CryptonewsCom

Hong Kong își extinde accesul investitorilor la aur prin lansarea ETF-ului Hang Seng Gold, un fond susținut fizic care conturează, de asemenea, planuri viitoare pentru clasele de unități tokenizate.

ETF-ul Hang Seng Gold (03170.HK) a fost lansat pe Bursa de Valori din Hong Kong mai devreme astăzi, oferind investitorilor expunere la prețurile aurului printr-o structură fizică stocată local.

Lansarea ETF-ului de Aur Susținut Fizic în Hong Kong

ETF-ul Hang Seng Gold este susținut de lingouri de aur fizic, cu tot metalul prețios păstrat în seifuri desemnate situate în Hong Kong. Fondul își propune să ofere rezultate de investiție care, înainte de taxe și cheltuieli, corespund îndeaproape performanței benchmark-ului LBMA Gold Price AM.

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.

The post Japan’s Metaplanet Announces $137M Capital Raise Through Third-Party Allotment appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bybit, a doua cea mai mare bursă de criptomonede din lume după volumul de tranzacționare, a anunțat planuri de a lansa conturi bancare denominate în dolari prin parteneriate cu instituții financiare licențiate.

Platforma cu sediul în Dubai va introduce conturi „MyBank” echipate cu Numere Internaționale de Cont Bancar (IBAN) în februarie 2026, în așteptarea aprobărilor de reglementare, permițând clienților să dețină solduri în dolari americani și 17 alte monede fiat.

Mutarea pozițiilor Bybit pentru a funcționa mai mult ca o bancă neo, inversând traiectoria tipică a firmelor precum Revolut și Robinhood care au adăugat tranzacționarea de criptomonede după ce au stabilit servicii bancare.

Crypto no longer lives on a single chain. Bitcoin dominates store-of-value narratives, Ethereum remains the center of DeFi, and Solana has carved out a role as a high-speed execution layer. But as activity spreads across these ecosystems, capital itself becomes fragmented. Liquidity that should be deep and efficient is instead split into isolated pools, forcing users and developers to navigate complexity that never seems to go away.

This fragmentation is no longer just an inconvenience. It shapes how capital moves, how DeFi products are built, and how risk accumulates across the market. As more value flows between chains, the infrastructure supporting those flows starts to matter more than the individual blockchains themselves.

LiquidChain (LIQUID) enters this game as a Layer-3 liquidity and execution layer designed to sit above Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. Instead of competing with them, it says it aims to unify how liquidity is accessed and settled across all three. The project positions itself as infrastructure for a multi-chain reality that already exists, rather than one that still needs to be invented.

At a time when cross-chain usage continues to grow, LiquidChain’s core idea is simple: liquidity should not be locked behind ecosystem boundaries. Whether that idea can scale is the question the market is now watching.

The Huge Problem in Crypto LiquidChain Aims to Fix

Liquidity fragmentation creates inefficiencies that compound over time. Capital is spread across different chains, wrapped into multiple representations, and bridged through systems that introduce delays, fees, and additional trust assumptions. For traders, this often means worse execution. For developers, it means building the same product multiple times just to reach different user bases.

Bridges were meant to solve this problem, but they introduced new risks instead, says the team. High-profile bridge exploits have highlighted how fragile cross-chain infrastructure can be, especially when it relies on custodial components or complex verification mechanisms. Even when bridges work as intended, they add friction that limits how freely capital can move.

From a developer’s perspective, fragmentation creates redundancy. Teams often deploy separate versions of the same application across multiple chains, each with its own liquidity, user base, and operational overhead. This slows innovation and dilutes network effects that DeFi relies on to grow efficiently.

LiquidChain’s strategy starts with the idea that liquidity itself should be unified at the execution layer. It proposes a shared liquidity environment where assets from different chains can interact securely and atomically under a single settlement framework.

What Exactly Is LiquidChain and the LIQUID Crypto Presale?

LiquidChain is designed as a global settlement and execution layer for DeFi. It combines a high-performance virtual machine with trust-minimized cross-chain verification to allow Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana assets to be represented and used together without traditional wrapping or bridging models, says the team. The goal is to create deep, fungible liquidity markets that feel native, regardless of the underlying chain.

At the execution level, LiquidChain uses a Solana-class performance model optimized for real-time DeFi activity. This allows complex, multi-chain operations to settle quickly while maintaining verifiable state proofs from each connected ecosystem. Bitcoin UTXOs, Ethereum account states, and Solana accounts are all verified through cross-chain proofs and messaging.

Alongside the technical buildout, the LIQUID crypto presale has got attention. Nearly $500,000 has been raised so far, with the token price increasing gradually as new phases progress. The structure shows a slow-burn approach rather than a single high-pressure fundraising event, which aligns with the project’s infrastructure-first narrative, it says.

Staking plays a central role in the current phase. High APY incentives are available early, and they decrease over time as participation grows. More than 27 million LIQUID tokens are already staked, signaling early interest while naturally pushing yields lower as the network matures.

Wrap-Up: Why LiquidChain Is Being Watched Closely

LiquidChain does not present itself as “another blockchain” competing for attention. Its positioning is closer to middleware infrastructure, sitting above major ecosystems rather than inside them. That distinction matters in a market increasingly defined by cross-chain activity.

The project’s tokenomics reflect this long-term focus. With a fixed total supply of 11,800,000,100 LIQUID, allocations are spread across development, ecosystem growth, rewards, and operational needs. A significant portion is reserved for ongoing development, which mirrors the technical scope of building and maintaining a Layer-3 execution environment.

