.

Network concentration is increasing, with the Nakamoto Coefficient falling to 20.

On-chain activity is still growing, driven by AI-related token launches.

Data from Solanacompass shows that the number of active Solana validators has fallen 68% over the past three years, dropping from a peak of 2,560 nodes in March 2023 to just 795 as of this week.

Validators play a central role in the network, proposing and confirming blocks and ensuring transactions are processed correctly.

Rising Costs, Not Just “Zombie” Nodes, Drive Validator Decline

Some of the reduction reflects the cleanup of inactive or so-called “zombie” nodes, but operators say that alone does not explain the scale of the drop.

Instead, they point to rising operating expenses and fee competition that has made it difficult for independent validators to break even.

An independent validator who posts under the name Moo said on X that many smaller operators are considering shutting down.

“Many small validators are actively considering shutting down (including us). Not due to lack of belief in Solana, but because the economics no longer work,” Moo wrote.

According to the post, large validators offering zero-fee services are squeezing margins and forcing smaller players out of the market.

The Solana validator count has fallen to sub-800, down from ~2,500 at its peak. That is a ~70% drop.

Some KOLs have argued this is simply “zombie” validators being flushed out by @SolanaFndn. That is partly true, and the cleanup IS healthy. But it only explains part of what is… pic.twitter.com/Pousxs5QKm

— Moo | Elemental (@moothefarmer) January 28, 2026

The result, critics argue, is a network increasingly secured by a smaller number of large operators.

“We started validating to support decentralization. But without economic viability, decentralization becomes charity,” Moo added.

The shift raises questions about whether retail validators can continue to play a meaningful role in securing Solana over the long term.

Nakamoto Coefficient Signals Concentration

The fall in validator numbers has been mirrored by a decline in Solana’s Nakamoto Coefficient, a commonly used measure of decentralization.

Solanacompass data shows the coefficient has dropped 35%, from 31 in March 2023 to 20 this week.

The metric estimates the minimum number of independent entities required to disrupt the network, with a lower number indicating greater concentration.

The slide suggests that stake and influence are becoming more clustered among fewer validators.

Rising costs appear to be a major factor. Excluding hardware and server expenses, operators need to commit at least $49,000 worth of SOL tokens to cover their first year, largely due to voting fees required to participate in consensus.

Validators must submit a vote transaction for each block they approve, a process that can cost up to 1.1 SOL per day, according to technical documentation from Solana’s validator client.

Meanwhile, Solana has seen a pickup in on-chain activity even as SOL prices ease, driven by rising interest in AI-focused tokens across the network.

The post Solana Loses Two-Thirds of Validators as Smaller Nodes Exit, Raising Centralization Concerns appeared first on Cryptonews.

The crypto market is down today. After a single day of increases, it fell 1.7% over the past 24 hours to the current $3.06 trillion. Also, 90 of the top 100 coins fell in this period. The total crypto trading volume stands at $124 billion.

TLDR:

Crypto market cap is down 1.7% on Thursday morning (UTC);

90 of the top 100 coins and 9 of the top 10 coins have gone down;

BTC decreased by 1.7% to $87,820, and ETH fell 2.5% to $2,942;

The drop follows economic stress, lack of fresh capital, and geopolitical pressure;

‘This period of consolidation allows for a necessary reset’;

Rate cuts are unlikely until later in the year;

This environment could reinforce BTC’s and ETH’s ‘roles as hedges against medium-term monetary pressures and dollar debasement narratives’;

Markets are set up for a holding pattern, not a policy pivot;

This period of consolidation allows for a necessary reset;

Sygnum raised 750 BTC for the Starboard Sygnum BTC Alpha Fund;

US spot BTC ETFs posted outflows of $19.64 million, and spot ETH ETFs saw $28.1 million in inflows;

Crypto market sentiment saw a minor increase within the fear zone.

Crypto Winners & Losers

On Thursday morning (UTC), 9 of the top 10 coins per market capitalisation have seen their prices decrease.

Bitcoin (BTC) fell by 1.7%, the same amount it had gone up yesterday, currently trading at $87,820. This is the smallest green percentage in the category.

Bitcoin (BTC)

24h7d30d1yAll time

Ethereum (ETH) is down 2.5%, changing hands at $2,942.

