The multidistrict saga surrounding FTX’s collapse is inching toward resolution, as FTX users and Fenwick & West filed a proposed settlement in a Florida federal court. The parties say they will present the terms for court approval on February 27, though the filing did not reveal the settlement’s

PayPal and the U.S. National Cryptocurrency Association survey show that 39% of American merchants have accepted digital asset payments, and 84% predict they will become mainstream within five years. Among the adopting merchants, cryptocurrencies account for 26% of sales, with 72% reporting annual growth. Millennials (77%) and Generation Z (73%) are driving demand, with the hotel and travel industry leading at 81%. Ninety percent of merchants say they would adopt digital assets if it were as convenient as credit cards.

_Analyst Benjamin Cowen expects Bitcoin to continue its downward trend, relative to equities._ _Analysts say that a rotation from gold and silver into crypto is unlikely in the immediate future._ _Meanwhile, Tom Lee is facing backlash for predicting that January would be a bullish

_Senators say DOJ crypto rollbacks coincided with ethics concerns and a sharp rise in illegal crypto activity._ U.S. Senate Democrats are questioning recent changes to federal cryptocurrency enforcement. In a letter sent on Wednesday, the lawmakers accused Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche

I wrote my first line of smart contract code during the ICO frenzy of 2017. As a seasoned builder who has lived through 2026, experienced “94”, DeFi Summer, NFT craze, FTX collapse, and countless “cryptocurrency is dead” debates, I have seen countless project founders “kill themselves” in a thousand ways. I found that in this long Crypto journey, the definition of “winning” has never been about how many billions your FDV hit on TGE day or whether you achieved a grand slam. It’s about whether you are still fighting against the entire world for your sovereignty consciousness. Every team with a slight technical background or some resources can at least issue a coin once. Even if the code is forked, or the white paper is written by GPT, as long as it’s launched during the bull market, or relies on someone’s support, or you have the surname Trump, anyone can become a fleeting “unicorn”.

The United States launches Trump account program, allocating $1,000 to newborns for investment in index funds, available after age 18. In three days, 600,000 families opened accounts, with an estimated 25 million participants. Companies like NVIDIA and Coinbase provide $1,000 for employees' children. Critics say this will exacerbate the wealth gap: the wealthy's annual savings of $5,000 grow exponentially, while the poor's $1,000 only accumulates to $3,570 over 18 years.

Bitcoin started the year with momentum but has since reversed course, slipping to a yearly low below 84,000 as futures deleveraging pressured prices. Analysts say the move reflects a broader corrective regime rather than a structural market breakdown, driven more by leverage in the derivatives

In brief Senate Agriculture Democrats say they want to pass a crypto market structure bill, but that Republicans are derailing the process. Republicans advanced a GOP-only draft on a party-line vote Thursday, with all Democrats opposing. Democrats say support hinges on ethics provisions b

Prediction markets on Polymarket and Kalshi have placed BlackRock Chief Investment Officer Rick Rieder as the clear frontrunner to become the next Chair of the Federal Reserve, assigning him a 43-45% probability following explicit praise from President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos. This surge displaces former favorite Kevin Hassett, whose odds collapsed to 8% after Trump signaled a preference to keep him in his current White House role. Rieder’s potential nomination r

In brief The tool can autonomously browse the web, execute commands, manage files and place phone calls across common messaging apps. Security researchers say some users have deployed it with internet-exposed gateways and no authentication, creating risks of remote takeover and credential th

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure AFP Protección, Colombia’s second-largest private pension manager, is preparing a new product that will give some savers a way to gain exposure to Bitcoin. Reports say the move will be limited,

Author: Jianwei Zhi Zhu Zazhi Recently, I was recommended a few small metal stocks, and looking back, I can only say they are really worth it. We shouldn't wait until we're caught in a situation to start researching; instead, we should do our research beforehand. So, I am launching a new series: Metal Mineral Research, to take a look at the landscape of various small metals. Sometimes, I find short articles quite interesting. For example, a few days ago, I mentioned that the import of explosives in Myanmar's Wa State increased, and immediately the price of tin dropped a bit. This hints at a potential supply logic. 【Reminder: Fundamentals are just fundamentals, not to guide trading】 Small metals are not necessarily small, especially in the context of industrial transformation. Once there is a technological breakthrough, small metals can very likely become strategic metals. For example, before becoming an "energy metal," the market size of lithium was not large, mainly used in glass ceramics, lubricants, and other fields. But with the explosive growth of new energy vehicles and energy storage industries, lithium as a power battery material...