Whether LiquidChain succeeds will depend on adoption by developers and liquidity providers, not just presale numbers. Unified liquidity only works if it is actually used. Still, the growing attention around cross-chain inefficiencies indicates the problem LiquidChain is targeting is not going away anytime soon.

As capital continues to fragment across Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, solutions that reduce friction rather than add to it are likely to stay in focus. LiquidChain’s attempt to unify liquidity under a single execution layer places it squarely in that conversation, which makes it a project many in the DeFi space are now watching closely.

Explore LiquidChain:

Website: https://liquidchain.com/

Social: https://x.com/getliquidchain

Whitepaper: https://liquidchain.com/whitepaper

The post As Capital Fragments Across Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, LiquidChain Tries to Fix a Growing Liquidity Problem appeared first on Cryptonews.

Six US senators have challenged Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s decision to order the closure of the DOJ-specific unit dealing with crypto enforcement in April at the time he personally possessed substantial cryptocurrency holdings.

Senators Mazie Hirono, Elizabeth Warren, Richard Durbin, Sheldon Whitehouse, Christopher Coons, and Richard Blumenthal criticized Blanche in a letter dated Jan. 28, 2026, concerning his April 2025 announcement that he was disbanding the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team, or NCET.

Source: Mazie K. Hirono

The senators said the decision came at a time when Blanche had a direct financial interest in cryptocurrencies, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and potential violations of federal ethics law.

Did Crypto Conflicts Kill DOJ Enforcement? Lawmakers Demand Answers

In 2022, under the administration of President Biden, the NCET was established to lead the complicated cryptocurrency crime investigations in the Justice Department.

The unit was at the center of a number of high-profile cases, including the investigation of Binance and its founder, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, who in 2023 admitted to breaking anti-money-laundering laws in the United States.

Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao Still Worth $15 Billion Despite Guilty Plea: Forbes

Former @binance CEO @cz_binance, is still worth $15 billion despite recently pleading guilty to federal money laundering charges.#CryptoNews #Binancehttps://t.co/V8dyDdD5A4

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) November 23, 2023

In April 2025, several months after Donald Trump was inaugurated, Blanche ordered the unit disbanded, and his campaign included an insistence on backing the digital asset industry.

The senators noted that Blanche disclosed crypto holdings valued between $158,000 and $470,000 in January 2025, largely in Bitcoin and Ethereum, just days before Trump’s inauguration.

On Feb. 10, he agreed to divest those assets “as soon as practicable.” However, the lawmakers noted that Blanche was confirmed as deputy attorney general on March 5 and issued the sweeping policy memo on April 7 scaling back crypto enforcement.

They added that he did not begin disposing of his crypto holdings until late May, with sales or transfers completed between May 31 and June 3.

The senators reported in their letter that Blanche could have breached the 18 U.S.C. 208(a) provision that generally prohibits executive authorities of the executive branch officials from taking part in making decisions that influence their own financial gain.

According to them, the issue is now under a complaint to the Office of the Inspector General of the DOJ, and they requested Blanche keep the documents and give a comprehensive account of how the issue was reported, responded to, and ultimately cleared by the ethics officials.

Senators had earlier raised concerns over Blanche’s decisions

The April 7 memo, titled “Ending Regulation by Prosecution,” marked a significant shift in how the Justice Department approaches digital assets.

Blanche argued that the DOJ is not a financial regulator and said prior enforcement efforts amounted to “regulation by prosecution.”

The new policy instructed the prosecutors to pursue individuals who directly victimize crypto investors or use digital assets in crimes (including terrorism, narcotics, organized crime, and human trafficking) and avoid pursuing cases involving exchanges, mixers, and other forums as their users may perpetrate crimes.

The memo also instructed that investigations that were not in line with the new priorities be shut down and NCET be officially dissolved.

Lawmakers said they warned Blanche last year that scaling back enforcement would have serious consequences. In their latest letter, they pointed to data showing illicit cryptocurrency activity surged in 2025, with TRM Labs estimating $158 billion in illegal transactions, up nearly 145% from the previous year.

A new report by @trmlabs indicates that crypto-related crime reached $158 billion in 2025, while the proportion of illicit activity dropped to 1.2%.#Crime #CryptoHack https://t.co/70N8QeYDGu

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) January 28, 2026

They said the increase was driven in part by sanctioned entities but noted that most categories of crypto crime rose, including violent crime and human trafficking. Criminals stole an estimated $2.87 billion through nearly 150 hacks during the year.

The post US Senators Slam DOJ Over Crypto Crime Unit Shutdown Amid Personal Holdings Conflict appeared first on Cryptonews.

The Optimism Collective approved a proposal directing 50% of Superchain revenue toward monthly OP token buybacks with 84.4% support.

The 12-month program starting in February transforms OP from a pure governance token into one directly tied to sequencer revenue generated across Base, Unichain, Ink, World Chain, Soneium, and OP Mainnet.

Based on the 5,868 ETH collected over the past twelve months, the initiative would deploy approximately 2.7k ETH, or roughly $8 million at current prices, into open-market purchases executed through an OTC provider.

Purchased tokens flow back to the collective treasury, where they may eventually be burned, distributed as staking rewards, or deployed for ecosystem expansion as the platform evolves.

Source: Optimism

Revenue Mechanism Ties Token Demand to L2 Growth

The Foundation will partner with an OTC provider to execute monthly ETH-to-OP conversions within predetermined windows, regardless of price, beginning with January’s revenue in February.

