Pakistan signs MoU with World Liberty affiliate to explore stablecoin-based cross-border payments.USD1 stablecoin may integrate with Pakistan’s regulated payments system as digital finance efforts expand.Deal highlights Pakistan’s push to become a key digital payments hub amid rising global stablecoin adoption.Pakistan’s federal government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SC Financial Technologies LLC, an affiliated entity of World Liberty Financial, to explore using World Liberty’s stablecoin for cross-border payments.The announcement was made by the Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA), which described the agreement as enabling “dialogue and technical understanding around emerging digital payment architectures.”The MoU comes amid a visit to Pakistan by Zach Witkoff, co-founder and chief executive of World Liberty and son of US special envoy Steve Witkoff.During his visit, Witkoff met senior Pakistani stakeholders to discuss how countries are approaching secure, compliant, and transparent digital payment infrastructure, including innovations in cross-border settlement and foreign exchange processes.“Our focus is to stay ahead of the curve by engaging with credible global players, understanding new financial models, and ensuring that innovation, where explored, is aligned with regulation, stability, and national interest,” said Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.Industry observers note that this marks World Liberty Financial’s second engagement with Pakistan, reinforcing the country’s positioning as a potential early-stage partner for exploring new digital payment models, including the USD1 stablecoin.The MoU builds on earlier efforts, including a Letter of Intent signed in April with the Pakistan Crypto Council, which laid the groundwork for knowledge-sharing and ecosystem-level dialogue around emerging financial technologies.Stablecoin integration and global finance implicationsUnder the agreement, SC Financial Technologies will work with Pakistan’s central bank to integrate the USD1 stablecoin into a regulated digital payments structure.This would allow the token to operate alongside Pakistan’s own digital currency infrastructure, potentially providing a new framework for cross-border settlement.Stablecoins—digital tokens typically pegged to the US dollar—have expanded rapidly in global markets.Under President Donald Trump, federal regulations in the United States have been widely viewed as supportive of the sector.Countries worldwide are increasingly examining how stablecoins can complement existing payment systems, with regulatory compliance becoming a key consideration for global adoption.World Liberty’s engagement with sovereign states has already demonstrated impact in other markets.Reuters previously reported that in May, the state-controlled Abu Dhabi investment company MGX used World Liberty’s stablecoin to acquire a $2 billion equity stake in Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.Pakistan’s growing digital finance ecosystemPakistan has actively pursued initiatives to strengthen its digital finance ecosystem.The PVARA highlighted that the country is emerging as a compelling frontier market for digital payments, supported by over $38 billion in annual remittance inflows, a rapidly growing digital economy, an estimated 40 million crypto users, and an annual trading volume of up to $300 billion in digital assets.Recent regulatory steps include the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to Binance and HTX, allowing both platforms to initiate local incorporation in under five months—a faster timeline than in many other jurisdictions.The visits of Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, and Justin Sun, founder of TRON, reflect ongoing international interest in Pakistan’s regulatory framework and growing digital finance market.PVARA stated that with sustained global engagement and a structured, regulation-first approach, Pakistan is increasingly viewed as a market to watch in the evolution of digital finance, particularly…

Almost three million people signed a parliamentary petition opposing mandatory digital ID cards.Digital right-to-work checks will remain mandatory under the updated policy approach.The UK digital ID scheme, expected around 2029, will be offered as optional alongside electronic alternatives.The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has dropped plans to make a centralised digital ID mandatory for workers, stepping back from a proposal that would have changed how employees prove their right to work.Under the original plan, workers would have been required to use a government-issued digital credential, rather than relying on traditional documents such as passports.The reversal follows months of criticism from politicians and civil liberties campaigners, as well as a large-scale public response that questioned whether employment access should depend on one centralised system.Critics warn of surveillance and data security risksThe mandatory digital ID proposal drew backlash from opponents across the political spectrum, including UK Member of Parliament Rupert Lowe and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.Civil liberties groups and campaigners also raised concerns about how a centralised identifier could be used over time.Opponents warned it could lead to an “Orwellian nightmare” by giving the state a stronger ability to monitor citizens.Another major fear was that centralising sensitive personal data could create a single “honeypot” vulnerable to hacking and misuse.Critics also pointed to the risk of mission creep, where a scheme launched for employment checks could gradually expand into other areas, including housing, banking, and voting.Petition pressure forces a policy climbdownPublic resistance to mandatory digital ID became visible through formal political channels.Almost three million people signed a parliamentary petition opposing digital ID cards, making the issue difficult for ministers to ignore.Lowe celebrated the policy shift in a video posted on X, saying he was off for “a very large drink to celebrate the demise of mandatory Digital ID”.Farage also backed the rollback, calling it “a victory for individual liberty against a ghastly, authoritarian government”.Digital right-to-work checks stay mandatory from governmentDespite dropping plans for a mandatory digital ID credential, officials say digital right-to-work checks will remain mandatory.That means the government is still committed to keeping employment verification in a digital process, even if it is no longer built around a single government ID system.When the UK’s digital ID scheme launches around 2029, it is now expected to be optional rather than compulsory.Instead of becoming the only approved route for proving work eligibility, it will be offered alongside alternative electronic documentation.Digital euro, EU identity, and crypto privacy debates returnThe UK’s partial rollback is also feeding into wider debates about digital control systems, including central bank digital currencies and the European Central Bank’s digital euro project.In those discussions, civil society groups and some lawmakers have argued for strict privacy guarantees rather than systems that could allow broad traceability.At the same time, the European Union is moving ahead with its own digital identity framework and digital euro work, while exploring privacy-preserving designs.One approach includes using zero-knowledge proofs, allowing citizens to prove attributes such as age or residency without revealing their full personal information.These designs connect to decentralised identity tools and privacy-preserving blockchain technologies, including zero-knowledge credential systems and privacy-enhancing smart contract structures.The aim is to support compliance while minimising how much personal data is exposed or stored in one place.Privacy-focused crypto tools have also remained in focus, including privacy coins such as Zcash (ZEC) and Monero (XMR), alongside decentralised identity protocols.Interest in these tools has continued…