_John Daghita linked to $40M U.S. seized crypto breach; son of Marshals contractor, access method remains unclear._ Investigators identified John Daghita, also known as ‘Lick,’ in a reported breach of U.S. government seized crypto funds. Investigators and on chain analysts say more than $40

American extreme climber Alex Honnold challenged Taipei 101 on January 25, taking 91 minutes to reach the top of 508 meters during a live stream on Netflix. Polymarket's prediction of the "1 hour 30-45 minutes" option accurately hit with $548,000, but the use of a rope ladder at the tower's tip sparked controversy. Scholars say this event reflects Taiwan's desire to be "seen by the world."

Introduction Bitcoin (BTC) (CRYPTO: BTC) has long been debated as a potential everyday payment method. Yet, observers say policy, not the underlying technology, remains the bigger hurdle to widespread adoption. Pierre Rochard, a Bitcoin treasury veteran and a board member of the Strive project,

Introduction Bitcoin (BTC) (CRYPTO: BTC) has long been debated as a potential everyday payment method. Yet, observers say policy, not the underlying technology, remains the bigger hurdle to widespread adoption. Pierre Rochard, a Bitcoin treasury veteran and a board member of the Strive project,

_Bitcoin’s value vs. gold drops to 18.5 oz/BTC, a multi-year low, amid record gold highs and rare valuation levels._ Bitcoin’s value compared with gold has dropped to a rare historical level, according to recent market data. Analysts following long term pricing models say the Bitcoin to gold r

The silver price is trading near $99 per ounce, so it’s now within reach of the long-discussed $100 milestone. The move got the attention of a lot of investors, including crypto ones too. With that in mind, analysts say the rally is being driven by real supply stress. Market analyst Ripster

This week, bitcoin is trading 29% below its all-time high from October, when the bellwether digital asset cleared $126,000 per coin, leaving its most ardent backers to reckon with an uncomfortable reality: precious metals like gold have been stealing the spotlight. Still, plenty of die-hard crypto b

In brief Coinbase announced an independent advisory board focused on quantum computing and blockchain security. The company says quantum risks are long-term, but planning now is necessary given the time required to upgrade cryptographic systems. Outside researchers say the move reflects g

Cardano nears record lows against Bitcoin amid prolonged price consolidation, but history offers context for subsequent price action. Notably, altcoins in general have recorded steeper declines than Bitcoin amid occasional corrections during a mild bullish season for the crypto industry.

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure A decade-old report from the World Economic Forum (WEF) is resurfacing in the crypto space, highlighting early recognition of Ripple and XRP’s potential in the banking sector. Analysts say the

The crypto market is experiencing a new wave of strategic positioning with a number of popular digital assets moving into what analysts say is an accumulation zone. Phoenix Group released data on January 20, 2026, indicating a set of cryptocurrencies that is witnessing increased trading rates and

A xAI engineer, Sulaiman Ghori, spent over an hour praising the company's "transparent culture," only to be fired the next day. You can say anything inside the company, but speaking out externally is a different matter. (Background recap: X 공개 알고리즘 원본 코드 "Phoenix" 공개! Feeding each other with Grok, Elon Musk chooses to keep model weights confidential) (Additional background: Elon Musk online defending OpenAI: Former "biggest supporter" angrily demands 134 billion USD, ultimately betraying his nostalgia for business?) Table of Contents Ticket to Engineer Paradise When Trust Meets Boundaries History Always Amazingly Repeats The Inner Logic of Extreme Culture The Boundary of Transparency The Most Ironic Footnote > "No one said no to me." This is Sulaiman Ghori

In brief The UK's Treasury Committee warned regulators are leaning too heavily on existing rules as AI use accelerates across financial services. It urged clearer guidance on consumer protection and executive accountability by the end of 2026. Observers say regulatory ambiguity risks

Jefferies executive Christopher Wood reduces 10% of BTC and reallocates to gold (5% physical + 5% mining stocks) due to concerns over quantum computing threats. The largest compliant crypto exchange in the US estimates that 32.7% (6.51 million coins) of BTC are at risk; developers say it would take 20-40 years to crack, but institutions have re-evaluated the risks.