According to the proposal, conversions pause if monthly revenue falls below $200,000 or if the OTC provider cannot execute under maximum allowable fee spreads, with any paused allocation rolling over to the following month.

All trades will be reported publicly through Optimism’s stats dashboard or the governance forum for transparency, with the Foundation publishing an execution dashboard tracking fills, pacing, pricing, and balances.

The remaining 50% of ETH revenue stays flexible for development, ecosystem growth, and shared infrastructure across the Superchain’s 30+ partners, reducing governance overhead that historically limited active treasury management.

While the program starts small, it scales with Superchain expansion, where every transaction across participating chains expands the buyback base and creates structural demand for OP tokens.

The mechanism operates on collected sequencer revenue from chains that contributed the full 5,868 ETH to a treasury managed by Optimism governance over the past year.

Happy new year everyone! In November last year, I wrote about the changes we were making to refocus the team on what comes next for crypto.

Today, the @Optimism Foundation is proposing a token buyback. The goal is to unify the broader ecosystem outside of just our internal…

— Optimist Prime (@jinglejamOP) January 8, 2026

Foundation Sees Buybacks as First Step in Token Evolution

Optimism Foundation Executive Director Bobby Dresser framed the approval as a turning point for the token’s economic role.

“Governance approval of the buyback proposal marks an exciting first step in expanding the role of the OP token,” Dresser said.

“Optimism’s OP Stack is becoming the settlement layer for the next generation of financial systems, and this program will help align the OP token’s value with the success of the Superchain ecosystem.“

Speaking with Cryptonews, Dresser explained the strategic rationale behind the shift. “The goal of this proposal is to align the OP token directly with the success of the Superchain,” he said.

“Optimism earns real, growing revenue from Superchain usage, but historically, the OP token has only been used for governance. Buybacks create a direct link between Superchain demand and OP, making OP the shared instrument of the ecosystem.“

When asked what success looks like at the program’s conclusion, Dresser emphasized long-term infrastructure over short-term price action.

“Success to us means building an ecosystem that will last, which means putting the right infrastructure in place to create a new paradigm for Optimism and the OP token,” he said. “Ultimately, the governance community will decide if this should become a long-term mechanism.“

Implementation Begins Despite Governance Concerns

The proposal faced initial scrutiny from delegates concerned about bundling buyback authorization with expanded Foundation treasury discretion into a single vote.

GFXlabs urged splitting the two policy decisions, arguing that combining them prevented proper evaluation of each component and created risks that delegates might approve treasury management authority primarily because of expected price appreciation from buybacks.

Delegates also raised concerns about the OTC execution strategy, with critics arguing that off-chain purchases lack transparency, create corruption risks, and signal that Optimism cannot support basic trading activity on its own DeFi infrastructure.

Source: Optimism Governance Platform

Some community members proposed that on-chain execution would better align with the network’s decentralized ethos and provide necessary transparency to prevent potential conflicts of interest.

Despite these concerns, the proposal passed Special Voting Cycle #47 under Joint House approval at the required 60% threshold, clearing the way for immediate implementation.

Initial operations will be executed by the Foundation under predetermined parameters, eliminating discretion, with the mechanism potentially moving increasingly on-chain through Protocol Upgrade 18, which ensures all sequencer revenue from OP Chains gets collected without Foundation involvement.

Notably, the program comes as buyback mechanisms proliferate across crypto, though with mixed results.

Jupiter recently questioned whether to continue its $70 million buyback program after JUP fell nearly 90% from early-2024 highs, while Helium halted HNT buybacks despite generating $3.4 million in monthly revenue, with both projects finding that supply dynamics consistently overwhelmed demand.

The post Optimism DAO Passes OP Buyback Proposal With 84% Approval – What’s Next? appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitpanda Technology Solutions (BTS), the digital asset infrastructure arm of European crypto platform Bitpanda, has partnered with digital financial services super-app Ribbon Plc, to launch a digital asset investment offering for the UK market.

In a press release shared with CryptoNews, the firm said the partnership will see Ribbon integrate Bitpanda’s infrastructure to provide end-to-end services covering crypto trading, custody and execution.

The move reflects growing demand among fintech platforms for regulated digital asset capabilities as more institutions explore crypto-related products.

Partnership Targets UK Digital Asset Demand

Under the agreement, Ribbon will use Bitpanda’s technology stack to support the rollout of a new digital asset investment service designed for UK customers.

The platform will also provide secure access to crypto markets while enabling Ribbon to expand its product suite in line with its broader roadmap.

BTS, the B2B infrastructure arm of European crypto platform Bitpanda, provides digital asset services to banks, brokers and fintechs seeking to embed crypto functionality into their offerings.

The companies did not disclose a timeline for the launch or provide financial terms of the partnership.

Full Suite of Crypto Services Planned

The planned UK offering will include buy and sell functionality, staking, swaps, savings plans, open-loop crypto transfers and omnibus custody, according to the announcement.

Bitpanda said the platform will be supported by its infrastructure and liquidity, allowing competitive pricing across more than 600 crypto assets. The partnership is expected to allow scalable deployment as Ribbon develops additional digital asset services.

Nadeem Ladki, global head of Bitpanda Technology Solutions, said the agreement reflects shifting expectations among institutions. “This partnership reflects how institutional expectations around digital assets are evolving,” Ladki said, adding that financial firms are increasingly seeking infrastructure partners capable of supporting long-term strategies “with scale, resilience and operational maturity.”

Ribbon Focuses on Migrants and Cross-Border Finance

Ribbon Plc positions itself as a digital financial super-app serving global economic migrants, offering multi-currency IBAN accounts, cross-border remittances, analytics tools and debit cards.