XRP price jumps 3.5% after Ripple gains Luxembourg EMI license approval.XRP’s trading volume has surged 74%, signalling strong market and institutional interest.The immediate XRP price support lies at $2.08, while the immediate resistance is at $2.29.Ripple has secured preliminary approval for an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Luxembourg’s financial regulator, the CSSF.The milestone positions Ripple to expand Ripple Payments across the European Union, bringing institutional-grade digital asset infrastructure to the region.We’ve secured our preliminary Electronic Money Institution license approval from Luxembourg’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). 🇪🇺This is a pivotal step toward scaling Ripple Payments across the EU, bringing institutional-grade digital asset infrastructure… pic.twitter.com/GW3c9gVhDs— Ripple (@Ripple) January 14, 2026The market reacted positively to the news, with XRP price climbing 3.5% over the last 24 hours, slightly outperforming the broader crypto market’s 3.37% gain.Trading volume also surged 74% to $4.65 billion, reflecting strong investor and institutional interest.Ripple’s European expansionThis EMI license is a critical step for Ripple in scaling regulated payment services across Europe.Luxembourg’s regulatory framework allows Ripple to passport its services across the EU and EEA under the upcoming MiCA regulations.Ripple now has over 75 licenses and registrations worldwide and has processed more than $95 billion in transactions.The company emphasises its role in bridging legacy finance with digital assets to unlock trillions in dormant capital.With the EU leading in digital asset regulation, Ripple aims to help institutions move from pilot programs to commercial-scale operations.The Luxembourg EMI license reinforces Ripple’s commitment to regulatory compliance, which could accelerate institutional adoption of XRP.XRP price movementFollowing the announcement, XRP price surged to $2.14, with a 24-hour range of $2.06 to $2.18.The cryptocurrency crossed key technical thresholds, including the 7-day and 30-day SMAs, signalling bullish momentum.The MACD histogram turned positive, while RSI remains at 61.63, indicating the market is not overbought.XRP price analysisXRP technical analysis | Source: TradingViewHigh volume confirms the breakout, reducing volatility risks and suggesting strong market conviction.XRP’s gains were supported by a broader crypto market rally, with Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) posting 3.1% and 3.0% gains, respectively.The Fear & Greed Index at 52 reflected neutral sentiment, allowing XRP to slightly outperform its peers.XRP price forecastTraders should watch $2.08 as immediate support, which is critical for sustaining the recent rally.The first major resistance sits at $2.19, followed by $2.29 and $2.36.Holding above $2.08 could see XRP test these resistance levels, while a drop below may open the path to $2.00.The Luxembourg EMI license approval adds a fundamental catalyst that could support XRP’s price in the medium term.With regulatory clarity and institutional adoption on the rise, XRP is poised to capture further upside in the European market.Investors and traders should, however, closely monitor whether XRP can maintain strong volume above $3.5 billion, which would validate its breakout and signal continued bullish momentum.The post XRP price jumps as Ripple secures Luxembourg EMI license appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Key takeawaysXMR has hit an all-time high price of $716 after adding 4% to its value in the last 24 hours.The rally comes as privacy tokens have been recording gains since the start of the year.XMR continues its rally, hits an ATH of $716Monero (XMR) continued its excellent start to the year after hitting a new all-time high. The coin has added more than 4% to its value in the last 24 hours to hit an all-time high of $716 a few hours ago.At press time, XMR has slightly retraced to now trade at $708 per coin. The rally means that XMR has added more than 50% to its value in the last seven days, outperforming other cryptocurrencies in the top 20.Thanks to the ongoing rally, Monero is now the 12th-largest cryptocurrency, with a market cap close to $13 billion.  However, crypto analytics platform Santiment has warned investors that the rising FOMO surrounding Monero could be risky. According to Santiment, XMR’s social dominance peaked on Sunday, while development activity has declined.“If you are looking for an entry point, consider doing so after social hype and FOMO wears off slightly,” Santiment added. The coin is currently facing a retracement after hitting the all-time high price. XMR could rally higher amid growing FOMOThe XMR/USD 4-hour chart is bullish and efficient thanks to Monero adding 50% to its value in the last seven days. The coin is trading at $708 per coin and could rally higher in the near term. The momentum indicators are in the overbought region, which could result in Monero undergoing a correction. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 84 shows that XMR is overbought, signaling heightened bullish momentum. Overbought conditions in the RSI often lead to a short-term correction, as evidenced by XMR’s recent moves.XMR/USD 4H ChartThe MACD lines are also in the bullish zone, adding more confluence to the market conditions. If the rally continues, XMR could hit an all-time high of $750 or more in the near term. However, if the market undergoes a correction, the leading privacy coin could retrace towards the support level at $601.The post Monero price prediction: XMR hits an all-time high of $716 appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Bitwise’s spot Chainlink ETF offers direct LINK exposure via NYSE Arca.The ETF trades as CLNK with a 0.34% fee and an early fee waiver.The ETF approval signals rising acceptance of altcoin ETFs in the US.Bitwise Asset Management has received approval to list its Chainlink ETF on the NYSE Arca.This launch opens a new avenue for US investors to gain exposure to Chainlink (LINK) without directly holding the cryptocurrency.Trading for the ETF, which will carry the ticker CLNK, is expected to begin as soon as tomorrow.The Bitwise Chainlink ETFThe Bitwise Chainlink ETF is a spot ETF, meaning it directly holds LINK tokens.Therefore, investors can now participate in LINK’s potential upside through traditional brokerage accounts.This approach eliminates the complexities of self-custody, private keys, and wallets that come with holding crypto directly.Initially, the ETF will not offer staking services, but Bitwise plans to explore staking as a future feature.In addition, the fund comes with a management fee of 0.34% annually, which is in line with many similar investment products.To attract early investors, Bitwise will waive sponsor fees for the first three months on up to $500 million of assets under management.This incentive is designed to encourage adoption and build liquidity in the ETF at launch.A new chapter for crypto ETFsThe approval of the Chainlink ETF reflects growing regulatory acceptance of cryptocurrency-based financial products.It follows a broader trend of institutional investors seeking regulated exposure to alternative cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.By listing on the NYSE Arca, Bitwise ensures the ETF meets strict regulatory standards and offers a familiar investment framework.The market response has been positive, with LINK prices experiencing a boost as investor sentiment rises.This development may also set the stage for other altcoin ETFs to enter the US market in the near future.Investors now have a streamlined way to add Chainlink to their portfolios through a regulated vehicle.Moreover, the ETF’s fee incentives and potential staking features make it an attractive option for both retail and institutional participants.The approval of CLNK is particularly significant because it highlights the growing acceptance of altcoins in mainstream finance.It demonstrates that regulators are willing to permit direct investment in specific cryptocurrencies via structured products.This move also bridges the gap between the crypto market and traditional finance, providing a more secure and accessible entry point.As investors monitor the ETF’s performance, the broader crypto ecosystem may experience a ripple effect.For Chainlink, this listing could increase adoption and market interest, potentially impacting token liquidity and price discovery.At press time, Chainlink’s native token LINK was already up 5.15%, trading at $13.91, showing the ETF approval has had a positive impact on the altcoin.The post Bitwise’s Chainlink ETF approved for listing on NYSE Arca appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Key takeawaysHedera is up 6.5% in the last 24 hours and is now trading above $0.12.The coin could rally towards $0.145 amid growing ETF inflow.ETF inflow boosts HBAR’s sentimentHBAR, the native coin of the Hedera blockchain, is up 6.5% in the last 24 hours and is now trading at $0.123 per coin. The rally makes it one of the best performers among the top 30 cryptocurrencies by market cap.The positive performance is fueled by growing institutional demand. According to SoSoValue, Hedera spot ETFs recorded an inflow of $817,770 inflow of Tuesday, marking the third consecutive positive flow since last week. If these inflows intensify, HBAR could extend its ongoing price rally. In addition to that, data obtained fromCryptoQuant shows that HBAR’s spot and futures markets have large whale orders, signaling a potential rally ahead.CoinGlass’s data also shows that HBAR’s long-to-short ratio reads 1.06 on Wednesday, the highest level in over a month. The ratio crossing one reflects bullish sentiment in the market, with more traders taking long positions over short. HBAR could extend gains towards $0.145The HBAR/USD 4-hour chart is currently bullish after Hedera extended its value above $0.12 earlier this year. At press time, HBAR is nearing the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $0.127.If the bulls push HBAR’s daily candle to close above the 50-day EMA, it could extend its gains towards the $0.145 resistance level. An extended rally could see HABR retest the upper trendline boundary of the wedge pattern at around $0.152.HBAR/USD 4H ChartThe RSI on the 4-hour chart is at 58, above the neutral 50 level, indicating bullish momentum is gaining traction. Moreover, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) shows a bullish crossover that remains intact.On the flip side, if HBAR undergoes a correction, it could extend the decline toward the weekly support level below $0.1The post HBAR eyes $0.145 as ETF inflows boost sentiment appeared first on CoinJournal.