Bitcoin (BTC) remains in a sluggish trend, temporarily reported at around $92,520 on January 20. The Federal Reserve plans to purchase $55 billion in US Treasury bonds over the next three weeks, which industry insiders say will significantly boost risk assets such as US stocks and cryptocurrencies. US banks forecast that liquidity will increase by $600 billion by 2026.

In brief Douglas Rushkoff argues AI utopianism masks labor exploitation and environmental costs. Economists say AI boosts productivity but concentrates displacement, especially at the entry level. Experts push back on claims of deliberate deception, warning against oversimplified

Author: Nikka / WolfDAO( X : @10xWolfdao ) 1: A Dramatic Shift in VC Investment Logic Wintermute Ventures' data from 2025 reveals a harsh reality: this top-tier market maker and investment firm reviewed about 600 projects throughout the year, ultimately approving only 23 deals, with an approval rate of just 4%. Even more astonishing, only 20% of the projects entered the due diligence stage. Founder Evgeny Gaevoy openly stated that they have completely moved away from the "spray and pray" approach of 2021-2022. This shift is not unique to Wintermute. The entire crypto VC ecosystem saw a 60% drop in deal volume in 2025, down from over 2,900 in 2024.

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure Reports say Moldova will roll out its first full crypto law by the end of 2026. The move aims to copy much of the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets rules. This is not a sudden idea. It

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure Ethereum’s validator exit queue has dropped to zero, a shift that on-chain watchers say could change how the market views sell pressure. According to on-chain metrics and recent reports,

In brief Douglas Rushkoff argues AI utopianism masks labor exploitation and environmental costs. Economists say AI boosts productivity but concentrates displacement, especially at the entry level. Experts push back on claims of deliberate deception, warning against oversimplified

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure Anchorage Digital, a New York–based crypto bank, is moving to raise fresh capital as it prepares to enter public markets. According to Bloomberg, people familiar with the matter say the firm is

A recent study found that only 8% to 11% of the $3.2 trillion cryptocurrency market generates yield—a five- to sixfold disparity compared with traditional finance, where 55% to 65% of capital is yield-bearing. Experts say the gap is a major barrier to institutional adoption, noting that

In brief Douglas Rushkoff argues AI utopianism masks labor exploitation and environmental costs. Economists say AI boosts productivity but concentrates displacement, especially at the entry level. Experts push back on claims of deliberate deception, warning against oversimplified

The crypto market started 2026 with strength, holding a total value close to $3 trillion and daily trading activity above $200 billion. Even with this momentum, Cardano (ADA) price analysis continues to show extended sideways movement, while the BNB price pattern stays locked within a narrow

Senate leaders say crypto market structure talks are active, with Tim Scott and Cynthia Lummis citing progress toward clarity. The White House reaffirmed support, with David Sacks saying bipartisan crypto legislation is closer than ever to passage. Coinbase’s opposition over DeFi,

Author: Nikka / WolfDAO( X : @10xWolfdao ) 1: A Dramatic Shift in VC Investment Logic Wintermute Ventures' data from 2025 reveals a harsh reality: this top-tier market maker and investment firm reviewed about 600 projects throughout the year, ultimately approving only 23 deals, with an approval rate of just 4%. Even more astonishing, only 20% of the projects entered the due diligence stage. Founder Evgeny Gaevoy openly stated that they have completely moved away from the "spray and pray" approach of 2021-2022. This shift is not unique to Wintermute. The entire crypto VC ecosystem saw a 60% drop in deal volume in 2025, down from over 2,900 in 2024.