Ashesh Jani, co-founder and CEO of Ribbon, said the company aims to build a trusted platform for customers moving across borders. “By combining strong regulatory foundations with scalable technology and responsible innovation, we are creating a financial ecosystem that enables people to move, work, and build their lives across borders with confidence,” Jani said.

Infrastructure Partnerships Grow Across Europe

The partnership comes as digital asset infrastructure providers increasingly work with fintechs and financial institutions seeking compliant access to crypto services.

Firms such as Bitpanda have expanded their B2B offerings as demand rises for custody, execution and token-based investment products within regulated frameworks.

Banco BS2 Taps Bitpanda Crypto Infrastructure

In December, Bitpanda Technology Solutions entered into a partnership with Banco BS2, becoming its first banking partner in Latin America.

Brazil’s Banco BS2 has tapped Bitpanda Technology Solutions to power its institutional crypto infrastructure.#Bitpanda #Brazilhttps://t.co/uKdH58kawZ

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) December 18, 2025

The agreement allows Banco BS2, a Brazilian digital bank focused on corporate and institutional clients, to integrate institutional-grade crypto infrastructure as it expands its digital asset offerings.

The post Bitpanda and Ribbon Plc to Roll Out Crypto Trading, Custody and Staking for UK Users appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitpanda, the popular crypto exchange, has launched a new all-in-one investing platform for users in Europe. From January 29, the platform will offer more than 10,000 stocks and ETFs, adding traditional securities to its current lineup of cryptocurrencies and precious metals. This launch strengthens Bitpanda’s role as a one-stop shop for European investors, making it easy to buy, trade, and manage different assets in one simple app.

Accessible throughout Europe, the revamped platform underscores Bitpanda’s vision of an all-assets, one-app trading experience, designed to simplify everyday investing with a focus on ease of use and low fees. In effect, all trading and portfolio management can now be done under one roof, eliminating the need to switch between multiple apps, effectively making the Bitpanda exchange a one-stop shop for European crypto and stock trading.

Bitpanda’s Platform Becomes a Unified Trading Hub for European Investors

Bitpanda’s expanded platform now brings cryptocurrencies, precious metals, and traditional securities together. As of January 29, the app will list roughly 10,000 stocks and ETFs for trading within the same interface. The company emphasizes that its goal is to simplify investing by allowing clients to manage multiple asset classes from one interface, essentially eliminating the need to juggle separate trading apps.

Thanks to fractional share support, even expensive stocks can be bought with as little as €1. It is a unified approach that means cryptocurrencies, precious metals, equities, and ETFs all reside under one virtual roof, highlighting the Bitpanda exchange’s identity as a true one-stop shop for European investors.

Each stock or ETF trade on the new platform carries a flat €1 fee, mirroring Bitpanda’s existing pricing model. The app supports both market and limit orders, and even offers automated savings plans for stocks and ETFs with zero brokerage fees, enabling customers to build their investments over time. Additionally, users can transfer entire portfolios from other brokers directly into Bitpanda, making it simple to consolidate all holdings in one place.

Limited-Time 1% Cashback on Stocks and ETFs

Bitpanda is running a special 1% cashback promotion for new stock and ETF investors. From January 29 through February 14, 2026, eligible European customers can earn 1% back on the value of their Bitpanda stock and ETF portfolios.

There are two qualifying paths: you can either transfer an existing stock or ETF portfolio into Bitpanda or build a new stock/ETF portfolio on Bitpanda. Bitpanda will then compute 1% of the final portfolio value as the cashback reward.

To qualify, customers must act by February 14, 2026. For transfers, users submit a portfolio transfer request to Bitpanda by that date. Bitpanda will then calculate 1% cashback on the final value of those assets once they reach the account (even if that occurs after the deadline).

For direct investments, any eligible stocks or ETFs bought on Bitpanda before February 14 count toward the promotion; Bitpanda applies the 1% bonus to the portfolio value at that cutoff. Users who do both will receive 1% on the combined total of their transferred and purchased portfolios.

Participants must reach a minimum portfolio of €1,000 in stocks/ETFs to earn the incentive. The maximum cashback per user is capped at €2,500, and only the first 25,000 qualifying users will receive the reward. Bitpanda will finalize all values after the campaign ends and distribute the cashback bonuses accordingly.

Bitpanda Platform: Key Features and Benefits

Founded in 2014, Bitpanda has grown into a fully European platform used by millions of investors. Headquartered in Vienna, it is licensed to operate across the EU and UK and currently serves over seven million users. The platform’s expanded offering covers a broad range of assets: roughly 10,000 tradable stocks and ETFs, plus more than 650 cryptocurrencies, indices, and precious metals.

Customers can invest from as little as €1 using fractional shares. All trades carry a flat €1 fee, with no account or custody fees. Bitpanda supports market and limit orders and even provides automated, commission-free savings plans for stocks and ETFs. Instant, free deposits are available across all popular payment methods, making it easy to fund an account. Bitpanda’s simple, intuitive interface is designed to democratize investing by letting users manage crypto, equities, ETFs and metals side-by-side.

With crypto, stocks, and precious metals all in one place, Bitpanda’s app is evolving into a truly European investing app. All in all, Bitpanda is solidifying its status as a one-stop shop for European investors seeking a unified trading solution.

Disclaimer: Execution only services for stocks, ETF, and ETC are provided by Bitpanda Financial Services GmbH. Not a public offer. Investing involves risk of loss, and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Consider your circumstances and consult an independent adviser prior to investing. Other costs (e.g. spreads, inducements, FX, product costs and taxes) may apply and reduce your returns. See the Cost Information Document before trading.