The highest drop in this category is Dogecoin (DOGE)’s 4.5% to $0.1214.

It’s followed by Solana (SOL)’s 3.4% fall to the price of $122.

Binance Coin (BNB) saw the smallest drop, 1%, now trading at $896.

At the same time, the only increase among the top 10 is 0.8% by Tron (TRX), now trading at $0.2945.

Furthermore, of the top 100 coins per market cap, 90 have posted price decreases today.

Pump-fun (PUMP) fell the most, with the only double-digit drop of 10% to $0.003001.

River (RIVER) is next, having dropped 7.3% to the price of $50.56.

On the green side, Worldcoin (WLD) appreciated the most in this category. It’s up 5.4% to $0.4898.

PAX Gold (PAXG) is next, rising 4.7% to $5,540.

The day’s decrease follows a hawkish-leaning US Federal Reserve, lack of fresh capital, and geopolitical stress.

Bitcoin has slipped below $89,000 as a hawkish-leaning Federal Reserve and Middle East tensions sap risk appetite.#Bitcoin #Cryptohttps://t.co/4mmQhy93nE

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 29, 2026

Reinforcing Consolidation

Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget, commented on the US Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates steady at 3.50%–3.75% during its first policy meeting of 2026. This was as expected and consistent with market pricing, Chen says.

Moreover, rate cuts are unlikely until later in the year, provided there’s no clear weakness in economic data.

A rate-hold preserves existing liquidity and supports risk assets without tightening financial conditions further – so it could be constructive for the crypto market in the near term. Maintaining stability while monitoring incoming data supports Bitcoin’s and Ethereum’s resilience and “broader crypto adoption under a macro regime that has yet to signal aggressive tightening.”

Currently, BTC and ETH have traded “relatively flat, holding key psychological levels as traders reassess risk appetite and positioning rather than immediately reacting to a policy shift.”

Per Chen, “Bitcoin is likely to keep consolidating in the $88,000–$91,000 range, with attempts to break out toward the $95,000 psychological level.”

But both of these coins could benefit from the steady US policy, she argues. This environment could “help sustain risk appetite” and reinforce BTC’s and ETH’s “roles as hedges against medium-term monetary pressures and dollar debasement narratives – particularly if future data points suggest easing later in 2026.

Jimmy Xue, co-founder and COO of Axis, commented that a signal that Quantitative Tightening (QT) will persist at current levels, despite political pressure, could act as a ceiling for risk assets.

The ‘debasement trade’ would remain the primary driver. And “any perceived loss of Fed independence amid ongoing DOJ scrutiny may ironically provide the floor that crypto needs, even if interest rates remain higher for longer,” Xue says.

Providing Necessary Market Reset

Fabian Dori, CIO at Sygnum Bank, says that markets are set up for a holding pattern, not a policy pivot. This was confirmed by the FOMC meeting.

The meeting outcome was “always more likely to reinforce consolidation than trigger a directional break. The next thing to watch is whether the growing political overhang around Fed independence starts to show up more explicitly in Fed communication, and in how markets price policy risk.”

Meanwhile, Nic Roberts-Huntley, CEO and co-founder of Blueprint Finance, argued that “the underlying market structure for digital assets is arguably healthier than it was during the leverage-fueled peaks above $125,000.”

Importantly, this period of consolidation allows for a necessary reset, he says.

Per Nic Roberts-Huntley, “shifting the focus from speculative froth back to long-term fundamentals and the potential for a renewed rally once macro clarity improves. Looking ahead, the interplay between fiscal policy and the central bank’s eventual pivot will remain the primary driver for risk-asset sentiment through 2026.”

Levels & Events to Watch Next

At the time of writing on Thursday morning, BTC was changing hands at $87,820. The day began at $90,315, but the coin has gradually dropped below the $90,000 level and to the intraday low of $87,653.

Over the past week, BTC fell 2.4%. It traded between $86,319 and $90,475 during this period.

Failing to stay above $86,000 would take BTC back to $85,300 and then to the $83,000-$84,000 zone.

Bitcoin Price Chart. Source: TradingView

At the same time, Ethereum was trading at $2,942. Earlier in the day, the coin stood at the intraday high of $3,036. It then decreased below the $3,000 zone and to a low of $2,934.

ETH is down 2.2% over the last seven days. It moved in the $2,801-$3,034 range.