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MANTRA has announced major team reductions after a challenging 2025.The restructuring aims to enhance capital efficiency and focus more on core business operations.OM token was priced around $0.076 at the time of writing.MANTRA, a layer-1 blockchain focused on real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, has announced plans for a restructuring, with major layoffs impacting the team.The decision comes as MANTRA looks to turn the corner following a challenging past year, said Mantra chief executive officer and founder John Patrick Mullin. He described the move as one of the most difficult decisions in the company’s history, with this coming as the native token OM hovered around $0.076. The cryptocurrency crashed from its highs of $8.5 in February 2025.MANTRA eyes 2026 rebound with key restructuringAccording to Mullin, the restructuring will primarily impact support functions such as business development, marketing, human resources, and other non-core roles. The layoffs are part of the organizational overhaul that also targets broader operations, resource utilization, and other moves. “As part of this strategic shift for MANTRA in 2026, we aim to be leaner overall, streamlining operations, focusing our resources, and committing to disciplined execution,” he added.The company cites several factors for this difficult decision, including the “incredibly unfortunate and frankly unfair events” of April 2025. At the time, the OM token experienced a dramatic 90%+ price collapse in a flash crash that wiped out billions in market value, triggered by a combination of forced liquidations on centralized exchanges. Manipulation issues rose and rapid sell-offs amid low liquidity hit the project. “The prolonged market downturn, increased competition, and shifting market dynamics have made our cost structure unsustainable relative to our near-term realities,” Mullin noted.MANTRA’s potentialDespite the many setbacks and challenges, Mullin says the team is upbeat and is ready to build on prior achievements. In the X post, he outlined a belief that the MANTRA Chain has the potential to drive innovation and adoption within the real-world assets market.Streamlining operations, cutting non-essential spending, and redirecting resources toward core priorities will allow MANTRA to deliver disciplined execution. The goal remains that the project should be able to relentlessly ship products as it curves a path towards profitability and sustainability. However, the announcement has elicited mixed reactions, with some community members praising the transparency while others have expressed outright concern. Mullin says he does not plan to quit the project and that the team will share more details on its streamlined priorities and operating rhythm in the coming weeks. The native token, which hit an all-time high of $9.04 in February 2025, had hit intraday highs of $0.082 as of writing on Jan. 14, 2026.The post MANTRA announces team layoffs amid company restructuring appeared first on CoinJournal.

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ENA price has surged 6% as bulls eye a breakout above $0.24.Upbit and Bithumb have listed Ethena USD (USDe).Arthur Hayes has shared a fresh prediction for the ENA price, noting a potential surge to $1.Ethena (ENA) surged on Wednesday as cryptocurrencies bounced, and amid major South Korean cryptocurrency exchanges’ listing of the synthetic stablecoin Ethena USD (USDe).The fresh dose of optimism around Ethena’s governance token ENA saw prominent investor Arthur Hayes express a strong bullish conviction as he predicted a potential spike to $1.Ethena price gains as Upbit and Bithumb list USDeSouth Korea’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, Upbit and Bithumb, have both added support for Ethena’s USDe.The platforms announced the listings on Wednesday, which means USDe is now supported on two of Asia’s most active trading markets.Upbit now supports USDe pairs against KRW, BTC, and USDT, while Bithumb confirmed the listing of the USDe/KRW market.These listings mean enhanced liquidity, accessibility, and adoption of USDe in a market where fiat-to-crypto trading volumes are often substantial.Upbit’s listing of tokens has historically coincided with a price surge for the respective cryptocurrencies.ENA, the governance token of the Ethena protocol, could ride this bullish outlook to new highs.As of writing, ENA traded around $0.24, up 7% in the past 24 hours. Trading volume jumped 160% to over $389 million while USDe saw a 48% increase in volume as  the listings went live.ENA’s price reached intraday highs of $0.25 amid this volume surge.ENA Price ChartEthena price chart by CoinMarketCapArthur Hayes sees ENA price rallying to $1Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX and an influential crypto investor, is optimistic that the ENA price will go parabolic in the short term.The entrepreneur, who has previously backed Ethena to explode, shared his latest prediction in a post on X, noting “it’s time for $ENA = $1.”This aligns with Hayes’ other bold market calls, having accumulated ENA during dips.His latest commentary suggests that increased exchange support, particularly in high-volume markets like South Korea, could catalyze greater adoption. Upward price pressure on ENA may allow bulls to target the psychological $1 level.ENA last traded around this level in January 2025, with the overall market downturn seeing prices touch lows of $0.22 in June.A rebound allowed bulls to retest highs of $0.80, but the area marked a double top pattern and prices slumped to under $0.20 in early Jan. 2026.Ethena’s ongoing efforts to integrate USDe across major platforms, potentially driving further protocol growth and revenue, could cascade upside momentum to ENA.If the current levels mark a double bottom, a retest of $0.80 and then $1 is likely.The post Arthur Hayes eyes Ethena price surge to $1 as major Korean exchanges list USDe appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Bitcoin climbed above $97k on a risk-on outlookGains have also come as Bitcoin ETFs notch huge inflows.Risks include geopolitical escalations.Bitcoin is surging once again after a slow start in 2026, with the latest spike sending BTC to highs of $97,360 amid renewed risk-on sentiment across global markets.The cryptocurrency’s sharp surge in the past 24 hours has bulls excited for a potential breakout to the key psychological level of $100,000.Bitcoin Price ChartBitcoin price chart by TradingViewAs the broader crypto market eyes more upside momentum, analysts see fresh rotation into digital assets, with fiat currency debasement and supportive institutional flows key to this.But investors are also aware of the macroeconomic conditions, with US inflation data showing the Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 3% in November – highest since July.This could provide a mixed backdrop for price movements, but analysts say that Bitcoin breaking above $100k will be a critical move.Bitcoin jumps to $97kStocks rose after the US consumer price index came out on Tuesday, and Bitcoin rode the risk-on sentiment to jump from $93,000 to highs of $97,360.While Wall Street slipped afterwards amid losses for bank and tech stocks, BTC edged higher.The more than 4% spike for BTC signalled a robust risk-on outlook that also lifted altcoins, including Ethereum, XRP and Solana.A look at the charts shows Bitcoin is hovering at likely resistance around the $97,000-$97,500 zone.However, the gains mark a significant recovery from earlier January levels in the low $90k region.This advance has BTC above the $95,000 resistance level, a barrier that had capped upside momentum since November 2025,  analysts at QCP Group noted via X.1/ QCP Asia Colour, 14 January 2026We're goin' up, up, up, it's our momentGoldilocks still holds: US jobs look steady and inflation remains stable. Risk is back across the board, from equities and precious metals to the dollar and crypto.