Fractions generally do not carry voting rights and cannot be transferred or certificated; in corporate actions, entitlements (including dividends) are credited on a pro‑rata basis and may be rounded down to the nearest eligible increment. Execution of fractional orders may be aggregated with other client orders. Custody of fractions in stocks, ETF, or ETC is provided on an omnibus basis in accordance with applicable client assets and safekeeping rules.

Visit Bitpanda

The post Bitpanda Launches All-in-One Investing App for Crypto, Stocks, and ETFs in Europe appeared first on Cryptonews.

Russia’s State Duma plans to finalize legislation by July 1, 2026, establishing a two-tier crypto access system that caps non-qualified investors at 300,000 rubles ($4,000) annually while granting unlimited purchasing power to qualified investors, according to Anatoly Aksakov, head of the State Duma Committee on Financial Markets, in an interview with Parlamentskaya Gazeta.

The framework, based on the Bank of Russia’s December concept submitted to the government, treats digital currencies and stablecoins as tradable currency assets while maintaining their prohibition for domestic payments.

Non-qualified investors face strict limitations beyond the annual caps; they must pass mandatory testing and restrict purchases to approved liquid cryptocurrencies through licensed intermediaries, with penalties for illegal intermediary activities taking effect July 1, 2027, mirroring sanctions for illegal banking operations.

Qualified investors encounter no volume restrictions but must undergo testing to demonstrate risk understanding, and cannot acquire anonymous tokens that conceal transaction recipients.

Anatoly Aksakov, Chairperson of the Committee for Financial Markets of the State Duma of the Russian Federation. | Source: forum-zauralye

Approved Lists and Privacy Coin Exclusions

The Central Bank will likely compile approved cryptocurrency lists featuring the top 5-10 most traded assets on major exchanges, according to Alexandra Fedotova, a lawyer at White Stone.

“These will definitely include BTC and ETH. They might also add SOL or TON, given their popularity in our country,” Fedotova explained in the Parlamentskaya Gazeta interview.

Privacy-focused cryptocurrencies face explicit exclusion from the regulated market regardless of investor qualification.

“The Central Bank explicitly states: you cannot buy coins that conceal their intended recipients,” Fedotova said.

“For example, Monero (XMR), Zcash (ZEC), and Dash. After all, if you can’t construct a transaction graph and see where the money came from, such an asset won’t pass AML (anti-money laundering) checks.“

Despite domestic restrictions, Russian residents will be permitted to purchase cryptocurrencies on foreign platforms using overseas accounts and transfer previously acquired assets abroad through Russian intermediaries.

However, such transactions require tax service notification, a provision that extends crypto participation beyond Russia’s borders while maintaining regulatory oversight.

Infrastructure Readiness Meets Persistent Payment Restrictions

Crypto transactions will operate through existing licensed infrastructure, as exchanges, brokers, and trustees leverage existing licenses, while specialized depositories and exchangers face new regulatory requirements.

Moscow Exchange and St. Petersburg Exchange confirmed readiness to launch crypto trading once the legislative framework is activated by mid-2026, with St. Petersburg Exchange emphasizing it already possesses “the necessary technological infrastructure for trading and settlements,” according to reports from late December.

Russia's major stock exchanges confirm readiness for regulated crypto trading by mid-2026 as legislative framework approaches implementation deadline.#Russia #Cryptohttps://t.co/rZhcnzIhjn

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

Exchangers will require licensing under the new framework, transforming previously unregulated operations into illegal activities without proper authorization.

The regulatory approach aims to protect investors through institutional oversight while acknowledging continued risks.

“But even if this restriction is introduced, nothing prevents users from purchasing these cryptocurrencies on a foreign exchange, as everyone does now,” Fedotova noted.

“But in that case, they will bear all the risks. By working within the established rules, they will be protected.“

The Central Bank continues to classify cryptocurrencies as high-risk instruments (unissued and unguaranteed by any jurisdiction, while subject to increased volatility and sanctions risks), maintaining that investors assume potential loss risks when entering crypto markets.

Implementation Timeline Follows Growing Economic Integration

The State Duma has already begun developing the legislative framework defining rules for the creation, mining, and circulation of cryptocurrencies, alongside domestic payment prohibitions.

Aksakov stated that the bill’s first reading could occur within the next month, with administrative, financial, and potentially criminal liability for illegal market activity to be addressed through separate legislation.

The 300,000-ruble annual limit for non-qualified investors remains subject to adjustment during parliamentary discussions.

“Nequals will only be able to operate on a limited scale, with the figure of 300,000 rubles currently being discussed. But perhaps the amount will change during the discussions,” Aksakov suggested.

The regulatory push follows Russia’s emergence as Europe’s largest crypto market by transaction volume, recording $376.3 billion between July 2024 and June 2025 according to Chainalysis data, surpassing the United Kingdom’s $273.2 billion.

Source: Chainalysis

Russia’s crypto adoption spans beyond trading speculation into mining operations, accounting for over 16% of global hashrate and generating approximately 1 billion rubles daily.

Recently, Senior Kremlin official Maxim Oreshkin argued that crypto mining should be classified as an export activity despite the absence of physical cross-border movement.

The Constitutional Court’s January 20, 2026, ruling resolved legal complications, as courts had previously denied protection for undeclared digital currency rights, a position Fedotova deemed unfounded.

The post Russia Limits Crypto Buyers to $4,000 Annually – Will Others Follow? appeared first on Cryptonews.