The coin couldn’t hold the $3,000 level. Additional drops would take ETH to $2,890, $2,790, and $2,650.

Ethereum (ETH)

24h7d30d1yAll time

Meanwhile, the crypto market sentiment posted a small increase since this time a day ago. It’s again standing on the verge between fear and neutral zones, but still standing in the former.

The crypto fear and greed index currently stands at 38, compared to 34 recorded yesterday.

This level indicates a minor rise in optimism among the market participants, which followed the equally minor rise in the crypto market cap. It will not see a significant move upwards without a notable market rally.

Source: CoinMarketCap

ETFs Post Mixed Results

The US BTC spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) closed the Wednesday session with negative flows. They recorded $19.64 million in outflows on 28 January. The total net inflow decreased to $56.33 billion.

Looking at the twelve ETFs, we find one green and three red ones. Fidelity posted inflows of $19.45 million.

BlackRock let go of $14.18 million, followed by Bitwise’s $12.61 million and Ark & 21Shares’ $12.3 million in outflows.

Source: SoSoValue

On the other hand, the US ETH ETFs posted minor inflows during the Wednesday session, with $28.1 million. The total net inflow increased to $12.38 billion.

Of the nine ETH ETFs, two saw inflows, and none saw outflows. BlackRock recorded $27.34 million in positive flows, followed by Fidelity’s $752,030.

Source: SoSoValue

Meanwhile, in the first four months, digital asset banking group Sygnum raised 750 BTC for the Starboard Sygnum BTC Alpha Fund from professional and institutional investors.

“The strategy captures pricing dislocations across major crypto markets by leveraging arbitrage opportunities between spot and derivatives instruments,” the company says, while maintaining “a market-neutral exposure that seeks to limit reliance on Bitcoin’s day-to-day price movements.”

News: Sygnum and Starboard Digital raise over 750 BTC for BTC Alpha Fund

Over 750 BTC raised from professional investors in first four months, validating institutional demand for yield-generating Bitcoin strategies
First regulated bank globally to offer market-neutral… pic.twitter.com/1PTHym83RW

— Sygnum Bank (@sygnumofficial) January 29, 2026

Quick FAQ

Did crypto move with stocks today?

The crypto market cut the latest brief green streak, decreasing over the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, the US stock market closed the previous session relatively unchanged. By the closing time on Wednesday, 28 January, the S&P 500 was down 0.0082%, the Nasdaq-100 increased by 0.32%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.025%. This came after the US Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady.

Is this drop sustainable?

A drop is typical and was expected, and minor decreases tend to be healthy for the market. The crypto market is still trading in a consolidation range, and it will likely continue doing so in the short term.

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(LIVE) Crypto News Today: Latest Updates for January 29, 2026

The cryptocurrency market remains under pressure, with losses spreading across most major tokens and sectors as the broader correction continues. Data from SoSoValue shows Bitcoin down 0.80%, trading below $89,000, while Ethereum has fallen 0.62% to under $3,000. Earlier gains in the AI, real-world assets (RWA), and centralized finance (CeFi) sectors proved short-lived and had largely faded by the time of writing, leaving market sentiment broadly negative. While select tokens such as...

The post Why Is Crypto Down Today? – January 29, 2026 appeared first on Cryptonews.

Hong Kong is expanding investor access to gold through the launch of the Hang Seng Gold ETF, a physically backed fund that also outlines future plans for tokenized unit classes.

The Hang Seng Gold ETF (03170.HK) went live on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange earlier today providing investors with exposure to gold prices through a locally stored physical structure.

Physically Backed Gold ETF Launches in Hong Kong

The Hang Seng Gold ETF is backed by physical gold bars with all bullion held in designated vaults located in Hong Kong. The fund aims to deliver investment results that, before fees and expenses, closely correspond to the performance of the LBMA Gold Price AM benchmark.

The gold custodian is a wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings, underscoring the role of major financial institutions in supporting the product’s infrastructure.

Hang Seng Investment said the fund’s physical gold bars will be stored through arrangements involving HKIA Precious Metals Depository Limited and Brink’s Hong Kong Limited, ensuring that the underlying assets remain within the city’s financial system.