— QCP (@QCPgroup) January 14, 2026QCP sees the potential for the bellwether to witness continued strength, noting that Bitcoin could attract investor rotation from traditional safe havens.Recent US CPI data, which held steady and aligned with moderated inflation expectations, reinforced a supportive environment for risk assets.Bulls eye $100k level amid ETFs flowsDespite the notable headwinds, the overall market structure suggests potential for continuation higher, with technical indicators showing bullish momentum and volume supporting the rally.The recent gains have been bolstered by substantial inflows into US spot Bitcoin ETFs.As senior Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas noted, the funds recorded over $760 million in flows on a single day.Bitcoin ETFs had Big Day with $760m in flows. They needed it, started year real strong, dipped and now made it up, YTD above water. Check out the YTD flows every one is seeing action (this was like when 10 kids on my 8th grade bball team scored in game the other night, you love… pic.twitter.com/xeHw6EfBrS— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) January 14, 2026A resurgence in demand follows major redemptions in late 2025 and earlier in the year.Current momentum paints a different picture, signalling growing institutional conviction as BTC approaches the $100k level.The post Bitcoin price reclaims $97K, bulls eye $100K milestone appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Ethereum price pumped to $3,400 on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.Gains came as Bitcoin shot to highs above $97,000 and top altcoins ticked up.ETH staking has shown a strong resurgence, hitting an all-time high.The Ethereum (ETH) token traded to its intraday high just above $3,400 amid a broader crypto market rally.Driven by renewed investor optimism, lower inflation signals, and institutional inflows, the Bitcoin price broke to highs of $97,300.And with risk sentiment likely to propel bulls to the much-desired mark of $100,000, Ethereum mirrored the gains to new intraday highs.Notably, this comes as record staking participation, and positive technical indicators point to a potential retest of $4,000.Ethereum sees fresh momentum to $3,400Like BTC, ETH suffered downward pressure in the early days of 2026.However, amid a fresh bullish curve for spot crypto exchange-traded funds, momentum has now propelled Ethereum to highs of $3,403 as bulls decisively broke above the $3,300 threshold.The cryptocurrency was up 6% in the past 24 hours at the time of writing, having opened the day under $3,280.Gains sees ETH trade within a tight range of $3,280 and $3,520.Bulls are seeing a breakout after a period of consolidation above $3,000, a time during which Ethereum saw a spike in ETH staking.Data shows Ethereum staking has hit a record high with over 36 million ETH locked, a figure that accounts for nearly 30% of the circulating supply.The value of these coins sits at more than $118 billion at current prices.Additionally, daily new wallet creation has reached all-time highs, and ETFs are notching new net inflows.What next for ETH?ETH has reclaimed a key level and shows a bullish outlook with a potential ascending triangle pattern breakout.Further technical indicators, including the Relative Strength Index (RSI) shows bullish control at 67. RSI on the daily chart is upturned and since it’s not in overbought territory yet, buyers have the upper hand.The Moving Average Convergence Divergence indicator is also signalling bullish bias, with the crossover seeing the histogram flip green.Ethereum Price ChartEthereum price chart by TradingViewETH has also witnessed significant short liquidations, amplifying upward pressure as bears cover positions.CoinGlass data shows over $800 in crypto liquidations recorded in the past 24 hours, with over $250 million of this in ETH. Bearish bets account for $218 million and just over $32 million in long positions.Whether Ethereum can sustain its momentum and target higher levels remains to be seen.A confirmed hold and close above $3,300 could pave the way for a push toward $3,600-$3,800 in the short term.This outlook will be helped by an upbeat sentiment across the broader market. Bullish projections for Bitcoin above $100,000 also give ETH bulls hope of a potential retest of prices above $4,000.However, failure to defend $3,300 could lead to a pullback toward $3,100. Support zones below $3k are in the $2,8500-$2,700 region.The post Ethereum rallies to $3,400 as ETH staking hits new milestone appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Crypto Fear and Greed Index hit “greed” for the first time since the $19B October liquidation event.Bitcoin rallied to a two-month high above $97K, helping lift overall crypto market sentiment.On-chain data shows retail holders exiting, while declining exchange balances signal reduced sell pressure.The Crypto Fear and Greed Index has moved back into “greed” territory for the first time since a $19 billion liquidation event in October rattled digital asset markets, signaling an improvement in investor sentiment as Bitcoin staged a strong recovery.In an update on Thursday, the index posted a reading of 61, reflecting growing optimism after weeks spent in “fear” and “extreme fear.”Just a day earlier, the index stood at 48, placing it in the “neutral” zone.The shift marks a notable change in mood following months of heightened risk aversion among crypto traders.Sentiment rebounds after October liquidation shockCrypto investor sentiment collapsed on Oct. 11, when $19 billion was liquidated from the market, sending traders fleeing from altcoins and driving widespread pessimism.In the weeks that followed, the Crypto Fear and Greed Index recorded some of its lowest readings on record, falling into the low double digits multiple times in November and December.The index is closely watched by market participants as a barometer of sentiment, helping traders assess whether conditions favor buying, selling, or remaining on the sidelines.It compiles data from several indicators, including price volatility of major cryptocurrencies, trading volume, market momentum, Google search trends, and overall sentiment on social media platforms.The return to “greed” suggests that the sharp caution seen late last year has begun to ease, even though markets remain well below the levels that previously triggered euphoric sentiment.Bitcoin rally lifts overall market moodImproving sentiment has coincided with a strong rebound in Bitcoin prices.Over the past seven days, Bitcoin has climbed from $89,799 to reach a two-month high of $97,704 on Wednesday, according to data from CoinGecko.The move marks the first time Bitcoin has traded above $97,000 since Nov. 14.At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading at $96,218, up by 1% in the last 24 hours.At that time, however, the Fear and Greed Index was firmly in “extreme fear” territory, as Bitcoin was sliding sharply from all-time highs.The latest rally has helped stabilize broader market confidence, even as traders remain cautious about sustainability.While the index’s return to “greed” indicates growing optimism, it remains well below levels typically associated with excessive risk-taking.On-chain signals show retail exiting positionsDespite the improving price action, some on-chain indicators suggest that retail participation has declined in recent days. Analysts at market intelligence platform Santiment said in an X post on Wednesday that Bitcoin holders have been reducing their exposure.According to Santiment, over the last three days, there has been a net drop of 47,244 Bitcoin holders, indicating that “retail had been dropping out due to FUD & impatience.”