The crypto-focused political action committee Fairshake closed 2025 with $193 million in fundraising, arming the group with a sizable war chest as Congress prepares to vote on landmark cryptocurrency legislation and the 2026 US midterms begin to take shape.

Key Takeaways:

Fairshake raised $193 million, strengthening its influence ahead of US crypto legislation and the 2026 midterms.

Donations from Ripple, a16z and Coinbase powered the fundraising surge.

New crypto-backed PACs are intensifying competition in US political spending.

The total combines funds raised directly by Fairshake and its affiliated committees, including Democrat-aligned Protect Progress and Republican-backed Defend American Jobs, according to CNBC.

The structure allows the network to support candidates across party lines, a strategy it says is aimed at building broad support for digital asset policy in Washington.

Ripple, a16z and Coinbase Fuel Fairshake’s Fundraising Surge

Two large donations in the second half of last year pushed the tally sharply higher.

Blockchain firm Ripple contributed $25 million, while venture capital heavyweight Andreessen Horowitz added $24 million through its crypto arm, a16z.

Earlier in 2025, Coinbase donated $25 million, shortly before Fairshake disclosed it had already accumulated $141 million.

The fundraising figure nearly matches what Fairshake collected during the entire 2024 election cycle.

Federal Election Commission data show the PAC spent about $195 million last cycle, backing candidates it viewed as supportive of digital assets.

That spending coincided with Congress passing initial “rules of the road” legislation for stablecoins, a development the industry has pointed to as evidence of its growing influence.

Attention has now shifted to a broader digital asset bill that lawmakers have been negotiating for months.

Part of the proposal is scheduled to receive its first vote this week in the Senate Agriculture Committee, while a parallel section under the Senate Banking Committee has been delayed amid ongoing disagreements.

The crypto industry is gearing up early for 2026.

Fairshake, crypto’s main PAC, says it now holds ~$193M for the midterm elections — already more than last cycle.
New money includes $25M from Ripple and $24M from a16z, on top of $25M from Coinbase. pic.twitter.com/Wnwde8EIkf

— Unchained (@Unchained_pod) January 28, 2026

Fairshake reported spending more than $130 million on media buys during the 2024 federal elections, promoting candidates it labeled “pro-crypto” and targeting opponents it considered hostile to the sector.

While it was among the largest crypto-backed spenders last cycle, it now faces a more crowded field.

Several industry-linked PACs emerged in 2025. Entities associated with exchanges Gemini and Crypto.com disclosed a combined $21 million donation to a pro-Trump super PAC, while Gemini co-founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss separately sent $21 million worth of Bitcoin to the Digital Freedom Fund PAC.

Crypto exchange Kraken also committed $2 million to pro-crypto political efforts.

Fairshake has already tested the waters in 2025, spending more than $2 million on special House elections in Virginia and Florida.

US Crypto Market Bill Faces Delay as 2026 Midterms Loom

A major push to establish a unified regulatory framework for digital assets in the United States could stall as lawmakers turn their focus to the 2026 midterm elections, according to a warning from TD Cowen.

The bank said growing political risk may slow progress on the sweeping crypto market structure bill now moving through Congress.

TD Cowen’s Washington Research Group said the legislation is increasingly likely to pass in 2027 rather than this year, with full implementation potentially slipping to 2029.

Analysts warned that Senate Democrats may hesitate to support the bill ahead of elections that could reshape control of Congress, opting instead to delay key decisions until after the vote.

The post Crypto PAC Fairshake Raises $193M Ahead of Key US Crypto Vote appeared first on Cryptonews.

Digital asset banking group Sygnum has completed the seed phase of the Starboard Sygnum BTC Alpha Fund. In the first four months, they raised more than 750 Bitcoin (BTC) from investors.

This response from professional and institutional investors, the press release says, shows “growing interest in actively managed Bitcoin strategies.” More specifically, these strategies can generate yield independent of spot price movements, Sygnum says.

The BTC Alpha Fund utilises institutional-grade service providers. Qualified professional investors in approved markets, including Switzerland and Singapore, can leverage its services.

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

The partners claim that the fund enables investors to grow BTC holdings over time while maintaining full exposure to the long-term price potential of the world’s number one crypto.

“The strategy captures pricing dislocations across major crypto markets by leveraging arbitrage opportunities between spot and derivatives instruments,” they explain.

At the same time, it maintains “a market-neutral exposure that seeks to limit reliance on Bitcoin’s day-to-day price movements.”

Moreover, the fund is integrated with Sygnum’s banking services. Select clients can access fund shares as collateral for USD Lombard Loans, therefore accessing “liquidity for other opportunities without selling their fund positions.”

This offer aims to solve what the team sees as an issue for long-term Bitcoin holders.

Nikolas Skarlatos of Starboard Digital Strategies commented that “generating yield on Bitcoin and still maintaining exposure to its appreciation potential has been a persistent challenge for institutional investors.”

You may also like:

Sygnum Crypto Bank Launches Bitcoin Yield Fund Targeting 8%–10% Returns

Swiss digital asset bank Sygnum has introduced a new fund offering investors the ability to earn yield on their Bitcoin holdings while maintaining full price exposure. The BTC Alpha Fund, launched in collaboration with Athens-based Starboard Digital, employs arbitrage trading strategies to target annual returns between 8% and 10%, paid directly in Bitcoin. The fund is domiciled in the Cayman Islands and is designed for institutional and professional investors. It allows participants...