Listed and Tokenized Unit Structure

Beyond its listed ETF units, the fund structure also includes tokenized and non-tokenized unlisted unit classes. The Hang Seng Gold ETF comprises Listed Class Units, Tokenized Unlisted Class Units, and Non-Tokenized Unlisted Class Units, though switching between these categories will not be available.

The tokenized units are not yet open for subscription and will only become available subject to relevant regulatory approvals. Hang Seng said disclosures regarding tokenized units are currently provided for reference only.

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

Risk Disclosures Highlight Blockchain and Custody Challenges

Hang Seng warned that investors face a range of risks across all unit classes, including gold market concentration risk, tracking error risk, currency risk, custody and insurance risk, and reliance on gold dealers.

Additional risks apply specifically to listed units, including trading risks, market maker reliance, and potential differences in trading hours between the Hong Kong exchange and the London gold market.

Tokenized unlisted units carry further risks associated with blockchain technology, including cybersecurity threats, digital asset security issues, regulatory uncertainty, operational challenges, and potential cryptographic risks tied to future advances such as quantum computing. Non-tokenized unlisted units are subject to redemption and currency hedging risks where applicable.

Tokenization Signals Evolving Gold Investment Access

The launch comes as Hong Kong continues to position itself as a hub for both traditional finance and regulated digital asset innovation.

By combining a conventional physically backed gold ETF with the potential for tokenized unit classes, Hang Seng Investment is offering a structure that bridges established commodity investment products with emerging blockchain-based formats.

Gold’s Bull Run Isn’t Over

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

Gold prices were trading higher on Jan. 29, with spot gold rising about 1.8% on the day. According to Kitco data, the metal was quoted at around $5,513 per ounce.

Gold’s surge past $5,000 an ounce and uncertainty around US crypto legislation are shaping a critical moment for digital asset markets.#Gold #Cryptohttps://t.co/DzRjcDdpfY

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 27, 2026

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The future of the equity market infrastructure has once again been debated by Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev, who believes that tokenized stocks are the best way to avoid trading halts such as those experienced during the GameStop frenzy in 2021.

In a post on X, Tenev referred to the incident as one of the most apparent failures of modern equity markets, but not due to misconduct by the broker and instead due to the old settlement mechanics, which could not survive extreme volatility.

https://t.co/ZczWF8rMrs

— Vlad Tenev (@vladtenev) January 28, 2026

Five years prior, Robinhood and several other brokerages had to limit purchases in a limited list of the most actively traded meme stocks, most notably GameStop.

The action went off a market backlash by retail investors who felt sidelined in the market at a pivotal time.

Tokenized Stocks Could Replace a Broken Settlement System, Tenev Says

Tenev attributed the pause to clearinghouse risk-management regulations that were related to the two-day settlement cycle of U.S. equities, which was then considered as the standard.

Since trades were not settled on the spot, brokers had to leave a huge amount of collateral to handle counterparty risk.

As the trading volumes and price movements increased exponentially, those deposit demands jumped icily, and firms could do little but restrict the activity.

Robinhood has since advocated more rapid settlement, which also helped to effect the industry-wide T+2 to T+1 settlement in the United States.

Although the change alleviated some of the pressure, Tenev indicated that the fundamental issue was not resolved.

Practically, a T+1 system may nonetheless extend into days around weekends and holidays, leaving markets vulnerable to the fast-flowing news and social-media-based trading.

It is against this background that Tenev remarked that tokenization is a type of structural substitute and not a peripheral solution. Tokenization involves issuing stocks as blockchain-based tokens that settle in near real time.

With atomic or instant settlement, trades no longer carry multi-day counterparty risk, reducing the need for clearinghouses to demand large collateral buffers and lowering the likelihood of sudden trading restrictions.

Tenev also pointed to additional features such as continuous, 24-hour trading, native fractional ownership, and a transparent ledger of ownership as potential advantages.

Robinhood Bets on Tokenized Stocks as Regulators Clarify Rules

Robinhood has already tested this model outside the U.S. In Europe, the company offers more than 2,000 tokens representing U.S.-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds, giving investors exposure to price movements and dividends.

On-chain data cited by tokenization trackers shows that Robinhood has minted nearly 2,000 such stock tokens with a total value just under $17 million, a relatively small figure compared with other tokenization platforms whose offerings exceed $500 million.