“When non-empty wallets drop, it’s a sign that the crowd is dropping out, a good sign. Similarly, less supply on exchanges decreases the risk of a selloff,” the analysts said.They added that “This price bounce has also been supported by a 7-month low 1.18 million Bitcoin on exchanges.”A lower amount of Bitcoin held on exchanges is generally viewed as a bullish indicator, as it suggests investors are storing assets in private wallets and are less inclined to sell quickly.Taken together, the rebound in sentiment, rising Bitcoin prices, and declining exchange balances point to a cautiously improving outlook for the crypto market, even as investors continue to weigh lingering risks.The post Crypto Fear and Greed index returns to greed as Bitcoin rallies above $97K appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Key takeawaysXRP has lost its fourth place in the market to BNB after losing 3% of its value in the last 24 hours.The coin is struggling to overcome the $2.2 resistance level despite growing ETF demand.XRP loses fourth place to BNBXRP, the native coin of the Ripple ecosystem, has lost more than 2% of its value in the last 24 hours and is currently trading at $2.11 per coin. The bearish performance comes despite rising Open Interest (OI) and institutional inflow into XRP ETFs.According to CoinGlass, XRP’s OI has increased to $4.09 billion on Thursday, up from $3.93 billion on Tuesday. The increase, albeit minor, suggests that investors are beginning to lean more into risk.If the OI continues to increase, it could see XRP’s price rally higher in the near term and target the nearest resistance level. Despite that, the OI sits below the yearly high of $4.55 billion, recorded on January 6.Furthermore, interest in XRP spot Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) continues to build. SoSoValue reports that XRP ETFs gained nearly $11 million in inflow on Wednesday. Since their launch in November, XRP ETFs have recorded just one outflow, totaling nearly $41 million on January 7. The cumulative inflow now stands at $1.25 billion with net assets at $1.54 billion.Will XRP resume its uptrend soon?The XRP/USD 4-hour chart is bearish and efficient as Ripple has underperformed over the past few days. The coin is still trading above the key support provided by the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $2.08.A minor decline in the Relative Strength Index (RSI) to 53 on the 4-hour chart confirms the buildup of downside pressure. If the RSI continues to decline, XRP could retest the $1.90 support level in the near term. XRP/USD 4H ChartHowever, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator on the same chart holds above the signal line, which could allow investors to bet on XRP’s price soaring higher. If the daily candle closes above the 100-day EMA at $2.21, XRP could extend its rally towards the 200-day EMA ($2.33). The post XRP rally stalls despite growing ETF inflow: Check forecast appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Key takeawaysETH has maintained its price above $3,300 despite losing less than 1% of its value.The leading altcoin could rally higher in the near term amid growing institutional demand.ETH stays above $3,300 despite market pullbackETH, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, has lost less than 1% of its value in the last 24 hours and is now trading above $3,300 per coin.This performance comes despite growing institutional demand for Ethereum products. According to data obtained from SoSoValue, Ether-linked funds saw steady demand. Spot ether ETFs recorded $175 million in net inflows on Wednesday, led by BlackRock’s ETHA and Grayscale products, extending a gradual recovery in flows after a quiet December.The market pullback was primarily caused by the U.S. Senate Banking Committee (SBC) pushing back on discussing the crypto market-structure bill after Coinbase withdrew support for the latest draft.The committee Chairman, Tim Scott, announced in an official statement that bipartisan leaders, alongside the crypto and financial sectors, are continuing to work on the draft.The postponement comes after Coinbase’s CEO, Brian Armstrong, suddenly opposed the way, stating that it is better to have no bill than a bad one. Armstrong pointed out that the bill kills stablecoin rewards, erodes the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) authority, imposes DeFi prohibitions that violate privacy rights, and imposes a de facto ban on tokenized equities.ETH eyes a breakout to $3,500The ETH/USD 4-hour chart remains bullish despite the current market pullback. ETH is trading above $3,300 as the bulls defend the support level at $3,288. The MACD indicator on the 4-hour chart remains above the signal line, with green histogram bars above the zero line, expanding in support of the bullish thesis.ETH/USD 4H ChartThe RSI of 67 shows that buyers remain in control, with the bulls breaking above the immediate 200-day EMA resistance at $3,339. A daily candle close above this level could see ETH surge towards the resistance zone at $3,447, tested on December 10.However, failure to overcome this resistance level could see ETH retracing towards the $3,000 psychological region. The post Ether maintains price above $3,300, eyes breakout to $3,500 appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Decred price jumped over 40% in the past 24 hours to hit highs of $29.Several privacy coins are rallying.The approval of a proposal seeking to cap treasury expenditure has also catalysed gains.Decred (DCR) is outpacing other altcoins over the past 24 hours, with bulls exploding nearly 40% to highs of $29 as the privacy coin narrative ignites broader gains.The token’s upside momentum also comes after stakeholders overwhelmingly approved DCP-0013, a proposal to impose a strict spending cap on Decred’s decentralised treasury.Gains amid this governance milestone, privacy coins rally and risk-on sentiment could drive DCR price higher.Decred price gains as stakeholders approve DCP-0013 proposalThe Decred cryptocurrency is a layer 1 DAO project known for its innovative hybrid consensus mechanism and strong emphasis on community-driven governance.Supply is capped at 21 million, and over 82% of DCR is already mined. Supply dwindles every three weeks.Decred features a privacy mixnet and builds on Bitcoin’s blockchain model with on-chain governance and sustainable funding.While price is up amid gains for top privacy coins like Dash and Monero, Decred is also seeing notable momentum as the community signals a commitment to fiscal discipline and long-term sustainability.That’s what the approval of DCP-0013, which allows for capping of treasury spending, shows.Activation of the proposal will introduce monthly limits to treasury spending at 4% of available funds.Over 99% of the vote approved the upcoming implementation, a decisive outcome that has bolstered market sentiment.Privacy coins rally boosts DCR priceDecred’s DCR token traded in a relatively narrow $11–$17 range from March through early November 2025, before surging to a yearly high of $44 as privacy-focused cryptocurrencies moved sharply higher.The rally was followed by a steep correction driven by profit-taking and broader macroeconomic pressures, with prices sliding to lows of $14 on December 24.A rebound in early 2026 has seen renewed interest in privacy coins, lifting Decred to intraday highs of $29.The token is up about 75% over the past week, in line with a wider rally across the privacy-coin segment.Decred Price ChartDecred price chart by CoinMarketCapAs a project that incorporates privacy-enhancing elements through its architecture and governance, Decred benefits from this sector-wide enthusiasm.Privacy coins gaining traction could catapult Decred above $50, with the main target in the short term being $100.Zcash has gained a lot of attention, but Decred bulls think DCR will outperform amid its “staying power.”https://www. twitter.com/Bitsoshi/status/2004996043612844321Monero (XMR) has broken to highs of $700, Dash (DASH) has led weekly top performers and is above $80, while Zcash (ZEC) has touched the key level of $450.The post Decred (DCR) price soars amid treasury spending cap approval appeared first on CoinJournal.