Q4 Sees Annualised 8.9% Net Return

Sygnum cited a report that stated 68% of institutional investors have invested in BTC exchange-traded products or plan to do so. Interest in professionally managed, yield-generating strategies is increasing.

This is what the BTC Alpha Fund provides, it says.

Sygnum and Starboard Digital Strategies launched the Starboard Sygnum BTC Alpha Fund in October 2025. Starboard Digital is an Athens-based team that designs and operates proprietary and regulated asset solutions, market-neutral strategies, and tailored investment products.

News: Swiss Bank Sygnum Launches BTC Alpha Fund in collaboration with Starboard Digital to Generate Yield on Bitcoin

New fund enables investors to maintain Bitcoin price exposure while targeting 8-10% annual target returns through arbitrage trading strategies converted into… pic.twitter.com/M4poe8lit3

— Sygnum Bank (@sygnumofficial) October 1, 2025

Upon its launch, the fund’s stated target was 8%-10% annual returns in BTC through market-neutral arbitrage trading.

Per this latest press release, the fund delivered an annualised 8.9% net return in BTC for the last quarter of 2025.

Per Markus Hämmerli, head of the BTC Alpha Fund, “the fund’s Q4 performance demonstrates that professional Bitcoin management can deliver meaningful results even when spot markets are flat or declining.”

Notably, the teams note that investors are turning “from pure directional calls to generating additional returns that can hold up across different market conditions.”

This comes at the time when exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows “swing sharply,” and spot BTC is seeing “a structurally declining volatility.”

The team behind it says that they designed the novel fund specifically for those investors pursuing yield within an institutional-grade structure. It offers monthly liquidity and keeps assets off-exchange.

“As Bitcoin becomes a core portfolio allocation for institutional investors, we’re seeing growing demand for strategies that can generate returns beyond simple price appreciation,” Hämmerli concludes.

You may also like:

Incoming Demand Shock and Multiplier Effect: Crypto Market Preparing for Strong Momentum, Says Sygnum CIO Fabian Dori

In an interview with Cryptonews.com, Fabian Dori, CIO at digital asset bank Sygnum, discusses a potential long-term demand shock, the power of “the multiplier effect”, shrinking BTC liquid supply, expanding ETF demand, the effect the shift has on the crypto market, and more. In a recent email, Dori argued that the crypto market is potentially in for a long-term demand shock, not short-term speculative flows. This follows significant regulatory progress, specifically in the US, which has...

The post Sygnum Bank Raises 750 BTC For Bitcoin Yield Fund appeared first on Cryptonews.

Numărul de portofele XRP care dețin mai mult de 1 milion de tokenuri a crescut constant de la începutul anului, chiar dacă prețul tokenului a scăzut ușor, o tendință pe care analiștii spun că ar putea indica o încredere pe termen lung în îmbunătățire a activului.

Puncte cheie:

Portofelele XRP „milioanare” cresc din nou în ciuda unei scăderi modeste a prețului, semnalând o încredere reînnoită pe termen lung în rândul deținătorilor mari.

Accumularea de balene a revenit după o scădere abruptă în T4, cu 42 de portofele mari revenind din ianuarie.

Firma de trezorerie Bitcoin Strive a declarat că a răscumpărat cea mai mare parte a datoriei pe care a asumat-o în urma achiziției recente a Semler Scientific și a adăugat la deținerile sale de Bitcoin după închiderea unei oferte de acțiuni preferențiale.

Principalele concluzii:

Strive a răscumpărat 92% din datoria moștenită în urma achiziției Semler Scientific și a cumpărat 334 de Bitcoin.

Cererea puternică a dus la creșterea acțiunilor preferențiale la 225 milioane de dolari, finanțând achizițiile de Bitcoin fără un efect de levier suplimentar.

Compania deține acum 13,132 BTC în valoare de aproximativ 1,17 miliarde de dolari, plasând-o printre cei mai mari deținători corporativi de Bitcoin.

The White House is convening executives from Coinbase, banks, and crypto lobbying groups on February 2, 2026, to resolve disputes over the stalled CLARITY Act, a key crypto market structure bill.

First reported by Reuters, the summit will be hosted by the administration’s crypto council, and is expected to meet executives from several trade groups.

Further, sources familiar with the matter told the publication that the meeting will focus on ⁠how the bill treats interest ‍and rewards on dollar-pegged stablecoins held by customers.

A compromise on the proposal has still not been reached, despite nearly two weeks of negotiations, insiders noted. If no agreement is reached by Monday, the meeting is likely to be delayed, they added.

Exclusive: The White House will meet with executives from the banking and cryptocurrency industries on Monday to discuss a path forward for landmark crypto legislation that stalled due to a clash between the two powerful sectors, sources told Reuters https://t.co/VYSlQUGN5i

— Reuters (@Reuters) January 28, 2026

Coinbase Rep to be Present at White House Meeting

Bloomberg reported on Thursday that a representative from Coinbase will also be present at the said gathering.

The meeting arrives after the work on the crypto bill – called the CLARITY Act – stalled due to Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, who publicly withdrew support for the draft legislation in mid-January.

Hours after Coinbase pulled out, Committee Chairman Tim Scott said that the markup of the legislation would be postponed to a new date.

Cryptonews reported last week that the long-awaited landmark crypto market structure bill would be delayed until late February or March.

That said, key crypto industry players have been pushing for the urgent passage of the legislation. Patrick Witt, White House Executive Director of the President’s Crypto Council, called for immediate implementation of the bill.

Besides, Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan on Wednesday warned that failure to pass comprehensive regulation would force digital assets into what he described as a “show me” period.