Source: Entropy Advisors

In the coming months, Robinhood has stated that it will continue to build these products, including around-the-clock trading and decentralized finance, including self-custody and lending.

The shift comes as tokenization in traditional finance gains momentum, with the New York Stock Exchange in January preparing to construct a digital platform to trade and on-chain settle tokenized securities, subject to regulatory approval.

The @NYSE plans to launch a platform for trading and on-chain settlement of tokenized securities.#NYSE #Tokenization https://t.co/Aklx0Cy1RP

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 19, 2026

Nasdaq has also prioritized tokenized equities; it has submitted a rule change application whereby on-chain representations of listed stocks can be traded according to existing market structure rules.

On their part, regulators have emphasized that tokenization has no impact on the legal status of a security.

The SEC once again confirmed that tokenized securities are subject to the federal securities laws, whether stored on a blockchain or a conventional ledger.

Pivotal December was followed by the SEC announcing a rare no-action letter against the Depository Trust Company, creating a pilot to tokenize 2026 U.S. Treasuries, significant ETFs, and Russell 1000 stocks.

The post GameStop 2.0? Why Robinhood’s CEO Claims Tokenization Is the Only Fix for Trading Halts appeared first on Cryptonews.

The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said Thursday that it has approved first US dollar-backed stablecoin – dubbed USDU, enabling compliant settlements for cryptos and derivatives.

According to a press release, the stablecoin maintains 1:1 reserves backing, safeguarded in onshore accounts at partner banks. The token is issued and managed by a regulated entity, Universal Digital.

Universal’s banking partners include Emirates NBD and Mashreq, with monthly independent attestation. Meanwhile, Mbank serves as strategic banking partner.

Further, Aquanow, a crypto infrastructure firm, serves as a global distribution partner. It also supports professional clients’ access to USDU outside the UAE wherever permitted.

“Being the first Foreign Payment Token registered by the UAE Central Bank – and supported by leading UAE banks – gives institutions the clarity and confidence they have been waiting for,” said Juha Viitala, CEO at Universal Digital.

USDU Stablecoin Addresses Institutional Demand

The stablecoin addresses institutional demand for regulatory transparency in digital assets, the release said.

USDU potentially reduces cross-border settlement costs, enhancing MENA’s competitiveness in the global stablecoin market.

Stablecoins have been gaining significant traction across the Middle East region. The Central Bank of the UAE granted in-principle approval for AED stablecoin in 2024. Under the new Payment Token Services Regulation, the dirham-pegged AE Coin functions as both a local trading pair and a widely accepted payment method for everyday transactions within the UAE.

The post Central Bank of the UAE Approves First USD-Backed Stablecoin appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin has slipped back below the $89,000 level after failing to hold onto a brief recovery, as tighter financial conditions and geopolitical stress continue to weigh on risk assets.

Key Takeaways:

Bitcoin has slipped below $89,000 as a hawkish-leaning Federal Reserve and Middle East tensions sap risk appetite.

Trader conviction is fading, with futures open interest down 42% and rallies quickly met by sharp sell-offs.

Institutional investors are turning cautious, as ETF outflows rise and expectations for near-term rate cuts fade.

The pullback comes amid growing caution from the US Federal Reserve and fading investor appetite across crypto markets, according to Samer Hasn, Senior Market Analyst at XS.com.

In a note shared with Cryptonews.com, Hasn said market sentiment has been pressured by a central bank stance that remains neutral to hawkish, alongside rising tensions in the Middle East that have dampened demand for speculative assets.

Crypto Loses Momentum as Capital Dries Up and Traders Pull Back

While gold and silver have attracted renewed interest, digital assets are struggling to draw fresh inflows. “The crypto space is seeing its speculative fire extinguished by a lack of fresh capital,” Hasn said.

Derivatives data points to a clear loss of conviction. According to CoinGlass, crypto futures open interest is down 42% from record highs, signaling reduced risk-taking.

Attempts at bullish breakouts have been met with sharp sell-offs, with traders “quick to exit at the first sign of trouble,” suggesting a fragile market structure.

Institutional behavior has also turned defensive. Data from SoSoValue shows Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds recorded $160 million in outflows over the past three trading sessions.

US Spot Bitcoin ETFs are facing their first real test after the top October 2025 inflows of $72.6B.