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London Stock Exchange has launched Digital Settlement House.DiSH is a platform for post-trade settlement with 24/7 tokenized commercial bank deposits.LSE has welcomed multiple crypto ETPs, the latest a Bitcoin and Gold ETP by 21Shares.London Stock Exchange Group has announced the launch of its digital settlement hub, a blockchain platform designed to offer 24/7 settlement for tokenized commercial bank deposits.The LSEG officially unveiled the Digital Settlement House (LSEG DiSH) platform via a press release on Thursday, January 15, 2026.DiSH is a blockchain-enabled platform that will offer instantaneous and around-the-clock settlements for both on-chain and off-chain payment networks.Big move for LSEGAccording to LSEG, the innovative service bridges traditional finance and digital asset ecosystems, with real-time Payment-versus-Payment (PvP) and Delivery-versus-Payment (DvP) transactions.DiSH will support multiple currencies and jurisdictions, with these capabilities available on open-access under the London Stock Exchange Group’s Post Trade Solutions division.“LSEG DiSH expands the tokenised cash and cash-like solutions available to the market, and for the first time, offers a real cash solution tokenised on the blockchain utilising cash in multiple currencies held at commercial banks,” said Daniel Maguire, group head of LSEG Markets and chief executive officer of LCH Group.Maguire added that the service brings benefits such as reduced settlement risk and integration of existing cash, securities and digital assets into the current market infrastructure.Institutional adoption of blockchain solutionsGlobal financial markets continue to see institutions eyeing blockchain solutions for efficient, resilient, and interoperable post-trade processes.The introduction of LSEG DiSH adds to this momentum, with this set to address challenges such as delayed settlements, fragmented liquidity, and limited operating hours.LSEG wants to be at the forefront of the evolving tokenized economy, with broader adoption of digital assets ramping up amid regulatory milestones.DiSH Cash offers additional features, including dynamic intraday borrowing and lending tools.Users can also tap into optimized liquidity management, synchronized settlement processes, reduced timelines, and enhanced collateral availability.LSEG’s launch of the platform builds on a successful Proof of Concept (PoC) conducted in collaboration with Digital Asset and a consortium of leading financial institutions.The PoC was executed on the Canton Network.Earlier moves, including the announcement of a blockchain trading platform in 2023.In September 2025, LSEG unveiled Digital Markets Infrastructure, a platform for private funds powered by Microsoft Azure.DMI delivers a blockchain-powered solution that taps into the benefits of scalability and efficiency to bolster asset issuance, tokenisation and distribution.This also includes post-trade asset settlement and servicing, with usage and support cutting across multiple asset classes.Post Trade Solutions recently received strategic investment from 11 major global banks as integration of traditional and digital finance gains traction.Crypto ETPs launch on LSERecently, the London Stock Exchange listed the 21shares Bitcoin Gold ETP (BOLD), a new crypto exchange-traded product that adds to the rising number of crypto ETPs on stock exchanges.Other firms, including Bitwise, have also expanded access to digital asset investment products via LSE listings.Regulatory approval from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority is among the key developments boosting adoption.The post LSEG launches Digital Settlement House to enable 24/7 blockchain-based settlement appeared first on CoinJournal.

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BNB Chain has completed a 1.37 million BNB token burn.The 34th quarterly burn sees total supply diminish to 136.36 million.BNB price hovered above $900 as the bulls look to target $1,000 next.BNB Foundation announced on January 15, 2026, that BNB Chain has completed its first burn of the year, and the 34th quarterly burn overall.The announcement came as BNB price hovered above $900 with fresh gains pushing the token up by nearly 8% over the past week.BNB traded around $944 at the time of writing, just in the green on the day, as bulls targeted an upward continuation amid the latest BNB token burn.A rally to $1,000 will strengthen a bullish outlook.BNB Chain burns 1.37 million BNBThe successful completion of the 34th quarterly BNB token burn by BNB Chain marks the first burn of 2026, according to details BNB Foundation shared.Burns of the token, currently the fifth largest cryptocurrency by market cap, continue the project’s longstanding deflationary strategy.BNB Chain managed to permanently remove a total of 1,371,803.77 BNB from circulation.The more than 1.37 million tokens account for BNB in two components: 1,371,703.67 BNB from the actual burn and 100.1 BNB in a pioneer burn. At the time of the burn, the destroyed tokens were worth about $1.27 billion.Binance’s token burn utilises an Auto-Burn mechanism, which automatically calculates the amount based on BNB’s prevailing price and the number of blocks generated on BNB Smart Chain during the quarter.“The BNB Auto-Burn provides an independently auditable, objective process. The figures are reported quarterly, and the mechanism is independent of the Binance centralized exchange,” the foundation wrote in a blog post.Following the BNB Chain Fusion, quarterly burns now occur directly on BSC, with tokens sent to an irreversible “black hole” address.BNB total supply falls to 136.36 millionBNB burns aim to gradually decrease the token’s total supply to 100 million BNB, with the latest cut leaving the total supply at roughly 136.36 million BNB.In the market, a reduction to a token’s circulating supply often means enhanced scarcity and support for long-term value growth.With BNB, regular burns towards 100 million tokens come amid rising network activity.BNB Chain has witnessed notable milestones with upgrades and web3 applications, particularly as real-world assets come on-chain.The price of BNB rose sharply in 2025 amid this growth, reaching an all-time high above $1,300.Overall market sell-off, which also saw Bitcoin correct from a peak of $126,000, cascaded to BNB and saw its price fall to under $800. Gains mean the main target in the short term is a retest of $1,000 and the ATH.The post BNB Chain completes 34th quarterly burn of 1.37 million BNB appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Pepe changed hands around $0.0000058, having dropped 9% amid sharp declines for memecoins.Dogecoin and Shiba Inu also shed gains, while Fartcoin plunged 13%.Memecoins are struggling as privacy coins explode.Pepe ranked among the weakest performers over the past 24 hours as momentum in the cryptocurrency market’s memecoin segment faded.The pullback has not been limited to Pepe. Several leading memecoins that posted strong gains earlier in January 2026 have also retreated, as investors lock in profits amid broader market repositioning.A shift in sentiment toward privacy-focused cryptocurrencies has coincided with declines in tokens such as Dogecoin, Shiba Inu and Bonk.Selling pressure has been more pronounced in some smaller names, with memecoins including Fartcoin recording double-digit losses.Pepe price falls 9%Frog-themed memecoin Pepe was down 9% in early trading during the US hours on Thursday as the broader category notched widespread declines.The token traded at around $0.0000059, down from recent highs of $0.0000065, with sell-off pressure mounting amid heightened selling activity.Data from CoinMarketCap shows daily trading volume was up 32% to over $795 million, indicating likely downward intensity.Pepe Price ChartPepe price chart by CoinMarketCapA pullback could trigger more losses, giving further impetus to bears.Earlier in the year, PEPE registered a strong surge as upward momentum engulfed memecoins.Speculative inflows and broader memecoin enthusiasm catalysed these movements.However, as with most other tokens in the sector, profit realisation after rallies has allowed for a fresh correction.Pepe’s price reached highs of $0.0000070 on January 14, 2025, but could now revisit lows of $0.0000055.Dogecoin and Shiba Inu shed gainsThe broader sell-off in memecoins pushed