Senate Agriculture Committee Crypto Bill Progress – Here’s What Next

Separately, the Senate Agriculture Committee released its own version of that market structure bill. The committee has rescheduled its crypto market structure markup for Thursday, due to a winter storm in Washington, D.C.

Additionally, digital-asset advocacy group Blockchain Association recently thanked the White House for “bringing stakeholders from both sides of the table to work toward a compromise on stablecoin rewards.”

“Any lasting and effective market structure legislation must reflect bipartisan engagement and collaboration on both sides of the aisle,” said CEO Summer Mersinger in a statement released last week. “We strongly support lawmakers working together to deliver a solution that provides regulatory clarity, protects consumers, and supports responsible innovation.”

The post White House to Host Talks With Crypto, Banking Execs on Stalled Digital Asset Markets Bill appeared first on Cryptonews.

Piața criptomonedelor rămâne sub presiune, cu pierderi răspândite în majoritatea tokenurilor și sectoarelor majore pe măsură ce corecția mai amplă continuă. Datele de la SoSoValue arată că Bitcoin a scăzut cu 0.80%, tranzacționându-se sub 89,000 $, în timp ce Ethereum a scăzut cu 0.62% sub 3,000 $. Creșterile anterioare din sectoarele AI, active din lumea reală (RWA) și finanțe centralizate (CeFi) s-au dovedit a fi de scurtă durată și au dispărut în mare parte până la momentul redactării, lăsând sentimentul pieței în general negativ. Deși tokenuri selecte precum Worldcoin, Kite și Jito au înregistrat mișcări individuale puternice, aceste avansuri nu au reușit să compenseze slăbiciunea din segmentele Layer 1, Layer 2, DeFi, PayFi și memecoin. În general, indicii sectoriali reflectă o piață care se străduiește să găsească o direcție în mijlocul unei presiuni de vânzare persistente.

Tokenization changes the format, not the legal identity, of a stock or bond.

That is the core message from US securities regulators, who say tokenized versions of traditional financial instruments still fall under federal securities laws, regardless of the technology used.

In a staff statement published Wednesday, the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance, Division of Investment Management, and Division of Trading and Markets said they are trying to give market participants clearer guardrails as tokenization moves from pilots to real products.

The statement defines tokenized securities as instruments already covered by the legal definition of a security, presented as a crypto asset, with ownership recorded wholly or partly through crypto networks.

The SEC said tokenized securities fall into two categories: issuer-sponsored and third-party sponsored. Issuer-sponsored tokenized securities are treated the same as traditional securities. Third-party tokenized securities may not provide holders with rights to the underlying…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) January 28, 2026

SEC Maps Risks Across Tokenization Structures

The staff split the landscape into two broad categories, issuer-sponsored tokenization and third-party tokenization. In the issuer-led model, the company or its agent ties on-chain transfers to its official shareholder records, effectively swapping a conventional database for an onchain recordkeeping system while keeping the same legal obligations around offering, selling, and reporting.

It also described structures where the token does not itself carry the underlying rights and instead works as a mechanism that triggers an offchain update to official ownership records. In that setup, the blockchain layer may help coordinate transfers, yet the security and its legal treatment remain anchored in the issuer’s offchain books.

The more complicated branch is third-party tokenization, where a firm unaffiliated with the issuer creates a crypto asset tied to someone else’s security. The SEC staff said these models vary widely, and they can introduce additional risks, including exposure to the third party’s financial health, such as bankruptcy, that direct holders of the underlying security may not face in the same way.

Regulators Flag Risks in Swap-Like Token Structures

The statement said regulators have observed two common third-party approaches. One is custodial tokenization, where the underlying security sits in custody and the token represents an entitlement or indirect interest.

The other is synthetic tokenization, where the token represents the third party’s own instrument that tracks an underlying security, such as a linked security or a security-based swap, with its own set of securities law implications.

On security-based swaps, the staff noted that offerings to people who are not eligible contract participants can trigger additional requirements, including registration and exchange-trading conditions. The point, again, is that wrapping an exposure in a token does not remove it from long-standing market rules.

The guidance lands as big names test how tokenized securities might work inside regulated rails. Last week, F/m Investments filed with the SEC seeking approval to record ownership of tokenized shares of its Treasury bill ETF on a permissioned blockchain, as asset managers and exchanges press for faster settlement and round-the-clock functionality without stepping outside existing investor protections.

The SEC staff framed its statement as a compliance road map rather than a green light, and it encouraged firms to engage with the agency as they prepare registrations, proposals, or requests for action.

The post SEC Warns Tokenization Is Not A Workaround For Securities Compliance appeared first on Cryptonews.

Bitcoin s-a menținut aproape de $88,000 la începutul zilei de joi, în timp ce piețele asiatice s-au relaxat după o perioadă fierbinte în tehnologie, iar investitorii și-au îndreptat atenția către câștiguri, semnalele băncilor centrale și o nouă creștere a aurului.

Shanghai a crescut cu 0.21% iar DJ Shanghai a câștigat 0.22%, în timp ce SZSE Component a scăzut cu 0.10% și China A50 a scăzut cu 0.20%. Hong Kong s-a evidențiat deoarece Hang Seng a sărit cu 1.22%.

Prezentare generală a pieței

Bitcoin: $88,527, down 0.7%

Ether: $2,990, down 0.6%

XRP: $1.89, down 0.1%

Capitalizarea totală a pieței cripto: $3.08 trilioane, down 0.6%

Piețele sunt frământate între speranțele tehnologice și incertitudinea macroeconomică