Since then, we have seen just over $6B in outflows. pic.twitter.com/kyrNU0Feu3

— Rand (@cryptorand) January 29, 2026

Rather than stepping in on weakness, larger investors appear to be waiting on the sidelines as volatility persists.

The policy backdrop remains a key drag. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently signaled little urgency to cut rates, with benchmark rates held in the 3.5% to 3.75% range.

Former Fed economist William English said officials are likely to remain on hold unless there is a significant shift in labor market conditions.

“The internal friction at the Fed, highlighted by two dissenting votes from Trump appointees, adds a layer of political uncertainty that markets rarely enjoy,” Hasn said.

Geopolitical Tensions Drive Investors Away From Bitcoin

Political and geopolitical factors are adding further uncertainty. Internal divisions at the Fed, combined with leadership questions and rising tensions following a US naval deployment toward Iran, have pushed investors toward traditional havens.

“This flight to safety is bypassing Bitcoin entirely in favor of tangible commodities. Until the geopolitical dust settles or the Fed turns the liquidity taps back on, Bitcoin remains a high-risk play in a world looking for a bunker.

As reported, Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan has said that gold’s surge past $5,000 an ounce and mounting uncertainty around US crypto legislation are shaping a critical moment for digital asset markets.

Hougan said the combination of rising demand for assets outside government control and fading confidence in near-term regulatory clarity could influence both crypto adoption and price action in the months ahead.

He also flagged growing uncertainty around the Clarity Act, legislation aimed at cementing a pro-crypto regulatory framework in the US.

The post Bitcoin Retreats as Hawkish Fed and Outflows Pressure Market: Analyst appeared first on Cryptonews.

Japanese Bitcoin treasury firm Metaplanet Inc. has approved a capital raise of approximately $137 million through a third-party allotment of newly issued shares and stock acquisition rights, according to a company filing.

*Notice Regarding Issuance of New Shares and 25th Series Stock Acquisition Rights through Third-Party Allotment* pic.twitter.com/upB0YnvaXT

— Metaplanet Inc. (@Metaplanet) January 29, 2026

The Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed firm said its board resolved to issue ordinary shares alongside its 25th Series Stock Acquisition Rights as part of a broader fundraising initiative. The move is intended to strengthen Metaplanet’s capital base and support its strategic growth plans.

New Shares and Stock Acquisition Rights Issuance

Under the fundraising plan Metaplanet said it will issue 24,529,000 newly issued common shares at an issue price of JPY 499 ($3.35) per share. The total issue amount for the share placement is expected to reach JPY 12.24 billion ( $82 million).

The company will also issue 159,440 stock acquisition rights each representing the right to acquire 100 ordinary shares. The exercise price for the rights has been set at JPY 547 ($3.70) calculated at 115% of the closing price on the trading day immediately preceding the resolution date.

The allotment and payment date for both the share issuance and the stock acquisition rights is scheduled for Feb. 13, 2026.

Earlier this week, Metaplanet reported a 104.6 billion yen ($680 million) impairment on its Bitcoin holdings, reflecting the impact of last year’s market downturn on the value of its digital asset portfolio. The company said the impairment was recorded as a non-operating expense and does not affect cash flows or day-to-day operations.

Fundraising Size and Potential Dilution

Metaplanet said the amount of funds to be raised through the stock acquisition rights totals approximately JPY 8.80 billion ($59 million), bringing the combined fundraising to around JPY 21 billion ($137 million).

If fully exercised the stock acquisition rights could result in the issuance of up to 15,944,000 additional shares, increasing the company’s outstanding share count and potentially diluting existing shareholders. The company notes that the total funds raised may decrease if the rights are not exercised within the period or are cancelled.

Overseas Third-Party Allotment Structure

The fundraising will be conducted through a third-party allotment, described as an overseas offering. Metaplanet said the securities will be allocated to scheduled allottees as set out in supporting documentation.

The purchase agreement governing the issuance includes conditions requiring the company to remain in compliance with its representations, warranties and contractual obligations.

Broader Market Context

Third-party allotments are commonly used by Japanese listed firms seeking to raise capital efficiently, particularly when targeting overseas investors. Metaplanet’s fundraising comes as companies across the region explore new financing options amid evolving market conditions.

The company did not disclose further details on the intended use of proceeds beyond supporting its corporate strategy.

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