the category’s total market capitalisation down nearly 4% to $44.9 billion, while daily trading volume fell 19% to about $5.7 billion.Dogecoin (DOGE) saw mild profit-taking, with the token down about 5% at $0.14.Its market capitalisation stood at $23.9 billion, keeping it the largest memecoin by value, though prices have now given up gains logged when Bitcoin climbed to highs near $97,000 on Wednesday.Elsewhere, Shiba Inu (SHIB), the Ethereum-based token that had earlier rallied alongside the broader market, was trading around $0.0000085, down roughly 4% over the past 24 hours.Solana-based Bonk (BONK) was last near $0.0000105, down 7% on the day, while Official Trump (TRUMP) slipped about 5% to around $5.43.Floki (FLOKI) was among the worst performers, sliding about 8% over the past 24 hours as its price fell to roughly $0.000051.SPX6900 (SPX), a satirical, anti-establishment memecoin that surged earlier in its trading history, also remained under pressure, changing hands near $0.57, more than 10% lower on the day.Pudgy Penguins, a memecoin linked to the popular NFT collection, was trading around $0.012, down about 7% in the past 24 hours.Fartcoin recorded sharper losses, falling roughly 13% as it pared gains to around $0.37.The post Pepe price declines 9% as top memecoins falter appeared first on CoinJournal.

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Group-IB published its report on Jan. 15 and said the method could make disruption harder for defenders.The malware reads on-chain data, so victims do not pay gas fees.Researchers said Polygon is not vulnerable, but the tactic could spread.Ransomware groups usually rely on command-and-control servers to manage communications after breaking into a system.But security researchers now say a low-profile strain is using blockchain infrastructure in a way that could be harder to block.In a report published on Jan. 15, cybersecurity firm Group-IB said a ransomware operation known as DeadLock is abusing Polygon (POL) smart contracts to store and rotate proxy server addresses.These proxy servers are used to relay communication between attackers and victims after systems are infected.Because the information sits on-chain and can be updated anytime, researchers warned that this approach could make the group’s backend more resilient and tougher to disrupt.Smart contracts used to store proxy informationGroup-IB said DeadLock does not depend on the usual setup of fixed command-and-control servers.Instead, once a machine is compromised and encrypted, the ransomware queries a specific smart contract deployed on the Polygon network.That contract stores the latest proxy address that DeadLock uses to communicate. The proxy acts as a middle layer, helping attackers maintain contact without exposing their main infrastructure directly.Since the smart contract data is publicly readable, the malware can retrieve the details without sending any blockchain transactions.This also means victims do not need to pay gas fees or interact with wallets.DeadLock only reads the information, treating the blockchain as a persistent source of configuration data.Rotating infrastructure without malware updatesOne reason this method stands out is how quickly attackers can change their communication routes.Group-IB said the actors behind DeadLock can update the proxy address stored inside the contract whenever necessary.That gives them the ability to rotate infrastructure without modifying the ransomware itself or pushing new versions into the wild.In traditional ransomware cases, defenders can sometimes block traffic by identifying known command-and-control servers.But with an on-chain proxy list, any proxy that gets flagged can be replaced simply by updating the contract’s stored value.Once contact is established through the updated proxy, victims receive ransom demands along with threats that stolen information will be sold if payment is not made.Why takedowns become more difficultGroup-IB warned that using blockchain data this way makes disruption significantly harder.There is no single central server that can be seized, removed, or shut down.Even if a specific proxy address is blocked, the attackers can switch to another one without having to redeploy the malware.Since the smart contract remains accessible through Polygon’s distributed nodes worldwide, the configuration data can continue to exist even if the infrastructure on the attackers’ side changes.Researchers said this gives ransomware operators a more resilient command-and-control mechanism compared with conventional hosting setups.A small campaign with an inventive methodDeadLock was first observed in July 2025 and has stayed relatively low profile so far.Group-IB said the operation has only a limited number of confirmed victims.The report also noted that DeadLock is not linked to known ransomware affiliate programmes and does not appear to operate a public data leak site.While that may explain why the group has received less attention than major ransomware brands, researchers said its technical approach deserves close monitoring.Group-IB warned that even if DeadLock remains small, its technique could be copied by more established cybercriminal groups.No Polygon vulnerability involvedThe researchers stressed that DeadLock is not exploiting any vulnerability in Polygon itself.It is also not attacking third-party smart contracts such as decentralised finance…

Only VASP-registered platforms will stay available on the Play Store.Local exchanges like Upbit and Bithumb could gain more market share.Some traders may shift towards DeFi and non-custodial wallets.South Korea’s crypto market is facing a major shift in how traders access overseas centralised exchanges.Many foreign cryptocurrency exchange (CEX) apps are expected to become unavailable for download or unable to receive updates, through South Korea’s Google Play Store.The change is linked to a Google policy update that ties app availability to local licensing requirements.As a result, only platforms that meet South Korea’s regulatory standards will remain listed.While the move does not fully block international trading services, it creates new barriers for users who rely on global exchanges through mobile apps.Google Play tightens crypto app compliance rulesGoogle’s updated policy connects crypto app distribution to regulatory approval in each region.In South Korea, that means crypto exchanges and wallet providers must hold valid local registration and follow strict compliance rules.Only exchanges registered as Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) in South Korea can continue operating normally on Google Play.This includes meeting tough anti-money laundering (AML) measures and security obligations required by the Korean financial authorities.Since only a limited number of overseas platforms have secured VASP status in the country, most foreign exchanges will be blocked from new downloads and future app updates on the Play Store.This approach effectively makes Android app access dependent on domestic licensing, even if the exchange continues offering services elsewhere.Overseas platforms remain accessible but less convenientSouth Korean users are not completely cut off from foreign exchanges.They can still use overseas platforms through mobile web browsers or manually install apps using APK files.However, browser-based trading tends to be less smooth for active users, with weaker performance and fewer app-level features.APK sideloading also brings extra risks because it bypasses Google Play’s built-in security checks.Users installing crypto apps outside official channels may face higher exposure to malware, phishing attacks, and compromised applications.That creates added pressure on traders who want mobile access but also need a safe environment for managing funds.Domestic exchanges could gain more market controlThe policy change may also reshape South Korea’s crypto market structure by limiting competition from global platforms.With fewer overseas apps available through Google Play, domestic exchanges such as Upbit and Bithumb could strengthen their position.A larger share of trading activity may shift to local platforms simply because they remain easier to download, update, and use on Android devices.This could give domestic exchanges more influence over trading volume, token listings, and fee structures.Over time, reduced international competition could also affect how quickly new features and products reach Korean users, especially if access to offshore platforms becomes less practical for everyday trading.DeFi alternatives may grow but scrutiny remainsWith centralised mobile access restricted, some traders may look towards decentralised finance tools.Decentralised exchanges and non-custodial wallets are not subject to the same Google Play licensing requirement, which could make them appealing to users seeking wider access to digital assets.However, this does not remove the risks linked to regulation and tax compliance.South Korean authorities have continued tightening reporting requirements and enforcement across the crypto sector.That means users shifting into DeFi still face uncertainty, especially as policymakers focus more on transparency and monitoring.How global crypto exchanges may adaptOverseas exchanges may not leave the South Korean market completely.Instead, some could explore ways to stay active by partnering with, or taking equity stakes in, Korean firms…