Megatel Homes, after receiving an SEC "no-action" letter, launched the crypto platform MegPrime. Tenants using MP tokens to pay rent can receive a 100% refund of 12 months' rent, with up to $25,000 available for home purchases, and homeowners can benefit from a low 2% mortgage rate. With 32% of the U.S. population renting, the founders say this provides a financial lifeline.

The exit of Electric Coin Co.’s development team to launch the for‑profit startup CashZ has shaken the Zcash ecosystem. Analysts remain divided: some warn the departure exposes single‑point‑of‑failure risks and undermines cypherpunk ideals, while others argue fragmentation strengthens resilience

Security researchers say a low-profile ransomware group is using Polygon smart contracts to hide and rotate its command-and-control infrastructure. Summary DeadLock ransomware, first observed in July 2025, stores rotating proxy addresses inside Polygon smart contracts to evade takedowns. The t

Binance founder CZ recently reiterated that the price of Bitcoin will inevitably reach $200,000, calling it "the most obvious thing in the world." He attributes this prediction to the easing of global regulatory environments, a policy-friendly shift following Trump's election, and the accelerated integration of Bitcoin with traditional financial systems. Currently, Bitcoin's price has stabilized above $97,000 driven by continuous ETF capital inflows and the post-halving cycle, with strong bullish market sentiment. However, data from decentralized prediction markets indicate that market confidence in achieving this goal in the short term is not sufficient, revealing the typical tension in the cryptocurrency market between grand narratives and short-term realities.

Confidence is building across the XRP community that 2026 could mark a turning point for the XRP Ledger’s decentralized exchange (DEX). Key Data Points XRP Ledger insiders say 2026 could be the breakout year for the network’s built-in DEX Validators and influencers argue XRPL’s native DEX is

Ripple secured preliminary approval for an Electronic Money Institution license from Luxembourg’s financial regulator. This marks a massive regulatory win that opens up the entire European Union market for Ripple Payments. XRP reacted fast, pumping as institutional interest across Europe

The US military withdraws from Middle Eastern bases, with European officials stating action within 24 hours. Trump calls for a swift victory to severely weaken the regime, not a prolonged war. Iran warns Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkey not to use the passage, or they will become targets of retaliation. The protests have resulted in 2,600 deaths, and officials say it is the most violent unrest since 1979.

Negotiators say a stablecoin yield compromise was reached, but details remain undisclosed and unconfirmed in final text. Some Democratic offices still oppose a yield ban, signaling unresolved concerns after the amendment deadline. Uncertainty over final language clouds whether the deal

Russia is planning limited crypto access for non qualified investors under a 300,000 ruble cap during the spring session. The draft law moves cryptocurrencies into standard financial rules while keeping strict limits for retail traders. Lawmakers say the bill may support cross border cryp

Altcoins face 55% futures OI drop, shrinking rally windows and stagnant liquidity as Wintermute and Pantera say risk capital is rotating back to Bitcoin and Ethereum majors. Summary Wintermute reports low-cap altcoins now only trend up for \~20 days on average in 2025, versus 40--60 days in

In brief Visa has partnered with BVNK to enable stablecoin pre-funding and payouts on Visa Direct in select markets. The integration allows businesses to send payouts directly to recipients’ stablecoin wallets, extending Visa’s earlier stablecoin payout pilots. Experts say stablecoin payo

During a recent summit between South Korean and Japanese leaders, Osaka Mayor Sanae and Lee Jae-myung engaged in "drum diplomacy," performing a KPOP song together. The leaders focused on supply chain resilience and maintained diplomatic space on the Taiwan Strait issue. Japan-South Korea Leaders' Meeting: Osaka Mayor Sanae and Lee Jae-myung's Drum Diplomacy Video Revealed ----------------------- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung recently visited Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Osaka, and after their meeting on January 13, the Japanese side prepared a surprise "drum diplomacy" activity. Sanae Osaka, who was a heavy metal band drummer in university, personally instructed Lee Jae-myung in drumming techniques, and the two performed BTS's "Dynamite" and the theme song "Golden" from the anime "KPOP Witch Group." Perhaps because the image of both national leaders drumming simultaneously was too rare, after Taiwanese media reposted the publicly released Japanese government video