X’s API ban erased Yaps, removing most of the real token utility of KAITO.Insider wallet transfers before the shutdown intensified sell pressure.KAITO’s price has fallen below key support, leaving the token near all-time lows.Kaito has officially begun winding down its Yaps product after losing access to the X API, marking a major turning point for the project and its token economy.The decision follows a recent policy change by X, formerly Twitter, which banned applications that reward users for posting content on the platform.X cited a surge in AI-generated spam and low-quality engagement as the primary reason for revoking API access from so-called “reward-for-posting” or InfoFi apps.Why X’s move forced Kaito to pull down YapsYaps was Kaito’s flagship product and the core driver of user engagement across the ecosystem.The program rewarded users with KAITO tokens for creating and interacting with crypto-related posts on X.For many participants, Yaps represented the main reason to hold and use the KAITO token.According to multiple industry estimates, Yaps accounted for roughly 70% of KAITO’s practical token utility.Hence, the shutdown triggered an immediate and severe demand shock for the token.Kaito confirmed that the Yaps incentive program and its associated leaderboards would be sunset rather than modified.The company stated that the product could not operate in compliance with X’s new API restrictions.This forced exit exposed the risks of building token-driven engagement models on centralized social platforms.Thousands of users were affected by the move almost overnight.Data shared by market trackers indicates that approximately 157,000 Yaps-associated accounts were banned or disabled following the policy enforcement.The sudden loss of users accelerated selling pressure as participants exited positions tied to the discontinued program.Market reaction and insider trading concernsThe market reaction to the Yaps shutdown was swift and decisive.KAITO fell 19.5% in a 24-hour period, sharply underperforming the broader crypto market, which declined by just 1.05% over the same timeframe.The token dropped to around $0.5449, sliding close to its all-time low of $0.4717 recorded in December.Trading volume surged to over $153 million in 24 hours, representing more than the project’s daily market capitalization turnover.This spike in volume signaled conviction-driven selling rather than a temporary volatility spike.Sentiment deteriorated further after allegations of insider trading began circulating within the crypto community.On-chain analysts flagged a wallet linked to the Kaito team that deposited 5 million KAITO tokens, worth roughly $2.7 million at the time, to Binance.The transfer occurred approximately seven days before the public announcement of the Yaps shutdown.This deposit represented nearly 2% of the circulating supply and was the largest exchange inflow for KAITO in the last 90 days.While no wrongdoing has been proven, the timing raised concerns about information asymmetry.Retail investors interpreted the move as a potential loss of confidence from insiders.Trust erosion compounded the downside pressure already created by the loss of token utility.At the same time, Kaito is attempting to reposition its business model.The company announced a pivot toward Kaito Studio, a product focused on connecting brands with vetted creators.Unlike Yaps, the new model emphasizes quality-driven marketing and analytics rather than mass token incentives.This transition reduces reliance on retail participation but introduces uncertainty around KAITO’s future role.It remains unclear whether brands will be required to use KAITO as a payment or settlement token.Without a clearly defined demand loop, token value accrual becomes harder to justify in the near term.KAITO price analysis and ecosystem transitionFrom a technical perspective, KAITO confirmed a bearish breakdown.The price slipped below the key $0.60 support level, which had acted as both a psychological and structural floor.Momentum…

President Alexander Lukashenko signed Decree No. 19 to set operating rules and market entry conditions.Cryptobanks must become Hi-Tech Park residents and be registered in a central bank-run cryptobank register.The model introduces dual oversight through financial rules and Hi-Tech Park supervisory board decisions.Belarus is moving digital assets closer to the core of its financial system after introducing a legal framework for “cryptobanks”.Instead of treating crypto as a separate industry, the country is building a model where token-related services sit inside existing banking structures and are supervised by the state.On Friday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed Decree No. 19, which defines how cryptobanks can operate and what conditions they must meet to enter the market.The move gives Belarus a regulated route for crypto-linked banking, while tightening the boundaries around who is allowed to provide these services.What Decree No. 19 allows cryptobanks to doUnder the decree, cryptobanks are defined as joint-stock companies that can combine token-based activity with traditional banking functions.This includes banking services, payments, and related financial services, but now within a formal legal structure.Rather than creating a parallel “crypto sector”, Belarus is linking digital asset operations to the same financial oversight mechanisms and infrastructure that already govern mainstream institutions.That approach signals an effort to keep crypto activity within a controlled and traceable system.Cryptobanks will not be open to every player. The framework limits participation to firms that agree to operate strictly within the country’s regulatory requirements.Hi-Tech Park rules are now tied to crypto bankingA key part of the new framework is the Hi-Tech Park, a state-backed technology zone that already plays a major role in Belarus’s digital economy strategy.Under the decree, a cryptobank must obtain resident status in the Hi-Tech Park before entering the market.On top of this, cryptobanks must be added to a dedicated register that will be maintained by the country’s central bank.This structure effectively places market access behind formal approvals, ensuring the state can monitor who is active and under what rules they are operating.Cryptobanks face dual oversight and compliance dutiesBelarus is applying a layered supervision model to cryptobanks, with requirements that stretch beyond standard financial compliance.According to the decree, cryptobanks must follow rules applied to non-bank credit and financial institutions.They also have to implement decisions issued by the Hi-Tech Park’s supervisory board.This sets up dual oversight that combines financial regulation with technological supervision.Officials say the approach is designed to support innovative products that mix conventional banking services with token-based transaction efficiencies.In practical terms, it allows crypto-linked services to be delivered through licensed entities that are already embedded in the formal banking environment.The new cryptobank rules fit into a longer policy direction where crypto is allowed only within clearly defined and state-approved boundaries.The post Belarus establishes rules for ‘crypto banks’: check out the details appeared first on CoinJournal.

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